On a Rogue Planet

by Anna Hackett

  Mal felt Xander’s body vibrating behind her. She placed a hand on his thigh, brushing the hard muscle. “It’s really a great party. And like I said, your robots—” she motioned at the one closest to them “—are fascinating.”

  “Alone on a rogue planet it’s easy to feel isolated. These robots are like my family.” Forge’s smile was sharp. “And of course I love to collect beautiful and rare things.” His gaze settled on Mal.

  She swallowed. The guy gave her the creeps.

  “But, what is most amazing is my Technomaze.”

  “Technomaze?” Mal asked.

  “Yes, beneath my complex I’ve built a labyrinth entirely from scrap.” He leaned forward, his tone deepening like an expert storyteller. “A maze so convoluted and dangerous, no one has ever reached the center.”

  Despite herself, Mal was intrigued. “What’s in the center?”

  “My newest and greatest treasure.” He laughed. “But that is a story I will share with all my guests very soon.” His eyelids lowered. “Malin, I hope you will share a dance with me later.”

  Xander stiffened. “She won’t.”

  Mal managed a rueful smile. “My guy here is a little territorial.”

  Forge gave a small bow. “I understand the sentiment completely.” With another bow, he disappeared into the crowd.

  “I’m not sure he’s sane,” she said.

  “He’s not stupid.” Xander was scanning the crowd. “And I think he hides a lot behind that façade.”

  The opposite of Xander. He might not show emotion on his expressionless face, but what you saw was exactly what you got. Protective, efficient and dedicated. “Do you think the Antikythera is in the maze?”

  “The probability is very high.”

  “Ladies and gentlemen!”

  Forge’s voice rose above the hubbub of the crowd. A circular column was rising from the floor and he stood in the center of it, highlighted by a spotlight. Mal caught the movement of Xander’s eyes.

  Her own eyes widened. “Oh my stars, Xander, did you just roll your eyes?”

  “No.”

  “You did.” She smothered a laugh. “I’ve never seen you do that.”

  He squeezed her hip. “Be quiet.”

  Forge’s column stopped moving and the man spread his arms out. “As you know, I called this ball to celebrate my newest acquisition.”

  Viewscreens of all shapes and sizes drifted down from the ceiling.

  “I give you, the universe’s very first computer!”

  An image flashed onto the screens. Mal drew in a sharp breath. She’d seen the Antikythera in person, but the way Forge had placed it on a simple, stone altar lit by soft lights highlighted the sense of age and mystery of the twisted lump of metal.

  “The name of its creator is lost to the distant past. But when it was pulled from the bottom of a Terran ocean millennia ago, even then it intrigued the people of Earth. Something so modern, so clever, made well before it’s time.” He smiled. “And now, it is mine. It’s found its perfect home in the hands of the Technomancer.”

  After a few hushed whispers, the crowd erupted in applause.

  Forge shushed them, patting his hands in the air. “For those who might covet my new possession, it is well protected in the greatest of mazes. The Technomaze.”

  Music swelled around them. On the screens, images whirled. It showed different views of Forge’s maze.

  Mal gasped. It was completely unreal. She’d never imagined such a crazy place was even possible.

  The maze walls were made of junk stacked, welded and fused together. The walls didn’t run in anything like straight lines but twists and turns with crossroads, junctions and dead ends. Robots like those on show in the ballroom marched around, others stood still at attention. In some places, she saw giant vents spewing flames, huge cranes picking up clawfuls of junk before dropping it down and huge presses slamming together and leaving junk pressed into tiny cubes.

  She leaned into Xander. “More like technohell.”

  He smoothed a hand down her arm, his gaze still documenting everything on the screens.

  “Looks like a junkyard to me,” some enterprising—and by the sounds of his slurred voice, inebriated—guest yelled out.

  Forge frowned, his gaze running over the crowd, searching for the one who dared spoil his show.

  A few more in the crowd muttered their agreement, or made scoffing noises.

  “Doesn’t look so scary to me.” The drunk was obviously enjoying his moment of fame.

  Forge’s fluid stance was now stiff. “You want proof of how dangerous my maze can be?”

  “Yeah!”

  A scary smile crossed the Technomancer’s face. “So be it.” He slashed an arm down through the air.

  There was a clank and a whirr. The crowd gasped and like the other guests, Mal looked up.

  A huge metal claw swung through the air and before she could work out what was happening, the claw swooped down and picked up the dissenter.

  The man let out a scream, his arms and legs thrashing wildly.

  The claw retracted, then swung over the crowd.

  Mal’s fingers dug into Xander’s arm.

  Doors retracted into the wall and the claw and the man disappeared.

  Seconds later, the holo-screens showed the man being dropped in the middle of the Technomaze.

  ***

  Xander watched the ball-guest-turned-mazerunner push himself up from his ungainly sprawl. His mouth was slack with terror and he swiveled his head in all directions, taking in the giant walls of metal surrounding him.

  Xander saw the man relax a little.

  And knew it was a big mistake.

  Forge whirled to face his shocked crowd. “Now, I am not an unfair man. There is a way to the center of the maze.” He turned to the screens. “And, my friend, if you make it there, I’ll give you the Antikythera.”

  Malin shook her head and whispered, “It can’t be that easy.”

  Xander knew she was right.

  “So here it is. The clue, the riddle, the key—” Forge paused for effect “—flames are your friends and never take the easy road. Find the point and become the master. Reach the treasure.”

  “That’s crazy!” The man in the maze wiped a shaky hand across his mouth. “It makes no sense.”

  A robot, hidden amongst the junk wall, pulled itself free. Xander heard Malin gasp.

  She gripped his arm. “Jesus, Xander. What do you think—?”

  The man saw the robot and screamed. He turned and ran.

  The robot gave chase, pumping its metal arms with precise movements.

  The man rounded a corner and found himself at a junction with three paths heading in different directions. He stepped toward one, then back. When the clank of the pursing robot got louder, he hurtled down the middle path.

  The next instant, a giant claw swooped down from above. Xander’s hands curled into fists and Malin gasped. The man ducked with a wild scream and somehow avoided the claw. He kept running, his garish shirt flaring out behind him. He looked back over his shoulder and fell into a hidden pool of water.

  The slick sides of the water trap made it impossible for the man to climb out. He flailed in the water, trying to climb up the smooth metal, only to slide back down.

  The robot reached him.

  The machine’s arm extended and hooked the man at the back of his shirt. As the man rose out, he kicked his legs violently.

  Holding the man aloft, the robot lifted its other arm and slammed its claw hand around the man’s neck.

  A quick twist and the sound of the man’s neck breaking echoed through the hidden speakers in the ballroom.

  Then there was only a horrified silence.

  “Well.” Forge dusted his hands together then gestured to the band. “Maestro, please play something…upbeat. Everyone, let’s dance!”

  No one moved or said a word.

  Forge's smile froze, his eyes narrowed. “I said, let’s dance.”<
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  There was a rush of movement as a small group of people hurried onto the dance floor. Smooth music flared and the party was back on.

  But there was no missing the dark undertone. Xander’s sensors detected several people with elevated heartbeats and adrenaline levels.

  “Stars, Xander, what do we do now?”

  “I need to get you somewhere safe where you can hide until it’s time for the teletransportation back to the Infinitas. Then I want you off this planet.” He wanted her off now, but Forge had made it so he had all his guests’ undivided attention. It left them with no option for escape.

  “And what are you going to do?” Her gaze moved over his face, then she hissed in a breath. “You’re going into the maze!”

  Chapter Twenty

  Mal fought back her panic.

  Xander’s face held its now-familiar mask of calm. But she knew exactly what he was planning.

  She gripped his shirt. “You saw what happened to that man! The place is a death trap and I’m certain Forge only showed us the tip of what’s down there. No one can survive it, not even you.”

  “Malin, I’m a CenSec. If anyone can make it, it’s me.”

  The lump in her throat was so huge, she could barely breathe. “I’m coming.”

  He shook his head, and she finally got a reaction, a flash of something hot and dangerous in his eyes. “No. I’ve got a better chance of getting through alone. If I have to watch out for you, we’ll both get killed.”

  Damn it, he was right. “I don’t want to lose you.” Not when I just found you.

  He cupped her face. “You won’t. I plan on coming back. There are still many things on my list we have yet to try.”

  Mal felt tears sting her eyes. She never cried. “Well then, you have some good incentive.” She went up on her toes and kissed him. His kiss was rougher than usual and she returned it with everything she had. She delved into his mouth, trying to get inside him.

  Because a part of her knew that when he went in that maze, he’d be lost to her. If he died in there, a part of her would die too. If he made it out with the Antikythera, he’d leave her and go back to his planet.

  A lone tear tracked down her cheek.

  “I’ve got to find somewhere for you to hide and then I need to find a way into the maze.” He slid his hand into her hair and tugged her head back. With his other hand, his thumb brushed the tear away. “I’ll get out.”

  She managed a nod.

  He pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “Stay here amongst the crowd. Smile. Look like you’re having fun. Once I find a good hiding place, I’ll come and get you.”

  She nodded again and watched him stride through the revelers. Suddenly chilled, Mal grabbed a drink off the tray of a passing waiter and gulped it back. It burned a little but as the warmth spread through her, it helped settle her nerves.

  “Since your cyborg’s left you all alone, how about that dance now?”

  Mal stilled, horror blowing through her. She turned slowly to face Forge.

  “I’m not really feeling up for dancing.”

  He stared at her. “You didn’t like my show?”

  “You killed a man.” She tried to keep the venom from her voice. Thought she might have been successful.

  He shrugged. “This is my world. My rules.”

  “Life isn’t important to you?”

  “By all means, it’s absolutely vital to me.” He glanced around the room. “But not these lives. These insipid, vacuous hangers-on who waste the spark of life inside them. For me, the life I give my creations is what is important. I take things that people like those around us throw away, then I make something special and give it life.”

  “You think you’re a god?”

  He chuckled. “God, scientist, creator. In my own little domain, yes, I’m all those things. Now, tell me what you think of my maze? You’re a creator too, so your opinion matters.”

  Mal shook her head. “I’m not a creator.”

  “You take old things apart and give the parts new life. That’s creation.” He smiled. “We’re alike, you and I.”

  That smile made her think of the wraith beasts of Carin IV. Right before they tore they prey to pieces. It made her sick to think he thought they were alike. “I don’t think so.”

  His smile slipped.

  She swallowed. “I think you have genius. That maze…some of the things in it are incredible. I’m just not sure you’re putting it to good use.”

  He stalked closer. “Really?” A dangerous whisper.

  “You killed that man for no good reason.” Stars, stop talking, Malin.

  Forge’s eyes narrowed to slits.

  Time to change the subject. Mal waved at the room. “Why do you surround yourself with metal creations? Way out here on a rogue planet? Don’t you like people?”

  “I have a room full of people here.”

  “But you don’t like them. I think you’d love to send them all running through your maze and watch them bleed.” Stars be, Malin, shut your mouth.

  “I do prefer machines.” He tipped his head. “Like you. That’s why I thought you’d understand. They don’t disobey you, they don’t break your heart and they don’t betray you.”

  Her chest tightened. “Someone betrayed you?”

  His face hardened and he looked away.

  Mal took a careful breath. “I know all about betrayal and disappointment.”

  Forge looked back at her. “Granger?”

  She lifted a shoulder. “He was just the last in a semi-long list. But I realized that their failures aren’t my own.”

  “You know nothing.” Forge spat the words. “Nothing.”

  Mal heard the pain in his voice. “You must have loved her very much.”

  His hands clenched. “She was an unworthy bitch. I built this for her.” He swept his arm out. “I wanted a place where it could be just the two of us. I put everything I had into making something unique, special.” His face twisted. “She was horrified. She didn’t want to live so far from the central systems, her family, friends, her planet. Her damned family barely gave her the time of day.”

  “I’m sorry,” Malin whispered.

  “She looked at my palace, the palace I built for her, and she didn’t want it. Didn’t want me.”

  “I know it hurts. I’m sure she regrets hurting you.”

  “I’m sure she does.” That sharp smile again. “She became the first person to test out the Technomaze.”

  Mal’s stomach turned over and her dinner threatened to reappear. “I’ve had my heart hurt before. It’s horrible, but we can’t let it rule our lives. You can’t let it change you.” Or turn you into a psycho murderer.

  “Hurt? Not broken?” A curious tone.

  “That’s right. At the time I thought it had been shattered, but now I know differently.”

  “Hmm, you don’t think the CenSec is going to break your heart?”

  Her blood froze. “Ah, what are—?”

  “Don’t play dumb with me, Ms. Phoenix. Aston told me who you are. I know your cousins by reputation alone. I would never have guessed a CenSec to be smart enough to find treasure hunters to help him find the Antikythera.”

  Where was Xander? “Forge—”

  “He will break your heart. Cyborgs have no capacity for love. Xyla certainly didn’t.”

  Mal tasted bile in her throat. “She was Centaxian.”

  “Bingo!” He pointed at Mal. “You win the prize. I thought she’d last longer in the maze, being stronger and faster than the average human. She didn’t.”

  Mal’s arms dropped to her sides. She didn’t know what to say. But a sense of impending doom settled on her and made her feel like she was drowning.

  “I got my revenge on Xyla but it wasn’t satisfying enough. Now I want revenge on her entire planet. Rexon Dax and the Rahl are the tools helping me get it.”

  Hurry up, Xander. Mal tried to covertly scan the room.

  “Are you looking for your cyborg?
Here he comes now.”

  She looked past Forge and the crowd parted. Two robots were carrying Xander between them. His feet were dragging on the ground and his head hung loosely.

  No. As they tossed him on the floor in front of her, she rushed to him. “Xander.” She brushed a hand over his hair and pressed the other to his chest. She felt the rise and fall and blinked back her panic.

  His eyes were open, neon green flickering in their depths. He was holding onto consciousness by a thread.

  She released the breath she was holding. “What did you do to him?”

  Forge pointed to one of the robots. It held up a familiar blue energy weapon. “Who do you think invented the tech and gave it to the Rahl?”

  Mal felt the crowd around them staring, but none came too close. She was all-too-aware that no one would help them. No one wanted to end up in the nightmare maze.

  “You both came here under false pretenses.” Forge’s voice rose to fill the room. “You’ve broken my rules and now, you will suffer my consequences.”

  Mal knew what was coming. She gripped onto Xander. “It was lucky you killed the woman who loved you. I know she would have hated to see the monster you’ve become.”

  Forge’s eyes flashed, then he touched the computer screen embedded in his arm.

  The floor beneath Malin and Xander opened up.

  As they dropped, a scream lodged in her throat. She wrapped herself around Xander, unable to do anything but hold on.

  They slid down a chute and seconds later flew out an opening. After a sickening drop through the air, they landed in a pile of disused wiring and insulation.

  Part of Xander’s upper body landed on Mal, forcing all the air out of her lungs. Stunned for a second, she lifted her head, trying to focus.

  Her heartbeat reverberated in her ears, and she stared at the scrap metal walls that towered over them.

  They were in the maze.

  ***

  Xander fought through the fog weighing him down.

  His systems were rebooting. At least one of them was damaged, but most of them were spooling back up.

  “Xander? Can you hear me?”

  A hand brushed over his hair. So gentle.

  “I’m here.” His voice sounded rusty.