The Survivors | Book 16 | New Lies

by Hystad, Nathan

  “Can we clean it up? Hire someone to reorganize the books?” Magnus rose from his seat and poured himself another cup of coffee, offering refills to the rest of them. They all took one.

  “I think that’s fine, as long as the Parkers agree to it.” Suma’s gaze drifted to Jules.

  “He shouldn’t come home to a disaster,” Jules said.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to ask your mom first, Ju?” Dean inquired.

  “I can speak for my family, Dean. We need to learn about the Sovan. Where are they from? How do we track them? There has to be a clue. Who can we trust to sort the library?” She glanced at Suma.

  “Karo and Ableen would be the best people to put in charge. They live at the Academy, and their kids are there. Four extra sets of hands to sift through the carnage. I bet they could have it done in a few days,” Suma suggested.

  “Good. Let’s get Hugo to help too. And any of their friends that know how to be discreet.” Regnig’s secret library wasn’t public knowledge, which was why the attack and breach had been such a shock.

  “It’s a start. What happens when we find out the Sovans’ location?” Magnus asked, looking to Jules for leadership.

  She smiled as she answered him. “We better hope they have a portal, because they’ll need a visit.”

  ____________

  Regnig listened to the footsteps echoing through the immense hallway, but no one came to see him. He climbed onto the bed again, dangling his legs over the edge. A full day. The Wibox had shoved him off their Runner, leaving Regnig in a stranger’s custody. He hadn’t met the captor yet and was genuinely curious why he’d been targeted. If the Wibox had taken him for a personal vendetta, he would have expected them to kill him, not waste months of travel.

  When he’d arrived, a man had peered over the Wibox, looking at Regnig with a mischievous grin. He could still feel his feathers tingle at the sight. The man was Shimmali, which had come as a surprise. Most of the Shimmal people Regnig had met were courteous, intelligent, and lawful.

  He’d been led to this chamber, through what he could only think of as an underground giant’s home. Regnig was shorter than most beings, but whoever had created this place would have stood a good twenty feet tall. He felt like an insect inside the room. He guessed this had been meant as a bedroom for a giant child at some point, but to him, it was as big as a house.

  Regnig spent the first few hours gawking at the wall, picturing his books. He yearned for them. It was remarkable what you became used to. He’d spent nearly all of his last two hundred years in underground libraries. His collection was unlike any other, and with the help of his friend Garo Alnod, he’d been given plenty of resources to expand his assortment of texts.

  While he missed his books, he truly felt pained at the loss of Garo. He’d been Regnig’s first true friend, someone without guise or trickery. He’d loved conversing with Regnig, discussing whatever topic the Toquil was researching at the moment. Many had seen Garo as a spoiled person with more money than sense, but Regnig was one of the few who knew the business tycoon was an extremely intelligent man.

  Years passed, and they both grew old, and Garo had less and less time for the old scholar, though they kept in touch. Every few months, they’d meet for an evening of riveting conversation and great food and drink, but it wasn’t enough for Regnig. He needed to flap his wings.

  It wasn’t until Regnig had met Dean Parker that his curiosity was once again sparked. Before that, he’d guessed he only had a couple of years to live. He used to wake up feeling old, his joints gnarled, his knees and wings aching fiercely.

  His eye wasn’t what it used to be either, but somehow, since he’d first been visited by Dean, he’d turned around for the better. The Recaster changed things as he moved through the galaxies, even without knowing it. He was thrilled to have met the man, let alone become a great friend of his. And that daughter…

  Regnig’s beak opened slightly, his tongue sticking out for a second. He needed to survive whatever was coming, because he hadn’t finished his book on Dean Parker, and was even farther back on his study of Jules Parker. They were the most intriguing subjects he’d ever had, and despite the thousands of history books and countless ancient accounts he’d sorted through in his expanded lifetime, he knew without a shadow of a doubt that they were the most important.

  He laughed, the sound emerging from his throat and roaring through his chest. He wheezed it out and lay back on the bed, staring at the high ceiling. It was amazing what having a single idea or focus could do to a captive’s mindset. All those years ago, he’d been Sager, a poor and lonesome Toquil, leaving his people behind for adventure. Then the Wibox caught him, and he’d had no reason to go on, yet somehow he managed. He rescued the Gretiol girl, though he had to admit she’d done more for him than vice versa. She’d spilled the Wibox’s blood.

  He often wondered what happened to her, and had eventually learned that she grew old under the protection of her Emperor, Bastion the Fourth. She’d married, had children, and from what he could tell, had lived a happy and healthy life. Far better than what would have been in store for her under the rule of the Wibox. He never did learn what they wanted her for, but he was confident it involved power and money. That was what it always boiled down to.

  He closed his eye, working through his current predicament. What did he know? He was once again taken by the Wibox. They’d been looking for something: a book by the Sovan. He recalled the volume, like he did every one in his possession, but had played dumb, refusing to point them to it. Because of that, they’d destroyed the interior of his library, but they’d left it whole, not willing to risk burning it and drawing attention.

  The book was about mind transfer. A theory of how to store memories, based on a creature they’d discovered in their travels. Regnig wondered if it was possible, and he remembered doing extensive research on the subject, making notes in his journal. Had it referenced a stone? It had been so long ago that he couldn’t dredge up every small detail. His mind was dulling with age.

  How did that connect to this? He guessed he was on a planet, under the surface, somewhere giants once roamed. There were a few instances of beings that could accommodate these room sizes. The Hilsera were large, maybe fifteen feet tall, but they still existed at the far corners of space. From what Regnig could tell, they hadn’t encountered them in hundreds of years. The Duupa were sizable, but not this big. Not to mention, the Duup Mountains had been relocated to Bazarn before their world was destroyed, giving them a new home.

  From his memory, that only left the Cowipar. He wondered what had happened to them. For such a formidable race of beings, their footprint in history was slight.

  “Up.” The Wibox’s voice caught him off guard. He’d been so wrapped up in his own thoughts, he hadn’t heard the Wibox walking down the corridor, or smelled it.

  What are we doing here? Regnig asked. The Wibox flinched. Their brains weren’t developed, and when he spoke to them, it was obvious they distrusted his words.

  “Get up. Time to go.” The door opened, and Regnig sighed, climbing off the bed. He checked his robe, cinching it at the waist, and hobbled forward, nearly falling.

  I need a cane.

  The guy stared at him wordlessly for a few moments. “Fine.” He entered the hallway, walking into another room. This one was empty, and Regnig heard something break. The Wibox returned with a piece of a dresser, probably the foot of a giant’s wardrobe. It was almost too heavy, but it worked, and he rested his weight against the sturdy makeshift cane.

  Thank you. Regnig saw the Wibox pause as it walked down the hallway, almost as if no one had ever said those words to it.

  “You’re welcome,” he grunted. That was the extent of their conversation.

  Regnig followed him through the corridor, which felt longer than when they’d arrived. His body ached again, his legs threatening to lock up. But he persevered, because he didn’t have any other choice. If he wanted to solve this and find hi
s way home, he’d need to be strong. He’d seen a young girl once do remarkable things, and if Jules Parker could make it through her challenges, Regnig would be damned if he gave up now.

  Finally, they emerged into the great hall, a massive domed room with five more passageways leading from the center of the underground complex. People walked by, and Regnig was shocked by their lineage. He saw Padlog and Shimmal; a hybrid that looked like Terrance; and a couple of humans. There were Bhlat, and even a few Motrill.

  He tried not to act surprised, but the truth was, he felt like he’d entered a very secret and dangerous region. What were all these people doing here? The Wibox continued on, not pausing to talk to anyone. They eventually entered another corridor, and Regnig hated that he had to stop, but he did.

  His knee throbbed, and he leaned against the wall. Can you carry me?

  The Wibox shrugged and picked him up like he was nothing but a pillowcase of feathers. They crossed the corridor quickly, and he knocked on a door. The big man had the decency to lower Regnig to the ground, giving him a shred of dignity.

  The door opened, and the Wibox began entering the room, but the Shimmal set a hand to his chest. “Just me and the Toquil.”

  The guard looked ready to argue, but he ended up shrugging and standing beside the door. “As long as you pay.”

  “You will be paid, don’t you worry,” the Shimmal told him, and waved Regnig into the chamber. It was also built for a giant, but this man had brought in enough materials to make it feel like a useful laboratory. There were a dozen computer screens, with huge pulsing boxes in the corner. Everywhere Regnig looked, something else caught his eye. This man was a scientist.

  Who are you? Regnig asked.

  “He speaks. That’s promising.” The man replied in Shimmal squawks, and Regnig knew the language. “My name is Fronez. I am happy to meet you, Sager.”

  I’m not Sager.

  The Shimmali stared at him, chin tilted up, as if he didn’t believe that. “Truth is, we don’t care. Sure, the rumors of a Toquil named Sager emerged ages ago, far before my birth. But only those involved would really concern themselves with such an obviously fictitious tale. A little Toquil escaping the clutches of the Wibox with a princess in tow… can you imagine?”

  I suppose I can’t. Regnig wasn’t going to make this easy on them. If you don’t care about Sager, then why am I here?

  “The only way to get the Wibox to abduct you was to tell them you were Sager. The tricky part was convincing them you were not to be harmed. You see, their leader, King Uvid, wanted you dead,” Fronez told him.

  Regnig shivered at the thought of being handed to the Wibox king. He’d never met the man but had heard enough stories. Uvid’s great-grandfather had been in charge all those years ago when Regnig, then Sager, was on board the Wibox Runner. It was said they were proceeding for a rendezvous with the king’s ship when he’d managed to escape.

  I’d prefer to live, Regnig said, adding a hint of laughter.

  “I can see that. As I was saying, they finally agreed, but the price was heavy. So you better not disappoint.” Fronez studied him like he might look at a variable piece in an experiment. His eyes were cold and calculating.

  You haven’t explained what you want with me.

  “You’re Regnig, then?”

  The question felt harmless enough. That depends why you’re asking.

  The man clutched Regnig by the robe front, hauling him up until their faces were inches apart. “I am in charge here, Regnig. I will ask the questions, and you will give the answers. Do you comprehend?”

  Despite wanting to bite the man’s snout, he agreed. Yes.

  “You are Regnig?”

  He paused but finally answered. Yes.

  “Good.” He set Regnig down and walked through the laboratory, heading for the last computer screen on the far table. “Then we are finally able to accomplish our mission. The Sovan were brilliant, and I’m going to prove it once and for all.”

  The Sovan? He imprinted this on Fronez’s mind, even though he’d intended to internalize the thought.

  “That’s right. A brilliant race, but they grew too confident. Traveled to Newei without an agreement. Their entire race was devoured by him.” Fronez shook his head slowly, but he smiled as he said the news.

  Regnig scoured his mind for references to Newei but could only recall a vague mention of it by some religious group. He wasn’t sure what the planet represented. And I’m going to help you somehow? The way Fronez was staring at him, he wasn’t positive he wanted to know what his role would be.

  The man powered the screen on, showcasing an image of the planet. The ground was beige, lumpy soil, with desert landscape. “This is your destination.”

  It didn’t look so bad, but Regnig was missing some key information. What resides there?

  “The great Ovalax. And I intend to make a deal with him.” Fronez smiled, his snout wagging happily over his lips.

  Ovalax? Regnig’s stomach clenched, and his feathers puffed up. That was a name he recognized. The Eater of Dreams. The Soul Devourer. The Mind Melter. He had a dozen names, each of them worse than the previous. And it suddenly made sense. The book on memory absorption. The Sovan. But where did he fit in?

  What is the trade? Regnig’s hand trembled, and he licked his beak nervously.

  “He provides what I need to finish my device, and all I have to do is give him one thing.” Fronez gawked at Regnig, his smile growing. “The smartest creature in the universe. He will devour your mind and grow all the more powerful for your knowledge. At least it won’t go to waste, like dying at the hands of the Wibox.”

  I am the offering?

  Fronez’s grin was unsettling. “That’s what I’m going to tell Ovalax. The truth is, I have another plan. And you’ll help me with it.”

  This did little to ease the dread coursing through Regnig’s body.

  Ten

  Mount Carve was far busier than we’d expected, but arriving in a Kraski ship had the desired effect. We’d been granted permission to land on the surface, using Sergo’s memory of their rules from the first time he’d visited.

  “You sure this will work?” I asked the Padlog again.

  “You have to stop questioning me. You do your things well, and I do mine. Now stop standing so straight. You have to look the part.” He adjusted my collar and stepped back to appraise me. We’d used scraps of our guests’ clothing they’d been wearing at Jomm’s and had somehow managed to create these hideous outfits.

  Mine was a mixture of leather and clumsy oversized threads, sewn together. I kept my pulse pistol in the belt, and Sergo’s appearance was even more ridiculous in a red jacket and black pants, the knees torn out. I wanted to ask him if he was enjoying his Thriller tour but knew the reference would be lost on him.

  “We look terrible.” I glanced at Othus, who nodded at my judgment.

  “You’ve clearly never spent much time in the slums, Parker. We look desperate enough, but our ship and weapons are new and well-maintained. They’ll assume we’re up and comers, and that’s our story. Got it, Ralph?” Sergo buzzed in annoyance.

  “Ralph? Does it have to be that?”

  “Ralph works.”

  “Is there a special meaning to your name? Quido?”

  “No. I just think Quido is cool. Come on, we have our clearance. Let’s see if we can find Regnig and blow this place up on exit,” Sergo said.

  “Is this the same spot you hit when you were here before?” I pointed out the ramp. We were above the surface, not like what Sergo had described earlier during his first experience at Mount Carve.

  “No. I suspect Evors was powerful. We’re a couple of hustlers in their eyes. I doubt we have access to their main chambers.” Sergo slid a tablet into his pocket and patted his weapon. “Ready to go… Ralph?”

  “Sure thing, Quido.” I turned to the group gathered in the cargo hold. They’d all helped make our uniforms, and I showed them the hiding spots under the su
bfloor in case someone broke into the ship while we were gone. If that failed, Darem had a pulse rifle. “Take care of each other.”

  We will, Kallig said protectively.

  Where are you, Regnig? I pressed the thought but didn’t expect my friend to actually hear it. Was he still on Mount Carve, or had they already departed? Our delay on Exerli Two could have caused us to miss him.

  Sergo walked with certainty as he strode into the open courtyard. A few ships sat parked nearby, each of them turned off, and a couple of massive Duupa waited near a stone edifice. They eyed me suspiciously.

  “Where do we go?” I asked Sergo as we walked.

  He smiled and pointed to the ground. “Down.”

  We approached the beings, and one of them grunted as he stepped in our path, blocking our entrance to the steps. “Names.”

  “Quido and Ralph. We’re here to barter some… merchandise.” Sergo spoke with a cocky drawl, playing up his persona.

  The pair of Duupa looked at each other, then back at us before stepping to the side. “Proceed.”

  Just like that, we were entering the underground giant’s cavern on Mount Carve. It had been silent on the surface, but the moment we descended ten steps or so, the noise hit me. Music. The scent of food.

  We continued lower, Sergo moving faster than me. His enthusiasm for the criminal lifestyle was apparent. It wasn’t so long ago that he’d been an actual felon, and I hoped those skills would be put to use.

  The stairs abruptly ended, guiding us into a circular cavern. There were a hundred or so people, and many were from unfamiliar races. The criminal organizations were obviously widespread. The moment we entered the space, everyone quieted, warily watching us.

  “Is this normal?” I whispered.

  “No.” Sergo went from confident to worried in a split second. “I think we should go.”

  I turned, and when I glanced over my shoulder, half of the room had guns aimed directly at us. “Maybe we’ll stay awhile.”