Aeon Legion: Labyrinth

by Beaubien, J. P.

  Terra sat at the base of the tree again and put her arms around her knees. “It doesn't matter. I won't make it past today anyway.”

  Alya smiled. “Listen, Terra. I chose you because you did a brave thing when all the odds were against you. It's not a unique quality. Many people have courage, but sometimes even a little courage is worth ten times the amount of raw talent. So complain if you wish, but you won't gain any sympathy from me or anyone else in a city that sees all of history's tragedies. These people have more sorrows than you will ever know. So stop grumbling, pull yourself together, and push forward. If others mock you for being weak, then make them regret their words. If you can do that, then you already have what it takes to join the Legion, points or no.”

  With that, Alya turned and left. The breeze faded at Alya's passing, leaving Terra alone.

  ∞

  The sun shown past noon as several groups gathered at a larger salient. It was the last test of the day and the final test of the week. This was Terra's last chance to get a point. The other tirones seemed nervous and eager as many were without a single point. Several centurions watched from the sidelines though Isra was the one officially in charge.

  While Isra debated on which deathtrap to throw at them today a tiro nudged Terra.

  Terra looked back to a tall tiro dressed in a tunic over his training uniform. He showed Terra his shieldwatch. It read 1 point. “I found something called a backdoor function for the points system,” he said in a low voice. “You can give yourself points with it. I'm trying to tell others about it.”

  “Isn't that cheating?” Terra said in a bored tone. She didn't care about points anymore. Points or no points, she would continue on until they dusted her. Terra wasn't special. Looking back, she found it ridiculous that she had ever believed such a thing. That wasn't how things worked for her and she had forgotten this important, hard learned lesson. The good things in Terra's life had come to her because she struggled for them. She could not finesse her way through her problems like Roland or rely on instinctive skill like Hikari. Terra Mason would face her obstacles head on with neither apology nor excuses.

  “It's fair because Lycus takes away our points for petty reasons,” he said in a venomous tone. “Look. All you have to do is change a setting in the shieldwatch menu. It's under some kind of friend or foe system. Use it if you wish or you can dust out today. Whichever you prefer.”

  He told the tiro next to Terra the same thing while Terra continued to stand at attention. Cheat? she wondered. She could. It looked easy enough to do. Still, she didn't see the point and didn't care anymore. Terra closed her eyes, discarding all thoughts of points. Right now, there was only the next obstacle in her path and she would hold nothing back to overcome it.

  Centurion Isra decided. A ring formed, moving downward over the salient. As it descended, it formed a sheer cliff face that towered over them. Wind swept around it in powerful gusts that flung dust and dirt up the sides. She heard a collective groan from the tirones.

  “I thought they would go easy on us today,” someone said from behind Terra.

  “Well I'm done,” another said.

  Terra studied cliff. Tall and imposing, the wind would make any ascent dangerous without proper climbing gear. The dust filled wind blew into her eyes and stung her skin. It was hard standing in the open much less trying to climb.

  Isra turned to the tirones. “There is a trick to scaling this cliff the easy way. Most of you are unlikely to discover this secret though. First one up gets a point and the rest of the day off. Go!”

  The tirones scrambled to the base while Terra regarded the cliff.

  From what Terra remembered of rock climbing, this seemed to be an advanced course. There was no safety gear meaning they must rely on the shieldwatch to Restore themselves should any suffer injuries from falls. Terra knew even an experienced climber would find this course difficult. Weeks ago, Terra would have never stood a chance, but she was stronger now after several days of accelerated exercise. Although Terra felt uncertain if her strength and energy would be enough for this climb, she had experience with rock climbing.

  As the other tirones began their climb up the cliff, Terra stood in place and memorized the cliff face. She spotted a path that provided good holds and chiseled that path into her memory before approaching. Several were already halfway up. Hikari had climbed the highest. Terra put them all out of her mind and made her first step.

  She took her steps one at a time and found each foothold with care. After climbing a few paces, she heard a scream. Terra looked over her shoulder to see someone laying on the ground. A Restore ring ran around them before an optio helped move them off to the side.

  “One chance I guess,” Terra said before turning her attention back to the climb.

  She continued up the cliff face. Another tiro nearby slipped and fell, screaming when a powerful gust of wind swept over him. Terra calmed herself and refocused.

  She found an outcropping and lifted herself up to rest for a moment. Terra knew if she pushed herself too hard or fast she would fall. After resting, Terra felt around for another good hold when someone climbed down near her. “Roland?”

  Roland looked at Terra. “Oh it's you. Yes I am giving up this trial. Too much trouble. There is a way to use a shieldwatch to get up this cliff with ease, but I don't know what it is.”

  “Then why don't you just cheat and give yourself a point?”

  Roland rolled his eyes. “Please. That is a transparent ploy by the centurions. I'll cheat, but even I know when something appears too easy.”

  Terra ignored Roland and instead climbed higher. She didn't have time to worry about a jerk like him. She grew warm from the heat of the sun combined with her exertion. Terra kept her hands dry though. The wind whipped around her and Terra paused to strengthen her grip. When the wind stilled, she pressed on, following her memorized path as her fatigue grew.

  Hikari slid down a few paces away.

  Terra glanced to Hikari. Hikari's face was covered in grime with sweat making trails in the smears. She gasped for breath while her hands quivered from fatigue.

  Terra shook her head. Hikari had pushed herself too fast. But when Terra climbed further, Hikari gritted her teeth and glared at Terra before racing ahead. Still Terra pushed onward while ignoring Hikari. The holds became more difficult with each ascent. She now sweated and her muscles ached. Terra slipped and caught herself before falling.

  While hanging onto a boulder, Terra considered letting go. It would hurt, but the shieldwatch would Restore her and then she could go home. No more Lycus, daily deathtraps, or constant sparring matches. It would be so much easier.

  Terra grimaced. She dug her hands into the stone of the cliff and pulled. After coming this far, she would force herself to make it. She would hold nothing back. Grabbing again, Terra pulled.

  Her fingers slipped. Terra dangled by one hand. She felt her remaining grip loosen. Her heart pounded, but Terra forced herself calm. She tried to get a better hold, but the ledge here was too narrow. She couldn't hold much longer.

  Just as her grip weakened, she felt a strange sensation. Terra found it difficult to describe. It was as though she had another sense. For a single instant, she could feel the flow of a force pulling her downward. Almost by instinct, Terra reached out and slowed that flow. When she did, she felt herself lighten. Terra seized the moment and pulled herself upward. After she found a better grip, the strange sense faded and Terra continued onward.

  Moments later she passed Hikari again. Hikari glared at Terra before trying to race ahead again. This time Hikari slid back again when a powerful wind battered the cliff. Terra continued onward, leaving Hikari behind.

  Still Terra climbed. Grip after grip. Her muscles screamed in pain and her breathing reached a frantic pace. Sweaty palms covered in dirt made her holds more difficult. One more step, Terra thought. Just a little further.

  Terra gripped the next ledge. The wind roared around her, engulfing her in
dust and sand. She didn't look up, dreading to witness how much further she still had to climb. With her hands gripping the ledge, she pulled, knowing this might be her last step as she neared her limit.

  Terra strained to pull herself up when someone grabbed her arm.

  Terra stumbled as Alya pulled Terra to the top and steadied her. They both stood at the top of the cliff.

  Alya nodded. “See. You made it even after all that whining.”

  Terra smiled. “Sorry. I should have had more faith in you.”

  “Me?” Alya said, gesturing to the cliff. “It was not me that scaled the cliff. You did. No one can have faith in you unless you have it in yourself first. No more complaining?”

  Terra wiped the sweat off of her brow and nodded.

  Alya smiled and walked away, leaving Terra alone on the cliff top.

  Isra, Nikias, and Shani walked up to the top of the cliff just as Alya vanished.

  “None should complete this course today,” Shani said. “Perhaps a couple will make it during the second attempt. Climbing seems to be one of the more difficult courses.”

  Nikias laughed. “Yeah. We would be losing our edge if they all passed each course in one go.”

  “Most will have a stronger connection with time by then,” Isra added. “They will probably be able to use their shieldwatch to Slow gravity on the next attempt.”

  They all stopped when they saw Terra.

  “Um. Am I first?” asked Terra as she looked to see if anyone else had made it.

  All three stared in silence.

  After a moment, Nikias smiled and roared with laughter. He walked over to Terra. “And here I thought you would be dusted today,” he said as he smacked her on the back. “Now that I know you have potential I will push you twice as hard!”

  Terra laughed half heartily. “Very funny. That's a joke right?”

  Shani narrowed her gaze. “What is your name, tiro?”

  Terra stood straighter. “Tiro Terra Mason, centurion.”

  Shani nodded. “Well, Tiro Mason. I think we may have underestimated you. First we will check to make sure you didn't cheat. Then we will give you a point. You also may rest for the remainder of the day so you needn't worry about others taking your point.”

  Terra turned. The view overlooked much of the city as the sun blazed in the distance. She stood as the wind swept by, cooling Terra from the hard climb. The view was beautiful here on the summit and for the first time she looked forward to the next challenge.

  Chapter XIII

  Assumptions

  Culls should taper off as we enter the second week. While we will continue to eliminate those who are unworthy, attrition will decrease as we shift priorities. Now that we have purified the pool, the hard task comes in shaping these skilled individuals into something resembling a team. Those who stand alone will fall and it's better if they fall here where we can catch them than in the Labyrinth where they will die.

  -From the personal logs of Praetor Lycus Cerberus

  Terra now understood how trade goods must feel as she waited in the courtyard to be exchanged again. She had changed teams twice today and three times yesterday. Team organization became the focus of this week rather than elimination. The tirones organized themselves into groups of four to eight individuals called a strike team, the smallest unit within the Aeon Legion. Her current team leader was trading her and a suit of armor for two swords, a bow, and three points. However, the buyer still haggled.

  “She is hardly worth two good swords. The armor is average, but I will need to inspect it first,” the Trio said that was going to 'buy' Terra.

  “It's good armor and a solid tiro. What more can you want?” Terra's current team leader said. “Fine. Two swords, a bow, and two points.”

  Terra took offense at the first time her team leader had traded her. After the third time she grew used to it. She saw other tirones traded as well and learned that this was a common practice, one of the new miseries of week two.

  The schedule differed for week two as well. Exercise, hand to hand, and shieldwatch training continued daily, but academic classes now took only two days out of five. This dedicated the other three open afternoons to simulated team missions or competitive scenarios between teams. There was also an hour each day dedicated to team training where a team leader trained their tirones however they wished.

  For Terra, 'however they wished' meant trading her as fast as possible. The day before, her team leader had decided that Terra was a liability and forced her to sit out of the team mission, an opinion that other team leaders shared.

  “Two swords, one bow, and a single point,” the first leader said. “Final offer.”

  The other team leader nodded. “Agreed!”

  Terra sighed, but picked up the armor and walked over to the other team. Her new team leader took the armor and inspected it. He then turned to Terra. “Follow me. We must hurry.”

  They jogged over to another corner of the courtyard where Terra's new leader met with another team. He traded Terra again along with the armor for a musket. She was then traded a third time for a tactical vest. Finally, another team brought her to a different salient to be traded yet again.

  “Three points for this one,” Terra's most recent team leader said. She was a girl with short black hair and a long tunic over her training uniform. Terra didn't bother to learn her name nor did the girl introduce herself.

  The other team leader stood about her height with dark hair and eyes to match. Terra guessed his age only a few years older than her. He carried an iron helmet with a small spike on the top. Under his long chain mail shirt was a longer tan tunic which he wore over his training uniform. Even with his armor Terra could tell he possessed the lean and muscled body of a soldier from his straight backed stance. His tan skin tone matched the natives of Saturn City though his narrow face marked him apart from the Saturnians.

  He looked Terra over. His neatly trimmed beard made him appear mature and there was a hard, discerning look about his expression. “How many times have you attempted the training?” he asked. His faint accent made Terra guess he was of middle eastern in descent.

  Terra hesitated. None had asked her questions during the other trades. “This is my first attempt,” Terra said, being honest. It must have been the wrong response for her current leader cringed.

  The man nodded.

  “Zaid, she is still good even though she is a newtimer. I swear,” Terra's current team leader said while she fidgeted. Unlike other trades, she offered no other equipment with Terra.

  The man named Zaid stroked his chin in thought, ignoring the other leader.

  The woman frowned. “Two points!”

  Zaid looked thoughtful, but remained silent while keeping his focus on Terra.

  The woman cursed. “Fine! One point, but I am not giving up any good gear.”

  Zaid nodded. “That is acceptable.”

  The woman smiled as Zaid touched a holoface over his shieldwatch, transferring the point. She then left before Zaid changed his mind.

  Terra sighed. No doubt this Zaid would sell her to another strike team for a piece of equipment. Terra learned that you could buy a lot of different gear with points; from weapons and armor to a full aeon edge. Though Terra still didn't have enough points to afford a single good weapon.

  Zaid faced Terra. “What is your name?”

  “Terra Mason.”

  “Terra, welcome to my team. I am Zaid Karim. Or just Zaid, if it pleases you. What time are you from?”

  “I am from the United States,” Terra said, doubting he would know where that was.

  Zaid nodded before turning and gestured for Terra to follow. “Ah. The Americans. I am familiar with your culture. I worked with a Marine last time I attempted the training and Navy SEALs are highly sought after by team leaders.”

  Terra followed Zaid. “I'm not either of those.”

  “I know that most Americans will fight. That is enough for me.”

  Terra
frowned. “What are you going to trade me for?”

  Zaid stopped and turned with a raised eyebrow. “Trade you?”

  “Well all the others did.”

  “Most strike team leaders squabble over experienced tirones. I prefer newtimers. In my experience, they are easier to train.”

  They made their way to another meeting, this time between two different teams. They were trading members as well. Terra sighed, thinking that she was about to be traded again when she saw Hikari. Hikari now held an aeon edge. Tacitus, who she had seen her first day at the Academy, spoke with the team leader that currently held Hikari. A man in a US Civil War cavalry officer's uniform stood alongside Tacitus.

  The cavalry officer shook his head before turning to Tacitus. “He's trying to sell us snake oil, Tacitus.”

  Tacitus looked at the officer, raising an eyebrow. “Snake oil? John, you need to explain some of these strange sayings of yours.”

  John rubbed the back of his neck. “It's an expression. It means he's trying to trick us into buying something worthless.”

  “Well I assumed that much,” Tacitus said as he turned back to other team leader. “I don't care if you consider Tiro Hikari worthless.”

  “You can have her!” the other team leader spat. “But you can't take the aeon edge.”

  Hikari's grip tightened on the hilt of her aeon edge. “It is my blade.”

  Tacitus pointed. “She bought the blade with her points. You can't take it, nor can I unless she agrees first. It might as well be worthless to you. Do you wish to trade Hikari or not?”

  Terra raised an eyebrow. Trade Hikari? She was the highest scoring tiro right now and the first one to get an aeon edge. Why would anyone want to get rid of her?

  The other strike team leader growled while eying Hikari's aeon edge.

  Tacitus turned to Hikari. “Tiro Hikari. I know you are from an island warrior culture that values honor above all else. I too am from a culture that prizes honor. I would be honored to have you on my strike team. You need not sully your hands with these lesser soldiers. On my strike team, we treat our members with the respect due of their skill. You belong with us. If you wish to join, I will challenge your leader to a Trial of Blades over the right to keep you as a team member.”