Free Plague of Memory by S. L. Viehl Page A

next hour. During that time, I would not see anyone who made use of the equipment here."
    "So you would not." We understood each other perfectly. "I thank you."
    I waited until Salo had disappeared before I went to an open terminal and input the relay sequence. The code opened a priority crisis relay channel between the Sunlace and the planet Joren. There was no display this time, only a male Jorenian voice identifying himself as adjunct to the Ruling Council, and requesting a statement of the emergency.
    "This is Cherijo Torin," I said, glad for once to use her name. "I have been told that I am a member of this council, and I would speak on a matter of great importance."
    "Healer Torin, the council is present and monitoring your relay," a female voice said. "Tell us how we may be of aid."
    I related the details of my conversation with Teulon, and the decisions being made for me by the Torin and Reever. "Under the present circumstances, I would know what I am permitted to do of my own accord."
    "As a member of the Ruling Council, you have absolute sovereignty over HouseClan Torin," the female told me. "You have but to issue the order to take you to Vtaga, and the captain will obey you. Should he not, he will be removed from command by our authority."
    So the female Omorr had been correct in her assessment of my rights. "The ensleg—the men on the ship—they question my ability to make informed decisions. They feel that with my memory loss I am incapable of such."
    "We see no evidence of this from the medical re ports issued by Senior Healer Squilyp," the female said. "ClanLeader Jado has communicated the gravity of the situation to us. Know you what will happen should SubAkade TssVar follow through on the ultimatum he has offered?"
    An end to slavery, or more war. "I understand the consequences, Council Member."
    "We cannot compel you to go to Vtaga, Healer Torin. We can only urge you to do so." The female made a soft sound like a sigh. "It is our hope that you will."
    There was more I had to ask, and the answers were immediate and positive. When I was satisfied that I had enough information, I thanked the council, terminated the relay, and went to speak to Salo. After discontinuing his pretend inspection and listening to what I had to say, he insisted on accompanying me to the command center. I paused only long enough to signal Reever and ask him to meet me there.
    "You are certain this is what you wish to do, Healer?" he asked me just before we went into the lift.
    "I am not certain of anything." How bitter that was, now that I knew why my former self had been created, and how hard she had fought that fate. I was a woman made from a man—how did I cope with that? "One cannot walk two paths, is that not what you said?"
    "Perhaps I have said too much," he said as we went in to see the captain. Reever was with Xonea, and looked rather
    agitated. "You were not in our quarters. I was concerned—"
    "I am well." I turned to face Xonea. I had been made from a man, thus I would assert my authority as a man would. "Captain Torin, you must alter the ship's course and take me to Vtaga."
    Impatience filled his eyes. "You cannot go there. It is too dangerous." He looked at Duncan. "Did you not explain this to her?"
    "Raktar Teulon signaled me about a serious development at the peace talks." I quickly explained TssVar's ultimatum, and added, "If I do not go, the Hsktskt will go back to warring with the League. Thus, I must go."
    "Teulon does not comprehend what he asks of you," Reever said. "I will signal him and explain the blood bounty. He will make no more demands."
    "No, you will not signal the Raktar." I ignored the impulse to drop to the floor and kept my spine straight, the same way a man would. "This demand is made of me, not you. J have the skill to accomplish this task. J decide whether to go or not. I say that I will go."
    A muscle ticked on the side of Reever's jaw. "They will execute you, Jam."
    "They are dying. This is my