Resolution

by Ell Leigh Clarke

  Tabitha winked. Distraction. It’s a classic Ranger tactic. You have to make the most of what you have because it’s just you and whatever situation you find yourself in. I mean, it would be nice if just once what the assholes wanted was universal peace, tacos, and an end to injustice everywhere. But no, usually what they want is slaves in some form or another. You’ve always wanted to be a Ranger, right? This is what Rangers do. Or did. She waved a hand. Whatever.

  Merry shrugged and looked away. Don’t know. I guess so? It doesn’t matter what I wanted when I was a kid. It’s not gonna happen anyway, is it? There are no Rangers anymore.

  Tabitha hid her reaction. You want to fight, I’m going to get you a fight. She diverted from her path and headed toward the fat Yollin, who was surrounded by desperate gamblers, all waving their wrist-holos to get their bets in before the impending match began.

  The Yollin took an involuntary step back with his rear legs when he saw Tabitha striding toward him. His guards closed in, sensing danger.

  Tabitha grinned and waved her own wrist holo along with the rest of the bettors. She bumped the others away to make a space, which she pulled Merry into. “Whoo! Great atmosphere!” she told the Yollin. “Where do I take my fighter?”

  The Yollin recovered quickly. “Apologies. We don’t get too many humans all the way out here. I thought you were Ranger Two for a second.”

  Tabitha’s mouth twitched. “Wouldn’t that be funny? Now, my fighter?”

  The Yollin pointed to the exit Merry had spotted earlier. “You may regret bringing a valuable slave like that here. You can get a replacement from club stock when this one dies if you take our guest insurance, but you won’t get anything of this quality.”

  Merry bristled.

  Don’t say a word, Tabitha ordered. Look subdued or something while this weasel recites his upcoming rap sheet for us. “I’ll take the insurance. Does it cover me for damages as well?”

  “That costs extra,” the Yollin admitted, rubbing his hands together. “We can also provide a substitute if you choose not to enter this slave. For a cost, of course.”

  “Of course,” Tabitha repeated. “But I’ll stick with what I have.”

  “Very well,” the Yollin told her slightly less agreeably. “Changing area is through the rear exit.” He turned his back to find someone easier to part from their credits.

  Merry looked down as they walked away, the anger coming off her in waves. I want to kick his greedy ass.

  Me, too, Tabitha assured her. She took Merry by the arm and led her to the exit. Let’s find out where they’re keeping the kids first, yeah? You have to learn to focus your anger.

  How? Merry’s inner voice was full of curiosity, laced with doubt. Seriously?

  Tabitha squeezed Merry’s arm gently. I’m still learning, too. We’ll help each other, how about that? Merry didn’t reply, but Tabitha didn’t expect her to get it right away. For now, just take it one step at a time, and remember that we’re here to save the kids.

  Merry huffed through her nose. That I can do.

  Tabitha found herself relieved that her niece could be persuaded to act appropriately for the good of others. It meant she wasn’t completely lost since she still had empathy.

  She patted Merry’s back as they entered the staging area. That’s my girl.

  Noel-ni Colony Planet, Illegal Club, Underground

  Tabitha sensed yet another gigantic Shrillexian guard waiting on the threshold of the tunnel beyond the exit.

  Merry, however, was caught by surprise when they passed through the makeshift arch and she almost collided with him.

  Apparently, Merry didn’t possess the flight portion of the brain’s self-defense mechanism, evidenced by the way she moved by instinct to attack the guard.

  Tabitha grabbed Merry by the shoulder, diverting her before she had to explain to Lillian why her daughter was no longer among the living. “Easy, tiger.” She lifted her free hand to the guard in a half-shrug. “What can you do?”

  The guard looked at Merry with something resembling fondness. “You got a spirited one there. Make sure she doesn’t damage any of the other fighters outside of the ring,” he told Tabitha, pointing at a metal sign fixed to the dirt wall behind him. “Owners are responsible for costs.”

  Tabitha grinned, noticing the guard wore a chunky shock collar under his armor. “Thanks for the heads-up.” She looked him up and down. “I’ve counted six guards just like you. Did Zinshei get you guys as a matched set or something?”

  The guard nodded, unfazed by the remark. “He bought us from our parents as infants and raised us as his own.”

  Tabitha was thrown for a second, but she recovered before her pity made the guard suspicious. She patted the guard’s expansive chest, managing to retain her tone of affected boredom. “I might have to think about doing that. Let’s go, Sunbeam,” she ordered, making a shooing motion at Merry. “Mama’s got a new fad to finance.”

  Merry glared her displeasure with the subservient role but did as she was told, walking ahead until the tunnel led to another room dug out of the dirt.

  Tabitha pushed the door open and went in ahead of Merry. They made their way past lockers and benches, the changing area filled with slave fighters from a wide variety of species and their owners. She steered Merry over to the desk by the door.

  The female Torcellan behind the desk inspected their passes.

  “What kind of human is that?” she asked, waving a finger at Merry without looking at her.

  Tabitha frowned in confusion. “What do you mean?”

  The Torcellan sighed in frustration. “Is she one of the gifted ones? Or the easy-to-kill type? It makes a difference to the seeding.”

  “Oh,” Tabitha replied, catching the Torcellan’s meaning. “Um, she’s gifted, I guess?”

  She handed Tabitha a ticket and pointed to a free locker by one of the benches. “Fine. You’re booked in, so listen for her number being called.”

  Tabitha glanced at the ticket and led Merry over to the lockers. “Get yourself ready. You might get called any minute.”

  Merry had an obstinate set to her jaw as she rummaged through the supplies in the locker. “There’s no challenge here. Look around. They’re just kids like me, only I’m me.” She rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”

  Tabitha took Merry by the shoulder and spun her around. “That’s the kind of dumbass thinking that gets rookies killed. Always be ready for a challenge, and never assume you know everything that’s coming.”

  Merry was about to argue when a pair of full-grown Ixtalis walked in. The majority of the slaves cringed as they strutted through the door like they owned the place. Tabitha assumed the ones who didn’t shy away from the pair were newbs who hadn’t learned any better yet.

  The Ixtalis stopped at the desk to talk to the Torcellan, then looked at Tabitha before turning back to the desk.

  “Looks like they’re arguing with her about something,” Merry remarked. “I could see myself fighting one of them…”

  The Ixtalis left the desk and skittered over to Tabitha and Merry.

  “Look, Heptix,” the female commented to the male disdainfully. “Humans. How…quaint.”

  The male’s mandibles rippled with similar distaste. “I saw, Indela. I thought Tolia was playing pranks again.”

  Tabitha narrowed her eyes at them. “You should show some respect,” she told them. “Humans freed your people from their own dumb selves not once, but twice.” They were younger than Tabitha had first thought, only just into adulthood, and neither of them wore the slave collars she’d seen on every other fighter in the room. She figured them for rich brats. “Or are you too young to remember the little cult thing?”

  The Ixtalis hissed at her reminder of that embarrassing moment in their history. “So, you believe you are a smart human,” Indela sneered.

  Tabitha looked around them to see where their fighters were. “The pair of you are pretty chatty for two assholes who don’t look to have an
y horses in this race,” she returned sweetly.

  For once, the translation software dealt with the idiom with a minimum of confusion.

  Heptix’s mandibles twitched angrily as he replied, “That’s because we are the main attraction, foolish human. Didn’t Zinshei tell you? If your little slave makes it through the rest of the night, we will pull her limb from limb in the finale. You will be powerless to act, or we will be within our rights to kill you, too.”

  Indela laughed. “It would be just like a human to walk into her own death for the sake of property. How ironic.”

  Merry lifted her chin and smirked at the raspy, guttural sound coming from Indela’s throat. “I know assholes love to look so smart, but that’s not irony.”

  Tabitha groaned internally as the two Ixtalis turned their attention to Merry. I told you to stay quiet.

  They don’t scare me, Merry insisted, eyeballing Indela. I’ll fight them right now if they wanna go.

  Heptix came closer and leaned in, his mandibles almost touching Tabitha’s nose. “That ticket is useless to you. She,” he pointed at Merry, “won’t make it past the group stage.”

  Merry shoved Heptix. “We’ll have to see about that. Won’t we?”

  Tabitha’s internal groan morphed into a full-on moan of despair. This was getting beyond her control. She was about to act when her niece spoke up again, her eyes filled with fire.

  “Ixtalis bleed and die just like everyone else,” Merry stated. “You two are no different.”

  The Ixtalis laughed again as they strutted away.

  “We will see how long you last, little human,” Indela called over her shoulder. “I expect the crowd will be disappointed with your miserable death.”

  Tabitha gave their retreating backs the finger and turned to Merry. We are out of here. This assignment is a bust.

  Merry shook her hand off. No freaking way! We can’t leave all these kids here. I can take those two. I know I can.

  Tabitha closed her eyes and took a measured breath. No. Not two adult Ixtalis. That’s too much for you, even with your training.

  Merry’s eyes flicked to where one of Tabitha’s drones was camouflaged against the top of the locker. Don’t those have some offensive capability?

  A slow grin spread over Tabitha’s face. Here came the persuasion tactics. Sure they do. What’s that got to do with your ability to take on two opponents, both much larger than yourself, and not get torn to pieces?

  That’s what I’m telling you, Merry argued. Technically, I wouldn’t be facing them alone because you’d be helping me.

  Tabitha knew she should say no.

  Really.

  Oh, come on, Aunt Tabbie. Merry batted her big blue eyes at her. Pleeeeease? I’ll go to school, and I won’t fight with the other kids. I’ll apologize to my mom and to Mrs. Henderson. I’ll even call Grandad! Just let me have one all-out fight. She curled her lip at the door the Ixtalis had left by. They deserve it. You know they do.

  Tabitha felt her resolve to be the responsible adult in the situation crumbling. Merry knew she couldn’t resist when she called her by her old nickname.

  The responsible thing to do was get her niece the hell out of there. But Merry was highly trained, and those Ixtalis sure as hell needed a reality check. Besides, if Merry got an outlet for her anger, where was the harm?

  Tabitha told herself she could always take out those arrogant brats with her drones if things got too serious. Fine, she capitulated. But only if you listen to every word I say and do exactly what I tell you.

  Merry nodded enthusiastically. I promise I will. She rubbed her hands together and sat down on the bench to wait. Thank you, Aunt Tabbie. I can’t wait to take down those bullies.

  Chapter 9 Tabitha and Merry

  The changing room emptied out as the evening progressed until only Tabitha and Merry remained under the disinterested gaze of the Torcellan behind the desk.

  Merry was surprisingly calm.

  Tabitha had gotten herself into some pretty hairy situations during her own time as a fourteen-year-old hellion, but she’d gone through the experiences with her heart in her throat, no matter how well she had fronted it on the outside.

  In contrast, Merry sat cross-legged on the bench with her eyes closed, her breathing deep and regular. It was the most peaceful Tabitha had seen her since she’d arrived at Lillian’s house.

  Dammit, John was right. This is her happy place.

  The Torcellan caught Tabitha’s eye and jerked her head toward the door, pulling her from her consideration. “It’s almost time.” She looked at Merry for the first time since they’d arrived, her face filled with ersatz pity.

  Tabitha rolled her eyes as she got to her feet. “It’s a bit late to pretend you give a shit.” She flounced out, leading Merry. “Asshole.”

  She unmuted Achronyx as they made their way back down the tunnel to the main room. Achronyx, it’s about to get very messy here.

  Oh, finally, the AI snarked. I was so bored, you should count yourself lucky I didn’t think to start playing with your endocrine levels.

  Tabitha paused. Have you been playing with my emotions? You’ll be in timeout for a lot longer than an hour if I find out you messed with my brain. How soon can you get the local authorities here to back me up?

  Achronyx scoffed. I contacted them as soon as it became apparent you were having too much fun playing vigilante with Meredith Nicole to remember to do so yourself.

  Bitch at me later, she told him, hurrying to keep up with Merry. What’s the situation?

  I communicated with a Captain Harlow, Achronyx replied. Former Space Marine—

  Aren’t they all? Tabitha interrupted. We can take care of the niceties once all the scum has been cleaned up here. How long?

  Based out in the center of this sector, Achronyx continued as if she hadn’t cut him off. They’re inbound from a call on another planet in this sector. You can expect them within the hour.

  Is that taking into consideration the bottleneck they’re gonna encounter at that elevator? Tabitha asked.

  I believe so, Achronyx confirmed.

  Tabitha wrinkled her nose. Zinshei’s a clever bastard, I’ll give him that.

  The Shrillexian nodded to them as they passed him. “Good luck,” he offered redundantly, looking at Merry’s back with what looked to Tabitha to be regret.

  Merry threw a hand up over her shoulder. “Thanks,” she called back without turning.

  “Don’t write her off,” Tabitha told the guard, seeing genuine sadness on his face. “She’s got hidden talents.”

  The guard shook his head. “That’s not how it works around here.”

  Tabitha resolved to do something about the guard’s situation if she could. She smiled at him, a real smile this time, and followed Merry into the arena.

  They were covered in an ultra-fine shower of dust as they entered the main room, the rafters of the makeshift arena literally shaking from the thunderous cheering of the spectators surrounding the cage.

  Tabitha kept a firm grip on Merry’s sleeve as she made a path through the crowd. Don’t get lost in here. You’d be kidnapped before you could say, “What’s that smell?”

  Merry glanced around the crowd. Really? But they’re dressed way better than everyone upstairs.

  Tabitha snorted. Sure they are. They smell a lot better, too. Money will do that for you.

  Merry wrinkled her nose as they made progress toward the fat Yollin from earlier. They are a damn sight uglier.

  Tabitha pushed through a group of braying Torcellans. That’s because they are ugly people, chiquita. The majority of the people upstairs are just ordinary folks trying to relieve the stress of their crappy lives. They look much worse on the surface than they are in their hearts.

  She jerked her head at the people around them. These, she told Merry darkly, are the worst of the worst. People who treat the deaths of children as entertainment. That kind of ugliness oozes from them the same way the light shines from an
innocent soul like yours. She frowned, considering Merry’s thoughtful look. Maybe this isn’t such a good idea…

  Don’t get any second thoughts about this, Aunt Tabitha, Merry begged.

  The Yollin spotted Tabitha and waved her over.

  Merry scowled at him, then at his guards.

  “I hope that slave of yours has got the fighting ability to back up that attitude,” the Yollin told Tabitha as greeting. “She did an excellent job of pissing off my two best fighters. Just look at the mess in there!” He swept a hand toward the cage, which Tabitha and Merry hadn’t gotten close enough to see inside yet.

  A gap in the crowd gave Tabitha a glimpse of the female Ixtali, Indela. An adolescent Noel-ni lay motionless at the side of the cage, and she held another youth above her head in a two-handed grip.

  The Noel-ni bit and scratched, fighting for his life.

  Tabitha lost her grip on Merry for a split second.

  It was enough.

  Merry shook free of Tabitha and made a break for the cage, screaming her outrage. The Noel-ni broke free and twisted to get away from Indela as the Ixtali turned to face Merry. “You!” she hissed.

  Merry barged up to the guard on the cage door and grabbed him by the front of his uniform. “Open this cage!” she yelled, shaking him roughly.

  The guard laughed in her face and moved to brush her aside.

  He made two errors at that moment.

  The first was not registering the deadly potential of the small blonde human before him. Merry, however young and dainty-looking, had the distinct advantage of a John Grimes education, which the guard unfortunately lacked the benefit of.

  He had no way of making up for his other mistake, that being he was just an asshole Skaine slaver standing between a Grimes and her objective.

  Tabitha considered stepping in to restrain Merry. However, the Skaines as a whole had never really been her favorites, and she had as many fucks to give about this particular Skaine getting a taste of the payback awaiting him as she had for the rest of the growths on the scrotum of society down here.

  The unconscious Skaine landed in the crowd a moment later, and Tabitha caught sight of the two Ixtalis leaving through the enclosed run leading out from the far side of the cage.