Spectra's Gambit

by Vincent Trigili

  As I finished my packing, I sensed a familiar presence approaching. “Nemesis!” I said out loud to myself. I moved over to my computer and viewed the station’s tactical displays, but I could not find Nemesis on them and my sense of his presence had faded away. That could only mean that Dusty had recloaked, but I didn’t know why. I would have expected him to approach and dock.

  “Hi, Shea!” called out Spectra as she appeared.

  “Spectra! By the Light, it’s great to see you!” I exclaimed and sent a silent prayer of thanks to Light for giving me the chance to see her again. She leapt over my boxes and we embraced. It was good to feel her fur on my face again. Dusty and Spectra were my closest friends, but recent activities had kept us apart. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  “Nothing. We were just cruising through and I wanted to drop in and see my favorite cleric,” she said. “What is going on around here?”

  “You mean all the construction?” I asked.

  “Yeah, and there are wizards all over the place now,” she said.

  “The station was attacked by a massive fleet, so Grandmaster Vydor, Master Shadow and a couple of others came out to defend it,” I said.

  “With that much firepower, I don’t imagine the fight lasted very long!” she said.

  “No, it never really started. They made our shields invulnerable and Master Shadow drew all the power from the attacking fleet. Quite an embarrassing loss for them, I think,” I replied.

  “Sound like it. I guess that means that everyone knows about us now,” she said.

  “Yes, so they are beefing up the defenses and troops will be stationed here from now on,” I said.

  She looked around the room and wandered over to some of my edible plants. “You still have some fresh Nepeta!”

  “Yes.” I started to offer her some, but before I could she tore off a few leaves, leapt up on some boxes and slowly savored them.

  “You grow the best snacks,” she said blissfully.

  “You know those leaves are not good for you,” I chided.

  “It can’t be that bad, or you would stop growing it for me,” she countered.

  I smiled. She had me there. It was not really good for her, but she loved it and a little bit occasionally was not harmful. I was pretty sure that no one else grew it for her, since I had brought the seeds with me from Korshalemia, so I knew she was not getting too much. “Well, a little is okay, but don’t overdo it.”

  She smiled as she leaned back against the wall and slowly rolled a leaf around in her mouth. I could see the tension leave her shoulders as she relaxed. “I’ve missed you,” she said.

  “Me too,” I said.

  “I was talking with your partner in crime,” she stated.

  “Who might that be?” I asked.

  “Nanny,” she said. “And she has advised me to bring you on board the Nemesis as part of our team.”

  “Nanny is fast becoming one of my favorite people,” I said. “Heck, she is already my favorite spirit!” Thank you, Light, for putting Nanny in Spectra’s life! I prayed silently.

  Spectra chuckled at that. “She is something special, that is for sure.”

  “Did you come here to fetch me, then?” I asked.

  “If you want to come. Do you?” she asked.

  “That’s a silly question!” I said.

  “Well, it might not be as silly as you think,” she said.

  “Why not?” I asked.

  “We are leaving the Wizard Kingdom to set up on our own and create a group to train spiritualists," she said.

  “I knew this day was coming,” I said. I had hoped it would not, but it seemed inevitable.

  “I think most of us did,” she said.

  “Are you sure about this?” I asked.

  “There is no other way,” she said.

  I did not think that was true, but now was not the time for that argument. “How many wizards do you have?” I asked.

  “Thirty, plus Dusty and myself; every single one whom I felt we could safely take down this road. I took no one who was borderline. Maybe we could risk those later, but for the moment I chose only the ones I was absolutely sure about.”

  This is why the Light wanted me to pack. I am to go with her, I thought to myself. “Nemesis is in easy gate range?”

  “Yes. I remember your last trip to the Spirit Realm, and I didn’t want to put you through that again.”

  As I was a cleric, every native of the Spirit Realm hated me and wanted to kill me on sight. It was my kind who imprisoned the spirits there, and they would never forget that.

  “I appreciate that!” I said. I did not like the idea of leaving Grandmaster Vydor and his wizards, but Spectra was heading down a dangerous road. I needed to be there to help her.

  “It may be awkward for you, being a cleric and all. I understand that, so you don’t have to come,” she said.

  “Do you want me?” I asked.

  “Oh, Shea, of course! Neither of us has family in this realm, but you are closer to me than any sister could be. I really want you to come, but only if you want to,” she said.

  “I suppose I would have to leave most of this behind,” I said.

  “Not the Nepeta!” she said.

  “No, I’ll bring that,” I said.

  “So does that mean you are in?” she asked.

  “Yes. How could I turn down my baby sister?” I said. Oh, Light, please give me the strength and wisdom for this task!

  She sprang off the box to the floor and cast a gate spell. Several men came through the gate and she said to them, “All this is coming with us. Put it in her quarters.”

  “Yes, Master,” they said, and went to work carrying my things through the gate.

  “Well, I don’t really need it all,” I started.

  She winked. “Of course not. We can recycle anything you don’t want later, but it is easier to bring it all now.”

  “I should go and say goodbye,” I said. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Okay. I’ll wait for you here,” she replied.

  I went and found Doctor Leslie. “Doctor?”

  “Yes, Shea?” she asked.

  “Spectra is here, and she has asked me to join their team,” I said.

  “Oh? I didn’t think anyone had docked today,” she answered.

  “They didn’t bother to. She just gated over,” I said.

  “One would think by now I’d be used to people who can just jump through space randomly and appear wherever they want. Do you know if they have made any progress?” she asked.

  “I haven’t had a report yet,” I said.

  “As I recall, they do not have much medical experience, so it would be good for you to guide them. When are you leaving?” she asked.

  “Right away, I’m afraid,” I said.

  “I will let the council know. Please let me know what progress they have made once you’ve reviewed their data,” she said. “You will be sorely missed around here.”

  “Thank you, Doctor,” I said. We hugged and then I pronounced a blessing over her and the station. They would need it in the days to come.

  I returned to my office and found it empty save for Spectra and my Nepeta plant. “I see you have been enjoying yourself.”

  She smiled. “It is not like there’s anything else in here to play with.”

  “Not anymore. I am ready when you are,” I said.

  She tossed me the plant to free her hands and recast the gate spell. “After you, sis.”

  Light, please guide me so that I can bring them to know you through this assignment, I prayed and then walked through the gate and onto Nemesis.

  Chapter Fifty-One

  “Hi, Greymere,” said Master Dusty.

  “My armor is beyond repair,” I said as Master Dusty approached. I held up the remaining pieces. It has lain in its container for weeks now and should have been fully repaired, but it must have been damaged too bad
ly during my trip to the Spirit Realm.

  “We have only known you for about three months now, and you have gone through two complete sets of enchanted armor,” said Master Dusty.

  “I take it that we can’t order one from home any longer?” I asked.

  “I’m afraid not,” he said. “They used to get them made in Korshalemia, but that trade dried up. Now they have one or two people in the Wizard Kingdom who can make armor, but they won’t be available to us once we break our ties with them.”

  “But,” said Master Spectra, joining us, “we have not yet separated, so I might be able to get one more order in first.”

  “I have another idea,” I said.

  “Oh?” asked Master Dusty.

  “I know a Zalionian named Zah’rak who is an enchanter. He made the set of armor I was wearing when we first met. I am willing to bet we could trade some knowledge about magic for customized armor,” I said.

  “Where is he?” asked Master Dusty.

  “He lives in this region, but I don’t know his exact location. I do have command communication codes that will bring him up on an encrypted jump space channel,” I said.

  “I hate to delay our trip, but getting armor for you and making a friend in the process is probably the wiser course of action here,” said Master Dusty.

  “I agree. Let’s call him,” said Master Spectra.

  “There is one problem, of course,” I said.

  “There always is,” groaned Master Dusty.

  “What is it?” asked Master Spectra.

  “He knows me by my former identity and thinks I am dead. If word gets out that I am still alive, it would be extremely risky for those who knew my real nature and helped to conceal it,” I said.

  “Did he know you were not human?” asked Master Dusty.

  “Yes, he knows I am one of the Shadow People. His group are magi too, and like you they saw right though me,” I said. “At least one of them did. He called himself a diviner.”

  “Ah, yes. They can read power signatures and auras,” said Master Spectra.

  “Then he will understand why you are hiding,” said Master Dusty. “Is he connected to that Raquel that Grandmaster Vydor mentioned?”

  “Yes, the Sac’a’rith is the group that Zah’rak leads,” I said.

  “Well, it sounds like she already knows who you are, so perhaps you’d better call Zah’rak first and control the information release.”

  “Good point,” I said. I moved over to the comm. station and punched in the codes for the Night Wisp, Zah’rak’s ship. In a few moments Zah’rak appeared on the screen and I said, “Hello, old friend.”

  “Who are you?” he demanded.

  “Zah’rak, it’s Byron. I know I look different. Is Ragnar there? I am sure he can verify my identity for you with his magic,” I said. I wished I could have changed back into Byron to convince him, but choosing a new bipedal form was an irreversible process.

  “I was told Byron was dead,” he said.

  “My race was discovered, and I had to fake my death to protect some people,” I said.

  He turned away from the screen and called for Ragnar. When Ragnar came to the screen, Zah’rak asked, “Who is that?”

  “I am not sure. I cannot see his aura through this device,” said Ragnar.

  “Zah’rak, you picked up Ragnar in Korshalemia after using the gate in Narcion’s room.” I went on to tell them the details of the fight in which Narcion died. “What more proof do you need?” I asked.

  “Who are you?” asked Ragnar.

  “Special Agent Byron,” I said.

  “I knew you weren’t dead!” he said.

  “Are you sure it’s Byron?” asked Zah’rak.

  “He talks just like him, and his recollection of events matches what Byron would have remembered, AND he has Byron’s command codes. Who else could it be?” asked Ragnar.

  “Thanks, Ragnar,” I said. “I am known as Greymere now. The Byron identity must remain dead to protect those who helped me.”

  “Understood,” said Ragnar. “Where are you?”

  “I am on board the Nemesis with thirty or so magi and we need Zah’rak’s help,” I said. “We are near Hospital Station. Are you close by?”

  Zah’rak looked at Ragnar with that faraway look he always had when he tried to focus on telepathy. After a few moments he turned back to the comm. and said, “We can meet with you in two days at the following coordinates. Then Ragnar can read your aura and we will know the truth of this matter.”

  “Master Dusty, does that work for us?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he said.

  “Okay, Zah’rak; see you in two days,” I said.

  “Agreed,” he said and as he cut the channel I heard Ragnar call out, “Did he say Master Dusty?”

  I looked to Master Dusty. “I think your reputation precedes you.”

  “Let’s hope it’s a good one,” he said.

  The next two days passed without incident. Shea settled into managing the hydroponics, which produced the ship’s food supply. She was also becoming everyone’s best friend, as always. The new magi on board were all military-trained, so there were very few transition issues to deal with as everyone settled into their new roles.

  I was on the bridge when a call came in from the Night Wisp on the same channel that I had used to reach them. “Night Wisp calling Nemesis, are you out there yet?” Zah’rak asked.

  “Yes, Night Wisp, I hear you loud and clear. Would you like me to fly over solo before introducing you to my newest team?” I asked.

  “That would be good,” said Zah’rak. “I’ll leave a door open for you.”

  As I headed to the airlock Master Spectra stopped me and said, “If anything happens, just contact us telepathically and we will be there.”

  “I should still look the same to the diviner, right?” I asked.

  “Yes,” she said.

  “Then there won’t be a problem. Zah’rak leans very heavily on his advice and will trust his report. I will contact you soon,” I said and slipped out the airlock into space. Aboard the Night Wisp I turned and looked at Zah’rak, who had his blasters drawn. Behind him stood Ragnar. “Okay, satisfied?”

  “It is definitely Byron,” said Ragnar.

  Once he had said that, there was excitement in the room and lots of questions. I did my best to field them and assure them I was okay. Eventually I got them calmed down and said, “Over there, cloaked, is the Nemesis. On board are magi who range from new apprentices to highly-trained wizards. More importantly, they have spell books for all the major spell lines.”

  “Even mine?” asked Zah’rak excitedly.

  “Yes, and that’s why we are here,” I said. “In a recent trip to the Spirit Realm my armor was destroyed and I need a new set. Master Dusty and Master Spectra, my superiors, would like to barter for new armor for me and also to have some spares. So what do you say, knowledge for armor?”

  “Hold on,” interjected Ragnar. “Did you just say Master Dusty and Master Spectra?”

  “Yes,” I said. “Do you know them?”

  “Master Dusty is third in command of the Wizard Kingdom’s Navy, and Master Spectra is his wife. I never met them, but they are famous,” he said.

  “Would you like to meet them?” I asked. “We can dock the two ships together and our cloak will more than cover the Night Wisp.” The Night Wisp was a much smaller ship than the Nemesis, so the additional mass and energy that the cloak would need to cover it was relatively small.

  Crivreen almost jumped out of his armor when I said that. “You mean we can meet real wizards?”

  “As real as you are,” I said.

  “I’ll go right up to the bridge!” he said. “Just ask them to contact me so we can interlink our computers, and we can be docked in no time.”

  As he ran off I turned to Zah’rak. “Just to warn you, Nemesis is a special kind of ship and, well, not all its occupants are wh
at you would describe as normal; but they are all my friends, so don’t be afraid.”

  “What would I have to be afraid of?” he asked.

  “Master Dusty?” I sent, and told Zah’rak, “You’ll see.”

  “Yes, Greymere? Is all well?” he asked.

  I told them of the plan to link up and Master Dusty said Jade would contact Crivreen and handle that. While we waited, I brought them up to date on much of what had happened since I left, and how I no longer needed to hide my race. Felix volunteered to stay behind and man the Night Wisp while the others came over with me. There was really no need for anyone to man the Night Wisp, as the computer interlink would allow Nemesis to handle anything that came up, but Felix was never the trusting type.

  Master Dusty and Master Spectra met us at the airlock, and I introduced Ragnar to them. He bowed deeply and said, “I am honored to meet you both. I have heard many tales of your adventures, but never expected to be fortunate enough to come into your presence.”

  Shea walked into the room and said, “Ragnar? What are you doing here?”

  “Shea? I should ask you the same!” he said.

  “So you two know each other?” I asked.

  “Ragnar used to buy potions from me back in Korshalemia, but I have not seen him in many seasons,” she said.

  “How is your brother? Is he here, too?” asked Ragnar.

  “No, he stayed behind,” she told him and they wandered off to catch up on old times.

  I gave Zah’rak and his team a tour of the Nemesis and introduced them to Nanny and Nemesis himself. When that was over, we left Shira and Crivreen in the mess hall with Nanny while Zah’rak, Master Dusty, Master Spectra and I moved into a conference room to negotiate terms for the armor.

  “A ghost cook and a living ship,” commented Zah’rak. “No wonder you warned me!”

  “Masters, Zah’rak and I used to hunt wraiths together,” I started and then told them a little about our adventures.

  “A table?’ exclaimed Master Dusty. “Describe it to me.”