Ramadaus hesitated, then pushed back his hood, revealing a thin, intense face with a beaky nose and dark eyes.
Fairen glowered at him. "You're a pitiful excuse for an Overlord. You barely have any power, and you pursue petty issues as if they were important. How did you find him?"
"Purely by chance. He was aboard the Trykon warship that strayed from their space."
"The Trykon warship," Fairen repeated, shaking his head and glancing around. "I should have answered that call. He's just trying to get home. Where are his companions?"
"I have no idea."
Fairen turned to look down at Sabre, whose eyes were open now, his breath still coming in quick gasps. The medics applied pressure dressings to his wounds. Fairen knelt beside him again, making Ramadaus grimace and rub his brow.
"Are you all right?" Fairen asked.
The cyber's eyes flicked to him. "Peachy. I just love having the crap beaten out of me."
Fairen smiled and placed a hand on Sabre's shoulder. "You're going to be okay."
The boy started to rise, but Sabre's hand flashed up and gripped his wrist. "Fairen."
The young Overlord sank down again, looking concerned. "Yes?"
"Thank you."
Fairen nodded, apparently at a loss for words. Sabre released him, letting him stand up and turn to Ramadaus again. "One of your cybers tried to kill me. He must be destroyed."
"It was a defensive reaction. You should not have interfered."
"There is no excuse for attempting to kill an Overlord. Must I call for a vote on the matter?"
"How can you blame a machine for doing what it was designed to do?"
"If it cannot differentiate between an Overlord and a foe, it's dangerous. In that case, they should both be destroyed."
"You can't force me to do that."
"No, but if the others agree with me, you'll have to, and they will."
Ramadaus' scowl deepened. "What about your attack on me? What do you suppose the others will say about that?"
"I don't care, I told you, but I believe they will agree with me on that matter, too. I was saving an innocent."
"You call him an innocent?"
"You should read a man before you condemn him."
"He's not a man!" Ramadaus threw up his hands. "Why am I arguing with you? You won't see reason. You always do as you please, and the others let you. They call you the Wild Child, but none will stand up to you."
The medics finished bandaging Sabre's wounds and called for a stretcher, but he thrust them aside and stood up, swaying a little. His skin was ashen and he looked thinner, as if he had burnt up a portion of his mass during the gruelling fight. Blood stained his trousers below the bandage on his right leg and reddened his back, arm and shoulder. His nose and one side of his face were swollen, and one eye was half-closed by swellings above and below it. Red marks mottled his chest and arms.
He faced Ramadaus. "All I want is to be left alone. Is that so much to ask?"
Ramadaus' eyes narrowed. "How long will it be before you lash out in anger? How long before someone dies because you lose control of your emotions?"
"You're more dangerous than I am. You could wipe out entire civilisations on a whim."
"But I wouldn't."
"Neither would I."
Ramadaus' lip curled. "You were bred to kill. That's all you know."
Sabre shook his head. "I hate killing."
A pregnant silence fell, then Ramadaus gave a growl of anger and frustration and swung away, striding back to his dais. "Get off my ship. Fairen, you were not invited, and you're not welcome."
The boy pulled a com-link from his pocket and started to tap on it, but Sabre said, "Wait. Atrel, come here."
Atrel shrugged off the soldiers who held his arms and strode over to Sabre, averting his eyes when the young Overlord turned his piercing gaze upon him. Fairen typed on the com-link, and the intense cold of translocation gripped him. He staggered as solid ground hit his feet, a crimson and black chamber spinning around him. When he recovered, he found that Sabre had sunk to his knees.
Fairen bent over him, looking concerned. "What is it?"
Sabre shook his head. "I'm okay. Could you send me back to the Trykon ship, or bring Tassin and Tarl here?"
"I'll bring them here. You should be in hospital." Fairen signalled to a man who stood in the shadows. "Commander, have our guests taken to the hospital."
"Yes, My Lord."
Chapter Eighteen
Tassin looked up as the cabin door opened to reveal Tronan, wearing a thunderous scowl. Several men in sleek crimson and black armour waited behind him, their faces deadpan.
After she left the bridge, she and Tarl had not got far before several warriors waylaid them and disarmed her, then locked them in Sabre's cabin. Tronan stepped aside, and the foremost of the strange warriors moved forward.
"Tassin Alrade?"
"Yes?"
"Overlord Fairen requests your presence, and that of Cyber Technician Tarl."
Tassin glanced at Tarl, who sat on the couch beside her. They rose and followed the soldiers to a docking port, where they entered a luxurious shuttle. The trip to the Scorpion Ship was mercifully brief, but worry gnawed at her. When they arrived aboard Fairen's ship, they were guided to his chambers. Fairen sat on a white sofa, his face hidden behind the hooded veil, his immaculately cut black suit stark against it. Floating globes lighted the sumptuous black and grey room, and screens gave a view of Ramadaus' ship against the backdrop of stars, Nemesis a speck beside it.
Tassin approached the young Overlord and bowed her head. "Overlord Fairen."
He spoke in a deep, sexless voice. "Queen Tassin. Welcome."
"Thank you for your intervention."
He inclined his head. "I am grateful for your message."
"Is Sabre all right?"
"He's recovering in my hospital, but his injuries are not too serious." He gestured to the sofa beside him with a gloved hand. "Sit. Will you take some refreshment?"
Tassin sank down, her knees weak with relief. "No, thank you. I'd like to see Sabre."
"Of course." Fairen glanced up at Tarl. "You are Tarl, the cyber technician. We have not met."
Tarl bowed. "Yes, My Lord. It's an honour."
"You know a great deal about cybers."
"Yes, My Lord."
"Good. Then you should be in charge of Sabre's care." Fairen stood up. "We will visit him now."
They followed him through a maze of corridors to a quiet hospital, where Sabre slept on a bed. Tassin gave a gasp of horror at the sight of his swollen face and the bruises on his arms and chest that were starting to turn purple. He was pale and gaunt, bandages swaddled his shoulder and thigh, and a drip was attached to his left wrist
"What happened to him?" she asked.
"Cyber fight," Tarl said.
Fairen nodded. "How did you know that?"
"The bruises on his arms and chest. Only another cyber could inflict those."
"Ramadaus sought to execute him using one of his cybers. Plus for entertainment, I suspect."
"How long did the fight go on for?"
"I don't know."
"I do," a voice said from beyond the partition around Sabre's bed. Tarl drew it aside, revealing Atrel lying on the next bed, his chest strapped.
Tarl frowned at him. "How long?"
"Over an hour."
"And those wounds?"
Atrel glanced at Sabre. "When Overlord Fairen rammed Ramadaus' ship, he ordered his other warrior to kill Commander Sabre. He used his weapon."
"Laser burns." Tarl turned back to Sabre, studying the brow band. "Is he asleep, or unconscious?"
"I was asleep until you woke me up," Sabre said, opening his eyes.
"Sabre." Tassin went to his side and took his left hand, raising it to her cheek. He smiled at her, and she kissed his palm. "You look terrible."
"I've felt better, too."
"You've lost weight."
Tarl nodded.
"Fighting a cyber for an hour will burn up a lot of energy."
"Don't start, Tarl. If you ask me for my bio-status, I'll kick you." Sabre's eyes flicked past him. "Fairen."
The young Overlord stepped closer. "How do you fare?"
"Only a couple of cracked ribs and a cracked collar bone."
"Good."
Sabre regarded him. "There's no need to hide your face. Your secret will be safe with these three."
"It's not so much a secret, more like a means of intimidation."
"Ah, yes, the mysterious Overlords, steeped in myth and legend, possibly monsters. Ravian, the Black Widow, Ramadaus Ice Hand, Fairen, the Red Death." He smiled.
"Are you mocking me?"
"I believe I am."
Tassin held her breath, wondering if Sabre was wise to poke fun at an Overlord, even one whom she knew to be a youth.
Sabre frowned at Fairen. "You don't need to wear a hood. You're far more intimidating in person than as a faceless figure."
"Really?" Despite the deep distorted voice, he sounded intrigued.
"Really."
"How so?"
"Hard to explain. Charisma, I suppose. A powerful presence, and probably something to do with that pale skin and those piercing blue eyes of yours."
"Don't..." Fairen shook his head. "Describe me."
"Trust me, you don't need it."
"And now it's redundant." Fairen pushed back the hood and unclipped an instrument that covered his mouth.
Tassin stared at him, even though she had seen him before. Tarl stepped back, looking disconcerted.
Sabre smiled. "It's good to see you again, my friend."
A faint blush coloured Fairen's pale cheeks under Tassin and Tarl's scrutiny. He turned to Tarl, who lowered his gaze.
"What treatment do you advise for Sabre?"
"A gag might help."
Fairen smiled, then burst out laughing. Sabre made a rude gesture at Tarl, who grinned.
Fairen said, "A little late for that, but seriously..."
Tarl studied Sabre. "He needs to eat. I'm guessing that's an energy drip in his arm, but it's not enough. Cybers have a metabolism that's in overdrive. They need special food, and he's burnt up all his reserves. Do you have cyber rations?"
Sabre groaned. "You're not shovelling that shit into me."
Fairen shook his head. "No, but if you describe it, I will have some made. Is that all?"
"Assuming that his wounds have been properly dressed, the only other thing he needs is rest. Enforced, if necessary."
"That can be arranged."
Sabre snorted. "All I want to do is sleep."
"Then we'll leave you to it," Fairen said, turning away.
Tassin kissed Sabre's cheek, and he squeezed her hand. She and Tarl followed Fairen back to his private chambers, where they accepted refreshments. Fairen turned to Tarl when they were settled on the sofa.
"How long could a cyber fight for?"
"In tests on Myon Two, the longest recorded fight was six hours, thirty-two minutes and fifty-four seconds. At the end of it both were too weak and exhausted to continue, and their control units shut down. That was unarmed combat, though, Sabre's wounded as well."
"I wish I had seen it."
"Yeah, me too, although it would be hard to stand by and do nothing if it was Sabre who was fighting."
"Yes."
"Will you take us to Omega Five?" Tassin blurted, then bowed her head in shame when Fairen raised his brows at her. "Sorry, My Lord, that was impertinent and ill thought out."
He nodded. "But I understand your desperation. You've had nothing but hardship in your quest to return to your home. The Trykon warship, however, is well armed and fast. I don't see why it cannot convey you safely to Omega Five. I shall give you a beacon that will inform those along the way that you have my permission to travel to Omega Five. Ramadaus won't bother you again."
"Thank you, My Lord."
"Sabre will remain here until I am called away, and you may remain also, if you wish."
"I do."
Fairen smiled and sipped his drink. "I thought you might."
"What will happen to you now?"
"Me?" He looked startled.
"For attacking Ramadaus."
He smiled again. "Nothing. I doubt Ramadaus will tell the others about this. His part in it is more likely to provoke their disapproval than mine. Not only did he try to execute a man who has committed no crime, he also knew that Sabre was under my protection, and he had been warned not to harm him. In addition, he refused to communicate with me when I arrived, thereby provoking my attack. He committed three breaches of protocol. I committed one."
"Is there a senior Overlord?"
"No, we're equals, except... some have more abilities than others."
"And who is the most powerful in that respect?"
"I am." Fairen sipped his drink. "And Ramadaus is the least of us."
****
Sabre looked up as Fairen entered his room, putting aside the vidbook he had been reading. His right arm was still strapped to his chest and his bruises were black now, his right eye completely closed.
Fairen sat in the chair opposite and studied him. "You look horrible."
Sabre shrugged. "I think the other guy looks worse."
"Most likely." Fairen considered him. "You're troubled. What is it?"
"Nothing you should be concerned about."
"I decide what I should be concerned about."
Sabre looked down at his hand, spreading it to study the faint scars on the back of it. "Did you ever want to be normal? Just another average human being living an average life?"
"All the time. But we have to play the hand we're dealt. It's no good wishing for another."
"Even when you know you're going to lose?"
"In the game of life, the only ones who lose are those who give up. Even if you never achieve your goals, trying makes it worth it. I would say you have a better hand than most; you should make the best of it."
Sabre sighed. "Sometimes being a killing machine has its disadvantages."
"Nobody is perfect."
"I just want to be normal."
"Wanting something impossible is futile. What is it that troubles you so?"
"You wouldn’t understand."
Fairen hesitated, then pulled off one of his gloves and placed his palm on Sabre's brow, closing his eyes. Sabre watched his face, surprised by the peaceful expression that came over it. Several minutes passed before Fairen removed his hand and opened his eyes, looking puzzled.
"There's a wall in your mind. Part of you is locked away. I cannot reach it. And you're afraid of it. But you shouldn't be; it's part of your humanity."
"How do you know that?"
"Because the wall was built by the computer, not you. You must break it down."
"What if I don't like what's behind it?"
"If you fear that, you're not ready to face it. Give it time; one day you'll be ready to find out what it is." Fairen pulled his glove back on. "I must go. I came to tell you that I have to go and settle a squabble between a world and its colony, which seeks to be independent. War is imminent there. Ramadaus will leave soon to seek a world where his ship can be repaired, which I'll have to do as well. I'll stay until your ship has entered the next corridor. I don't trust him."
Fairen stood up, and Sabre rose to face him. "Thank you. You saved my life."
The young Overlord dug in his pocket and took out a silver band, clipping it onto Sabre's left wrist. "I consider you my friend, and the only one I have. If you need my help again, use this. Try not to break it this time."
Sabre nodded and held out his hand. "Thanks."
Fairen clasped it and pulled Sabre into a brief embrace, then stepped back and swung away to stride out.
****
Tassin ran into Sabre's room, pulling on her robe. He thrashed on his bed, his face twisted, groaning in a soft, husky tone that tore her heart.
"Sabre! Wake
up!"
He jerked at the sound of her voice, gripped the sheet and ripped it like it was paper. She hesitated, afraid to go closer in case he lashed out.
"Sabre!"
Still he continued to writhe, and she ran into the washroom to fetch a cup of water, which she flung in his face. He sat up with a gasp, his eyes opened wide and flicked around the room, coming to rest upon her. His expression changed to one of intense relief, and he slid off the bed and drew her into a one-armed embrace, since his right arm was still strapped to his chest. Since his injury, the painful bruises and strapped arm had forced him to sleep in his own bed, and she had missed him terribly.
"You're safe," he whispered.
"It was just a dream." She hugged him.
"You were in terrible danger, and I couldn't help you. I was chained... I couldn't break them."
"It was just a dream."
Sabre nodded, and she wiped the water from his face, surprised when he pulled her close again and buried his face in her hair. His rare shows of affection were usually brief and a little awkward, made with a great deal of shyness and some reluctance, as if he expected rejection. She got the impression that this time he would not have let her go even if she had wanted him to, which was odd. Several minutes passed before he raised his head and released her, took her hand and drew her over to the bed, where he sat and looked up at her.
"That felt bad. It hurt, here." He touched his chest.
She nodded, a lump blocking her throat. "I feel that pain every time you're in danger." He looked away, and she sat beside him. "Would you like me to stay with you?"
He inclined his head, then bowed it, closing his eyes.
Concerned, she put a hand on his chest and found that his heart raced and his skin was hot. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. It's just a reaction to the dream."
"The cyber put you into... what do you call it?"
"Combat mode. No, the cyber doesn't seem to perceive my dreams. I did it myself." He raised his left hand, which trembled, and frowned at it. "Stupid."
"No it's not. You can't help it. Dreams can seem very real."
The Cyber Chronicles 06: Warrior Breed Page 22