Waymakers (Champions of the Crystal Book 9)

Chapter 21.1

Madat said, "They have found something in the power generation section. Some kind of Kyan tech."

Ford narrowly restrained himself from volunteering to go look at it. Madat continued, "Malvarak has volunteered to examine it. Bastara and Ghoshtur are returning to their Wayships to minimize the personnel at risk."

There were a few maddening minutes of inactivity before Madat was able to access Malvarak's suit's video and audio feed. Marvan woke and joined Ford near the viewscreen, and Ford leaned forward eagerly as the image of a Kyan device sitting near a power conduit appeared on Madat's viewscreen. His stomach dropped as he realized what looked familiar about it.

Malvarak said, "It is a phase shift device. From its size, I presume it is meant to move only this Wayshipyard, presumably to our phase."

"Why?" Ford wondered, then grimaced. "It must be a trap."

"Agreed," Malvarak said. "We must find the trap. In the meantime, I will deactivate the phase shift device so that whatever happens cannot affect our phase."

"Wait," Asnefer commanded. "We do not know that interacting with the phase shift device will not trigger it, in addition to whatever trap the Kyan have laid for us. Do nothing until we have the full picture of what we face."

Ford could hear the scowl in Malvarak's voice as he said, "Acknowledged. Whatever else they have left must also draw power, so it's logical to look for it here before attempting other areas, especially since Bastara and Ghoshtur have already cleared the control and matrix locker areas."

"Agreed," Asnefer replied. "You may proceed."

"This would go faster with assistance," Malvarak remarked after a few minutes. "If you don't care to risk any of yourselves, perhaps Prince Niavar? He is familiar with Kyan technology as well."

Ford said, "The King has forbidden me to board the Wayshipyard, but thank you for your invitation. I wish I were free to accept it."

Malvarak gave a sardonic chuckle. "Wise of the King, I think. Very well, I will do my lone best."

Ford wondered if Sabrina would disobey Baldaran's directive in his place. She seemed to have accepted that this new Malvarak was not her old friend, though, so perhaps she would be as reluctant to trust him as Ford was.

He also wondered how long it would take before she became alarmed about his absence and took action. He hoped devoutly that would not involve her coming to look for him herself.

Nllata said, "I think Madat and I should shift and report our findings so far to our allies. Your highness, would you care to come with us, or transfer to another Wayship?"

"I'll go with you," Ford said, grateful for the chance to check in with Sabrina.

"We will return as quickly as possible," Nllata told the other Tirqwins.

"Go carefully," Asnefer replied.

A moment later, Ford felt the shift. Madat's com panel lit immediately, and Nllata responded. "Nllata aïé Madat here, with Prince Niavar and Captain Marvan aboard."

"Praxatillus Control here. This is Subcommander Stecklan. We have received word from Wayship Khediva that they were able to rout the Reissian fleet. It is retreating toward Pderth."

"Thank you for the good news," Nllata replied. "We have ascertained that the Kyan tampered with the Wayshipyard. They have installed a phase shift device, presumably to bring it back into our phase for some nefarious purpose."

Stecklan's voice was wry. "That is not good news. Can you deactivate the phase shift device?"

"We assume so, but whether that will trigger whatever trap has been laid is less certain," Nllata said. "We are still investigating."