Cutlass Sharpened

by H. Lee Morgan, Jr

  “Hey. No one asked you to be my mother. I’m not some timid and frail idiot you’re used to. I’m driven to figure who the hell I am and won’t stop till I do.”

  “You’ll always be an idiot, Idiot. That stick between your legs is proof your judgment will never be correct. Just sit tight, shut up and get some sleep. I’ll be there in the morning to take over your psionic training.”

  “Stars, no! Not that! I don’t need the draconian ball buster helping me. You’re liable to blow my head off with a kinetic blast if I so much as sneeze incorrectly.”

  “Awe. Flattery will get you everywhere.” She said in a sugary sweet voice that sent a terrifying chill down Oliver’s spine. “See you in the morning.”

  “Wait, what about your patients? Don’t you need to stick around?”

  “Everyone’s all patched up and back in their own beds. Nanites work wonders. Add some drugs and hormones and anyone will be healed in nearly no time. I’ll send word to the village’s medic to switch with me while we are stuck. When she or he hears of the sickness they’ll understand. You need an experienced class twelve Phantom if my assumption is correct.”

  “And what, pray tell, might that be?”

  “That your sensitivity is no mere coincidence. Telling me of psionic sickness proves your potential lays not just in body, but in mind. You need to develop powers by a trained professional experienced in high affinity and Papa is too busy to leave the ship. Besides there isn’t a single eleven on this backwater rock.”

  “So you’re saying I’m a much higher class than your scans say?”

  “When it concerns you I’ve learned to never rule out the impossible.”

  “That is the sweetest thing you ever said to me.”

  “Bite me, Idiot.” She retorted. “Get some sleep. I’m going to work you hard.” He groaned loud over their conversation and a feral grin spread across her face. “Hey, get it through your thick skull. You won’t easily get in my pants like other tramps. Oh, by the way? Find a woman over there you like?”

  “Elder Javelin wanted me sexually,” no one saw Renee bristle at the thought and found a bit of jealously creep its claws in her chest. “but only you smell the best. I cannot get hard about anyone other than you. None are right.” Renee somehow got satisfaction in that. “If I’m going to die regardless, I might as well be well rested. Night.”

  “Night, Idiot.” She rather liked calling him one and it stuck. She touched her ear.

  In moments, both contently rolled over and fell right asleep.

  “Rise, Brother. Daybreak approaches.” Elder Scythe knocked on the door fame.

  Oliver yawned and slid out of bed to make way to use the facilities. A hot shower got things working for blissful bowel and bladder relief. Another quick shave revealed must of the bruises were nearly finished fading. Another thought made for comfortable and airy clothing before going to the communal room to sit and be offered a drink of orange juice, but declined meat.

  It was the sexy Elder Javelin who broke the early silence. “Ancient Brother, I skimmed over the records and video footage given and truly believe your story true. Your very being is difficult to swallow, but are not falsified. I agree with this Stephanie Meann about hiding your identity, but have come up with a solution.”

  “What kind?” Scythe wondered.

  “He’s clearly an ancient Hunter adapted to a world beyond any we know. Even his DNA is not in our private database, but can eat a Beast’s poisonous brain. That alone will be a firestorm if we do not use our full resources. Brother Oliver very likely could be the eldest Grand Elder in existence. My suggestion is we falsify his records and give him the identity of the thirty first oldest Hunter in our records and if pressed we say he was stranded and alone for five and a half centuries when a passing fighter found him. We enter his blood, but only for records. Being alone for so long very well could have turned up an original Star-saber and multi-tool. Even an in-depth search from Galicom would not find we created an identity since Hunters are secretive. I’m certainly willing to put my title on the line for our brother.”

  “Not a bad one. I’ve got a hacker who owes me favors and he can set it up where even we would be unable to discern truth from lie.” The other elder woman commented.

  “But I can’t be registered as a Hunter.” Oliver wanted to speak and was allowed. “I’ve got a promise of a minimum of six hundred thousand credits I want to spend on something.”

  All the elders blinked, threw their heads back and burst out in loud chuckles. Only he was confused. Elder Scythe shook his head. “Brother, your mind may be able to process much, but you do not realize in what we mean by giving you a retired identify so ancient.” He tapped the temple where his only patch of hair hung long with beads. “Think for a moment. You clearly aren’t of our known time as Hunters. No one has seen you. You likely were a Grand Elder. When the others all arrive and see what we have, your title will be returned. We won’t act without a full consensus, but it is near certainty you will be granted despite the memory loss.

  “And for credits, none can deny a Grand Elder anything. They go where they want and do as they fancy. Not even the emperor could tell a Grand Elder he could not sit in his throne. Their privileges are absolute. The other Grand Elders chose to come out here of sheer curiosity. If they don’t feel the need to go, they won’t. You will be part of and separate from Hunters. Whatever your plans are, you need only desire and it is yours.” He held up a finger. “But until an agreement is reached in three weeks, you cannot speak of it.”

  “On to other subjects, Brother Oliver, I have designed some tests I hope you can compete in so we may record and expedite the short time you have with us.”

  “I’m ready whenever you are.”

  As the sun lifted off the horizon of Zerika Renee flew on the back of Sparky with Rose tagging along. Sparky’s uncanny sense of direction made for a straight path across the sky and before long Renee spotted the telltale signs of chimney smoke. Increasing the view with her chip, her natural eyesight discarded all unnecessary information and enriched the detail of the Hunter village. Already the other medic had left the village to replace her without a fuss after hearing of the sickness and wasn’t ignorant on just how serious the condition could become.

  Yet as her gaze stayed focused in the flight she easily found Oliver completely surrounded by practically three thousand Hunters. One large man with a pair of axes said something to him as he stood in a line with five lean Hunters wearing nothing more than pants and boots.

  The axe man dropped his hand and the five took off as the crowd jumped up and down. They’re cheering? She decided as all, but Oliver stood. The crowd settled down with uncertainty by the time all five jumped over the stream cutting through the village do dive and swim across. The people began shouting and gesturing, some rather angrily, but Oliver seemed completely at ease, also naked from the waist up. Renee grinned as she figured it out. So that’s your ploy. Cheeky bastard.

  A shout had heads turn to her arrival. Two Drakes were not uncommon as they usually lived in nearby mountains and often stopped for a visit. A rider though was less common as only bonded companions were allowed to ride a single Drake.

  The barrier didn’t stop them and Renee caught Oliver’s smile widen as Sparky landed nearby. She dismounted to punch his bulging arm. “Stop showboating, Idiot. Do the race.”

  “Alright. Alright.” He crouched and took off.

  Anger from the crowd died that day as he sped over the ground, gouging lines as he sped up further. Even with the minute and a half lead the other racers had, he passed them in just fifteen seconds. He was so fast he ran horizontally along the perimeter wall to keep up speed rather than slow and turn. In a dozen steps he had to return to the ground and sped headlong to the rock wall and leapt a quarter the way up and climbed like a monkey in a tree before flipping over the edge and charging beyond sight. After a few seconds Renee spotted him again as he leapt straight over the waterfall, all the way b
ack to the exact place he started. His heavy landing drove holes in the grassy ground by his bare feet.

  “Trying to show off?” Renee asked, not the least outwardly impressed. Inside though was another matter. For a second she imagined he would land on her. Only remembering how he caught her the other day kept her in place. That and the six gee environment was enough of a strain to stand up.

  “I proved a point. Those five were the fastest runners and rock climbers in the village.” He shook his feet after stepping out of the holes.

  Behind came a woman’s voice “Elders, is he even human?”

  “Aside from a total blowhard, I’ve found no proof he isn’t.” Renee said as the twelve nearest women clustered together were dumbfounded at such a display. Renee could practically hear construction crews rearranging the women’s’ wombs for readying to bare his children. Deep down she felt like ripping their throats out. If not for Sparky emanating soothing emotions she knew she may have acted on the dark thoughts.

  “Then I want to bare his babe and get started right away.” The same questioner said.

  “Me too!” another said. “I’m ovulating already!” yet another boldly shouted.

  Oliver snapped and not since Renee attacked him had she heard his commanding voice slam down harder than his amazing landing. “ENOUGH!” more silence followed as the many women stopped vying to sleep with him. “None of you are strong enough for me. Only one may be my mate. So no.” with that he walked away.

  Sparky grinned and winked at Renee. “At least he didn’t call you by name. The other females will hold wrath against you if they knew.”

  “Like I care what those easy whores say.”

  “Keep telling yourself that, but you should first look at your left hand.”

  Renee did and swallowed dryly as tiny sparks were firing between her fingers. She didn’t even realize her anger got to that point. She quickly let the gathered go. From the corner of her eye she saw Oliver diving into the stream to cool his anger. Renee then turned and offered a slight bow. “Elders, I’m Renee Dorgen. Did Oliver or your medic inform you as to why we switched?”

  “Brother Oliver did.” The largest of them with two battleaxes said. “Had I known of the sickness I would have changed how…”

  “Don’t worry. Children usually show early signs at eleven and twelve. Since he was not medically monitored as a child, the Phantom program would have acted immediately if they knew. No one could have known, but it was smart of him to know how to stabilize himself by doing the standard practice. Had you started the wrong way it could have killed. It’s also why it is done this way, to screen for the rare psionic superior individuals. Have you made a room for me or may I go to bunk in the med bay?”

  “The med bay is at your full disposal Ms. Dorgen. Let me or anyone know if you require anything.”

  She nodded and yelled “HEY! IDIOT!” Oliver stopped and turned in the stream to stand in water up to his chest. “Med bay, NOW!” and turned back to the suddenly ginning crowd liking how she bossed him around. “After I clear him, you can do what you want in searching as for why all the fruit’s gone. And I must insist you refrain from further psionic training. When you return, send him back to me for lessons.”

  “Agreed.” The head speaking elder accepted and she walked off, crossed over a bridge and disappeared in a building displaying a large red cross over white.

  A medical area.

  Oliver waited inside, still wet from the swim. The room was made of crystal too and was cold, but had the same standard design. Renee pulled her injector and shot him in the arm saying “Since you didn’t tell everyone I’m the one you are infatuated with I’ll not punch you in the throat too. But this is for nearly landing on me, Asshole.” She punched the arm she got a blood sample from.

  “Hey! You knew you weren’t in my way. You saw I mastered all gravities this past week. You might have forgotten that kiss, but I haven’t. It’s been the best thing I’ve experienced in the week and a half since you uncovered me. By the way, you look beautiful in your flight suit.”

  “Oh, ha ha. Like you haven’t said it before. You like it because it’s skin tight and my tits and box really stand out in it. Park it and let me see if you got additional brain damage, aside from the obvious.”

  A white crystalline bed slid from the wall and as he sat down to say “Not that those are a perk to my day, but white is your color. I often imagine you in a white dress similar to those Stephanie wears. Snowy colors really makes you green eyes sparkle.”

  “Keep flattering me and I’ll cancel that date you got in the works.” She warned, but didn’t mean it. She liked pure white clothes too.

  “Shutting up.”

  For three minutes it was silent till she said “No lasting damage and your blood work is fine too. Medically I can’t find why you’re so off in the head. But you caught onto the sickness quickly before you poisoned your own body. Go sniff around somewhere else and get back to me when you return.”

  He got up and paused. “Renee, one question. Why do your eyes glow and hair rise when you use your power.”

  “That was actually two, but my eyes glow as a result of the gathering. At the ninth class it shows itself. If the entirety of my eyes, and not just my irises light up, I’m gathering for a tremendous release that can level cities at my full power. As for my hair, it’s simple static electricity build up. Most of it will be gone when you get back. I’m cutting it because the static reduction conditioner isn’t working with the length. It’s too long already.”

  “I’ll be back soon.”

  “No more showing off!” She yelled as he left, laughing along the way.

  Outside though Oliver’s smile was great. Cloud nine was not high enough for how he felt. It was similar to zero gravity. Renee wasn’t aroused till I showed off and landed. She didn’t even shift her weight when I jumped off the cliff to land by her. The crowd though stepped back and gasped. She just rolled her eyes. She may have been mean, but I smelled her arousal for me. All the males nearly as large and more handsome than me didn’t spark her interest. I must make the date perfect. She will be my mate. I’ll settle for no less than her. Anyone who tries can kiss my ass. He decided with finality. Now I must tread carefully. I cannot ruin my chances next month, if all works well.

  Amber irises turned to the large approaching group led by Elder Scythe and Javelin. Fifteen Hunters followed, Stone, Steven and Deegen were included. More than half had wolves proudly walking with human intelligence. Bell seemed to be pack leader by how the others glanced to her often. Both elders had large black wolves with them. The leader of the village adjusted his glove saying “We just received word, Bother. There was an attack at the last plantation left with the smallest grove of ripe fruit remaining in our lands. Follow.” Four birds of prey took flight while everyone began jogging northwest.

  Oliver took a bend and they headed down towards the space port, a massive valley with a crystalline docking bridge. The valley was more than twenty kilometers wide, nine deep and natural. It was a canyon made by a rushing river. The river that cut through the village spilled over a cliff to add to the grand view.

  Behind though came Renee’s voice yelling “I heard there was an attack! Why wasn’t I notified.”

  Elder scythe said “The body is on its way, Ms. Dorgen. I’ll need a full autopsy done.”

  “Then tell whoever it is to leave them at the scene. I’m coming.”

  “The body isn’t human. It is a native lioness… or what is left of her. Remain.”

  “Fine. I’ll give you a preliminary as soon as I can. But take Sparky with you.”

  The Drake came soaring over a building as she stopped and didn’t wait for a response from the running group. Scythe smiled. “An honor, Great Drake. See the location in my mind and see if you discover anything before we arrive.” Sparky hissed and suddenly his four wings slapped down and he flew much higher and faster.

  Oliver wanted to go faster and be able to keep up wit
h the Drake, but he knew that the wolves could also pull ahead, but didn’t for a reason. Safety in numbers.

  They passed by the planetary starship port and ran through an open gate, plunging deep into the woods. Oliver stayed in the back, watching how the Hunters all breathed deep and slow to maintain the grueling pace. As he adopted it he found his steps get more languid and effortless. Despite the heavy footed pace, they made little noise down the trails.

  They didn’t pause as they passed a single woman carrying a bag of the dead animal.

  One three minute rest at a stream to get a drink is all they spared before they arrived just before noon in front of a relatively young plant nursery. Little more than ten cleared acres of open space lay before them. Only a dozen and a half mature Inferno trees grew in the center with many planted saplings lined up in the remaining space.

  Waiting to the tree line on the left were two tan women with long flowing hair. They walked over and one was pointed saying “Elders, we were alert all night, but saw nothing. We heard the lion’s short fight for life. When we returned the fruit was gone. Vanished into thin air…”

  “It was here.” Oliver said as he lifted his nose and sniffed loud enough for all to hear. “I must find it. I must… I must eat…”

  “Brother, what is wrong?” Stone shook his shoulder and snapped him out of whatever had taken hold.

  “Stone… it was here.” Oliver recovered and none needed heightened hearing to listen to the loud growl his stomach made.

  “What was here?” Elder Javelin asked as she and her wolf arrived.