by L A Warren
“Get ready, because I’m coming after you.”
“Hardly.” His penalty was up and he resumed the chase. “The question I’m going to ask, my dear opés, is how you managed to slip out all those nights without getting caught?”
Only hours of simulation practice and countless practice runs with Jeena kept her headed in a straight line. Her mind froze, but her hands knew what to do. The jump-jet slipped past the twenty-forth ring and aligned with the twenty-fifth with just a few half-conscious motions of her fingers.
“Elise,” he said, “to use an Earth turn of phrase, your rope has run out.”
This couldn’t be happening. Not on the very last run, not now. Dear God not now! Where has all the air gone?
Gregor stopped firing.
The mid-way point where the Rabbit grew fangs approached. The willow began to snap in the middle of the storm.
No! The chorus in her mind screamed. Malice vented a long ear-splitting shriek. Shriek howled. Whimper burbled something low and incomprehensible. The girls went wild and she was losing control.
Alex spoke softly to them all. In a sly voice she reminded them of an important truth. This is the jump-jet circuit. Commoners and lords fight head-to-head. Men and women duel where gender doesn’t matter. Why not a master and his slave?
Alex had always been the voice of reason, or at least a cool, dispassionate intellectual. Elise considered her sister’s words as the twenty-fifth ring approached. What more did she have to lose? Wouldn’t it be a wonderful moment of defiance to take this for herself?
A grin spread across her face. She pressed her palms on the gel-pad, pulling every bit of thrust the engines would give. The little jump-jet screamed toward the twenty-fifth ring.
“What are you doing?” Gregor’s surprise rang through the communications relay. It was full of anger, but laced with anticipation.
“The race isn’t over until it’s over, and there’s nothing you can do to me until after we get back to the Gambit. I imagine your subjects will be quite put off if you end this race. I understand they like the competition.”
“Don’t you dare,” he said.
She noticed a slight correction to his jump-jet trajectory as he prepared to give chase.
“I don’t give a damn. Beat me if you can, but you’re going to have to work for it. I don’t think you’re up to it. I’m better at this than you.”
“I seriously doubt that.” Gregor actually laughed.
The display in front of her bloomed into life. Her lasers, now active, would end this competition. She looped around, executed a tight corkscrew, and locked her weapons on the jump-jet of her master.
She pressed the trigger. Gregor weaved to the side. Her shot passed through the double wings of his craft. He engaged his thrusters and turned to pursue.
Her mouth quirked up into a satisfied smile as he gave chase. Elise aimed her craft toward Gregor and set her ship into a wild spin. His shots missed as she headed straight into the nose of his craft. Her palms itched but she held her finger off the trigger. It wasn’t time.
He banked hard to starboard and they narrowly missed a collision. Elise hit her rear thrusters while simultaneously pulling hard up into a long loping arc.
She lost his jump-jet to the starfield and searched frantically. Movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. She accelerated. Laser fire focused on the space she’d just vacated.
Both of them ignored the rings. The rings had become irrelevant. This was a battle between the two of them.
The absurdity of the engagement did not go unnoticed, but for right now the only thing she could think of was victory. This was her win, not his, not Gregor’s, and she was going to take it.
The ring circuit hung behind them, forgotten. They dipped and ducked, dodged and rolled. Elise waited for the right moment. She would only fire when she was sure. Gregor, on the other hand, fired his lasers nonstop.
Elise raced after him, reason fleeing before insanity. Malice roared. Whimper held her hands clenched before herself and jumped up and down. Shriek and Alex sat down and watched, nodding occasionally when Elise avoided a close shot. Alex wrapped her arm around Shriek’s shoulders and held her in a comforting embrace. Only Shriek seemed worried, but then, Shriek would be the one to pay the price when the time came.
He banked into a sharp starboard roll and nosed over into an impossible dive, attempting to loop around and get behind her.
Elise pushed the screaming Malice to the side. A stare from Whimper made the girl settle down.
Now. The time was now!
She drew in breath and fired. Brilliant green light flashed as her laser hit the canopy of Gregor’s jump-jet.
Rabbit beat Fox.
Chickadee won the Gambit Fleet finals.
It didn’t matter that she wouldn’t be able to savor the win. She’d beaten Gregor and that was all the victory she needed.
“This is far from finished, opés,” he said over the communications link.
She imagined the glower on his face and the dance of the tattoo over his brow. “I beat you. Imagine what they’ll say about the Emperor in disguise who lost to his s’vlor in front of the entire fleet. I can’t wait to see what your people are going to make of that.”
“You understand nothing, opés.” Over the communications channel she heard him take several deep breaths. “This is what’s going to happen. Chickadee and Malikai are going to fly back to the Gambit where we will stand on the winner’s podium and accept our prizes with our disguises. After that, you and I have business of a personal nature to attend to. I have yet to decide whether to involve High Tender vlor’Vardhal before or after our union.”
“He can’t hurt me anymore. You’ve lost that hook.”
“But not the hook on your friends, Elise. They have very much to lose.”
Elise went silent.
“Now,” he continued, “pay attention and do exactly as I command. I’ll dock first and you will follow. It’ll be my personal pleasure to escort you to the winner’s circle. I suggest you stay close. Don’t disappoint me, opés. You have only just begun to see what happens when I get mad.”
“Does it matter? I’ll be your lobotomized lab rat within a matter of hours after you rape me. What do I care? You’re the fool to think this is the solution.” She couldn’t help the venom lacing her words.
“Tell me this, opés, was it worth it?”
She answered without hesitation. “Absolutely! To beat you at something, anything, was worth all the worlds, to use a Vendel turn of phrase. It was worth everything to know I had something you knew nothing about. I won and you can’t ever take that from me.”
“Then, I’m sure you won’t mind paying the price. I’m afraid this is going to be quite painful.”
“And that’s supposed to make me afraid? What have you done that hasn’t hurt, humiliated, or damaged me in some way? I’m numb to you and your threats.”
“Then I need to find a way to make you feel again. I’ll see you in the hangar, Chickadee.”
“Whatever, Gregor,” she said, biting out the words.
He would make her pay, and this time he would break her. Shriek, Malice, Whimper, and even Alex wouldn't be able to shield her from the devastation of Tender Training or the Binding meant to steal her free will.
Chapter Ten
Gambit, Day 281
Elise followed Gregor’s jump-jet into the Gambit. Her attention focused on his ship as a crane lowered it to the floor. Utter chaos reigned on the hangar deck as nearly a thousand people gathered to congratulate the winner of Gambit's jump-jet competition.
Where did all these people come from?
Pilot’s red, mechanic’s blue, and the dull gray of the loadmasters swarmed in the mass of people. It made her dizzy looking down upon the swirling tapestry of celebrants.
Her stomach lurched. With a gulp, she tore her eyes away and focused on the ceiling above with its mass of black cleaning bio-pods.
Your rope has run out. His words echoed in her head.
When she had imagined being caught, she had assumed a sort of freeform panic would overcome her. A racing heart, ragged breathing, trembling limbs, and other unpleasant sensations had invaded her dreams for months.
Now that it had actually happened? That rising tide of panic and heart-stopping dread were nowhere to be found. Instead, relief filled her with an odd sense of overwhelming calm.
Her breathing remained measured and smooth. She pressed a finger to her wrist and found a steady beat. No tremors shook her fingers. No quaky feeling in the pit of her stomach made her want to retch. She felt relieved. All the sneaking, training, excitement, and fear had finally come to an end. Perhaps her words to Gregor held more truth than she thought.
I am numb.
After depositing Gregor's craft down below, the crane returned and gripped her craft. A light sway jostled her as it maneuvered her jump-jet down. Another glance down showed Dove and Jeena waiting inside the red caution lines surrounding her jump-jet cradle. The rest of the cheering crowd stood behind the boundary.
Between one breath and the next, her calm turned to horror.
Her friends!
A lump formed in her throat, and a pounding beat within her chest. Gregor said he would make her friends pay. She thought he'd meant her Earth friends, but understood exactly what he'd meant now.
Her heart skipped when the crane released her ship. Her Vendel friends would be punished. They would suffer. And none of them, except Carek, had any idea what was coming.
When she popped the canopy, a deafening roar filled her ears. Dove grinned and held his arms to help her down. He gathered her into an enormous hug.
“You did it! My little Chickadee, you won!” He pecked her on the forehead and both cheeks.
It was too much. She collapsed into his embrace, her heart thudding for her friends.
Jeena elbowed Dove out of the way. “You beat him! Next step is the Imperial jump-jet circuit.” Her arms wrapped around Elise.
Elise whispered in Jeena's ear. There wasn’t much time. He would be here soon.
“Malikai is Emperor Gregor Ulysses vlor’Malita.”
Jeena stiffened. “What? How do you . . .”
Elise continued in a rush. She had to raise her voice to be heard over the crowd. “I have no sponsor. No half-brother. I’m from Earth. Gregor is my vlor’ master.”
Jeena pulled away and held Elise at arms' length. Her face paled. “Dear Gods.” She turned a horrified expression towards Dove. “I’m so sorry.” Tears cascaded down her cheeks.
The smile on Dove’s face fell, replaced by concern.
The crowd went wild, chanting her name and cheering her victory. Paper confetti fell through the air. Amidst all the celebration, Jeena clung to Elise.
Dove gathered both of them in his arms. “What’s wrong? You just won the jump-jet circuit and the two of you look like the worlds have ended.”
“Luv,” Jeena said, “they have.” She stroked Elise’s hair and hugged her tight. “I’m so sorry. You’ve lost so much.”
“What the hell?” Dove demanded.
“She’s s’vlor,” Jeena said. “Malikai is the Emperor and she belongs to him.”
“By the Gods.” A muscle ticked in his jaw.
“He’s coming,” Elise warned.
Jeena released her.
Dove lifted Elise to his chest. Her toes barely touched the floor. “My little Chickadee, I’m so sorry for what we have done to you.”
“It wasn’t you.”
His lips pressed into a thin line. “We are all at fault. This all makes more sense now.” He took a deep breath, squeezing her tight.
“Dove, I can’t breathe,” she said with a gasp.
He let her go. “Forgive us.”
“Forgive you? How can you say that after what I did? I lied to you. Can you ever forgive me?”
Jeena tousled her hair. “For beating Malikai you could be forgiven for anything.” She rested her head on Dove’s shoulder and gazed into his eyes. “Just think, luv, I could have been Empress. Now wouldn’t that have been hysterical?”
Elise’s gaze shifted between them. They were taking the news of her true identity very well.
“Thank the Gods you won that bet.” Dove shivered.
Jeena kissed him lightly on the cheek. “Yeah, look what I would’ve missed out on.”
Dove put an arm around Jeena.
Elise looked down. “About that. He’s going to punish me and anyone who helped me. The two of you will suffer. You may not forgive me after he’s done with you.”
Jeena shook her head. “I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”
“I’m sorry?”
“We’re innocent. We can even claim to be victims. No crime, no treason. He can’t do anything,” Dove explained.
“Really? Is that true?”
“Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.” Jeena soothed her with her assurances.
Larkin edged his way past the crowd and stepped over the red line. “Shoot, guys, are you going to monopolize my girl? Don’t I get a little of this hugging action?” His eyes were bright and clear, his breath absent of the smell of alcohol.
Elise swept the curls out of his face. “Lark,” she managed, before he too, buried her in a hug. Lark spun her around and she laughed at his enthusiasm.
When he put her down, she spied Carek looking magnificent in a pressed green jumpsuit. Emerald eyes lit up his face and he cocked his head in salute.
“Hey, I’m going to save a spot for the awards ceremony.” With a wave Larkin darted off and disappeared through the crowd.
Behind Carek, the helmeted form of a jump-jet pilot approached. Gregor cut a direct path through the crowd and aimed straight toward Elise. The crowd parted before him, perhaps curious to see the magnificent Malikai concede his defeat.
A surreal calm swept through her. Whatever consequence he chose, he needed her intact. That gave her power.
Dove placed a hand on her shoulder. He leaned down and whispered, “Are you ready?”
She placed her hand on his and nodded. “Yes.”
Jeena grasped Elise’s free hand. The three of them faced a furious Vendel Emperor. Her teeth buzzed and she recognized the sensation.
Was this how Gregor had known?
Perhaps, Alex answered.
His body trembled. The tremors were just barely visible beneath the fabric of the flightsuit. One corner of her mouth quirked into a smirk. She drew breath, blew it out slowly and waited.
He stopped a pace away.
She inclined her head, but refused to say a word; that one word, the required greeting of s’vlor to master, his given name, would not pass her lips.
Jeena spoke first. “Malikai, looks like you lost to a woman . . . again.”
He tensed.
Jeena continued, “It might have been interesting losing our bet so many years ago, but I think in the end, I got the better part of the bargain.”
His head shot up. “You knew?”
“Don’t be an idiot. I’ve known for two minutes. The kid just told us.”
“You’re no longer addressing a simple jump-jet pilot, Jeena. I would remind you to remember who you are speaking to and show proper respect.”
Jeena gulped and bowed her head. “Forgive me, Sire.”
His spine stiffened. Gregor paused and glanced at Dove. He spoke formally, “Citizen, on your oath to your emperor, is this true?”
Dove bowed and replied with equal formality, “On my word and by my oaths, Sire, it is the truth.”
“Would you subject to WOR-confirmation?”
Elise couldn’t make out Gregor's eyes through the helmet, but his rage radiated off in waves.
Dove’s hand on her shoulder trembled. As part of her education, Elise had spent time with the Legal Conclave WOR. Confirmation meant examination by a First Rank WOR, a very unpleasant ordeal.
“You don’t have to subject him to that, Gregor
. They didn’t know. I lied about who I was."
“Silence,” he snapped.
Elise bit her lip. She stretched her fingers out wide, then curled them tight. Her eyes narrowed, but she did not speak.
"Citizen, will you subject yourself to WOR-confirmation?"
“Yes, Sire.” His hand fell from her shoulder.
“So be it,” Gregor said. “Now, this is what’s going to happen.”
The noise of the crowd soared as the people mistook the scene in front of them. They saw Malikai, the top ranked pilot, coming to the novice to offer his congratulations. They had no idea the real drama playing out.
“You,” Gregor pointed at Dove, “present yourself to the Legal Conclave for WOR-confirmation. If what you say is true, you’ll be fined a million marks for your part in this charade and your ship will be confiscated. If you lie, then your life is forfeit.”
Dove bowed his head, accepting Gregor’s judgment.
Elise opened her mouth. Gregor’s head swiveled and a single raised finger kept her silent. “Not a Gods’ damned word out of you.”
“Jeena, from this moment forward you are relieved of your status. You have one cycle to find a sponsor. The management of your assets will revert to him. It will be up to your sponsor to determine further punishment for your role in this. I will follow up to ensure it is appropriate.”
Jeena gripped Elise’s hand hard and Elise yelped with the pain.
Gregor continued, “If you fail to obtain a sponsor within that timeframe, then I will find one for you. It should not prove difficult. Is this understood?”
She whispered, “Yes.”
He cocked his head.
Jeena stiffened. “Yes, Sire.”
He turned and called Carek over. Elise swayed and her knees buckled. Dove gripped her and kept her from falling. Carek didn’t know what was happening. He didn’t know who Malikai was. The noise of the crowd died down as people left to find the best seating for the awards ceremony.
Gregor unlatched his helmet, pulled it off, and cradled it in the crook of his arm. The mist of his veil obscured his features, but his eyes stared out, cold and brittle. “Citizen Tusel,” he said. Gregor deactivated the mist and locked eyes with Carek.