Ikari has enjoyed life on the family farm until a neighbour turns her in for being a talent, from that point on, things spiral rapidly beyond her control.
She is put in a restrictor suit, shipped off world and sent to Teklan base to try to remove the suit without killing her.
Ikari has an assignment as the courier on Dorali, and her new partner is waiting.
Khivon has known his flier was coming to him for over a year, but when she shows up and her eyes spark memories of far-off nebulas, he feels his instincts taking over when his logic should have been holding fast.
More From Tales of the Citadel
The knock at the door was expected. Ikari got to her feet and finished chewing her mouthful of breakfast.
“Hey, doc, you are early. You normally come after I finish eating, not during.” She swung the door open and found herself face to face with members of the guard of Resicor.
Her mother gasped, and her father was behind her in an instant. “Why are you here?”
The guard captain held out his hand, and an image appeared.
Ikari winced as the image of her hovering low over the recalcitrant animals and herding them home with a handheld floodlight leading the way. Her face in the image was lit with a spooky gleam.
The next guard held up wide manacles, and the captain said, “Ikari Quono, you are under arrest for the use of a physical talent. You will be confined and remanded to the dome.”
She fought the urge to run with everything in her. Her parents would be injured if she tried to leave and that was not going to happen.
Steeling herself, she extended her hands and allowed the guard to put the manacles on her. “I am sorry, Mom. I never meant for this to happen. It is my fault and don’t forget that.”
Her father gripped her mother’s hand tightly, and the guard led Ikari away.
The ride to the confinement centre was tense, and Ikari remembered all the stories that she had heard of physical talents being hauled off and never seen again. Sure, they were ostensibly allowed visitation with their families at least once a year, but what if they didn’t survive until the visit?
She sat and bit her lower lip until it bled. Her life on the farm was getting further away with each passing minute, and her heart was starting to ache already.
“Can I make some calls?”
The guard across from her blinked. “Who would you call?”
“My aunt and uncle. My parents need help with the farm. The calving is happening, and they need assistance.”
“You are about to be locked in the dome and you are concerned about the farm?” the man raised his brow.
“Is there a better time to be worried about my family than when I know I will not be able to help them?”
