Galaxy of Titans: An Epic Space Opera Series (The Augmented Book 3)

by Ben Hale

  “Siena!” Rahnora called.

  Siena forced a smile and turned. “I have a few minutes. What did you want to show me?”

  Rahnora, standing waist-deep in the lake, pointed to the surface. “How to breathe underwater.”

  The claim pierced Siena’s fog. “You can do that?”

  Rahnora grinned. “Come and find out.”

  Siena knew she should probably be reporting to Ero or something, but couldn’t resist Rahnora’s request. The momentary pall that had fallen over her was quickly discarded as she waded into the sun-warmed water and approached Rahnora.

  “How do you breathe underwater?”

  “Welkina, the krey that normally supervises the water augments, called it oxidichotomy.”

  “I don’t speak chemistry,” Siena said.

  One of the nearby water augments grinned. “It’s simple. We pull the oxygen directly from the water molecules into our lungs. See?”

  The augment ducked her head underwater. Siena squinted through the rippling surface and watched as small bubbles formed on the girl’s lips and nose. A nearby boy had a sour expression as the other youths counted the seconds.

  “Only Rahnora and River can do it,” he said, pointing to the underwater girl.

  “I bet Siena learns it this afternoon,” Rahnora said.

  Siena groaned. “I don’t need any more pressure.”

  “Sorry.” Rahnora pointed to the water. “Just duck your head under and focus on the pressure of the water on your lips. Then try to pull air from the liquid. Don’t pull too much at first or you’ll swallow a lungful of lake water.”

  Siena looked around at the other students and they nodded, obviously delighted by the challenge. Most were probably between ten and thirty years of age, but there were three that were as old as Lyn. All seemed eager to see Siena try. She would have preferred to do it on her own, but couldn’t resist their overtures, so she took a breath, closed her eyes, and ducked underwater. Their shouts were muffled, and she spun to keep herself upright. Then she steeled herself and cautiously pulled a tiny amount in.

  The water hit her throat and clogged. She instinctively jumped to her feet, spitting and coughing. The others burst into laughter as she fought for air. Rahnora splashed her with water, and Siena leveled an accusing finger at her.

  “Why would you do that?”

  Rahnora was unapologetic, her too beautiful skin glittering in the water. “Everyone sucks water the first time. Keep trying and you’ll get it.”

  Siena was doubtful, but for the next hour she allowed herself to be drawn into multiple attempts. Each ended in a choking failure. As the sun began to decline, she vowed to accomplish the feat and waded far enough into the lake that she was swimming. Then she swam underwater.

  Beams of twilight cascaded through the water, illuminating tiny particles swirling around her hands. The water grew colder as the sun set, and the sounds of laughter wafted across the surface.

  Gritting her teeth, she shoved the doubt aside and sucked water into her mouth, willing it to separate. To her utter shock, it did, the liquid remaining outside while a heavy air filled her mouth. Could she really breathe underwater? The moment of euphoria was marred by a movement from her right. She rotated—and cried out.

  Reklin was in the water.

  He floated just ten feet away, his features set in a grim line and wounds dotting his body. He pulled a cloaked companion deeper into the water. They were headed to a much larger shape—the distinct lines on its fins and enormous mouth marked it as a tacoda shark, the largest predator on Mylttium.

  Siena tried to call to him, struggling to shout his name, but more and more water came into her mouth, filling her throat and inducing a rising panic. She grimaced and forced herself to the surface, where she frantically coughed and spun about.

  “Did you see him?” she demanded.

  Only Rahnora was still in the water, the other water augments having moved to the shore, where a krey had appeared and begun to set up a vid recorder. Siena held her breath and ducked underwater. She spun about, but the water was empty except for beams of light and the occasional fish. She surfaced.

  “See who?” Rahnora asked.

  “Reklin.”

  Rahnora eyed her and then shook her head. “You should take a break. Repeated attempts lead to hypoxia.”

  “To what?” Siena asked, coughing and sputtering.

  “It’s lack of oxygen. You should rest.”

  Unable to explain what she’d seen, Siena dragged herself out of the water and stood on the bank, shivering. The sun was setting across the beautiful lake, and the trees cast long shadows on the shoreline. But she could not shake the image of Reklin swimming underwater towards the tacoda shark.

  It wasn’t until after dinner, when she returned her home and reclined on her bed, that the truth came in a startling revelation. She hadn’t been seeing the present. What she’d seen had been tinged with the grayish cloud from her time augment. She’d seen a glimpse of the future.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Ero stared at the World Gate on Lumineia, so lost in thought he didn’t notice when Siena appeared at his side. Recent events, from his sister’s reappearance to the revelation that Dragorn had secretly formed an alliance, had left him more unsettled than he’d been in years. Then Siena coughed at his side, causing him to swivel.

  “You shouldn’t sneak up on a krey.”

  “I’ve been standing here for three minutes,” she retorted.

  He shrugged. “You should have said something.”

  “I did.”

  “Then you shouldn’t mumble.” He motioned to the Gate. “You ready to go?”

  “Go where?” she asked. “I just got a message that you wanted me to meet you.”

  Normally he liked her candor, but with his oppressive thoughts he found it irritating. Ignoring the request, he activated his holoview and spun up the Gate. Light flowed under the arch as it linked to their destination and he advanced through the portal.

  Ero and Siena exited into the rain. Cursing, Ero ducked under a nearby overhang to shake the water from his cloak and survey the planet.

  They stood on a small platform overlooking a sprawling city of spires, squat structures, and narrow streets. A handful of krey were in the open, must using rainguards to keep dry. The domed metal hovered on grav repulsors, rocking slightly in the wind. Heavy clouds dominated the sky, the rain falling in sheets across the various rooftops. Rusted, cracked, and sometimes leaning, the structures showed their age.

  “Where are we?” Siena asked.

  “Do your questions never cease?” he growled. Siena raised an eyebrow. He flushed and looked away, annoyed with his own annoyance. “Sorry, it’s been a busy week.”

  “Me too,” she said. “I just got back to Lumineia a few days ago.”

  “Skorn told me you had to abandon the Crescent.”

  “We left it to self-destruct in deep space.”

  “Of course you did.”

  Although she’d grown better at deception since their first meeting, a hint of blood still crept into her cheeks. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing.”

  He guessed that she’d stashed the Crescent somewhere for later use, a surprisingly tactical move from the girl. For a slave to hide a starship from her owners was unthinkable, but with everything else going on in House Bright’Lor, a barely functional stolen ship was the least of his problems.

  “What’s going on?” she asked.

  He hesitated. Should he tell Siena about Dragorn? Could the information be damaging in her hands? He doubted she could do anything with the truth about his father. Still, it was a dangerous secret.

  “You can trust me,” she said.

  On impulse, he said, “Do you remember how my father is in Condemnation?”

  “Because of Kelindor.” She nodded. “His tribunal is in, what, ten years?”

  “Not anymore. He’s moved it up. It’s now tomorrow.”
r />   “Why? There’s no way he can pay the Voices on the tribunal by then.”

  He eyed her critically. “You know how tribunals work?”

  “That they’re notoriously corrupt and bribery is common?” She actually laughed. “Everyone knows that.”

  He couldn’t argue with that. “Skorn and I learned that he has a secret alliance. We think they are bribing the judges in return for the augments.”

  “But who’s the ally?”

  “That’s why we’re here.” He motioned to the planet. “This is Xenttium.”

  She sniffed and wrinkled her nose. “It stinks.”

  “It always does,” he said. “Xenttium is the oldest of the merchant planets, and it’s undeniably the worst. Although it’s technically owned and operated by the Empire, and they keep a token presence of Rangers, it’s pretty much controlled by a variety of Houses. This is also the planet that produces the most human vids for the open network.”

  Her eyes lit up with understanding, and then darkened. “You’re not going to put me in a vid, are you?”

  “Of course not,” he said, although he couldn’t deny the appeal of the idea. Xenttium had hundreds of contest vids and games that were a less violent version of the Bone Crucible. They were made to be humorous, but the glint prizes were real.

  “Then why did we come?” she asked.

  “We’re here to see the Broker.”

  “I’m guessing he knows something about your father?”

  A pair of krey appeared through the Gate and cursed as the rain drenched them in seconds. They hurried down the stairs leading to the city and tossed balls of seracrete above their heads, which then expanded and flattened into a rainguard. In their haste, the pair barely spared Ero and Siena a second glance.

  “The Broker is a very old krey,” Ero said. “He buys and sells information, and if anyone is going to know who has allied with my father, it will be him.”

  The rain began to taper off, so Ero stepped into the open and hurried across the square to the overhangs that extended from the buildings on either side of the street. A cacophony of sounds came from the buildings they passed. Music, shouts, laughter, more music, then the sound of glass shattering.

  In its prime, Xenttium had been a bright haven for commerce and growth. Now its oceans were polluted to sludge, its air was heavy and borderline toxic, and the once bright shops were grimy remnants of their former glory. Crime was rampant on Xenttium, and more than once Ero spotted dakorians and krey hovering down side alleys, watching for potential targets to rob. He’d considered bringing a dakorian, but that would have garnered more attention than he wanted. With just a single slave, it looked like he was a destitute krey, an image enhanced by his faded tunic and cloak.

  Dark water flowed down the side of the street, and Siena made a disgusted sound when a roak flitted across the road. Roaks were nocturnal insects, so for them to be in the open during daytime suggested an infestation.

  A small knot of humans trudged by, their postures sullen, their clothing dirty and disheveled. Ero actually felt bad for them. Xenttium was a slum of a planet, so the humans probably lived in hovels or decrepit buildings deemed unfit for habitation by the krey. Siena, too, seemed to notice the humans, and her expression grew sad.

  “Tell me about the Broker,” she said.

  “There’s not much to tell,” he replied. “No one knows his real identity. He used to be a member of House Aly’Ara before they were destroyed.”

  “Aly’Ara,” she repeated, her voice tinged with recognition. “Isn’t there a recorder from that House? I think I’ve seen her on the vids.”

  “Ravel,” he said with a nod. “She has a reputation for integrity and bringing corruption to light.”

  Siena grinned. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that’s attraction I hear.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  He pictured the beautiful, gray-eyed krey, with her nice features and frame, her sharp intelligence and her unwavering courage. Then he noticed Siena’s smile widening.

  His smile soured. “I hate that you have a mind augment.”

  “Says my creator.”

  He groaned. “What’s important is that House Aly’Ara members were known for a unique genetic mutation. They could alter their features and hair color. Anything except their eyes.”

  “Which explains why no one knows the identity of the Broker.”

  “Rangers are always trying to catch him, but he’s proven elusive.”

  “Have you ever talked to Ravel?”

  He scowled. “We’re talking about the Broker, remember?”

  “I’d rather talk about your attraction to Ravel?” she said.

  “Don’t be stupid. Now, just watch our backs. This world has more crime than any other Empire-owned world.”

  Mercifully, she turned her attention to the few others in the street. Probably using her mind augment to sift through their lives. He turned his attention forward as he followed the street up a hill and then down into a broad canyon.

  The buildings had been built on either side of the canyon, molded directly onto the natural rock to form unique architecture. But the smooth storefronts had long since worn down to the bones, with many cracked and layered in moss. Rubble lay scattered across the street, and only a single dakorian was visible. He leaned against a pillar just out of the rain, nursing a large bottle of drey.

  At the center of the canyon, Ero turned into the only door not barricaded. The inside was illuminated, but not enough to draw attention. A dakorian materialized as they stepped through the door, his hulking frame covered in glow tattoos.

  “What do you want?” he said gruffly.

  “I’m here to see the Broker,” Ero said. “I believe he’s expecting me.”

  The dakorian eyed him and then glanced at Siena, noting her ferox brand. “This way.” He turned and guided them down a tunnel.

  At the end of the corridor, the dakorian swung a door open to reveal a cavernous interior chamber. Obviously laser-cut from the stone, it had once been a dining hall. A full waterfall cascaded down one wall. It hit the water of a pond, which then funneled into a series of streams that wound their way through the dilapidated tables and chairs. An effort had been made to clean the water, and the stink had been largely subdued.

  Lights, recently installed, dotted the walls, illuminating ornate carvings and beautiful depictions of dancing and singing krey. Some statues were of humans, dressed in regal clothing of servitude. One depicted a dakorian holding a shield and sunderblade.

  Beneath the pools of light, a single table rested on an island between the streams, its surface covered by a white tablecloth. A krey sat so he could see the door. He rose with a wide smile and motioned the dakorian back to the entrance.

  “Ero Bright’Lor,” the krey drawled, “your reputation precedes you.”

  “As does yours,” Ero replied.

  “Please, join me,” the Broker said, motioning to the table. “I took the liberty of having a meal brought in from Mylttium. Roast wern with drenia sauce and blackcurry drey.”

  Ero savored the scent of the roast bird and claimed the seat. “It would be rude to refuse.”

  The Broker chuckled and returned to his seat, seemingly oblivious to Siena standing behind Ero. He picked up his glass and sipped as he regarded Ero, who wasted no time in taking a bite. A blissful smile spread on Ero’s lips.

  “It’s been too long,” Ero said.

  “Not since Kelindor, I wager,” the Broker said, obviously delighted.

  Ero examined the Broker. The krey was dressed in well-tailored, if rather plain clothes. His eyes were a clear gray, his skin a darker tone that brought out his black hair. His features were unusual for a simple reason: they were identical to Dralik Thendigor, the Emperor.

  “Your taste in faces is impeccable,” Ero said.

  “Do you like it?” The Broker brushed his fingers across his cheek with a smile. “I must admit, it’s my favorite. Few things bring
me more joy than hearing a Ranger try to explain that they are hunting the Emperor.”

  Ero, Siena said through her mind augment, there are six dakorians in the room, plus a krey in one of the balconies with something called a beam rifle.

  A sniper’s weapon, Ero replied.

  There are also several soldiers, krey and dakorian, in a nearby room, heavily armed.

  Ero managed to hide his smile. The Broker was notoriously cautious, but such a level of protection was extreme. He guessed it was for Siena. The krey obviously already knew she was an augment, but did he know her full power? Ero resisted the urge to boast.

  “I am grateful you made time to meet with me,” Ero said, spinning a section of meat in the savory sauce.

  “How could I refuse?” the Broker said. “After all, I have the information you need, and I dare say there is something I require from you.”

  “You know my father’s ally?” Ero asked.

  “Of course,” the Broker said with a condescending chuckle.

  “How much will it cost me?”

  “Oh, I don’t want glint.”

  “Oh?” Ero took another bite. “Then what is the price?”

  “We both know there is something of much higher value that you possess.” The Broker’s eyes flicked to Siena.

  I don’t like where this is going, Siena said flatly, once again using her mind augment.

  Relax, Ero replied. This isn’t the first time I’ve bargained with someone like him.

  It’s the first time they want an augment.

  “What exactly do you want?” Ero asked aloud.

  The Broker leaned back in his seat, and his eyes lifted to Siena. “The rumors of augmented humans are running rampant. I’ve had no less than forty-nine requests for information, yet I am in a rare position of not knowing the answer. I don’t like not knowing. I find it…aggravating.”

  “So the truth is your price?” Ero asked.

  The face of the Emperor smiled. “For this exchange.”

  Ero considered the Broker’s position. Although Siena was obviously tense, the Broker was relaxed, and his guards remained out of sight. Ero spotted the end of the beam rifle in his peripheral vision; the older-style weapon protruded from the edge of an upper balcony. It was not pointed at him. It was pointed at Siena.