Vendel Rising Omnibus

by L A Warren

  Using the jump-jet winnings to buy transport and take all the Earth WOR away only worked if she had a place to take them to; a place which was also beyond Gregor’s reach. That part of the puzzle she had yet to work out.

  What made her laugh, and drew strange looks from her friends, was that knowing she would save an empire of billions and billions no longer overwhelmed her. It was saving a little less than a thousand Earth women which proved to be the most daunting task.

  “Elise, are you listening at all?”

  She shook her head, surprised to find herself floating in the purple soup of the am-net sea. How did I get here?

  Whimper giggled. You were daydreaming. I took over. Can I go now?

  Her sisters had never taken over control without Elise’s conscious permission. This change gave her pause. How much of me is left in here?

  There was no answer.

  Her four friends, along with Carek, floated in the glowing purple liquid all staring at her as if expecting an answer.

  “I’m sorry, what did you say?” Elise tried to focus. They were attempting a link. She blinked and looked at the construct Aomi had cast.

  Deep furrows lined her brow marring her delicate features, even her almond eyes pinched shut.

  Elise held up a hand. “Stop. Try again, Aomi. Stop thinking so hard. It just screws it all up.”

  “Stop thinking?” Irritation lined Aomi’s words. “That’s absurd.” The soft melodious notes of her voice were replaced with a blaring discord.

  “Listen, this is how it works. If you try to control it, force it to do what you want, the WOR-skill fights back. It builds up a dissonance. I feel it now, in what you're doing. You have to let it flow, otherwise it fights you and falls apart.”

  “I can’t,” she complained. “It’s too hard.”

  Elise felt lost as to how to explain it any better.

  Chandra rescued her by suggesting a simple solution. “Hey, why don’t you try singing? Think of the hardest song you’ve ever had to sing. Hum it while you form the keystone.”

  “That’s stupid.” Aomi looked dubious.

  “If it’s so stupid, then try it. What harm could it cause?” Chandra folded her arms across her chest. Her brows lifted in challenge.

  Aomi rolled her eyes and, with a glare, started to hum.

  Elise played the part of the conduit. The rough edges of the linked circle formed. The fifth and sixth dimensions unfolded and then cracks widened as Aomi cracked open the sub-dimensions.

  Paula fed power into the cracks, her energy melding seamlessly into the link. Elise grabbed Paula's strength and bound it to her own. Alice’s thread came next. With effort, the third position was filled. Chandra was the last to add her power, but Elise slipped her into the conduit.

  Aomi’s face lit with excitement as she realized she’d formed her first working linked circle as the Keystone. Her grin spread from ear to ear, tweaking up the corners of her eyes. She clapped. “I did it!”

  Elise smiled.

  They ran through the drills Carek devised, and then, Aomi slowly released each of them.

  “See.” Chandra looked smug. She’d reverted to her lotus pose and floated alongside Carek. Their knees touched. “You thought it was stupid and look how well it worked?”

  “Are you done gloating?” Aomi arched an eyebrow. “Because it’s your turn.”

  Chandra’s face paled. “I—”

  “Yes?” Aomi mocked Chandra’s previous challenge.

  “I need a distraction.”

  “Well? What will distract you?” Aomi asked.

  Chandra’s eyes flicked to Carek. A slight flush brightened her friend’s face.

  “I’ll think of something,” she said.

  Elise directed everyone back to work. “Ok, everyone into position. Who hasn’t practiced as the conduit?”

  Paula raised her hand. “I did a few tries back, but I’d like to try again.”

  Elise pointed to each girl in turn. “All right. Chandra is the keystone, Paula you’re the conduit. Aomi goes in first, then Alice, and I’ll go last. Paula, make sure you release each of us in reverse order.”

  They nodded.

  “Ok, let’s go,” Elise said.

  Chandra formed the bridge. The circle took shape. Paula accepted each link into the conduit without any difficulty. They did it several times over. Each of them achieving success as both keystone and conduit.

  After some time, Elise stepped back and allowed them to direct one another. Her heart sank as she watched their success. It was an odd feeling. On the one hand, her pride soared as their accomplishment blossomed, on the other, she realized the cost of this achievement.

  Gregor would demand the Binding.

  She shrank a little as the universe swallowed her hopes and dreams.

  Moving away, she floated apart from them while they practiced. She pulled up the WOR-skill diagrams. The Wheel skills rotated in front of her, blurring with the speed Shriek demanded. Alex had figured out how to hide the colors from curious eyes. Elise looked at it with an odd double vision which made her head spin, yet felt oddly normal.

  She needed more WOR. One linked circle called for ten positions. She hoped to make ten complete circles with the Fifth Rank Earth WOR they had on board. Secretly, she was dying to see if Alex’s thoughts were true. Could she be the keystone which linked ten fully formed circles into one giant wheel of power?

  Elise motioned for Carek to join her.

  He disentangled himself from the four girls and floated over. “Yes?”

  “I need to speak with Gregor.”

  “Okay, it’ll just take a second to set it up.”

  She sighed. “Thank you.”

  Carek’s eyes glazed over. She recognized the look. He accessed parts of the am-net they couldn’t reach. Well, parts the other girls couldn’t reach. She had other access. Bobo, her viral subroutine, had been a very busy boy. There wasn't a single ship's system he didn't reside within.

  Carek opened his eyes. “He’s in session with the High Council and not available.”

  “Tell him it's important.”

  Carek stared flatly back at her. “He said no.”

  “Tell him I said please.”

  He did and gasped with surprise. “The Emperor will speak with you.”

  “Good, give me a private connection.”

  Carek did. She closed her eyes and spoke into the am-net. Gregor’s presence washed over her and filled her with his power. Warmth spread through her and comforted her in an unsettling way.

  “Gregor,” she began.

  “Opés?”

  “Forgive my intrusion. I understand you’re busy.”

  “Yes, very much.” He surprised her with a laugh. “But you asked so sweetly. It means much to me that you wish to work with me. What do you need?”

  “I need more WOR.”

  “More? I’ve given you several.”

  “I thought you’d like to know the four you’ve given me can now form partial links. They can fill the key positions. Before I can—” she hesitated and chose her words with care, “Before I can hand the project over to them, I need to know if they can form a full circle, and I need to observe them training other s’vlor.”

  “How many do you need?”

  “A full linked circle takes ten. I need at least six other WOR to make a circle and I'll need to know if the s’vlor can train the new ones. However, if you would permit it, I want to try to form two circles and see if I can link those together. I need twenty total, plus me.”

  “If I give you the six, can you determine if the first four can carry on without you?”

  She stifled a groan. “Yes, if you give me those then I can probably determine it by tonight.” She knew what she was committing to—the Binding loomed heavy in her thoughts. “But, a simple circle won’t be enough against the S’Lorek. Even ten circles may not be enough. I can’t explain it, but I believe we need more power.”

  “Is this one of your hun
ches, opés, or an attempt to delay our Binding?”

  “Yes,” she said, “and no. Yes, it's a hunch. Yes, I wish to delay our Binding, but this isn't a ploy. This is important, Gregor. Please, trust me.”

  “How much time?”

  “If you give me the full sixteen, I can start on the training assessment this afternoon. By tomorrow, or the latest, the next day, I’ll know if I can link two circles. I need to make the first attempt. After I figure it out, I’ll have Paula try to form the super-link. She’s the next strongest, but I’m not certain she’s strong enough.”

  “How sure are you about that?”

  “I’m not. It gets complicated and the dimensions I’m talking about accessing haven’t been used by WOR before.”

  “Hm.”

  “You should listen to me.”

  He laughed. “You’re impertinent as always, my sweet Elise.”

  “I don’t mean to be.”

  “I know. It’s just you speak your mind so freely. It’s not what I’m used to from a WOR.”

  “I don’t mean to be disrespectful.”

  “I know, I believe you.” He paused, as if considering her request. A long moment passed before he spoke again. “I’ll send you six s’vlor for today.”

  “Thank you, Gregor. I’ll come to your quarters tonight . . . for the Binding.” Her voice hitched at that, but there was no way around it. "I still think it's a mistake to take me out of the project, but I understand your reasons. I'm not fighting you. I'm trying to become what you want."

  “I know, and as much as I'd like to trust you fully, your history does not lend itself very well to believing your word. Binding is the only way to truly control you. I do appreciate your willingness, and it hasn't gone unnoticed that you're not fighting me on this.” Another long pause followed. “I’ll send the rest tomorrow, opés. I need to know if this super-link will work. We delay the Binding until then. Come to me after you have the answer. Do you understand?”

  “Are you certain?”

  “Answer me honestly, opés, are you truly the only one who can form a super-link? Is there no way for you to show the others how to do it?”

  “I believe so, but I'm not certain. It’s not so simple.”

  “Very well. I’ll send you six for the afternoon and the full amount tomorrow morning. Do you need more?”

  “You would give me more?”

  “Only if you need them. Do you?”

  She told him the truth. “No.”

  While she would love the opportunity to train more WOR in these skills, Gregor would sense the lie. He had to believe she belonged to him.

  “Very well.”

  “Gregor . . .”

  “Yes?”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, opés.”

  Her body shook after her conversation with Gregor.

  Carek laid a hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

  She gave a weak smile. “It’s hard with him. He’s sending more s’vlor so we can try to form a full circle today. Tomorrow, he’s sending enough for us to try forming two circles. I’m supposed to see if they can train the others. Now that Gregor has the go ahead to Bind me, he’s pushing for it.”

  Carek’s eyes softened for her. “I’m sorry, El.”

  She gave a soft laugh. “I keep getting reprieves. It’s so silly. I told him I think I can join the circles—”

  “Is that even possible?”

  She nodded. “I think so, but I don’t think they have enough power to do it.”

  Carek cocked his head. “And you do?”

  “I am much stronger than any of them. Gregor knows this. As much as he desires the Binding, he serves the Empire first. He knows if there’s a chance that I’m right, he has to delay the Binding until I either prove myself right or wrong.”

  “Your Binding is inevitable, El. You know this.” Carek’s stare pierced her heart.

  “I know.” She bit her lip and then her expression brightened. “You know what this means?”

  He shook his head.

  “It means I can fly in the jump-jet finals.”

  “You’re not seriously considering going through with that?” He looked at her as if she had grown two heads.

  “I told you, I’ll do what I can to save the Vendel, but I’m not done fighting for my freedom. If I can form a super-link and free the Earth WOR, then that’s exactly what I plan to do.”

  “But, do you really want to do that? You’re safer stirring up a hornet’s nest than angering the Emperor.”

  “As long as his precious Vendel are saved, what does he care?”

  “You obviously don’t understand him at all. You’re playing with fire.”

  “No. I’m taking control of my life.”

  And if I have to give up my free will, I’m going to compete in that stupid jump-jet competition and win! Gregor will have to live with the knowledge that I got away with it. All right under his nose. It’ll make him question everything about me. That comfort, as small as it might be, will keep me sane when he steals my mind.

  Chapter Six

  Gambit, Day 279

  Elise had plenty of time to prepare for her time trial. Dressed in her flightsuit, she busied herself around the jump-jet, fussing at everything and nothing as her nerves rioted with unspent energy. The concealing mist of her veil tickled her nose, and she rubbed absently at it.

  Dove had already gone over the craft, as he did for each of her flights, but Jeena had instilled a rigid pre-flight discipline. Elise took her preflight check seriously. If she didn't, Jeena would chew her ass.

  Elise ran her gloved hand down the outside of the jump-jet. Its smooth surface radiated a quiet warmth. Jeena had taken her through a simulation of the Malbran course. It was slightly different from the Gambit’s circuit, but shouldn't pose a problem. Jeena sat inside the cockpit and double checked the pre-flight list Elise had already completed.

  While she waited, an image of Carek flashed through her mind. They whispered quietly in a lover’s embrace as he stole her away from the Gambit and into a new life. Larkin and his springy curls came to mind as well, a fleeting image. He would always seem youthful to her, despite being twice her age. His boyish charm radiated an innocence and carefree spirit which launched her spirit across the galaxy. In his arms, she flitted from planet to planet and enjoyed an exhilarating pilot's life. She could see the two of them settling down amidst a bouncing family of five or six.

  Two other men passed briefly through her thoughts. The dark and mysterious pilot, Malikai, the lord in disguise, promised mystery and passion. This man lacked a face, the bad boy of the circuit, all the more alluring for his arrogant attitude. Would he be able to hold her heart? Could she hold his? Or did he already have a lady waiting for him at home and a family with children who giggled when their father returned each night with wild stories of jump-jet racing?

  Gregor brought visions full of passionate release, tinged with domination and its partner, submission. Tenderness had no place in her dreams with Gregor. An inexplicable longing overcame her and an unresolved emotion sat back in her primitive brain. Was this a twisted love, or was it a need to be consumed? How much had she lost that Gregor might fill the emptiness inside? What did it say about her that she wanted him in her life?

  She dreamt of falling into his arms. He’d brush back the hair from her eyes and plant kisses down her face, her neck, and lower still. There had to be a way to reconcile herself to him, his control, and her position.

  But, that was hard when Malice whispered in the dark. Never surrender. Keep the fight.

  Except, the fight tired Elise and she wasn’t certain how much fight she had left. Exhaustion pulled at her soul.

  “Hey, kid.” The voice of her mentor sounded harsh and blaring.

  Elise snapped her thoughts out of the darkness and searched for Jeena. “What?”

  “What’s up? I’ve asked you the same question three times. Where’s your head?” Jeena jumped out of th
e jump-jet.

  “Sorry, what did you ask?”

  “You really didn’t hear me?”

  Elise shook her head. “No.”

  “Are you going to be okay for the race? You need to focus. This is it. Inexperienced pilots often dismiss the time trials, but they can make or break the final standings. It can mean the difference between first or last place, especially if the head-to-head races are close.”

  “Sorry. I was thinking about after the finals. The next step?”

  “That’s covered. Dove has a freighter lined up. Your winnings will go to him and he’ll buy it for you. After that you can fly away and never look back. He secured a spot in the Omega Colony Fleet for you as a mining ore freighter pilot. Larkin may even come with you. At least, he’s thinking about it.”

  Elise smiled. Carek would never leave the am-net. She could be happy with Larkin. In this society, a woman needed a sponsor. Why not Larkin? He would be kind to her and she could grow to love him with time. He might have a problem with their passengers, though.

  Jeena continued, not realizing Elise’s thoughts had wandered off again. “You’ve got a little less than an hour. Time enough for another simulation run.”

  “I don’t want to run another sim. I’ve got it down.”

  “It won’t hurt.”

  Elise’s head hurt and her teeth buzzed in her jaw. The beginnings of pre-race jitters settled under her skin with restless energy.

  “How hard can the course be?”

  “Pretty damn hard if you’ve never run it before.” A deep, aggravating voice intruded on their conversation.

  Jeena hissed. “Malikai, what the hell are you doing here?”

  “Just came by to wish a fellow pilot luck.” He inclined his head to Elise. “Chickadee, good luck on your time trials. I doubt you’ll do better than the nine seconds you had in the semi-finals, but who knows.” His face, as always, was hidden behind the shimmering mist of his veil, but then so was hers.

  “Get your ass out of here,” Jeena said. “No one wants to talk to you.”

  “Do you speak for your little prodigy, now? Can’t she speak for herself?”

  “I choose not to,” Elise quipped. If Jeena didn't like Malikai, that was all she needed to do the same. It didn't matter the man had an unspeakable presence about him.