by Chris Fox
“It isn’t that simple.” Voria began gathering her hair into a braid, her fingers deftly plucking strands into place. I found it fascinating that she didn’t use magic to do it. She leaned over her shoulder and peered balefully at Miri. “There’s a matching brush on the nightstand. You may as well take that too. If your daily income is attached to theft…seek alternate employment. Also, if you steal anything else I will burn the hair off your head, and ensure this time it cannot ever grow back.”
Miri paled. I think I did too.
“It isn’t that simple?” I finally said, just to cure the silence.
“If you wish your father restored to life, then you need to imprison his shade, and bring it to me. If you do that, and if you provide valuable intel, then I might be able to restore him.” Voria’s mouth turned down into a practiced frown. “I want to be clear I promise nothing. I am no necromancer, and if bringing your father back proves to be unnatural, all I can do is aid him in passing into the Cycle.”
“I accept your terms.” I stopped short of asking her about stopping my father’s shade from attacking my mother. That wasn’t Voria’s problem, and she’d made it abundantly clear that her help had a price attached. “One more thing before I gather my crew. I think Utred and Necrotis may be working at cross-purposes, but I don’t know why.”
“Learn what you can.” She narrowed her eyes. “The Confederacy departs for Kemet in the morning, and we stand ready for war. I’d not fight it blind.”
“I’ll do what I can.” I nodded respectfully, and was about to rise and exit when the world spun around me. The teleport completed, and Miri and I had been dropped back onto the Remora.
That told me something with crystal clarity. My help wasn’t wanted with the assassination investigation, which was just as well. Pickus could handle it.
I needed to go buddy up with some necromancers.
3
I took a few minutes to gather myself in my quarters while Miri assembled the crew. She’d dropped the flirty smile, and gone into Rava-level business mode, which was exactly what I needed. The privacy let me think about things with injury-induced clarity.
I raised my palm and conjured a flame, then concentrated on the woman I’d seen, at the exact moment I’d seen her. I locked in easily enough, which surprised me until I thought about it. She hadn’t used scrying wards, because those would be suspicious and might draw attention. She’d gambled on anonymity.
Were it me planning my assassination I’d have set a better explosion ambush, and not used a shooter at all. The woman departed the library, and my image followed her up a corridor, and into…a wall of mental pain. I dropped the flame and seized my temples.
“Oww. Guess I deserved that.” I winced as my eyes fluttered open. Of course she’d had a stationary ward on some locker somewhere. She’d no doubt step out the other side, and then into another warded area. I’d lost her.
The use of an Inuran suggested Jolene, as I didn’t have any other Inuran enemies I knew of. Though I could be wrong there. I’d blown up a trade moon’s power core. Had they been pissed off enough to take me out for that? Did that mean they’d hit my crew too? If so, what could I even do about it?
A sharp rapping came from outside my door. I rose and moved to it, so that it slid open of its own accord. Vee’s apprehensive face waited for me, and she had the look like she’d been practicing some bad news. The moment she saw my face she clammed up, and shoved whatever secret she’d wanted to share under a metaphorical pillow. Not what I needed right now, so I didn’t press.
“Miri’s gathered everyone in the mess. Are you all right?” Vee pressed a hand to my unarmored chest, and I winced, until the golden energy flowed into me and took away the remnants of pain.
“Fine.” I breathed a bit easier. Her touch eased as much as the magic, though I missed the depths out of my armor, which was still regenerating after the blast. “I’ll explain it there so I don’t have to repeat myself. I think it was Jolene.”
Vee nodded absently as if it didn’t terribly concern her and followed me toward the mess without further protest. I loved that about her. She knew she was about to hear it anyway, and didn’t press.
Miri had gathered Briff, Rava, and Kurz, and all three wore their full combat gear. Their expressions nearly burst with violence, and I almost pitied Jolene if she’d been the culprit.
“I don’t know what Miri’s told you,” I began as I slid into one of the tables. I didn’t even bother getting coffee, though I was at the ragged edge of exhaustion. Having that much magic run through you really knocked you off your game. “There was an assassination attempt we’re guessing was aimed me. MO suggests the Inurans rather than the unliving, so I’m betting Jolene’s a little pissed about us knocking her off her little throne. Sadly, that’s debris in the void, for now at least. We need to get to Sanctuary.”
“You’re taking that bastard’s offer.” Vee’s eyes narrowed, and she left my table to sit with Kurz. “You have to know it’s a trap.”
Kurz straightened and cleared his throat as he gathered enough courage to speak. “It does seem an unnecessary risk, one that affects all of us. Even were the necromancers benevolent that storm is legendary for destroying vessels.”
“I can handle it.” Seket’s confident voice rang from the doorway behind me. “I’ll get us through any storm in existence. There’s nothing I can’t fly through.”
“I don’t doubt that, and we’re going to need those skills.” I folded my arms and rose from the table, all captain-like. “It isn’t up for discussion. We’re going to Sanctuary. We’re going to fly the toughest storm in the sector, and we’re going to find an ancient facility. When I say ancient I mean far, far older than the Great Ships. We’re going to find a way inside, and then we’re going to outsmart the necromancers trying to take it from us. It’s a tall order, and even more dangerous than anything we’ve done in the past. Anyone who wants out, now’s your chance.”
I didn’t expect anyone to take me up on my offer, but every action holo in the sector had taught me that I needed to give them a chance to prove their loyalty.
Vee cleared her throat, and wouldn’t meet my gaze. “I’m staying behind. I…we have a chance to study directly with Inura. As an artificer. I’ll never get another chance to learn from my god, Jer. I’m sorry. I hope this doesn’t mean….”
“We’ll be fine,” I jumped in, not sure where the words were coming from. “The crew has life magic now, so your healing isn’t as critical. You will never have an opportunity like this again. We are going to miss you though, and by we I mean me.”
“He means us.” Kurz rose as well, and moved to sit at my table. “I stay with our captain, and our ship. I will miss you, sister, and I laud your decision to study at the feet of the Maker.”
Tension lessened between my shoulder blades. Let her be the only one…I turned to Briff and Rava.
“I’m in, little brother.” Rava gave me one of her lopsided smiles. “I want to hit some more Catalysts. Sooner or later I’ll get more real magic, like fire. Something is causing that storm. There’s air, and probably water in there somewhere. Air amplifies agility. Agility affects my aim.”
“I’m packed and ready to go, Jer.” Briff fluffed his wings proudly. “I’ve studied all the info on the system, and booked us a berth at Sanctuary station. Apparently the administrator will meet with us. He was just attacked by necromancers, so I figured maybe he could tell us something useful.”
I couldn’t help but grin. My crew were rallying behind me, for the most part. Miri wasn’t here, I realized, but she’d been pretty clear in her support. She’d probably needed rest after what she’d been through. “Thanks, man. We’re in the black for four days, and I’m down for some Arena if you’re game.”
“You know it.” Briff puffed his chest out. “I’ve gotten better. A lot better.” I noticed for the first time that his sizable gut had receded, and the rest of his body had filled out. His shoulders bulged with musc
le. He’d clearly been working out.
“Can’t wait to see you in action.” Behind me Seket departed the bridge humming to himself so I assumed I knew where he stood. Briff gave me another toothy grin, then went back to his conversation with Rava.
Vee’s hand rested on my shoulder, and I realized she’d somehow walked over without me noticing. The rest of the room devolved into separate conversations, leaving us in an island amidst the noise. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
“I just need a bit to adjust.” I squeezed her shoulder in return, and stifled the urge to kiss her in front of the others. “This is the smartest thing you can do. You know how in most holos we have this big fight right before we leave, and then there’s like three more misunderstandings, and then we make up at the end? Let’s skip all that. I like you, Vee. I’ll be faithful out there. We’ll figure out the rest when I get back.”
“Thank you, Jer.” She kissed my cheek, then pushed past me out of the mess.
Only then did I realize she hadn’t also agreed to be faithful. My heart sank as I realized I’d just agreed to leave her to train with her super-handsome-super-virile-sex-god mentor for an indefinite amount of time.
I considered going after her, but what could I say after that? With a reluctant sigh I stowed the relationship BS, and focused on the job at hand.
Interlude II
Voria squared her shoulders and translocated into the Pantheon’s headquarters, a hollowed out asteroid in a deep corner of space no one cared about. There wasn’t even a star within five light years, and there were dozens of other moon-sized asteroids in the system, making this one utterly unremarkable in every way.
Minute wards now lined the entire ceiling, a feat she’d have called an impossibility a few days ago. Inura was already proving his usefulness. The life god stood in the far corner of the room where he worked on the last uncovered portion.
A few dozen meters away Crewes and Aran had, predictably, started a workout routine. Crewes was using Ikadra as a bar, and Aran had conjured a singularity on either end. Crewes heaved a tremendous bellow as he forced the bar up as high as it would go. The man was literally benching stars.
Davidson had cracked a beer nearby, and took his ease, feet up on his tank as he idly tinkered at an open panel, humming something from New Texas.
Frit and Nara sat at the far end of the room, and were intensely focused on a game of Kem’Hedj. That piqued Voria’s interest, and she headed that direction instead of starting the meeting promptly as she’d intended. Nara had one of the most gifted minds in the sector, for either god or mortal, and she had no idea of Frit’s capabilities with the game.
The pair had only just begun, and were using illusory scales conjured by the player. Perhaps she could…wait, there were precisely three pieces on the board. They weren’t even playing. Voria frowned at the pair as she approached, unsurprised to find them gossiping like school girls. The game had been a ruse to give them privacy, no doubt.
“Voria!” Nara offered a smile and a friendly wave, made odd not just because Nara had literally assassinated her, but because of the woman’s demonic appearance. They were the antithesis of each other. “We were just talking about the Kemet system.”
“And what might happen there.” Frit rose slowly to her feet, and turned to face Voria. The gesture wasn’t made from respect, or friendship. It came from a desire not to show one’s back to an enemy. “Voria.”
“Frit.” Voria offered a thoroughly frosted nod in response. “Shall we gather the others then? Let’s be about this. We may have a war to prosecute.”
Voria tried not to dwell on Frit’s strength. She could feel them all, every time they gathered, as they could feel her. It was the universe’s automatic pissing contest. All gods could sense where they stood in relative strength, unless someone was hiding something.
Frit dwarfed them all, save Aran. She was the strongest still, but each and every time they met, Aran had gained ground. Frit remained static. Aran somehow constantly gained in divinity, and Voria didn’t like asking the source. She knew the source.
Worship.
She had legions of humans, and a handful of Shayans, and many enthusiastic drifters, her favorites she didn’t mind admitting. It stood to reason that Aran had many demonic followers. They valued strength, and he’d overcome every challenge the sector had thrown at them. Many credited her with winning the war, though both of them had been discredited by the end. Such a messy business.
Voria followed Frit and Nara over to Davidson’s tank, and both Crewes and Aran moved to join them once they spotted the gathering.
“Major.” Crewes snapped a tight Confederate salute, which Aran and Davidson instantly mimicked. It warmed her, though she’d never admit it out loud.
“Our fearless leader. Good to see you, Voria.” Xal’Aran, demon prince and successor to the demonic lord who’d once ruled the sector, inclined his head and offered a fanged smile. The human she’d first spared from a second mindwipe lurked in there, but the demon part had grown. What would he be in a century? Aran rested his hand on the hilt of Narlifex, the blade a god in its own right. “You summoned us here. Does that mean you’re ready to move on the Kemet system?”
Voria raised a hand and Ikadra flew into it, the warm golden metal snapping into her palm as the weapon rejoined her. She’d expected a witty greeting, but the staff remained quiet, as it had too often of late. She needed to find time to talk to him, and find out what had the staff so concerned that he couldn’t manage poo jokes.
“I summoned you here because the time for war is upon us.” She raised a hand and willed an illusion of the sector to sprawl above them. “As you can see, the area known as Sanctuary is relatively small, but large enough to hold dozens of Catalysts, worlds, and endless fleets. Inura’s information has suggested that—”
“Hmm?” Inura looked up from his work at the mention of his name, and came striding over, a half-finished life sigil still scrawled on the wall.
“Inura’s information tells us that the necromancers retreated into the storm over seventy millennia ago.” Voria adjusted the illusion to add the Kemet system. “Presumably they have had all that time to build up their forces. The smart thing to do is mobilize everything they have, and claim the Kemet system. Take the other Great Ships and fortify their new trade moon. Soulforges are already running around the clock on that world, and I’m terrified at what we’ll find when we enter the system.”
“Have we considered asking the Consortium to participate?” Aran folded his arms, as if in protest to his own suggestion. “Not that I expect much, but I’d think the Inurans have to be smarting after losing a moon. They only have two left, and they’re a prime target for Necrotis. They’re being hunted, and they have to know it.”
“They might help,” Voria acceded. Then she shook her head. “It isn’t worth whatever the inevitable price. They won’t do it for free.”
“She’s right.” Inura gave the sector’s largest sigh, and fluffed his wings behind him. “You’ve no idea the collective greed that drives them. Even I do not possess the power to motivate them. Depths, I’m terrified they’ll assassinate me just to remove my override once they learn I’m still alive. It’s why I’m not leaving this place once I finish the wards.”
“You’re going to cower here?” Frit made a noise of disgust, and a puff of flame left her nose as she exhaled. “If we’re going to war, you don’t think your place is on the bridge of the vessel you built? Can’t you help this mortal captain? A remnant of your people survive, and you’re just going to abandon them?”
“She’s got a point.” Nara pointed out, to no one’s surprise. The pair weren’t always in lock step, but they agreed most of the time. “Your talents are wasted here. If you’re afraid to fight, then at least come to Xal and tutor Kazon. He’s fumbling in the dark with this stuff, and it was pioneered by you. He could really use a mentor.”
Inura’s slender tail slashed in irritation behind him. �
�I owe the demons nothing, and exposing myself means permanent death this time. I will not become a Catalyst. I will be consumed by whoever slays me.”
“And you think you’re safe here?” Voria raised an eyebrow, and spoke as she would to a raw recruit. “You are a warrior, Inura, or so you once claimed. Your sisters are dead. There is nothing left of the dragonflights but you and a few survivors on Virkon. Your last choice is the legacy you leave. Is it one of hope, where you assist the new generation in building something lasting? Or is it cowering here until you are exterminated by whichever deity learns of you first?”
“Damn,” Crewes muttered under his breath, a wide grin plastered across his molten skin. “You got told, son. Step up.”
Inura gave a deep and endlessly practiced sigh. “I will do as you ask. I can guide Irala, and explain to her how to make the most of the Word’s offensive capabilities. It will be ready to fire, and we will begin repairing all critical systems.”
“What about the rest of us?” Aran directed the question at her. Voria knew what he was asking. Did he have her permission to move forces into Kemet?
Crossing that line meant that the entire sector would know the Confederacy had deployed demons as troops. When that got out…she wasn’t ready to pay that political price.
“Aran, Nara, I would ask that you stay out of the system for the time being.” She steeled herself. They knew the realities as well as she. “Your presence there is politically inconvenient. Crewes, I want you to assemble a rapid response team. Pick them well. You need to be able to hunt down threats, wherever they flee. We’ll start by having you help clear the unliving from the Word of Xal, but be ready to translocate the Talon on my order.”
“Already am, ma’am.” Crewes delivered a flaming smile.
Neither Aran nor Nara appeared pleased at their orders, but they hadn’t protested.
“Davidson?” Voria turned to the blond human, who had yet to speak and still sat sipping his beer. “Do you have anything to add, or are you ready for your orders?”
