by Reiter
“Yes, my Lady,” the man replied before he made a very hasty exit.
“The last thing we would want to happen is some sort of foul play to occur and spoil the challenge,” Tierra explained.
“I could not agree more,” Danavyn smiled. “If I’m not mistaken, the Yalzon horse is Loquacious Lure. How very fitting a name. I will be taking Triumphant III as my choice.” Danavyn was unaffected by the gasps he heard.
“The entire Triumphant line belongs to the House of Yalzon,” Tierra argued.
“Yes, they did, save for the only one that has yet to win a race,” Danavyn advised. “And many say that is because he was raced too soon and needed to be trained. I speak, of course, of Triumphant III. And, up to about a few days ago, he was a Yalzon horse. Klabtru said he knew what I had been up to. I’d wager he had nothing of the first inkling. I bought Triumphant III and it cost a considerable amount of credits to make the purchase. Once I have divvied-up the holdings of your estate as well as that of our dearly departed Klabtru, I think I might just recover the cost of my investment.
“What’s more, I make it a point to not remain where I am not welcome,” Danavyn added. “I will therefore be granting my winnings to O’Loddryn Kell. Surely you don’t have a problem with a pure-breed Vohlterran joining your ranks. Sorry, your soon-to-be former ranks.” Danavyn turned and walked toward Thanneus. The slender man stood up from beside the SpellCasteR and turned to walk with his employer. After erecting a sound shield, he stepped closer to Danavyn Veil.
“I have to admit, even I didn’t see that coming,” Thanneus admitted. “All the time we’ve spent with you hobnobbing and pressing the flesh… you were just reading the room!”
“As I said before, the woman who jostled the Sylgarr Family forced me to step up my plans. When one does not possess a suitable connection in enemy territory, one must buy said contact. O’Loddryn serves the credit before he serves the crown. The Emperor, if he’s even looking, will have to invest heavily into his soon-to-be promoted Lord Kell in order to feel at ease about that merchant’s ambitions. And even if he should procure true loyalty, my seed has already been planted.” Danavyn laughed, staggering a bit as he walked. “Oh, my friend, if only you knew how artful that pun was!
“Still, that reminds me, have we heard from Casdan about the Council of the Mage?” Danavyn asked.
“He tried to lag a bit, but he eventually put the matter forward to the Council,” Thanneus reported. “Turns out it didn’t take much prodding. It’s like a number of them were just waiting for someone to ring the bell.”
“And with an outside party doing the ringing, no one can claim other members of the council had a personal agenda… which is exactly what many of them possess. Be sure to send the property we acquired from Prince Valwonn over to the Councilwoman Ghurzhana.”
“I didn’t know she was of that disposition,” Thanneus said, entering the commands into his brace-com.
Danavyn chuckled, shaking his head. “The Empire might have thrown out a number of their own kind, but their supposed outlawing of slavery applies only to those of common status and is lost in semantics at the higher echelons. Our dear Maga will be happy to show she has new property of the most comely sort.”
Keeping to his word and the rules governing the wager, Danavyn did not leave from the province until Triumphant III crossed the finish line with over ten lengths before the next horse. Once his shuttle took off, he received an invitation from O’Loddryn Kell who was about to be granted the title of Lord. Danavyn smiled as he had his craft set a course to rendezvous with his personal barge. There were reports the man was anxious to receive. He answered the invitation, noting he would be happy to attend.
“You’re on a streak!” Thanneus proclaimed as he received a report of his own. He walked into the office aboard the barge and secured the doors behind him. The man was already at the bar, opening a bottle. “But it would appear you already knew that.”
“A man must be allowed to have expectations,” Danavyn said, pouring two glasses of wine. He chuckled, picking up both glasses and walking over to Thanneus. Handing one glass to his very capable operative, Danavyn smiled as they clinked glasses. “But tell me, what is going to make this wine taste even sweeter?”
Thanneus grinned, depressing a button on his brace-com. The main projection wall activated and the pictures he had just received came up for viewing. “Her name is JoJo Starblazer, Captain of the Xara-Mansura.”
“The what?”
“Our people are looking into it,” Thanneus advised. “We think it’s alien. Could even be the language of this one.” The picture changed to show both Jocasta and Dungias standing together. “The registered bounty-hunter that Ruby told us about… he’s her First Mate.”
“Stop,” Danavyn said. “She is the captain… and he is her first officer?”
“Yes.”
“I think I am beginning to see where Falco went wrong,” Danavyn said before sipping his wine. “This is the one who prefers to bring in his dead-or-alive bounties alive, even when there is no disparity in the bounty, yes?”
“Affirmative.”
“And he serves her.”
“That he does,” Thanneus confirmed.
“You,” Danavyn said, looking at the image of Jocasta, “you are often underestimated, aren’t you? Don’t worry, my dear… I shall endeavor not to make that same mistake!”
“Are you expecting your paths to cross?”
“No, I don’t,” Veil returned. “But anyone who takes an Imperial to task and comes away the victor is a person who deserves our respect and at least some effort put toward monitoring.”
“It would seem that someone within the Empire agrees with you. “Our Jockeys intercepted a signal coming from Black Gate encrypted to a channel used by Imperial Angels. It seems they have an operative on board the Xara-Mansura.
“The encryption wasn’t on the monitored channels,” Thanneus added.
“Imperials do have a most interesting approach to intelligence, don’t they?” Danavyn asked rhetorically. “Their leagues of Chance Agents scattered all over the Rims, begging for Fate to blow them a kiss. Identify the agent if you can, but let’s not dig too deeply into our pool of resources. Her ship… the Xara-Mansura, where is it now?”
“The Prism Baronies.”
“Where the Empire has extremely limited resources of power or influence,” Danavyn commented as he turned and walked over to his desk.
“The Empire perhaps,” Thanneus said with an evil grin, “… but with the Baronies always at each other’s throats, they don’t trade much with one another. They do, however, manage to trade with you.”
“Well, not directly, of course… but yes.” Danavyn looked at his map of The Territories and smiled. He put in a communication summons to Black Gate which would then be forwarded to The Territories. He entered a request for an open channel to the Onyx Barony, knowing it would take some time before his inquiry could be answered. “That effort of observation, let’s have it waiting at Black Gate. Maintain whatever surveillance you can on this Xara-Mansura.”
“Are you expecting trouble?” Thanneus asked.
“I don’t know this woman well enough to expect anything from her,” Danavyn replied. “Which was probably the mistake the Sylgarr Family made. No, this is all still fact-finding at this time. She may simply be a force of nature that is about to blow through. Nothing I can do about it… still, it might serve to have a weather report. Now I must decide what I am going to wear to Loddie’s celebration,” Danavyn pondered. “What do you think?”
“I would wear something loud and borderline atrocious.”
“Why?”
“Because you would prefer them to remember you for all the wrong reasons,” Thanneus replied.
“Well, if nothing else, my dear Thanneus, you have been paying attention,” Veil chuckled. “The gold suit it will be! Also–”
“I don’t have his name yet, but the Jockeys are looking into the young Spel
lCasteR,” Thanneus stated.
“Yes. Paying very close attention, it would seem,” Danavyn smiled, lifting his glass.
Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and from through the mouths of men.
Quintus Ennius
(Rims Time: XII-4203.07)
The allure of mystery of all the things which could be found in the arboretum had been suspended. Solemn was the only word that suited it now. Aside from the very slight sound of machinery, everything was quiet and still. The coffin had not been crafted to look as if it contained a body, for everyone knew there was nothing of Anushuri Leanne Sikka – known as Annsura Flynnos and called Cutter – that could be found. Dungias had spent hours scouring the skies and the mountain range, but he had found nothing of her. She had been too close to the center of the blast, and everything physical had been atomized.
It was a circular device he had assembled, using silvery metals and glass. The light coming from within the construct prevented anyone from seeing clearly what was inside, and Silnee had taken the time to tell the First Mate she more than appreciated his efforts.
“She was a star among us, wasn’t she?” Silnee had asked.
“As one who has spoken to the Stars, I can say that I have seen darker spatial bodies,” Dungias had answered. “She will be cherished and missed.”
Though the crew had thought it strange to receive such a request, they all reported to the arboretum at the designated time, wearing only white. With the assistance Vyllynthe and his group had provided in quelling the Jeelah agitation of having such a weapon detonated over their territory, the three would-be boarders were allowed to attend as well. Hillgray was already emotional, having seen the prepared video logs that the one called Tank had edited so that it could be played during the sendoff. Ukara had assisted in the making of the coffin, and Dungias had expressed his incredible appreciation inasmuch as his hands would not have been able to finish the construct without either her assistance or the deployment of the drones. Silnee had chosen music for the affair, but she opted not to play it when Vyllynthe had offered to sing. She had not been able to listen to him sing for long before she was overcome with emotion. None aboard had ever heard the Olasson voice given in lament. The reaction to Hurdran’s tones were more than touching, and Silnee found that she was not the only one who touched by the InvokeR’s enchanted voice.
Jocasta entered the arboretum, carrying the dagger belt she had given Annsura what seemed a lifetime ago. It was heavy in her hands, its weight increasing with every stride. She looked at the long knife and tears formed in her eyes. Z had outdone himself once again. The glass handle was elegant, beautiful, for the original blade was in the scabbard around Llaz’s waist. He had taken the blade and the position, but had refused to be called Cutter. It was a condition Jocasta could easily allow.
“You’re too cool to be called that anyway,” she had said and the two of them had tried to smile. They had embraced one another when their attempts had miserably failed.
“Failure,” Jocasta thought as she slowly walked, finding reason to stop. Dungias’ head came up from his chest as he looked at his captain, feeling what she was feeling, hating the fact that he was unable to ease her burden… and that he had been the reason why her crew had come to such a place. “Failure? Which way do you mean, Jo?!
“Will you look at this?” she said in a strained voice. Jocasta cleared her throat and repeated herself in such a volume that Vyllynthe stopped singing. “Will you just look at this sorry crapstack? Dammit, Cutter, please forgive me! You asked one thing of me and I’m about to screw that up too!
“Lift your heads, the lot of you!” Jocasta barked, turning to look at every person in the chamber. “I see one lowered head and I’ll see to it that it remains lowered!”
“Captain, please don–” Silnee started, her body trembling.
“No, Tolip!” Jocasta snapped. “Not today, not tomorrow, not the next day!” She drew her blaster and quickly moved her thumb to increase the power output to its maximum. “I said lift your sorry-ass heads! There’s only one who gets the exception on that call, because only one of us has suffered a loss.
“Olkin, I’m sorry for your loss,” Jocasta said as she turned to look at the young man. He managed a nod as he wept. “And read me right when I say he is the only one who can have his head down!”
“Has she finally lost it?” Siekor whispered. Hennix shrugged his shoulders and shook his head slightly.
“Tolip, I know… she’s your best friend.”
“She was my best friend, you lunatic!” Silnee shouted. “Was! I don’t know what kind of psycho-trip you’re on right now but–” The barrel of Jocasta’s gun found its way between Silnee’s lips.
“The very same trip that made me Captain of this ship,” Jocasta replied. “And to those who need a reminder of just what that means, let me assure you, there’s room in that coffin for a few of ya!
“Just what do you think happened here?!” Jocasta asked, taking a step back from Silnee and looking around the room. “What are we?! Z?!”
“We are pirates,” Dungias replied.
“And what do we do?!”
“We don’t hold back,” Dungias stated, squaring his shoulders as he took in a deep breath.
“And what were her final words to me, First Mate?” Jocasta continued.
“Don’t you dare stop.”
“Start it up, Z,” Jocasta commanded, holstering her pistol. “Far as I know, stars belong in the sky. We’ve held on to this one long enough.”
“Aye, Captain,” Dungias said as he tapped his brace-com. Tile in the flooring pulled away from under the coffin, revealing a launch pad of sorts. Everyone could hear capacitors powering up.
“A few words should be said,” Jocasta stated as she stepped forward, looking at the coffin. “Cutter, gods only know how many Slavers it took to bring you down and keep you in shackles. My money is on your owners having poisoned you and even then it took more than three.
“You kept your word to Z – you cold-cocked your Captain, and stole her sky-bike, just to see to your crew.” Jocasta smiled as she nodded. “Thanks for showing us the way, Annsura. If you ever get tired of kicking ass in the Grey Realm, come on back and haunt us for a while! First Mate!”
“This is our Cutter, Annsura Flynnos,” Dungias declared. “She was called Cutter by this ship and crew. She was our student, our teacher, our friend, our most sacred love and one of the finest hands of the Xara-Mansura. Many may follow… none will replace.” Dungias keyed in the command and the construct’s engines fired as the pad emitted a shaft of light that gave the construct the ability to phase through the ceiling.
Jocasta waited for the coffin to be out of her view before she looked down from the stars. “Z, Llaz, I will leave it to the two of you to see to her things. But first, make preparations to have all drives firing and us away from NayFall in one hour’s time.”
“Aye, Captain,” both Dungias and Llaz said sharply.
“Of course, that means you three have one hour to make your case,” Jocasta said, gesturing to Vyllynthe, Hillgray and Ukara. “I will be in the Mess in about five minutes.”
“We shall join you there, Captain,” Vyllynthe said softly, giving a slight bow. He had just completed his telepathic discussion with his friends and though they were not unanimous in their vote as to the best way to proceed, they would act as one when the time came. “We have a great deal to discuss.”
“Are we good, Tolip, or do I need to replace more than one crewman?” Jocasta asked after setting her eyes on Silnee.
“I can’t say that I agree with your perspective,” Silnee started.
“Not a requirement to be on my crew,” Jocasta quickly replied.
“We are good, Captain,” Silnee said after straightening her posture and looking Jocasta squarely in the eyes.
“Good then,” Jocasta said as she started for the door out. “Get to Llaz and receive yo
ur assigned post. We’ve got goods to deliver and a barony to find.” The doors closed behind her and some of the crew looked at each other, not knowing how to proceed. Llaz received a message from JoJo’s brace-com directing him to give Olkin half duty until further notice. He quickly acknowledged that consideration had already been taken into account.
“All crew assignments have been loaded to your brace-coms,” Llaz advised. “If you have any questions, open a channel or come and find me. Get to it, people, we’ve got a ship to run!” The crew took notice of the postings their brace-coms had received and they all began to move for the doors.
“I will meet you in her quarters,” Dungias said softly.
“Only if you feel you must, sir,” Llaz quickly replied.
“In this situation, I feel exactly that way.” Dungias started to leave when he looked at the three newest faces on board the Xara-Mansura. Already they were wearing wrist-coms, and the Star Chaser thought he would wait to speak to Llaz regarding that matter. He did, however, alter his route and approached them.
“I do hope you have been made to feel both comfortable on this ship and quite welcome to be aboard,” he said as he looked at each on in turn.
“The graciousness of your fellow crewmen is most appreciated,” Vyllynthe returned.
“Damn fine ceremony!” Hillgray said as she stepped toward Dungias, offering his arm. “And it is made even better with this meeting.” Fully aware of the customs of the Delman, Dungias slapped his hand hard against the forearm of Zyzo Hillgray and gave a healthy squeeze. The Warrior was surprised and unable to equal the demonstration of strength. He laughed at his missed grip, and glared up at Dungias who was wearing something of a glare in his eyes.
“You were on the overpass in the courtyard at Atsildylweer College,” Dungias stated, impressing all three of the guests, though Hillgray the least. “I have decided that I will be your escort to the Mess Hall. Please, if you would follow me.”