by J. N. Chaney
The wet, grinding snap as the joint came out of socket could be heard even over the raucous screams and flailing as the wolf tried desperately to free itself. Alma planted both feet on its back and braced herself with the weapon buried in its side as it tried to stand upright.
It stumbled forward, managing only to raise itself into an awkward hunch, before falling onto its face. Seizing her opportunity, Alma ripped her weapon from the wolf’s shoulder and plunged it higher into its back. Her glowing blade slipped between the creature’s ribs and the room fell silent. The animal let out a hoarse, watery breath, and then was no more.
With the wolf crumpled on the ground in a heap, Alma looked down in satisfaction. She dug a heel into the fatal wound to loosen her blade before pulling it free with one hand, then she stepped off of the body, barely breathing hard at all. I didn’t think I’d ever seen anything more fearsome or awe-inspiring.
8
Back at the compound, Mark and I had to get first aid before the ceremony could begin. The Alpha had gotten hold of his leg, which had been what prompted Alma to step in. Thankfully, nothing was broken and we were to get back without any more problems. My arm had a strong brace and I wasn’t feeling anything but a dull ache from the injury.
We’d arrived after the three-hour time limit, but I wondered if any concessions would be made for the unusual circumstances. Nero and his team had returned long before us, not having encountered wolves or any major problems.
Now the six of us walked into the hangar with our final projects to climb the makeshift stage and stand in front of the five Primes and my father, our parents, and the rest of the community.
My mother had a spot in the front, and I was surprised to see Mario next to her. He had returned with some of the missing hunters sometime after we’d headed to the caves. Details were sparse since prospus weren’t allowed to talk with anyone but each other until after the choosing was completed.
“Prime Doyle will distribute the fusion cores to your weapons,” my father announced when we were all assembled, “then fire at a target to ensure they are in working order.”
He gestured at the training dummies, fashioned to look like crude Boneclaws, that had been built to withstand our weapons and were standing behind us at the back of the stage.
Doyle stepped forward, flanked by Josef, who carried a case that I assumed contained the cores. They worked their way down the line, inserting them into the power housings of each weapon.
Nero was first in line and produced a rifle. It looked like he’d spent some time on upgrades and painted it white. When the core settled inside it, he wrapped a hand around the grip, and the weapon glowed with energy. Then he offered it to the Prime. Elias removed it from his hands and took aim at one of the six targets. A round erupted and struck home, then he nodded and moved on to Karin.
Her spear reminded me of Alma’s glaive, but the blade and shaft were much shorter. It hummed with the fusion core’s power, and when she lifted it, a second blade extended from the bottom, crackling with energy.
I couldn’t help but smile. It was impressive.
Allan had made a shotgun that reflected his personality. Big and powerful, no frills. I liked it.
Mark had gone for something less traditional but effective nonetheless. It looked like a handheld scanner, barely big enough to put the core in. Doyle nodded at him and Mark closed his hand around the base so that just the top was exposed, lit by a blue ring.
A high-pitched screech emitted from the small device and we all jerked. It shut off a few seconds later and Elias turned to the crowd.
“This device will repel a Boneclaw by assaulting their sensitive eardrums. Impressive indeed.”
A collective ooh came from the crowd, but they quieted when Elias and Josef moved on to Nell. At first, I thought she had something like Mark because it was about the size of a baton. When the core went inside, Nell closed her hand around it in a firm grip and held it away from her body.
The baton extended out from itself until it took the form of a bow. Not the most powerful of the projects, but it got major points for awesome.
Then it was my turn and I presented my staff. The familiar thrill rolled through me again as it lit up with the core I had retrieved. It seemed more brilliant than when I tested it with the practice core in the lab and I had to force myself not grin like an idiot.
The energy glow dissipated when Doyle took it from my grasp, and he gave me an inquiring look. The crowd went still, unsure what was happening.
I smiled and gave a little bow. “Prime Doyle, as part of my project, the weapon has been encoded to react only to me.”
“Interesting,” he said, handing it to me. Then he stepped back and gestured at the last remaining target. “If you’ll please demonstrate.”
Nodding, I turned and stood in fighting stance, squaring my shoulders, then leveled it at the target and cleared my mind of everything else. The end of the staff began to pulse, and a ball of light formed. I released it with a loud boom and the dummy disappeared in a cloud of dust.
The hangar was completely silent for a beat before breaking into applause. Even Nero looked impressed. I returned to the line to stand with the others and waited for it to quiet again.
“You have all finished your prospus training and stand before us as proven warriors, all fit for leadership,” my father said. “But only one can be the next Director. The scores have been tallied and the Primes have made their decision. Janus?”
The crowd was nearly silent but for a few murmurs and the odd cry of a child that was quickly hushed.
Janus stepped forward. I couldn’t see his face, but I imagined he was smiling genially at the onlookers.
“The Primes have chosen Nero Costas as leader when the time comes.”
The expected cheers and handclapping followed but were drowned out by the dull roar of blood rushing in my ears. I nodded and joined the rest of the prospus in congratulating him, but inside I was reeling.
I hadn’t realized just how important succeeding my father as Director had become to me. It also stung that they’d chosen Nero, even with his hot-headedness and impulsive behavior.
Someone squeezed my shoulder and I looked over expecting to see my father, but it was Karin.
“Should’ve been you,” she whispered as we exited down the steps to give Nero the stage.
“Thanks,” I said, checking to make sure no one could hear us.
We stood off to the side, a group of five. Nell only looked mildly disappointed, while Allan looked downright pleased, neither of which surprised me. Mark just looked relieved.
Mario walked by us, smiling, to join his son and our eyes met for the briefest of moments. I couldn’t quite explain it, but something in his expression unsettled me. It spoke of the kind of smug satisfaction that came from a plan going off without a hitch.
I brushed that thought away as fast as it came, though. That wasn’t fair to Nero. The Primes had made their decision and I had to live with it.
Movement from the side of the hangar caught my attention and I turned to watch as a handful of hunters entered. Karin noticed my gaze had wandered and turned to look.
They were dressed for a hunt in armor and weapons. It didn’t take long for me to recognize a few of them as among the missing. Or previously missing. I stared curiously as they crossed to the crowd.
Other people began to notice as well, and I saw some of the happiness fade into confusion.
“As you can see,” said Mario from the stage, “I found a number of our missing people and brought them home. Something the current Director was unable to do.”
“If you have a problem with my leadership, Costas, you should bring it up at a more appropriate time,” said my father, democratic as usual.
Mario scoffed. “That’s part of the problem, Cyril. Some problems can’t be cast aside. There are times when action is needed now.”
My gut tightened at the words and uneasiness settled over me again. It was becomin
g an all-too-familiar feeling and I didn’t like it. What was going on?
The hunters reached the stage and stood looking up at Mario and the Primes.
“I believe they have something to say,” Mario announced. “Will you hear it?” He directed the question at the Primes, who nodded and moved forward.
“We don’t want Director Visaro as our leader anymore. His constant inaction has led to unnecessary death. We brought the Boneclaw concern to his attention and were ignored.”
A few people in the audience made noises of approval.
“Wait just a godsdamn minute!” My father’s tone had turned colder than the valley outside and the hangar went dead quiet.
Mario smirked at his word choice. “No, I don’t think we will.”
Jacob Abbot, the Sustainability Prime, walked up to him and placed a calming hand on his shoulder.
I couldn’t quite catch what he said, but I could have sworn it was something like “this wasn’t the plan” or something like that, but it was impossible to tell.
Mario ignored the Prime. “I, Mario Costas, challenge you here and now for the title of Director.”
Anger flared on my father’s face at the absurd timing of Mario's proposal, and he flicked a glance at the Primes.
They held up a hand and conferred together for a few moments before breaking apart. I could tell immediately from the look in Prime Doyle’s eyes and his grim expression what they had decided.
“The challenge may stand,” said Jacob.
This wasn’t the way things were done. Challenges were presented to the Primes and planned, not issued like some teenage brawl.
The two men moved to the empty center of the hangar where they could carry out the challenge without putting the community in danger.
I tried to get closer, but my mother, who had worked her way to me and Karin during the confusion, placed a hand on my arm and shook her head. Frustrated, I stayed put as the Director prepared to take on his childhood friend.
They circled each other and it didn’t escape my notice that the pair forewent the usual ceremonial bows and words. Then they were lunging forward in a flurry of fists.
Weapons weren’t allowed in challenges because the winner needed to triumph using their own strength and hand-to-hand skills. The general consensus was that if they could defend their position and title, they were still fit to lead.
Mario landed a blow that knocked Cyril back and I tried not to cringe at the sound of hard fist hitting flesh. He recovered quickly, though, and returned a punishing volley of strikes that sent Mario reeling.
Blood streamed down where his right cheek had been split open. Mario didn’t bother to wipe it away but shook his head a little, presumably to clear it, and raised his hands again.
Even from this distance, the hate was evident on Mario's face.
A collective gasp went up around me and my mother’s grip on my arm tightened, telling me I’d missed something important.
It only took a quick glance back at the two fighting to see what had caused the commotion. Mario had produced a blade from somewhere and had gone on the defensive. The man must have lost his mind. Even if he won now, the Primes wouldn’t accept it and he’d be cast out for his actions. That would likely be the case if he lost too.
A group of hunters that hadn’t been with the missing descended on the fight, but my father waved them off.
My breath caught as he danced away from the blade, narrowly avoiding an injury that would have ended the fight and likely killed him.
On the one hand, I understood why my father had waved off the help. It showed that he wouldn’t back down, even with the odds stacked against him. If he won and the gamble paid off, there could be no doubt that he was a true leader.
But on the other hand… if he lost, he’d either be dead or, at the very least, no longer the Director.
At that moment, Mario leapt forward and succeeded in getting the blade past my father’s defenses. I watched helplessly as it sank in deep, almost to the hilt.
For one long, terrible second, I thought it was over. Then my father rallied and pushed Mario. He stumbled back long enough to give Cyril the chance he needed to yank the knife out and hurl it back.
It struck Mario in the neck.
He clapped a hand to the wound even as the blood began to fall, and he sank to his knees.
Then all hell broke loose.
9
The hunters who had spoken out against my father now attacked the ones still loyal to him.
“Go check on Dad!” I yelled to my mother, struggling to be heard over the chaos.
She nodded her head curtly and started pushing her way through the crush of people to reach him. Just before she turned, I’d gotten a good look at her face and didn’t like what I saw there.
Pure, unadulterated fear. Then the survivor in her took over and her features changed to grim determination. Despite my own terror, I did the same and directed my attention to Karin and Mark.
From their expressions, they were both still recovering from the shock of what had happened.
“We have to help,” I told them.
“How?” asked Mark.
Before I could answer, Janus appeared. “I believe there are some citizens attempting to flee,” he said calmly, motioning toward a group of people. “They would benefit from an escort. I’m sure there are more as well.”
“Alright,” I said, inclining my head. “Mark, see if Nell will go with you to find others while Karin and I help them.”
For once, he did what I asked without arguing or sputtering nervously, and I was grateful.
“Janus, do you see anyone else in distress?”
“Yes, there are many. At the moment, no less than five altercations have broken out among members of the community.”
The Cognitive’s expression had turned. His forehead wrinkled, and the features of his mouth drew down into a frown. I’d never seen him that way and it didn’t bode well for us.
“What do you think we can do?” I asked. “They’re taking sides between Mario and my father. I might make it worse just by getting in the middle.”
He nodded, taking that into consideration. “Astute observation, Miss Visaro. There is a small group of expectant mothers on the other side of the crowd. They are not under attack, but it would be best if someone made sure they got out safely.”
“Gods,” said Karin, speaking for the first time. “This is madness.”
“You’re right,” I agreed. “But we don’t have time to waste right now. Training’s officially over with.”
I gripped my staff tightly and started to make my way around, then stopped. “Janus, see if you can help calm things down. And let me know if something serious comes up.”
After he acknowledged the statement, Karin and I continued on to the women. It didn’t take us long to find them huddled together. There were only four of them and I wondered if they had come to the ceremony together or if they had sought each other out.
Not that it mattered. Each one looked terrified, but they had linked hands and were scanning their surroundings. I felt a small surge of pride that the little group wasn’t cowering. Then again, we were a colony of warriors and survivors.
I recognized one of the women, Jodi Baxter. She was one of the gardeners that tended to the greenhouse. I’d helped her a few times carrying organic material to Janus’ food synthesizer. She was in her late forties and looked aggressively pregnant, at least to my eyes.
“Jodi, we’re here to get you guys to safety inside the compound.”
At first, the woman glared at me, her gaze falling suspiciously to the powerful staff in my right hand. Then my voice seemed to register because her eyes snapped to my face. Recognition set in and relief shone in a sharp exhale.
“Lucia. It’s good to see you right now. We tried to push our way through, but…” The soon-to-be mother laid a hand on her abdomen and threw a fierce look at the ruckus. “These idiots are so caught up in brawling with each
other that they’re not paying attention. We were afraid one of us would fall.”
I nodded at her. “Understandable. Don’t worry. Karin and I will clear a path. You all just stay close and keep holding hands, okay?”
“We can do that,” said one of the other women. I’d seen her around but couldn’t recall her name.
“Alright. Karin, let’s part the way.”
Together, we moved forward. It would have been easy if I could just fire off one of the staff’s power-charged attacks but doing so would put people at risk.
Instead, I started yelling, “Get out of the way! Women carrying unborn children coming through!”
At first, it was like Jodi had said. Nobody wanted to listen. Deciding I would have to get physical, I turned the staff horizontal and started pushing. Thankfully, the brace on my arm did its job and the action didn’t hurt.
This got people to move. They jumped at the feeling of something hard pressing into their backs and came around swinging to face us. Once they got a good look at the women behind us, they tried to give us room.
Finally, enough took notice of what was happening and began to help. Soon we had enough space to walk through with the quartet of mothers behind us. It had the added effect of dispersing much of the fighting.
Karin and I escorted the women all the way to the nursery.
“Will you be okay here?” I asked Jodi.
“Yes, thanks to you two,” she replied. “I’m—we’re so grateful.”
“Happy to help,” said Karin, smiling at the other woman. I thought I detected a hint of longing in her expression, but that seemed doubtful under the circumstances.
“If you need anything, reach out to Janus. He should be able to get someone here.” I hesitated a beat before continuing. “And secure the door behind us. Just to be safe.”
Jodi nodded and did just that as soon as we were out of the room.
Without the encumbered group in tow, we made it back to the hangar in time to see that most of the skirmishes had died down completely. My gaze tracked to where my father had been, but neither he nor my mother were there.