by Scott Sigler
They left the room. There was only so much off-time he could spend with his father. Quentin had to make a choice and he was making it — spending time with Cillian was more important than the extra practice ... wasn’t it?
It was. There was more to life than football.
Just not much more.
• • •
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN you’re canceling the trip?”
Danny the Dolphin did not look happy. Quentin was by no means an expert in Dolphin expressions, but narrowed eyes and high volume seemed to be a nearly universal indicator of emotion. The close-up image of Danny in the holotank left no question about that.
“I mean, I’m not going.” Quentin said.
“The trip is all set, buddy. They’re expecting you on Mars on Tuesday and in Antarctica on Wednesday.”
“Antarctica?”
“That’s where McMurdo is, guy.”
“But isn’t Antarctica cold?”
“It was, back in the Olden Times, the Long-Ago Times, but now it’s a paradise. You think I’d make you sign somewhere awful?”
“Well, you arranged a visit to Mars, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but in my defense, they are offering an awful lot of money. And speaking of an awful lot of money, it seems your advertiser patron is making a move into the GFL and wants to bring you home.”
“Excuse me?”
“Manny Sayed and a silent partner just bought the Buddha City Elite.”
“I already told you I’m not interested in playing for Buddha City.”
“Well, sure, but that was before they told me they will top any offer, guy. Any offer. They want to build their franchise around the hometown hero. I’m arranging a visit.”
Quentin shook his head. “Forget it. Don’t bother. I’m never going back to the Purist Nation, Danny. You hear me? Never.”
Danny paused, thinking, then nodded, his long nose bobbing up and down. “All right. You Humans and your religions. Crazy stuff, buddy. But okay, I’ll let them know you’re not interested. But listen, guy, as for McMurdo and Mars, you can’t just cancel these trips. The Murderers and the Planets really want you. They are making big offers.”
Quentin fought to keep his expression neutral. He felt terrible making Danny do all this work, but the fact remained that Danny was the employee. Quentin didn’t work for Danny, Danny worked for Quentin. As such, Quentin would make the decisions.
“Barnes, this is your bye week. What are you doing that’s so important you can just toss all of my effort overboard?”
“Danny, I appreciate the work, but I just met my father. I have a couple of days off. I want to spend them with him.”
“You have the whole off-season to spend with him! If we sign a deal with Mars or McMurdo or the To Pirates, buddy, you can afford to have Pops cloned ten times over and make up for lost time.”
“Danny, the answer is no. I’m canceling the trip.”
Danny’s long mouth opened a little, showing the pointy teeth inside. Was that an expression of frustration? Perhaps even rage?
“You’re killing me here, guy,” he said. “I’m crushed, crippled and conquered. Look, I can reschedule something with the Murderers and the Planets, but for High One’s sake, if you don’t meet with other teams, the Pirates could unexpectedly lower that rumored offer.”
The quarterback of the Blood Red. His dream job. The thing Quentin had always wanted. Well, times change and people change. The eight-year-old version of you doesn’t know where the twenty-year-old version will wind up.
“Danny, look, I—”
“Do you know what I would have to go through to get the Pirates to make that rumored offer? I’m betting you don’t know Dolphin anatomy, so I’ll spare you the details, but the metaphor would make you most uncomfortable, guy. It involves fish parts.”
Danny didn’t look as angry now. He looked ... pained. He clearly had worked his tail off for Quentin. Quentin couldn’t invalidate all of that because his father had shown up now. That wasn’t fair. That wasn’t right.
“Okay,” Quentin said. “Sure ... reschedule the meetings. Can my dad come?”
Danny’s head nodded quickly. He let out a chittering sound that was all Dolphin. “Yes! No problem, buddy. You’re the boss, right? I mean, I do all this work at your whim, right? You’re a star, guy, so bring the old man. Just tell him to be quiet, all right?”
“Okay. I gotta get going. My dad and I are going on a tour of the Wastes.”
“How nice and domestic,” Danny said. “Now I gotta go do damage control, guy. Nothing like angering an organization with the nickname of the Murderers, if you know what I’m saying.”
Danny broke the connection. Sure, Quentin felt bad, but it would be okay. If the McMurdo Murderers and the Mars Planets wanted him that bad, they could wait. As for the To Pirates? Only time would tell.
• • •
THE GLASS-BOTTOMED TOUR BUS hovered some thirty feet above Ionath’s pock-marked surface, high enough to avoid jagged boulders and outcroppings that stuck up at every angle, low enough to see the small plants growing in the ground’s deep cracks.
“As you can see,” said the Quyth Worker tour guide, “the surface of Ionath is on its way to recovery. Plant growth continues to expand. Foliage now covers an estimated forty-five percent of the surface. This first phase of growth consumes radioactive material for energy. Once the radioactivity is gone, this phase of plant life will die out. Then the government will reintroduce what native species it has gathered from museums and universities.”
Quentin’s father looked down, past his feet to the shattered surface below. “This is madness,” he said quietly. “Quentin, you live on a dead planet.”
“It’s not dead, Dad. Well, most of it is, but Ionath City is pretty cool, don’t you think?”
His father looked up, smiled. Quentin still couldn’t believe it. Even though the man was sitting right there, right next to him. His father.
“Yeah,” Cillian said. “The city is pretty impressive. It’s all kind of overwhelming, to tell you the truth, but I guess you’re used to living in such an amazing place. Do you know the city well?”
“Not really. Most of my time is spent on football. You can’t take your eyes off the prize for even a minute, or you get beat like we did with Coranadillana.”
His father’s smile faded a little. “Quentin, I don’t want to just, you know, jump back into your life and start giving advice.”
Quentin waited, but his father paused. How odd — the one person from whom Quentin would take unsolicited advice, yet his father was waiting for permission to share it.
“Go ahead, Dad. It’s okay.”
“I’ve only known you for a couple of days, Son. I mean, the grown-up you. But ... I know you’re a professional athlete and talented and things like that, but don’t you think you need some balance in your life?”
“What do you mean?”
“Maybe you need more than just football? You live here, yet this is the first time you’ve been beyond the city walls?”
“Well, yeah. Like I said, Dad, I’m kind of busy. I’m the quarterback. There’s a lot of sentients depending on me.”
His father nodded quickly, apologetically. “Yes, of course. I understand that. It’s just that you sacrifice everything else to make that happen.”
Quentin hadn’t thought about it that way before, but his dad was right. “Yeah, I guess I do sacrifice. But I think that’s what it takes to succeed. I’m not any different from John or Ju or anyone on the team. Anyone in the entire league, for that matter.”
His father looked down again, through the clear hull. The tour bus was flying over a crashed ship. Military? Passenger? Quentin didn’t know. The wreck looked like it had been there for decades, at least. Deep run-off grooves led away from parts of the ship, showing where water collected during storms before spilling away in miniature rivers. Some kind of red moss had grown up over the blackened, twisted metal, turning a vision of death and d
estruction into a blossoming sculpture of life.
“Well, you’ve had more success than I ever had,” Cillian said. “You know what you’re doing, Son, and I’m proud of you. I guess as busy as you are, staying in one city for a lot of years is the way to really have a place you call home.”
His father’s words made Quentin think about free agency, the canceled trips to Earth and Mars. “I don’t know, Dad. Some other teams want to sign me.”
“But I thought you liked it here. You said you were friends with your teammates?”
“I am. But, well, I’m young for my position and teams want me. It would mean a lot of money.”
His father reached out his scarred right hand, put it around Quentin’s shoulder. Cillian was a big man, but still half a foot shorter than Quentin. “Son, whatever you do will be the right choice. Just remember that all the money in the galaxy couldn’t replace the years I lost with you, with your mother, your brother and your sister. Money is a great thing, but it’s not the greatest thing.”
His father squeezed his shoulder, pulling him in close for a quick, manly hug. Then a pat on the back, then Cillian looked at the tour guide, who was explaining the next landmark.
“Now we’re to the best part of the tour,” the Worker said. “We’re about to float over an original relativity bomb crater, one that caused immense damage and wiped out all life in a twenty-mile radius. The walls of the crater are some five-hundred feet deep. You might experience a little vertigo, but do not worry — I’ve taken this trip many times before and I haven’t fallen in yet.”
Laughter escaped the mixed crowd of Human, Sklorno, Quyth Worker and Quyth Warrior passengers. There were also four Quyth Leaders, but that caste never seemed to laugh at anything.
Then the bottom fell out of Quentin’s world. Despite the tour guide’s assurances, seeing the ground drop off below your feet to a deep, mist-covered bottom made his stomach do flip-flops.
As the tour bus sailed out over the massive crater, Quentin thought over his father’s words: Money is a great thing, but it’s not the greatest thing.
GFL WEEK EIGHT ROUNDUP
Courtesy of Galaxy Sports Network
BYE WEEKS: Hittoni Hullwalkers, Ionath Krakens, Lu Juggernauts, Jang Atom Smashers, Shorah Warlords, Vik Vanguard
WITH THE SEASON three-quarters complete, only one team remains undefeated. In a rematch of last year’s Galaxy Bowl, defending champion Wabash (7-0) won a surprising close 17-10 cross-divisional contest over the New Rodina Astronauts (3-4) to remain in sole possession of first in the Planet. Wabash defensive end Col-Que-Hon recorded a GFL-record five sacks on Astronauts quarterback GK Parish, anchoring a Wolfpack defense that didn’t give up a single offensive touchdown. Wolfpack fullback Ralph Schmeer scored two touchdowns, one on a 2-yard run and another on an 11-yard pass from quarterback Rich Bennett.
The To Pirates (6-1) stayed just a game out of first in the Planet, thanks to a 20-7 win over the Themala Dreadnaughts (4-3). Ionath (5-2) was on a bye-week, allowing Isis (5-2) and Yall (5-2) to move into a three-way tie for third. Isis beat the Orbiting Death (3-4) by a score of 31-28, while Yall hung a 31-3 pounding on Alimum (2-5).
In the Solar Division, Neptune (6-1) and Jupiter (6-1) both notched victories to remain tied for first. The Scarlet Fliers’ 24-14 win over the Bartel Water Bugs (3-4) let them bounce back from their first loss of the season last week to the Vik Vanguard (4-3). Jupiter won a 24-21 overtime thriller against the D’Kow War Dogs (3-4). Vik had a bye, but losses by Bartel, D’Kow, New Rodina and Bord (3-4) left the Vanguard alone in third place in the Solar Division.
In relegation watch, the Texas Earthlings (3-4) pulled two games ahead of Sala (1-6), who fell 21-20 to Coranadillana (2-5). The Jang Atom Smashers (2-5) had a bye. Over in Planet Division relegation, Lu (0-7) was off with a bye, as was Hittoni (1-6).
Deaths
No deaths reported this week.
Offensive Player of the Week
Neptune quarterback Adam Guri, who completed 22-of-30 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensive Player of the Week
This week the GFL announced co-defensive players of the week. To Pirates strong safety Ciudad Juarez, who victimized Themala quarterback Gavin Warren with two sacks and two interceptions. Ciudad Juarez also had three solo tackles. Wabash Wolfpack defensive end Col-Que-Hon was also named defensive player of the week for his GFL-record five sacks in one game.
19
WEEK NINE:
IONATH KRAKENS
at WABASH WOLFPACK
PLANET DIVISION
5-2 Ionath Krakens (bye)
5-2 Isis Ice Storm
5-2 Yall Criminals
4-3 Themala Dreadnaughts
3-4 OS1 Orbiting Death
2-5 Alimum Armada
2-5 Coranadillana Cloud Killers
1-6 Hittoni Hullwalkers (bye)
0-7 Lu Juggernauts (bye)
7-0 Wabash Wolfpack
6-1 To Pirates
SOLAR DIVISION
6-1 Neptune Scarlet Fliers
6-1 Jupiter Jacks
4-3 Vik Vanguard (bye)
3-4 Bartel Water Bugs
3-4 Bord Brigands
3-4 D’Kow War Dogs
3-4 New Rodina Astronauts
3-4 Shorah Warlords (bye)
3-4 Texas Earthlings
2-5 Jang Atom Smashers (bye)
1-6 Sala Intrigue
THE NEXT ROUND OF CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS brought a significant difference — this time, Gredok was coming to Danny’s office.
Quentin sat in the meeting room, watching Danny Lundy pace on his metallic legs. The Dolphin looked anxious.
“Danny, you okay?”
“I’m excited, delighted and ignited,” Danny said. He didn’t stop pacing. “I’ve been in the agent game for ten seasons. This is the first time a GFL owner has come to my office.”
“So that’s good?”
“Oh, it’s good, guy,” Danny said. “It means Gredok is on the ropes. He’s coming here to give us a counter-offer, hoping that he can pretend to be a nice fellow. He’ll say something like we just can’t afford it to get us to drop our price.”
“Will we?”
“Of course,” Danny said. “But not as much as he hopes, buddy. You’ve proven yourself this season, Quentin. The entire galaxy knows that you’re the real deal, blue twisted steel and sex appeal.”
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know,” Danny said. “A Human phrase I picked up somewhere. Doesn’t matter. What does matter is getting Gredok’s offer, then taking that to Kirani Kollok, who will top it for sure. Then, Gredok gets one more chance to beat it. Today is his final offer, my tail-fin. We’re going to put the screws to that little black-furred owner of yours, guy. I can’t wait to see him squirm.”
That talk made Quentin uncomfortable. Gredok was just trying to do what was best for the franchise. Sure, he wanted to land Quentin for as little as possible. That was just good business. But the higher Quentin’s salary, the less Gredok had to spend on other high-quality players.
“Danny, this is supposed to be about a fair deal, not making someone squirm.”
Danny’s high-pitched, rapid-fire laugh filled the meeting room. “Oh, Quentin. I know you’re a big bad-ass and all, buddy, but sometimes cute is the only word for you.”
Quentin was about to ask what that meant, exactly, but Danny’s stunning secretary walked into the room. “Mister Splithead is here.”
Danny scurried to his chair. He sat next to Quentin. His blow hole opened wide to draw in a deep breath. His chassis let out a short blast of fine mist to wet his rainbow-white skin, then he nodded.
“Bring him in.”
Gredok the Splithead entered, followed by Messal the Efficient and Bobby Brobst, one of Gredok’s well-dressed bodyguards. Messal carried a contract box. Brobst, a Human nearly big enough to play tight end, quietly walked to a corner and stood. Messal set the contract box on the table, brushed a
n invisible piece of dust off of it, then pulled out the chair for Gredok, who sat.
Danny stared at the contract box, his formerly excited mood visibly shifting to annoyance. “What is that, Gredok?”
“It’s a contract box.”
“Obviously,” Danny said. “Why is it here? We’re not done with negotiations, guy.”
“I’m afraid that we are, Dolphin. That box contains my final offer.”
Danny’s head started nodding a little, but Quentin thought it was an unwitting display of anger rather than a conscious gesture.
“Yes, you would think that,” Danny said. “You come here to give my client final terms? The Krakens are five-and-two because of Quentin Barnes, buddy. We have firm offers from the McMurdo Murderers and the Mars Planets. There is also a rumor of a franchise-level offer from the To Pirates that will be tendered at season’s end.”
“A rumor,” Gredok said. “Yes, of course. They wouldn’t make an actual offer, considering that we play the Pirates in two weeks.”
“Of course not,” Danny said. “That would be against GFL regulations, guy. Gredok, my client is red-hot. Teams want him badly and you come here to give us a final offer?”
Gredok leaned forward. A slight tinge of light green colored his eye. Quentin had never seen that before, never thought it could possibly dance across Gredok’s cornea. Light green — the color of modesty.
“Lundy,” Gredok said, “wouldn’t it be prudent to see what the offer is before you hammer at me with righteous indignation?”
Danny fell silent. His black eyes narrowed. Quentin knew that Gredok had just won that point, had made Danny look foolish.
“Fine,” the Dolphin said. “Let’s see it.”
Gredok leaned back. Messal pressed a button on the box. A holo flared to life above it, spelling out the contract’s main terms in glowing letters.
165 MILLION FOR 10 YEARS
“Wow,” Quentin said.
A short blast of fine mist sprayed on his face, making him jump back in his chair.