by Bianca D'Arc
“I can’t leave Darak—” he objected, but she cut him off.
“Agnor, look.” She let go of his sleeve and ran a hand over her nearly braided hair, making sure it was still perfectly in place. Just the way Mithrakian natives liked it. “You don’t fit in down here. I do. This is my homeworld. I know how things work here. Or at least I did. And I look like the natives. You don’t. Frankly, you stick out like a sore thumb here. Even you can’t hide the fact that you’re a foot taller than everyone else. If you stay here, you’ll be the next one singled out and probably arrested. Tensions flare during the cull. Strangers are always mistrusted, but even more so during the cull.”
“But I have to help free him.”
“You do. And you can do that best from the Circe. I’ll need intel, and frankly, Trini and the boys can’t handle comm and scan the way you can. They need a leader up there, and I need you up there. Go. Be my eyes in the sky. I’ll get Darak out and find out where Seta’s gone. Better yet…” She pulled two transponder dots out of her pocket. “I’ll retag them so you can translocate them out of trouble.”
They both knew the first thing that would be done upon arrest was a nullification pulse that would render any retrieval tech on their bodies inoperative. They’d have to be re-tagged in order for the translocation device to locate them without use of a pad.
“You planned ahead.” Agnor looked at her with new respect.
“It’s my nature. I was ready for action ten minutes after you left the bridge. Just in case.” She cracked a small smile. “I’m a warrior, Agnor. I’m better suited to this particular mission than you are. Let me do my thing. You know it’s the logical choice.”
Agnor looked at her for a long time as if weighing his thoughts. Finally, he nodded. “I will go back up, for now. I will follow your transponder signal and watch your progress. Comm when you can and let us know what’s going on. I can come right back down if you need me.”
“Thank you for your trust,” she said formally. “I’ll find them and get them back to you.” She didn’t know if she’d live through this mission, but she was determined to rescue Darak and Seta, or die trying.
Agnor translocated out, and Jana left the hotel as quickly as possible.
And not a moment too soon. As she walked out, a platoon of soldiers marched in and demanded entry to the room she had just vacated.
Jana kept to the shadows as much as possible as she walked down the street. This wasn’t the town near her old home, but it looked similar, and the smells of this planet were exactly as she remembered them. Horses, dust and green, growing things.
She tried to quell the memories as best she could, concentrating on her mission. The detention center wasn’t hard to find. It was the same as the one she remembered seeing on the occasional trips she had made into town with her father and mother. It was a squat, black building with no windows and the shield of the enforcers over the door.
Jana took up a position across the street, in a small café. She ordered a light meal and sat at one of the outdoor tables where she could observe without being too visible. Luckily, this café was moderately busy and she did her best to blend into the crowd.
Her seat was on the edge of the rectangular grouping of tables spread across the front of the café. She had her back to the front wall of the building and was protected on one side by the slightly protruding wall of the building next door. There were thick shallu vines growing up the side of the building beside her that looked strong enough to climb, should the need arise, and she was careful to sit with her bejeweled right side, still hidden by the scarf and her clothing, angled away from the street, just in case.
She sipped her drink as she nibbled on the meal that held the spices and flavors of her youth. It wasn’t as good as her mother’s cooking, but nostalgia threatened with each bite. Until she saw the soldiers.
Two platoons of soldiers surrounded a man in a red robe as he neared the detention center. It wasn’t Kol. From her vantage point, she could see the man had brown skin, not the blue of Kol’s. This one, then, might be the one who had gotten Darak arrested in the first place. He’d probably come back to question his prisoner, which was something Jana could not allow.
She tried to tune in the murmuring of the Voice that had gotten clearer and more distinct in the back of her mind. Before, it had been a nuisance. Something to tune out. But now, it might tell her things she needed to know.
There weren’t too many Talented minds actually here on Mithrak right now that were actively part of the collective. Maybe a few dozen. And not all that powerful. There were a few lower-level soldiers and platoon leaders—as she had once been—relaying orders to the non-Talented warriors. Then, there were a few of the red-robed climbers who were trying to curry favor with the leader of this expedition.
It was the leader—Kol—who she wanted to kill.
But first, she had to free Darak if at all possible. Listening intently to the murmur of voices in the back of her mind, she didn’t hear Kol’s voice in the mix. Perhaps he was operating outside the collective, right now. Or perhaps he was some distance away, on the full night side of the planet, and sleeping. The rotation of the planet would bring daylight and her opportunity to kill him when he woke, if that was the case.
For now, she had to tune into the red robe that had just walked into the detention center.
Once she focused her thoughts, it was easier than she ever would have expected.
The crystals in her body tingled slightly as she used them to focus her energy. She’d thought about doing so many times, but had never dared while aboard the ship. For one thing, she wasn’t sure what would happen and didn’t want to intrude on the privacy of the crew.
She’d been right to hesitate. With just the smallest amount of effort, she was connected with every Talented mind on Mithrak. Just a little. Both those in the collective, and those young, terrified minds that had been culled this year.
And, much to her surprise, a much larger group of older minds that had somehow escaped the cull to live in secret. They were just as afraid, but a little more secure because they were older and had lived through the cull before.
She dismissed all of those minds, looking for two in particular. First and foremost, she wanted to focus on the red-robed Wizard who was probably going to question Darak any moment now. She also searched for the puppet master. Kol. He had to be there somewhere, but she didn’t sense him.
No matter. She would find him, eventually. And when she did, she would kill him.
For now, with only a tiny bit more effort, she was able to listen in on the thoughts of a red robe named Geranth. He was a native of Sheshur Four and had been part of the collective since he was a young man. He’d joined voluntarily, eager to gain position by giving over control of his high-level Talent.
He had risen far on Kol’s coat tails, but he knew he needed to do something bigger to attract the kind of attention he needed to advance. Geranth thought perhaps the outworlder he’d had detained earlier might be his ticket. There was something off about the man. Something he couldn’t name, but would discover given enough time.
He would split the man’s mind if he had to. With the power of the collective behind him and the blue crystal scepter in his hand, he had enough power to rip open all but the most powerful minds. Geranth looked forward to hurting the man—whether he was Talented or not. Geranth enjoyed inflicting pain. Which is why he liked serving Kol so well.
Jana had heard enough. She finished her meal and stood, thanking the server with the proper amount of Mithrakian politeness. Setting off down the street, she circled around the detention center again, looking for the back entrance. There had to be one. All detention centers had a back way in for deliveries, workers to come and go unobserved, and the occasional high profile detainee that they didn’t want to parade up and down the main street.
Finding what she was looking for, Jana was pleased to see a delivery in progress. She was able to slip in, almost completely unn
oticed. The few that did note her passing were easily convinced, with the slightest touch of her mind, that all was well and she belonged here.
Although she had touched on Darak’s mind before, she had not risked contacting him. For one thing, she knew he was going to be difficult about her presence on planet. For another, she didn’t know if Geranth or one of the other stronger minds on Mithrak could pick up on her use of power. If they were working in collections, they probably had just those sorts of skills, in order to detect hidden Talents. She had to tread lightly. So far, the tiny use of her crystals didn’t seem to be arousing any sort of notice.
But the same couldn’t be said of her presence in the cellblock. The warriors had formed a cordon around the cells, and there was no way in without going past them. She had to find some credible ruse.
A tray of food caught her attention, and she picked it up, heading straight for the entrance to the cellblock, as if on an errand. When she made to move past the large man who was blocking the entry, he grabbed her arm, and her scarf became dislodged enough that he could see her face.
She looked up to meet his eyes and saw…recognition.
“Star Killer,” he whispered.
The fact that he hadn’t immediately called for support from his fellow warriors, or his platoon leader—who was undoubtedly a lower-level Talent connected to the collective—gave her hope. She met his gaze steadily.
“I was, but no longer. I am a free woman now, and I have come for what is due me.” She tried to explain her presence in words the warrior would understand.
Jana was beginning to remember her time spent among the warrior class and the armies of the collective. She remembered their code of honor. It hadn't been something the collective had fostered. No, the code of honor was something the soldiers brought with them from their home planets and adapted to life in the stars. They understood vengeance. They also understood the need for retribution.
She was banking on the fact that the non-Talented soldiers of the collective had among them certain factions of which the collective was not even aware. The Plectaran spies, for example. Their reports had called her Star Killer. The soldier holding her arm used the same name. If he wasn't part of the spy ring, he at least had heard of her exploits from them.
It was also possible that this man had been part of her armada. He might even have been under her direct command, for all she knew. She didn’t remember every face. Hells, she didn't even remember most of them. Her memories were still hazy, but she recognized the look in this man’s eyes. It was one of respect, mixed with a bit of fear.
He seemed to consider for a moment. Then, he spoke in a hushed tone.
“Do you come to kill Geranth?”
She knew Geranth’s death would have repercussions for these men. They could well be executed for not protecting such a senior member of the collective. She didn't want that. She didn't want to hurt even more people. Kol was the only one she wanted dead.
“I have no quarrel with Geranth save that he holds a friend of mine prisoner. I have come for the prisoner. If possible, I will leave Geranth alive, so that you do not pay the consequences for my actions.”
The soldier seemed to consider her words a moment longer, then he released her arm. She was surprised, but managed to hide her reaction.
“They said you were always careful of those under your command,” the soldier shocked her by saying. “I am glad to see the reports are true. You may pass, and if you can spare Geranth, I will count it a favor. I have no desire to see myself and my men punished. But do what you must, Star Killer. We owe you for not spending our lives like spare change.”
Jana didn’t know how to answer. She was touched deeply by the warrior’s words. She couldn’t thank him, but she could give him something…
“If ever you break free and need a place, look up Jeri Olafsdotter on Geneth Mar. Tell her you knew her sister. She will take you in and give you a place where you will not be mistreated.”
The warrior nodded to her, acknowledging her words. “Go now, before others become suspicious.”
He didn’t mean his platoon. She knew their bonds were those of brothers. He was talking about the platoon leader—the low-level Talent that issued the orders direct from the collective. He or she wasn’t here at the moment, but Jana knew that could change.
“Thank you,” she whispered as she went past the soldier and into the cellblock.
She ditched the plates on the tray as soon as she realized the cells were empty, save for the one that currently held Darak. It looked like Geranth was just getting started with his questions from outside the door of the cell when Jana hit him from behind with the empty tray.
He crumpled and fell. She reinforced his concussion with a mental command sent through the stones in her skin that ordered him to sleep. His mind—strong as it was—was no match for hers, amplified by the blue crystals. He was going to have a fuzzy head and one hell of a headache when he finally woke up. They would be long gone by that time, of course.
Darak looked at her from behind the barred door of his cell. “What are you doing here?”
“What does it look like? I’m rescuing you,” she quipped, stripping off Geranth’s robe.
“What about the lock?” Darak quirked one eyebrow at her.
Truthfully, she hadn't thought that far ahead, but in the old days, she used to be able to…
“Stand back,” she warned before focusing her power on the electronic lock.
A sizzling noise preceded the tiny puff of smoke, and then, the door clicked open. Jana had always had a way with electronics. She was glad to see that skill hadn't gone away.
“Put this on,” she said, thrusting the red robe at him.
Geranth had worn the pointy hat, as well, which obscured his face from the sides and back. Only someone looking at him straight on would realize Darak wasn't the same man who had entered the cells minutes before.
“What about the soldiers?” Darak asked as he hastily climbed into the garments.
“They let me through. Apparently, at least one of them remembers the Star Killer fondly.” She helped him fasten the hat, arranging the flaps over his back and shoulders. “Order them to stay and guard the prisoner. A small show of telekinesis is probably in order, as well. Geranth there was the only red robe in this quadrant. I don’t think any of the others will notice a small burst of power this far away. Especially since Geranth is supposed to be testing candidates from the cull.”
Darak helped her drag Geranth’s unconscious form into the cell and arrange him on the small bed. The blanket they put over him completed the disguise. He was the prisoner now. Sound asleep on his cot.
“You go first, Jana,” Darak said as they neared the entrance. “I’ll be right behind you if there's trouble.”
She didn't like it, but knew it would look strange for Geranth to be walking with a servant. She leaned up and kissed his cheek before heading back the way she had come. She remembered to take the tray with her, along with the stuff that had been on it, as she made her way back through the line of guards.
Jana looked around, glad to see the platoon leader had not arrived. The only people there were the ones she had seen before—the soldiers who had let her pass. They must have been talking amongst themselves because, just as she was about to clear the area, one older warrior at the end of the phalanx nodded at her.
She saw the movement and looked up quickly to assess what it meant. The older man’s blue eyes met her gaze, and he had tears in them that he did not try to hide.
“Bless you, Star Killer, for saving our families on Plectar.”
Jana jumped a bit, surprised by his open speech. The soldiers were human. No Talents among them. And they all seemed cut from the same block. They were all natives of Plectar, like so many in the collective’s army.
“We do what we must for the good of all,” she replied, not wanting to pretend his thanks didn’t matter.
Of all people, Plectarans would understand what
she meant. These soldiers had volunteered to save others from being taken by force from their homeworld. They had sacrificed their futures so that others could live, secure to raise the next generation.
The man nodded at her, and others followed suit. She had to clear the area so Darak could come out, in his disguise. But these men deserved her thanks, as well. And perhaps she could give them a tiny bit of hope.
Not really sure why she did so, Jana lowered the scarf that covered her face so the soldiers nearest to her could see the glint of the crystal shards in the skin of her face. When the old soldier’s eyes widened, she knew the Plectarans, at least, would have something to talk about tonight.
“Change is coming. Be ready for it when opportunity arrives. We may not get out of this unscathed, but if I can survive this…” she touched the largest crystal on her face that was embedded just below her eye, close to her temple, “…then perhaps our homeworlds can survive even more.”
Jana pulled the scarf up, making sure it hid her permanent jewelry before she left the gathered soldiers. She beat a hasty retreat, dropping the tray exactly where she had taken it from. With any luck, Darak would storm out a few minutes after her, leaving by the front entrance, as they had agreed. She would shadow him for a few blocks, until he was able to find a discreet place to dump his disguise.
Then, all they had to do was find Seta. Jana had already re-tagged Darak. They would re-tag Seta, and everyone could translocate back to the Circe.
But Jana already knew she was going to stay behind. She had unfinished business with Kol, and this seemed to be the best opportunity she was going to get to see him dead. She would not leave the surface willingly, until Kol had been dealt with.
* * *
Jana rejoined Darak about fifteen minutes later. The plan had worked like a charm and much to her surprise, Seta showed up all on her own. She joined them in an alley off the main street of the bustling town.
Darak gathered her into a quick hug, his expression one of relief before he let her go and held her at arm’s length. Seta was wearing more clothes than Jana had ever seen her in, but she was still underdressed for socially strict Mithrak.
