Psychogen (Galactic Syndicate Cycle Book 1)

by N. C. Madigan

  But his face froze in an expression of shock. His grip loosened on her neck, and she was able to roll out from under him. Behind the man, the boy appeared. He pulled the Bloodhound’s body away from her, and Vely scrambled up, trying to fill her lungs with air. She saw a shard of metal sticking out from the back of the Bloodhound’s neck. The boy grabbed her hands and hoisted her up. Vely could see that the other Bloodhounds were engaged with colonists, who were attacking without restraint.

  “Come on.”

  The boy, young man really, helped her along, until she began to feel strong again. He led her through a maze of buildings, while the sounds of the market square faded behind them. He eventually halted at a door, unlocked it with his code, and stepped inside, pulling Vely along behind him.

  The apartment looked like Vely’s– few furnishings, metal everywhere, cold. Without invitation, Vely dropped into a chair and removed her bag from her shoulder. Her breathing was still erratic as she tried to fill her lungs with air.

  Now that she wasn’t running for her life, she could take a moment to observe the young man while he put a kettle on the hotplate. He was tall and thin, but not nearly as thin as the other Moon colonists. His hair was a light color, somewhere between brown and blonde, and long enough to cover his ears. He looked a little rough, though she couldn’t really blame him. He’d been in the middle of a brawl, after all. A purple bruise was already forming on his cheek, and he had some scratches on his face and hands.

  “My name is Cedrick Sones,” he said, turning towards her.

  “Vely Strange.” He smirked.

  “I know who you are. And I know about your sister, too,” he said. Vely felt a pang of fear run through her.

  “How?” she asked, her eyes narrowing. Cedrick shook his head and sat down at the table with her.

  “That will take a lot of explaining.”

  11

  When Liza woke, the ship was eerily quiet. It took several moments for her brain to catch up to the past events, images of the raid on the ship flashing through her memory. She moaned and pressed her hands into her face. She wasn’t in pain, but she felt like she had hardly any energy left in her. Liza pushed herself up into a sitting position, and immediately recognized that she was back in the medical bay. The lights were dimmed, and Doctor D was absent. Finally, Liza realized the reason for the total silence. The engines were off.

  Liza threw the blankets off her and slid down onto the floor. A few piles of clothes waited for her beside the bed; she dug through until she threw together a pair of canvas pants and a few layers of shirts. She pulled the borrowed boots onto her feet as well. A small box sat beside her clothes. Liza picked it up and pried off the top. Inside were all the S-chips she’d had on her when she’d been abducted, along with the small vial of medicine.

  A wave of sorrow washed over her, and she leaned back onto the bed, the vial clutched in her hand. She had no way of knowing if her mother was still alive, or if Vely was alright. They could even be dead. A few tears leaked out onto her cheeks, but she brushed them away. She couldn’t let herself get down. She had to believe that Vely was safe.

  Liza pocketed her S-chips and left the vial in the box. Moving slowly, she left the medical bay and stepped into the empty hall outside. She looked around, unsure of where to go. She hardly felt like standing up, but she was much too restless in her mind to stay in the medical bay.

  She stepped to the right and began to walk, inspecting everything and committing her path to memory. Before long, she arrived at an intersection of halls. She could hear whispered voices and feet, getting louder as they got closer. Liza waited. Weed and Speed rounded the corner, wearing matching outfits of dark pants and dark shirts. They smiled identical smiles at her.

  “Liza lives.”

  “Once again.”

  Liza had no idea which one was which. She smiled. “Yup, still kicking,” she answered. “Hey, where is everyone?”

  The twins pointed down another hall. “On the Rad station.”

  “Buying supplies.”

  “Refueling the ship.”

  “Anti-matter.”

  “Can you show me the way?” They nodded together, and turned down the hall they’d pointed to, motioning for her to follow.

  The three exited the ship together onto a busy platform. Nearby, Zimir was chatting to someone wearing a blue uniform. Liza had an uneasy feeling in her stomach whenever he was around. As she followed Weed and Speed, Zimir glanced over and caught Liza’s eye. She turned her head quickly and hurried on.

  The sight before her was nothing she’d ever seen in her life, or ever expected to see. Crowds… hordes of people were before her, walking in all directions, cutting in and out of each other. Small counters, gleaming buildings, and lights everywhere, stretched out before her. Brightly colored signs hung on the sides of buildings, with words and pictures shining outward, to catch the attention of passersby. Nothing about this place said ‘poverty’ or ‘poor’ or hinted at anything as terrible as the Moon colonies.

  Weed and Speed led her to Becce and Dom, who were milling around a long strip of stands. The people meandering along the walkway were more diverse than anything Liza had ever seen. A tall, deliriously thin creature slumped past her, its long legs moving slowly to accommodate the length of its thighs and shins. Its pointed head bobbed on a long neck, black eyes swivelling in every direction.

  “Never been off the moon before?” Dom asked, slapping a hand on Liza’s shoulder. She blinked and shook her head; she hadn’t realized she’d been gawking.

  “No…” she replied. The creature had disappeared. “What was that?”

  “In Universal language, we call them Baja. They don’t speak Universal, but sort of understand it. ‘Baja’ is the sound they make when asked who they are,” Dom explained. Liza stared up at Dom, feeling actual surprise and awe for the first time in a long time. He smiled at her. “You’re bound to see a lot of strange and new things now.”

  Behind him, Becce rolled her eyes. “Stop being dramatic,” she said, shouldering Dom to the side, who laughed good-naturedly. “Come on, Liza. Let’s go shopping for some clothes that fit.” Becce looped her arm through Liza’s and dragged her off into the crowd, leaving Dom and the twins behind. Liza glanced over her shoulder at them, and Dom smiled and waved, before the crowd surged around them and blocked her view.

  Becce seemed to have an intimate knowledge of the station, as she effortlessly guided Liza around corners, through swarms of people, until they were standing outside a building. It was a store, an actual store, with glass-like walls and windows. Liza marveled at it.

  “Most businesses do well on this station,” Becce said, releasing Liza’s arm to open the glass door. “And can afford to have a whole building to themselves.” Becce passed through the doorway and held the door open for Liza, who stepped inside, eyes growing wider.

  It was clean on the inside; the floors, walls, even the ceiling and the lights were free from dust and grime. Racks and piles of clothing covered the walls and tables on the floor, with signs showing the cost. “Come on.” Becce stepped forward, and Liza followed silently. As they roamed the store, Becce picked up articles of clothing and handed them over to Liza. Some, Becce held up to Liza’s shoulders, stared for a minute, then either tossed them into Liza’s arms or returned them to their place on a table or rack.

  The entire experience was new and exciting for Liza. ‘Shopping’ wasn’t an activity that existed on the Moon, not like this anyway. Clothes were usually scrounged from other people’s garbage, washed and mended. Children wore hand-me-downs from their parents or older siblings, such as the clothes that Liza had always given Vely.

  Liza couldn’t decide if Vely would like shopping. Maybe she would. If she was still alive.

  Becce led Liza to an area of the store with garments that Liza had no experience with. Soft, cushy pieces, with two cups and a lot of straps.

  “What…?” Liza began to ask, but Becce cut her off.


  “Brassieres. You know, bras,” Becce said. The older woman looked back at Liza and gave her a hard look. “Not that you’ll need much, at least until we put some more weight on that little frame of yours. Besides, in our line of work, they’re not practical.”

  Our line of work? Becce navigated around the racks of bras towards a corner. Rather than the strappy cupped bras, these garments looked more like tight camisoles. Becce chose a few from the racks, checking the sizes in the back. “What are these for?” Liza asked.

  “They’re to keep your breasts from moving around so much when you’re on the run,” Becce explained. Liza snorted a laugh, and Becce smiled. “I guess it’s a little funny. You didn’t have these on the Moon?”

  “Not at all,” Liza said. “At least, no one I knew. But it was never warm enough to ever walk around without six layers of clothing.” Becce grinned and handed over the bras to Liza’s pile.

  “That should be good. Come on,” she said. Liza followed Becce, apparently her new mentor in the ways of being a woman. Becce approached a long, gleaming counter where several people dressed in black suits waited, their hands behind their backs. Becce lifted the clothes away from Liza’s arms and placed them on the counter. Liza began to dig around in her pockets for her credit chips, but Becce waved a hand at her.

  “Don’t worry about it,” she said. Liza stared, unable to comprehend.

  “Thank… you….” Liza said. Becce smiled, then turned back to the man who was calculating the cost of the clothes. Liza waited, feeling awkward and shy, until Becce handed her several thick bags full of her new clothes.

  “You didn’t have to,” Liza said, following Becce from the store. Becce stopped and turned to Liza and leaned close to her ear.

  “We have discovered that you are something special, Liza Strange. No matter what happens, Dom and I will always be behind you, okay?” The look she was giving Liza was significant. Liza had no idea what she meant, but she nodded.

  As the two walked back to the docking ports, Liza passed by a window that was displaying a black coat, with a high collar and hung to just above where Liza’s hips would be. It sang to her in a way that no article of clothing had ever sung. “Becc-” Liza said, tugging at her sleeve. Becce stopped and looked up into the window. She grinned.

  “Done.”

  The crew of the Gypsy Star were already on board when Liza and Becce arrived. Dr. D was apparently waiting for Liza to return, because he grasped her shoulder with one large hand as she walked onto the ship.

  “There you are,” he said, looking only a little displeased. Liza smiled at him sheepishly. “My patients don’t normally go wandering off after a display like that,” he said, but a look from Becce silenced him. “I take it you are feeling better?”

  “Much,” Liza answered. Dr. D nodded, rubbing his bald head.

  “Put her up in a room, Bec, and make sure she stays out of trouble,” he said, looking at the older woman, who smiled.

  “Sure thing, Doc,” she answered. “Come on. The room next to mine is empty.”

  She punched in a code on the panel next to the door, and it slid open. Automatically, the lights turned on, and Liza could survey the room. It was small, but still larger than the room she shared with Vely on the Moon. A bed built into the wall was in one far corner, and other built-in furniture lined the walls, like a dresser and a closet, storage drawers and cabinets, and benches. Another door stuck off from the corner opposite the bed.

  “That’s the lavatory,” Becce said, seeing Liza’s gaze linger on the door. “Nothing fancy. Just the basics.” Liza stepped into the room and set down her bags on the floor. She stepped in front of the lavatory door, and it opened with a woosh. There was an actual toilet. And an enclosed shower.

  “It’s already fancier than anywhere I’ve lived before,” she said, glancing at Becce over her shoulder.

  “Just don’t forget that you’ll have to work to earn your place here on this ship,” Becce said. Liza stepped out of the lavatory, the door closing behind her.

  “I didn’t ask to be here,” she said glumly. “But I’ll do my part, at least so you don’t leave me stranded somewhere.” Becce smiled, looking a little sad.

  “This panel here,” she said, pointing to a glowing screen in the wall beside the door. “You can control the room with it. Temperature, lights, door code, everything.” Liza nodded and thanked Becce once again, for everything. “Don’t mention it.”

  12

  “Before I try to explain,” Cedrick said, glancing out the window into the street, which was still empty, “I need you to do something.” Vely stared at him.

  “What?”

  “I need you to secure this apartment, to keep anyone from finding us,” he said. Vely raised an eyebrow, her hands moving to her hips.

  “Don’t you have locks on the doors?” she asked, glancing at the door. Her patience was wearing out.

  “Not like that,” he said, turning away from the window to face her. “With your ability.”

  “You’re crazy,” she said, and began to move towards the door. “I’m getting out of here.”

  “No!” Cedrick darted after her, grabbing her arm before she could open the door. He pulled her away, staring hard at her. “You have to trust me. I can help you find your sister!”

  The stranger just became a little more interesting.

  “How?”

  “I said, I’ll explain, but first, you need to seal off this apartment.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Vely cried out. Cedrick shook his head and took Vely’s hand. He led her to the center of the room.

  “Close your eyes,” he said. “Spread your awareness to this apartment.”

  Vely frowned. Nothing he said made any sense, but she tried anyway. She exhaled and allowed her shoulders to relax, something she hadn’t done in many days. Slowly, the same calm, cool feeling that she felt while opening the rich person’s door began to crawl through her body.

  “Let it fill the apartment,” Cedrick said, but his voice sounded very far away. Vely imagined releasing that calm into the room. The feeling began to pull away from her, melting away from her skin. She felt a light blue mist unfurling around the apartment, forming a protective barrier from anything happening outside the apartment. She opened her eyes. The blue mist she saw in her mind was lingering around the room. Cedrick stood in front her, smiling.

  “You did it. It may not last long, but you did it.”

  “I have no idea what I did,” Vely said. Cedrick nodded and took her hand, making Vely flinch. “Sorry,” she said, when he gave her a strange look. Cedrick sat her down in a chair at the table and turned away to his hotplate. He began to make tea.

  “Please, I need answers,” Vely said, feeling tired, a little weak now, but desperate.

  “Of course. You will, for the time being, need to suspend all you know about life,” he began, pulling two cracked cups from a small storage cube.

  “Okay…” Vely said. Cedrick dropped two tea tablets into each cup and poured hot water over them. He handed one over to Vely, who sipped, relishing in the warmth.

  “There are forces, powers, in this world, that you know nothing about,” he began. “There are certain people whose brain capacities have evolved, allowing them to access more mental power than others. And doing this has given those people certain traits. Abilities, if you will. They’re called Psychogens. You’re one of them. And your sister. And me.”

  “You?” Vely asked skeptically.

  “Yes. I am what is called an Augur. I have the ability to see glimpses of the future, or possible futures,” he explained. “I have honed this ability over the years as well, so my glimpses are clearer and more accurate.”

  “This is crazy,” Vely said. Cedrick reached across the table and covered her hand. Vely flicked her eyes towards hi, but didn’t flinch this time. She certainly wasn’t used to being touched this often by anyone, especially someone from the opposite sex. She couldn’t decide h
ow she felt about it. “How do you know about Liza?”

  “I’ve seen her around. I’ve learned over the years how to pick out traits of other Psychogens. That’s how I knew about you. When I saw you in the crowd, I knew right away that you’re a Tranquil.” Vely opened her mouth to speak, but Cedrick shook his head. “You are. This ability allows you to negate or block the abilities of others. Alternatively, you can balance out the power of others, for anyone who is unsteady. You can also manipulate others by directing your Tranquility into their minds.”

  “Tranquility,” Vely said, testing the word.

  “What I asked you to do here, by sealing this apartment. The blue mist only you can see is your Tranquility. You are negating the ability of the Bloodhounds by doing this, so they can’t find you.”

  “Wait, back up. You know about them?” Vely asked.

  “Of course. I’m surprised you do.”

  “I saw them, and heard some people talking about them,” Vely explained.

  “Before I explain them, let me tell you about your sister,” Cedrick said. “Your sister has an ability called Kathokinesis. It’s extremely dangerous and difficult to control.”

  “And she’s got it? The universe is doomed,” Vely said with a little laugh. Cedrick didn’t laugh. He looked serious. “Is the universe doomed?” she asked.

  “Perhaps, but not because of one person,” Cedrick said. “Kathokinesis is the ability to bend the will of a person and control physical objects. Just as you have your Tranquility, your sister could potentially destroy anything she wished. Or control anyone she wished.”

  Vely’s mouth had fallen open. Knowing her sister, the rash, quick to anger and frustration sister, bad things could happen.

  “Why didn’t we know about this before?” Vely asked, a nervous and exhilarated feeling in the pit of her stomach.

  “That’s the beautiful part,” he said, a little too wistfully. She stared him down. “Sorry. It’s just so rare to have a pair in one family.”