Free Outcasts by Vonda N. McIntyre Page B

she had never heard or seen
a plane. The North Continent was too far away, and here there was no place to
land.
    “I’ve got to go. I shouldn’t have left
Gryf, but I had to talk to you.” Miria helped Kylis to her feet and out
of the shelter. Kylis accepted the help gratefully. She felt wobbly.
    They waded through shimmering shadows as Miria’s light
swung on her hip.
    “Kylis,” Miria said slowly. “I don’t
know what will happen. I hope I can free Gryf. I will try to help you. And
Jason. But the Lizard serves the government well. They may decide he was right
and I wrong. Whatever happens will take time, and I may not be able to do
anything at all. I don’t want to deceive you.”
    “I understand.” Jason was in no less danger now,
nor was she. But at least Gryf was safe. For a few moments Kylis could set
aside her fear in the joy that he was alive.
    They entered the compound’s long clearing and reached
the path that led toward the prisoners’ shelter. Kylis saw the
vertical-takeoff plane hanging in midair. It slowly lowered itself, straight
down, until it was out of sight behind the bank. Its engines slowed, idling.
    “I can’t take you to your shelter,” Miria
said. “I’m sorry — “
    “Can I come the rest of the way — just to be
sure — ?”
    “Gryf will already be on the plane, Kylis. You wouldn’t
be allowed to see him.”
    “All right,” she said reluctantly. “I can
get back myself from here.”
    “Are you sure? Will you be all right?”
    Kylis nodded. “For now.”
    “Yes...” Miria shifted her weight back and
forth, reluctant to leave her alone but anxious to meet the plane.
    “Go on ,” Kylis said.
    “Yes. I must...” She hesitated a moment more,
then leaned quickly forward and embraced Kylis. “This is such a terrible
place,” she whispered. “Somehow I’ll change it.” She
turned abruptly and hurried away.
    Miria walked silhouetted against the lights and lantern.
Kylis watched her go. At least she could hope now. She realized she must find
Jason and tell him everything, but most particularly that Gryf was alive and
out of the prison. Perhaps to be free. Then he could contact Jason’s
family —
    “Oh, gods,” Kylis groaned. “Miria! Miria,
wait!” She ran toward the enclosure, stumbling from exhaustion.
    She reached the bank above the fence just as Miria put her
palm against the lock. The gate swung open.
    “Miria!” Kylis cried. She was afraid Miria would
not hear her over the engines of the plane, now inside the enclosure. But she
cried out once more, sliding down the hill, and Miria turned.
    She met Kylis between the bank and the fence, taking her
elbow to support her as she struggled for breath.
    “Jason’s family,” Kylis said. “Redsun
thinks he’s just a transient but he’s not. If his people knew he
was here, they’d ransom him.” She remembered most of Jason’s
name, his family name, and told it to Miria. “Can you tell them? Just
send a message?”
    Miria’s eyes widened. “Is that who he is?”
    Kylis nodded.
    “It will have to be done carefully, to keep his
identity a secret, but I can do that, Kylis, yes.” Then she sobered. “You’ll
be alone — “
    “I’m all right alone. I’ve always been
alone before. I can protect myself, but I can’t protect Jason from the
Lizard. Will you do it? Will you promise?”
    “I promise.”
    Kylis clasped Miria’s hands for an instant and let her
go. Miria went inside the enclosure and boarded the plane. The engines
screamed, and the aircraft rose, sliding forward like a hovercraft through the
gateway. Clear of the fence, it rose higher until it had cleared the height of
the marsh plants. It accelerated straight north.
    Kylis watched it until he was out of sight. She wished she
had seen Gryf, but now she believed Miria; she could believe he was alive.
    In the eerie gentle light of dawn, as Kylis started away,
the harsh spotlights dimmed one by one.
    ~~~~~

Steelcollar Worker
    The enormous