by Skyler Grant
Reality reasserted itself jarringly.
"Jumped into a ship that jumped again," Quinn said.
"Seems that way," Dela said.
It was all the conversation they managed as again reality blurred and distorted. Quinn was a professional racer this time, in a tiny, light single-seater designed strictly for interplanetary jaunts. He was damned good.
Reality crashed back in once more.
Dela threw up. This was pushing the nerves a bit, even if a runic sphere obviously wasn't being used.
Reality twisted yet again. There were three more jumps until the twisting finally came to a halt. Whatever vessel they were in must have had large fuel reserves, and some of the jumps might have been doubles. Quinn wasn't going to run the math, but it certainly meant they could be in any one of thousands of systems—he suspected that was the point. Concealing where they were really going, keeping their destination a secret.
It was a good sign, really. You didn't usually go to this much trouble if you planned to kill people.
There was an incoming comm signal and Quinn opened the channel.
"You're probably twitchy and so are we. You can keep your armor and guns, and bring out the party you want. We see any active scanning and we get really twitchy. We're doing this more or less as friends," said an unfamiliar female voice.
"You might give us someone friendly saying that then," Quinn said.
"We can fake any voice you like. The tanker could have been filled with corrosives that would have breached your hull in seconds. We're playing nice." The signal was killed.
Right then.
They couldn't take Kalisa off the ship. It was likely that Mara's family wasn’t sworn to a member of the royal line. Kalisa would be contagious to them and Quinn was pretty sure they'd view that as an attack.
Quinn at least had his countering bracelet, so he could go. He decided to round out the team with Kara and Tourmaline. Both were full of surprises, and besides Kara wouldn't let herself be separated from him after her promise to Ice.
The hatch opened into the cargo bay of the transport ship and illuminated arrows led them to another external hatch. Quinn couldn't tell if they were on a planet or a station, the featureless white halls were ... well, featureless.
The same couldn't be said of the three women waiting for them. One brunette, one blonde, and one redhead. They were short, tall, and of average height respectively, and all beautiful in that perfect way of the heavily modified.
"Captain Jade," said the blonde, sticking out her hand. "You can call me Alpha. The redhead is Bravo and the brunette Charlie."
Quinn gave her hand a quick shake. "You've got terrible naming conventions."
The three were dressed in loose-fitting black athletic outfits, and if they were armed or armored there were no sign of it. In a way it was a show of strength—they weren't worried. They controlled this terrain, and they held all the advantages and knew it.
Alpha grinned. "Names don't mean a lot to us." She glanced to the side. "Is it Tourmaline or Tamara Cross today?"
"Tourmaline," Tourmaline said. "I'm the one that gets called to snap your scrawny neck if you try to screw us."
"Two of us for that," Kara said cheerfully.
More hands were shaken and Alpha jerked her head as the three moved almost as one to guide them deeper into the complex.
"I'm sure you have questions, but do hold onto them," Alpha said.
"Not sure how much I can. Two of our people are with you and you're not letting us talk with either. It don't sit well," Quinn said.
"Mara was emphatic about the importance of allowing your ship and family to continue with what you do. I have—most of us—have been doing deep dives into her memories," Alpha said.
"Well that just sounds creepy. Which memories?"
"All of them. When you're done being mortified, know that it has been useful. We aren't completely convinced, but we were swayed."
Brilliant. A collective of super-spies and assassins who could double as super-models, and they had detailed memories of sleeping with him. Quinn thought it a bit of a shame it didn't go both ways.
"I'm just that good," Kara said.
"You are talented. All of you are, in your ways," Alpha said wryly, but amused. They didn't encounter another soul in the hallways. A route had obviously been prepared for them.
When eventually they were led into a room it was a contrast from the white halls outside. This had the look of a noble’s sitting room, with a number of elegant-looking couches and seats. There was even a tea service and finger-food set out.
"So, our people?" Quinn said.
However distracting the surroundings, he wasn't letting that go.
"They are both recovering from extensive surgery and are under heavy sedation while they heal. You may have Jinx look at them, if you wish. I assure you that both are stable and should be able to come out of it soon," Alpha said.
"You probably should have led with that," Tourmaline said, looking as if she might punch someone.
"It shouldn't be a surprise. Taki came here looking for implants and we decided to grant her request. Mara's implants were no longer functioning because of the magical essence in her blood. It was an unacceptable situation, and we had to replace them with magically-hardened ones."
"Those don't exist. If they did, the nobles of the Imperium would be a lot prettier," Tourmaline said.
"They are both extremely experimental and capable of functioning only because of our unique genetic architecture," Alpha said, taking a seat. Beta and Charlie settled onto nearby couches.
Quinn shot a questioning look at Tourmaline. "That possible?"
"I know implants, I don't know magic," Tourmaline said.
"Again we come back to the fact that if we wished to do you or your shipmates harm, we could easily do so. We recognize you have some formidable abilities. So do we," Alpha said.
Despite all the talent they'd gathered on their ship, Quinn wasn't sure they had someone more dangerous than Mara. There was a mix of advanced technology, training, and willpower that made her almost a force of nature. And she was just one member of this organization, perhaps not even their best or their strongest.
"I would like Jinx to have a look," Quinn said.
"We've allowed you a comm channel," Alpha said.
Quinn called the ship and briefly gave a summary of what they told him. Jinx would have Vess escort her off the ship so that she could check on the two. The healing technology they were getting was surely top of the line, but Quinn had yet to see the technology that could compare to what Jinx could do with her mending powers.
"So, the reason we're here," Quinn said.
"Because you unleashed a plague that threatens to devour the Imperium. A combined magical and technological threat even greater than the last great threat you unleashed by awakening the unshackled Ilinar," Alpha said, getting a lot less friendly in a hurry.
"You done playing nice, are you?" Quinn said.
"We believe in saying things like they are. Trouble follows your ship, Captain, and this trouble? This is a particularly nasty one," Alpha said.
22
Quinn met the accusing stares of the three women and with a weary sigh he took a seat beside one of them, motioning the others down as well.
"You want to throw blame, we'll take our share. It doesn't seem to be a deal-breaker or you'd not be playing this as friendly as you are," Quinn said.
Alpha gave a weak smile. "Mara feels, and we agree, that you are being swept along by a mighty wind. You didn't want this to happen, but magic itself did, and because magic is using you as its agents you have a better chance than most of putting a stop to it."
"We already killed an Emperor or two. More than we intended. This one, we're not even sure what to do," Quinn said.
Alpha gestured and holographic displays filled the room. They began to display technical specifications, detailed ones. They meant nothing to Quinn. Tourmaline leaned closer, looking int
erested.
"The Unshackled aboard your ship helped to design the Glittering Sands. We'd like to consult with her," Bravo said.
"We can arrange that. The only reason I didn't bring her out was because I wasn't sure if you would be resistant to her," Quinn said.
"Resistant, not immune," Alpha said with a frown. "We have several tentative plans to deal with this threat of the Glittering Sands. All of them would benefit from your assistance."
"We're listening."
Charlie gestured and the schematics changed. Quinn recognized what came up—it was a bomb.
"The brute force approach. Originally the Glittering Sands were neutralized by bombarding the planet where they were first released with bombs detonating powerful electromagnetic pulses," Charlie said.
Alpha added, "The sands have some naturally regenerative abilities against an assault like this. Given the Emperor wanted to weaponize them for use against the Unshackled, this weakness may have been removed.”
"You're not selling this plan very hard," Tourmaline said.
"We don't like it, frankly. We believe in acting with subtlety and this is anything but. What we propose are multiple warheads enchanted by both Order and Chaos magics. Maximizing their explosive power and the disruptive potential," Bravo said.
"We primarily are recommending this as a backup plan. We'll have it ready, but do not rely on it," Alpha said.
Quinn wiped at his face. "Then what are the others?"
"We do not believe that the Emperor would have built a weapon like this without a way to disarm it, if it grew out of control. That would most likely be kept in his vault," Alpha said.
"This would be the same impregnable vault built in the middle of the same military base in the most heavily defended sector in human space?" Tourmaline asked.
"You are thieves. We thought you might like this option," Alpha said.
"The lock was magical, requiring the full set of regalia to open. Whatever took over Joline didn't seem too concerned about the contents. Maybe it was left open, but even so, getting to it again borders on the impossible," Quinn said.
"We know. We can offer some resources, of course, but we didn't think this one easy. It may be safer than the alternative," Alpha said.
"Is this the one where you throw our mages at the threat and hope they're strong enough?" Quinn asked.
"Basically," Alpha said curtly. "No one can get close to Joline now without being vulnerable to the sands. We think there are only two people who might, and they're both aboard your ship."
Jinx and Kalisa.
"Kalisa doesn't think she can pull it off, and she's the one with the know-how about these things. That isn't an option," Quinn said.
Tourmaline said, "You've been gathering deadly artifacts and forbidden knowledge for millennia. Don't tell me a few enhanced bombs are the best you can do.”
Three pairs of eyes tried to stare Tourmaline down, she didn't seem to care.
"This isn't just a magical problem, but a technological one. We've an edge on both, but the scale of the problem ..." Alpha said.
Quinn understood, he felt the same. They felt as out of their league as he did. It was almost reassuring.
"We're not interested in a team-up. We might, if you had a clue. Before we leave we'll want our people back. We're willing to enchant your bombs and give you that option, but we want something in return," Quinn said.
"We're not willing to simply let you walk free. Your days of entirely going your own way are done. You leave here with us being allies, or you don't leave at all," Alpha said.
Well, they were feeling particularly honest today.
Quinn saw Tourmaline tensing and he rested a hand on her arm. They didn't need her snapping.
"We're not taking orders. We might be able to do favors, as we have in the past. You've the best stealth technology I've ever seen, better even than the Unshackled and we are thieves," Quinn said.
"No stealth suits," Alpha said and then allowed, "But we could upgrade one of your shuttles. Mara has already made some improvements to your shipboard equipment. We can make more. Call them favors, as long as you do them, and we'll have questions for you individually at times. They'll need answers."
"Energy guns, especially stunners. Yours are the best," Kara said.
"Negotiable," Alpha said.
"If you want to keep your stealth suit technology for yourself, I understand. I know how much Mara protected hers. But you must have some obsolete technology. Alternatives you don't use," Quinn said.
Alpha glanced towards Bravo and they each got distant looks, communicating through their implants.
"We can do that. But then your people will be enchanting more than just a few bombs," Alpha said.
Quinn looked over to Tourmaline. "Bring out your other half and negotiate us a fair deal."
They stayed at the base for three days. It was longer than Quinn had expected, and while wariness on both sides didn't go away, it did lessen.
They were allowed to explore more of the complex, although didn't have full use. This was especially nice in terms of recreation. They had a full gymnasium and a pool that were better than anything aboard the Centauri Bliss, and bedrooms that were more than simply comfortable and actually decadent.
They also got a lot of trading done. The Centauri Bliss had always been more of a ship than she appeared on the outside, and since they'd most recently gone on the run it had been seeing steady upgrades. Whatever else the people at this facility might do, they had some first-class technicians and the interior of the cargo ship was soon turned into a proper makeshift shipyard.
Improved sensor dampening plates and built-in scrambling technology made the craft stealthy. In comparison, the Tango's small size still gave the shuttle an edge, but much less of one than it had once held.
Camouflaged weapon systems, and light armor plating that was further enhanced by Jinx. They even gained a little speed in exchange for far better protection. Kalisa made sure they had a proper energy shield system just like many clan vessels.
Melody took the opportunity to fully rework their fuel systems, integrating their use of crystallized and liquid mana. They'd continue to use liquefied mana for most day-to-day tasks, since it was the only fuel readily obtainable in the Imperium, but for emergency situations requiring extra draw they could now use the crystallized mana brought from clan space.
Taki and Mara had been confirmed to be okay, and with Jinx utilizing her abilities were soon mobile again. Mara's new implants worked. Once again her full loyalty to her family was compelled instead of simply given. Quinn didn't like it, but it was what she wanted, and what was required to make this whole deal work.
The exchange wasn't just one way. Jinx and Kalisa enchanted the EMP bombs, then some anti-matter bombs, and then some further weapons that used technology Quinn didn't even recognize but was certain must be terrible. This, in addition to knives, swords, and bullets of every caliber. They were an army of assassins and they were being well armed.
Quinn was prepared to abandon everything at the first sign of treachery. Melody and Tamara were going over every upgrade to the ship, searching for any hints of deception. So far they hadn't found a thing. That, and Mara assured him they were on the level.
When it was finally time for them to leave, it was a much less-convoluted affair than their arrival. Jinx utilized the runic sphere and they went instantly from whatever secret location they'd been in and arrived in orbit around Hope's Reach. Instantly, it was obvious they weren't alone.
A space battle was underway.
23
Quinn looked over the sensor readings. No nav transponders in the attacking vessels. They were a necessity to make use of the Runestone network. Unless a ship only needed to operate in-system even pirate vessels would have them. That meant the attacking ships must be from the clans. There weren't many, only three of them. That contrasted with around forty ships that were playing planetary defense.
The odds were clearly
on that side and that made Quinn feel a little better about things, but given the technological advantage the clan ships had it wasn't as much comfort as he'd like.
Quinn hit ship-wide comm. "We jumped into a fight. They look like clan vessels. Mara, see what you can pick up from their communications. Kalisa, I need you in the cockpit."
Waiting for Kalisa to arrive Quinn opened up a comm to Hope's Reach and soon had Ice on the line.
"Glad you made it back alive," Ice said.
"Looks like you've been having fun while we've been away. What is this all about?" Quinn asked.
"Got me. They've been at this for hours. Feint at our lines, pull back if we push them. We pursue, they back away. They aren't afraid to swap shots, but I don't see the point," Ice said.
"They could be testing your strength. Have they said anything?" Kalisa asked, arriving in the cockpit.
"Lots of insults and whooping it up. Whatever they're doing, they're having fun," Ice said.
"We'll have to put a stop to that. Can you get me visuals of their hulls?" Kalisa asked.
"I can," Dela said from the copilot’s seat, her fingers flying along the controls and bringing a visual up on one of the screens.
The hull had a lot of marks. Where an Imperium vessel might have had its registration numbers and the vessel name, these ships had what looked like kill markers, scrawled obscenities, and an over-sexualized drawing or three. It was one mark in particular that caused Kalisa to narrow her eyes. The design was red-colored, and it almost looked to be a coiled serpent.
"Clan of the Viper's Sting. Formed around the Unshackled Uda," Kalisa said.
"You don't have a warm and fuzzy tone in your voice," Quinn said.
"Uda is one of the nastier of us. Her contagion kills most of those that it touches and her venom-spawned are especially contagious. They've been trying to infect your ships," Kalisa said.
"We don't let anyone in our space that hasn't sworn the oaths to Jinx. Everyone insisted," Ice said.
