Rash'Tor'Ri (Soulguard Book 4), page 2
"This is what hope tastes like," he said.
"Rourke, another call for you."
I nodded.
"Soullord one?"
"Yep."
"My superiors want to know what, exactly, the hell was that?"
I guess it had worked. They heard the call all the way to HQ.
"Sending the Kresh back through a gate. Thought I'd try to get 'em to come here instead of huntin' for 'em, and sendin' 'em home in small groups."
"I am to inform you…"
"Give me the damn mike!" I heard a familiar voice in the background.
"The next time you want to try something like that, you better inform the rest of us!" Paige Turner, Archmage of the Soulguard, yelled at me. "And before you try to say something, smart ass, weigh it very carefully."
"Yes Ma'am," I said with a grin on my face.
"That's what I thought," she said. "Now start explaining! Very respectfully."
Chapter 2
The gate had opened an hour ago, and most of the Kresh in the valley were returned to their world.
"Damn, Rourke," Hicks said, "We thought there was a couple hundred of 'em down here."
"Could have been a mess," I said.
"No doubt."
"They would have left if you had started shootin'," I said. "That's part of the Mark. They knew I wouldn't want 'em killin' any more Humans."
"I'd say there's a lot of that sort of thing happenin'."
"There is," I said. "I can feel it. That's the reason I wanted to call 'em all here. Get them away from the ones doin' the shootin'."
"There's a general cease fire ordered," Hicks said. "But we both know it won't stop some of 'em from tryin'."
"True enough."
Tor'Vas'Reman approached.
"I will remain until all of our people are away from this world," he said in Kresh. "The clan came here afraid of Life ender, we leave as part of his clan. We will be a changed race before this is over. Perhaps you should be called the Change bringer."
He pronounced it as Ska'Vor'Ri. I liked being thought of as something more than the one who ends life. I guess I was growing up a little. There are places where Rash'Tor'Ri is what I should be. Maybe there was a place where I could be this Ska'Vor'Ri, as well.
"Maybe so, Tor'Vas'Reman," I said, "Maybe so."
I sensed more of my new clan closing from the north.
"More, comin' in," I said.
Hicks nodded.
The Kresh slowed as they got near, and walked into the clearing. They didn't say much but, as they passed me, I could see them sizing me up. It was an odd feeling, without a doubt. I could see approval in some, confusion in others. They were still dealing with the changes in themselves.
"They will understand, soon, Rash'Tor'Ri," said Tor'Vas'Reman. "They are not as adept with their minds as a Kresh'Ma'Nar. It will take them a time to adapt to the new Mark."
I guess you really can't have inner thoughts around telepaths. They're just thoughts. Nothing inner about them anymore.
The big Kresh laughed. Hicks looked at him in alarm, Kresh laughter can be a bit unnerving.
"Never really dull around you, Rourke," he said.
"True enough."
We spent two days camped around that clearing before all of the Kresh had gone through the gate. I got to watch the changes in Tor'Vas'Reman as he grew accustomed to the Mark. I had talked to Lyrica before about the Mark changing a person to be one who would welcome the Mark and the time I spent with the big Kresh made me feel even more strongly that it was enslavement. I hated the whole idea of it, but they would respond to nothing else.
"There was a lot of 'em left," Hicks said.
"Close to a million," I answered.
"I like this a lot better than the work it would have taken to hunt 'em down."
"That many could have caused a lot of damage before they went down," I said. "The way they had scattered would have made it even harder."
"This is a much better solution."
"I agree," I said. "I have misgivings about using the Mark, but it is a strong weapon."
"Can we expect this sort of thing in the future?" he asked.
"It depends on the situation," I said. "The way this clan was built was the only way the Mark could be used like this. We can't depend on it in the future."
"Figured as much," he said.
"I could bring my forces over here, but they could close the gate on that side, and kill 'em all in one move," I said. "I can't risk that. We have to keep the others occupied until Kil'Sin'Deres gets enough forces together over there to take the war to them."
"He had a stroke of luck to be able to do as much as he did with this round. He's risking his whole clan every time he does something like this. Until he has the forces to hold off the others, we're responsible for what happens here."
"That’s why we're paid the big bucks," Hicks said.
I laughed, "More like the Corp is a good place to put all the crazy bastards."
"Maybe," he said. "Seems the Soulguard has its own numbers of crazy bastards, though."
"Those are the ones who used to be Marines."
He chuckled, "Could be."
Tor'Vas'Reman approached the gate. He was the last Kresh left of the clan that had come in the latest attack on Earth.
"Rash'Tor'Ri," he said with a nod, "We will join your forces, and stand against your enemies. We owe you much after what we have done to your world. Never have I felt guilt for what I have done until this moment. We will do our best to earn the forgiveness of you and your world."
"You were following the orders of your former leaders, Tor'Vas'Reman," I said. "You don't have to earn forgiveness from me. You are my clan, now. My family. Together we'll change a race. Before I learned anything about Kresh, I would hate you for what's been done. I can see you aren't the same Kresh as you were, I can see into your Soul. Go to Kil'Sin'Deres, help with anything you can. If forgiveness is what you seek, know that I forgive you."
The giant stood taller and I could see the beginning of something inside of him that looked very promising to me. There was a violet color spreading through his Soul that wasn't the harsh purple and black that is usually present in Kresh Souls. It was a streak of beauty where none had been before.
Tor'Vas'Reman strode through the gate with his head held high and the gate closed after a few moments.
"He asked for forgiveness?" Hicks asked. "I never would have expected to see something like that."
"I spent most of my life thinkin' they were evil incarnate," I said. "They're much more than that. You'd be surprised how much like Humans they truly are. We're capable of some evil shit. So are they. But they are capable of good, too, just like us."
"You'll have a hell of a time convincin' people after what's already happened," he said.
"No doubt," I said.
"What say we get the hell out of this jungle?"
"My thoughts, exactly," I said. "Where is your extraction point?"
"North to a small airstrip in Bengassou."
"I'll join you if you don't mind the company."
"Sure you don't want to run it?" he asked. "It'll take a while for us to hoof it."
"Nah, I'm good," I said. "I could use the time to figure out how to handle this whole situation when it all blows up."
He turned to his men, "Let's move out, Marines."
"One thing I've learned over the years," he said to me as he turned back around, "During peace time, they'll drag you over the coals. I hope you got a thick skin. When the Kresh come back, they'll need you again."
"All I can do now is face the music," I said. "I've spent my entire life hiding what I was from most people. Looks like it's out now."
"It's out to the people in charge, Rourke," he said. "That doesn't mean it's out to the public. Leaders and a few soldiers know, at the moment. If you're lucky, you can convince 'em to keep it that way."
"I'm certainly gonna try."
We fell in about the center of the squad, and started the trek toward the north.
"I tell you," Hicks said, "This has been the strangest trip through the jungle I ever took. There's no animals."
"Has to do with the Soulguards you have with you," I said. "Most animals can feel the Source through the shields we craft. They get uncomfortable and get out of the area."
"That's pretty handy," he said.
"It can be," I said. "Never had a problem with mice or anything as I was growin' up."
"That could be a good thing."
"Never got to have a pet, though."
"Overrated."
"I would agree," I said. "Especially after Lyrica managed to get a dog that doesn't run away when we're near. Ugliest damn thing I ever saw."
Hicks laughed.
The sun had nearly set by the time we reached the small airstrip. There was a C-130 waiting to take us back to Cairo. There were some faster versions of this aircraft out with jet engines but I couldn't, for the life of me, remember what they were called. I always seemed to be on one of these though, which I had no problem with. I was in no hurry to get back, and have to go in front of the various world leaders to explain my lineage.
Chapter 3
"That could have gone worse," Paige said. "There were only three of the twenty that refused to speak to you."
"Yeah," I answered. "Those are the good ones. The rest wanted explanations and spent most of the meeting lookin' at me like I was a bug or somethin'."
"Several of them just took it in stride, and seemed appreciative that you could end this round of hostilities without having to go into a jungle, and hunt down over a million Kresh."
"True," I said. "It's interestin' to see which ones those were. Russians, Chinese, and the British. Sadly, the Secretary of Defense looked at me like some sort of abomination. The country I was born in."
"Unexpected."
"Yeah," I said. "Things could change soon, though, if Deacons wins this election comin' up. He's got a strong following with those backing the war."
Samuel Deacons had left the Senate, and was in the midst of a campaign to run for President. So far, things were looking good. I hoped his ties to me wouldn't hurt his chances. I generally hate politics, but I will vote for Deacons when the time comes. His politics were a lot simpler than most I had heard of. He didn't sugar coat anything, and he would do everything in his power to do exactly what he promised. He was whole heartedly behind the military buildup after what had happened in Kansas. And he would push even harder after this round in Africa.
I hoped for the best.
"He's got strong backing for the position," she said. "Not the least of which is the endorsement of the Soulguard. The Soulguard is in pretty good standing at the moment. Everyone can see that they don't have much chance unless we all work together. Your Soul Weapons have made the biggest impact of all I think."
"They really made a difference," I said. "I can't even imagine what the line in Cairo would have looked like without 'em. Not to mention, I and a few more of us would've met our makers down in the city."
"Too true."
"At least we got a grudging agreement to keep the details of what happened classified."
"And, now, I want to know about that telepathic message you sent last week," she said. "How the hell did you get that to reach this far? It's never been that strong before."
"I used the Kresh to amplify it," I said. "I wasn't sure it would work, but I guess it did quite well."
"How did you manage that?"
"Same way I did the Mark on Kil'Sin'Deres," I said. "God help us if the rest of his race learns to do this sort of thing. If they would work together, we'd have already been toast. Or eaten on toast."
"Let's just pray they don't start doing that."
"I don't think they will," I said. "Kil'Sin'Deres is huge leaps ahead of them on the civilized spectrum and he never would have even thought to do it."
"And what happens if you were to get killed in one of these crazy stunts you keep pulling?"
"Maybe that’s the key to them actually becoming free. My Mark would be gone but the changes that Mark did would remain. The Mark, itself, may not even be gone since it was placed by so many others at the same time. Who knows? We're in undiscovered country, here."
"You get no argument from me," she said.
"That's new."
She looked at me with the single eyebrow raised. I think it's something all women know, that look.
"You know," I said hurriedly, "I'm supposed to meet Lyrica in a few minutes. See you later."
I took off before she could return some sort of response. I knew where I would find Lyrica. I headed toward the Hospital tents. There were so many injured, they couldn't all fit in the Hospitals in the area. Lyrica spent most of her time in the tents helping any she could, which means she would get the more severe cases. Her skills were so far past what medicine alone could do. She could stabilize patients in need of surgery that, under normal circumstances, wouldn't make it. After surgery she could speed healing to a point where the patients could be moved quickly. She was doing enough that there were support Mages with her all the time.
I felt guilty that I wasn't doing the same thing, except I'm not as skilled as she is in healing. She's a scalpel, I'm a hammer. Sometimes a hammer is just what is needed but, in healing, the scalpel is better.
The hammer is better for smashing things, my specialty.
"It truly is your specialty," Pelin said as I rounded the corner. "It is good that you are our hammer."
I chuckled.
"I have news," she said. "We have approximate coordinates for another Gate. It was known by some of the new additions to your clan."
"That's wonderful news!"
"The Gate is in China."
"I bet we'll have a happy new friend there. If we can give them a spot to defend, they'll be thrilled."
In my mind I saw a map with a small circle near the center of China. That circle would be miles across but we had no clue at all before this. This could change things a great deal. If we knew where the gates were, we could set up defenses like we did in Kansas. I think the Kresh would fail if they tried to come through that particular gate again with all of the defenses in place. Even without my presence or Lyrica's.
With this previous warning, we can begin to fortify that area in China. Perhaps create a second position the Kresh could not penetrate.
"I thought you would be happy, Master," Pelin said.
"Extremely," I said. "Don't call me Master."
She nodded and turned to leave, "Yes, Master."
I could hear her chuckle as she walked away. Sadly, my Mark had done more than just make some of them part of my clan. I think they all received a little of the sense of humor I had learned from Kharl. There's no way I was taking the blame. It was all his fault.
I shook my head, and continued on my way to the Hospital tents. I could see her Soul through the walls. Her Soul is a thing of beauty. It's full of vibrant colors, and shines with the passive power of a Soulstream over twenty inches across. I could never tire of watching her. I stopped and watched, as she Pulled power through a patient's stream. It entered the man's aura and, instead of spreading throughout the body, it all flowed to a spot on the patient's left side. I could see the area was much dimmer than the rest of the man's aura. Wounds create weak spots in us. The power flowed to that spot, and began to circle like a mini hurricane.
This was how she could heal a particular spot much more than if she let the power spread through the body. If she had let it spread, it could still heal, but the tolerance for the Source would keep the body from healing the wound as much, than if she steered the power directly to the spot.
She had much more of the healing process figured out than I ever would have. She still received training from a doctor who had dealt with the Soulguard for years, Terrence Pickney. Whenever she could, between massive Pulls to save the day, she would study anatomy, or spend time in hospitals.
I spent my days learning how to blow stuff up. She loves me anyway, go figure.
I slipped into the tent and watched her as she focused on her patient. The soldier was an Israeli soldier. There had been soldiers from around the world at the Battle of the Delta. I wouldn't have been surprised to see injured from any nation. Most of them still had forces in the area.
"I see you back there," Lyrica said, without turning, "Don't need eyes to see where you are."
"True," I said.
We both are Soullords. Our Inner sight is different than normal sight. I had spent most of my life using them together, but found at the second battle of Kansas that I could close my eyes, and see with my inner sight. I could see all around myself with it.
"How is the healing business?"
"We've done what we can," she said. "I wish we could have done more, but there were so many injured."
There had been hundreds of thousands of injured people, both military and civilian, after the Delta. Two Soullords could only see so many. We saved as many as we could.
"Didn't help that I spent more time in meetings than hospital tents," I said.
"We each have our job to do, honey."
"That we do," I said. "Anything I can help with?"
She finished with the soldier she was working on, and turned around and motioned for me to follow her. I followed her across the tent to find three people with dim Auras.
"They caught some sort of virus while out in the jungle," she said. "Looks like full body Pulls."
"Will do," I said and kissed her.
She smiled, and turned to another group of injured soldiers. These looked like follow ups as well.
I turned back to the three in front of me, and reached through the first one's Soulstream for the Source.
With a gentle Pull, life-force from the Source began to flow through his stream faster, and his aura began to swirl with the extra power. His system began to grow stronger, and the body began to fight the virus. My stream glowed a little brighter as my body began to draw from the Source in order to power my ability. It wasn't much, but everything I did with the powers unique to Soullords cost something in my own body, even small things.
