The Live Soldier Trilogy Box Set

by Liam Clay

And my personal favorite: Porter rocked back on his heels, clinging to disbelief because really, what else can he do? But no - it isn’t Porter at all, it’s Korezon. On some level I know that it isn’t really him, but that level is the basement and I’m up on the roof, so who cares? The clip switches to super slo mo, and I watch as my shear swings around in a beautiful, inescapable arc. Korezon’s head spins through the air like a planet rotating on its axis, hits the ground, and rolls. The body remains upright for a standing three count, and then falls to earth in turn.

  And that is when I finally figure it out.

  I’ve been lying to myself all these years. It’s not that I feel nothing when I kill; it’s that I love it. And this fact terrifies me, so I repress my violent desires as best I can. Just like people have been doing for countless millennia. But this once, this one and only time, I’m going to let myself enjoy the baser side of the human condition. Why? Because like I wanted to tell Sophie but didn’t, these bastards bloody well deserve it.

  I’m cured! What a joyous occasion. I think I’m going to be sick.

  EPILOGUE

  Full disclosure: I was tempted to shut my feed down after Porter’s death and leave it at that. But as many loose ends as my murderous rampage tied up, there is still a lot to get through. Most of the theatrical tension has already been mined, though (victory is tragically dull) so I will be brief.

  The first thing you should know is, Shion won the election. By a lot. I suspect that he could have insulted the mothers of every voter in Opacity and still won it, but he went one better and made some very reasonable campaign promises. For instance, he vowed to spread the technological wealth evenly throughout the city, and to diversify the economy beyond film and its related sub-verticals. He also offered to bring the Underworlders home, although most have chosen to remain in the Hive and build new lives there.

  Speaking of which, Kalana is the Hive’s new leader, with the Soccer Moms as her cabinet. Their first act was to discipline Raka’s followers as per The List’s recommendations. They are also negotiating a deal that, if successful, will ensure no one goes hungry in Opacity for a very long time. But the Hive will benefit too. Its complexes are badly in need of remodeling work, and the city has a small army of set designers looking for new career opportunities.

  Sophie has been reunited with her mother on the island. I went to visit them for a few days a little while ago. It was lovely, and when they asked if I would consider moving close to them so we could be neighbors, I’m almost sure it was meant genuinely. But I don’t think I can. Don’t get me wrong, I intend to be a part of Sophie’s life from here on out. But now that the dust has settled on the Anexation (as it’s being called) I have become something of a controversial character.

  My feed is its own field of study now, and it feels like there isn’t a person alive who doesn’t have an opinion on me one way or the other. Like Peace, I have become a historical figure, and no one wants to see the subject of their social studies class mowing the lawn next door. Also - and there is no way to say this without sounding like a total knob, so I’m just going to spit it out - I think I’ve gotten addicted to adventure. Or adrenaline, or the camaraderie I feel when I’m with the platoon, or just plain old violence, I don’t know. But whatever it is, lately I’ve been hurting for action worse than I ever did for pills back in the old days.

  And in my defense, there is some bona fide adventuring work to be done. We still don’t know what happened to the Thresh, and I have a score to settle with Arella Calendo as well. The fate of Opacity’s former media clients also remains a mystery. It’s a big fat world out there, in other words, and I want to go see some of it. So do Tikal, Delez, Peace, Lucy and Amy.

  As you will be able to see if you look through my eyes, I am currently sitting in the Underworld flat Tikal and I are renting from Five. (Ella nursed him back to health after the battle, you’ll be happy to hear, and he hasn’t left Girders or her side since.) I am staring at a contract signed by Shion himself. Go to the Thresh, it says - once you strip away the lawyer speak - and find out what happened there. The document has five signatures on it already. But I have never had a proper name, and so I’m debating what to write.

  Should I take a new moniker to symbolize a fresh start? Or do I ask Amy what she might have called me in a previous life? I could even let my viewers vote on it, I suppose. But that would be like running from who I am, and despite everything that’s happened, I’m not sure I want to do that. And so, dipping my finger in the digital ink, I write:

  ANEX

  BOOK 2: WAR STAR

  CHAPTER 1

  Hello (statistically unknown percentage of the) world!

  If you’re new to this party, I suggest that you watch my back catalog before jumping into real-time. But if you’ve been with me since the beginning, then I owe you an explanation for my recent absence. So here it is:

  I was on vacation.

  No beaches or all-inclusives, just two weeks with no one else looking out through my eyes. And before you go climbing onto your high horse, please remember that I make my feed available free of charge. In other words, you don’t own me.

  Okay, rant over. Now let me set our current scene. What was once a platoon is now a squad comprised of Delez, Peace, Tikal, Lucy, Amy and Yours Truly. We are about to board the ground transport vehicle (or apocalypse winnebago, as Peace is calling it) that Shion’s engineers have cooked up for our journey to the Thresh.

  The GTV’s wedge-shaped body has been painted matte black, and resembles an old stealth fighter plane more than anything else I can think of. Eight meters wide by four high, it sits atop six muscular wheels arranged in a triangular configuration. It’s solar powered, can withstand a direct hit from an RPG, and has enough food and water loaded in to last us three months. For all we know, the thing could fall apart when it hits the first pothole. But it looks pretty cool, so we’ve got style on our side at least.

  A crowd has gathered to see us off. Most are either journalists from the new global news division of what was formerly Kore Pictures, or low level government types. But Kalana and Sophie are here too. (Although Kalana is a government type herself now, and a powerful one, as I would do well to remember.) I catch my daughter’s eye and wave, but she is still giving me the silent treatment. Happily, I have a trick up my sleeve that may win her back over. More on that momentarily.

  Five is in attendance as well, for which I’m grateful. He was injured in the blast that separated us during the battle for the Underworld, and although I’m not 100% sure, this may be the first time he's left Girders since. Ella, who treated him in the aftermath, stands at his side in all her muddy glory. At the beginning, I was worried that he might be dating her out of a sense of obligation (similar to what I once felt for Kalana). But seeing them together has erased that doubt. They can barely take their eyes off each other, and seem intent on turning public displays of affection into an art form. It’s a bit gross, but also very sweet.

  Turning away from their latest effort, I glance over at Ethan.

  “Almost done?”

  The bearded tech responds by stabbing a syringe into my ear.

  “Ow!” I reach up to rub the offended area. “A little warning might’ve been nice.”

  “But where would be the fun in that?” He replies with a grin. Of all the people in my life, none have taken to the spotlight as well as Ethan. But what else would you expect from an unrepentant hipster of his caliber? And in his defense, he has proven invaluable over these past few weeks. If it wasn’t for him, I would have been forced to hire one of the studios to manage my feed. They would have made me charge viewers for access, whereas all Ethan wants is to plug his new craft brewery / blacksmithy.

  “I’m sure everyone found that hilarious. Does it work, though?”

  “Of course it does. I just need to inject the sister chip into Sophie’s ear - with her mother’s permission, of course - and then you two will be able to talk whenever you want, no matter how far you tra
vel.”

  “And will our conversations be audible through my feed?”

  “Only your side of them. Sorry, that’s the best I could do on short notice.”

  I clap him on the back. “No need to apologize. This is great, thank you.”

  He shrugs a quick you’re welcome and nods toward Opacity, the upper reaches of which are just visible in the distance. “Look who’s here.”

  I turn in time to see the smog disgorge Shion and his retinue. Ridiculously tall and sheathed in Johnny Cash black, he looks every inch the mayor of a 20-million person city. Which makes sense, since he is.

  I’m still not sure where I stand with this guy. On paper, I am a complete nobody from a political perspective. But in a town like Opacity, fame can take you a long way - especially when said fame propelled the current party to power. Were I so inclined, I could throw a massive wrench into the next election. I have no intention of doing so, and the mayor only needs to ride in on my feed for a few minutes to know that. But still...

  Shion reaches the cracked dirt square that has been chosen as our departure point. Some part of me waits for him to order our immediate arrest. But the speech he trots out is delivered in standard politician-speak.

  “You have a long journey ahead, so I will be brief. Thank you for volunteering to undertake this mission. The Thresh farming enclave is our oldest ally, and although the Hive is now supplying Opacity with food -” he nods to Kalana, who inclines her head in return, “- it is imperative that we discover why they have gone dark. I ask only that you report your findings back to us, which should be simple enough since Anex has opted to keep his feed active. Good luck.”

  Then it’s handshakes and well wishes all around. I say a proper goodbye to Five and Ella, but barely register anyone else because Sophie is already marching away as fast as her legs will carry her. I’m about to follow, but Kalana stops me.

  “Let her go.” She says (gently enough, in all fairness).

  “Does she at least understand that I’m doing this for the right reasons?”

  “Are you?”

  “Yes! You heard Shion - we have to find out what happened to the Thresh.”

  “So getting to play hero for a little longer has nothing to do with this?”

  I feel my shoulders sag. “Okay, that might be part of it too. I liked being the good guy for once, you know? And I don’t want to go back to being a shitty drug dealer.”

  “Why do those two things have to be mutually exclusive?” Peace asks, sauntering over to join us. “I’m sure there are plenty of heroic and selfless pushers out there. Now quit wallowing in your trademark brand of self-pity and say goodbye. We’re leaving in ten.”

  “I guess this is it, then.” I say as Peace heads back to the GTV. “But before we go, there is something I need to run by you. Ethan -”

  “He already told me.” She interrupts. “And I’ve given my permission. But I expect something from you in return.”

  “Name it.”

  She looks me dead in the eyes. “Anex, if you insist on dying somewhere far away for no particular reason, then make sure you’re on comms with Sophie when it happens. That way, at least she’ll get some closure.”

  Something nasty rises to my lips, but I claw the words back. “Kalana, whatever you may think, I’m not doing this to escape my responsibilities as a father. I’m trying to make her proud of me.”

  “I know.” She replies wearily. “I’ve ridden in on your feed long enough to sense the feelings of inadequacy you hide. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if I think you’re doing the right thing, or even if you do. All that matters is what Sophie believes. So if you’re not going to be around, then you’d damn well better find a way to make her proud.”

  And then she vanishes into the fog, leaving me standing there like the stupid asshole that I am.

  .

  Deciding that the best way to distract myself is by checking out some new tech, I wander over to the GTV. The squad are all inside except for my current girlfriend, who is waiting for me. (I haven’t actually called Tikal my GF out loud yet, but that’s how I think of her. I’m not sure what term she uses for me.)

  “How’d that go?” She asks. And although her tone is casual, this is as close as she’s ever come to initiating a conversation about my ex or our daughter.

  “About as expected. Kalana thinks I’m a glory-hungry yahoo / world’s worst parent, and Sophie is upset she can’t come with us.”

  “We already have a kid on staff.” Tikal points out.

  “Yes, although most ten-year-olds can’t do quantum physics calculations in their heads or break arms in a pinch.”

  She nods approvingly. “That girl’s going to make a hell of a soldier one day.”

  “Do you mean one day next week? Whatever the old Designer used to make her body was potent stuff.”

  Tikal smiles wickedly. “Feeling emasculated, are we?” Grabbing the back of my neck, she pulls me down into a deep kiss. “Because that’s my job.” She murmurs.

  “Would you two get in here?” Delez calls from the GTV’s dropdown door. “We’re moving out.”

  Tikal lets me go and strides up the ramp. “You’re such a pussyblocker.” She tells the Fractal, flicking her crimson hair into his face as she passes. I follow with my hands in my pockets - a fact Delez doesn’t fail to notice.

  “Why bother hiding it?” He crows. “Let your flagpole stand proudly, I say!”

  Lucy joins Delez at the door; but when she says nothing, the rest of us go quiet as well. She hardly speaks since Fort died, and when she does, it is with none of her former caustic wit. She is... polite, for lack of a better word. I think I know why, though.

  Each member of the squad is handling their mushrooming celebrity differently. Delez has been doing his best to forget that I’m a walking TV show, and after a few weeks of awkward conversations, he’s mostly managing it. Peace is fascinated by the whole thing, and has taken to addressing my viewers directly - often in less than polite terms. Tikal oscillates between exhibitionist and privacy nut on an hourly basis, and Amy couldn’t seem to care less.

  Which leaves Lucy. Granted, she was once a known figure in the Underworld’s high stakes poker scene. But that is poor preparation for having an entire city dissect the intricacies of your grief. Is she honoring his memory properly? Did he deserve better? How sad is she really, deep down? These are just a few of the questions social media has been asking about Lucy’s bereavement. No wonder she's responded by clamming the fuck up.

  (Oh and in case you’re wondering, I do have reasons for keeping my feed live. And no matter what Kalana says, my growing hero complex isn’t one of them.)

  Before the silence can go on too long, I follow Tikal into the GTV. Delez hits a button, and the aperture closes with a pneumatic hiss. But within a few seconds, someone starts banging on the door from the outside.

  “Damn it.” Delez curses. “At this rate it’s going to take five years to reach the Thresh instead of five days.”

  But he opens the door anyway, and whistles when he sees who it is.

  CHAPTER 2

  “Hey guys!” Francis says cheerfully.

  “You know the departure ceremony was half an hour ago, right?” Delez asks.

  “Yeah, sorry I missed it. I’m sure everyone licked your assholes really nicely. But I have a good excuse.”

  “Which is?” Peace prompts.

  “I was packing.” He hefts the duffel bag hanging off his shoulder. “You see, I’ve decided to come with you.”

  Delez laughs. “And what led to this sudden change of heart? Last I heard, you and your brother were planning to open the Hive’s first bar along with Tiana.”

  “Oh, that’s still happening. But it’s just me and Tiana now. Morgan and his new girlfriend have decided to open a counseling center for the female survivors of Raka’s regime.” His smile slips. “She spent two years in the mating pits.”

  “Good for them.” Tikal says seriously
. “But how are you supposed to open a bar with Tiana if you come with us?”

  He snorts. “What’s this going to take, like three weeks, tops? I’ll be back before the first shipment of booze comes in from our supplier. Speaking of which, do you remember Elias? Well it turns out that old fart brews some mean moonshine. We were over at his place last night for a taste test - that stuff gives you a raging hangover, by the way - and I decided that I couldn’t let you guys hog all the fun. So here I am!”

  “Sounds like you’ve really thought this through.” Delez says. Then he sighs. “But I suppose you may as well climb aboard.”

  “Fantastic! Would someone mind sharing their toothbrush, though? I forgot to pack mine.”

  .

  Once Francis has been assimilated into the squad, Peace gives us a tour of the GTV. The floorplan is based around two corridors arranged in a T-shape. The horizontal bar runs along the back of the vehicle, while the other leads forward to the cockpit. The rear corridor, which Peace calls the baseline, has three gunchair alcoves set into its exterior side. Four bedrooms face these alcoves. We pass two more gunchairs on our way to the cockpit, which also serves as a common area and armory.

  “And the rest of the space is for storage.” Peace explains. “Any questions?”

  Francis puts his hand up. “Who am I sleeping with?”

  This comment precipitates a stampede back to the baseline. The bedrooms turn out to be insanely small: just recessed bunk beds with two feet of floorspace fronting them. After some good-natured argument, it is decided that Tikal and I will take one room, Delez and Peace will sleep in another, with Lucy and Francis sharing a third. Amy, as the closest thing we have to a child in the group, is given a room to herself.

  With this momentous decision made, we return to the cockpit.

  “Whoever designed this thing was definitely a dude.” Peace remarks.

  I can’t help but agree. The décor leans heavily toward black steel and leather, right down to the fridge, rehydrator and stove. In place of windows, there are flatscreens linked to live camera feeds from points around the GTV. It positively screams man cave, but I guess it’s too late to ask for a remodel.