“The Peacekeepers were real interested in them, boss.” He stood to the side of her.
“Yeah, I’m sure they were.”
Rangit looked at Triena, his face dirty. A long beard extended from his chin. He wore all black, and dried ears hung off a belt around his waist. She tried not to look at the empty eye socket, but her eyes kept flicking there to the hollow space. What is he going to do with me?
“You going to pay us?”
Rangit stepped forward. “Depends. Your tongue is so loose. I think I need to take it.”
“But, boss you want ears.”
“I’ve already taken one of yours and it was rotten within a day.”
“I won’t speak.”
“No, you won’t.” Rangit pushed the syringe into the man’s arm and delivered the liquid into his muscles quickly.
“Boss, please …” The muscular man slumped down to the floor.
“Right, he won’t be remembering much.” Rangit turned to the other two men who were holding Braklen. They dropped Braklen to the ground.
“He’s with you?” He raised his eyebrow, the one over the empty socket.
Triena wanted to say no. Instead she just nodded her head. She’d traded with Rangit. He always delivered her dried flowers without question, but could she trust him?
“Doesn’t look like your type, love.”
Braklen lay unconscious, dumped on the ground, blood seeping from the back of his head.
“We’re inseparable.” Triena’s arm pulsed where the chip moulded to her muscles and bone.
“Really?” Rangit stroked his beard while looking at Triena. She stared back, determined not to look away.
“What do you want us to do?” asked one of the men who was the short in height and thick in build.
“Some smoothing over,” said Rangit.
Triena felt her knees tremble. Any minute now she expected Rangit to pull out a knife and slice off her ear.
Then you’d know how I felt.
“Sure we can do that.”
“You know what I’ll take if you don’t do a good job?”
The men nodded and one rubbed his remaining ear.
“Wait outside.” The men left the room quickly.
“I don’t like doing business with eyes watching. They know too much already. I’ll have to deal with them later. I don’t like loose ends, or leaving a mess.” Rangit turned to Triena, the sight of his one eye caused her hair to stand on end. “I don’t believe you’ve come for trading, so what am I going to do with you?”
“He put this chip in me.” Triena held up her arm. Rangit took her arm and held it close to his eye, his fingers were rough on her skin and made her squirm. “I have to be near him, and if I kill him, I die.”
“This is bad news.”
“Can you take it out?”
“Nope. I could amputate about here.” He ran his finger just above her elbow.
Triena felt dizzy at the suggestion.
“Okay, so you’re probably not up for it. Even though I don’t make too bad of a surgeon, especially for out here.” He let go of her arm. “It wouldn’t work anyway. The Queens can neutralise the chip when you’re taken to them, but I guess you really don’t want to be visiting them.”
“No. Do you know someone who could take out the chip?”
Triena wasn’t sure if she could trust Rangit, but he was the best option she had. In fact it was the only option. It was a long shot.
“So, you do have some trading to do. Great. I love trading.” Rangit stood looking at her. “What can you offer me?”
“I … no … what …”
Rangit laughed. “I reckon the chip’s going to be in your arm for good. There’s one possibility, a renegade Priest out in the Inite moon. He might be able to insert a counter program or something techie.’
“Might?” Triena didn’t like the sound of having to travel so far and still have the chip working in her arm.
“I’m not good with that sort of stuff. He’s traded with me a few times. His products are great, always worked. He never failed me.”
“Can I afford him?”
“Dunno know. Maybe. How much do you want the chip out of your arm?”
Triena looked at Braklen unconscious on the floor. Her breath caught in her throat, she felt her muscles relax and her heart ache for him. Triena felt joined to him, something more powerful than the chip. She remembered how she felt about him before the Queens gave her the task of killing him. They spent every spare moment together, until the Queens selected Braklen for her initiation.
At the point when the soul leaves the body the most powerful energy was released, and the test was to determine if Triena could wield such strong energy, to be able to absorb his energy without her own fragmenting. To show she was worthy of becoming a priestess. But, something happened. She couldn’t do it.
Now, that Braklen unwittingly bound them together, they were forced to join their life paths. She had to get the chip out. They couldn’t live if they had to be constantly within five hundred meters of each other. Besides she still had the odd thought of killing him. I want to be free.
“I want the chip out.”
“Now, the question is, can you afford me?”
Triena swallowed. How did my life get so chaotic in such a short time? She didn’t have access to money. Anything of value she had back in her home. Salene had given her some money, but the amount was so small Rangit would laugh at her. “What’s your price?”
“I want your tea room.”
But, it’s my home. “It’s been damaged a bit.”
Don’t tell him that. The rabbit stirred in her backpack. His movement threatened to unbalance Triena.
I don’t want him to take my home. Triena’s eyes welled with hot tears at the realisation how much her life changed. Her thoughts turned on each other forming tight knots in her mind, making it hard for her to think.
Concentrate.
The aggression behind the rabbit’s thoughts only added to the turmoil in Triena’s mind. Her body felt heavy, as her mind tried to sift through the options she had in front of her. Knots kept getting in the way.
We have to escape.
At some time during the last few years she had fallen in love with this harsh moon and the people who came to visit her. Even though she had been planning to return to Earth, to rejoin the Queens, she realised she didn’t want to leave. Her life was hard here, but she knew what to expect. She’d established a reputation and there were always enough customers to cover expenses, just. It was more than what most had.
“How are you going to get my tea room?”
You can rebuild somewhere else, thought the rabbit.
“My problem. Now do we have a deal?” asked Rangit.
“No. The damage is easily fixed and your status will rise a lot owning property in that part of town.” Triena felt her mind unknot a little and she forced herself into a bargaining mode. “I also want a ship to take us off this moon, before the sun rises.”
“Don’t have a ship to give you.”
“Then my home stays mine.”
“I could hand you over to the Peacekeepers, cash you in for a reward.”
“If they pay you.” Triena felt her strength returning. One step at a time. She had to get out of here away from this claustrophobic concrete room. Then she could worry about getting off this moon. “You know you can’t trust them.”
Rangit rubbed his chin. His fingers scraped against the stubble on his face. “Don’t have a ship for you. But, there’s one I can get you on.”
“Where’s it going?”
“Soneria.”
“That’s nowhere near Inite.” Fuck the Queens, it was barely half way to Inite.
“It’s in the general direction. It’s the best I can do.”
“So how would I get to Inite?”
“Not my problem.”
“Who do I see in Inite?”
Rangit paused. For a second Tri
ena thought he wouldn’t tell her. She held her breath.
“Kreltan is the man you need to see. On the north side of Inite.”
“Thank you.”
“You might not thank me if you do manage to see him.”
“What do you mean?”
“His reputation is worse than mine.”
Great. Triena was still going to see him. It was the best option she had at the moment and the only hope of severing the bond between her and Braklen.
“Deal then?” asked Rangit.
Triena couldn’t think of anything else to ask, she had the basics and it was enough, for now. “Fine. Get us to the ship.”
Triena didn’t like the idea of only getting part of the way to Inite. One step at a time. Fuck, this was going to be hard.
Rangit went to the door and opened it. “Take them out to the docks. Number 12.”
His workers went inside the room and picked up Braklen. Even though they were smaller in build, they were strong and they didn’t struggle with Braklen’s weight. Triena went to follow them out of the door. Rangit stopped her by putting his hand on arm.
“Take care of the rabbit now and don’t go cutting off anymore of his body parts,” said Rangit.
“What?” Triena hadn’t said anything about the rabbit. Everyone who knew her on the moon, knew she kept a rabbit, but they always thought it was destined for the pot. No one knew she could communicate with it, not even Salene.
“You’re the one who can change the balance,” said Rangit. “With his help, you and Braklen can bring peace back to us.”
“Can you read the Energies?” Triena was shocked.
Only women could read the energies and those who were more skilled were taken to earth to train with the Queens. When they trained for years and if they showed potential, they were assigned a man to kill, just like Triena had been, to see if she was strong enough to wield the energy of the masculine. Only the priestess who could use both powers were thought to be able to bring a balance to the world, and were considered to have the potential to be a Queen.
This is all wrong. But, the balance wasn’t right. It wasn’t what the Queens promised. Pain gripped Triena’s heart, causing her eyes to water. Her thoughts wound themselves together forming a large knotted mass which threatened to overwhelm her. “What do you mean change the balance? Why would I want to do that?”
“You’ll work it out. Stay safe. Trust your skill.”
“But …” There were questions she wanted answers to.
“Deal’s been done.” He pushed Triena out of the doorway. “Take them out the back way through the tunnels. If you get seen and survive, I’ll come to collect your ears.”
He turned to Triena. “See we have much more in common than you realised.”
He closed the door in her face and leaving her no choice but to follow the men down the narrow tunnel. It was like Rangit planted a seed in her mind and as it grew, more questions bloomed in her mind. Too many for her brain to hold. She’d never have thought Rangit as an ally, nor was she sure he was one now. The Queens won’t like this. A man who can use the energies.
Were you talking to him? She asked the rabbit. He didn’t respond, he didn’t even move. Triena extended her energy into his mind. She saw a field of green, rich grass ready to be eaten. He’d put up walls from some reason. You bastard, you were communicating with him the whole time. Her stomach rumbled. She hoped there was some food in the backpack Salene gave her and the rabbit hadn’t eaten any of it.
Small reflectors along the floor emitted an electric glow ensuring they weren’t in total darkness. Triena had no idea Rangit’s jurisdiction was so extensive. She really should’ve paid more attention, but then again, she hadn’t needed to. She was too busy keeping herself out of sight and away from too much attention. Now there was a whole other world opening out, like a flower bud, except the day wasn’t shining and she didn’t like the smell of this flower. What did Rangit mean about restoring the balance? I don’t have any power. I’m a crim just like he is.
The underground tunnel was cool and the air smelt of musk. Triena kept up easily with the men as they hauled Braklen’s body. He might be dead. He’s been out for a while. Then she remembered the chip. With a thought that chilled her to her bones, she realised she would know if he was dead. There wouldn’t be any doubt. Because then she would be too.
It took a while for the men to drag Braklen up the stairs, but they did it. Triena even thought it was slightly amusing. It would’ve been the perfect time for her to escape from him. If he hadn’t gone and stuffed things up by being too loyal to the Queens. This was why she had to do something about the chip in her arm. He was a danger to her when he could make decisions for her without asking her. She hated not being in control. She also hated the idea the Queens were hiding information from the people.
The stairs brought them up to the surface and into a backyard. The entrance looked like the door of a cellar, similar to Salene’s.
Fuel tainted the air was tainted with fuel, suggesting the docks were close. It was still dark, but soon the revolution of the moon would place them in the light of a burning star, they had to hurry. In an attempt to wake Braklen, she slapped him and pinched his arm.
Braklen, you shit, wake up. He only stirred briefly. They were forced to keep dragging him along. Maybe it’s for the better. Triena could just imagine him putting up a protest about leaving this moon or he’d do something stupid to land them in more trouble.
They went out the gate into a lane way, which took then onto the docks, past the checking station and almost to station 12. Triena looked down the loading bridge and saw added security. She could just make out the uniforms of the Peacekeepers. She looked back at Braklen. We should’ve changed his clothes. It was too late. She just hoped they would get onto the ship. Right now, she didn’t even care which ship she got on, as long as it took her away from here, and away from the Peacekeepers.
A guard stood at the check point for station 12. He made everyone stop and consulted his hand held tablet before letting people continue. They waited in the small queue.
“You’re not on the list,” said the guard to the man ahead of them.
“I’ve paid my fare.” He was well dressed and looked like he had plenty of money. Not the usual person who came to Oberon. “First class and all. See look at my receipt.”
“To the wrong person. Get out of here.”
“How much?”
The guard wasn’t interested. He pulled out a particle gun.
The man held up his hands. “Come on, I can pay.”
“That’s not the problem. You got the wrong-colored papers. You’re not coming on this ship, mate.”
The man glared at the guard. “I’ll be back.”
“Don’t bother unless you have the right papers. You’re just lucky I’m not sending down for security. Get.”
The man didn’t wait to be told again.
They stepped forward, pushing Triena ahead of them. She swallowed hard, she didn’t have papers or enough money for a bribe, and she most certainly didn’t know what to say. She didn’t even think it was worth trying to get on the ship after what she just saw.
“Fresh workers for you, sir,” one of Rangit’s men spoke firmly.
The guard looked Triena up and down. His glare made her shiver. She looked down at the ground, not wanting to aggravate him. What sort of work was she going to be forced to do? She knew she shouldn’t have trusted Rangit. Braklen was going to be furious when he woke.
“This is something I could do with.” He continued to check out Triena. “He’s wearing an odd outfit.”
“Fancy dress. Drank too much,” said Rangit’s man. The guard laughed. Triena felt herself relax and looked up straight at the guard.
“No animals.” He looked at Triena. Her heartbeat quickened. She had never been good at lying. She shook her head.
The guard nodded his head. “Go right on through.” He pretended to punch somethin
g into his tablet as they walked past. “Next.”
Triena let out her breath. Lucky. Fuckin’ Lucky. If he searched the pack she would’ve been turned around or forced to leave the rabbit for them to eat. She was leaving her home, for good, and she wanted to keep one friend with her, even if they had a rocky relationship.
They went down into the depths of the ship, near the engine room. The men showed them to a small section. “Stay in here for the flight. Keep out of the way. We got you on, but if the wrong person sees you, you’ll be locked up. Most of the people on the ship are the wrong sort as far as you’re concerned.” Then they left.
Triena was glad to see them go and secured the panel sealing her and Braklen inside the small compartment. It looked like other people once stowed away here. There were no amenities, or food, just a rank smell Triena guessed she would get used to. She wished she asked how long the trip would take. This was going to be a few days at least of discomfort. The price for the chance of freedom.
Triena took off the pack and rubbed her shoulders. There wasn’t much she could do, except to make the best of a very bad situation. She’d have to leave this compartment a few times, and one of the first things she was going to try and get was different clothes for Braklen. Him wearing a Peacekeepers’ uniform was just asking for trouble and they had enough of that already.
She opened the pack and reached inside for the rabbit.
“You told me to be calm. Now look at the mess we are in. Stowaways on a ship that isn’t even going to the place I want to go.”
It’s taking us where we need to go. Maybe you shouldn’t focus on the chip so much. You and Braklen make a good team.
“We can’t even decide where to go.” She pulled out the rabbit from the pack. “Gross. You’re all wet.”
Well it was a bit hard to hold it all in when you’re being crushed. And I was crushed a few times.
“Fuck the Queens. You stink.”
This was going to be a long trip. She felt warm in the small compartment and took off her jacket, rolled it up and put it under Braklen’s head. The rabbit hopped around the room checking it out, his ears clicking.
Looks like this corner is the toilet.
Flower Readings Page 7