by Reiter
“I hate vultures,” Nulaki whispered. He had apparently chosen wrong yet again; but it was too late to cut and run. He had fought, and he had lost. Aside from forgetting these thugs came in packs of five, he could not think of what he would have done differently, so there was little to regret. He smiled and chuckled, thinking he would face the end the way he had faced everything else, with eagerness. “Just end me and leave me here.”
He was rolled over on his back and Nulaki looked up into the face of JoJo. She smiled down on him and he could read her lips say, “Now where’s the fun in that?”
You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.
Albert Einstein
(IV)
Very little could be heard over the shouting and plaudits of the crowd. Only occasionally did the sound of combat rise up over their shrieking voices and stomping feet. What few Magistrates there were had already been assembled, and they stood ready to keep the peace should this particular event turn into a riot. Public challenges had a tendency to do that, and too much innocent blood had been spilled on the last occasion.
No one had expected the fight to go on as long as it had. There were reasons why high-ranking members of the corporations thought they were royalty… because in many cases they were! They owned the lands, they owned the settlements and, in a few cases, they owned the settlers.
The Lanfiah System was not as developed as many of the official systems of the Middle Rim. For many, it was in the middle of nowhere, too far removed from both the Inner Rim and the Phalmeen System, home to the Terran Triangle, considered by many to be the capital of the Middle Rim. What Lanfiah did have, however, was a big, bright, beautiful yellow sun. Twice the size of Old Earth’s Sol and incredibly young, it seemed an ideal place to make another Earth. Of the planets orbiting the star, four were deemed perfect for Environmental Manipulation, though one planet in particular, which would be renamed New Terra, needed little alteration.
Minstrel was the largest moon of Kalidros, the last planet in the system to be EM’d. Like New Terra, Minstrel had not needed much assistance for it to support human life, though it did require a constant military presence due to the life-forms that were already on the moon. Most survived the change to the atmosphere. Some died… and then some were altered.
There was report, many decades back, that the Enacranites had visited the moon and transplanted several of the life forms while assisting the others to adapt. What they left in their wake seemed, to most, to be a greater threat than before the Enacranites endeavored to intervene. A prime example were the moonwolves; canine life forms that were incredibly large, unbelievably fast and relentless in their ferocity. The hides of the powerful creatures consisted of hairs that ended in tips that were as hard as stone, giving the wolves a skin that was proof against most projectile weaponry and highly resistant to blasters. They stood just over one a three-quarter meters at the shoulder and were feared by many.
When a man had come into the small town riding a white and gray moonwolf, a certain level of attention and respect was immediately given. With a sharp tug on the reins and a few words in a language no one could understand and no computer could translate, the fearsome animal had sat, whimpered, and licked the hand of her rider.
Despite the level of respect that was given, it had been important, at least for one colonist, to put the mysterious rider in his place. To stretch the definition of the word, a conversation had ensued. It came as some surprise that the dark-haired wolf-rider understood Common, the implications that had been made, and the meaning behind the moment. There had been little to talk about after the wolf-rider struck the face of one of the corporate elite. A challenge was made between the estates. Ignorant of the meaning of the terminology, the wolf-rider had accepted the challenge and had to face each man the executive had brought with him. Twelve on one had dampened the hearts of many because they knew they were about to watch a massacre. Fortunately, some Humans can admit when they are wrong!
The call had gone out when the second hired thug had been dismissed from the proceedings, and even the most jaded townsmen had made their way to the city square to see the fight. When the last of them had arrived, the wolf-rider looked fairly spent as he circled around three men, two of whom were wounded. Hope, however, could not be assigned to the possible outcome, for the third man still standing was the commanding officer of the compliment of corporate muscle.
None of the remaining three wanted to rush in on the man. The speed, strength, and savagery already displayed made them hesitate. Their doubt only made the man smile.
“Judge!” the wolf-rider called. “Define estate!”
“Your estate is the property you own,” the judge replied.
“So the fat farp I hit owns these people?!”
“They serve the Corporate Administrator of their own free will and are therefore considered to be part of the estate. Fight on!”
“Oh, I intend to,” the wolf-rider panted before he whistled. The sound of the growl echoing in the distance silenced the crowd.
“Take him!” the commander shouted. “Take him before that thing gets here!” The man took hold of the woman to his left and pushed her forward.
The woman had already been struck in the face once… by a body the wolf-rider had used as a club. Contact had been made, helmet-to-helmet, and she had been sent to the ground. In hindsight she thought she would have been better off pretending that she had been knocked unconscious, but she had not been thinking at the time; too wrapped up in the fact she was fighting a man who could lift an armoured man and swing him like a fighting club!
She stumbled forward from the sharp push to her back and it seemed to trigger something inside her mind. She yelled as she took a tight grip of her battle staff and charged. She swung and the end of her staff was caught in a grip that felt more like iron than human flesh. The battle staff was snatched out of her hands as she was brought forward into a knee lift. Her armour kept the blow from breaking ribs, but the wind was knocked out of her and she was grabbed, lifted and thrown back toward the remaining two men.
“Perfect,” Yulshal growled as he charged forward. The first two steps of the wolf-rider were deliberately slow but the third demonstrated his capacity for speed. The woman had just rolled over to get up on her hands and knees when Yulshal took his fifth stride… which was a bounding leap from off of the woman’s back. The commander fell to his shoulder and rolled out of the way of the leap. The man in front of him stood his ground and was ready to swing his battle staff, aiming for the attacker’s head. He instead swung his weapon to deflect the battle staff Yulshal had thrown at him. Barely managing a deflecting blow, the man did not have enough time to bring the weapon back around before Yulshal landed on him, tackling him to the ground. They both rolled and the man was on top of Yulshal, in that the wolf-rider was standing with the man held over his head. He threw the man into the side of a building before leaping at him. Onlookers jumped as the terrastone cracked. The armour had been wedged into the wall and the man could not fall before Yulshal drove his shoulder into the man’s chest, sending him through the wall.
The commander took the opportunity to attack from the wolf-rider’s rear, unaware that the man’s wolf-sister had the very same idea. Xanu reached the commander two good strides before the commander reached Yulshal. Her forepaws slammed against his back and drove the man forward into the ground where he screamed out in pain before crying ‘yield’.
“Xanu!” Yulshal said sharply. “… you have broken something!” The large moonwolf whimpered as she sat down and lifted her right forepaw. Yulshal walked forward with a chuckling smile and buried his face in her chest. Many cringed at the sight of the gesture, but the young man’s face emerged without a scratch. The moonwolf licked his face twice before he patted her shoulder and whispered in her ear. The moonwolf quickly turned and ran, causing those she ran toward to scream for their lives. The Magistrates were drawing their weapons when the mo
onwolf leapt over the bystanders and continued to the post where she had originally been hitched.
“Arrest him!” the corporate executive yelled. “He has damaged private property. Even in a challenge that is against the law!”
“Are you the owner of the establishment?” Baron Hanvashi Zoll asked in a booming voice as he stepped forward, five of his men in close proximity and following him. He would have to reward the lieutenant who had recommended coming to Minstrel. She had heard tales of people who lived in the wilderness, some of them even riding moonwolves, who were rumored to be excellent warriors.
“No, the inn is mine,” a woman replied. “But that doesn’t change the matter of that hole in the slightest!”
“No, it does not,” Hanvashi smiled as he walked toward the woman. “But if you waive the charges, I’ll see to that hole in such a way that you’ll be glad this happened today.”
“Mister, if you can do that, I’ll do more than waive the charges,” the woman replied, flashing a doubting smile. “… your stay won’t be billed under my roof, and that includes meals!”
“Then look upon this!” Baron Zoll said as he turned to face the offended building. He drew back his left hand, paused for a moment, and then threw a fireball at the building. Red flames exploded from the point of impact, covering the entire building. The distance between Zoll and anyone who had not come with him increased by no less than ten meters as gasps and shrieks came from all sides of the crowd. With his left hand still extended, Zoll seemed to take hold of the building and when he clawed his hand back to his chest, the walls and ceiling of the inn came away from the frame. His left fist slowly came up to his mouth and Hanvashi blew inside his glove, hurling a black bolt of light. When it struck the building the ashes reformed around the frame, appearing as black stone, covering every inch of the establishment. Light gray mortar flashed into view between the stones, adding something of a polished edge to the construct.
“Lieutenant, your sidearm, if you please,” Hanvashi requested.
“Yes, Master.” Lola Phandree stepped forward, drawing her blaster. She took only a moment to aim before firing. The energy blast struck the stone and was absorbed without leaving the slightest mark on the stone.
“Thank you, Lieutenant. And with your permission, milady, I dub this the Blackwater Inn.” While some could not begin to speak, others cheered and applauded. “Do we have an accord?”
“That depends,” the woman said, shaking her head. “Do I have a partner?”
“At the very least,” Hanvashi said as he bowed. “I beg your pardon but for a moment.” Baron Zoll turned and walked over to Yulshal who was also impressed by what he had seen. Hanvashi suppressed a smile as the young man’s nostrils flared. He was taking in Hanvashi’s scent. “You did not come to this township because you were simply curious. You seek adventure! You wish to find your place among the Stars! I urge you to return to your kind and gather all who feel the same way. You will not find what you seek on this moon. But I can take you to the stars and there we will find adventure and more.”
“More?” Yulshal said softly. “What would be more?”
“You would start by understanding what I just did and how simple it would be for you to best it!” Hanvashi said softly and Yulshal’s brown-gray eyes flared wide open. “You are a being of simple truths and so am I. You have my word; come with me and I will show you power and ability that you do not know how to imagine! Now, let me assist you on your way,” Hanvashi said, touching the man’s chest with his index finger.
Yulshal staggered back from the strange man, feeling the strength return to his body. What few and minor wounds he had were suddenly gone and he felt like he could fight the estate all over again with even better results. He glared at Hanvashi as he cried out, turning to run, and leaping over the same bystanders Xanu had cleared. The moonwolf ran away from her post and joined Yulshal in mid-stride. He was on her back in the next movement and she howled, feeling a burst of energy herself.
“My dear lady,” Hanvashi said, turning back to the proprietor. “I get the feeling we’ll need to build a stable and kennel and quite quickly, wouldn’t you say? Also, welcome to your new franchise!”
** b *** t *** o *** r **
Aleesha stepped off the transport into the waiting arms of Survaysi who held her quite close for a moment. Shanvah and her Gallant were right behind her and quickly turned for the nearest exit. “I missed you too,” Aleesha whispered as she patted the back of the larger woman. “… but I had no idea you felt this way about me. Should we get a room or something?”
Survaysi laughed as she stepped back, lightly slapping the older woman’s shoulder. “Like you could handle any of this dark berry.”
“Who says I could?” Aleesha chuckled. “There’s nothing wrong with meeting my maker with a big smile on my face. I would look at those pearly gates and just say ‘so close’!” Both women laughed as they started for the stairway down that led to the parking lot.
“You’re not meeting any maker for some time to come,” Survaysi said just before the smile went away from her face. Nearly at the door, both the Chevalierra and her Gallant faded from sight.
“Dammit!” Survaysi hissed as she put her left hand to Aleesha’s chest and gave a healthy push. The woman was airborne as she wailed in surprise. Survaysi’s right hand went to her back, to reach her sword, but her fingers were held just shy of the mark. She strained to reach the blade, but stopped after her best effort, realizing that her entire body was held fast. She could hear people screaming and running at the bottom of the stairway; her training allowed her to single out the one set of rhythmic footfalls that did not sound panic-struck as they drew closer to her. She looked down the stairs and saw Gregoran Killington walk into view. His long, white hair had lost none of its sheen and he was using his newfound powers over gravity without using a hand to brace himself or guide his thoughts. The Priest had grown strong… much stronger!
“Were we to take a pause and review everything we’ve said and done, there isn’t a sane soul that wouldn’t have some measure of withdrawal at hearing such words come out of your mouth, Survaysi.”
“Light his ass up!” Survaysi whispered and two rockets were fired into the lower level of the spaceport. Just before the wave of fire swept over his body, Survaysi could see the field around Killington’s body absorb the destructive force of the ordnance. The concussive force, however, was more than enough to remove him from the building, as it also blew her up the stairway. “Somebody talk to me!” Survaysi barked after she had back-flipped and landed on her feet. As planned, Aleesha had been caught by two of her people wearing power suits. They carried the stunned woman up to Survaysi.
“We’ve got eyes on the target,” one of her soldiers broadcasted. “You weren’t kidding, that barely got his attention. He’s moving air-cars aside with a wave of his hand. Coming up on your nine!”
“Central, commence nine o’clock pattern,” Survaysi commanded as she took hold of Aleesha. A bright blue light fell over the region as a simultaneous implosion/explosion crushed the entire western parking lot.
“My God,” Aleesha gasped.
“Yeah, that’s his problem,” Survaysi remarked as she started down the stairs. “He thinks he’s exactly that!”
“You planned this?!” Aleesha asked, not at all liking the notion that she had been turned into bait.
“Lecture some other time, Aleesha,” Survaysi stressed. “You’ve always been easy to read, which means we could not afford to read you in on this plan. You would’ve tipped our hand and he would’ve counter-planned the crap out of us!” Everyone could hear the cry of metal twisting followed by the outraged scream of Gregoran Killington. “… and that’s our cue to run!”
“Survaysi!” the High Priest roared, shattering all the glass, cracking most of the stone, and denting most of the metal within one hundred meters of his body. “Run, cursed woman! Because when I find you… and I will find you… I will slowly rip your flesh to
the bones! To the bone, woman! And I swear by the forces that made me that you’ll live long enough to see your skeletal corpse at my mercy. Do you h–” another wave of bright blue light struck the devastated parking lot and interrupted Gregoran’s tirade.
“Who the hell fired that ordnance?” Survaysi barked.
“You didn’t say ‘fire’?” a familiar voice replied. “I could have sworn you said fire.”
“Is that little Reggie?” Aleesha asked, a bright smile on her face.
“Hey there, Auntie Leesha,” the young man called out, firing the last of his rockets.
With a very evil grin, Reginald looked at the outcome of his handiwork. He locked the launcher into its housing on his back and checked his harness. “Gotta love it when Specs delivers,” the young man thought.
“Dammit, Reginald, stop firing!” Survaysi commanded over the wrist-com.
“Couldn’t shoot if I wanted to, Ma. I’m all out.”
“How unfortunate,” a voice remarked as a hand took hold of the back of Reginald’s harness.
“Wrong side of the wind, asshole,” Reginald said as his body fell out of the harness and out of the perch high in the trees. A soft beep sounded from the harness before flash-bang devices fired.
“Gotta time this right,” he thought. Halfway to the ground, Reginald slapped a signal device he had attached to the side of his hip. The ground beneath him exploded from a shaped charge he had previously buried. The concussive force hit his body and Reginald was slowed to the point where he could take the landing. He rolled when he hit the ground and coughed as he tried to breathe deeply.
“Jake, cook my perch for me, would ya, baby?”
“Say no more, little brother,” a voice responded just before a rocket hit the top of the tree. A burning form flew away from the center of the blast. “I hope someone has some honey-butter for that Pop-Tart!”
