Jiyeon dove out of the way of some enemy fire. Her craft spiraled in tight, concentric circles. “The first day I met you, you told me that I would have the chance to end the practice of young women being taken away to become concubines. All those girls are still out there. If no one goes after them, they won’t stand a chance. They’re just more innocent victims that will be lost if the emperor’s fleet goes down. Don’t you see? This is what I’m supposed to do!”
Before Cherish could say anything, one of the imperial ships close to Jiyeon’s craft exploded. The brilliant, blinding flash swallowed the tiny rebel ship. Cherish tried to see through the explosion, but the burning light speckled her vision with pulsing dots of darkness. Frantically, she pressed the button on the com again. “Jiyeon? Jiyeon! Can you hear me?” There was only silence. Cherish’s heart sank.
Two
The stands around the fighting arena were full of screams, as mass hysteria broke out. The palace complex began to shake violently. Blow after blow from Yasta ships panicked the imperial subjects. Men and women fought and trampled one another, striving to reach the exit. The screams of children being swept away from their mothers echoed off the stone architecture.
Theo watched as imperial soldiers tried to impede the escape attempts. Some even turned their curved, green, battle scythes against the very people they were supposed to protect. Others took stances at higher vantage points, firing into the crowd. That was when Theo realized what was really going on. The citizens who were on board the palace ship were not there merely to watch a fight to the death, or to witness their emperor’s victory over a group of rebels. They were hostages being used as human shields. Pollus didn’t care whether any of those people lived or died, but he was banking that the rebels would.
From the corner of his eye, Theo saw Hojae pick up the two lasana blades that were on the arena floor from where Makram and Karl had dropped them. Armed with four blades, he swung madly at the soldiers unlucky enough to be in reach. Blood flew in great red streams, accompanied by the sickening thuds of sliced bodies hitting the ground. Hojae fueled his rage with the grief of losing his longest friend. Theo could sense the heartache radiating from his Josti companion. It wasn’t just anger that Karl was dead, it was also the gut-wrenching, self-loathing that Hojae felt, because he had not been able to save his friend.
Theo’s eyes flicked upwards towards the emperor’s box. He looked up just in time to see the hem of Pollus’s robes disappear through a hidden passage behind the throne. Theo cursed under his breath for allowing himself to be distracted. Centering himself, he channeled the light matter that was still coursing through him. The substance flowed easily out of his hands, creating glowing blades of white and swirling purple. He needed only to think of the shape and distance that he wanted the material to take. It listened to his thoughts and responded as easily as if he were simply breathing or walking.
Theo guided the light matter around the enemy’s battle scythes. It curled around them, dissolving them. Once the weapons were gone, he took out the soldiers. One by one, he sent a needle-sharp jolt of light matter through each of their hearts. One prick was enough to snuff the life out of a grown man.
Once the majority of the soldiers close to him were down, Theo broadened his reach. In one sweeping movement, he hurled a stream of light matter around the arena. The light skipped over the citizens, only striking down the imperial soldiers. Those who still had enough wits about them to notice what was happening gaped at him. There was no escape. It was almost as if the blade of light could sense who Theo was trying to target, even before he registered it himself. He passed judgement on their souls, but the act of sentencing them to death was not without consequence.
Each death burned painfully into Theo’s heart. It was as if each name was written in char upon his soul forever. He felt their past, their present, and the futures that no longer existed because of him. The sorrow of their deaths was accompanied by the knowledge of how many lives he had saved by ending theirs. It was a bittersweet tradeoff, almost as if he had taken life from one to give it to another. He no longer saw life or death as an ending or a beginning. It was a balancing act, ingrained in the very fabric of existence. It had been there since the beginning of time, and it would continue long after the world had forgotten Theo’s name. He was merely a tool of the aether.
His soul seemed to have expanded during his time at the spiritual center of the universe with Irane. It was as if part of him had been unfolded, in order to be able to contain so much necessary grief. Along with feeling each loss, Theo also felt the light matter inside of him ebb and flow. The substance absorbed bursts of power from the laser fire around them. It fed on it. Each destructive burst unleashed energy into the world. That energy didn’t simply disappear as the plasma and laser bursts found their mark. It seeped into the air, the universe. As that power spread like a ripple through the infinitely scattered particles of dark matter, it also spread through Theo.
Theo recalled the light matter to him, reshaping it into large, swirling balls of pulsating power. He cocked his eyebrow at the remaining soldiers, offering them a silent chance to repent. In awe of his abilities, the few soldiers still living dropped their weapons and fell to their knees. Hojae brought down one final blade on the last soldier who still dared to resist. The Josti turned to Theo. His chest was heaving with exertion, while Theo’s breath was still even, without any indication of a fight. The bloodbath around them painted the arena dirt with a smattering of crimson. Both men scanned the stands, but there was no sign of Cierra or the emperor.
Hojae smeared a drop of someone else’s blood across his cheek, as he tried to wipe the sweat from his face. “You know she went after him.”
Theo let out a sigh, and shook his head. “I know she did. She wouldn’t be Cierra if she didn’t.”
Three
Jiyeon managed to dodge an incoming plasma blast right before it connected with her fighter ship. The imperial ship on the other side of her wasn’t as lucky. The blast struck the other ship just above the reactor, sending the imperials up in a ball of flames. The explosion rattled her small craft, knocking out the communication system.
She checked her displays to make sure nothing more serious was affected. “Guess I’m on my own now.”
The Josti had managed to fly underneath the enormous belly of the palace compound. Staying close to the dark city-sized surface helped her stay concealed. She scanned the bottom of the palace ship for any kind of opening port.
Her first goal had simply been to get to the ship. Now that she was there, she had no idea how to get inside. Part of her had never considered that she would even make it that far. She thought that she would have been shot out of the sky long before she ever got that close to the palace. Maybe what Cherish had said back in the hangar was correct. Maybe Batumah really was on their side.
Jiyeon tightened her grip on the controls. “Batumah, if you’re listening right now, I could really use some help.”
Something in the back of her craft shifted, making her almost jump out of her skin. A little robot poked its head up from under a pile of supplies that had been knocked loose during one of her evasive spiral maneuvers. Rix whirled his sensors. “Wait. This isn’t the hangar! What’s going on? Where are we? I’ve been kidnapped! I must inform you that under the Galactic Provisions for Cybernetic Considerations, you are required to upload a copy of my hard drive, to the galactic cloud before causing any damage to my components.”
Jiyeon shook her head, a little aggravated. “Maybe I should be careful what I ask for. Calm down, gearhead. I’m not kidnapping you. If anything, you’re a stowaway.”
Rix spun his screen towards her indignantly. “A stowaway! I would never! I simply happened to experience an update that required me to reboot. Are you in the habit of flying off without checking your ship for unauthorized passengers, organic mouth-breather?”
Jiyeon let out a small snort. “Really? Is that the best insult you could come up with?”
Rix beeped at her. “Insults are not my main directive.”
“Oh, so that was just something special you came up with just for me?” Jiyeon turned the ship making another pass, looking for any opening. “What exactly is your main directive?”
The robot hummed happily. “My main directive is to be helpful to Hubard and his associates.”
The Josti smirked a little. “Great, then maybe you can help me.”
“How do I know you’re one of Hubard’s associates?”
Jiyeon pursed her lips together. “Is this really necessary? I trust that the fact that we are in the middle of a combat zone hasn’t gone completely unnoticed by you.” Rix remained silent, waiting for her to answer his question. She huffed at him. “Ugh! If I wasn’t working with Hubard, how would I have gotten in one of the fighters in the hangar?”
Rix buzzed for a moment, contemplatively. “I suppose that will do, under the circumstances. What can I do for you, Miss…?”
“My name is Jiyeon.”
“I’m Rix.”
The Josti checked her sensors to make sure they still weren’t being targeted. The longer they were out in the open, the more likely it was that they would be spotted. “Well, Rix, I need to get inside this ship we’re flying under. Is there any chance you know of a way in? Do you have the blueprints stored in your memory banks or something?”
The robot hummed for a moment. “Nothing quite like that, but I may have something we can use.”
“Huh?”
Rix gestured towards the ship. Ahead of them, a loading dock was sealed. “The update I had to reboot for was variation coding for the mining carts back on Relisse. I was having difficulties communicating with them using the typical Yasta and Carbonari operating systems. It seems that the imperials were using an encrypted variation to make hijacking more difficult. Cherish was able to work out the differences, and adapt accordingly. I was able to access the information from her last data backup. If you get us closer, I may just be able to convince the onboard computer that we are a cart seeking admittance.”
Jiyeon guided the ship closer to the dock. “Alright, give it your best shot.”
Rix processed a series of command codes, and transmitted them to the palace ship. A small beeping noise signaled that it was sent. The first segment of coding lit up a yellow light on the exterior of the ship over the docking bay. “Oh my.”
The Josti kept them flying as steady as she could. “I take it that isn’t a good sign.”
“No. It seems the docking bay has a three-trial discouragement procedure.”
Jiyeon kept her eyes on the door ahead of them. “What exactly does that mean?”
Rix was silent for a moment. “Well, it means that we have three tries to enter the correct codes.” A door beside their target opened, and the nozzle of a blaster cannon emerged. It began to track them. “Or we will be discouraged from entering a code a fourth time.”
She glanced at him nervously. “I’m guessing that the discouragement would be a plasma blast? How confident are you that you can do this?”
Rix hummed softly. “I’m extremely confident.” He entered another set of codes. There was another small beeping noise. A second light, this time orange, lit up over the docking bay door. The laser started to charge. “Okay, now I’m slightly less confident.”
Jiyeon shook her head. “I’m not doing this. You’re going to get us killed.”
Rix started to respond, but was cut off. “That might be for the—” Jiyeon moved to shift them into reverse. Her elbow bumped him, and a small beep made them both freeze. Rix shrunk away from her a little bit. “Oops.”
“What do you mean ‘oops?’”
They both watched as the third light over door lit up in a bright green. Rix hummed softly. “Huh, I guess that worked.”
Jiyeon let out a shaky breath. “You’re lucky that worked. Let’s try to keep from having any more ‘oops’s while we’re here, okay?”
“I couldn’t agree more. I am glad Irane was able to make Cherish’s data downloadable, otherwise we would have been out of luck.”
The Josti guided their fighter into the docking bay. “Remind me to think him later.”
Once they were inside, the door shut firmly behind them. The interior was empty. Their craft came to rest on the inside of the door that had just admitted them, as they were in the artificial gravity of the palace ship. Once it was pressurized, the two of them climbed out of the fighter. The air inside was musty. Jiyeon’s boots landed in a layer of dust, as she clicked on a handheld bio-light. The soft glow illuminated a few feet around them. Mechanical noises pumped rhythmically nearby.
Rix hovered close to where Jiyeon was standing. “It sounds like we’re close to the engine room.”
“Well, that’s good to know. Any idea how we can get out of here and into the main ship?”
Rix whirled around, trying to get his bearings. “I imagine there would be a door in here somewhere for them to move the shipment contents.”
Jiyeon marched off in search of an exit. “Over here! I think I found one!”
Just as the Josti reached out to open the door, Rix hummed close to her. “Not to put a damper on your mission, here, but what exactly is the purpose of us infiltrating the imperial command ship?”
“We’re going to rescue the concubines.”
The little robot hesitated. “Wait, you want to rescue the emperor’s concubines? From his personal compound?”
The Josti pulled the door open, slowly. “You got it.”
Rix followed her reluctantly. “I shouldn’t have asked. I almost wish I really had been kidnapped now. You know, it’s not too late to back me up to the galactic cloud.” The two of them slowly made their way from the maintenance shaft, and into the belly of the beast.
Four
Cierra watched as Pollus pressed a button on the throne and slipped into a hidden passageway in the emperor’s box. The arena was in chaos. Overhead, the onslaught of laser and plasma blasts from the Yasta ships didn’t slow down. She glanced down to the fighting pit. Theo was holding his own, plus he had Jaedo—or was it Hojae? She couldn’t waste any more time. Pollus was getting away.
Guards started firing against citizens, slashing down those who tried to escape. Cierra grabbed Lima’s wrist. “Come on! We have to go!”
Lima struggled against her grip. She seemed terrified, even without Pollus there. She shook her head, and motioned that the two of them should stay where they were. Her eyes pleaded with Cierra not to go after the emperor.
From the corner of her eye, Cierra saw Korrine cowering by the edge of a row of seats. Rushing over, and sweeping the little girl up in her arms, Cierra turned back to Lima, one more time. “Please, come with us! I’ll get us out of here.”
Lima still hesitated. The torment of her broken mind held her frozen in fear. Korrine let out a terrified scream, and buried her head in Cierra’s neck. She couldn’t wait anymore. Frustrated at the other woman’s refusal to budge, Cierra charged down the secret passage after the emperor. Getting Korrine out of harm’s way was her first priority. Once the girl was safe, she would make sure Pollus paid for all the horrors he had wrought.
The passage was dark. The only light came from faint crystals that glowed along the walls. It was clear that the passage was built with the knowledge that it might need to be used when no power was available. Korrine clung to Cierra. Her tiny hands dug into the woman’s shoulders and neck. Cierra struggled to move quickly, with the gaudy layers of her dress slowing her down. She had to catch herself several times, to keep from falling face first in the passage.
She hoisted Korrine higher on her shoulder. “Shh, you’re okay. I’ve got you. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
The little girl whimpered. “I’m scared. Do you know where my mommy is?”
Cierra stopped as the passageway veered sharply left. The right side had collapsed some time ago and never been repaired. The further she went, the more she no
ticed the distinct incline of the floor. They were going down at an angle. Cierra patted Korrine’s back. “I know you’re scared, but I promise, nothing bad is going to happen to you again. We’ll find your mom, okay? Just hang in there. I need you to be brave just a little while longer.”
Footsteps up ahead made Cierra freeze. There was nowhere for them to hide. Cierra turned her right hip, on which she was carrying Korrine, away from the sound. A soft glow filled the passageway. She could hear hushed voices. Cierra quickly took stock of what she had on hand. Anything could be a weapon if she put her mind to it. Her hand quickly darted to one of the pins in her hair. It wasn’t long, but it was sharp. If she could get close enough, she could still cause some serious damage with it. There was no way she was letting the guards take her back into custody. A sharp twinge in her abdomen brought her condition back to the forefront of her mind. Cierra’s body shook with rage. She had already been violated in the most personal way by Pollus and his imperial scum. She would rather die before letting them gain any control or power over her again. Cierra raised the pin in her hand over her head, preparing for the worst.
The glow from the bio-light disoriented her a little when it came around the corner. A mechanical voice called out her name in surprise. “Cierra?”
Squinting into the light, Cierra could make out a familiar shape. “Rix?”
A Josti female moved the light so that Cierra could see her face. She hissed at the robot beside her. “Do you know her? She’s dressed like a concubine.”
Cierra funneled all of her anger into her voice. “I am not a concubine. I’m a prisoner here, and I will die before I let them take me back.” Korrine whimpered again at her words. Cierra gently shushed her. “That’s not going to happen, Korrine, okay? It’s going to be fine. Rix, who is she? Can we trust her?”
The Relissarium Wars Omnibus Page 65
