I nod, my insides feeling like they got caught in the Legion Spore’s trash compactor. Was this what she felt like when she had her premonition?
Community… the premonition… what if I’m not there for our child?
“Tim?” Val twists her lips, worried.
I swallow a gulp. Stuart said that the premonition probably wasn’t as bad as Val thought. So if I just take a deep breath… give myself a chance to relax…
“Tim…”
I force a smile. “I’m listening.”
“Good,” she says, thought she doesn’t look like she believes me. “Now… what’s the last thing you remember me saying?”
“Uh… something about leaders being figureheads?”
Val sighs. “You’ve really got to work on paying attention to people. I was saying that the leaders have power and they have fame, but really, they’re just doing what they’re told. They keep E-Leadership strong by telling the citizens what they want to hear.” She pauses. “How do you live like that? Knowing your leaders are just… pretty?”
“Pretty… You mean like having Lady Black posing for posters?” I ask. She’s pulled off the seductive image quite well, though those posters were just a distraction for when she wanted to secretly interrogate people. I take a deep breath, hoping I don’t offend Val. “Isn’t that what you do in the Community? Look attractive until you do your interrogations?”
Val shrugs. “Not really. Lady Black gives her speeches, and I spend time getting a feel for who’s who while she signs autographs. After the question and answer sessions, we review the crowd and I tell her who might have useful information. Then she investigates. Sometimes as herself, sometimes as a different person. Whatever works best for the particular target.”
“Whatever works best?” I wring my hands uncomfortably.
“Sometimes she takes them out to dinner for a friendly chat. Other times…” Val laughs nervously. “She does whatever she needs to. As for me, it’s nothing you have to worry about. I’m good at knowing what people want, so I usually go for direct confrontation. You saw what happened when I tried flirting.”
“You ended up being pregnant with my child?”
“Tim!” She narrows her eyes. “Telepaths, remember?”
I laugh nervously, my voice higher than usual, and I strangle the bed sheets between my fingers. How in the Community am I supposed to keep this a secret? “Sorry. It’s just… new.”
She shakes her head and smiles. “Just… focus on what I’m saying. Lady Black does most of the interrogation, though she’s had me help occasionally. Sometimes she needs my insight to lead the questioning.” She pauses. Her hand starts toward her stomach, and then quickly darts to my leg. “Tim… are you happy with where we’re at? I mean… Lady Black knows I prefer not to do any of the seduction techniques, but are you okay with my being on the field?”
I stare at her. I honestly didn’t think I had a say. Why would I? “Well… it’s not the most pleasant thought, but if you’re good at it, and you like what you’re doing…”
Val squeezes my knee. It’s almost ticklish. “I want your answer, Tim. Not the Community’s. If I had my way, we’d be working side-by-side. Not practical, I know. But trust me, if there’s anything we need to talk about, we should. There can’t be any resentment. Resentment is bad. It sours relationships.” She lowers her voice, soft. “If I’m pregnant, there’s a lot of stuff we need to prepare. I’ve had siblings. They take a lot of time to care for. Tim—you’ll still be around, right?”
I stare at her, my breath caught in my throat. Apparently, I’m not the only one still worrying about her premonition. “I’ll do my best, Val. I’m trying to take care of the Legion Spore’s glitches, and after that… well… hopefully I’ll have jobs that don’t require fixing a living airship.”
Val smiles softly, looking at me with admiration. A fuzzy trickle of pleasure seeps through me. For once, I’ve said something right. “Tim, you’re amazing. You know that?” She links her fingers through mine. “I’m glad I have you.” She kisses me on the cheek, and a smile tugs my lips.
I’m going to be a father.
I stir under the covers, groaning and twisting, trying to rid myself of an aching nightmare, one where Lady Winters is sending me through another one of her ordeals. It was something I said, I think, that prompted her to wrap my brain with needles. Something about the length of time that beasts spent in the transformation chambers and how inefficient the process was.
Lady Winters didn’t want efficiency, she wanted pain.
“Are you all right?” Val prods at me and stares at me with dark, concerned eyes. Her face is shadowed by the bedroom’s lack of light.
I smile weakly. “It’s just another nightmare.”
I know Val’s had them, too, though she didn’t have to work with Lady Winters for nearly as long. Lady Black quickly swooped Val into her care.
Val pats my arm and rolls over, repositioning herself under the covers. She’s my partner. We’re… going to be parents. We’re going to have a child together. The two of us caring for it, nurturing it. I curl against her, our bodies tangled.
The comforting feeling vanishes as the dream oozes back into my consciousness. Lady Winters hated questions. Hated if I didn’t bring her coffee—black—on time. Hated if I forgot to feed her cat, though who could forget to feed it? The thing would fly to sit on its target’s shoulders, mewing and purring and disrupting my work until it was fed. I think Commander Rick took to feeding it after Lady Winters died. She used to always eye the hybrid creature with approval, returning to her work only once someone took care of its needs, or providing “incentive” if we didn’t.
I sigh, pressing closer to Val. I feel like worms are twisting around in my stomach. It’s been ages since I’ve had my own dreams, not something the Legion Spore conjured, and right now I’d rather have the Martinez dreams than the ones about Lady Winters.
I hold Val tighter. There’s a little light coming from the computer’s screensaver. For a moment, Val’s silent sleep reminds me of Lady Black nuzzling under my arms.
I balk, shifting under the covers. Those dreams weren’t mine. I have Val, and she’s all I need.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” She rolls over, pressing herself against my chest and murmuring something in Spanish. I think she might have been telling me to go back to sleep, but I can’t make out the words.
“Trouble with the Legion Spore,” I whisper. And Lady Winters, I think. She’s the current source of my problems. If not for her, Martinez and Lady Black might be happily spending time together, and I wouldn’t be dealing with his ghost.
Val mumbles something unintelligible, already long lost to sleep.
“I love you, Val,” I whisper. I close my eyes, and when the light from the screensaver trespasses, I urge the monitor to shut itself off, leaving us in utter blackness.
Commander Rick swishes crimson wine in a crystal glass as he paces the council room. Lady Black lounges on a mahogany and velvet couch behind him, her legs resting across the breadth of the cushions. I keep my eyes on the commander, careful not to give the lady too much attention.
“The invasion has proceeded without incident. Given a couple days, Tokyo will be ours. Special Forces will hold the area. Meanwhile, I would like you” —the commander motions his glass to me— “to prepare the Legion Spore to return to Japan.”
A moment of panic sets in and I catch my breath. “Sir, don’t you want me to go to the Community?” I sit up on the couch. “If I’m supposed to make a show as the Head of Efficiency” —a job, I’ve noted, that has been mostly non-existent— “then I need to make an appearance soon.”
Commander Rick bobs his head. “You can keep an eye on the vessel through techno sight, correct?”
“Well, yes.” I twist my fingers through the pendant chain, my other hand firmly clutching my knee to keep from clasping Val’s hand. “But the glitches—”
“Are sorted, according to your la
test report. We can send the Legion Spore in unmanned.” Commander Rick tilts his chin, and there’s that subtle poke that tells me he’s in my thoughts.
“Sir, the known glitches are quarantined or removed,” I say, careful to keep my eyes on him. Even if he hasn’t told Lady Black about the dreams, he’s sure to know they exist. “However, I believe there is at least one, if not others, still waiting to be found. I’m not sure the Legion Spore is ready for an unmanned mission.”
The commander takes a sip of the wine. “Have more resolve, Master Zaytsev. Confidence is a necessity for leaders. Is the vessel ready or not?”
“No, sir.”
He raises an eyebrow, and a smile forms under his carefully groomed mustache. He takes a seat in the chair across from me. Val sits straighter, managing to avoid leaning against me despite the unbalanced cushions. “For what reason?” he asks.
“Sir—” I start.
Val glances at me, giving me that look she usually gives me when she wants me to be more confident.
I take a deep breath. “Sir, the glitches occur without warning. A couple are tied into telepathy, and if the Legion Spore locks us out of its programming, it may attack friendly ships. And being in OA territory and dealing with mechs, there are bound to be more techno sight people as powerful as the previous hacker.”
The commander takes the last drink of his wine. “You can access the Legion Spore via remote technology and, if necessary, I can extend control over the vessel via a hub. At this point, the vessel is every bit as effective and controllable as your average hub. There will be other glitches, yes, but nothing we can’t handle. I’ve field-tested beasties with less training than this.”
I sigh. He’s not going to relent.
“No, I am not.” He sets the empty glass on a low-sitting end table that’s been decorated with doilies.
“There is another thing,” I add, swallowing. “The Legion Spore seems to be developing a personality.”
“A personality?” Commander Rick glances to Lady Black. She frowns, and her long fingers grip the smooth wood of the couch’s top.
“I haven’t been able to locate the code responsible, but my research indicates this isn’t common in hubs.” Even here, I feel the cold calculations of the hub in this base, distantly working through the security mainframe and ensuring all building functions work as planned.
“No, it is not.” Lady Black repositions herself against the arm of the couch, stroking the edge with nonchalant coolness. My heart flutters involuntarily, reminded of our days—Martinez’s days—in the cell. “Hubs are devoid of personality. They run entirely on their programming. The only thing that remains of the individuals is their powers.” She narrows her eyes, as if threatening me to suggest otherwise. “Occasionally a ghost remains, but those are easily coded out.”
Coded out. That’s what I’ve been trying to do and… Lady Black glares at me with a bitter anger that’s unfamiliar after her usual flirtations.
Indeed. We do sense bitterness within her.
I jump, prompting Val to stare at me. “Are you okay?”
“Uh—yeah.” Legion Spore! I grit my teeth, trying to ignore the curious glance from the commander.
Our apologies, Master Zaytsev. We shall keep our opinions to ourself.
It’s not that, I send through techno sight. Were you eavesdropping? “Um—what was I saying?” I can’t quite remember.
Eavesdropping implies we were attempting to hide our presence.
Legion Spore, Commander Rick orders, remove yourself from our minds and do not bother us again. His thoughts are harsh, and I sense an immediate retort of disapproval from the vessel.
Yes, Commander. Then, in what feels like a stage whisper meant directly for me, He can be bossy, don’t you think?
I try not to make a face and fail miserably. “Did you catch that?” I ask weakly.
The commander narrows his eyes. This time, the Legion Spore doesn’t interject its thoughts. If that wasn’t personality, I don’t know what is.
“My point is, the Legion Spore is showing various aspects of preference. The more glitches I remove, the more its own, distinct personality shows. The glitch might be unrelated, simply a product of time, but I think there’s something different about the Legion Spore compared to other hubs.”
“It’s an airship, for one.” Lady Black traces the edge of her diamond pendant, though her gaze is directed to a distant portrait of her grandparents. I can see the resemblance to her grandmother, though Patricia’s smile looks considerably crueler.
“True,” I say. Maybe I can gain her favor by agreeing with her. “And its sheer size is different from the other hubs. Fifty-five is a large number of people and beasts. Plus, hubs aren’t subjected to the pendant’s radiation. They use life-spirit powers in the creation of hubs, correct?”
“And radiation,” Lady Black says softly.
I flinch. Saying anything about the creation of the Legion Spore isn’t helping me.
“Point noted.” The commander nods. “I will speak with Benjamin and see if he has any other notes on that particular configuration of pendants, and how it may relate to the development of a personality.” He rubs his chin. “Either way, I do believe the Legion Spore is ready to begin an unmanned mission. After our meeting, you will set it on course back to Tokyo.”
I nod, deflated. “Yes, sir.”
“Now that the Legion Spore business has been discussed, Lady Black?”
She smiles and straightens in her chair. “A couple of days ago I sent word to a team of mercenaries in the South American territory that we have a decent bounty for the collection of an artifact in Peru. With sufficient information and minimal casualties, they managed to collect the Inca time stone. It is currently located in Washington D.C. under the watchful eye of Special Forces. Let’s see the Coalition try to get that one.” Her smile widens, and I’m caught between thinking she looks beautiful when she’s happy and hoping the Coalition is smart enough not to try.
I cringe when I notice Val watching me. I wish I’d gotten rid of the Martinez glitch sooner.
“Good job on locating the stone, Master Zaytsev,” Lady Black says. An unwelcome warmth spreads through me. “Now, I believe there is a matter of making your position as Head of Efficiency official. Commander Rick?”
The commander smiles, resting his grizzled hands on the arms of the plush chair. “Yes. I have arranged for your debut in the Community. Lady Salazar will accompany us, along with a personalized team of Special Forces. We leave tonight.”
Val wraps her hands over mine. My heart skips a beat. Despite the Legion Spore’s glitches, we’re finally going back to the Community.
“Master Zaytsev,” Commander Rick says proudly, “meet Agent Lenora Ashby. She will be your personal bodyguard.”
I’m not so sure I need a bodyguard—we’re going to the Community, after all—but Agent Ashby scowls at me from over her nose. Her bright red hair is pulled into a short, tight ponytail, and she’s got the freckles to match. With her rigid posture, bulging muscles, and sharp jawline, she’s not someone I want to cross. I suppose that’s the point of having a bodyguard.
She smirks. “Bright one, I take it?”
I’m not exactly sure how to respond, so I end up with my mouth gaping. Is everyone here a telepath? I was hoping to have a break from having people in my head, now that I’m not tinkering with the Legion Spore.
The commander clasps his hands behind his back. “Agent Ashby will retain a constant, upper-level presence in your mind, along with that of those around you. That way she is alert to any threats to your safety.”
I glance at her from the corners of my eyes. Why do I get the feeling she’d rather put a bullet through my head?
She raises an eyebrow, and then smiles at Commander Rick. “He’ll be safe with me.”
I swallow hard. Val’s premonition won’t be the result of my bodyguard shooting me.
I hope.
“Thank you, Agent,” Comm
ander Rick says approvingly. “Master Zaytsev, you will spend the rest of the afternoon learning the appropriate mannerisms for an international leader who is visiting the Community. Agent Ashby will brief you. Lady Salazar has already been through this training, so she will meet us after supper. Good day to you both.” He tips his hat and returns to his airship.
Somehow I’d forgotten that, since I’m a leader now, I probably need training. But I would have expected someone like Stuart or Lady Black to train me, not a bodyguard.
The agent pats the pistol at her side. Though she’s not in full gear, she does wear a black Special Forces uniform. Sharp black boots, crisp, loosely fitted pants, long sleeves, and a high collar. A crimson rising sun cog is embroidered on both shoulders. Despite not wearing the utility vest, she does wear her gun belt.
“Relax, Master Zaytsev. I don’t bite.” I shoot first, she adds mentally.
I stare at her, horrified. This is my bodyguard?
She snorts. “Master Zaytsev, you have my complete loyalty—so long as it benefits the Community and the Camaraderie of Evil. Come, we have a lot to cover.” She turns and marches straight to a small, sleek black shuttle. I follow her inside. She takes a standing position beside a small seat and table, and it takes me a moment to realize that I’m supposed to sit first. I stare at her until she groans. “Don’t you have any idea of formality? Any leader training whatsoever?”
“Minimal. What Stuart taught me a couple hours before the ball.”
She grimaces. “Well then, we’ll start by reviewing typical protocol. An hour should be sufficient. What we don’t have a chance to cover now I’ll transmit to you telepathically.”
I nod. Basics are always a good starting point. “That will work.”
We spend the next two hours trying to coerce me into the correct posture, trying to train me to properly greet other Community leaders and citizens, and how to pass as someone of importance. Judging from her increasingly agitated state, I’m failing.
While she’s grabbing her tablet from the cockpit I overhear her mutter that we’re trying to compact a year’s worth of officer lessons into one afternoon. But once she’s back, she’s fully composed, watching me with that same grim smile she had when we first met. Part of me wishes I could simply ask the Legion Spore to tell me what she’s thinking. At least then I’d have as much information about her as she has about me.
The Glitch Saga- The Complete Collection Page 21