by Reiter
“Typical Terran thinking,” Wora remarked as she walked down the corridor. “I am Human and nothing can stop me! Perhaps you should call me ‘nothing’.”
“That thought had crossed my mind,” Persephone groaned as she rolled over on her back.
“Most amusing,” Wora smiled. “You are more sturdy than most of your kind.”
“And you don’t smell half as bad as I thought you would,” Persephone replied, taking Wora’s smile. With a gesture of the woman’s hand, Persephone’s body was lifted from the floor and slammed into the wall. “Argh! Oh, come on! A second ago you called me a typical Terran. Didn’t you already know that we get on everybody’s nerves? Even our own!”
“Do not harm her!” Qeldrun barked.
“I am not yours to command, Vohlbred,” Wora snapped as her eyes flared with energy. “As far as I am concerned, you are as every bit of Terran as she is!”
“Professor O’Zhar is a guest in my home,” Arjhaka returned. “You do recall that this is my home, do you not, Wora?”
“I am a servant to your estate, milady,” Wora said with a bow.
“Then you shall regard his requests as commands that have fallen from my own lips!”
Wora turned to face Persephone, holding her breath and calming herself. The anger and pain was clearly showing on her face and Persephone was lowered gently to the floor. “As you wish, milady.”
“Told ya,” Persephone whispered. “We are universal pains in the ass.” Persephone lunged forward, landing a wild hook to Wora’s face. Both females fell to the floor, but it was clear that only Persephone would be getting up in a timely fashion. “All kinds of pain!”
Spikes grew out of the walls and ceiling, missing the downed Jeelah and stopping just shy of piercing Persephone’s body. The pirate captain looked at the extended hand of Arjhaka who was glaring at her.
“Do we have an understanding?” Arjhaka inquired. “Or shall I make more of a point?”
“Hah!” Persephone released a single blast of laughter as her head dropped to her chest. “Good one, your ladyship. ‘Shall I make more of a point’ indeed! Let me just say that negotiations will go a lot more smoothly if you let me see my guy,” Persephone said, looking at Qeldrun. “You’re clearly the man behind the moment. You want me agreeable? Because I don’t care what approach you’ve got planned; the bottom line is that you’re a bottom-feeder not worthy of the Kot stuck to the heel of my boots, let alone my trust or willingness to cooperate. You want me to budge, let me see him. Otherwise, you can go blind pleasing yourselves trying to find out if my bones back my words.”
“Remove the spikes, my dear,” Qeldrun said softly. He walked toward the woman as the stones in the hallway returned to their normal shape and place. Persephone stood straight, flexed her right shoulder and turned to look back as she could hear the female Jeelah coming around. When her eyes came around face-forward again, Qeldrun was less than ten feet from her. She could also see the Jockey, still enraged, at the doorway of the cell. “What are the chances you’re willing to put your word to that?”
“There you go again, looking for things you don’t deserve,” Persephone quickly replied.
“I could always march the boy out here and have all sorts of unspeakable things done to him,” Qeldrun postulated.
“Then you better make sure of two things,” Persephone warned. “You better kill him, and then you better kill me!”
“It’s easy to say that on this side of the process,” Qeldrun argued.
“All sides say the same thing: me and my people are safe because I have what you want. You hurt any of them, then you have to go and get what you want.
“But I can give you my word on one thing: that special little stick of my First Mate’s… you should see what that little job is able to do when it links with the main computer. We’re all scratching our heads trying to figure out how to turn shit on, and it rigs the holding chamber with a device; a device that’s smart bio-locked to me. The kind of device that can open doors, like the kind we had to open to get to the goods in the first place. No, we didn’t use the Living Key, that stick mapped him, and next thing you know we’ve got a solid start to one helluva library!
“Guess what door it went and mapped?” Persephone asked with a slight cackle. “All ready to open things up if this goes sour. I’m not sure of the exact address, but the postal code is M-O-G-O!”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Qeldrun gasped, stepping back from Persephone.
“Try me!” Persephone hissed back, glaring at the man. “You came into my house, asshole! It’s like I can’t get you people to understand the gravity of that!” As she stressed her point, Persephone took inventory of everyone in the hallway and the cell. No one had noticed her brace-com going active after she had said the word ‘gravity’. It remained active for a few seconds and then fell dark again. “We’re not playing Ping-Pong here! There’s no calling ‘safety’ or ‘do-over’! Me and my people put in work! I expect some serious coin for dealing with that chamber! Kot came alive and made things difficult!”
“Yes, that I can appreciate,” Qeldrun replied. “And in order to do that, you needed to see what it was you were trying to fence… which is how I came to be introduced with you and your ship.”
“Which one of them told you?” Persephone asked with a glare firing in her eyes.
“Neither. They were simply unaware the databases accessed were being monitored by me.”
The woman relaxed and nodded. “I see… so you’ve been with the Jockey for a while then.”
“No,” Qeldrun admitted. “… but as a Professor, in what was then good standing, it was a simple request to make, keeping a watchful eye on the student body. Once the three students started making their research efforts, I was able to monitor them. I even went so far as to bump into them so that I could entice them with my archaeological skills and experience. They took me for an old and nearly used up Professor, my three mercenaries took me for a witless moneybag, and even Vidé took me for a pawn he could send into the fight and even sacrifice.
“But you,” Qeldrun smiled. “You, Captain, you’re always looking for the real bottom line, not simply the one you’re given. And you’re right… about everything you’ve said. I can either test your limits, and therefore risk the condition of the tome, or we can proceed as you suggested.”
“Tome,” Persephone thought. “Not plural… singular. He’s only interested in one of the books! I sure hope those three are making headway on learning what’s in those books. Cuz I get a twitch whenever I consider handing any one of them over to this loon!”
“Why don’t we first see to our wounded, which I believe also includes you, and then we can go and see your First Mate.” Qeldrun smiled and waited for Persephone’s response. Persephone did not take long to give him an answer.
“After you.”
The lights came up in the large chamber and Harold Lornington was the first to walk inside. He was followed by Vatere, who was wearing his power suit, and then the pairing of Arjhaka and Wora. Persephone came into the room, already disagreeing with the energy field at the center of the far wall. She could not say what energy was coursing between the posts, but she was fairly certain it was anti-personnel in nature. In any case, she did not see the need to experiment. She also noted that the wall behind the field probably touched on the hillside into which the estate had been built.
The good professor had seen to more than his bruised body, taking the opportunity to change his clothes. For both the silk and the leather, he wore only black. The bracers, belt, boots and cape were all jeweled, and Persephone could not shake the feeling that Qeldrun looked ready to fight for his life.
“Z’s already gone and scared the shit out of the man,” she thought. “Attaboy!”
Qeldrun walked in with Talthwynn behind him, forced to take the posture of a humbled servant who exceled in being out of the eyes of his superiors. Errol and Borsuth, both in armour, walked into the room just ahead of fiv
e of the mercenaries Vidé had hired. The last to walk into the room was the Jeelah Warrior, the former guard of Persephone’s cell. He kept a very careful eye on Persephone, half expecting – half hoping – that she would make another attempt at escape.
“You like playing with your toys, don’t you, Professor?” Persephone asked.
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Your Jockey looks like he’s on the verge of tears!”
Qeldrun looked at Talthwynn for a moment. Persephone was surprised to see the young man’s face change to register a much different sentiment other than suffering. Suddenly he appeared to be happy to serve.
“You’re a PsyondaR?” she asked.
“Not quite,” Qeldrun replied, almost dismissively. There were more important things to discuss than what life-path to which he had taken. “Vatere, if you would be so kind as to lower the field, please.”
“Yes sir,” Vatere replied, lifting his arm and keying in the necessary codes. He did so without having to be directed by Qeldrun. Of the four powered armour pilots, Harold was only one who did not think they were better off running with the Professor. The smartest moves they ever made had come while they were under his influence. They had not worked out how they were going to brooch the issue with Harold, but such maneuvers were left to Errol anyway.
The energy field slowly dissipated, revealing the statue and a figure that was kneeling in front of a man, both positioned behind the statue. Persephone leaned over to see the kneeling figure was Goldie. He was bound and visibly frustrated with himself.
“You hangin’ in there, kid?”
“Actually, hanging right now would be a step up,” he replied.
“We’re in the homestretch now, Goldie,” Persephone assured. “Just hold on.”
Qeldrun gestured to the statue and then toward Persephone. “I believe it is your turn, Captain.”
“How’d you come to that?” Persephone asked. “You show me some gunked up statue and–”
“That’s not a statue, per se, Captain,” Qeldrun explained. “You can consider this to be… a body-cuff; a holding case, if you will. Your man is inside of it.”
“That’s seems good for you,” Persephone replied. “I said I need to see him. Inside that statue is the same as the other side of the Rims to me!”
“Vatere–”
“And I’m damn sure not going to trust your equipment,” Persephone interrupted. “Prof, I know why the House wins. I need my brace-com and necklace. Sparky can work the brace-com if you like.”
“Master?” Arjhaka said, asking for Qeldrun’s opinion on what had been suggested. Persephone could see the jaws of the EnervationisT Jeelah she had fought tighten. When Qeldrun nodded, Arjhaka dispatched Wora to fetch the items mentioned.
Persephone approached the statue and only stopped when Qeldrun told her that ten feet was close enough. From the point she walked in a circle around the statue, gazing at every inch of it as she moved. She knew she was being watched, so Persephone kept her feelings in check and she made two laps around the statue before she stopped in front of what appeared to be the face of it.
“Like I need a scanner,” she thought. “Even without the training, I could always feel you, Z. Since the lessons, my eyes, my ears… hell, even my soul’s sharper! You’re in there, sitting on a festering mound of hurt. Give me some time and I’m going to get you out and let you dispense that rage on whomever you want.”
“Here are the items she requested,” Wora said as she returned to the room.
“Brace-com goes to the Jockey,” Persephone directed. She put on the necklace and she could feel the awe in the room when she gave the verbal command for her goggles to form.
“I thought you said that thing was inactive!” Qeldrun snapped.
“For all intents and purposes, it is,” Persephone said in a calming voice. “The computer in the goggles won’t take verbal commands unless the brace-com is in a certain proximity of it. Now, if you will just give me a moment. X-Ray.” The light coming from the goggles changed as Persephone looked at the statue. Her eyes also sent commands to Satithe.
“Orders received,” Satithe replied. “Tracking established.”
“I am the one who imprisoned him in stone,” Arjhaka said, taking a step forward. “… and despite appearances, I assure you that no harm has been done to his body or mind. From his perspective, he is merely sleeping.”
Persephone did not look at the statue for long before she ripped the goggles from her face and threw them at Arjhaka’s feet. “You and the horse you rode in on, lady! I get clear of this and your Professor is on his way, you and I may have to revisit what no harm looks like!”
“Retaliation does not seem to be your way, Captain,” Qeldrun offered.
“It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind, Professor,” Persephone quickly replied.
“And a pirate’s, if I’m not mistaken,” Qeldrun added. “But Captain, once I have the tome in my hands I will be able to make arrangements that will make all of this seem like an awkward introduction and nothing more.” Persephone looked away from the female Jeelah, cutting her look of surprise mixed in with disbelief over to Professor O’Zhar. “Yes, Captain, I am talking about that kind of power!”
“Sounds like I need to make a call,” Persephone said, looking at Talthwynn. “But we’ll be needing two shuttles. I go to my ship and get your book. You put the statue, your Jockey and your fur-ball on the other. We pass in atmosphere. Then my people have your people and you’ve got me. We send the shuttles again to make the final exchange. We can talk reparations then.”
“Amazing, how far you’ve worked out everything in your head, Captain,” Qeldrun said as Arjhaka picked up the goggles. “Done and done. Please, make your call.”
“You wanna tap that twice for me, sparky,” Persephone asked.
“The name is Talthwynn Vidé,” he replied, tossing the brace-com over to Persephone. She caught it, but she was very still and looked around the room at the others, especially those who were armed, before looking at Qeldrun who nodded, comfortable in his position of control.
Persephone nodded emphatically and donned the device. “You there, Cutter?” The room suddenly went black and a devilish smile flashed across Persephone’s face. “I’ll take that as a yes!”
** b *** t *** o *** r **
“She is near,” Dungias thought. “I can feel her.”
“You are quite perceptive, Star Chaser,” the female Star remarked as she drew closer to Dungias. “But I wonder if you can truly see what needs to be seen.”
Dungias took her words as an invitation to revisit his perceptions. “It’s Persephone,” he realized, “… and she is not alone.”
“Not at all what you expected,” the entity said, once again putting her smile on display.
“That fits in line with everything else that has passed since our equally unexpected introduction,” Dungias commented. “Fadym-Fiera, you have welcomed me into your realm.”
“As the Star of Heliotropis, I could do no less for one who can both see and hear us,” the female entity replied.
“And, in the questions you have put to me, you have verified that I am indeed a Star Chaser,” Dungias added.
“And a very insightful one as well.”
“Meaning you have seen others,” Dungias concluded, “but you do not wish to discuss that matter.”
“Again, quite correct,” the Star said. “While you are in the immediate light of my brother, the Star of the Emerald Barony, it has fallen to me to speak to you on this occasion. In a short time, you will meet the Chorus of the Prism Baronies.”
“Then we have engaged with one another, shared our histories, though mine was already known to you, and we have even spoken of the secrets of The Territories. But that is not why you are here.”
“No, it is not,” Fadym-Fiera admitted, losing her smile as Dungias lost his perception of how to return to his realm. The Star was preventing his Stride.
“You are holding me here!”
“Yes, Star Chaser, we are,” she replied, touching the side of Dungias’ face but he took no comfort in her silken touch.
“Why, Fadym? Why are you doing this?!”
“Your arrival, Star Chaser, was foretold before the Rims were even declared,” she explained.
“But I am not the first Star Chaser to arrive,” Dungias projected.
“You have been here for years without our knowledge… the Stars of the Rims are tainted and set against you… the very people you seek to save are out to destroy you! Yes, you are not the first Star Chaser to this place, but you are the first to come here at the behest of a quest given to you!”
“Release me!” Dungias demanded.
“Many treks meet in this place and time,” the Star explained, slowly stepping back from the Traveler. “Not all will continue, and you are too important to be wagered here and now. In this regard we are, quite literally, protecting you from yourself!”
Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
(Rims Time: XII-4203.04)
“I sure hope you know what you’re doing,” Jovasor said as he prepared the last of the injectors.
“That’s cute, Doc,” Llaz said before taking a sip of Roc’s herbal tea. “The way these people move, it’s not like I’m going to have time to truly regret making a bad decision. All the same though…”
“Yes, I plan to be out of the room before they come to,” Jovasor said, handing the last injector to Culshee. She smiled and gave a slight nod before placing the device against the neck of the unconscious woman that was one of the three latest tenants of the brig.
“So glad I didn’t have to say it,” Llaz muttered.
“This may sound like it’s coming out of left field,” Silnee said as she approached.
“Llaz is acting captain, Tolip,” Siekor snapped. “I don’t recall asking for any input from you.”
Llaz was quick to respond, reaching out to take hold of Silnee’s arm. “While he is dead-on accurate, if you’ve got something to say, I’d like to hear it.”