<div>Brothers Of the Blood: Mark Of Cain<br>Chapter Nine<br>Chapter Summary: the crew have been transported to the strangers stronghold, but Ian isn't happy about what's been going down</div>
<div>Previous chapters: <a href="http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/viewstory.php?sid=37198">http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/viewstory.php?sid=37198</a></div>
<div><br><br>Curled on her left side with her head pillowed on her bent arm, Yessenia opened her emerald eyes to mere slits and watched Ian creep toward Dalton's cot.<br><br>During the last three hours since the ground force had turned in for the night, his restless movements back and forth to Dalton's side had awaken her a minimum of ten times.<br>
<br>She'd be extremely angry with him right now if she didn't know that something was disturbing him on a deeper level than she could fathom.<br>Not even the heavy, midnight gloom of the room could disguise the somber scowl marring his habitually carefree expression.<br>
<br>"I could really be using your advice, boss." His words were a mere murmur in the darkness as he lifted his left hand and glared at something in his palm. "I be nay kidding, Dal. You can wake up any time now." His hand convulsed into a tight fist. "I be thinking I may have really blown it big for certain this time."<br>
<br>Groaning softly, he tipped his haunted glance toward the low ceiling. "Seems I've walked us into some nasty trouble this time, boss." His soft, bitter laugh sounded ominous in the hushed still of the night. "I be thinking it might even be beyond your abilities to be snatching us out of this abyss I've thrown us into." <br>
<br>Growling low in his throat, Ian glided back toward his own cot, only to return after a mere moment.<br><br>Sighing, Yessenia leaned up on her elbow. "Want to talk?"<br><br>"Ah, my wee bonny lass." Ian padded over to the foot of her bunk. "I thought ye asleep."<br>
<br>Her fingers curled around his and drew him down beside her. "Not now."<br><br>A wistful smile lifted his lips. "Well, since you be no...." he drawled, gathering her into his hungry embrace.<br><br>
She braced a stiff arm against his chest, unwilling to be put off by his Irish blarney. "Not so fast, lover."<br><br>"Ah, come on, me darling. What be troubling ye?"<br><br>"I think that's the question I should ask you," Yessenia said, tugging the heat-reflective blanket protectively around her shoulders. "Make no mistake, I was most definitely asleep, but some great hulk of a man kept stomping around near my head, so now I am not."<br>
<br>She turned in his arms and leaned sleepily against his shoulder. "I strongly recommend you start talking. And you better make it good. I hurt, and I'm in no mood to listen to nonsense."<br><br>"I truly dinna intend waking you, Yessenia mine," he rasped, nuzzling his face in her tousled red hair. "No yet anyway."<br>
<br>"Go easy on the bod, lover." She squirmed against his possessive embrace, resisting the strangle hold he had on her. "It's had enough."<br><br>He murmured a wordless apology against her throat and with obvious reluctance loosened his grip. <br>
<br>For a moment she rested against the warmth of his muscular chest, listening to the steady tha-thump of his heart, then she lifted her face to watch the swift play of his emotions through a veil of bronze lashes. "You're worried about Dalton, aren't you?"<br>
<br>He plunged tugging fingers into her flaming hair, revealing clearer than any words the extent of his nervous agitation. "And Paris, for what it be worth."<br><br>Yessenia loosened his tangled grip and laced her fingers though his. "Tell me."<br>
<br>He blew a long sigh through pursed lips. "I have just completed a scan on the boss and Paris."<br><br>"A scan, Ian?"<br><br>Ian shrugged. "I've been running tests on them all evening. Ever since the rest of you turned in."<br>
<br>"Tell me something I don't already know. Like why it is you are using scanners when you despise them so much?"<br><br>Another shrug. "Dalton would nay be pleased in finding I used Medusian healing on him. Bearing that in mind, I be open to the possibilities at this point. Whatever it be taking to bring them out of this endless sleep."<br>
<br>"What did you find out, Ian?"<br><br>"'Twas nay good, I be telling you. For awhile there, I thought we be losing them. They slipped into what looked to be a deep coma. Scared me nigh senseless, and that be no lie."<br>
<br>"I can imagine," she murmured, glancing toward the cot where Dalton rested.<br><br>"'Twas then I decided a laying on of hands might be the answer," he dropped the bombshell almost incidentally.<br>
<br>"You laid hands on them?"<br><br>"Aye, that I did. And if Dal ever comes tae be hearing about that I will no have any hands left. So 'tis keeping it between just the tae of us, I hope ye'll be doing."<br>
<br>"That goes without saying."<br><br>"Anyway, when they still dinna respond I decided tae do a thorough hands-on examine."<br><br>"And?"<br><br>"I be thinking I found the problem. In any case, it appears they've come out o' the coma."<br>
<br>"You're certain?"<br><br>"Am I a medtech?"<br><br>"Not a medtech, but you are a healer."<br><br>"No quite, actually. I can access the ability tae heal, but I be na a true healer."<br>
<br>"But you are. I've seen you heal."<br><br>"Ye have witnessed a communion o' souls, Yessenia mine. My twin, Meraina, be the true healer. 'Tis through her, I heal. Through her spirit. At her discretion."<br>
<br>"But she's dead. You said you saw her....."<br><br>"Die? Aye, I witnessed her assassination. But she be with me still. I speak with her often, as a matter o' fact."<br><br>"Ah, Jez, this Medusan philosophy is just simply too weird for me," Yessenia muttered. "I'd be ever so very grateful if you keep to the technological end as far as the boss and Paris are concerned and skip the supernatural, intuitive clap-trap, okay?"<br>
<br>Ian grinned. "As you wish. After I discovered what I suspect be causing the problems, I used Domani's idiot mediscan on them. Ran a complete bio-series, I did. Both scans confirmed a normal REM pattern be returning. The pulses be at acceptable rates. Hearts be strong and steady."<br>
<br>He dipped his chin down on her shoulder. "Near as I can tell, both o' them should be coming around at any time. And I sure as hell hope I be right. I've a wee nasty feeling we are gonna need the boss, and soon."<br>
<br>Yessenia turned fully in his arms, searching his closed expression. "You think we're prisoners?"<br><br>He nodded and opened his fist, revealing two small oval disks. "Oh aye, me wee lassie. That much I be certain of."<br>
<br>Yessenia gingerly took the silver disks from him, studying the familiar rounds with disgust. "Sedative pads? That's what you found when you examined them? What prevented the healing from getting the appropriate effect?"<br>
<br>"Aye. 'Tis what I be thinking. Once the bleeding pads be removed, I got positive scans."<br><br>He took the shining disks from her unresisting fingers and carefully slipped both into his breast pocket, giving it a pat. "'Twas one pad attached to the back-side, left knee on both Paris and Dalton. I be thinking the soft tissue there makes the chemical absorption simple."<br>
He caught her worried gaze. "I also be thinking someone didna' want them waking up unexpectedly."<br><br>A thoughtful frown marred Yessenia's smooth brow. "You realize those two are the only ones among us who can identify Falcone by sight?"<br>
<br>Ian smiled grimly. "I had considered that. Funny coincidence, do ye na' think?"<br><br>Yessenia caught her lower lip between sharp white teeth. "I think it sounds like our host has been lying. Like he's definitely trying to hide something."<br>
<br>"More like someone."<br><br>She eyed him warily. "Falcone. You think he's been lying to protect Falcone."<br><br>"'Twould go a long way toward explaining a lot of what be going on here, do you na' agree?"<br>
<br>"Oh, indeed. I think you might really have something to be worried about." Morbid excitement burned in her gleaming emerald eyes as she pushed out of his arms. "Of course this means Sabre was right. That Adric is alive and trying to keep a low profile. Now, that is an interesting concept."<br>
<br>"'Tis the right same conclusion I came to."<br><br>"But why would it be necessary to drug them?" she wondered aloud, tapping a finger against her pouting lips. "Why not just stay out of sight? Let these people provide cover for him?"<br>
<br>"There be only one possible reason."<br><br>"We've already encountered Adric."<br><br>"And he be afraid 'twould raise some nasty questions if he suddenly dropped out of sight." Ian tugged at the skull- and-crossbones earring thoughtfully. "Way I see it, Adric can na' risk disappearing. Not unless he wants to take a chance on us sniffing around after him, and he sure as hell can na' walk around big as life if the boss and Paris be alive and awake to point him out."<br>
<br>"Surely you can't think he plans to kill them," Yessenia scoffed, then frowned. "Can he?"<br><br>"I do na' know, now do I? But I can na' believe our dying be in the cards. If that was the case, why mess around with the bleeding sedatives? Termination would be easier, and much more orderly in the long run. He doesna' need to clutter it up with a wee bit of drugging."<br>
<br>His worried gaze met hers and he continued, obviously trying to convince himself as much as her. "I can na' say for sure, but I do na' be thinking Adric means to kill them, or us either, for that matter."<br>
<br>"Just exactly how do you arrive at that conclusion?"<br><br>Ian shrugged a shoulder. "To hear Dal tell it, Adric was never hard enough for this business. Never had much stomach for out-right killing. Dal said Adric needed to be prodded to murder."<br>
<br>"Well, what then?" The color drained from her face. "Ah Judes, not the patrols. We'd be better off slitting our own wrists before they arrive to take us out."<br><br>Ian smiled, caressing her cheek. "Do na' let's go off half-cocked, lassie mine. Right now all I can figure is Adric be planning something nasty and we be the targets of said dirty business. But we have been in tighter spots before and we will again. You have me word on that."<br>
<br>She gave him a sad smile, nodding. "I have never in my life panicked, Ian. But Iwon't let my old comrades get their bloody hands on me, either. I know what happens to deserters from the Coalition. I've done enough runners to know I'd sooner do myself then fall into their twisted clutches."<br>
<br>"Nothing like that will happen to us, me sweet lass."<br><br>"You sound almost convincing. So tell me, lover, how are you going to stop him?"<br><br>"Hell and I would have thought that would be obvious, lass. I be going after him before he can do us deadly."<br>
<br>"Are you naturally stupid, Ian, or have you been practicing? The man is completely protected on this compound. You'll only get yourself killed prematurely if you go after him."<br><br>"Sure and he do be an enemy worse than any we've come up against before, I'll grant you that. But I will na' allow him to win the day. I made a big enough mess of this operation by crashing the ship. I be needing this to redeem my honor."<br>
<br>"It's all a matter of saving face, is it?"<br><br>"Aye, me pride 'tis indeed a part of it."<br><br>"Judes, why did I have to involve myself with a pagan who believes in death before dishonor?"<br>
<br>Ian grinned. "Mayhap I be a dangerous influence in your mind, sweet lass of mine."<br><br>"Now that is a scary thought," she teased, probing his laughing gaze. "Okay, we're going after Adric. But we still need to get a line on who he's is pretending to be, don't we? Otherwise, it's gonna be a little hard to get rid of him before he can do us any harm. Got any hot hunches?"<br>
<br>"I be the one going after the man, Yessenia, and pressed for an answer, 'tis our host gets my vote."<br><br>Yessenia stood, wrapping her arms around her waist in a purely protective manner. "He would be the logical choice."<br>
<br>"Stands to reason in me mind. The man never stuck around once we arrived here on the base. Instead he turned us over to a lackey and vanished like a banshee without so much as learning our names. It be a strange way to act, I thought at the time."<br>
<br>"Yes. Very strange."<br><br>Ian pulled her unresisting body back into the circle of his embrace, cuddling her against the hard wall of his chest. "You be uncomfortable around him?" he whispered against her ear.<br>
<br>"He does frighten me a bit."<br><br>He tipped her head back, capturing her wide gaze, and smiled. "You'll be telling me, lassie mine."<br><br>She shook her head. "No. It's nothing."<br>
"I'll be knowing the truth from ye, handfast bride. And I'll be hearing it now."<br><br>She heaved a heavy sigh, nodding. "It's that blessed scar, Ian. It could be regenerated in a matter of minutes. Why would anyone choose to keep the hideous disfigurement?"<br>
<br>"'Tis that all, wench?" He folded her more tightly into his embrace. "I be sure he has some special reason behind his actions."<br><br>"You think so?"<br><br>Smiling, he traced her parted lips with his thumb. "Mayhap he keeps it to frighten wee pretty ladies. Some men be mortal afraid of the opposite sex, so I've heard."<br>
<br>"Is that so?"<br><br>"Aye. 'Tis god's own truth." His head dipped toward her and his sweet breath warmed her cheek. "But you mustna' concern yourself. I will na' let anything hurt you."<br>
<br>"No?"<br><br>His lips were a sigh away. "I be enjoying your company to much to let it end without putting up a hell of a fight." His kiss, soft and brotherly, brushed her forehead and was gone.<br>
<br>Yessenia pushed out of his embrace. She knew this man too well. He had something in mind. Something that could easily get out of hand and turn dangerous, even deadly. "Cut the snow screen, lover. What's forming up in that tiny, devious mind of yours?"<br>
<br>He shrugged, grinning, and shoved his hands into his pockets. "I be thinking I should be finding out just what I've walked us into. Only way I can do that be by running a wee little recon."<br><br>"Alone?"<br>
<br>"Aye, lassie mine. Alone."<br><br>"You haven't done your share of the hero's work today, I suppose?"<br><br>"Appears na'. We be needing to know what Adric is planning." He held his hand up, halting her protests. "Yessenia, I got us into this mess. I be having to try and get us out." His sharp, wolf's features were set, serious. "Do na' fight me on this."<br>
<br>"Do I have a choice? You've already made up your mind, haven't you?" Her concerned gaze probed his veiled eyes for a sign of denial. "Do what you have to do. Only be careful. Come back to us, hey?"<br>
<br>"Always."<br><br>Yessenia shook her head, smiling.<br><br>This dear, impetuous man rarely used the care of a termite. Instead, he consistently took the most dangerous measures, landing himself, and for the most, the rest of them, hip deep in one catastrophe after another.<br>
<br>"Sure," she drawled. "Is there something you want me to do while I'm waiting for the fireworks to begin?"<br><br>He drew her back into the tender warmth of his embrace, cuddling her tightly while he nuzzled her neck. "All you have to do is be here waiting for me when I get back in half an hour."<br>
<br>"And if you don't come back?" she demanded doggedly. "What do I do then?"<br><br>"I will be back."<br><br>"And you know this for certain? Ian, what if you're wrong? What if you don't make it back?"<br>
<br>"You do na' need me to tell you what to do, Yessenia."<br><br>"No," she admitted. "But I do want to hear it from your lips. I want you to tell me."<br><br>"All right," he sighed. "If I do na' get back, wake the others. Tell them what we suspect. Then get them the hell out of here, if you can. Do na' look back, Yessenia. Just go. Go. And keep on going. Understand? Do na' take any stupid chances on my account."<br>
<br>Yessenia pushed back to the limit of his embrace. "You want us to leave you here, without even knowing if you're dead or alive?"<br><br>"That be what I said."<br><br>She shook her head. "Not in a dream. You have your implant. If you get into trouble, use the damn thing."<br>
<br>"Yessenia...."<br><br>"You're blowing air. I'm not leaving here without you."<br><br>Smiling, he gave her hair a playful tug. "'Tis thinking I am, the others would have obeyed without question, but na' you."<br>
<br>"That's right. Not me." She cupped his cheek, gazing deeply into his eyes. "You will give the call?"<br><br>"My word on it." His lips brushed the top of her head lightly before he put her away from him. "I've got to go."<br>
<br>"Ian?"<br><br>"Hm?"<br><br>"Don't be gone over long."<br><br>Grinning, he brushed his knuckles over her cheek. "Keep a light thought for me, love. I'll be back before you're having time to imagine the worst."<br>
<br>He strode swiftly to the door, cracked it open and scanned the hall. "Now, that do be strange."<br><br>"What's wrong?"<br><br>"No. Nothing. The hall be all clear, is all," he said, frowning, and shrugged. "Oh, well. See you on the flip side."<br>
<br>He opened the door wide, then his worried glance tracked to the rear of the barracks, stopping on Dalton. "Yessenia? Keep an eye on them for me. Do na' let them backslide."<br><br>Her smile flashed, radiant in its simplicity. "Count on it."<br>
<br>"That be my own sweet lassie." He tipped her a jaunty salute and ducked out the door, closing it silently behind him.<br><br>Wrapping her arms protectively around her waist, she slumped down on her bunk. "Hurry back, Ian," she whispered, staring through the darkness at her sleeping companions.<br>
<br>It was going to be a damn long thirty minutes.<br><br><br>end part 9<br> </div>
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