Free Firestorm by Kathleen Morgan

faculties necessary to fill that void. And even a clone is human enough to help us."
    "We've given some thought to that issue," Teran said, "but it takes time to grow a clone. Even with the new acceleration process that forces the clone cells to mature to an adult form in just two cycles rather than in the normal developmental lifespan, it still takes two cycles. And Rand would be little help to you save in an adult body."
    "I concede that would be the wisest course."
    "There's also the additional issue," Teran continued, "of the strain his Volan entity would put on the donor body. Drugs that might slow or even eliminate the problem are in the formative stages, but they aren't ready yet."
    Teran sighed and shook his head. "We are working on this problem and its solutions as quickly as we can, not only to provide a viable resolution to our dilemma, but to those of the Volans as well. But as I've said before, there isn't time right now for a body for Rand or the procurement of other Incendarians who might better suit either of your personal tastes. The Volans might not accept our offer of clone bodies even when they are ready. We've got to protect ourselves, in the meantime, as best we can. Hence, the deterrent device. What we offer as the best solution to the current situation is the best one at the moment. And what you must accept and work with."
    "I thank you for your patience with my questions," the monk said, rendering him a respectful bow. "I will accept and work with what is currently feasible. I just wished to more fully understand . . ."
    "And I beg pardon if I seemed a bit peevish there." The Bellatorian rendered him a courteous nod in reply. "The stress of planning this mission begins to wear thin." He smiled. "It's been over two months since I last saw my wife and children. The separation grows overlong."
    Teague met his gaze. "Loved ones are important. I am happy that you find support and comfort in yours."
    "Then, the sooner this, mission is over, the better," Raina remarked with a twinge of irritation. "Is there anything else that we need to know about this Volan—at least, anything vital to the mission?"
    "There is one thing more, one last purpose of the shielding receptacle." Teran glanced briefly in the biosphere's direction. "Volans are commanded by a higher presence, one that emanates from the Volan Mother Ship, the apparent source of all our problems since its excursion into the Imperium. Volans are born and bred to obey, to follow the collective mind of the hive ship. Until Rand was cut off from the Mother Ship's unceasing directives while he was secretly assigned to the planet Tenua a few months ago, he functioned as mindlessly as the rest of his kind. The shielding receptacle is also designed to protect him from further directives of the Mother Ship if, for some reason, its influence can and does ever extend to Incendra. Rand knows this and so should you, in case you ever decide to remove him from the shielding receptacle."
    "Are you saying that the Volan could turn on us if his Mother Ship began to influence him again?" Raina took a step toward Teran, all her warrior's instincts once more at the ready.
    "Yes, that's a distinct possibility," the king's ambassador admitted. "Though Rand insists he would fight the hive directives with all his might, now that he has come to realize their destructive intent, neither of us is certain whether he could resist them for long."
    Raina fought the anger that swelled once again within her. "I don't like this. Don't like it at all."
    "I must agree with the femina on this." Teague exhaled a long, considering breath. "This mission is danger-fraught enough, and now you say the Volan isn't to be trusted? You add more and more until you make it all but impossible for us to succeed."
    "I never said this would be easy, Brother Tremayne. We seriously doubt, though, that the Volan Mother Ship's transmissions will be able to pierce Incendra's electromagnetic field. The planet