The Price of Power
Page 24
Elise sat in silence during the meal while Carek explained their progress with the linking project.
Gregor placed a hand on Elise’s leg. “I understand you need WOR.”
“Yes, Sire,” Carek said.
“Hasn’t Lord vlor’Vardhal given you access to the WOR in the am-net for your work.”
“Yes, Sire, but Lady s’Lissa feels they are too weak.”
“Is this true, opés?”
“Yes, Gregor. I need stronger WOR.”
“We don’t have trained WOR on the Gambit higher than First Rank.”
“You have ninety Fifth Rank WOR sitting idle on the Fifth Deck,” she countered.
“All untrained.”
“All in the process of becoming trained.” She lowered her eyes and stared at her plate.
Gregor squeezed her thigh.
She suppressed a shudder.
Carek sat on the opposite side of the table, oblivious to Gregor’s actions under the tabletop.
She tried not to pull away, but it was difficult.
Gregor smirked and brushed the hair away from her neck with his free hand. “How would having WOR help?” His eyebrow lifted in question.
“Sire, Lady s’Lissa feels she needs to run a few tests. The linking project is far from complete, but there are a few theories we’re working on which would be nice to try out. They could provide valuable information.”
“I don’t know if the High Tenders would be pleased to know their charges are floating about in the am-net Tank unsupervised.”
Gregor hadn’t dismissed the idea. She was pleased he was thinking about it.
“Gregor, I know it seems like an odd request, but having a few of the Earth WOR will help. I’d like to try out a few ideas. They may even be able to see something I haven’t seen. Is there any way you can talk to High Tender Marcus? Please?”
He leaned down and kissed her temple. “You had only to ask.”
“Thank you, Gregor.” She smiled at him while her stomach churned.
Carek pushed his food around with a fork. “A few WOR should be adequate. If we had a total of five, it would provide a solid circle to work with.”
“You need four more?” Gregor’s head tilted up.
“It would be the best number to start with. Eventually we’ll need ten, but five is the minimum to form a link. We would need to run a few tests first.” Carek munched on a protein bar.
Gregor glanced down at Elise’s forgotten plate. “Opés, you haven’t touched your meal.”
“I’m not as hungry as I thought.”
His eyes narrowed and silver glinted in the harsh light of the cafeteria. “Nonsense, eat up, opés. You need your strength.”
“Yes, Gregor.” She grabbed her fork and picked at her meal.
Carek and Gregor talked about the linking project. Carek described the progress they made and some of the things he wished to try with a group of WOR. Their conversation ebbed and flowed until they ran out of things to talk about.
Elise’s plate was still half full.
Gregor pushed back from the table but did not rise. “Continue, opés. We have time to wait while you finish.” He wiped his chin with a napkin. “So, Mr. Tusel, are you a jump-jet fan?”
Her heart stopped.
He knows!
You’re paranoid, Alex said. There’s no way he knows.
“Aren’t we all?” Carek’s green eyes flashed in the light. His attention landed on Elise then slipped away.
“Absolutely,” Gregor said, “and can you believe the semi-finalists? Two men and four women. It’s going to have the fans going wild.”
“We haven’t had a woman win since Jeena.”
“Yes, what happened to her? She won ten circuits in a row and then dropped out of the races.”
“She stopped racing to focus on her Pilot Conclave business.”
Gregor leaned forward. “Did you know I bet against her every year but the last? I finally wised up and placed the Imperial bet on her. I guess that must have been what she was waiting for, because she hasn’t raced since she won that year.”
“I believe there was more to it than that.”
“Do you know her?”
“My cousin knows her.”
Gregor tapped his lip. “Really? How interesting. I didn’t even know she was on the Gambit until recently. It’s a shame she’s not in the jump-jet circuit, although, if she were, it would skew the betting. Everyone would bet on her and then when she won, who’d be able to meet the bets?”
“She could fly veiled. Other winners have done that to keep the betting fair.”
Elise pushed the food around on her plate. Her appetite had abandoned her.
Gregor scratched the back of his neck. “It’s time to consider my pick and place the Imperial bet. I think all six are pretty fine pilots.”
Carek coughed. “Yes, Sire.”
“Do you have a favorite? Or maybe, with your connections, do you have an inside track on any of the pilots? Who is most likely to win? My picks don’t always win, but I believe it spices things up when the winner is able to take home such a large prize. Don’t you agree?”
“Yes,” Carek said. “And it’s considered a great honor to take home the Imperial bet.”
“So, who do you favor?” Gregor leaned both elbows on the table and glanced at Elise’s unfinished plate. “Opés, you need to eat. You’re looking a little pale.”
Elise stuffed a pea into her mouth and focused on her plate.
“I don’t have a favorite. I’m trying to stay out of the jump-jet races this year.”
“Oh, right,” Gregor said, “I believe I know about that.”
“Sire?” Carek’s voice cracked.
Elise held perfectly still.
“Didn’t you subsidize one of the semi-finalists? The novice on the circuit? What’s her call sign?” Gregor tapped his lip.
“We had a falling out. I tried to revoke the entrance fee, but it was too late. I haven’t spoken to that pilot about her training, or her advancement, for several sun cycles.” Carek glared at Elise.
She ignored him.
“That’s unfortunate. She shows promise. Why did you have a falling out, if I might ask?”
Elise shoved large pieces of protein steak into her mouth.
Gregor looked down at her. “Slow down, opés, or you’ll choke.”
She nodded and kept her head down.
“Philosophical differences. I felt her priorities were in the wrong place and her loyalties needed redirection.”
“I see. She is still competing, however. Must not have listened to what you said.”
“She heard me. She’s just obstinate and wants to have it both ways. I believe she takes great risk.”
Gregor laughed. “I know exactly what you mean.” He patted Elise’s leg for emphasis. “It’s amazing the risks a person is willing to take when the stakes are high.”
She nearly choked.
Gregor continued, “Well, the semi-finals start today and I need to place my bet. Perhaps I should put it on the long shot? What do you think?”
“I wouldn’t presume to say.”
“Please, Mr. Tusel. If you were me, and had to choose from those six pilots, would you place your money on the oddball long shot or the tried and true? I believe Malikai has won a few circuit finals in the past, although he doesn’t admit to it. He flies veiled, which leads me to believe he’s a previous jump-jet circuit winner or a lord. The other man, Sigour, has won once before, although he doesn’t fly veiled. Candice has come in second and third in the past two Imperial finals, and she won the Gambit fleet finals last year. Should I bet on her? Or your girl? I’m not as familiar with the other two female pilots.”
“Sire, I can’t tell you who to place the Imperial bet on.” Carek’s eyes widened. He pushed himself back from the table. “And she’s not my girl. I don’t endorse her pursuit of a jump-jet prize. It’s foolhardy and irresponsible.”
Elise fit the last p
iece of food into her mouth and tried not to choke as she swallowed.
Gregor became silent. “Opés, why don’t you decide?”
Elise glanced into eyes of steel that lacked any warmth. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“It’s a race. That’s all you need to know. Tell me, opés, who would you bet on? An established pilot or a fresh untried novice?”
Elise followed the protein bite with a gulp of water. Malice chuckled in the blackness. Shriek was distant, she was preparing for the High Tender. Whimper had crawled away. Alex was missing, as usual.
She took in a deep breath. “I always bet on the underdog. They have the most to lose and, therefore, are willing to risk everything to achieve their goals.”
After a little while, he gave an odd appraising look. “I do believe you have a point. But, the price of failure can be incredibly steep.”
She held him in a steady gaze. “It depends on the reward.”
Gregor turned his attention back to Carek. “I need to think about it, of course. Betting has already begun on which pilot I’ll pick. Before the first race tonight, I’ll have to make up my mind.” He pushed back from the table. “By the way, Mr. Tusel, I appreciate you switching your shifts around to work with my s’vlor. I know nightshift can be difficult.”
“No problem, my lord. It has been my honor. The Tank is relatively empty during the nightshift. It’s better not having too many people around while the Lady s’Lissa works. Less distraction.”
Gregor waved his hand in acknowledgement. “Yes, of course. If you will excuse me?”
Elise scrambled to her feet. “Goodbye, Gregor. Thank you for having lunch with me.”
Gregor planted a kiss on her forehead. “Until later, opés. Perhaps, tomorrow night, you can dine with me in my quarters?”
“Yes, Gregor.” She focused on his boots, terrified to meet the steel of his gaze.
Gregor took a step back. She didn’t breathe until he exited the dining facility and disappeared down the hall.
Carek’s expression became distant. He crossed his arms. “You’re playing a very dangerous game, El.” He jerked his chin toward the way Gregor exited. “He should not be underestimated.”
Elise gave him a mulish look. “Nor should I.”
“You need to pull out of the jump-jet competition. It’s foolhardy.”
She headed back to the immersion tank. “I’m not pulling out of the competition.”
“You’re risking everything.”
“No. I’m here, aren’t I? We’re making progress. Win or lose, stay or go, don’t take jump-jets away from me, Carek. It’s the only thing I have that’s keeping me sane. I swore to you I would work to save the Vendel, but I can’t save you if I lose myself in the process. If you don’t understand that, then you have no idea who I really am.”
And who are you? Alex asked. Are you strong enough to win?
I don’t know about that, but I’m determined not to lose.
I suppose that will have to be enough.
Elise stared at the surface of the glowing purple sea. It had to be enough, because she didn’t have anything else to give. And somewhere out in space, an alien presence sought to destroy everything she had come to love.
“Let’s get back to work.” She dove into the purple sea, determined to never stop. Whether that was to save the Vendel, rescue the Earth WOR, or hold on to her sanity, were questions for later.
It was time to turn things around.
It was time to win.
THIS IS NOT THE END!
VENDEL RISING: VOLUME 4
IT ENDS WITH A BEGINNING
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Follow Elise’s journey with the Vendel as she seeks her revenge.
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VENDEL RISING Series
Vendel Rising: a serialized novel
Volume 1: It Begins With the End
Volume 2: Women of Rank
Volume 3: The Price of Power
Volume 4: It Ends With a Beginning
About the Author
L.A. Warren cut her teeth on Azimov, Pohl, Heinlein, and many other science fiction greats. Not once did she think she would become a writer, but life has a way of seeing dreams come true you never knew you had. Now, L.A. is writing the science fiction and fantasy stories she loves to read.
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