Over the span of a few nights, he sought a release for his black mood and actively went looking for fights. Prowling the late-night haunts of off-duty soldiers and those potentially engaging in questionable enterprises, he would test the limits of drink-soaked tempers and would invariably find many willing to oblige him. He cared nothing for his own safety. Perhaps, on some level, he even hoped for a permanent escape from more than just his bad humor. But he found that no one, not even the engineered, low-level psychic coordinators who filled General Barson’s top ranks, was his equal. They were all like children to him and his grim intentions soon gave way to disappointment. Underlying that though, was a sense of déjà vu, that this was a pattern not new to him. Somewhere deep down inside, he believed that the struggle and the pain of a good beating would be balm for his soul, that they had been in the past. But now there was no struggle and certainly no beating—no one could touch him. A sense of boredom and emptiness joined with his disappointment and soon sapped all interest in that particular feature of his nightly forays.
Kalkin never pushed Jav, but tried as much as possible to always convey an atmosphere of friendship. It soon became common knowledge that two of Tallo Pardine’s daughters had died on Planet 1287, one by misadventure and one by suicide, and that his youngest daughter had returned to their family home on Colony Planet 1135. Not knowing the extent of Jav’s connection to the two girls or their deaths, but thinking it relevant to Jav’s current state, Kalkin couldn’t help but fall to thinking about his own loss suffered back during the fighting on Planet 1397.
Kalkin placed a copy of the Pardine report on the low table before Jav and sat down next to him. “It’s funny, isn’t it?” Kalkin said. “You work with them every day. Your life depends on them and theirs on you. That by itself is a pretty significant bond. But then, every day can be too much, even with the best relationships, right? Sometimes close is too close. Sometimes personalities just don’t fit. And sometimes you find to your own surprise that it’s just the opposite, that with one person in particular not even every day is enough.”
Jav had been listening in silence, his face cast down in its usual sullen aspect, not even registering the report in front of him, but then understanding shone in his eyes and he raised his head. “Kass Orlo,” Jav said.
Kalkin nodded. “You know, we went through Locsard together and never once had occasion to talk to each other? She graduated ahead of me and then we both found ourselves on the Plague Squad with Karlan Farsal. We all got along fairly well, but she and I knew from our first day that things were going to be complicated between the two of us. We ignored it, denied it, acted out over it, and finally, with no other real choice, we embraced it.
“There was a lot of criticism. There’s no official rule, but everyone seems to think that there is, or that there ought to be. It’s easy to feel that way when it doesn’t affect you—or if it goes sour, I guess. But once we accepted it ourselves, we wondered why we’d waited so long. For a while things were perfect. She was perfect. She was sweet and funny and could always make me laugh.
“But then we arrived on 1397, and the fighters there were stronger than we imagined. She was caught in cannon fire directed at the Root Palace and disintegrated before my eyes. I think I went a little crazy then. All the fighting I did after that on 1397 was for her, not for the Empire. As you may remember, I needed some time off after we were finished with 1398. Good timing, I guess, with no viable planets left in the system.”
Kalkin was quiet and Jav stared at him for a time, leaving the man to his thoughts and memories.
After a time Jav sighed. “I loved Mai Pardine.”
Kalkin perked up and listened while Jav told of his similar experience, of carrying on in secret with Mai, of Hol’s seduction and subsequent transformation, and of the ultimate conclusion to his stay on Planet 1287.
“Wow.” Shock was plain on Kalkin’s face and in his voice. “You know, Jav, she once told me you reminded her of Jav Corso.”
“Who’s Jav Corso?”
“Never heard of him? He’s an old hero, a legend.”
“I think she may have had us confused.”
“Maybe so. But Laedra Hol. . .” Kalkin was having trouble putting what Jav said together with the person he thought he knew. “You and I have quite a bit in common.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Do you remember on one of my visits Hol mentioned some incident at Locsard?”
“Yeah. Whatever it was it sounded embarrassing.”
Kalkin shrugged. “I told you there was a lot of criticism directed at Kass and I. One of our most vocal critics was Tia Winn who taught both of us at the Locsard at one time or another. She and Kass had been friends, but once she knew about Kass and I, that all came to an end. She couldn’t say anything good about either one of us after that.”
Kalkin paused for a moment and chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s funny. When I look back on it, everything fits. I remember one time after Kass and I had gotten together that I had a very vivid dream about Tia. I thought it was because of how strongly she disagreed with our relationship that I dreamed of her at all, and you know how mixed up things can get in dreams—roles switched, inhibitions gone. . . Anyway, I felt a little guilty about it all day, finally shrugged it off, and then forgot about it.
“After 1397 and Kass was gone, Tia didn’t let up. If anything, her vitriol increased especially towards Kass, but it didn’t last long. While I was on leave after 1398, Tia started being really nice to me, and I thought she’d finally had a change of heart. She was helping out at Locsard again and asked me to help her with some classes. I thought it might be a good way to occupy my mind, so I agreed. All the time I’m at the Academy, she’s like a different person, compassionate and understanding, and I start thinking that maybe she’s not so bad after all. And then it comes. A dream. A wild, vivid dream that’s almost exactly like the first one I’d forgotten about. It felt so real. Actually, it felt better than real. When you’re dreaming, logic, right, wrong, they’re funny things. I guess it’s because you think no one’s watching.
“I’m ashamed to say that I woke up very satisfied, but also sickened because I realized the truth, that those two dreams were more than coincidence and more than fantasy.”
Jav’s eyes went wide. “She didn’t.”
“She did. She used her Artifact, the Keepsake Cameo. Can you believe that?”
“I. . . guess I can. But now that you mention it, wasn’t there an episode of A Fad of Me Academy like that?”
“Yes, there was. But it ended rather differently than the source material. She’s one of the head writers for the show. Uses an alias. Hardly anyone knows.”
Jav blinked in surprise. “What did you do?”
“I left. Came back here. But not before making a big, angry mess of things. From what I gather, she’s not hiding her interest in me anymore, but as much as possible, I’ll have nothing to do with her, not now.”
Jav heaved out a long sigh. Both fell silent, each considering his own thoughts and the plight of the other. Eventually, Jav looked up and said, “Thank you. It felt good to talk.”
“It’s always good to talk. But only if and when you’re ready.” Then as much as to himself as to Jav, he said, “Bad things happen. It’s good to realize that they don’t only happen to you.”
Jav nodded, surprised and changed to some degree by the simple truth of Kalkin’s words.
10688.050
The sky above Planet 1398 was like mud with one nearly dead sun sinking into its depths and one artificial sun defiantly lighting the Root Palace with a cold, dull spray. The Viscain Empire would be leaving this planet soon. All the terrestrial worlds in System 281 had been acquired, and all the gas giants had blind runners currently siphoning off the sought-after elements swirling around and throughout their masses. The only thing that remained was the Artifact Competition, and the time for that had finally arrived.
True to their word, the Astrophysics Divisi
on had cleared most of the skies bordering the Empire of potentially hazardous wormholes. Many yet remained and some, as before, were impossible to approach safely, but commuting to 1398 for the competition would involve no serious danger. Crowding and long waits, however, were inevitable.
Within the ranging courtyard of the Root Palace, the number of rings had been reduced from eight, during the time of the preliminary match, down to two. This time a single ring would represent each Block. Spectator seating was arranged all around the rings, and people from all over the Empire flowed into the courtyard from the surrounding jump decks and into the seats like blood pumping through capillaries. This time, instead of just one holographic screen, there were eight situated in such a way that no matter where one looked the information from both Blocks was clearly visible.
Kalkin accompanied Jav to the Block Two ring where they registered with the ring attendant. Jav saw Ren Fauer and Kimbal Furst almost immediately and both pairs made their ways to each other through the crowd.
Everyone exchanged greetings, but Ren was very anxious. “Jav. . . we heard. . . What happened?” he finally blurted out, desperately wanting to know.
Jav looked at Furst in an obvious attempt to discern whether or not he knew anything. Furst shrugged and shook his head. Then, looking back and forth from one to the other, Jav said with a smile, “It’s a bit of a soap opera. I’ll tell you sometime, I promise, but telling is going to involve discussing some people I’d rather distance myself from and not think about right now.”
Furst nodded and Ren suddenly looked like a bird, scrutinizing Jav from multiple angles, trying to ensure he was hearing the truth. All he wanted was for Jav to be okay, and finally as satisfied as he was going to be, he said somewhat reluctantly, “Okay.” Then hesitantly, he asked, “You know about Mai and Mei, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I still can’t believe it. Did you hear about the youngest one, though?”
“Mao? What about her?”
“She left, you know that, right? Well she didn’t waste any time. She started learning the Eight Elbows from Chun Chekkai.”
“Really?”
“Chekkai says she’s really good,” Furst said. “Said she’s got a lot of talent and a lot of drive.”
“That’s great,” Jav said, smiling a little sadly. He didn’t know what else to say. He wished he had been able to properly say goodbye to Mao, but maybe after the competition he could visit her. Then attempting to be more conversational Jav said, “How are the rest of the girls doing?”
“Not sure. Did you know that Laedra Hol isn’t teaching anymore?”
“No, I didn’t know that.” Jav tried to sound casual and may have sounded a bit too flat.
Ren paused cautiously for a moment before continuing. “I think the two who joined the Cultural Studies Division’s expedition—”
“Lili and Sessa.”
“Yeah, that’s right. They’re still on 1287 but otherwise everyone is gone.”
Jav nodded. He wasn’t surprised and it didn’t really matter if Ren knew that he wasn’t. Kalkin stood by quietly, maintaining a straight face all along and doing his best to give nothing away.
“Well, how about you, Jav? How’re you feeling?” Furst said. “You ready?”
“Yes, sir, I am. I feel pretty good.” He smiled and he meant what he said. He was surrounded by all his best friends just then and was the happiest he had been in the last six months.
Olander Karza came up behind Jav and attempted to put her hand upon his shoulder. Sensing her presence, he turned and snatched her wrist preemptively then graced her with a broad grin. With her wrist still in his grip, she clapped him jovially on his opposite shoulder with her free hand, raucous laugher crashing out from her like a rockslide.
Before either could offer a proper greeting, Minister of Affairs Witchlan addressed the participants and spectators alike. “Welcome once again to you, the future of the Viscain Empire, and to you, who have come to witness history in the making. At the culmination of this competition, we will present Artifacts to both Block winners as well as to the top Locsard graduate and three Shades will on this day be born.”
Uproarious cheers echoed through the courtyard until Witchlan gained their silence and announced, “Viscain Emperor, Samhain!”
“Welcome, all,” the Emperor’s voice thundered. “This is a proud time for the Empire as we prepare to initiate three new Shades. But to all participants and Locsard graduates: win or lose, you will become the bones and the muscle of this Empire, just as the Shades are its hands. You are and will continue to be integral to our success.
“With the completion of today’s events and the festival that is to follow, the Root Palace will begin preparations for transport. The course to our new destination has been plotted and will require approximately one year. Full details will be made available shortly, but for now we have ample cause for celebration. Our ranks will be whole once again, and we are on the brink of a new journey. Please enjoy the festival week. We will need to be on our guard during the coming journey, and likely our martial skills will be required upon planetfall. Today, too, is for combat! Let your blood boil and see you clear to victory! Luck to the strong!”
Again cheers coursed through the open area of the Root Palace and in front of countless holographic screens throughout the Empire. Everyone was watching. Jav wondered about Hol, if she was back on 1287 watching alone or if she was somewhere out in the surrounding crowd. He doubted the latter, but it was possible.
The order of the fights had been predetermined. In each Block, the fights would proceed in original ring order. For Block Two, that meant Jav was fighting Olander Karza and they would be first. Following them in order would be Raiber Haas and Nanda Oslet; Lara Bester and Ulek Alsef; and finally Gengrel Waizen and Ren Fauer. A second round would determine the finalists, and the final round would of course produce the Block Two winner.
Lor Kalkin and Kimbal Furst had gone to their seats, and Ren nodded to Jav in a well-wishing gesture.
Jav and Karza were called to the ring and both entered. They smiled at each other and Jav shouted, “Good luck!”
Karza laughed and shouted back with a sweet smile incongruous with her words, “Good luck to you! You’re going to need it!”
Jav grinned back at her as the bell sounded.
Block 2
Jav Holson: 18 Heavenly Claws
VS
Olander Karza: Chain Guillotine
They bowed to each other and the smiles left their faces. Both were concentrating and Karza was first to strike. She flung her square blade three times, but yanked it back each time, and though the blade itself never came close to reaching Jav, the wind it produced did and cut just as handily as the steel itself. A bloody crease opened on Jav’s left cheek, but he understood the nature of her attacks right away and avoided the next two rushes.
“Nice,” Jav said to himself. He had heard of such skills associated with Vacuum Drag, but this was his first experience with them. Though the nature of the attack made it hard or perhaps even impossible to block, Jav trusted in his speed. Also, there was no way to miss her making such an attack so all he had to do was be careful.
Jav knew the speed and skill Karza was capable of with both her blade and chain. Getting close would be difficult, but there was no other way to beat her. The blade came now, barreling towards him. He threw up his left arm and twisted in his stance to allow the projectile to whiz past his ribs. Then without pause, he reached out with his left hand, grabbed and yanked at the chain along side him, and pulled himself towards its source.
Karza grinned, though, and manipulated her chain with great, sweeping movements that sent rolls and waves through its length. Jav found himself assailed on every side as the chain bent and lashed and struck. Still he pushed forward, and the grin faded from Karza’s face.
She drew back on her chain, recalling the blade, and then set the blade to swinging so that it was like a great, cutting wheel. Th
e speed of the wheel was incredible and formed a tight defense. From wherever Jav approached, she could alter the axis of the wheel and bring it in line to block his advance. Nor was the wheel limited to defense. Twice Karza broke the wheel, sending out serpent-like strikes, but even as Jav kicked the flat of the blade with expert precision, knocking it off course both times, she merely tugged on the chain and set her wheel to spinning again.
Leaping high into the air, Jav attempted to strike from above, and this time, rather than the blade itself, its insubstantial, wind-borne edge came at him. He twisted in the air and instinctively used AI to supplement his motion. When he had landed, his left sleeve hung loose, barely attached, and in spite of the blood that decorated his shirt, his bicep had only received a superficial cut.
Karza continued on the offensive. Now she was in the air and her guillotine rained down with such speed that it appeared to have multiplied. It struck the ring floor like tactically deployed meteors, and Jav realized something as he dodged and escaped the hazards of the deadly shower.
Her speed was impressive, but it wasn’t greater than his. Jav waited for the perfect opportunity, which arrived without delay, and he acted. As the guillotine fell, he tracked it and backhanded its base with all his raw physical and AI-conjured strength. The blade’s momentum instantly increased by a shocking degree and it crashed into, through, and under the ring floor where it lodged itself into the solid rock below. Jav was already halfway along the length of the chain, running with precision steps upon the chain itself, until leaping towards Karza, right leg cocked back for a roundhouse kick. All of this was happening too fast for Karza who had been lurched forward by the pull of her own weapon. She had no time to react. All she could do was stare in disbelief as Jav’s kick caught her in the solar plexus and robbed her of consciousness.
The Artifact Competition (Approaching Infinity Book 1) Page 22
