by L A Warren
“Not very bold,” Elise said. There were definite strategies for what seemed like a simple race.
“No, but consistent. Wilma’s gone far with consistency. She’s not the best pilot, but she’s solid and has a lot more experience than you. If you beat her in this race then you’ll be set for a second elimination after your speed trial. Now, let’s talk about your speed trial. You need to play the speed trial carefully. You don’t want to finish well.”
"I thought the point was to get the best time.”
“Yes and no.” Jeena chewed on her lower lip. “Look, kid. You’re a first-time novice contender. There are only a few of us who’ve seen you train. I didn’t want you to get too cocky, but you’ve got a real chance.”
“You’re telling me I’m good? What’s gotten over you? So far I’ve just been merely ok?”
Jeena gave a sheepish grin. “Hell, you’re just a kid. Anyway, you need to do well enough to pass into the next round, but if you do too well, it’ll draw unwelcome attention. We want the other pilots to think you’re lucky, not good. You’ll show them good once you get a spot on Gambit’s circuit race. Then you’ll show them spectacular. But before that, be just barely good enough.”
“How good is good enough? How do I know how fast to time the speed trial?”
“That’s what Carek is going to tell you. It’s lucky you’re in the last speed trials. I’ve been busy trading favors to get you rescheduled, again and again. It’s going to work in your favor. He should be able to tell us exactly what time you need based upon the finishing times of everyone else.”
“I’m not going to be in the lowest ranks, am I?”
“Yes, but there’s strategy there, too. We want you ranked somewhere in the lower third. It’ll give you a margin and generate some interest in the betting pools. Now, stay away from the bonus rings. I don’t want flashy, just good.”
They walked down the long hall and into the jump-jet hangar.
“You’re taking away all the fun!”
Jeena gave her a dark stare. “And I’ve won the Imperial finals several times running. Have you? Take my advice, kid. It’s worth it. Winning on the jump-jet circuit is six parts skill, three parts strategy, and one part luck. You need strategy to win.”
“Elise!” Dove’s deep baritone voice sounded over the noisy hangar. The ever-present noise dropped for a second and then rose again to its usual fevered pitch.
Carek stood by Dove’s side and his eyes brightened. He was dressed in his green jumpsuit and his hair was drawn back in the ponytail he always wore. She saw a flash of green in his eyes and then nothing as Larkin ambushed her from the side.
Larkin swung Elise around in a circle. “El, you made it!” He spun her a few times and then steadied her on her feet. He pecked her cheek and released her as Dove and Carek came up. “We were all starting to get worried!”
“My little chickadee, you made it." Dove's eyes crinkled at the corners and his lips spread into a wide grin. “Jeena was getting frightful to be around. If you missed the qualifiers, she would’ve been unbearable for cycles. Thank goodness you’re here!” Dove leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Good to see you. Are you ok?” he whispered the last into her ear where no one else could hear.
She nodded.
Dove and Jeena were the only ones who knew her story and why her visits to the flight deck sometimes stopped completely for days at a time. As far as she knew, they hadn’t told anyone else about her sponsor uncle who'd taken her nuptial gift.
Carek hung back a little from the group. Twin silver pads lined his temples again. He looked tired and distracted. He must have slipped away from work again because he’d forgotten to remove the pads. She wondered what full immersion in the am-net must be like. With the Vendel and their biotech, it might be literal, but he’d always evaded her questions when she asked.
Larkin thumped her on her back, making her grunt. “So, Chickadee, good luck on your races today. I passed my qualifiers already. Maybe we’ll fly against each other?”
Elise couldn’t help but prod her friend. “You should hope not, Lark.”
Larkin’s face went red and his eyes narrowed into thin slits. “I let you win, novice and all. You won’t find me so easy to beat next time.”
“Famous last words.” Elise arched a brow in challenge.
“Well, El…” his voice trailed off with promise, “I made dinner reservations for the last night of the Gambit finals at the Pinnacle Room.”
“Sounds nice,” Elise purred. “Who asked you out?”
Jeena giggled and Dove shifted his feet, suddenly finding a speck of metal on the floor incredibly interesting. Elise gave Larkin a wide-eyed smile and blinked demurely. Carek looked on in bewilderment.
Larkin scowled for a moment, but then brightened when he realized she was teasing. “Listen, El, good luck out there. I do hope you do well.” He brushed the curls out of his eyes and waved his way off.
Dove collected Jeena and the two of them headed to Jeena’s jump-jet. Carek stood in place, looking lost. He twirled a dainty silver chain from his fingers.
“Carek?”
He looked up and his eyes twinkled. Carek had a tendency to stare off into space and then step right back into conversations as if he’d been following every word. Today he seemed a bit off.
“Hi,” he said, “We were starting to get worried. I tried to track you down, but Jeena told me to leave off. We kind of got into it a little. I’m sorry, but they told me about your sponsor and what he’s done to you. I didn’t realize.”
Elise held perfectly still.
Carek raised a palm. “I’m the only one they’ve told. Your secret is safe.” He shuffled his feet and looked down at the slim silver chain. “I wanted to give you something. I didn’t want to be obvious like Larkin. I thought, maybe, you could wear it as a good luck charm, rather than as a promise bracelet?” He gazed deeply into her eyes and quickly looked away.
Elise wanted to laugh. Carek was over four hundred years old and here he was acting like a shy schoolboy.
“I think it’s really sweet of you.” Elise laid a hand on Carek’s arm.
“Well, it’s just for luck. I don’t mean it as a promise bracelet, unless…well…” He stammered and didn’t meet her eyes. At last, he said, “You don’t have to keep it on. At least, not now, not yet. I mean, it’s too early and all, and you have your problems.” The words tumbled out of his mouth. He took a breath, blew it out slowly, and nodded to himself as if making a decision. “Just for luck, and then you can take it off. I wouldn’t want him to see it, or get you in trouble.”
“Carek, I would love to wear it. Even if only for my flights. Even if I have to take it off when I leave here. I’d be honored.”
Carek relaxed and smiled. He took her hand and pushed back the sleeve of her jumpsuit. He brushed his thumb over the thin, silver scar on the back of her hand. It made her self-conscious having him touch where Gregor’s Blood Rite knife had pierced her skin.
He frowned and his brows drew down in thought. “Um, let me put it on for you.” Carek looped the silver chain over her wrist and turned her hand over, palm up. A miniature jump-jet figurine dangled from the chain. It had been painted in Jeena’s colors. Carek attached the clasp and ran his thumb down her palm and over the scar on that side of her hand.
Lost in thought, he held her hand. Elise did not pull away. He felt good. He smelled good, too. Standing as close as they were, his clean fresh scent washed over her, so different from the pilots, mechanics and other flight deck crew.
Where do you go, when you leave here, Carek?
Who was this man who fronted the exorbitant jump-jet fee on a stranger, a novice? A young, prejuv, female pilot, at that? Had he done it for Jeena, for his cousin Dove, or for her? She had a suspicion he’d done it for her. Carek Tusel may not be searching for a wife, or romantic entanglements, but he was searching for something. Some form of companionship; a connection to his humanity was how Jeena had described
it. Elise wished she could give him that bond.
His touch was so much different than Gregor’s. A touch like that from the emperor would’ve felt like fire, sent her heart racing, quickened her breathing, and made the hairs on the backs of her arms stand on end. Carek’s touch was warm, soothing, and innocent. His touch asked for nothing, whereas Gregor's demanded everything.
Elise would give Gregor what he wanted because he would take it. He would draw out her body like he took everything else. Their inevitable union would likely consume them both. Just the thought of it made her heart race. But, what would it be like to share Carek’s bed? A low roiling simmer could hold as much, or more, passion as an uncontrolled blaze.
She jumped at the unexpected thought and ripped her hand out of Carek’s gentle touch. “Sorry,” she said, to cover her unease. She hadn’t really thought of him like that. Her cheeks felt noticeably hot. Why now?
Carek gazed into her eyes and flicked his attention to her cheeks. His brows drew down, deep in thought, and he seemed wary, as if he wrestled with some great decision. “We should go join the others,” he said abruptly.
It wasn’t what she’d expected. Elise had thought he might say something more personal and it made her uneasy.
He reached for her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. “Elise,” he said and paused for a moment in consideration, “have you ever seen the am-net?”
“You don’t mean the interface pads, do you?”
“No, I’d like to show you the central core. I think you’d find it interesting. There are things in the am-net I need to show you. Things, which can only be truly understood by sensitive minds.”
“I…”
His tone struck her as odd, as if he had just lost something dear to him. He was trying to tell her something.
“I would love to, but I thought it was ultra-secure. Only Neural-Mind Conclave members allowed.” She paused and then heard his words. “You think I have a sensitive mind?”
“Level 5 conclave members have the ability to make exceptions to the rules. I can give official tours. Especially if there’s a reason. You do have an exceptional mind. Just to pull this off shows me you’re brilliant. That means something, by the way, coming from someone like me.”
Now what does that mean?
“I wouldn’t think your girlfriend would qualify as an official tour.” Oh, shit, why did I just say that? “I…”
He put his hand over hers. “Don’t you dare tell me you didn’t just mean that.” He gave a low throaty chuckle and patted her hand. “But, I think it’s best to leave things as they are. You’re not ready, I think. And I, well I…” He paused and rolled several phrases on his tongue before settling on, “I just can’t right now. Just tell everyone it’s a good luck charm, nothing more. We’ll deal with more, later.”
“I said too much. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, I liked the sound of it. But you have issues to deal with and there are some lines I can’t cross.” He squeezed her hand and kissed her cheek, lingering longer than customary before pulling away.
Elise closed her eyes, wishing he hadn’t pulled away.
Carek led her on his arm to where Jeena and Dove stood by the jump-jet. Dove looked at their hands, frowned, but said nothing.
Jeena’s eyes focused on the silver chain. Her brows went up and her eyes widened in surprise. “Carek, let’s go over your numbers.”
Dove moved away from the jump-jet revealing Chickadee etched in the nose of the craft. Jeena’s eyes lit up and Dove crossed his arms over his chest. “Well?” he asked in his deep voice.
Elise let go of Carek’s arm. He resisted and then released her hand. She walked up to the jump-jet, her little dragonfly, and ran her fingers over the name. It wasn’t a name she would have picked. It was ridiculous, but Dove had given her that name. It was a good name. The perfect name. She loved it.
She looked at these people who were willing to help a stranger. Jeena taught her to fly and had donated her jump-jet. Dove had managed all the fine-tuning of the jump-jet engines, and had worked with her when Jeena was out on her transport runs. Carek had graciously donated an exorbitant sum to give her the opportunity to race. The pilots on the flight deck had given her live opponents to practice against as she honed her skills.
Tears welled up and threatened to fall. She’d had a lot of tears lately, but these were the first happy tears she’d shed in a long time. Whimper’s tears were too painful to bear, and Shriek never cried.
“It’s beautiful, Dove. Thanks.”
“No problem, Kid. Hey! You’ve got about an hour before launch time, why don’t you go relax.” Dove rubbed his fat nose and left a grease stain on the tip.
“I’m not going to relax, Dove. I wish I could fly right now and get rid of these jitters."
Jeena’s wrist call sounded and she tapped a finger to her ear, and spoke with the caller.
Carek pulled out a gel-flimsy from his pocket and walked over to Dove. He placed it on the nose of the craft. “Elise, if you pass through all fifty rings averaging fifteen seconds per ring, you’ll make it in the bottom third of the rankings.”
“I’ve blown through the rings a lot faster than that.” Fifteen seconds? I can do it in nine, maybe even less.
“Yes, but we don’t want you finishing high. You don’t need the attention.”
“Your numbers don’t even take into account the bonus rings,” she countered.
“Novice pilots rarely hit the bonus rings. When you get to the Gambit finals you can start pulling some of your tricks. But for now, we just need to get you on the circuit. You don’t have to win during the qualifiers.” Carek tugged on his ponytail.
Dove placed a fat finger on top of the gel-flimsy. “It’s not the speed trials that’ll be the problem. In order to secure your place in Gambit’s circuit, you have to pass through four elimination rounds. Two races are set for today. The next two tomorrow. Are you going to be able to make it tomorrow, kid?”
“I can only hope. Things have kind of quieted down.”
“I’ve got news." Jeena came around the side of the jump-jet. “Jenson just withdrew from the competition, which means you only have to make it through three eliminations, rather than four. They want to run them all today. Are you up for three duels and a time trial, or is that too much? Should I tell them no?”
“Yes,” Dove exclaimed. “This is perfect. You can get your place on the circuit today.”
“Yes, I’m up for it.”
Jeena spoke into her device, then gave a flat stare to Elise. “Get your flightsuit on and hop on board. They’ve moved up your match with Wilma to right now. Be careful what you ask for kid, sometimes you get it!”
Elise scrambled into the tight fitting flightsuit. The helmet, with its opaque visor, fitted over her head with only a little rearranging of the messy bun at the back of her head. Carek and Dove missed their good luck kisses in the rush and had to settle for hugs. Well, Dove thumped her on her back. Carek gave her a hug. Jeena sealed the helmet and thumped the top.
Before she lowered the visor, Jeena said cautiously, “Beat Wilma but do it with respect. You don’t want to make an enemy out of her. Don’t take unnecessary risks. It’d be better to win on the third race than humiliate her like you did with Larkin.”
“I get it. Don’t worry, I’ll be good.” Elise grinned and the visor slid into place. Larkin ran up, as if the mention of his name had him materializing out of thin air. He had to settle for a vigorous wave as the jump-jet crane lifted her craft off the hangar deck. Elise waved with enthusiasm and tapped through her pre-flight checklist as the crane moved her jet up to the catapult launch system, where it deposited her into a dark hole and the clamps engaged with a solid thunk. She waited until the catapult loading ramp maneuvered her into position. The jump-jet shifted sideways, out of the little dark hole, and into a much longer launch tube.
Twinkling in the darkness, the silvery gray of WOR-space waited for the arrival of its newest co
ntestant.
Chapter Seventeen
Gambit, Day 223
A great roaring filled the canopy as the catapult launched Elise, pressing her back against the seat of the jump-jet. Her heart leapt as adrenaline surged through her body. Once free of the Gambit, she engaged the engines and headed to the staging area.
Three other jump-jets waited outside the jump-jet circuit. Elise tapped into their communications channels.
“Zander, Fox or Rabbit?” a male voice asked.
“Your pick, doesn’t matter to me. I’m going to blast your ass before the end.” Another male answered.
“Hardly, Zander.” A low chuckle sounded over the com-channel.
“My, my, Zander, aren’t you in a fighting mood?” The last, a low alto, belonged to a woman.
“Aw, hell, Wilma. Zip it. Once I blast this idiot’s ass, I’m gonna come screaming up yours.” Zander’s voice crackled over the communications channel.
“I’ll take Rabbit,” the first voice growled.
“Looks like the little Chickadee has finally arrived.” Zander’s voice snarled. “You're late.”
“Hello, Wilma,” Elise said, by way of introduction, “sorry we didn’t get to meet before our race. They just told me of the change in time. And I’m not late!”
“How nice,” the first pilot purred. “I want the newbie, not this cocky bastard.”
“Zander, pay attention," Wilma chided. "Malikai is showing you how to properly greet a newbie. He knows how it should be done. Chickadee, it’s nice to meet you. The two children fighting here are Zander, he’s grumpy, and Malikai, he’s…well, he’s not as nice as he seems. They’re scheduled for the next race, we’re up after them.”