Second Read online

  The Pelted Universe Reading Order

  The Alysha Forrest Stories

  Alysha’s Fall (book)

  “Second” (novella)

  “In the Line of Duty” (short story)

  Either Side of the Strand (book)

  “Dark Lighthouse” (short story)

  “Season’s Meaning” (short story)

  Other Stories in the Pelted Universe

  Mindtouch (Dreamhealers 1, novel)

  Mindline (Dreamhealers 2, novel)

  Earthrise (Her Instruments 1, novel)

  Rose Point (Her Instruments 2, novel)

  Laisrathera (Her Instruments 3, novel)

  Even the Wingless (Princes' Game 1, novel)

  Some Things Transcend (Princes' Game 2, novel)

  Claws and Starships (short story collection)

  CHAPTER ONE

  "Hey, Tayl, come quick!"

  Ensign Taylitha Basil, a brown-furred Karaka'An, looked up from her data tablet and into the eyes of her agitated bunkmate as he skidded through the door. She didn't usually room with only one other person, but accommodations on the Quickwater Reserve were more spacious than their four-person suite on the UAV Nightslip.

  "What's wrong?" she asked, felid ears perked. She set her tablet aside.

  "It's Kairell. She's brawling again."

  Taylitha covered her eyes with her hands. "Again? I thought she'd had the fear of the lieutenant drummed into her after yesterday's incident."

  "Yeah, well, the lieutenant hasn't shown up yet and the new folk started it—"

  "—started it, or inspired it?" Taylitha asked, sliding off her bunk and joining Johnigan.

  He blushed bright pink beneath red freckles. "You know how Kairell is."

  "Yes, I do," Taylitha said, tail lashing. "Lead the way."

  Johnigan turned and scampered back the way he came with Taylitha on his heels. She wasn't sure why she was bothering to break up Kairell's fights on the reserve. On the ship it made sense: a scout wasn't very big, and one belligerent ensign made everyone's life a misery. But on the reserve they were only one group of many, with plenty of room to avoid the clamor of a fight. Maybe pride? Ensigns always got dropped for team-building exercises at the same time as their captains . . . though their captains would be gone for months and the ensigns only for a week before returning shipboard to help with the refits. Personnel thought mixing the ensigns together for exercises would help introduce them to their 'class,' the people who would share their ranks as the years wound on.

  Or at least, that was how it was supposed to work, Taylitha thought with resignation as she stepped into the yard in front of their building. People like Kairell would probably not be accompanying her yearmates up the ladder.

  "Who are the new drops?" Taylitha asked Johnigan as they approached.

  "Ensigns from the UAV Diamondwing," Johnigan said.

  "Diamondwing? Not the battlecruiser? Great," Taylitha said, and advanced on the argument.

  Kairell was a big woman, a heavyset Hinichi wolfine with enough throwback features to make her a textbook illustration for genetic engineering, including a demi-muzzle long enough to barely qualify for the 'demi.' She was rabid about Fleet's exploration and patrol charters, but to her mind anything larger than a scout was a saber waiting to be rattled at people who wanted only to live in peace with their neighbors. While she sometimes found other excuses to start fights, the arrival of a battlecruiser's group was an invitation for her favorite polemic. The new ensigns were arranged in a ragged semicircle around Kairell and a smaller man whose flagged ears indicated he hadn't been expecting any trouble, and whose raised voice indicated that as long as he had it, he'd be happy to defend the honor of the Fleet. As Taylitha joined the ring of people surrounding them, Kairell leapt for him and he swung back.

  Before she could push past the last two people in her way, another woman stepped between the combatants. The man pulled his blow. Kairell didn't—but the new woman simply moved, just enough for the fist to fly past her. The wolfine tried to push her out of the way, but a gray hand caught her wrist and held her in place.

  "Get out of the way!" Kairell snarled, trying to loose her hand.

  "No," the woman said.

  "Oh, so you're here to help your fellow blood-mongering soldier?"

  "No," the woman said. She had a pleasant alto, and try as she might Taylitha couldn't hear even the faintest tremble in it, no fear, nothing. "I don't think much of fighting."

  "Right . . . straight from the mouth of a battlecruiser ensign! You expect me to believe that?"

  "Yes," and there was steel in that voice, enough to stop Kairell from struggling. "I thought you might answer a question for me, Ensign . . . Rhyt, is it?"

  "I don't feel like talking." Kairell said, beginning to deflate. Her ears flipped backward.

  "Evidently not," the woman said. "Tell me . . . how did someone troubled by Fleet's military charter come to believe using her fists was the best way to resolve her difficulties?"

  Kairell gaped at her. So did most of the crowd. Taylitha grinned, ears pointed sharply forward; she'd wondered the same thing herself, but had never seemed to have the time to point it out to the Hinichi.

  "Are you making fun of me?" Kairell growled, trying to tower over the woman, who didn't seem to notice.

  "No. I want to know the answer. You must strongly believe in Fleet to be a part of it despite your misgivings."

  Taylitha slid around a few more people to the front of the onlookers, itching with curiosity. Had she imagined the genuine tone? But no, the woman was attentive, standing in front of Kairell with forward-canted ears and a tilted head. She was a Karaka'An like Tayl, gray to Tayl's brown, and taller than any other Taylitha had seen. Her body was spare, almost thin, and her face was unusual, strongly planed but not masculine, and even more human than most others of the race. Taylitha herself had been teased as a child for looking more human than felid. She couldn't imagine the kind of comments this woman had gotten.

  "I . . . never got anywhere by talking," Kairell muttered finally.

  The woman nodded. "Ensigns aren't exactly asked for their opinions on Fleet policy," she said. "I assume you're in this for the long haul, Ms. Rhyt?"

  "I want to be," the wolfine said.

  "You might have an easier trip keeping your objections temperate," the woman said. "Once you're a captain you'll have better luck influencing the admiralty."

  "That's a long way from here," Kairell said, but her frown had dissipated.

  "It doesn't have to be," the woman said. Her grip on Kairell's wrist had become a friendly clasp on the arm. "I'm sure you'll get there sooner than you think. The Fleet thinks highly of individuals with convictions, particularly those articulate enough to convince others of their view. Maybe you could think about becoming someone like that."

  "Maybe," Kairell said, tail drooping. "Umm, right." She paused, shifting from foot to foot. "I guess I should get going."

  "Of course," the woman said. "But maybe later in the mess you can stop by? I'd love to hear your views."

  Kairell's ears lost their dejected crumple and she nodded before backing away. With the fight finished, the crowd began to disperse and the new group resumed their interrupted report to quarters.

  The woman picked up her duffel.

  "That was really nicely done," Taylitha said with admiration. "I usually have to pull her bodily away from her intended targets."

  The gray Karaka'An glanced at her, then smiled. "Thanks." One black brow lifted. "You pull her away?"

  Taylitha rubbed an arm and laughed. "Yeah, I know. It doesn't look plausible. But I'm stronger than I look, really."

  "I'm sure, Ensign . . . ?"

  "Basil. Taylitha Basil, of the UAV Nightslip."

  "Alysha For
rest, UAV Diamondwing. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Basil."

  "Taylitha's fine." She paused, realizing she wanted to prolong the discussion and couldn't think of a thing to say, or even a reason to do so. Finally, she blurted out, "Do you really think she's command material? All of us on the scout figure she'll be washed out for sure."

  Alysha smiled. "If she can learn to moderate her opinions, no question. Fleet needs all kinds of people. Scientists who aren't interested in command. Engineers who want to build better ships. Captains who want to keep people safe. Captains who want to explore new territories. And admirals who are willing to kill invading armies. Rhyt had the skill and intelligence to get through the Academe. To waste her now because no one is willing to give her ideas the thoughtful consideration she needs to move past her anger would be wrong."

  "I guess," Taylitha said, eyes wide.

  Alysha glanced at her, then laughed. "Did I say too much?"

  "Maybe a little," Taylitha said. "For a minute there, I thought I was listening to an admiral. Aren't you a little low on the ladder to be worrying about whether Kairell's going to make it as an officer?"

  "No one's too low on the ladder to care about their fellows," Alysha said with a smile. "If you'll excuse me, Taylitha? I should find out where I'm bunked. It's been a pleasure."

  Bemused, Taylitha watched as the other woman headed to the barracks. On impulse, she called after Forrest, "Which one are you?"

  Alysha stopped. "Pardon?"

  "The kinds of people you mentioned. Which one are you?"

  Alysha only laughed and walked on.

  The Diamondwing’s ensigns were the last drop at Quickwater for this retreat. Once she returned from a quick supper, Taylitha found the mission brief for their team-building exercise on her data tablet. She read the précis with growing unease while Johnigan showered. By the time he joined her, toweling off his carrot-orange hair, Taylitha was ready to go AWOL.

  "What's wrong, Red Twin?" he said. Her hair was a shade darker, but that hadn't stopped the crew from the christening.

  "The team-building exercise is a camping trip up the mountain with prizes for certain goals," Taylitha said.

  "What's wrong with camping trips?" Johnigan asked.

  "Nothing," Taylitha said. "I like camping trips. It's coming back downstream in a canoe over rapids that bothers me."

  "Rapids?" Johnigan asked. He laughed. "They can't be that bad. There are too many of us who aren't familiar with rafting for them to risk four boatloads of ensigns on a dangerous river."

  "Are you sure?" Taylitha asked.

  "Positive," Johnigan said. "This isn't the Terran Navy. The Alliance Fleet is more interested in. . . um . . . not taking unnecessary risks on training missions."

  "Yeah, but we have a lot of new human admirals," Taylitha said.

  "Don't worry about it," Johnigan said. "When do we start?"

  "Tomorrow," Taylitha said. "With partner picks." She flipped through the brief and said, "We're supposed to spend tonight looking at people's service records."

  "Which will accomplish what?" Johnigan said, flopping onto his bunk.

  "Which will tell us who we want to pick," Taylitha said. "Other than requiring we choose someone from another ship, our only direction is to . . . well, choose well based on what we can find out."

  "More work!" the human said. "I was hoping to go investigate the grounds—you know how long it's been since I've been downstairs?—but going through the service records of over a hundred people? That'll take all night!"

  Or it would, Taylitha reflected, if you didn't already know who you wanted. She ignored Johnigan's grumbling and went straight for the Diamondwing’s lists.

  "How'd your discussion with Kairell go?" Taylitha asked.

  Alysha Forrest turned to her, ears tilted forward. "Ah, Ensign Ba—Taylitha. It was fascinating. I'm sorry you couldn't join us."

  "I thought it would be a bad idea, given that Kairell already knows my opinions about her opinions," Taylitha said, stepping up beside the other woman. Together they surveyed the chaos of the flag field. Their lieutenants had gathered them into groups by ship, then set them loose to choose their partners. Taylitha had been one of the first to move, knowing that finding anyone would be impossible once the ship groups broke formation. She'd located Alysha by the well of calm in the Diamondwing’s group and waited for the others to disperse before approaching.

  "It would help her to know that one of her own crewmates could change her views," Alysha said. She looked at Taylitha, head canted with the same considering expression she'd leveled on Kairell. "You can change your views?"

  Taylitha laughed before she thought about being offended. "Yes, I think so," she said.

  Alysha grinned at her. "So you can laugh at yourself, and apparently you have initiative. You were hunting me, weren't you?"

  "Do you have a problem with that?" Taylitha asked, ears flipping outward. "I wasn't sure if you had someone else in mind."

  "Honestly, no," Alysha said. "Anyone I ended up with would have been a learning experience." She studied the free-for-all. "My only plan was to wait for the stragglers and see if anyone needed a partner, but I'm willing to be ambushed by a determined individual."

  "Good," Taylitha said, and watched the milling crowd alongside the other woman. Where Alysha's shadow crossed her shoulder, she felt cool and comfortable. Not just because of the shade, Taylitha thought. It was just pleasant to stand here. It felt right.

  After a moment, Alysha pulled in a long breath and turned to her. Taylitha met her eyes, a blue less vibrant than her own, with curiosity and interest.

  Alysha grinned and shook her head. "I was expecting someone more difficult," she said. "Someone who doesn't know how to let a conversation go. Someone who doesn't feel sure enough of themselves to meet another person's eyes. Someone intimidated or angry or too eager to prove themselves to think straight. How am I going to get my learning experience if you make this so easy, Taylitha?"

  "Simple," Taylitha said, grinning back. "I'm terrified of water."

  CHAPTER TWO

  They waited over twenty minutes for the rest to finish making their choices, standing in a comfortable silence. Once the last ensigns finally separated into pairs under the stern gazes of their lieutenants, one of them shouted, "Form up!"

  . . . which led to an amusing few minutes of confusion as roughly a hundred ensigns from four different ships tried to figure out how to make a square without losing their partners.

  "We're not very good at this, are we?" Taylitha whispered to Alysha.

  "I seem to remember spending about a day on parade formations at the Academe," Alysha said. "That seems like very long ago, though."

  "One day!" Taylitha said. "One hour, maybe."

  Their superiors didn't seem overly pleased with their disorganization, but also didn't interfere with their efforts. Their distance intrigued Taylitha, since most of the time she could count on anyone above her in the chain to help. As their ragged square was led to a field with benches and a dais, she snuck a few quick peeks at the formal faces of their lieutenants and wondered what was in store for them.

  Once they were seated on the benches, an exotic-looking Ciracaana in a lieutenant commander's braid flowed up the stairs to the dais and towered there. Taylitha had never seen a Ciracaana in person before, and she wondered how hard it was for him to coordinate all four feet along with two arms, a head and a tail. The centauroids had always fascinated her, but the Ciracaana seemed even more alien than the squat, bizarre-looking Glaseah . . . it was something about the seeming bonelessness of their limbs, their great height, and the sharp points of their whiskered muzzles.

  "Welcome to this year's leadership retreat at the Fleet Quickwater Reserve," the centauroid said. "By now you've all received your mission briefs and chosen a partner. In a few minutes, we'll separate you into teams and send you up the mountain. What you do there is all up to you. You can choose a leader or not. You can go up with your partner o
r plan to meet the rest of your team partway up. You can choose which goals to meet, how to meet them, when to give up and when to move on. In short, nothing about this mission is planned for you.

  "One of Fleet’s defining characteristics is its reliance on officer-trained personnel for all its jobs. You are all expected to choose your destinies and get there on your own. Whether you intend to be the Chief of Medical, a biochemist in the science department, a captain or a ship's chef, you'll be charting your own course up the ranks until you reach your goal. No one can tell you what that goal is but you. And while we can tell you over and over how to work with other people to do what we expect to be done, the only way those lessons will stick for most people is to actually try . . . and fail . . . in a closed environment."

  The Ciracaana's gaze roved over them. "That is not to say this is a safe place. There are a lot of ways to get hurt while hiking. We're not going to offer you any help unless you get into trouble so badly you've forfeited your mission . . . and the only way to forfeit the mission is if your team doesn't make it down in one piece, together. Keep that in mind.

  "As part of the Alliance's Fleet, you will be called on to do many duties, from excavation of archeological sites to police-work, from rescuing stranded ships to fighting any enemies we may in the future develop. You're our first faces to our citizens, our allies, our friends and neighbors. It's up to you to uphold our values, not just in the presence of people outside Fleet, but to those within it too.

  "Now, line up at the tables and we'll assign your teams and trails."

  As the ensigns stood, Taylitha felt a shadow cross her back. She glanced at the sky in time to catch the silhouette of a broad-winged bird of prey. She bumped into Alysha in her surprise, managed to point.

  "A good omen," Alysha said with a chuckle. "It did look like the Fleet eagle, didn't it?"

  Taylitha nodded, then added, "We'll need all the luck we can get. Did I hear him right when he said there would be no help at all?"

  "No help offered," Alysha corrected. "I suspect if we ask, we'll receive."