by D. B. Goodin
“How you holding up, kid?” Norris asked.
“Better, but my arm and shoulder feel like they got run through a meat grinder,” Nigel answered.
“I know that feeling well, but it will pass. I just wanted to let you know someone from Chen’s organization will pick you up soon.”
“Are we going after Sally?”
Norris gave Nigel a pained look. It was the most emotion he’d seen from the man.
“As much as it pains Damien to leave his little girl in the custody of the Feds, we cannot go after her. Too much is at stake.”
“Sally is his daughter?”
“Yeah, she’s had a rough go of it. She will need to endure captivity—for the time being, anyway.”
Nigel repressed a pang of guilt.
I’ll help you, Sally, but Jet also needs my help.
“It was a pleasure working with you, sir,” an engineer who looked like he was fifteen said.
“What’s your name?” Nigel asked.
“Where are my manners? This is Chip, he is my son,” Norris said.
Nigel was speechless. He had no idea that Norris took his family on missions. Chip was the engineer that Norris had given the gun to.
Brave kid—but it probably goes with the territory of having a commando for a father.
The other engineers introduced themselves, and Nigel took mental notes of their names: Phillip, Jack, and Blaine.
Nigel heard some commotion some distance away; he couldn’t tell what was going on, but several men were shouting, and he heard the clicking sounds of weapons.
“Stand down,” Damien said.
“I think your ride is here. It was a pleasure working with you, son,” Norris said.
Nigel gave Norris a nod.
Moments later, Blanka was escorted in by Damien. Nigel tried to get out of bed and almost fell. The engineers helped him stand.
“Bring him to the car,” Blanka said.
Nigel and Blanka were driving through a darkened forest, heading back to the city.
“Where are we?” Nigel asked.
“Southern Connecticut,” she replied. “The Dark Angels have several bases among the islands just off the coast.”
“Thanks for picking me up. Are you taking me to see Jet?”
Blanka didn’t say anything for a long time.
“No, Nigel, I’m sorry, but you’re needed at the Bromwick.”
Chapter 24
Jet awoke to the sound of machinery. Her entire field of vision consisted of the floor. She tried moving her head, but something prevented it. She tried again with more force, and while she was able to move it slightly, a wave of pain shot through her neck and shoulders.
“Hello? Is there anyone there?” Jet yelled.
She didn’t expect anyone to answer, but to her surprise someone did.
“My dear, you better not fret, the doctor will be here soon,” a woman’s voice said.
“Who are you?”
My name is Gretta, and you were brought to the doctor after your . . . accident.”
“When will the doctor be back? This is uncomfortable, and—”
“The doctor will be back soon, dear. You cannot move your head without further injuring yourself, but I do have some VR goggles I can put on your head.”
“Do you have access to the Colossal Machine?”
“The what?”
“It’s a game. Maybe if you could download it, I could play.”
“Of course, dear. Give me a moment and I’ll see about getting it installed.”
About an hour later, Jet was controlling her avatar. She used the retinal recognition through the VR interface to get in.
I’m glad I had the biometrics setup, otherwise this woman would know my password, Jet thought. She was in her microcosm, a private area in the Colossal Machine where she could build anything she wanted.
I wonder if I can get back to the dungeon master.
Jet didn’t waste any time finding out. She stepped outside her microcosm and was instantly transported to a circular-shaped room with rows of seats that wrapped around her. She was seated in an oversized chair that resembled a throne. She was the only one in the room. She wondered if anyone else was going to show up, or if there was a specific time this council met. She was about to give up when she glimpsed the old man standing nearby.
“Hail, JetaGirl,” he said, “are you ready to begin the trials?”
“I am.”
“Very well. Once you start you will need to complete all the trials. If you quit early, then you will need to wait a fortnight before resuming. Do you understand?”
“Yes, but I have a question.”
“Very well.”
“Can you tell me about the trials?”
“It is the ultimate test of your chosen path. Since you are already a Magi, you have a chance to become the highest rank in that path. You will be granted powers befitting the rank, but you will not be all powerful—balance still needs to be maintained.”
“How many Grand Magi are there?”
“If you pass the trials, then you will be the first.”
“Very well, I’m ready to get started.”
The dungeon master waved a gnarled staff, and orbs of light appeared throughout the room. Moments later, nine people and the dungeon master sat nearby.
A beautiful red-haired woman in a formal dress appeared. Her long flowing hair shifted position as she moved toward Jet.
“JetaGirl, I am Countess Negas of the Kingdom of Nigh. Since I hold the position of first chair, I will be moderating the proceedings. Are you ready to be judged?”
“I am ready,” Jet said.
“You will be asked a series of questions from each council member. If you answer satisfactorily, you will be granted the title of Grand Magi. This title is permanent and takes precedence over all other titles. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
An old woman with long silvery hair wearing a full-length blue dress stood at the podium positioned about ten feet away.
“I am the Baroness of the High Terrace,” the woman said. “You are entrusted with the royal purse of the kingdom. But first you must answer this question.” The woman paused, looking steadily at Jet. “You come across a starving man who has not eaten in weeks. He asks you for a silver piece. You only have the money entrusted to you. Do you give him the silver piece, or do you let him starve?”
“I would give him the silver piece so he could buy food. Then, when I get back to court, I would beg the King’s forgiveness, then offer to reimburse the royal treasury,” Jet said.
The old woman left and was replaced by an older fighter who bore many scars.
“I am Sir Gladdus of Strombach, and please answer true,” he said.
“I will, Sir Knight,” Jet replied.
“You are assigned to guard a gate that has not seen battle for many moons. You are asked to join in a battle to slay a dragon that has plagued the kingdom for ages. The commander asks for you to join. If you do, the party has more than a good chance at victory. Do you join in the battle knowing you can deny your involvement if the battle doesn’t go as planned, or will you uphold your oath and guard the post?”
Jet thought about it for a moment before answering.
“I would obey my orders and maintain the post I was assigned.”
The man gave Jet a look of surprise, but she thought she saw an approving look on the man’s face.
Many more questions were asked, Jet answered honestly. The last council member took Jet by surprise: Queen Amerdelle, the Mad Queen, stood before her.
“It is good to meet your acquaintance again,” Queen Amerdelle said.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Jet said.
The Mad Queen smiled.
“You are married to the most handsome man in all the land,” she began. “He has taken ill and has only days to live. You can extend his life by feeding him the heart of a virgin. You calculate your village has more than fifty across t
he lands. Will you kill the virgins to save your beloved, or will you watch him die in your arms?”
What kind of question is this? This must be a trick.
“I will not harm others for personal benefit,” Jet said.
The Mad Queen looked disappointed, then left without another word.
The countess took the podium.
“We shall discuss your answers. Enjoy our hospitality while you are here,” the countess said.
Jet watched the council members leave the chamber and enter a side room. She didn’t know how long they would be gone, but she intended to not go far. She left the council chamber from a different exit than the one she had entered the last time she’d been here. She found herself atop a large parapet. She gazed over an enormous chasm. Waterfalls, streams, and mountains could be seen from her vantage point. A small child, about five, was perched atop the railing.
“Hello, are you the Magi?” the boy asked. “Are you ready to become the first Grand Magi of the realm?”
Jet didn’t answer for a long moment. The boy looked at her.
“I’m not sure,” she replied. “It would depend on the requirements, I suppose.”
“Why is that important?”
“Because, my priority is my beloved, and if he needs help, then he would come first.”
“Good answer,” the boy said.
Then the boy aged almost a hundred years in a few moments. It was the dungeon master.
“You have passed the ultimate test,” he said. “You are fit to be Grand Magi. We shall announce you to the kingdom in one fortnight. Until then, you have all the powers and privileges of a Grand Magi. Your first assignment is to investigate disturbances of power in the circle of Nexus.”
“Is this another test?” Jet asked.
The dungeon master laughed.
“Not in an official capacity, but you will need to learn how to defend against dark powers. The person causing a disruption has been elevated to power that is beyond the capabilities of a Grand Magi. If you put an end to the disturbance, you shall be heralded throughout the lands as the Avatar, the champion of the realm.”
“Sure, I will heed the challenge.”
What do I have to lose?
Jet was pulled out of the Colossal Machine.
She pulled off her VR goggles and blinked. Moments later an older man who looked at least eighty appeared. His white hair and chiseled facial features reminded her of her grandfather.
“Hello, Josephine, I’m Dr. Gruber, and I need to perform another surgery on your lower back. Are you ready to proceed?”
“Where am I?”
“We have stopped the bleeding, but we need to get to work quickly if we are to save your legs.”
The stark reality came crashing upon her.
Rick Watson awoke in his hotel room with a massive headache. He had not slept very well since that cyborg mistress had put him up to all of those . . . activities.
I never thought a whip could bring so much pleasure—and pain.
He got up and was about to use the restroom when a rapping noise interrupted his hangover. He opened the door to find Dr. Ash with a worried look.
“I hate to bother you at such an early hour, but could I have a moment of your time?” Dr. Ash said.
“Sure, come in,” Rick said.
“Nozomi has gone missing for more than twenty hours. She’s never out of touch for that long.”
“From what I’ve seen, she can take care of herself.”
“Indeed, but I have a bad feeling about her situation. I account for all of her nutrition cartridges. That means she doesn’t have a spare. She could be injured, or worse . . .” Dr. Ash trailed off.
“What’s worse than being injured?”
“Being captured!”
“I don’t think that happened. Who would want to capture Nozomi?”
“Someone that wishes to study her—wait, I think I know where she is.”
“Where?”
“She’s with a Dr. Sylvester, otherwise known as Doc Chop.”
“Who the hell is that?”
“Someone that Nozomi was brokering a deal with. We were supposed to be trading cyborg technology secrets, but he has double-crossed Nozomi,” Dr. Ash explained. “I’m needed here, but could you check on Nozomi?”
“Consider it done, but where should I look?”
“His last known location is near the abandoned train station. Near Sakura Park, he has a lab nearby and out of sight.”
“Sure thing.”
Dr. Ash thanked Rick, then left him to his thoughts.
Blanka assisted Nigel with gathering ice and applying it to his shoulder. The ordeal at the windowless tower and the trauma of getting shot had taken a lot out of Nigel. He took one of the pills the medic provided.
Only a few left. I’ll need to get more if I want to keep the pain at bay.
Nigel was snapped out of these thoughts by an incessant knocking on the door. When Nigel didn’t get up, the knocking turned into banging.
“Just wait, I’ll be right there,” Nigel scoffed.
“No, rest, I’ll get rid of them,” Blanka said.
“Is Nigel here?”
Nigel recognized the voice of his father.
“I think you should leave and let Nigel rest,” Blanka replied.
“Rest? From what? Too much sex?” Rick said as he barged in.
Rick paused when he noticed his son.
“What do you want?” Nigel asked.
“You’re hurt!”
“Yeah, that happens when you get shot.”
The blood drained from his father’s face. He started pacing; Nigel knew from experience he only did that when he was worried about something. He remembered how much his father had paced when Ralphie had been born.
“I’ll come back—”
“What is it now, Rick?” Nigel said.
“I . . . need your help, Nige. Something bad has happened.”
“Bad? Like getting shot?”
“She’s gone!”
A pang of fear gripped Nigel. “Who is?”
“Nozomi. Dr. Ash thinks she’s been captured.”
I thought he was talking about Jet for a moment.
“I need your help to locate her,” Rick said in an urgent tone.
“She hurt Jet, why should I help her?” Nigel asked.
Rick paused for a moment.
“She’s the only one who knows where Jet is.”
He’s probably lying, but maybe if I help him, he will help me get Jet back.
“I’ll do it on one condition. You take me to see Jet.”
“That isn’t true,” Blanka said as she applied ice to Nigel’s shoulder.
Rick looked unsure of himself. “Yeah,” he said, “but we need to get Nozomi back first.”
“Where is Jet?” Nigel demanded.
“Jet is at a safe location—only Madam knows,” Blanka said.
“And when were you going to tell me that?”
“Tonight,” Blanka replied. “It all happened fast—I was going to tell you, I promise.”
Rick looked like a wild animal about to chew off his arm.
“She is well taken care of. She is being treated very well by a doctor and his wife,” Blanka said.
“I’m sorry for deceiving you, son, but I was afraid you wouldn’t help . . .” Rick trailed off.
No one said anything for a long, tense moment.
“Can you give me any clues to her last known location?” Nigel said.
Rick looked relieved. “According to Dr. Ash, she was going to meet someone near Sakura Park a couple of days ago,” he said.
Nigel motioned for his laptop, and Rick handed it to him. Moments later, he pulled up a map of Sakura Park. “This area is huge,” he said. “Did you get any other clues?
Rick seemed to be straining to remember something.
“Oh—she did say something about a lab being close to an abandoned train station—near 91st street.”
&nb
sp; “Those areas are several blocks apart. Let me see what I can find.”
“Okay, I’m going back to New York tonight.”
“What? Why? Does the cyborg mean that much to you?
“I gave Dr. Ash my word,” Rick said.
Yeah, you care more about a murderous cyborg than your real family, Nigel thought bitterly.
“Well, how do I contact you? The cell phone Blanka gave me doesn’t have a SIM chip.”
“Can’t you message me?”
“No, this phone is locked down. It only contains the authenticator apps I need to get into certain hacking sites. I can’t use any conferencing apps anyway, since Mr. Chen has all of those ports blocked.”
“Wait, I’ll be right back,” Rick said as he left.
Nigel busied himself by doing a little research about the abandoned train station. In 1959, the station had been closed because there were two other stations five blocks on either side of the station.
I guess people didn’t want to walk as far for the train back then.
Nigel found all sorts of other interesting information about the abandoned station. Other than the graffiti, the station appeared to be in good shape. Nigel found some videos online of the station; they showed much of the same information he’d found from pictures online, with one notable difference. Whoever had taken the video had run down the tracks as he filmed. He noticed a maintenance entrance. The tracks were well lit, but the side tunnels appeared to be pitch-black.
I wonder what surveillance footage is available.
“I’m going to get you some more ice,” Blanka said as she left him to work.
Nigel checked the street cams around the park and the surface area of the abandoned station and saw nothing of interest. He researched for another fifteen minutes. He was fascinated with the hidden crevices he was finding. He didn’t even have to hack anything. The information was readily available online.
The door opened, and Nigel watched Blanka enter with a bag of ice, and something else.
“Your father asked me to give you this. He said it’s only to be used in an emergency,” Blanka said as she handed Nigel a new cell phone.
“Thank you,” Nigel said.
Instead of answering, Blanka gave him a kiss. “I hope you find her. You are a good person, Nigel, and she’s lucky to have you.”