Oblivion's Peril

by M. H. Johnson

  Val flashed an approving smile, amazed by how perfectly her voice had been amplified. "Glad to have you on my team! We're going to help the others and get those mechs up and running, so don't fall too far behind," he teased as he hopped on his blade and roared back the way they had come, Bethany's massive mech racing right behind him.

  41

  Congratulations! You have once more successfully cast Greater Dominion Catalyzation! 20 out of 20 mech units successfully repaired. Experience earned!

  Val stepped back with a smile, taking a look at the pristine battle-mech before him, appreciating the whistles and applauds his restorations had garnered him from friends and mercs alike. He sat down with a content sigh even as Axel let out a whoop and clambered inside, letting his utterly depleted mana pool fill itself.

  “Fantastic job, boss! I doubt there’s a mechanic or even an artificer who could have repaired these garbage heap battle-mechs as well as you did. Best of all, this girl’s a comm mech. We’ll be able to keep our entire squad in sync with one another!”

  “Excellent news, Axel. So you’re saying we can communicate like at a hyperion network gate?”

  Axel popped back out of the mech, frowning at Val. "Of course. That's not even an issue. Thing is, we can also neuro-link all our battle-mechs together to better fight in concert! Of course, you need an elite pilot to pull that maneuver off." His frown grew as he tried on the helmet. "Let me just see if I..."

  “Get out of the mech, now!” screamed none other than Bethany, her voice amplified to a roar from the battle-mech she strode up in. A startled Axel immediately burst out of the battle-mech, Val afraid he’d hurt himself before being impressed with how well the experienced pilot flung himself down the massive machine. He controlled his descent with a roll just at the curve of the leg, breathless but unharmed when he tumbled to a stop by Val’s side.

  “What the hell was that about?!” shouted a now furious Axel, who had obviously abandoned the mech on a mercenary’s ingrained instincts before realizing he wasn’t in direct danger, and he didn’t take orders from anyone save Val. Yet.

  Bethany had already popped out of her own mech, safely touching the ground as her sisters raced to her side, each with crackling Psiblade and forceshield in hand, staring daggers at a suddenly frightened Axel.

  Axel turned to Val. “What the hell is going on?”

  Val shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure myself.” He turned to the girls. “Bethany?”

  Bethany’s gaze was hard. She waved away her sisters, who eased their grips on shield and blade when they saw their sister was perfectly safe. “I was trying to protect your friend.”

  Axel’s eyes widened at that. “What the hell are you talking about, girl?”

  He grimaced when Val scowled. “Sorry. I meant to say, what the hell are you talking about, Highlady Bethany?”

  Lisa smirked, turning to Sasha. “He’s kind of cute when he blusters. Like a confused puppy.”

  Sasha dipped his head. “And he’s Valor’s associate. Which is why we don’t strike him down for insubordination.” Lisa nodded at that.

  Bethany frowned. “No one’s cutting down our captain for insubordination when I went to all that trouble just to save his life!”

  Axel paled. “Maybe you could explain, Lady Bethany?”

  Bethany gestured towards the battle-mech the man had just left. “That’s the new Hyperion Saber-class communication mech that lets a pilot Mindlink with multiple pilots at once. You got that much right, but you're forgetting a crucial little detail."

  Axel frowned. “And what would that be?”

  Bethany clenched her teeth. “It uses a Psion bridge to harmonically link pilots together. You know, the life force inherent in all living things? Trace Psions found in every healthy individual? The sicker they are, the fewer Psions? Without which, you die? What it means is that only Highlords can use it. And if a brash pilot like yourself tried to make use of it, you’d enjoy a few brief seconds of awareness blazing through your cerebrum before your entire brain flash-fried and you crumpled into dust.”

  Axel blinked, swallowed, and looked ready to collapse. He took a deep breath, forcing a shaky bow. “My lady, pray forgive my earlier offense. I thank you for my life.”

  Bethany just shook her head. "Maverick pilots who never listen..." she muttered, storming past Val and entering the pristine Hyperion Saber herself before turning to scowl at a still-shaken Axel. "Well? Board your mecha, soldier! Prepare to head out."

  “Yes ma’am,” saluted Axel, before suddenly wincing. “Damn, did I just lose command?”

  Val couldn’t help chuckling at that, passing the man his water flask. “Who can say? If she can effectively keep everyone working in tandem… It won’t hurt your pay either way.”

  Axel gave a thoughtful shrug, wiping his face, passing back the container. “There is that,” he said philosophically as he made his way to what was now his battle-mech, the entire score of mecha quickly lining themselves up for combat readiness.

  Val gave a satisfied smile. A bit of practice and a number of craters later and it was obvious his pilots could all use autocannons with a sniper’s level of proficiency, and half their number could use vibro-blades and energy shields with what Bethany assured was a gladiatorial level of skill. And the ease with which those cannons had obliterated even stone targets made it clear just how deadly Dominion weaponry could be. Val glanced at the train of vehicles now making their way south, glad to see the last of the repaired carriers driving off, all the surviving freight haulers having been either killed or willingly bonded to Val’s greater oath in short order, following new orders to head for Blackenthorp Province and await further instructions, clearing the road of any evidence of what exactly had occurred.

  Because the longer Val could keep his enemies guessing, the better.

  Val turned to gaze at the horizon, knowing that even with the slower pace of the battle-mechs, they would make Blackenthorp Province in just a couple of days if they went at full speed, three if they stuck to nighttime travel. And with twenty pristine battle-mechs along with skilled pilots to fly them and a trio of Highlords all willing to join his cause, he felt his chances of surviving the war to come were better than ever.

  Everyone was in high spirits after their impromptu training session, and Val got a chance to properly meet the mates of so many of the pilots who would be driving the velis they had used for the ambush, more than a few having the hard-eyed gazes of experienced mercenaries themselves, over half of them with a child as well.

  Val happily waved the grateful spouses farewell after exchanging nods with Lisa and Sasha, the pair having detected no signs of malice or treachery from any of them. Val had elected not to oathbind them, having a hunch this would boost his men’s morale, as Axel and Caden’s relieved smiles verified when their unbound wives and children departed for Blackenthorp Province. Val was happy for the approving nods, and cynically certain their families would be forced to flee his territory anyway, if they truly meant him harm.

  Bethany squeezed his hand. “I’m glad you didn’t feel the need to bond them. Or us,” she said, gazing pointedly at her sisters as Axel nodded Val’s way before ordering his men back in their mechs, knowing they would be moving out soon.

  Val gave an awkward shrug under the girls’ intent stares. “From a purely tactical standpoint, I should. But after what you three went through, to force you to endure another bonding with such severe consequences when you had no choice but to be with me… no. There is no way I could put another silver collar on your soul. Not and still be worthy of your friendship.”

  The three girls beamed smiles at him and Val couldn’t help feeling buoyed by their warm regard. “Besides. Once we get to Blackenthorp Province, anyone who wishes me harm will find themselves increasingly uncomfortable until they flee the territory before the next full moon.”

  “A useful trick for any ruler,” Sasha said approvingly. “Too bad most Highlords will never become Mystics.”


  Val smirked. “Because it’s a path that requires embracing the Rite of Ascension, and the High Council is backing an absolute tyrant who plans on making an example of anyone who gets in his path.”

  The three girls paled at that, lowering their gaze, and Val cursed himself for a fool.

  It was Bethany who looked up first, eyes fierce and proud. “But you’ll be the one to take him down, with us by your side. And together we’ll avenge my father. Avenge the death of the Calvar clan.”

  Val nodded. “You’re damn right we will.” He turned to gaze at the pristine battle-mech Bethany had claimed as her own, shimmering brightly in the afternoon light. “I’ll bet it would be an incredible rush to fly her,” he sighed.

  Bethany nodded solemnly before her lips lightened in a smile. “It is, Valor. It really is. But if you don’t have the right cognitive resonance...”

  “A Cybernetic Pool and the right skills. I know.”

  Bethany frowned at that before shrugging. “Perhaps. But if you’re not born with the knack, if you don’t come from sires or dams who are themselves pilots, it is unlikely you will ever be able to safely fly a mech. The same is true of the more advanced AI synergized space-fighters.”

  Lisa nodded. “Where the pilot and the ship become one. The ship but an extension of the captain’s body, where the laws of physics seem to bend before the combined might and power of the duo. At least if the captain is any good.”

  “Impressive,” Val said. “What happens to the bad captains?”

  Lisa shrugged. “They die.”

  “Ask a silly question...”

  A triumphant shout washed over Val as Bethany squeezed his hand before stepping back with a satisfied smile. Suddenly all seriousness, her beautiful eyes peered intently into his own. “Valor, do you trust me?”

  For some reason, Val felt his cheeks heating up. "It's pure madness, but yes, I do."

  Bethany nodded. “Good.”

  With that she gently pressed her palms to his cheeks and pulled a stunned Val close till her eyes took up his entire field of vision, her forehead gently pressing against his own.

  Val shuddered and fought not to collapse.

  Saving throw made! For that which comes so easily to most Highlords cannot be said of your own clan!

  Congratulations! Spirit Link is now Rank 3.

  Even as the words washed over and through him, Val fought to maintain his bearing as the thoughts and impressions of a full score of men washed over him.

  Mindlink with Bethany Calvar achieved. You are now linked to your entire party!

  “This is the advantage of fusing a Highlord’s gifts with a Hyperion Saber. I can forge a bond with all my pilots. With time my skill will grow, but for now, at least I can communicate with them.”

  “Bethany, that’s fantastic!” Val said, his mind suddenly flashing upon a dozen possible uses for such a talent, even as the girl before him shifted her head, nodding at his declaration.

  “I’d like to think so, yes.” He could hear the mirth underneath her words. “But there is more. Considering our bond...” Val flushed at that. “And your own gifts, even if you are no more gifted than the average Dauda, forgive me for saying that, Val. Anyway, with all those considerations in mind, I thought it might be possible to fuse your awareness with my own. Brace yourself, Val. You have incoming!”

  Val fought to stay upright as twenty minds suddenly reached for his own, dizzy and overwhelmed by the idea of his mind touching a score of other souls until he found himself stepping back, consigning each ‘player’ into a tiny little window in a metaphoric screen he somehow brought to being, now imagining a chart and feeling all the players flow right where they could best fit.

  Insight gained! What’s the point of fusing your mind to all your hapless pilots, if not to control their every move?

  Val smirked even as Bethany pulled away, gazing at Val with something very close to awe, their connection still as strong as it was just moments ago.

  "That was… impressive," declared a troubled-looking Sasha, gazing at Val strangely, Lisa nodding in silent agreement.

  “Not really,” Val declared, frowning at the now stationary mecha. “We have 19 sniper-class gunners, half of them also expert with vibro-blade and energy shield, and only one communication specialist. So they were easy to organize. What comes next, that's the hard part."

  And when Val explained their next bit of practice, Bethany's eyes widened and she gave an approving nod. "If we can really manage it? It will give us a tremendous edge." She then got on comms, connecting with all the transceivers at once.

  “Axel, get your ass back here! Our commander has an idea, and I think it’s a good one.”

  And within minutes everyone was in formation, distant targets in the scattered rubble sighted, everyone cheering when everything went so smoothly it was like a dream.

  Axel gave an approving nod. “If this holds up in the heat of combat...”

  “It will if we put in enough hours training,” Val assured.

  Axel smiled. “Then we can see just how useful having a Highlord in a Psionically linked mecha can be. And where will you be when we’re getting hot and heavy with all this, boss?”

  Val smiled, hopping back on his hover-blade. “Where else?”

  Axel laughed. “Bravo! Just try not to get yourself killed, sir.”

  “I’ll do my best, Axel,” Val said, determined to ride slowly, as his still throbbing head continued to adjust to the idea of, at least peripherally, juggling the sense of twenty other players on the board. Fortunately, with the way he reconfigured it, it felt just like keeping track of guildmates on a raid.

  Congratulations! Mindmeld is now Rank 2, fully compatible with your Spirit Link! Sense the health, status, and locations of your teammates while having an open invitation to peer into their minds! See? You really are a Psionicist! Just weaker than all your Highlord friends. Good thing your primary link is Bethany, doing most of the work with her pretty toy, or you’d be screaming in pain right about now!

  Val could hear Bethany’s chuckle over his transceiver. “One of these days I’m going to ask who that dry voice is, echoing in your head whenever you gain or improve one of your talents. You know your explosive growth isn’t entirely human, right?”

  Val couldn’t help smirking at that. “Actually it’s very human. Or… Terran, I suppose. You’re just jealous that I can level up.”

  “Or maybe I’m just happy I get to ride an incredibly sophisticated battle-mech while you and my sisters have to ride about in your inferior toys.”

  Val laughed. “Maybe. Bethany? Since we’re finally together as a team and our forces are assembled, it would be nice if we could contact Lucius Blackenthorp and let him know we’re on the way. I don’t suppose you know the signal ID off hand?” He knew it was a long shot, but if she and Angelica had once been more than enemies, as her sisters put it, he could just imagine the pair gossiping all night long on what he supposed was the high-tech multidimensional version of the phone.

  “Will do,” she said, and Val smiled with genuine relief. He had only come to fully appreciate the importance and versatility of hyperion network gates when he had hit the city, and the inquisitor’s unexpected arrival at Blackenthorp Province had necessitated moving things forward a bit faster than he had intended. But considering the battle-mechs now under his command and the fact that Bethany and her sisters were now free, he was glad he had seized the opportunity while he could.

  Val’s relieved smile was instantly wiped away when a desperate voice crackled through the transceiver.

  “This is Lucius Blackenthorp! Who is this—Bethany Calvar, you’re alive?”

  Val was both impressed and chilled by the speed with which the deadliest Highlord now sworn to his service put two and two together.

  “You’re in a fully comms adjusted battle-mech with cyber ports. A Class A Hyperion Saber, if I’m not mistaken, so you must be leading a squad. I can think of only two possible scenarios t
hat would have you in a mecha suit, as opposed to a silver leash or a pain vat. One, you have sworn to serve under Kentric’s banner, body and soul. Even though he butchered your father.”

  A sudden tense pause.

  “Or two. You have sworn yourself to Valor Hunter.”

  Val felt chills racing down his spine, wondering just how high Lucius’s Insight was.

  “Ooh. He’s good,” Lisa declared as Sasha kept their veli alongside Val’s bike.

  “Yes, I am,” Lucius snapped. “And for your little sister to be in any state save terror and listening in tells me all I need to know. Valor Hunter, get back here now! Highblood Province is under attack and the portal you forged between our territories has somehow been forced shut! Do you understand, Valor? Our enemies were somehow able to disrupt your portal, and only did so after my daughter and her squad jumped through! Now she and just a thousand men will be forced to face off against no less than two score battle-mechs! And even Christine’s enhanced shields can’t hold against their concentrated fire for more than 30 minutes tops! How far out are you, Valor? And why the hell did you leave no way for me to communicate with you? You need to be here now! Too much rides on you for this idiocy!”

  Dead silence.

  Insight gained! You are cognizant of only a few of the wondrous powers available to those who walk the Path of Kings. Perhaps there are powers specifically designed to target and destroy other contenders? Or at least sabotage their ability to maneuver! Especially if you’re not even there to protect what is yours!

  Val’s heart surged in sudden panic.

  He had never even considered the possibility that an enemy could disrupt his gates. And Lucius was right. He hadn’t even tried to call Julia or Christine or Lucius even once, afraid to risk giving himself away while in the heart of the city if he inquired via the wrong channel. But there was no big brother here. No overseeing eye recording all communication. Just a field of battle with several dozen reds on the board and any one of them would be happy to slaughter everyone Val loved within Highblood Province if it got them one step closer to claiming the throne.