by Skyler Grant
“Jia, you can go get yourself something to eat,” Banok said.
“You might have a real fight and not include me, Master?” Jia asked.
“Rest. That’s an order,” Banok said.
Jia looked like she wanted to argue, but made her way off. Banok walked as Nyx flew over his shoulder.
Nyx’s latest experiment was set up in a Grove a short distance from the settlement. The transmitter tower was only a little bit taller than Banok, which meant that it was massive in comparison to Nyx. It was adorned with an absurd number of different-colored blinking lights. Nyx did like to make things flashy.
“Doesn’t look like it has any problems so far,” Banok said.
“I kept it small, dummy. No small jokes. It isn’t going to get risky until we turn it on,” Nyx said, moving over to the beacon and zipping around it.
Banok was all too well aware of the restraints on electricity. If it weren’t for fire magic he wouldn’t be having hot baths at all. It was at least motivation for the druids to practice that art.
“Well, let’s start. Not full strength at first,” Banok said.
Banok would rather not face the full fury of the Grove alone.
“I’ll give it twenty percent. That should be enough to reach beyond the Grove,” Nyx said, grasping a dial on the transmitter with both hands and with a heave turning it.
There was the sound of crackling and Nyx flew to another dial, wings flapping hard as she used her whole body to give it a twist.
Music, one of the broadcast channels from the city. Banok reached out with his senses, but there was nothing from the Grove. No sense of anger or any stirring of the defenses.
“Up a stage,” Banok said.
“I got it, I got it. Forty percent, dummy,” Nyx said, flying back to the original knob and giving it another full-body spin.
The music faded to be replaced by a steady stream of beeps.
“Transponder of one of the ships in orbit. We’re getting that far. If we can maintain this level that means we can talk to our mercenaries. If we have to, we could relay anything else we need to say through a satellite,” Nyx said.
“We can reach out to the rest of the druids? Do we have a satellite?” Banok asked.
“Hasn’t been a point up until now. We have the funds to buy one. We could also hijack one already up there for now, but you probably want something private and secure.”
“But we’re still only at partial power? We go up to full, how far can we reach?” Banok asked.
“Not sure. You know how it is with my talent. When I build things they aren’t exactly to spec. That is what happens when you aren’t a dummy,” Nyx said, giving the dial another turn.
Sixty percent power. Banok was starting to get some sense from the Grove. It wasn’t martialing the defenders, but it was aware.
Music again, this time with a far different beat.
“Shenaga radio probably. Two systems away,” Nyx said, moving the dial further.
Eighty percent.
A news report that seemed to be focused on a drought. Banok couldn’t think of any nearby systems currently experiencing one. Nyx flew back to the other dial and gave it a twist. More music, still not helpful.
“Go up to full power and let’s try to reach something we know—see what kind of range we’re getting,” Banok said.
“I’ll see if I can reach the Catspaw. I don’t know where Cleo is, but I know if we call at least she’ll pick up,” Nyx said, returning again to the original dial. Two more spins brought everything to full power.
Banok felt a rumble from the Grove. A stirring of discontent. Still, nothing actually responded and the Grove was usually some degree of unhappy. Even their tents roused its ire, however not enough to do anything about them.
“Catspaw, this is Nyx. If anybody is aboard, this is going out shipwide along with some really annoying music because I programmed your damned comm system,” Nyx said.
“I hear you. I can track you down and stab you. How do I turn it off?” Cleo answered.
“Nyx is the bestest ever. You say it, not me,” Nyx said.
Cleo repeated this, her voice tense. “Does this mean you have a proper landing pad now?”
“Not yet. You’ll have to use the usual,” Banok said.
“I’m already on my way. I’ll be there in twelve hours. Have a bag packed, and if you have muscle I could use them,” Cleo said.
5
Twelve hours was enough time for Banok to get some rest. While Cleo hadn’t been specific about what he needed, he was at least able to make some plans before she arrived. Combat gear for Jia and himself. It felt strange to drag his apprentice on whatever might be beckoning, but that was her place, at his side.
Cleo landed in her usual spot, the landing pad of a skyscraper that was more than twenty stories tall. It was high enough that the Grove didn’t object to the presence of the ship, or consider it to be any kind of threat.
Banok was waiting for her along with Jia and Nyx. When Cleo came out the hatch she looked around those gathered, her tail lashing.
“This is it?” Cleo asked.
“I don’t exactly have an army. Besides, if you needed one of those you have the money to hire one yourself. I’m here and I’ve got power,” Banok said.
“And I have brains. And a flamethrower, and lots of explosives,” Nyx said.
“What is all this about?” Banok asked.
“Join me on board. I have a briefing prepared. Of course I have a briefing. Can we get the spellweaver too?” Cleo asked.
“Delilah isn’t what you’d call a generous sort,” Banok said.
“Do we know anyone who is? I’ll owe her a favor,” Cleo said.
Banok didn’t have any sort of telepathic link with Delilah, but he could at least send a burst of magic in her direction. It should be enough to get her attention.
It must have been. The air rippled a moment later with weaves of magic and Delilah stepped through a portal.
“Tell me again, why do I have to take the twenty stories of steps all the time?” Banok asked her.
“Because you haven’t taken me up on my offer to train you in a proper form of magic,” Delilah said, as she dipped her head to Cleo. “I take it you want me in on whatever this is?”
“I’ll owe you a favor?” Cleo asked.
Delilah nodded, and with that settled they made their way aboard.
The Catspaw was a pleasant change of pace after life in the Grove. Well-regulated temperature, everything was well-lit, it was a reminder of just how far they had to go to make the Grove comfortable.
Cleo had a lounge already set up for the meeting. There were even drinks and snacks, and she obviously set up for a larger party. Trust Cleo to always be prepared.
“Nice,” Jia said.
“Forgotten what civilization felt like?” Delilah asked, as she poured herself a glass of wine before settling down into a chair. “So, what are we dealing with?”
“Vipers. Banok and Nyx will remember them,” Cleo said.
“They ambushed us back when we were visiting your family We barely got away,” Banok said.
“You got away because I’m very smart and a really amazing pilot,” Nyx said, fluttering over to stand atop the back of one of the chairs.
“They’ve got my family, my parents,” Cleo said.
“No wonder you want all the help you can get,” Delilah said.
“How? Your family are loaded and royalty,” Nyx said.
“How else does a Viper strike? Unexpectedly. They had agents planted throughout the kingdom. If my family have always been anything, it is too trusting,” Cleo said.
Cleo’s family were dogs, by and large. Her possession of a cat spirit was a rarity.
“Are any of them left alive?” Banok asked.
“Most of them, they claim. They’re being held hostage, they want me.”
“Tell me how that makes sense. Isn’t it in their best interest to kill them, if they’ve ta
ken your lands?” Banok asked.
“It doesn’t make sense. I’m fourth in line for the throne, but even if it were my time I neither want it nor have anyone willing to follow me,” Cleo said.
“The Vipers were working with whoever were behind the Orcs before. You think this is related,” Banok said.
“Banok … you know me and that I love a mystery, but honestly right now I don’t care. This is my family. I didn’t hire an army, because if I go in with one it will get them killed,” Cleo said.
“So what is your plan?”
“I spring whatever trap they spring and get away in one piece. Meanwhile, you do anything and everything it takes to get my family out alive,” Cleo said.
“I should be with Cleo. Whatever trap they’ve got in mind, they won’t be expecting a spellweaver and what I can do,” Delilah said.
“Maybe,” Cleo said wryly. “No hard and fast plan right now. We’ve got three full days of travel ahead of us. I’ve got offers out there for information, and I’m hoping by the time we get closer I’ll have what I need.”
“Then what was all this for?” Banok asked, waving at the spread of food.
“I expected more of a group. I had a whole presentation prepared on Viper physiology and gifts,” Cleo said with a faint frown.
“Let me guess. They’re fast and poisonous?” Banok asked.
“Some are shapeshifters. Part of the whole skin-shedding thing,” Cleo said.
“We’ll get your family back,” Banok said firmly.
“Dummy is right. Remember what happened the last time these people messed with us,” Nyx said.
The words didn’t stop Cleo from looking worried.
That would take action.
6
It was like old times, being back on the Catspaw. Banok had almost forgotten how much he missed it. It wasn’t just the luxury, although that was unmistakably nice. It was the lack of responsibility.
This was Cleo’s ship and she was in charge, while back in the Grove he was the one ultimately responsible for everything. He had a second-in-command, an amiable old man named Giles who was filling in for him while he was away. Still, with the reformed Order being so new there wasn’t much in the way of processes to handle much automatically. Everything needed him to sign off on it.
Being on the Catspaw also afforded him the chance to spend some time with Cleo. Banok still loved her, nothing had changed that. The spirit within her also meant she couldn’t really reciprocate the emotion even if the human part of her were so inclined.
As they travelled, Banok found himself chatting with Cleo, Vanwyn, and Nyx in the lounge.
“I like having the gang back together like this,” Nyx said.
“What? You’re not enjoying going from working on a top-of-a-line starship to building transmitters in the middle of the forest?” Banok asked.
Nyx flew over to kick Banok in the ear. “I like what I do, dummy. I just miss everyone being together, miss the explosions.”
“We still have those. An unnecessary number of them,” Vanwyn said.
Cleo said, “I like them, and it was fun. It is still fun and you two are welcome back. I’m just not going to lock myself down to some planet because Banok murdered a bunch of people and made trees out of them.”
“It isn’t quite like that. I have the power of the Master Druid, it comes with responsibilities,” Banok said.
“It is still a choice you’ve made. If something happens to my family despite me trying to save them, and they tried to make me queen, do you think I’d take it?” Cleo asked.
Banok didn’t, not for an instant. Not Cleo. The same spirit that made her incapable of love also made her restless.
“You are smart enough,” Vanwyn said.
“That isn’t the point. Freedom is everything and if you let it be taken away, even for a good thing, then you’ve made a bad deal,” Cleo said.
“I’m surprised you have stayed away this long from the Catspaw, Nyx. While I know there are personal reasons …” Vanwyn said.
“You really do love him,” Cleo said.
Nyx glared around, crossing her arms. “It isn’t just that. We’re building something new, you know? Something different. I like blowing stuff up too, I really do, but what I’m doing with Banok matters.”
“Ultimately it doesn’t. I am sure whoever originally founded the Druid Order thought that it mattered. Take it from one with a proper perspective. It doesn’t,” Vanwyn said.
“Being immortal isn’t a license to be sad and depressing,” Cleo said.
“It isn’t? I was rather looking forward to it, one day,” Banok said.
Vanwyn gave a sad smile. “It is an unfortunate reality that most immortals go through. For me it is more phase than lifestyle, at least. I’ve actually enjoyed my time on this ship, although I’m looking forward to the next big fight.”
“Hopefully we’re done with that,” Nyx said.
Cleo said, “We’re not. I may be worried and angry, but I can still think straight. We knew when we hit the shipyards building the Orc vessels that we weren’t putting an end to whoever was behind them. I think our current situation shows they’re still around and hold grudges.”
“You would think they would have learned we are dangerous people to mess with,” Banok said.
Vanwyn cleared her throat. “I would recommend caution, because nothing we’ve seen has suggested our enemies to be foolish.”
“She thinks coming to get your help was a mistake,” Cleo told Banok.
“I think that they know what you all are capable of now, and they’ll have made preparations for it,” Vanwyn said.
“What would you recommend she do? Sit back and do nothing?” Nyx asked.
“With vast financial resources? Hire a team, one they weren’t expecting. Instead we’re rushing right into danger,” Vanwyn said.
Cleo shook her head. “See, that is where we disagree. They don’t know what we’re capable of. When they went up against us, we hurt them in ways they weren’t expecting because they only thought they knew us.”
“You’ve done something else, more than you’ve told us,” Banok said, with a look at Cleo.
“Disenium,” Cleo said. “When the Vipers took over my family’s holdings, among their first actions was securing several of our mining concerns with no military applications.”
“You haven’t mentioned any of this,” Vanwyn said.
“It isn’t relevant, not to getting my family back safely. Prices have been going up on disenium lately with the demand from certain biomedical research companies. Names I saw before when researching the Orcs,” Cleo said.
“What did you do?” Banok asked.
“While we spring our little trap, mercenaries are bombing mines, warehouses, transports. There is about to be a galaxy-wide shortage of disenium. They hurt me, I hurt them.”
It was part of what Banok loved about Cleo. When push came to shove she went for the throat, always.
7
Nearing their destination they gathered again in the lounge. Cleo had put together her final plan.
“So just how bad is it?” Vanwyn asked.
“Pretty bad. They want to meet me down on the surface, and that’s where their presence is going to be strongest. Delilah and I have our work cut out for us, but that isn’t a problem for the rest of you,” Cleo said.
“It is our business if you don’t have a way out. We aren’t going to let you commit suicide just to be a distraction,” Banok said.
“I’m not letting me commit suicide period,” Delilah said.
“It isn’t suicide. I have a plan, but on to the other part of it. My family is on an orbital space station the Vipers control,” Cleo said.
“Smart. Keeps them out of range of their people,” Vanwyn said.
“The station has everything you’d expect. Fighter patrols, gun emplacements, lots of trigger-happy Vipers.”
“You got a plan for infiltration?”
“I’m
going to pass close enough on my way to the surface to send you out an airlock in suits. Nyx shouldn’t trigger their external sensors on the way in, and once aboard she can figure out how to kill the sensors for the rest of you,” Cleo said.
“Boss, usually your plans have a bit more plan than this,” Nyx said.
Cleo swiped a hand through the air and brought up a display of schematics. “You being smart is part of my plan. Most of my family is being held in this large storeroom. However my parents, the wolves, are all held individually in quarters nearby.”
The wolves were powerful combat-oriented spirits. If they could liberate them, they’d be of help getting to the others.
“A station like that is going to have sensors everywhere inside. I’m not going to be able to bring down the whole grid. They’ll be onto our every move,” Nyx said.
“That just means we get to do a lot of killing,” Banok said.
“If the goal is saving her family, that won’t work,” Vanwyn said.
“Most people aren’t dutiful enough to start killing the hostages just because you burst in the door. They’re worried about their own lives or getting rid of the threat first,” Banok said.
“You know the answer, Nyx. I know it’s a lot to ask,” Cleo said.
“What are you thinking?” Banok asked.
Nyx said, “You know what she’s thinking. I’m tiny, I’m magical. If I shed my armor once I’m inside, I can probably avoid their internal sensors too. I get to her family first and then open the doors for you.”
“You’d be defenseless. I admit, you’re tough in your armor, but without it …” Banok said.
“I can do it. I’d say I could do the whole thing myself, but once I let them out things are going to get real ugly, real fast,” Nyx said.
“You’ll have us by then. Get close, bring down the grid,” Banok said.
“We’ll need to take out internal weapons as well. And those fighters, or else we’ll never be able to get away,” Vanwyn said.