The sound of Twi’s wings filled the air behind her. “Reaghan!”
“I’m fine,” she murmured, though her gaze didn’t leave her hand.
“You’re bleeding!” Twi was close enough she could feel the wind from her wings. “And the scanners tell me you’ve pushed your body to the limit. And you…”
“Unlocked myself?” She glanced over at her friend. She could see the blue glow in her eyes reflect back at her. “Achieved my full potential?”
“Your Eiha is registering as being much greater than before. It is hard to get an exact reading since you’ve always carried yourself at a lesser strength.” Twi flitted from one body to the next. “They’re alive. I will have the automatons put them in a cell.”
“Are they going to stay there the entire journey?”
“I have methods to ensure that remains the case.”
Twi didn’t elaborate further and Reaghan didn’t ask. She knew the AI had a nasty streak and her own sense of justice. Which meant Miraz and his crew would be answering for their treatment of her soon.
Miraz only offered a slight groan of protest as two automatons hauled his limp body away, a third cleaning up the bit of blood that dripped onto the floor behind them. Twi let out a low whistle.
“What?” Reaghan asked.
“You really went after them,” the AI replied.
Reaghan looked down at her feet, tears pricking the edges of her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Twi hovered just inside her field of vision.
“Sorry.” She sniffed. “I shouldn’t feel like this after everything they did to me. I hate it though, hate feeling like I’m playing into some master plan. That being a tool of destruction and war is all this existence has in store for me.”
“I don’t know what to say,” the AI said. “I’m only programmed to emulate humanity as much as I can. While your additions to my system have expanded these perimeters greatly, I still find myself constrained by them.”
Reaghan sank to the floor. “Maybe that’s why you and I always get along, despite our little disagreements. We’re both factory issue and bound by our programming.”
“Perhaps, but I disagree. There is one thing I cannot emulate, no matter how hard I try.”
“What’s that?”
“Free will and a humanoid’s unique ability to go beyond what they think they are capable of.” Twi landed on her leg. “Despite what happened, I wouldn’t put too much into it. It’s not like you go around beating people up on a regular basis.”
She chuckled. “Thanks, but it doesn’t make me feel better. It’s hard to explain.”
“Try to.”
Reaghan sighed. “I suppose it hit a nerve. It’s something I’ve always feared happening. That I would cross that line and trigger something, then I’d just be their soldier.”
Silence fell over them for several minutes, then Twi spoke. “This Rei Phoenix they spoke of. You two are connected in ways that go beyond looks. Perhaps you should seek her out and see if she’s been tempted to become theirs, as you put it. She should have the data you need.”
“Will she?”
“You won’t know until you seek it out.” Twi’s tone clearly implied she believed Reaghan was feeling sorry for herself.
“Maybe, but it’s not a priority. We need a place to drop these guys off.”
“Are you sure just dropping them off is a smart idea?” Twi asked.
“Killing them would just feed their vision of who I am,” she pointed out. “It might save us a lot of grief, but they’re secure, for now.”
“What do you suggest?”
Reaghan considered her options. “Are we near any highly respected planet?”
After the collapse of the Dynasty and Unity, many planets had decided independence was best. The result was a fractured governmental system where reputation went far and alliances were numerous. Unfortunately, it made navigating the system more difficult than the old one at times.
“In the nearby star system, both Hiern and Rimani are of respected status.”
Reaghan nodded silently. “Put in a call with one of them then. Tell them we have some illegal bounty hunters.”
“What will we tell them about how we captured them?”
“Bring up my official bio.”
Her implant projected a holographic image with all the facts the two had developed about her life. It had where she had been born, gone to school, even family members. They had kept the details vague, not willing to take the chance of embellishing for a second. Twi, and the few black market services they used to make it official, were good, but why invite trouble?
“We need to make it better,” she declared. “Not much, mind you. That’s going to draw attention. But it’s too barren right now.”
“What do you suggest we add?”
“First off, are we even able to pull it off out here?”
“Of course.”
“Good, add a few random notes about the early years. Stuff they shouldn’t think of tracing in the first place like some no-name award for spelling… you get the idea.”
“Understood.” Twi flew away to work.
Reaghan rested her head against the wall and closed her eyes. Eiha blazed in her mind’s eye. A blue fire that raged just shy of being out of control. Tendrils of the fire reached far beyond the inferno. She pulled them into the source, growing it by at about double with each new thread she added.
Soon, only one tendril remained. It stubbornly resisted her efforts to bring it into order. Some part of her was aware that sweat was running down her forehead. She pushed the sensation from her mind and focused. It tugged away, blazing brighter as it did so. Reaghan gritted her teeth and tugged as hard as she dared. The fire reluctantly combined with the main inferno, adding its power to the pool.
She opened her eyes to find Twi waiting for her. “Well?” the AI asked. “If it’s any comfort, you’re not emitting your Eiha as greatly now.”
“A small one, but I think I have everything under control,” Reaghan replied.
“I think you’ll find your new bio is well in order.”
Twi’s additions were highlighted on the hologram. Most were rather mundane, just mentioning small honors she would have earned over a traditional education.
“Good work,” Reaghan said at last.
“Of course. Now that it is complete, shall I get in contact with the Heiren authorities?”
Reaghan nodded. “See where we should meet them and explain that we had to restrain them using unconventional methods.”
“Do we really need to tell them?”
“I figure it’s best to avoid being delayed. There’s going to be enough questions.”
“I hope we’re doing the right thing,” Twi murmured.
“So do I, Twi. So do I.”
The authorities, as it turned out, decided to meet them halfway.
She waited in the cargo bay in a crisp black outfit that had been freshly ironed. She wouldn’t have bothered normally, but Twi was determined to put their best foot forward. As soon as the transport arrived and the bay beyond the shielding had pressurized, she stepped forward to greet them.
Four men, all in dark uniforms and helmets, stepped off the shuttle and waited for a fifth. Reaghan stood a bit straighter, meeting the last man’s eyes. The insignia on his uniform put him as the commander of this little squad. Reaghan could feel her palms become warm as he started toward her.
“Commander,” she greeted.
“Captain,” he replied, bobbing his head in response. He removed his helmet to reveal a military issue haircut. The slight green hint to his pale skin told her he had mixed heritage. “I’m Commander Terram and these are my men. I understand you’ve had some trouble with some opportunists.”
“I lent them aid after coming across their disabled sh
ip. We had just entered this system when they took the vessel.”
“It’s just you on board?” one of the men asked.
“It’s actually the two of us,” Twi answered. She was back in her holographic form. “She ordered me to lay low to better our chances of taking the ship back.”
Commander Terram nodded his approval of the plan. “You said in your report they were posing as bounty hunters. Why were they going to turn you in, Captain?”
Reaghan shifted her feet. “I’m not sure how to explain it myself, but it seems to be a case of mistaken identity. They believed I was a pirate that was causing a lot of trouble for everyone. Rei Phoenix was her name.”
Instantly, all the men in front of her were tense; she could see the screens on their visors become active. Her heart beat fast in her chest and she wondered again why she had insisted on being truthful. A thin beam of light flashed over her face, moving down her body until all of it was analyzed. Her blood became ice as the commander frowned at the result he was getting.
“Where do you come from, Captain?” Terram asked.
“I was born after we were forced to abandon ship. I don’t know the ship’s name. My parents died soon after and my grandmother didn’t like to talk about it.” The grandmother and parents at least were in the fabricated bio they made. “I have a lot of throwbacks”—she lifted a clawed hand—“but where exactly they come from I can’t tell you.”
“I see…” He continued to examine the data.
“Commander,” the man directly to his left spoke up. “If I could speak freely?”
“Go ahead.”
“I don’t believe this woman is Phoenix. The markers are close in a few places, but they don’t matter if you factor in the extra strand Phoenix has.” He showed them all the side by side comparison to further his point.
“That’s true,” Terram agreed, running a hand over his chin. “Well, I can definitely see where these folks might think you’re her. But how did they prove you weren’t? The data we’re using is classified.”
“That’s where we ran into a problem,” Reaghan admitted. “They tried to force a confession out of me using… unpleasant techniques. They were about to begin another round when I escaped and took back the ship.”
The officers sized her up, all of them looking for a crack in her story. The stares made her tempted to look anywhere except at them, but she knew exactly how they would interpret such an action.
“Where are they?” Terram asked at last.
Reaghan broke eye contact to glance over at Twi. The AI nodded, then pressed a button on an armband. Miraz and the rest of his unconscious crew appeared in a transportation beam. All three of them still sported their various injuries, though some healing had been done.
“How are they being subdued?” Terram asked.
“A simple injection of sedatives,” Twi replied. “They’re administered as often as is safe.”
“Take them aboard,” he ordered.
The men took Ja and Miraz first since Urg was much larger than the two of them. Reaghan watched, not breathing easy until all three were safely on board their shuttle. Terram approached, though he stopped several feet away.
“We’ll make note of the difference in our report so if it comes up again, you won’t have an issue.”
“I appreciate that,” Reaghan said.
He gave them a salute, then motioned for the rest of his men to start back to the ship. She stepped back, but kept her eyes on the shuttle as it reunited with the main cruiser in the distance.
“That was a big risk you took,” Twi commented as the bay doors closed again. “Telling them as many details as you did.”
“I know, but it’s better that I say it instead of them just finding it. I know they’ll keep going over that file you made with a fine-tooth comb in case I’m her in disguise.”
“Still, the probability of them trying to seek you out to find out the truth is—”
“Don’t. For once, I don’t want to know what the probability is.”
“Why not?”
“Because we have enough trouble to deal with.”
“What could be more pressing than your freedom?”
“We need credits ourselves. The little jaunt into the Void set us back a bit.”
“We had no jobs lined up,” Twi pointed out.
“So we’ll have to go search. It gives us a good reason to get clear of this system. The more distance we put between us and them, the less chance they have to act on anything odd they find.”
“You had this planned the whole time, didn’t you?”
She shrugged. “I figured once we got through the initial meeting, we’d be able to put distance between ourselves and trouble.”
“Well then, I suggest we begin our search in the Mirga system. It’s close, but not too close.”
“I see I’m not the only one who was prepared for this meeting.”
“Of course.”
Reaghan grinned. “Set a course.”
Reaghan stared at the screen in front of her with bleary eyes and a cup of coffee in her hand. Scrolling further, she took a sip of the now-cold liquid. Her nose wrinkled in response, but she continued to read unhindered.
Now that they were back in somewhat familiar territory, Twi wanted them to do an in-depth review of the Aeon’s research on the Void to make sure nothing was missed. Unfortunately, what she read so far made little sense. It gave complicated equations she knew she’d need several years of study to even remotely comprehend. The conclusions were all over the place. One theorized that it was a birthplace of natural Eiha due to the amount found within it. Others that it was another reality, or reality within reality. One thing was common—the Void was always there, though sometimes it was just out of reach.
She sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. Taking another sip of the coffee in her hand, she quickly spat it back out. Making a face, she put the cup away to be recycled and ordered a fresh one from the replicator.
“It still doesn’t answer anything,” she murmured. “The only thing they’re certain of is that it could be anything.”
“Reaghan,” Twi said, interrupting her thoughts. “Come up to the bridge please.”
“Be right there.”
Twi was hovering in her customary position in the center of the room. Her gaze immediately locked on the five screens fitted together at the front of the room. “Whatcha monitoring?”
“That is our former passengers.”
“What?” Reaghan started. “We just left them two weeks ago. There’s no way they could’ve gotten through the justice system yet.”
“That’s what I suspected.”
“Wait, how are you able to track them at all?”
“Like yourself, I do not fully trust other humanoids. I was worried that Terrma would free them once they told their side of the story.”
“Is that what happened?”
“I am still compiling all the reports. It seems the vessel they were on was attacked. It took heavy damage, and in the resulting chaos, they became lost.”
Reaghan frowned. “Well, they were on a law enforcement vessel. Terrma probably pissed off some of the local outlaws.”
“I would not call you up here for just that. It was a creature that attacked the ship.”
Twi fell silent as she continued to work. Reaghan sat in her chair, a hand on her stomach in an effort to quell the nausea she was beginning to feel. Even when you had space-going mages running around the galaxy, creatures in the middle of space wasn’t normal. Her intuition told her it had to be connected to the Void, and if it was…
“Here!” Twi’s voice jolted her out of her thoughts.
On screen was a large blurred object that came alongside Terrma’s ship. The object was as long as the ship with several appendages that dangled from the main body. Thes
e smashed into the hull, breaking off large sections before blasting through the rest with Eiha.
“That’s like…” she trailed off, unable to finish. In her mind, she replayed running from a very similar creature while in the Void.
“Exactly. Despite the differences in their anatomy, I suspect they are of the same species.”
The beast continued to tear through the ship. Life pods and shuttles jettisoned out as fast as they could be launched. Many were caught in the lashes the appendages made, while others narrowly avoided the rocks that were now being flung at the ship. The pair watched as the ship continued to be broken apart until nothing was left. One final escape vessel left the field of debris. It followed the others a short distance, then vanished in a subspace window.
“Where’d they turn up?” Reaghan asked.
“I’m tracking who checks in on the neighboring planets.”
“Will they go to neighboring planets?”
“It is standard procedure, according to the data I’ve looked up on the net.”
“Still, it’s a safe bet it’s them and they’ll be looking for us.”
“You think so too?”
She shrugged. “They jumped when no one else did. Even if their wounded pride lets them forget about it, the fact that we robbed them of a lot of credits won’t. Then again…” She crossed her arms. “Maybe we’ll run into the Void again. At least we’ll be able to handle the stuff in there.”
“That’s one way to look at it,” Twi commented dryly. “An… unusually optimistic perspective actually.”
“Just keep an eye out. Why invite trouble when we don’t need it?”
“That is the Reaghan I know and am fond of.”
“Stop trying to butter me up, Twi.”
A week later and they were still no closer to finding Miraz’s crew. While Twi had been able to confirm they were among those unaccounted for, there were too many missing details to say for certain the one that jumped was them. Despite the worry she had on that, Reaghan had allowed herself to turn to other pressing matters. The Aeon had to become hers.
Starship registration was rather simple and done on any planet or station. Luckily, Eam station wasn’t too far off from where the ship was. She joined the line, clenching the chip with the purchase agreement Twi had come up with, and tried to not look nervous. After how much scrutiny her official records had come under, attempting to pass off another forgery to the authorities was more than a little nerve-racking.
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