Lazet

by Arcadia Shield

  “I know him,” said the Deorg. “I’m Urel.”

  “Melody.”

  “I would say it’s nice to meet you, Melody, but given the circumstances, I’d rather not be here at all.”

  An icy blast of wind hit Melody in the face, and she shuddered. “What happened to you?”

  “I was taken by the Fraken. I sometimes visit the elite warrior squad on the Fraken base used to host their games. I was making a delivery when they arrested me. They had me in one of their interrogation units for some time.”

  “What were they questioning you about?”

  “My involvement with the Vorten,” said Urel.

  Melody paused and stared intently at Urel. “About their plans to get out of the games?”

  Urel looked at Melody for several seconds, his large dark eyes unblinking. “It is wise if we don’t discuss that rumor.”

  “I don’t know much,” said Melody. “But I guess the Fraken have gotten some information that worries them.”

  “So it would seem,” said Urel. “After they completed their interrogation, they said they had something planned for me. I assumed some unpleasant execution would follow. But I didn’t imagine I would end up in one of their games.”

  “Execution! They must think you’ve done something pretty bad.”

  “Depends on which side you’re on,” said Urel.

  Melody nodded. “I’ve never seen a Deorg in a game.”

  “And you shouldn’t,” said Urel. “Much like humans, we are not supposed to be used as entertainment by the Fraken. They place a value on the skills we offer, and they have never before violated one of our treaties. This will not be looked upon kindly by Deorg Council members.”

  “Something must have motivated them to take the risk of putting you in here,” said Melody.

  “And I know what that is,” said Urel.

  Melody glanced over at him. “Do you want to share?”

  Urel twisted as best he could in the ropes binding his arms. “There’s not much they can hear up here, and I don’t see any sentient drones watching. There might be some ground equipment that can see us, but most likely not hear us.”

  “It has to do with Axen’s plans, doesn’t it?” Hope slid through Melody’s frozen veins.

  Urel nodded. “Axen is a brave Vorten. He has plans that will benefit thousands and save many more.”

  “What’s he going to do?”

  “That I cannot share,” said Urel. “Axen has sworn all of us to secrecy. I would never break my word to him.”

  “Is Lazet excluded from that secret?”

  “Even Axen’s elite warriors do not know what’s going on,” said Urel. “That is for the best. The fewer people who know, the fewer will end up in a position like this.” He swung his legs gently backwards and forwards.

  “I see what you mean,” said Melody.

  “But if you are here as well, it suggests you have not been playing the Frakens’ game as they would like.”

  “You don’t watch them?”

  “Never had much of a taste for senseless violence.”

  “Lazet’s been helping me stay alive,” said Melody. “He killed some Fraken beasts, so they wouldn’t attack me.”

  “Interesting,” said Urel. “Did he tell you why?”

  “He was as vague as you’re being,” said Melody. “It’s infuriating.”

  Urel chuckled quietly. “It’s for the best; believe me. But if this works, no one else will have to endure what we’re going through.”

  “And you are loyal to the Vorten?”

  “Bonds between the Deorg and Vorten were formed many of your Earth centuries ago, during initial interplanetary cooperation treaties. We supported each other in the early days of Vorten space travel. The Deorg have enhanced abilities when it comes to intellect and scientific discoveries, and the Vorten have the strength and an aptitude for fighting.”

  “Deorg sound a bit like Earth geeks,” said Melody. “We also have people obsessed with advancing technology.”

  “We are not dissimilar to that,” said Urel. “But what we have in brain power, we lack in muscles. The Vorten have been our protectors for a long time. We share each other’s specific skills for the benefit of both races.”

  “Sounds like a fair trade.”

  “The relationship has worked well for a long time,” said Urel. “And our bonds are strong. In particular, I have worked closely with Axen for many cycles. We knew each other before he joined the games.”

  “Lazet said Axen hates the games.”

  “Most Vorten warriors do,” said Urel. “The Fraken make the games look exciting and spectacular to viewers, but they are masters of manipulation and edit together the best bits and enhance the fighting. What they peddle to fans who watch these barbaric games are lies, all in the pursuit of greater wealth, so they can dominate this galaxy and beyond.”

  “You don’t sound like such a fan of the Fraken either,” said Melody.

  “I am not,” said Urel. “Even less so now they have me suspended over a frozen lake.”

  “What do you think they have in mind for us?”

  “They are making Lazet choose between us,” said Urel. “Me or you.”

  Melody’s mouth fell open. “What’s to say they won’t kill both of us for fun?”

  “There’s every chance they will.”

  “Lazet will stop them,” said Melody, although a sliver of doubt shot through her as to exactly how he’d help them.

  “You place a lot of trust in someone you’ve only just met,” said Urel.

  “I can’t really explain it, but we’ve been helping each other ever since this stupid game began. Despite him being too arrogant for his own good, he’s growing on me.”

  “Vortens do that,” said Urel. “Behind their somewhat terrifying facade, real hearts beat. They have feelings, although the warrior training in them fights hard to suppress them. But I have been around Vortens long enough to recognize that, for all their warrior prowess, they sometimes live sterile and empty lives. Meeting someone like you could change that for Lazet.”

  “I wouldn’t say that,” said Melody. “I’m nothing special. He’s not down there because of me.”

  “I disagree. To that Vorten, you could be incredible,” said Urel. “And it doesn’t matter what you think about yourself, it’s how he thinks about you. And, more importantly, how you make him feel. Strong emotions are discouraged on Vorten. They are seen as distracting to warriors, and they have suppressant drugs to quell strong bonds.”

  “And how do you think I make Lazet feel?” Melody’s heart pounded in her chest. Could she really be affecting this proud, strong warrior?

  Urel inclined his head towards the frozen river bank. “You can see for yourself. He’s pacing backwards and forwards like an angry Talic beast, and he’s not going to rest until he’s freed you. Hopefully, he’ll include me in that rescue, because my hands have gone to sleep, and I can no longer feel the end of my nose.”

  “I don’t want him to get hurt, though,” said Melody. “And there’s no way he can get out here and cut us down.”

  “Whatever Lazet does, it’s going to be effective, and most likely bloody, if the Fraken get in his way. Your Vorten will help us.”

  “He’s not mine.”

  “Perhaps he should be.”

  ***

  Lazet strode backwards and forwards along the frozen water’s edge. The ultimatum he’d been given by Death Wish was not one he wanted to participate in. He didn’t sign up for this kind of game. In the past, he’d been happy to put on a good show, kill the prey who deserved it and leave the game a hero. But this was wrong. He didn’t want to choose between killing an innocent human or an innocent Deorg. He knew them both and cared about Urel and Melody.

  There had to be some way he could get them free. He was not going to pick one and watch the other fall to their death.

  Lazet tested the ice with his foot, and it groaned under his weight. He wasn’t sure i
t would take him safely into the center of the lake without breaking. And if the Fraken saw he was trying to get onto the lake and release Urel and Melody, they might drop them both. If either of them hit the ice or went under, there’d be no chance of survival; a drop from that height would shatter bone.

  He swallowed bile as he imagined all the audience bets pouring in as they decided who Lazet would save. Gritting his teeth, he undid his weapons harness and shook off his belt to make himself as light as possible and minimize the risk of the ice cracking.

  He kept one knife, which he slid into his boot. Lazet glanced over at the belloc who’d insisted on following him as he’d raced towards the lake. “You’re in charge of the weapons. Bite anyone who tries to take them.”

  The belloc bleated at him and nuzzled his leg.

  Lazet shook his head and slid onto the ice. He couldn’t see where the ropes binding Melody and Urel ended, but both had their arms pulled tight above their heads, so he had to assume there was a pulley system or mechanism that winched them over the water. It was most likely remote controlled, so at any time, the Fraken could drop them.

  It made him sick to think of having to watch Melody plunge to her death. Worse still, she was there because he’d disobeyed the Fraken. He’d followed Axen’s orders to keep her safe and disrupted the game. By doing so, he could have signed Melody’s death warrant.

  But she wasn’t dead yet, and if he hurried, he could make it across the ice. Even if the Fraken dropped her, he’d be able to catch her. They might end up in the water, but at least he would break Melody’s fall and be able to help her onto the ice.

  Lazet continued sliding on the ice, pushing his boots wide apart to ensure he was stable as he moved.

  He could see Melody fighting with the bonds around her wrists. And it looked like she was talking to Urel. It was a good sign they were both conscious. It meant neither of them had been too badly hurt. Now, if he could just get them free and escape, they would all be safe.

  Lazet focused on the Deorg for a second. What was Urel even doing in this game? If the Fraken knew Axen was planning something against them, they would be hunting any potential enemies or individuals colluding with him. Urel and Axen had a tight bond, and the Fraken must have noticed that.

  Lazet was halfway across the ice, skidding and sliding his way closer and closer. He could hear Melody’s voice drifting to him on the chilled air currents, and it encouraged him. He was almost close enough to catch her.

  But what would Axen want him to do? Urel was vital to whatever he had planned, and it was important he remained alive as well. He might have knowledge crucial to Axen’s scheme. If Lazet let Urel die, he would fail Axen.

  His jaw clenched and he growled. There was no easy solution. If he let Melody die, then he’d failed Axen, but if Urel fell to his death, then he’d also failed him because he was an important part of whatever Axen wanted to do.

  He saw Melody turn her head towards him. “Lazet, you must hurry.”

  “I’m doing my best,” he called out. “Didn’t bring my ice skates.”

  “If we fall, you must save Urel,” she shouted.

  Chapter 16

  Melody saw Lazet slow after she said those words, but she knew it was true. Urel must be the one to survive. He was an important piece of the puzzle the Vorten were working on, and he might be crucial to their success. And what was she? A failed barmaid, someone who’d run an illegal business. The world could do without Melody Marlin. Hell, the world would be better off without her.

  “You must save Urel,” she said again.

  “I’m going to save you both,” shouted Lazet.

  “Not possible,” said Melody. “Even you’re not that good.”

  “I’m willing to try,” growled Lazet.

  “What are you doing?” Urel asked Melody.

  “You’re crucial to the Vorten,” said Melody. “Lazet would be a fool to save me. If you’re kept safe, then whatever their plans are, they can continue.”

  Urel shook his head. “I appreciate you doing that for me, but it’s never as simple as that. This plan is more than just two individuals working together. My loss will be noticed, but it will change nothing.”

  “But you are valuable. My life on Earth was all about causing people trouble. My not being around isn’t going to be a great loss. If you die, what the Vorten want to do might not happen.”

  “I’m not the only one involved in this. If the Fraken decide to drop me, and I don’t survive, that won’t be the end.”

  “But you said yourself how close you are to Axen,” said Melody. “He needs you by his side.”

  “He has many people by his side to assist him,” said Urel. “And one of them is on the ice below us now.”

  Melody looked down to see Lazet glaring up at her as he slid closer. “He doesn’t know what he wants. Being in this game and protecting me is something he’s been ordered to do.”

  “You clearly don’t know Lazet as well as I thought you did,” said Urel. “Lazet does things his own way. He has his own version of the rules Axen sets for his warriors. He mainly sticks to what Axen tells him to do, but not always. If he had come into this game and decided you were not a worthy opponent, and not worth saving, you wouldn’t be here. He would have killed you, despite what Axen ordered him to do.”

  Melody shook her head. “I don’t believe that. He told me he’s always loyal to Axen.”

  Urel smiled calmly at Melody. “I can see why he likes you. You have a fire in your belly. Lazet needs someone like that to be with.”

  “I’m not with him,” said Melody.

  “But you will be. Vorten do not normally behave like he is now,” said Urel.

  Melody looked down at Lazet again. She didn’t want to die, but she knew what she had to do. She took a deep breath and felt a sense of calm descend upon her. It was time to do the right thing. She could make a difference in this game. She could make sure Urel was saved.

  “Lazet, you must pick Urel. Don’t worry about me. I’m an excellent swimmer. Let me drop.” The binding around one of Melody’s wrists was almost loose enough for her to get out. If she could just get one hand free, it would give her a chance if she ended up in the water.

  “Melody, do not sacrifice yourself for me,” said Urel. “You are more important than you think.”

  She shook her head, ignoring Urel’s words. “I choose on behalf of Lazet. He picks Urel to save.”

  ***

  “Ignore her,” yelled Lazet. “That’s not going to happen.” He was almost underneath Melody and Urel and could see they were tied by ropes that hung over solid looking metal chains. The chains led off into the inky darkness, most likely controlled remotely. There would be no Fraken nearby to stop him.

  “Please, agree to save Urel,” shouted Melody. “I’ll be fine.”

  “I can save you both.” Lazet’s hands flexed repeatedly into fists as panic shot through him. He did not want Melody to drop.

  “No, you can’t,” said Melody. “I know you have to choose one of us. Pick him. I mean it.”

  Lazet shook his head. How could she be so sure she’d be fine once the Fraken dropped her? If Melody hit the ice at the wrong angle, she would break her neck. And if she did make it into the water, the ice would suck the air from her lungs in seconds.

  “Do it,” said Melody. “That’s an order, warrior.”

  “I don’t take orders from you.”

  “Then start doing so,” said Melody. “It’s the only way we’re ever going to get along together.”

  “Maybe I shouldn’t save you if you’re promising me a life of eternal nagging.”

  “Life with me would be terrible,” said Melody. “I would constantly complain about things you do or don’t get right. This is the perfect opportunity to save yourself a lot of grief.”

  Lazet gave her a grim smile. “I know that’s not true. We’d be great together.”

  The ropes above Melody and Urel’s head began to shake.

>   “They’re going to make the choice for you if you don’t decide,” yelled Melody. “Pick Urel. You need him more than me.”

  Lazet knew then that he did need Melody. Since the first time they met and she’d flashed those green eyes at him, his interest for her had flared. And the way she was so fearless around him delighted him. He’d never met a woman quite like her, and he wasn’t going to lose her to some sick game. He let out a frustrated groan. But what Melody was telling him to do was also right. He hated himself for even considering it, but Axen would feel Urel’s death deeply. It would set back his plans, and Lazet knew Axen’s fiercest desire was to end the Fraken games.

  “Stop wasting time. Pick Urel,” screamed Melody.

  “Fine.” Lazet drew in a big lungful of icy air. “I choose Urel. Let the Deorg down.”

  For a second, nothing happened, and then Urel began to be lowered towards the ice. The rope shuddered and stopped, and then there was a sickening click, and both Melody and Urel plunged towards the ice.

  Lazet sprang forward, his legs sliding out from under him as he heard Melody scream. He raced towards her. He had to save her. Urel was important, but every molecule in Lazet forced him towards her. He heard the ice cracking as he slammed into it, and a cold, icy fear shot through him. He had to keep Melody safe. She could not die.

  He held his arms out as he skidded across the ice, seeing Urel and Melody plummet at the same time. They would go under together. Either that or break every bone in their bodies as they hit the ice.

  Lazet needed to time it just right, or he would skid right past them and miss.

  A chunk of ice flew into his face, blinding him. Lazet dashed away the ice with a clenched fist, his vision blurry. Just as it cleared, he saw Melody hit the ice at the same time as Urel. Lazet let out a roar of anguish as the ice smashed and they went under.

  Chapter 17

  Melody held her breath as she crashed into the water. The cold dug into her flesh like a thousand tiny daggers. She briefly surfaced, and for a second, thought she saw Lazet. She reached out her hands but felt no one grab hold of her. How she longed to feel his hot, solid grip on her now, saving her from this icy death. She went under again, into the dark depths of her new freezing world, a world that would end her life in only a moment.