by Scott Sigler
The chain of events flashed through Quentin’s head. Don Pine urging Quentin to talk to Starcher. His fake father doing the same thing. Two men that Quentin despised — but if they hadn’t said something, would he have ever seen George’s struggle? Would he have been in the right place at the right time without Don Pine, without Sarge Vinje? That was an unwelcome and sobering thought and it made it a little harder to hate them both.
But only a little.
“Get going,” George said. “Thanks for stopping by, it means a lot, but you need to focus on the Wolfpack. Doctor Nauer has me covered. If I behave, I can join you on the Touchback for the trip to Wabash. Now get out of here.”
A pat on his arm. He looked down to the wrinkled face of Ma Tweedy. “I’ll stay with George for awhile,” she said. “You and Tara get back to work.”
George was okay. It was time.
Quentin said his goodbyes, then he and Tara the Freak saw themselves out.
The Quyth Warrior had gained status in Quentin’s eyes. Even if Quentin couldn’t count himself a hero for helping George, he didn’t have that same reservation about Tara.
“You’re quiet,” Quentin said.
“I am always quiet. I do not have much to say.”
Quentin laughed. “Well, I guess that’s true. Not sure if you got the news, but we’re in the playoffs.”
“I am aware.”
“And are you still mad I brought you up to Tier One? Still feel all glum that we snatched you away from the Manglers?”
“I am less mad than I was before.”
Quentin raised his hand to flag down a cab. “What would it take to make you not mad at all?”
Tara turned to stare, his one baseball-sized eye an almost perfect cross-species copy of John Tweedy’s wow are you dumb expression. “A playoff win,” Tara said. “That would be a start.”
Quentin nodded. They crawled into the first cab that stopped, then headed for Ionath Stadium.
GFL WEEK THIRTEEN ROUNDUP
Courtesy of Galaxy Sports Network
A DRAMA-FILLED WEEK THIRTEEN ended in spectacular style and finalized the postseason playoff bracket.
Ionath tight end Rick Warburg put the Krakens into the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons with a last-minute catch thrown by fullback Rebecca Montagne. The trick play put the Krakens (8-4) in range for a 42-yard field goal, which Arioch Morningstar kicked through for a 24-21 win over the Vik Vanguard (8-4).
The victory gives Ionath the fourth seed in the Planet Division playoffs.
Wabash (10-2) took the first seed in the Planet Division, thanks to both a head-to-head tiebreaker over the second-seeded To Pirates (10-2), and a 28-16 win over the Coranadillana Cloud Killers (3-9).
The Pirates earned the second seed thanks to a 24-7 win over the Yall Criminals (8-4). Themala locked up the third seed in the Planet Division with a 34-31 win over the Isis Ice Storm (7-5).
Neptune, which had already secured the first seed in the Solar Division as well as the division title, rested several starters in a 23-17 loss to the Hittoni Hullwalkers (6-6). Both Jupiter and Vik lost in Week Thirteen, leaving the teams with identical 8-4 records. Jupiter beat Vik in Week Five, giving the Jacks the head-to-head tiebreaker and the second seed in the Solar.
Jupiter will host Vik in the first round of the playoffs, while Neptune hosts fourth-seeded Bartel (7-5). The Water Bugs earned their postseason bid thanks to a last-second field goal by Eddy Jones that gave Bartel a 23-21 win over the 4-8 Bord Brigands.
Deaths
Bord running back Robert Harris, killed on an illegal head-to-head hit by Bartel safety Alpharetta. Alpharetta has been suspended for Bartel’s first-round playoff game against Neptune.
Offensive Player of the Week
Wabash running back John Ellsworth, who rushed for 124 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown in the Wolfpack’s win over Coranadillana.
Defensive Player of the Week
Neptune defensive tackle Chris Maler, who had four solo tackles and two-and-a-half sacks in the Scarlet Fliers’ 23-17 loss to the Hittoni Hullwalkers.
BOOK FOUR:
THE POSTSEASON
24
THE QUARTERFINALS
PLANET DIVISION
10-2 y - Wabash Wolfpack
10-2 x - To Pirates
9-3 x - Themala Dreadnaughts
8-4 x - Ionath Krakens
8-4 Yall Criminals
7-5 Isis Ice Storm
6-6 Hittoni Hullwalkers
5-7 OS1 Orbiting Death
4-8 Alimum Armada
3-9 Coranadillana Cloud Killers
1-11 *Lu Juggernauts
SOLAR DIVISION
10-2 y - Neptune Scarlet Fliers
8-4 x - Jupiter Jacks
8-4 x - Vik Vanguard
7-5 x - Bartel Water Bugs
6-6 Jang Atom Smashers
5-7 D’Kow War Dogs
5-7 New Rodina Astronauts
4-8 Bord Brigands
4-8 Texas Earthlings
3-9 Shorah Warlords
1-11 *Sala Intrigue
x = playoffs, y = division title, * = team has been relegated
THE KRAKENS SPRINTED OFF THE FIELD, gathered around the holoboard in the communal locker room. The league had announced the All-Pro roster. Rumor was that three Krakens had made the list. Quentin knew one had to be Kill-O-Yowet for another dominant season at left tackle. Despite missing a few games with an injury, the Ki lineman was truly one of the best in the game and deserved that honor a thousand times over.
But who were the other two?
Quentin felt butterflies in his chest and stomach. He had to pee. The three biggest honors in the game were, in order, Galaxy Bowl Champion, then league MVP and being named All-Pro. The first stood in a class all by itself, light-years ahead of anything else.
League MVP was the ultimate individual achievement. It meant the entire sport of professional football said you are the best in the game. Quentin knew he hadn’t put up the numbers needed for that, especially considering the way Rick Renaud and Neptune Scarlet Fliers QB Adam Guri were playing, but he had put up the numbers needed for that final accolade — All-Pro.
The number of All-Pros varied per position. Of twenty-two teams in Tier One, just three quarterbacks would earn the honor. Renaud and Guri had two of those spots locked up. Quentin wasn’t the only one in the running for that last spot: Frank Zimmer had recorded another stellar season, as had — Quentin hated to admit — the OS1 Orbiting Death’s Condor Adrienne. But the Death had only five wins and they hadn’t made the playoffs. Those things factored in. Quentin had eight wins, he had led his team to the postseason. He wanted that honor before Condor got it because there was no question Condor would get it eventually.
John Tweedy walked up to the holoboard. “Okay, team, the story is posted. Everyone ready to read?”
A locker room’s worth of orange-and-black clad sentients nodded, grunted assent.
John tapped the glowing icons.
The story appeared. They read.
From The Ionath City Gazette
* * *
GFL Names 2684 All-Pro Team
by TOYAT THE INQUISITIVE
NEW YORK CITY, EARTH, PLANETARY UNION — GFL Commissioner Rob Froese today announced the 2684 All-Pro selections. Ionath racked up three players with this elite honor: fullback Rebecca Montagne, defensive tackle Mum-O-Killowe and left offensive tackle Kill-O-Yowet, who earned the award for the second year in a row.
The last time Ionath had three players named All-Pro was 2675, the year the Krakens lost the Galaxy Bowl to the Jupiter Jacks.
Neptune quarterback Adam Guri was named the league MVP. Guri started every game as he led the Scarlet Fliers to a 10-2 record, racking up 3,412 yards and setting an accuracy record by completing 70.61 percent of his throws.
* * *
* * *
OFFENSE
* * *
Quarterback
Rick Renaud
New
Rodina Astronauts
Adam Guri
Neptune Scarlet Fliers
Condor Adrienne
OS1 Orbiting Death
Running back
Randy Noseworthy
To Pirates
Daniel Carrus
D’Kow War Dogs
John Ellsworth
Wabash Wolfpack
Fullback
Ralph Schmeer
Wabash Wolfpack
Rebecca Montagne
Ionath Krakens
Wide receiver
Leavenworth
Texas Earthlings
Brazilia
OS1 Orbiting Death
Victoria
To Pirates
Amarillo
Neptune Scarlet Fliers
Tight end
Andreas Kimming
Yall Criminals
Rich Evanko
New Rodina Astronauts
Tackle
Kill-O-Yowet
Ionath Krakens
Michael Brown
D’Kow War Dogs
Kriz-To-Pher
Jang Atom Smashers
Guard
David Sobkowiak
To Pirates
Bal-De-Sari
Themala Dreadnaughts
Josh Moon
Shorah Warlords
Center
Graham Harting
To Pirates
Kola-Kow-Ski
D’Kow War Dogs
* * *
* * *
DEFENSE
* * *
Defensive end
Ryan Nossek
Isis Ice Storm
Col-Que-Hon
Wabash Wolfpack
Jesper Schultz
Coranadillana Cloud Killers
Interior lineman
E-Coo-Lee
Vik Vanguard
Chris Maler
Neptune Scarlet Fliers
Mum-O-Killowe
Ionath Krakens
Outside linebacker
Izic the Weird
Themala Dreadnaughts
Michael Cogan
Wabash Wolfpack
Richard Damge
To Pirates
Inside/Middle linebacker
Yalla the Biter
OS1 Orbiting Death
Mur the Mighty
Vik Vanguard
Cornerback
Xuchang
Jupiter Jacks
Tübingen
D’Kow War Dogs
Smileyberg
Coranadillana Cloud Killers
Free/Strong safety
East Windsor
Vik Vanguard
Ciudad Juarez
To Pirates
Tulsa
Neptune Scarlet Fliers
* * *
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter: Eric Johnson
Bartel Water Bugs
Place kicker: Greg Anderson
Texas Earthlings
Kick returner: Chetumal
Hittoni Hullwalkers
COACH OF THE YEAR
Katie Lampkin
Vik Vanguard
LEAGUE MVP
Adam Guri
Neptune Scarlet Fliers
* * *
JOHN TWEEDY RIPPED OFF his shirt. MY GIRLFRIEND IS AN ALL-PRO scrolled across his chest. “Hell yeah! Three Krakens on the All-Pro roster? Way to go!”
The locker room seemed to converge on Kill-O-Yowet, Mum-O-Killowe and Becca “The Wrecka” Montagne.
John swiped to the article’s second page, a list of forty-two icons, each showing the face of one of the All-Pro selections. John tapped the faces of Becca, Mum-O and Kill-O. The screen shifted into three horizontal panels, each playing individual highlights of those players.
Quentin just stood there, not hearing the cheers. He stared at Becca’s highlights.
He felt ... hollow.
Rebecca had been named All-Pro and he hadn’t?
He became aware of someone standing next to him. It was her. Becca. Becca, the All-Pro.
“Quentin,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
John pushed her. “Sorry? Sorry? Woman, you were just named All-Pro. Shucking Tier One All-Shucking-Pro! I’m so proud I could just spit on myself.” He wiped his chin. “Ooops, I just did.”
“Thanks, John,” she said, but she kept looking at Quentin.
“Quentin’s proud of you, too,” John said, the tone of his voice changing a little. “Ain’t that right, Q? Can you believe it? Our lil’ fullback is up there with the great Ralph Schmeer.”
Quentin turned. John’s smile was so wide he looked like a caricature, or a puppet. Quentin forced a smile of his own. “For sure. Becca the Wrecka. The best in the game.”
He should have been happy for her. He knew that, but that feeling just wouldn’t come. She had beaten him to the honor. So had Condor Adrienne. Quentin didn’t know which one stung worse. Did Becca deserve it? Absolutely. Maybe Quentin hadn’t been paying close attention to her individual performances, not with his focus on making the playoffs, but her highlights showed glimpses of an amazing season. Blocking for Ju and Quentin, occasionally running the ball on short-yardage situations, being the best receiving fullback in the game, even throwing two clutch passes against the Vik Vanguard to put the Krakens in the playoffs.
“It’s part yours,” Becca said. “I would have quit last year if it wasn’t for you.”
Quentin nodded. He didn’t know what to say, what to feel. Why couldn’t he be happy for her? Envy and jealousy, sinful emotions, yet both claimed him.
He had posted his best season ever. His throwing, his running, his team management, his leadership. He’d played through pain, through injuries. He’d pushed aside personal loss, the likes of which he’d never known and led his team into the playoffs. All of these things should have been enough for him. Such victories should have been their own reward.
But he wanted more.
He finally had to admit it to himself — he wanted recognition.
When he came to Ionath he hadn’t thought money mattered. He’d been wrong. Next season, he would have more money than he could ever spend, yet he was bitter he’d been cheated out of an even greater sum. Now he knew why. He still didn’t care about money, but he did care about what money represented — money was a way of keeping score. The best players in the game made the most money. That was why his need for more had grown and that was why he couldn’t be happy for Becca.
Quentin wanted recognition. He wanted respect.
How petty.
High One had blessed him with the rarest of lives. He had challenges, to be sure. He had to go through life without a family. He’d been tested over and over again, but in overcoming those tests he found himself here on Ionath. Privileged. Cherished by millions. Even worshiped by millions more. Why did he feel petty about the awards of another?
He didn’t know why. He just knew that he did.
“It’s fantastic, Becca,” he said, because those were the words he needed to say whether he felt them or not. Just because the sports media thought Condor Adrienne was a better quarterback didn’t mean Becca hadn’t earned her honor. “I’m really proud of you.”
“Thanks,” she said. Her eyes showed that she didn’t believe him. She also wanted something more. Quentin could see that. Did she need for him to go crazy like John? To hoot and holler and sing her praises? Well, that wasn’t his way.
“It’s an honor for the team,” Quentin said. “You played hard. No question. Enjoy the moment. I’m going to the VR room to go practice routes.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“No,” he said, then realized he’d said it a little too loud. Her eyes widened, briefly, then she looked away. Why couldn’t she just enjoy this? Why did she need his approval? “I’m doing deep-routes with Halawa, Hawick and Milford, so we don’t need you. You celebrate. You’ve earned it. See you later.”
He turned and walked out of the locker room. He felt
her eyes following him. Her sad, needful eyes.
From The Ionath City Gazette
* * *
Krakens Head to Playoffs
by toyat the inquisitive
NEW YORK CITY, EARTH, PLANETARY UNION — Another regular season has passed into the history books and the road to Yall has begun.
The Planet Division features number one seeded Wabash Wolfpack. The defending Galaxy Bowl champions have home-field advantage for the first two rounds. The Pack finished 10-2 to win the division title and will host Ionath (8-4) in the opening round. The two teams met back in Week Nine when the visiting Krakens upset the then-undefeated Wolfpack by a score of 28-24. Despite that outcome, Wabash is favored by six points.
In the second Planet Division game, the To Pirates (10-2) host Themala (9-3). If Wabash defeats Ionath, the Wolfpack will host the winner of To/Themala. If Ionath wins, the Krakens will travel to face the winner of To/Themala.
In the Solar, division champion Neptune (10-2) plays host to Bartel (7-5). Bartel will be playing without safety Alpharetta, who was suspended for one game following her illegal hit that caused the death of Bord running back Robert Harris. Number one seed Neptune is favored by thirteen points.
The winner of that game will face the winner of second-seed Jupiter (8-4) and the third-seeded Vik Vanguard (8-4). The Vanguard had won six straight games coming into last week’s home loss to the Krakens, while the Jacks have lost their last three regular-season games. Odds-makers are calling the game even.
* * *
• • •
FOR THE SECOND TIME that season, Quentin and his orange jerseyed teammates gathered in the tunnel of Wabash Stadium. The playoffs. They had made it. Defending champs? Whatever. In three hours, Wabash would be the former champs.
He wasn’t in front this time. He’d given the honor to Becca, to Kill-O-Yowet, to Mum-O-Killowe. The All-Pro members of the Krakens. An honor that would be at least one year away from Quentin’s grasp. Again, he was flanked by the Tweedy brothers: John on his right, Ju on his left. He looked at them in turn, saw them staring at Becca, Kill-O and Mum-O, staring with the same envy and burning desire that he felt. Quentin, John and Ju exchanged glances — and with silent nods, a pact formed.