by Skyler Grant
While I preferred the spear I was no slouch with a sword. The enemy was expecting their commander to reinforce them. Instead, I attacked from behind.
The enchanted blade cut through armor as if it was just flesh, and I stabbed and hacked my way through them. They were down before they knew what was happening, and the furious action became sudden, still silence.
Aditya was one of the survivors and she set about bandaging wounds.
Elsewhere in the jungle the combat continued.
"We're still standing," Aditya said.
We were, but it was a near thing. Even with an enchanted blade we'd have poor luck holding the crossing against a sizable number of enemies.
It wasn't in the plan, but I was having an idea. The enemy was greener than I'd expected. The fact that a skilled commander didn't have a disciplined unit suggested they'd thrown forces together at the last moment for this operation.
There was potential in that.
"Find an enemy corpse about your size and switch armor," I said.
Their commander was close enough to my size, so I took hers. Besides, I needed the sheath for my new sword.
None my squad questioned what I was about. If the enemy had spent for a magic weapon for all its commanders, perhaps no one would look beyond the armor and weapon for identification.
It wasn't long before we'd all changed and awkwardly managed to get the corpses into our old armor. We now looked like the small remains of an enemy force that had been set upon by a large number of Olympians and triumphed.
Any of our own commanders would recognize me on sight, so that shouldn't be a worry.
For all that we had hastily dressed and gotten ready, nothing happened.
Either our forces on the opposite bank used the other crossing, or the enemy wiped them out before they had the opportunity. Although I could still hear infrequent sounds of combat in the jungle, for the next hour none was close to our position.
It was around two hours later a group of ten enemies neared the other bank. They looked badly bloodied, there was little doubt they'd seen a lot of action.
Their commander raised a sword that sparked with flame and I raised mine as well. It was pretty poor as identifiers go, but it seemed to be enough as he signaled his men to cross. They forded the river, looking at the strewn corpses as they got close.
"You saw a fight too. We're clear over there. Caught a big group heading towards your crossing and wiped them out," said their commander.
I didn’t want to speak. Even if they weren't seeing my Olympian features, my accent might give me away.
Aditya said, "Bastards tried here. Know if the other crossing held?"
Their leader shook his head. "It fell, but those that captured it got took from behind."
If the enemy had managed to take our forces at the other crossing by surprise, it probably meant things had collapsed.
I couldn't worry about that. Not now.
"Good luck," Aditya said.
I didn't see the commander motion to his men, but I saw their hands moving to their weapons.
Something had given us away. I got my blade out just as their commander drew his and magic sparked as we traded blows.
He was good, far better than I expected.
"How did we slip up?" I asked.
He said, "Your wounds don't match your armor and you smeared the blood when changing."
These soldiers were all veterans, nothing like the inexperienced ones we'd fought earlier. They were fresh from battle, while we'd had more time to rest, but that didn’t matter.
"John Calhoun, SantaFe Consortium. Good fight," said the swordsman I faced.
The last of my men were being killed and he was holding me off. It was respect for the fight we'd put up. It was a courtesy, one professional to another. I appreciated it, but I wasn't just going to let him have his win.
"Alena Polias of Olympus Corp," I said, before I took a deep breath and did a backflip.
Gymnastics was something I did regularly, but only with my physical body. I lacked the skills in the Network and while I might pull it off this was going to leave me with a serious combat disadvantage. It did. When I landed amid the rest of the enemy, I was dizzy and nauseous.
I set about my bloody work. I knew I couldn't take them all down and survive, but survival was out of the equation anyways.
It wasn't a rule my father had taught me, but one I'd made up for myself. Never go down easy and always put on a show. My blade hewed through flesh and bone even as spears pierced my side. With the last of my energy I threw my sword overhand at John.
My world went dark.
You have Died: Recorded Kills this Session: 7
Lifetime Kills: 83
Suspension Timer: 10 Days
The words appeared before my eyes and held there. It was perhaps two minutes before they faded and I was wrenched back to the real world.
My tubes had already been removed and the sweat toweled off my body. The technicians took care of that before bringing us out. They helped me to my feet.
Rena was waiting for me, already dressed for the party.
"You got a head start," I said.
"They caught us the second we hit the zone. Your mother had your dress clothes sent over and I set them out for you. How'd you do?" Rena asked.
"Took the crossing. Launched a surprise attack on some enemies who tried to cross. Seven kills," I said.
Rena gave an appreciative whistle and we walked together towards the dressing rooms. "You'll be up to a hundred in no time."
Kills made nice milestones. The first mattered, tenth, fiftieth. Getting my hundredth would mean a night filled with drinking and celebration. I was looking forward to it.
I wish I'd had more time to get ready for the party. War and fashion could be so at odds. Still, I did the best I had in the time available. Just as I was finishing up I saw the report come in. We'd won the battle and I was getting credit as a major contributor. Father would be pleased.
Soon enough it was off to the new battlefield—the party— to mingle with the elite.
78
Eighteen hours before the Fall
By the time we arrived the party was well underway. In one corner a lyre and a piano were set up. The lyre was usual, the piano was new. We must have wanted someone to feel welcomed. I was guessing by the sounds they were either from Liberty or SantaFe.
You couldn't tell it from the guests. There wasn't a lot of travel between stations, but still some business was best conducted face-to-face. While the room was mostly Olympians I saw a few of the distinctive cowboy hats favored by those of SantaFe, some pressed suits of Liberty, and even a few kimonos of the Amaterasu.
Ismene bobbed up. "Your father wants to see you."
Of course he did.
Rena flashed me a smile. "Don't forget."
It took me a few moments to remember what she meant. In my defense, I'd fought a battle and died since suggesting inviting Orestes and her to the baths. No wonder she'd been sticking so close to me since we got back.
"I won't," I promised.
Ismene led me through the crowd to my father. Although he managed to look more scholar than soldier, the force of his presence dominated any room. It was part of what made him such an effective leader, he could truly bring out the best in anyone.
It wasn't easy being the daughter of Homer Polias, but I did my best.
"Here she is now," my father said, flashing me a smile. He was talking to a man and woman in black cowboy hats. Hat color was very meaningful in SantaFe, expressing two completely different world views.
I put on my best smile in return. "I hope I haven't kept you waiting."
My father said, "We were just discussing the battle. This is Austin and Selena. My daughter, Alena. How many kills did you wind up with?"
He knew. I was sure that father could tell me more about the battle I'd just been involved in than I knew myself. He would have seen a summary report.
"Seven. A
pleasure to meet you both," I said to his guests.
"Damn fine show, Miss. Damn fine," said Austin.
"They've been thinking about hiring us for certain... internal struggles. Today was something of a test performance," my father said.
That explained why they'd thrown us against such overwhelming odds. I should be angry at my father for not giving me some sort of warning, but he played fair. My father always played things straight. Still, it didn't speak well of them that they thought a display was necessary, everybody should know of what we were capable.
"Your people put up a good fight. If you know an officer by the name of John Calhoun, pay him my respects," I said.
"What would you say was the greatest error the enemy forces made?" asked my father.
I didn't like the question. I'd only seen a small portion of it and I truly wasn't the best to say. Still, he was asking and that demanded an answer.
My father saw my hesitation and amended his question. "If you were in command of the enemy forces in this battle, how else would you have approached it?"
I said, "I'd have approached it in the same way our forces did. There were was a large river and limited points of crossing. I'd have gained control of those and used that control to focus my full force upon a fraction of the enemy."
My father gave an approving nod.
"Mobility and flexibility are the key.” He turned to his guests. “Even though you perhaps have the resources to settle this matter in-house, is this truly what is best for you?"
"Would your girl here be able to head things up" asked Selena.
I went tense. I didn't know how large this "internal matter" might be, but if they'd made the trip here and were talking to my father, it wasn't small.
I'd commanded a squad, but never anything on a larger scale. I wasn't ready—I also wanted it.
"We can work out all the details, but I'm sure that is something that can be arranged," said my father, with a knowing look to me.
I shook their hands in the tradition of SantaFe. "If you can come to terms, I'd be happy to lend my expertise."
My father led them off.
That left me at a loose end and I decided to look for Orestes, before I wound up forgetting my promise to Rena.
I found him near my mother. At least she wasn't going to draw me into any business. I'd never mastered anything more than the bare basics of bioscience.
Right now, Orestes was at a party surrounded by some of most tempting daughters and sons of Olympus, and instead of taking any notice of these people, he had a holographic display pulled up and was going through what looked to be research files.
I knew him well enough from his work with my mother to call him a friend—at least, so much as Orestes had friends.
"You know you can look at those when you're not at a party," I said.
"But then they wouldn't be serving as a deterrent for people to come up to talk to me," Orestes said, glancing up from the files. "I didn't think you were coming."
"The battle wrapped up quick and I was able to make it. Did I miss anything exciting?" I asked.
"A few philosophers nearly came to blows discussing the nature of music and the differences between the biological and mechanical ego," Orestes said.
That did sound fun.
"Sorry I missed that," I said.
"Other than that, just a lot of talk about the vote tomorrow. All the non-Olympians seem to think us half-mad, and the AIs are getting so pissed off that they're taking our side for once."
Nothing made someone want their rights quite so quickly as being told you couldn't have them.
"Given any thought to it?" I asked.
"Ismene wants me to vote no, I'll vote no, I'm her friend," Orestes said.
While I wanted to fault him for that, I couldn't. Orestes worked closely with Ismene and they were even closer than she and I.
"You're also coming with me to the baths tomorrow," I said.
"Do I stink?"
"If you did, I'd be dragging you to the baths right now. It’s Rena," I said.
"Rena doesn't stink," Orestes said, frowning.
Well. As starts for romance went there were worst ones. Rena could build upon not stinking. I thought about ways to be subtle, but sometimes with Orestes it was best just to be blunt.
"No. But Rena wants you to see her naked and notice," I said.
Orestes paused to consider that for several long moments. "Fine."
Triumph! Of a sort. A wise leader still needed to make sure all the pieces would follow their proper course however.
"You'll want to ask her out afterward," I said.
Orestes stared pointedly at his holographic display for a long time.
"Where?" Orestes finally asked.
"A play, because you're quite horrible at conversation," I said.
"I have been wanting to see the Harrowing of Etrusca."
I'd heard about that. It was getting a lot of praise for being so incredibly tragic. One reviewer said their heart had been driven to such despair afterward it might never know happiness again.
"What about Aphrodite's Pearls instead?" I said.
Orestes winced. "Isn't that a comedy? I don't do comedy."
The lengths one went to for their friends.
"Rena does," I said.
"Shouldn't we do something we'd enjoy together?" Orestes asked.
"You'll get there, I'm certain. But first you'll see the comedy and, if you're so inspired, take her out to dinner," I said.
Orestes glanced back to the display. "Fine."
It wasn't a perfect plan, but it would do. I paused by a wall terminal to record the appointment and issue an invitation to them both to the baths for tomorrow.
I made a last circuit of the party. It wasn't just being a good daughter, I hoped to find something exciting going on. A good fight always left me keyed up and looking for fun, and today had been a really good fight. Instead I wound up turning in early. That was okay, tomorrow would be a historic day. The vote for AI suffrage.
If I'd known how much it would change my life I'd have stayed up and enjoyed the party.
79
Nine hours before the Fall
It was voting day on the issue of machine suffrage. However important the moment might be to history, it didn't stop my morning routine. If you wanted to be the best at something, you had to practice every day and never stop.
My morning routine involved two hours hooked up to the Network in my room. Nothing so complicated as going to a sanctioned battle, most citizens owned a chaise with simple restraints to hold them in place and I was no exception. Two hours of weapon and battle practice in the Network. Then, when that was done, a trip to the gymnasium for another two hours of working out my real body.
Normally for the vote I'd take extra care getting dressed after my workout, break out my best jewelry and go all out. Today though, I was meeting with Rena and Orestes for the baths and I didn't want to go to all the trouble twice.
Even on Olympus Station only around a quarter of the residents were true Citizens. We all trained for war, but not all were prepared to devote the years required to earn that vote. I'd been fighting in officially sanctioned battles since I'd turned sixteen. I'd just earned the vote last year. It was part of why it was so important to me to see that people like Ismene were able to vote too. They were willing to stand up and do their part, and they deserved that recognition.
Rena’s place was a bit of a walk. Her home on Olympus came from her father, who was a renowned artist and they lived in the artists district.
Orestes had messaged that he'd meet us at the baths. I gave it even odds he'd actually show. When Rena came out to meet me I saw she had dressed up for the day, wearing a flattering shade of green and her hair threaded with silver. It made me wish I'd dressed up, even if it wasn't quite a fair comparison with her going on a date.
"You went all out," I said.
Rena flashed me a grin as she moved beside me. "I know what I'm gett
ing myself into. I'm only going to get one shot, so I'd better make it a good one."
"Why Orestes anyways?" I asked.
"I like them smart and standoffish," Rena said.
Good for her, she knew what she wanted. If smart and standoffish was her type, she'd picked the right guy.
When we got to the baths Orestes was waiting for us. It was hard to tell with Orestes, but I think he had dressed up as well. The blue and white chiton he wore certainly made him look distinguished.
We all had showers within our quarters, but public bathing was one of those things that Olympus took a lot of pride in. Our baths were classified as one of the must-see wonders on the stations and those playing diplomat from more repressive corporations often enjoyed the chance to show and see a little skin.
Attendants helped us get undressed and ushered us inside. An Olympian bath was more than just a bath, the waters teemed with custom-designed microbes that aided in fighting disease, encouraged healing, and helped to invigorate.
The bathing chamber was vast and filled with pools of all sizes. Mosaics of cut gemstones studded the walls and floors, and were dimly lit from behind to fill the space with brilliant color. At either side of the room were two great statues, one of Aphrodite and the other Asclepius.
We settled into one of the smaller pools and I made certain to position myself such that when Rena entered the bath she'd have to squeeze in next to Orestes. It left them pressed closely together. With the water I couldn't actually tell how successful an effort it was at getting Orestes’ attention, but I trusted Rena was properly distracting.
"So, Orestes. I hear you're working on getting rid of aching muscles for good," Rena said.
She'd even looked up his research? Rena had it bad. I'd listened to my mother go on about this research and it really wasn't that interesting.
"You heard about that?" Orestes said. I'd worried for a moment this might all come to nothing, but unless I was mistaken he'd totally taken a moment to check her out. "It's really all a matter of building the right sort of symbiote."
