Twilight

CHAPTER 22

JAKE BLINKED AWAKE, TEARS WET ON HIS FACE. For a moment, he was disoriented. He felt as though he had forgotten something very important, lost it or misplaced it—and stared blankly up at the protoss faces peering down on him. And it was then that he realized what had happened.

Zamara was gone. She was no longer anywhere to be found in his mind or thoughts. For a second, he thought he would be sick, so overwhelming was her absence. Four-fingered hands, strong but gentle, closed on his arms, slipped under his body and eased him to a sitting position.

"She's gone," Jake gasped, reaching to clutch Krythkal's robe. "She—"

"We know," came the thought in his head. At least he could still understand them. But he felt like an amputee. God, were humans really this...alone?

Krythkal lifted his hand. Resting in his palm was the crystal that Jake had given him before the ritual had begun—the crystal that he, Rosemary, Alzadar, Ladranix, and all the others had found deep in the labyrinthine heart of Aiur. Then, it had been luminous, clear... clean. Now Jake stared at the crystal fragment. Its hue was now dark, yet still glowing somehow with a sullen purple-black hue. Something swirled inside it, and there was the occasional spark of brightness that surged forward only to submerge again.

Jake took it gingerly. He had always had difficulty holding the crystal before. It had emanated a power that gradually would hurt if he held it too long. But that pain was somehow cleansing, scouring. Something too strong for him to hold or wield, yes, but not hostile.

But now, as it lay in his hand, it felt...wrong. He could think of no other way to describe it.

"I...blacked out," Jake said, staring at the crystal. It felt cold, and a numbness began to spread across his palm. "What happened? Did she...did she do it? Did she manage to trap Ulrezaj in there with her?"

"It is difficult to tell," Krythkal said, his mental voice rich with sympathy. "Ulrezaj did disappear. The Dominion and the zerg are fighting one another now. The zerg appear to be losing that conflict.We felt—something at the very last moment. A surge of power from the crystal, from Zamara, reaching out...before we were unable to sense her anymore."

The cold increased. Jake stubbornly refused to release his grip on the crystal. He felt he owed it to Zamara, somehow, to hold it as long as he possibly could, and closed his fingers about it tightly. Just as she had hung on to her mission as long as she possibly could. And maybe —was still holding on to it.

"Did she get all of him?" he demanded, his voice harsh with grief. "His soul, his memories, all of him?" Was it worth losing her? "And what about her? If she's in there with him—"

He couldn't speak the words, but these were telepaths, and so he did not need to. Were they trapped together in some kind of hellish, eternal battle? Was she still self-aware? And if so—was she in pain? What could he have done to stop her? Should he have done something?

Human fingers, small and warm and gentle, closed on his where they clutched the crystal and unfolded them. Jake let Rosemary open his hand and stared dully at the blood that coated the pulsing, sickly dark stone. He'd grasped it so hard he'd sliced his hand on its sharp edges. Jake looked up into Rosemary's heart-shaped face, naked pain on his own. She smiled gently and then turned to hand the stone to Selendis.

"Jacob," came Selendis's mental voice, and he dragged his eyes from Rosemary's to look at the executor. "Zamara lived, died, and found a way to live again in order to serve her people with everything she had. We must now do the same to honor her memory and sacrifice. The zerg are all but defeated, their leader slain, and that means that Valerian will soon be here. He has come for Zamara, but he must not find her."

So, Ethan was dead. Jake wondered if Rosemary had killed him or if the Dominion or Selendis had taken him down. It didn't matter —as long as he was alive, the zerg had an intelligent leader other than Kerrigan. He had to go if they were to win. Jake dragged his arm across his eyes and nodded, pulling himself back together.

"You're right," he said. "We can't let what Zamara did be for nothing."

"Valerian does not know the transfer has been successful. If he finds you here..."

"Whoa, whoa," Rosemary said, frowning at Selendis. "You're just going to leave us here for him to kill? A decoy while you make off with Zamara? Sorry, that's not my idea of a good time."

Jake looked up at her. "Selendis is right. We can't let Zamara and Ulrezaj fall into the hands of the Dominion. Think what Mengsk would do with a weapon like Ulrezaj—and you know he'd try to set him loose and control him."

Rosemary's face was still contorted in a frown. Jake continued.

"Besides—I'm going to need medical care. Human medical care. The pain...hasn't gone away. I think the tumors are still present. The protoss are smart, but they wouldn't be able to cure me in time. Valerian's people might. And he might not be as bad as you think. There was something—genuine about him. And about that Devon Starke fellow. I can't explain it, but..."

He took her hand. "And...damn it, I'm tired of running. So very, very tired. But... Rosemary, I think you should go with the protoss. Valerian won't be looking for you, just me. I can delay him long enough for you and the protoss to escape. But you've got to hurry."

In the midst of his grief for Zamara, his heart lifted as Rosemary shook her head, her fine, short black hair flying with the gesture. "Not likely," she said. That was all, but it was enough. More than enough. Whatever was going to happen, they would face it together.

Selendis cocked her head. "The tide of battle turns," she said gravely. "The zerg are all but vanquished."

Jake got unsteadily to his feet and for the first time saw the bodies just outside the door—two protoss and a zerg. "What—"

"Long story," Rosemary said.

"I will want to hear it—but not now. You need to go," he said. He looked at them in turn—Krythkal, who had possibly saved his life; Selendis, so strong and tall and proud; Vartanil, who had believed in him; Mohandar, the dark templar, who had worked side by side with Selendis and Rosemary to retrieve a preserver's knowledge. He knew they could read in his thoughts his admiration and respect.

"Jacob Jefferson Ramsey," Selendis said, "you are a hero to our people. We will not forget. You will become part of our history—a bright part of it."

"And you as well, Rosemary Dahl," said Vartanil. Rosemary's cheeks reddened.

"Hell, I'm no one's hero," she said roughly.

"You are mine." Vartanil gave them a protoss smile.

Jake hissed slightly and staggered as pain shot through him. Rosemary caught him, small and slight but strong, steadied him. Overwhelmed, he turned his face from the protoss. "Thank you. And I will not forget Zamara."

As one, the protoss bowed deeply to him. Then they turned and quickly headed down the corridor, maneuvering around large chunks of stone and debris. He watched them until they vanished from sight, going deep below the temple to the hangar and the single ship. Krythkal did not go with them.

" You' re... staying?"

The protoss nodded. "The Alys'aril was damaged in the attack. The zerg killed many of the alysaar. Many, many crystals were destroyed. We will not leave it."

Jake and Rosemary exchanged glances. "Valerian will look at this site as a treasure trove. He's all about ancient knowledge," Rosemary warned.

Krythkal half closed his eyes and tilted his head. "He would have to be protoss to understand it."

"He'll figure that out," Jake said.

"He would doubtless plunder, as you fear, if no one were here to prevent him. But perhaps we can engage in a dialogue. I have lived here for most of my adult life. I cannot leave it, regardless. And who knows. It could be that the time has come when we will need to cooperate and share our knowledge with lower—with other species."

"Nice catch," Rosemary said dryly. "So... what do we do now?"

"We wait," Jake said.

They made their way out to the courtyard, where they could see the final moments of the battle unfolding. Jake's eyes were glued to the small, clunky-looking ship that Rosemary had helped to restore as it emerged from beneath the Alys'aril and sped arrow-straight in the direction of the warp gate. His heart lurched as a fighter broke formation to follow, but almost immediately it barrel-rolled gracefully and returned to its fellows. He sagged in relief. The protoss vessel had been scanned for human life-forms and dismissed as unimportant. Jake watched, a smile curving his lips, as it disappeared from view.

Krythkal stayed in touch mentally with Selendis as they raced to safety. A few moments later, he told them with quiet joy, "They reached the gate. They are safe."

You did it, Zamara. You did more than anyone could have asked of you. And now you and Ulrezaj are on Shakuras. They'll watch over him. You did it.

Jake found himself unable to stand for long and Rosemary eased him down to the stones of the courtyard. She sat down herself and gently placed his head in her lap.

He looked up at her, strangely at peace even though he suspected that torture and a particularly nasty death were but a few moments away. He saw the same odd peace reflected on her features as she ran her hands through his fair hair.

"This is nice," he said softly.

"Don't get used to it. I'm not about to feed you grapes or anything."

He laughed then, a free, pure, ringing laugh, and her full red lips, the lips he had not kissed nearly enough, curved in response.

Valerian Mengsk found them there less than an hour later. The Heir Apparent paused on the last step, accompanied by several marines with rifles and a slight, nondescript man in civilian clothing. Valerian's sharp gray eyes darted around and he lifted a hand in a quick gesture. Six of the marines hurried off, splitting up to head in two different directions.

"Professor Ramsey. Rosemary. How good to see you safe," Valerian said. The words sounded genuine. "Quite the chase you'vegiven me. I—"

While Valerian had been speaking, the nondescript man had been staring at Jake. Now he blurted, "Sir—she's gone." "What?"

"The protoss in Professor Ramsey's head. She's gone."

"You must be Devon Starke," Jake said. "You're right. Zamara is no longer in here." He sat up, tapping his skull. "Only thing that's in here is a very human brain and a few very painful tumors."

Valerian's golden brows drew together over gray eyes that suddenly reminded Jake of a storm at sea. "What have you done?"

"She wasn't ever supposed to be in his head in the first place," Rosemary retorted, getting to her feet and glaring at the emperor's son. "The protoss got her out."

"Where is she?" Valerian demanded.

"Hell if I know."

Valerian swore and ran a hand through his hair. "Take them to the ship," he told the marines who remained. He turned his eyes to the protoss, as if noticing him for the first time. "You...are you in charge of this place?"

Krythkal inclined his head. "I am Krythkal, the alysaar'vah of the Alys'aril."

"I've been instructed to claim this site for the Dominion," Valerian said. "Your people will not be harmed if you do not resist." He glanced around briefly, and Jake didn't need to be a telepath to read his thoughts. His hunger and regret were plain on his face. Still, it was as Jake had expected. Valerian, knowledge-seeker, had claimed the site for—

Jake blinked. Had Valerian really just claimed to have been instructedto do something? Who could possibly.. .his eyes widened.

"I'm sorry it was damaged in the fighting. Very sorry indeed," Valerian was continuing. His gray eyes darted to Jake's. "Professor, Rosemary—you will come with me."

Jake had never thought he'd be face-to-face with the emperor of the Dominion. But then again, a lot of things had happened over the last several months that he hadn't ever dreamed would happen.

He, Rosemary, Valerian, and Starke were in Valerian's private quarters. Of necessity smaller than the room in which the Heir Apparent had entertained Jake what seemed like a lifetime ago, the rooms still painted a picture of their inhabitant. There were still ancient weapons on the walls, showcased by good lighting; a cabinet of fine carved wood that doubtless stocked rare and delicious liquor; four leather chairs instead of the sofa Jake remembered.

Arcturus Mengsk's face was oversized on the viewscreen. Jake knew that was intentional and provided Mengsk with an advantage. There would have been a time when he would be sweating bullets, but now Jake was just simply so weary that he looked the emperor right in the eye, which seemed to irritate the man.

"My son has told me a little bit about your situation, Ramsey," Arcturus said. "And I hear that you've cheated us."

Beside him, Rosemary tensed, but had the good sense to stay quiet. Jake glanced over at Valerian, but the younger man's face was a careful mask of neutrality. He would get no cues there. He—

Don't worry. Answer him honestly.

Jake recognized the mental voice as Devon Starke's, but didn't give the former ghost away by glancing in his direction. "Sir," Jake said, "Zamara's presence in my head was killing me. If she'd stayed there I'm not sure there'd be even this much left of me. As it is, I will require an operation to remove several tumors."

Arcturus laughed, his oversized face easy and inviting. "Well, I will take what I can get. I've ordered Valerian to claim the protoss temple for the Dominion, and now he's given me you."

Valerian started. "Father, what do you mean?"

"You came to me for help. I gave it to you—gave you the best vessels and pilots I had. You were to bring me the protoss intelligence you were so desperately hunting. You failed, so I'm taking the professor instead. There won't be much left of him when I'm done, I'm sorry to say. But we'll pull out everything we can."

Valerian paled, then flushed. But before he could speak Jake had blurted, "There's no need for that! I'll happily tell you everything Iknow! This information—it's not just for the protoss. It's for all of us!"

Mengsk's eyes narrowed and he regarded Jake speculatively. "Of course you will, son. You won't have a chance to hide a damned thing."

The old bastard...he lied to Valerian and to me, came Starke's voice. Professor—the deal was to let you go. I'm sorry.

So am I, Jake thought.

"And so we're back where we started from, when you were headed for interrogation on the Gray Tiger," Mengsk said with an incongruous joviality.

A muscle twitched near Valerian's eye, but Mengsk the Younger had composed himself. He sighed, straightened his shoulders, and gave a self-deprecating smile. "It's as you wish, Father. I couldn't have done it without your help. Don't suppose I could have a few of those vikings for my own use?"

Jake stared, first at Valerian, then at Starke. Starke looked disappointed, but resigned.

"I knew Jake shouldn't have stayed," Rosemary snarled. "You despicable, lying, cowardly—"

"Perhaps you'll excuse us, Father," Valerian said. "I've got a tiger by the tail here."

"Feisty little thing," Mengsk said.

"You don't know the half of it," Valerian said, smiled his easy smile, leaned forward, and switched off the viewscreen. He whirled, all humor gone from his face. "This isn't good. I thought this might happen, but I didn't know you'd need an operation beforehand, Professor."

Rosemary stared. "You mean—that was an act?"

"Of course. I had to let Father think he'd won. He's like a bulldog—won't let go unless he knows he's the victor. Now that he thinks I'm bringing the professor to him, he'll leave us alone for a while."

Jake stared, openmouthed. "I...I give up," he said, laughing and throwing his hands in the air. "Tell me what happens now."

Valerian sighed, running a hand through his blond hair. "Well, I'm not quite sure. I have had to stash people away before now, of course, but never anyone Father wanted as badly as he wants you."

"I meant it, you know," Jake said quietly. "I'd have told him everything. He wouldn't have had to—to rip it out of my brain."

The Heir Apparent smiled softly. "I know that, but he doesn't believe anyone would be that honest, Professor. He's so used to mistrust and double dealings he can't understand something that you and I understand very well—that sometimes knowledge is only useful when shared with all who want to learn it."

"The discovery of wonders," Jake said softly, remembering the conversation. Valerian's smile grew, and as he nodded they held each other's gaze for a moment.

"Hate to interrupt this touching moment of male bonding, but Jake has tumors in his brain and he needs a good place to escape to," Rosemary said.

"As usual, the charming Ms. Dahl has put her finger on it," Valerian said. "I always travel with the finest medical staff. They don't need to know the details of why you need to stay alive—just that you do. Come."

"Sir—" Devon Starke's voice was as pleasant and remarkable as his physical appearance was unremarkable, deep, and resonant. "Sir —you cannot do this. I can't permit you to."

Valerian smiled, but there was a glint of steel in his gray eyes. "Devon, I'm fond of you, but you do not get to tell me what I can and cannot do."

"Pardon, sir, I mean no disrespect, but—you are caught in a terrible situation." He glanced at Rosemary and Jake, seemed to make a decision, and continued. "You must either give in to your father and surrender Rosemary and Jake to them, or defy him outright. I know you do not wish to do, either."

Valerian scowled slightly. "Yes, well, I don't really have a choice."

"Yes, sir, you do. You cannot hope to stand against the emperor. And you will not let the professor and Rosemary be destroyed. There's a third way."

Jake and Rosemary exchanged glances. Once, Jake could easily have read the thoughts of anyone in the room. Now he was as he had always been—a non-telepath. Hell, he wasn't even good at readingfaces or body language. He shrugged at Rosemary, who frowned and turned her blue-eyed gaze back to Starke.

"I'm listening," Valerian said quietly. "Will I like this third way?"

"I doubt you will, sir, but you'll have to take it."

Suddenly Devon Starke was in Jake's thoughts again. I felt what you did, when you escaped the first time. When you linked us in that place where we were all a part of each other. When we felt each other's thoughts and feelings, when there was no separation.

He continued in words that went deeper than words, and Jake felt tears sting his eyes as he remembered the connection himself. He thought of Zamara's words to him, and shared that conversation with Devon:

This changed the protoss, he had said to her. What will it do to us?

And her reply.. .Oh, Zamara, how he missed her, how he would always miss her.

That moment was never intended to be shared beyond our own species. The Khala is for us, not you, and it is sacred, not a toy.... Truly, Jacob, I do not know what will happen. Your species is... young yet to grasp the true significance. Most likely, most of those who experienced it will discount it, scoff at it, and dismiss it as a momentary fancy.

But...not all?

No. Not all.

Devon Starke's mental voice, alive with pain and joy and hope and longing: Not all, Professor.

Jake stared at Devon, opened his mouth to speak, but before he could utter a word he felt the former ghost dive into his mind. There was little pain; Starke knew what he was doing, and this was a linking of human to human rather than protoss to human. But it caught Jake off guard, rather as if he had been suddenly seized, and he gasped slightly in surprise. He felt Starke rooting around in his thoughts, taking something, discarding something else—

Thank you, Professor. Thank you for everything. I'm sorry for what I must now do.

And then there was pain—lots and lots of it. Jake cried out sharply, stared at Starke in shock and betrayal, and slumped unconscious to the floor.