by Skyler Grant
"I've got a little of everything in this ancient old head of mine. One of me was at the forefront of implant science of her day. It was her that thought she could take control of ones further down the line with implants," Tourmaline said.
"So not actually that smart," Kara said.
"I'm seriously going to just grab one. I'm getting hungry," Vess said.
"Eat one out of the bucket," Quinn said.
"I'm not a bucket eater! I am a mighty flyer and huntress. I shall stalk my own fish to crunch between my teeth," Vess said, offended.
Vess tossed her pole to the side, her form rippling and shifting, and with a running start and leap she transformed into a dragon, soaring above the lake.
"All you people are getting new abilities. I want to learn how to do that," Kara said, watching Vess.
"You are a super-strong, rapidly regenerating, combat monster. I think you're quite overpowered enough already," Quinn said.
"All a matter of comparison, isn't it? All of you want to be more than other humans. I'm pretty average as Yek go."
Quinn had never really given that any thought, but it made sense.
"I know you can't learn any of our magic. That is a human thing. But what about something like implants? Would they work in a Yek?" Quinn asked Tourmaline.
"For all that she looks mostly human, on the inside she is anything but. Skeletal system, nervous system, cellular biology are all completely different," Tourmaline said.
"But I mean ... we're close enough to have sex. That has got to count for something right?"
"We Yek can bang just about anything and probably have. You can knock us up too, though you only get more Yek. It doesn't mean all your human stuff works on me. I send your medpatches haywire," Kara said.
Quinn wasn't letting it go that easy.
"But something could?" Quinn asked.
"It isn't a matter of just deciding to make green-skinned kick-ass hottie even more kick-ass. Implants have a history. They were originally medical devices and over a really long time got refined over and over," Tourmaline said.
"But we have a bunch of really smart people here," Quinn said.
Vess dove on the lake, the massive splash hitting the shore. Moments later she shot out with a fish in her jaws.
Tourmaline looked towards Kara. "Help me out. Have your people ever used anything like combat implants? You held off the Imperium, you must be pretty advanced."
Kara shook her head. "We weren't. We were pre-industrial when Imperium Marines landed. We killed them and took their guns. Once we figured out how they worked, we used those guns to take their ships."
"You're joking."
"Nope. When we figured out the ships, we used them too. We've always been fighting things bigger and scarier than us, and figuring out how to use their strengths against them."
"You have my respect in every way I have to give, but it does mean the implant idea is out. Yeah, something or someone could probably be made, but despite our massive brains-trust it isn't going to happen. If you had a whole Imperium research team, maybe, in a few years," Tourmaline said.
"More interested in being a dragon than being a little bit stronger or faster anyways," Kara said.
"Between Jinx and Kalisa we can enchant our equipment a few different ways now. We can at least make sure you have better gear than any other Yek. Least if you manage to bring home any fish," Quinn said.
Kara rolled her eyes. "Right then. Grenades are coming out."
In the end, they caught a lot of fish. A few even escaped explosive damage.
13
Fish was on the menu. They might be ugly, but they cooked up nicely. Fried, baked, Melody had done everything she could with what they'd brought back from the fishing trip.
"Best fish hunter ever. I bagged over seventy," Kara said, looking satisfied with herself.
"I think Tourmaline would want me to scream insults here. Fortunately, I'm not the type," Tamara said, taking a bite of baked fish. "We need to figure out our next steps."
"Nothing has changed. We came here because the Core is important and we might be able to make a difference. All of that is still true," Jinx said.
"The louder things get, the more dangerous things are for us. We were already loud enough that a would-be destroyer of the Imperium came for us. Who is coming after us now?" Quinn asked.
"Whoever it is, we'll kick their tails. It’s what we do," Kara said.
"We also run away when the time is right and the odds are against us. That would-be Empress doesn't pay bad, but stopping battlecruisers? That isn't who we are," Taki said.
"I think we're past the point where we can just go back to our old lives. We tried that on the Rim and look what happened," Quinn said.
"Maybe not. But this stage? This is too big for us, sir," Taki said.
Tamara said, "You aren't paying attention to the long game again. Without a strong Imperium the clans will rip us apart when they arrive. If we aren't taking charge ourselves, Joline is a good choice, and we get rich in the process."
"If we live," Taki said.
"I want real options. Lay them out and we can pick between them," Quinn said.
"The Rim is the closest thing we have to a home now. Instead of wasting our time here we go back and help Hope's Reach grow into what it could be," Taki said.
"That is more forward-thinking than I expected from you. I thought you'd want to abandon everything we built," Tamara said.
"Might seem I don't appreciate what you've done, but I do. The storm is coming and we have one port where we have real friends. Where we're safe. Why aren't we there?" Taki asked.
"I just want the best fight we can get. We know that arena champion has two of the regalia, and he sounds like a lot of fun. We do what we've been hired to do and we go kick some ass," Kara said
Vess nodded vigorously.
Mara said carefully, "I'd like to suggest an alternative to this whole thing. Vixana. If there is a respected, civilian ruler of the Empire, it is her. Just because we saved Joline's life, it doesn't mean we're bound to her forever."
"Trust a spy to think of the double-cross," Tamara said.
"You disapprove?"
"I'm rather impressed. Joline's position is weaker than I thought. The Imperium needs a strong navy, but there might be a deal to be struck there," Tamara said.
Kalisa finished off a bite of fried fish before saying, "If I'm really a member of this family and I get a voice, here’s my suggestion. You are favoring the wrong side. The clans are already prepared to recognize you, seize what you can for yourselves."
Dela had joined them for dinner, although she wasn't the most energetic, her eyes dull and her movements lethargic. "Most of those who went for the throne first are dead. The bold are out there getting their heads cut off. We hide, and we don't come out until the slaughter has passed."
This wasn't like her. Dela was usually always the first to want some excitement. Quinn was worried, thinking she really must be feeling out of it after getting her implants.
"That isn't an option. Whatever we do, we have to do it quickly," Jinx said.
"You in a hurry?" Kara asked.
Jinx turned her gaze around the table. "I'm on a ticking clock. You all expect so much from me. Magic expects something from me. But I'm pregnant. In a few months I won't be able to fight, only be protected."
That caused a moment of silence.
"Would that be so bad? I don't want anybody getting hurt. I don't want anybody dying," Melody said, as she set another plate of food down.
"It's uncomfortable to say, it's uncomfortable to hear, but we all know that Jinx is at the center of the events that swirl around this ship. If she feels we need the quick win, that is what we go for," Quinn said.
"That gets rid of hiding. My idea is looking pretty good," Kara said cheerfully.
"Whichever royal we choose to support, gaining the regalia is the best way for them to get widescale support for their claim," Tamara said.
"Do you forget who your apprentice is? She is the spear point of Order. Our place isn't siding with the chaotic hordes coming to put everyone to the sword," Mara said.
"I know who my apprentice is better than you do. She is Opalia's heir. That makes her place considerably more complicated," Kalisa said.
Quinn remembered what Kalisa had said about Opalia, that she had given up her magic to help the Unshackled regain their sanity. The Emperor had simply waged war at first, and then quarantined everything. Opalia had done something different.
"We go after Kam Roush," Quinn said. The Lord of the Arena, holder of two pieces of the regalia.
"Great! Does this mean I get to fight a duel to the death? In the arena? I'm ready," Kara said, almost bouncing in her seat.
"What do we know about him?" Quinn asked.
Mara slid one of her bracelets onto the table, a holographic display projecting into the air. The images showed scenes of battle, and an armored figure with a mask and a sword.
"Nobility are normally forbidden from fights to the death in the arenas. Gives the populace the wrong idea, reminding them that their nobles can be killed. So, he sneaks in masked to contest in public rounds," Mara said.
"That is bold," Kara said.
"From all I can find he didn't take any shortcuts either. More than a thousand battles over the span of years. All building a reputation that eventually got him a challenge from the Grandmaster," Mara said.
"And he won," Kara said.
Mara shook his head. "No, he didn't. It was an epic battle, but one that he lost and the champion stripped him of his mask. When the arena sensors identified his face the match was stopped, and he was allowed to live."
"Something obviously changed," Quinn said.
"The death of the Emperor, and the breakdown of law and order. Kam returned to the arena and challenged the Grandmaster to a rematch. This time he didn’t hide behind a mask, and this time he won and was proclaimed Grandmaster," Mara said.
"How does that possibly make him a contender for Emperor?" Quinn said.
"People love a winner, they always do. They also love a noble willing to get down in the muck and fight it out," Tamara said.
"I'd be interested in fighting him, if none of you were willing. I'm quite certain he's never fought anything like me," Kalisa said.
"We aren't letting you out in a public space. There isn't a dampener we could build strong enough to keep you from infecting them," Mara said.
"We should avoid a fight at all, obviously. I doubt this guy is fighting in Imperial regalia. He stashes them somewhere, and that is a chance for us to do what we do best," Taki said.
"Since becoming Grandmaster he has moved into the arena itself. The security is first-rate to protect the competitors from interference, and by all reports the gladiators are tremendously loyal to him," Mara said.
"We need a better idea what is going on in there. We can give our people what we want as well. We send in some people as new gladiators," Quinn said.
"I’m so there," Kara said.
"They have a Yek squad. Is that a problem for you?" Mara asked.
Kara hesitated a moment."It should be okay. The odds are they aren't a part of my old clan."
"Tourmaline has fought in the arena before. Immortals like her have something of a league of their own and are always welcome, because they draw a crowd," Tamara said.
"That is going to announce our presence," Quinn said.
"He's right. I can enter instead. Put these new implants to the test," Dela said.
"You haven't mastered them yet," Kalisa said.
"The implanted also have their own league," Tamara said.
"And mine will be more advanced than any of them, right?" Dela asked.
"So would mine," Mara said.
"Dela doesn't know how to use hers, and Mara's are short-circuiting because of her magic. If you two are insistent on doing this, you enter together so you can watch each other’s backs," Quinn said.
They shared a look and nodded.
14
"You know what I like about places like this? They have the best foods," Jinx said happily as she took a bite out of a sausage sandwich.
Whenever scouting out a place, it was best to do so from several angles. The more you could see of a structure’s interior and processes, the more weak spots you were likely to uncover. Today Quinn and Jinx were attending the game as Lord and Lady Yune, minor nobility from the far edge of civilized space.
They were doing their best to stay anonymous, Jinx had her hair put up and wore purple makeup that had been all the rage a decade ago. A dress and gloves hid her runes. Quinn was wearing a modest suit, the sort one of only minor means could manage.
Outside of the arena crowds were everywhere, and the games were clearly popular. Vendors sold a wide variety of food like you might find at any street fair. There was also pennants, shirts, and buttons proudly bearing the image and name of one gladiator or another.
"I don't trust sausages. You never know what is in them," Quinn said.
"You don't know what half the food you eat is. Go on, name any of the fish from the last meal you ate."
"Something with shrapnel in it," Quinn grumbled.
They passed through the crowds towards one of the security checkpoints. Lots of security, body armor and rifles. More than there would have been months ago, before this whole mess started.
The nobles’ entrance had a much shorter line than the common gate, guards with mana scanners swiping them across each of their hands.
Quinn was a bit worried that his Chaos magic might not detect properly given he was still weak, but there were no issues. The scanners each flashed green and they were allowed through.
The halls of the arena complex didn't get notably nicer in the noble area, but security did seem to be lighter and the crowds thinner. The few staff doors he saw here were unsecured, a possible vulnerability that could be exploited.
Their tickets led them to a small door and they passed through into a private box. It was the irony of noble seating that privacy was the cheaper option. Everyone wanted to schmooze and be seen with their social betters, and the more expensive tickets were in boxes dominated by one major member of the nobility or another. They'd gone for the cheap seats. A few simple chairs and a transparent barrier offering a view of the arena far below.
They took their seats and found them not very comfortable at all.
"You can barely even see the fight from here," Jinx said.
"I think people usually bring binoculars. Or get a feed from the arena floor," Quinn said.
"That is dumb. What is the point of coming all this way if you're just going to watch a screen?"
"The food?" Quinn asked with a shrug.
Jinx tensed and looked around. "Something is wrong, can you feel it?"
This wasn't the first time that her senses responded to something Quinn didn't see. Perhaps her magic was growing more connected with Order.
Quinn rose from his seat. Arena rules were that they come unarmed, but that didn’t mean they couldn't put up a fight with someone coming for them. Through the door he heard nothing odd.
"You sure?" Quinn asked.
Jinx nodded.
Quinn tried the door. It was sealed. Taking a step back he took a look around the room, his head spinning.
Why was the room spinning?
A sealed private room, that meant an isolated atmospheric system. Gas, it had to be gas.
Quinn threw his shoulder against the door and bounced off. Too solid. That meant the viewing pane, but an attempt to lift one of the chairs found it bolted down.
"Gas, heal yourself. Keep yourself going, see if you can call the others to warn them," Quinn said, although towards the end the words were largely incoherent. His vision blurred and he felt himself falling to the floor.
Bright light made Qu
inn squint. He was seated, hands bound behind his back and his legs shackled to the legs of the chair. A featureless gray stone room, a table filled with sinister instruments, and a drain on the floor surrounded by dark stains. Your typical torture and execution room. Quinn almost sighed.
The light was from a woman, blonde and perfect of features and shining a small penlight into his eyes. "Oh good, you're up."
"Where is Lady Yune?" Quinn asked.
It was doubtful that their cover identity was intact, but it hurt nothing to assume so.
"We know who you are. Selina Cartier is set to duel Kam Roush. A battle I'm almost certain she'll lose, but then she is something of an unknown quality," the blonde said with a faint smile. The light was put away and an injector pressed to Quinn's neck, a faint hiss as it delivered its contents into his bloodstream.
Quinn jerked against his restraints. If there was give in them he'd find it, but they held.
"Don't do that. You'll hurt yourself."
Quinn stopped at once. Why was he stopping? Jinx was in danger, he had to try helping her.
"Who are you?" Quinn asked.
"You can call me Penny. The drug I injected you with is going to compel your obedience and force you to be honest with me, for a few hours. You're going to behave and not try to escape. Do you understand?"
"I understand," Quinn said.
Quinn knew those words should panic him, terrify him, and yet he was only gripped by a sense of complacency. He was only a passenger in his own body.
"You triggered the mana sensors. You shouldn't have according to our records. Why?" Penny asked.
"I'm a Chaos mage, sort of. I'm not very good at it," Quinn said.
Penny flinched. "So you were infected. You're contagious."
"Infected, not contagious. Bracelet on my right wrist. It is enchanted with Order magic, it cancels out my sparks. Kalisa designed it, Jinx enchanted it," Quinn said.
Penny moved behind Quinn's chair and out of sight, and he could feel her shifting the bracelet on his wrist. A moment later his bonds were released, and the shackles dropped from his legs a moment later.