Graveyard of Empires

by Lincoln Cole

  “I…I don’t know,” he said. He wasn’t lying, not quite. He had wanted to hurt them at the time, but he didn’t remember why. At least not anymore. It had been a sudden urge he couldn’t and didn’t want to resist, and he’d just started using the broken stick like a club. “I think I might have.”

  It took her a long time to reply.

  “Why?” she asked, her voice wavering.

  “They wanted to hurt Everett. And then they started hurting another kid. I just…” he didn’t know how to explain.

  “You did right,” she said. “We have to protect our friends.”

  A tear fell down her cheek, and she brushed it away. Her face was round and always red, and her hair was tousled. She gave him a hug. “Come on, let’s go get you cleaned up.”

  She led him outside, leaving their guests alone in the living room.

  4

  Argus let out a sigh once they were gone.

  “More,” he said. “She said there were more occasions. This wasn’t the first time something like that happened.”

  “No,” Vivian replied. “But you saw her face when we told her. This was the worst.”

  “He can’t control it,” Argus said. “And it’s only going to get worse.”

  “She knows,” Vivian said. Wade shook his head.

  “She can’t know anything,” he said. “Like I said before, the Ministry doesn’t reach this far out. All she knows is he’s angry.”

  “She knows something is wrong,” she replied. “And that is enough.”

  “He doesn’t understand what he is doing,” Wade replied. “It isn’t his fault.”

  “No,” she said. “But it is our responsibility.”

  “I know.”

  She hesitated and then sighed. “What do you suggest?”

  “I’ll stay with him.”

  “What?” she asked, shocked.

  “They won’t care if I don’t come back for a while because—”

  “Hang on, what the hell are you talking about?”

  Argus was silent for a moment. “I can watch out for him and make sure he’s okay, and I can teach him how to control the outbursts.”

  “You’re in charge of half of the Ministry finances,” she said. “You think they won’t notice when you don’t show back up.”

  “I know it’s risky—”

  “You’re damn right it is.”

  “But it’s the best plan,” he finished. “More people will come, and eventually, someone will find him. If I watch the kid for a few years, keep him hidden while the Ministry and Republic explore out here, then we can figure out a more permanent solution.”

  “There is a more permanent solution,” she reminded him, her voice low.

  “Then kill him!” he replied angrily. Gesturing, vehemence and disgust in his voice. “Murder that innocent child. Prove that the rumors about you were true!”

  Vivian tensed and Argus regretted his outburst. His words hung in the air

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “That was uncalled for.”

  “No,” she said, “you’re right. I’ll watch him. Keep him safe.”

  “Vivian…”

  “I don’t have anything to do on the Ministry grounds anyway. My absence will be easier to hide.”

  He hesitated. “I could put in a requisition and have you posted out here for a few years. It would be good exposure for the Ministry to have a permanent station in the region…”

  “Damn you,” she said. “You planned this.”

  He held up his hands. “It is the best option.”

  She sighed. “I don’t know anything about children,” she said. He shrugged.

  “Neither do I. I think they work the same as puppies. Feed them, make sure they don’t poop on the carpet, and you’re good.”

  “Wade…I’m being serious.”

  “I know,” Wade replied. “If you do this, I can’t thank you enough.”

  “You’ll owe me.”

  He nodded. “I’ll owe you until the end of my life. Which, for a great number of reasons, might not be too far in the future.”

  She chuckled. “What are you going to tell the Minister?”

  “That you needed some time away to yourself, so I gave you a post out here to keep our supply lines open.”

  “He’ll believe that?”

  “He’ll believe in the extra money we bring to the Ministry. I’ll get you a trading certificate. Start exploring nearby planets and figure out what people need, and I’ll have it all shipped to you.”

  Vivian thought about it. “Okay, Wade. I’ll do it.”

  “Thank you,” he said. “I’m sorry, because I hate asking you to leave your home.”

  She turned to face him just as the curtain opened and Rica stepped back into the room. Vivian spoke low so only Argus could hear. “The Ministry was never my home.”

  5

  “We would like to offer your son a scholarship,” Argus said.

  Rica was skeptical. “A scholarship? For what?”

  “We want to give him an ideal education in one of the greatest cities in the galaxy, on the greatest world in the galaxy.”

  Rica stared at him. “Why?”

  “He deserves it,” Wade replied. “He will have the greatest of educations, never want for anything, and one day he will be making decisions that impact the entire galaxy.”

  “I mean why would you do that? Why him?”

  Argus didn’t miss a beat. “He’s a bright child, full of life, and at the Ministry, we seek to train the best and the brightest to be the next generation. This education is sought after by the richest members of society and costs as much as a small planet, but we want to offer this to Traq for nothing. He will fit in perfectly.”

  “I…um…I need some time…”

  “Of course,” Argus said. “Take all the time you need. Of course, there will be sponsored visits for him to come visit you, as well as for you to visit him. Now, if you’ll please excuse us, we will return tomorrow for your answer.”

  He stood up, shook Rica’s hand with a bright smile, and headed out into the warm Geid air. Vivian followed, leaving Rica and Traq alone in the little home.

  6

  As soon as the guests were gone, Rica called her brother. He said he would be right over, and as soon as he was off the communicator, she started crying. She gave Traq a hug.

  “They are going to steal you from me…” he heard her say under her breath, her voice trailing off. It was raspy and thick with emotion. “After everything…”

  “Mommy,” he said, and she set him down on her bed. Traq’s eyes fell to his hands, bundled in his lap before him. “Did I do something wrong? I’m sorry I made you upset.”

  She shook her head. “No, honey. You didn’t. I’m just…”

  “I’m sorry I hurt those kids.”

  “I know you are, sweetie.”

  Traq didn’t know what else to say. He was used to his mom being angry with him, but he didn’t know how to react to her being sad. There was a whistle at the door, saving him from being so far out of his depth. Rica drew in a deep breath to steady herself, rubbing her eyes with the bottom of her palms.

  She made a sniveling coughing sound laden with such depression that it made Traq wince. She walked toward the front door. Traq followed her a few steps behind.

  When she pulled the curtain open Traq’s uncle stepped inside. “Jack,” his mother said, throwing her arms around her brother and breaking out in tears again. “Oh, Jack, I don’t know what to do.”

  Jack Lane gently pushed Rica back and picked Traq up in a big hug. “Hey, little man. How you been?”

  Traq hugged his uncle and whispered. “Mom’s upset.”

  He didn’t dare show how happy he was to see Jack. He was sure that he was supposed to be sad too. But it was hard to hide his grin.

  Jack was a hero and a legend around the city Averton. Someone who not only made it off their forsaken little planet but made it all the way to the Core Worlds.
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br />   “I know,” Jack whispered back. He set Traq on the ground. “I need to talk to your mom alone for a few minutes and then we can go play Piollo if you want.”

  Traq nodded and headed off into his mom’s room, but he kept the curtain open a tiny bit so he could hear what was said.

  “I came as soon as Argus told me. They want to take Traq?”

  “They said for a scholarship at the Ministry,” she replied. “I almost said ‘no way in hell’ but then I heard about what he did today. They told me he attacked another few kids.”

  “Attacked? Was it bad?”

  “Very,” she said, her voice thick. “He put Remy in the hospital.”

  “Was it…did he…?”

  “Yes,” Rica said. “He had to have.”

  Silence.

  “Do they know?”

  “They didn’t seem to know anything. They said they only caught the tail end of the fight and didn’t see what happened.”

  Jack sighed. “Thank God.”

  Traq heard his mother sob, and a long minute passed before his uncle spoke again.

  “We can’t keep him here. You know that.”

  “But if I keep him inside…”

  “Like a prisoner?”

  “Jack…”

  “He’s a kid,” Jack said. “What happens when people start asking questions?”

  “How does he do it?” she asked. “I’ve seen him do things…”

  “I don’t know,” Jack said. “If I’d known, all those years ago that he would be like…”

  He fell silent.

  “I don’t know what I would have done.”

  “I don’t care,” Rica said. “They can’t take him, Jack. He’s my child.”

  “I know, but…”

  “After all this time, there is no way I’m just going to—”

  “I know, sis.”

  Rica rubbed her face. “What do we do, Jack?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Jack held out his hands and lowered his chin. Traq wasn’t sure what they were talking about.

  “He was the sweetest baby I’ve ever seen,” Jack said. “But he’s different, now. Something changed.”

  “They said I can come visit.”

  “You’ll like Axis. It’s a beautiful planet. Crazy, but beautiful.”

  “Can they take care of him?”

  “If there’s anywhere in the galaxy he will be safe,” Jack said. “It’s on Axis at the Ministry. Safest place in the world for little kids, especially different ones.”

  “And you’ll watch after him?”

  “Every day,” Jack said.

  She was quiet. “Okay, Jack. I’ll start packing his things.”

  Chapter 5

  Sector 4 – Alderson

  Jayson Coley

  1

  “That’s it?” Jayson Coley asked, staring out the train’s circular window into the forest beyond. A squat building had just appeared through the canopy of trees, ahead and above them on their path through the forest. It was the first sign of humanity they’d seen in almost eight hours since debarking on the train. “That’s where we are headed?”

  “That’s it,” Richard Dyson agreed with a nod. “The famed Silvent Academy.”

  Jayson eyed it for another moment. “I thought it would be bigger.”

  This was starting to feel like a wasted trip. This entire planet was small and uninviting with very little in the way of civilization. They had landed at a small backwater spaceport and ridden a train out into the forest. He’d come here because Silvent Academy was supposed to be the best: it was a military boot camp known for training spies and saboteurs as well as the famed Fists of the First Citizen.

  It wasn’t open to the public but rather invitation only. Jayson had been surprised and a little suspicious when he got his invitation, and to be honest he wasn’t totally sure why he had come out here at all. Jayson wasn’t even sure if he would agree to join the academy if they offered it to him. He’d just turned nineteen, and after two years away from home, he was starting to think it might be time to go see visit his family.

  Back when he lived on his home world, Eldun, Jayson used to think he was tough. A real badass, and he always planned on leaving and proving that he could make it on his own. He thought he could handle anything the galaxy threw at him.

  Nothing dispelled that illusion as fast as having his own gun taken from him and pointed at his face.

  Jayson stretched out his shoulders and fidgeted in his seat. His legs were cramping from the extended trip, and he had the beginnings of a headache developing behind his eyes. Allergies, most likely. This was a new planet, and it would take his body time to acclimate.

  “And I also thought maybe it wouldn’t be so far from civilization. Are there even any cities on this planet?”

  “I don’t think so. It’s a training planet. But don’t let the size and lack of amenities fool you,” Dyson replied, yawning. “It’s come by its reputation fairly.”

  Jayson watched the Academy slip out of sight once more behind the trees and let out a sigh. Huge pines, thick with memories and shadow. Right now they were skirting the side of a great mountain, following a switchback trail ever upward. The peak of the mountain disappeared into the clouds, buried in snow.

  “Eight hours on this damned train with nothing to eat but stale peanuts, and the academy looks like a damned hotel.”

  “I’m telling you, kid,” Richard said. “Looks don’t tell the story. They only accept a handful of students a year to get the best training possible. Most of us will probably be on the same train tomorrow heading home.”

  Jayson leaned back in his chair.

  “How did you get roped into this?’ Jayson asked.

  Richard Dyson shrugged. He had a trimmed black beard and cropped hair. His clothing was expensive, a blue silk shirt and tailored pants. He was muscular and athletic, quite a bit bigger than Jayson.

  “I grew up on Terminus. Spent my youth on the streets. Learned how to fight. The military wouldn’t take me,” Richard replied, leaning back and folding his hands behind his head. “Then Darius showed up and I liked what he had to say. I talked to some people, heard about the academy, and hopped the first shuttle here.”

  “You think they’ll take you?”

  “I think there’s only one way to find out. What about you?”

  Jayson thought about it for a second. “I was working with a group. Just a bunch of private contractors doing odd jobs. Mostly security.”

  “Pays well,” Richard said.

  “It does,” Jayson agreed, “until your client gets murdered. Then no one wants to work with you. Friends disown you. You become a pariah.”

  Richard whistled. “That’s harsh. Do you know who paid for the hit?”

  “The guy was an arms dealer on Terminus. All kinds of enemies,” Jayson said. “We never figured out who paid to have him taken out. But I do know who pulled the trigger.”

  “You didn’t stop him?”

  Jayson was silent for a few seconds. “It was a woman. She did it right in front of me with my gun. Shot him twice from up close. She wasn’t at all concerned with me seeing her face or watching it.”

  “You saw her face?”

  Jayson ignored him. “I drew my gun. Or tried to. I’m still not quite sure what happened, but I ended up on my ass with a gun to my head. My gun.”

  Richard’s eyes went wide and then he burst out laughing, slapping his knee. “Wait, wait, wait. You got your ass beat…by a girl?”

  2

  Jayson smiled and shook his head. “I should have gotten my ass killed. But she didn’t kill me.”

  “Was she hot?” Richard asked.

  Jayson scrunched his nose. “How is that relevant?”

  “It’s always relevant.”

  Jayson shook his head and sighed. “I don’t really know. I closed my eyes and tried not to wet myself.”

  “You’re…what…sixteen?”

  “Nineteen,” Jayson answ
ered, chagrined.

  “Then how could you not have noticed?” Richard asked. “Even if she was about to kill you, even if she’d already shot you, you should have noticed whether her ass was nice or not?”

  “What can I tell you?” Jayson asked, shrugging.

  “The truth. Come on, you had to notice something. Big breasts, little breasts?”

  “You don’t give up, do you?”

  “Hell no,” Richard replied. He scratched his beard. “The last time a woman tried to kill me, I asked her to be my wife.”

  Jayson snorted. “Did she say yes?”

  “I think she eventually would have. It didn’t end well.”

  “Why not?”

  Richard shrugged. “She tried again.” Jayson laughed. “Come on, man. Give me something. You have to remember something.”

  Jayson sighed. “Fine. She had little breasts. Green eyes. Shoulder length red hair. Athletic build. Perfectly smooth skin with freckles on her chest because she was wearing a black low cut ‘V’ blouse and skin-tight pants and…holy hell, I guess I do remember a lot.”

  “Told you,” Richard said. “Even when a woman is about to murder you, there’s always time to notice.”

  “Anyway,” Jayson said. “She didn’t pull the trigger. When I looked up again, she was gone.”

  “An angel of mercy.”

  “Not likely,” Jayson said. “She wasn’t much older than I am. Maybe she just felt sorry for me.”

  Richard nodded sagely. “I know I do.”

  “Anyway,” Jayson said, “two days later I got a message. A location and a date along with an invitation card for Silvent Academy. Didn’t say why, but once I researched the Academy I figured it out pretty quickly. Anyway, here I am.”

  “You think it was her?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You’re hoping it was her,” Richard stated, his voice flat.

  Jayson didn’t reply. He didn’t need to. He adjusted in his chair and looked out the window.

  “So you’re telling me a girl beats the hell out of you, doesn’t kill you, and then maybe passed you a message to come to Alderson and join the Silvent Academy, and you do it?”

  Again, Jayson was silent.

  “Wow, you got it bad,” Richard said, settling back in his chair and studying Jayson. “You need to let this crush go before it gets you killed.”