Jackal’s Gambit

by C A Ardron

  ‘His list?’

  ‘Most shopkeepers have a list of people they favour, ones they consider their best customers. They hold back certain items that come in for their favoured list, only offering the select few the best.’

  Jay was clearly sceptical ‘My uncle's not like that. He always tried to get the best deal, trying to make the vendors lower their prices.’

  Karen shook her head in disgust. ‘That's not the way trade works. Both people have to be accommodated. If you're good to the vendor, they will repay you in kind, remember that.’

  Jay nodded,and Karen looked up the street, throwing her apple core into a nearby bin. Jay followed suit, finishing off his apple as well.

  There were a lot of people coming and going, looking over produce and dipping in and out of shops. Karen slowed, her eyes narrowing as she singled someone out of the crowd.

  The man wasn't particularly tall. His dark hair was short and in need of a wash. His skin was the giveaway. He sported that pasty, in much need of sunlight look which most Sarpiens had.

  Karen grabbed Jay's arm and immediately veered left and straight through the door of a lunch diner. The place was mostly empty. The breakfast rush had already finished and it was a few hours till lunch.

  Karen released her grip on Jay's arm and she glanced down as he began to rub it, a pained expression on his face.

  ‘Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.’

  ‘It's okay. Was there a Sarpien out there?’

  ‘Yeah,’ she told him, ‘but don't say it out loud. People will refuse to serve us.’

  ‘Oh.’

  Karen proceeded to make her way to a small, rectangular table near the back which connected to the wall, and sat in one of the bright red seats. Jay sat down across from her. She took the two menus from the stand on the table and passed one to Jay.

  ‘We might as well have breakfast while we're here.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  She smiled at his worried tone. ‘Don't worry, We're away from the bus route and in town. It'll be harder for them to find us in a crowded town centre. Not to mention they'll be Dakkonin and Predgarians wandering around.’

  ‘Okay, if you say so. Um, what can I order?’

  ‘Anything you want.’ She glanced over the menu herself, deciding to get something big. It might be the only meal she got that day. ‘Get something to fill you up. ‘It might be a while before we eat again.’

  ‘Oh, okay. I'll get the’ – he squinted at the menu – ‘Terracano fry-up? I've got no idea what that word means, but it says there's sausage and eggs and stuff.’

  Karen nodded. ‘I'll get the same. I think Terracano is a made up word. Terra is the name of another planet in the empire, and I think “cano” is a play on the word volcano.’

  ‘Oh, so like Terra volcano fry-up?’

  ‘Something like that. This diner specialises in foreign food, I wouldn't be surprised if the sausage and eggs are imported from Terra.’

  Jay's eyes widened. ‘Wow, that's awesome.’

  A waitress came up to their table and smiled at Karen. She was younger than the waitress from the coffee shop, more energetic, her round face framed by golden curls, giving her a friendly appearance. Karen quite liked her.

  ‘What can I get you today?’ the waitress asked cheerfully.

  ‘Two Terracanos, please,’ Karen told her.

  ‘Of course, anything else?’

  ‘That's everything, thank you.’

  'That'll be twelve silver. Or two and a gold mark, if you have one.’

  Jay gaped at the price. Karen smiled at his reaction. ‘Of course.’ She took out a small purse from inside her denim jacket and, opening it, picked out a gold mark and five silver pieces.

  The waitress bowed appreciatively and walked back to the front counter.

  ‘You overpaid again,’ Jay observed with a frown.

  Karen just smiled at him and placed the menus back on their stand. A few minutes later the waitress returned. She placed a large jug of gold-orange juice in the centre of the table and two long glasses.

  ‘Mixed kaliij and sunset orange juices, on the house,’ the waitress winked at Karen. ‘Boss's orders.’

  Karen nodded, accepting the gift. ‘That's very generous of him, be sure to thank him for me.’

  ‘Of course.’

  Karen watched the waitress leave and then turned back to Jay. She raised one eyebrow when she saw him scowling at her. ‘Something wrong?’

  ‘Is this your fourth visit here?’

  Karen smiled, amused at the disgust in his voice. He seemed offended that the trading system she had described actually worked. She grabbed the jug and poured juice for them both. There was still plenty left, they'd probably get another glassful each out of it.

  ‘We'll have to be careful when we leave,’ she said, turning to more important matters. ‘Jackal will not let up the search. We must pick our way slowly towards the Predgarian Centre. Try not to worry, the closer we get to them, the more hesitant Jackal will become.’

  Jay frowned. ‘I wouldn't have thought the Sarp –’

  Karen sent him a fierce scowl.

  ‘They would be bothered by Predgarians,’ he finished.

  ‘There are certain rules. The Dakkonin would quite happily dismantle several of the Sectors if it would get them their hunt. Places like Steiron and Joinstohm, the bigger cities, hold the Dakkonin to strict regulations, restricting their movements. If a Predgarian or Dakkonin base was attacked, though, things would change. The Dakkonin would be given more freedom. They know that full-well, so they don't attack the headquarters of the Orders, or their bases. So long as the city governments keep the Orders bound by their rules and regulations, the enemy has more freedom to move.’

  Jay scowled. ‘Why doesn't Steiron just let the Dakkonin do their job?’

  ‘They can't. Dakkonin have War Mark hoppers and Battle States.’

  ‘Battle States? What are they?’

  ‘Huge flying contraptions armed with lasers and fusion weapons. Given the chance they would move into the city and blast their way down into the tunnels below, but there wouldn't be much of Steiron left afterwards.’

  ‘Oh. Is that what you meant last night when you said the battles would hurt us more than them?’

  Karen nodded as the waitress brought them their meals. ‘Thank you.’

  The waitress smiled again and left them to their food.

  Jay was already digging into the steaming plate of eggs, sausage, bacon and beans in a rich tomato sauce. There were also strange triangular objects made of potato and well-fried mushrooms.

  Karen started on her own, thinking about the best way to get to the Predgarians.

  ‘Karen,’ Jay said.

  She heard the nervousness in his voice and looked at him. ‘What is it?’

  ‘Um, well, I just wanted to say...thanks, you know? You saved my life and...well, you didn't have to. I think you know Jackal from somewhere else and, you've been really kind to me.’

  Karen sighed and then smiled. ‘It's okay. We'll get you through this,’ she skirted around the subject of Jackal. Best not to go there. ‘Don't worry about it, I couldn't let them take you.’

  Jay smiled back. ‘Thanks, Karen. You're really amazing. I think most people would've run the other way.’

  Karen shied away from the compliment. She wasn't amazing – anything but. He wouldn't be saying that if he knew everything. Part of her wished she had turned away; she still wasn't sure what had gotten into her. She might consider herself amazing if she could get to the Predgarian Centre without being caught. The sinking feeling in her stomach hadn't disappeared. She couldn't shake it and as she cut into the first of her sausage she could see Jackal's fierce, green eyes in her head. She swallowed, wondering what lay ahead.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  As Karen finished her breakfast, she felt bone-tired. She tried to steel herself for what lay ahead. She considered performing an aura-sweep, though without a medallion it wouldn'
t reach very far. She decided against it. Unless Jackal was out on the street, she wouldn't recognise anything as Sarpien or otherwise.

  ‘Jay,’ she said, her curiosity getting the better of her finally.

  ‘Hm?’ He chewed on the last of his egg.

  ‘If Jackal paid money for you, how come he was chasing you last night? Did you somehow get away from him?’

  Karen noticed his immediate nervousness as he lowered his gaze.

  ‘I just ran.’

  Karen raised an eyebrow. ‘Just ran?’

  ‘Yeah,’ he replied, turning defensive. ‘Jackal's not that fast, I outran him easy.’

  Karen stared at him. Was he actually serious? Jay didn't offer anything more, and Karen once more decided not to push the issue. It was clear there was something he wasn't telling her, but who was she to talk? She'd made it more than obvious she wasn't going to discuss her own past.

  She would let him have his secrets, though it was eating at her still. Why had Jackal bought Jay? Why hadn't he just taken him? Why not another house, or several, if Jackal merely wanted more bodies for the mines?

  Karen got to her feet abruptly. ‘Let's go.’

  ‘Is something wrong?’ Jay asked, looking around fearfully.

  ‘No, but we should get moving.’

  Jay nodded and followed her to the front of the diner. Karen rolled her shoulders and opened the door, striding out nonchalantly. She wondered if Jackal was likely to second-guess her. He had to be assuming she would try to leave Steiron as soon as she could, but Jay changed things. Would Jackal expect her to change her plans because of the teenager?

  She sighed in irritation as she strode up the wide, cobbled street, heading towards the market. She intended to cut straight through the middle of town and onto Leston Estate. From there she would only have to cross one more busy main road to get onto Molbrook Estate, where the Predgarian Centre was located.

  Jay was having to walk very fast to keep up with her, and she slowed a little. She worried about where Jackal might be and what he could be thinking. She knew him well, and when it came to pre-empting an enemy, figuring out their plans and acting accordingly, there was none better than the Red Jackal.

  If he'd already figured out she was heading for the Predgarians, then he might be ahead of her by now, not behind.

  ‘What's wrong?’ Jay asked. ‘You look really worried.’

  Yeah, she thought, trying to ignore the queasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. That's because I think I'm walking into a trap and can't do a damned thing about it.

  ‘I'm fine,’ Karen replied, for the kid's sake, masking all worry that had been showing on her face.

  They reached the other side of the market, and Karen navigated Leston Estate with ease, her brain screaming that she'd made a mistake leaving the shopping crowds behind.

  They were almost to the other side. Karen could hear the traffic of the road that separated the housing from the next estate. She glanced at the sign for the street they had entered. Lister Road, close now.

  Karen grunted as she realised the sinking feeling she'd felt all morning and last night was suddenly missing. She knew what that meant all too well. She'd spent years learning how her own premonitions worked.

  ‘Jay,’ she knew the worry and urgency was plain in her voice, but she needed him out of the way. ‘I need you to listen carefully. I need you to be calm now, no matter what happens.’

  Jay looked scared again. ‘What's going on?’

  ‘Ahead of us is the road that separates these houses from Molbrook Estate. I want you to run ahead, cross the road and follow Islejur Road until you reach the Predgarian Centre.’

  ‘What about you?’

  ‘I'll not be far behind you. Go.’

  Jay nodded and started to run. Karen didn't watch him go, however; she turned on her heel and stood waiting. It was mere seconds before the Red Jackal turned the corner, appearing perhaps twenty feet away.

  Karen remained where she was as the Sarpien sauntered up the street towards her. She found she was oddly calm as she noted his old biker's jacket. He'd owned that for as long as she could remember. His mullet of deep, burnished hair was an arrogance. It told everyone who he was without needing to see his medallion or snake mark. She wondered what colour his hair naturally was, but only for a second.

  ‘So,’ Jackal spoke, his voice mocking. ‘You've finally decided to stop running. It's only taken you three years or so.’

  Karen didn't flinch from his gaze, but noticed his eyes had moved from her and further up the street. She glanced back, wondering what had his attention.

  She swore. Jay was at the end of the street, watching them. He hadn't run off, the idiot!

  ‘What's with the kid, Jackal?’ Karen acted nonchalant, trying to buy time, though she had no idea what for. She was caught. She wasn't getting away this time.

  Jackal grinned. ‘You'll find out. I think you'll be quite impressed, once you've sworn loyalty to Lord Trine, anyway.’

  Karen forced out a rough laugh. ‘Trine? Is that the sclithe you're working for now? I can see that actually, your arrogance matches his well.’

  Jackal's eyes flashed angrily. ‘I'd be careful with that mouth of yours. Trine might decide to have you spend some quality time in the coercion chamber. Not that I'd mind.’ His grin was pure evil now. ‘I'll personally make sure you have a good time.’

  ‘I'm not serving your sclithe, Jackal. I'll die first.’

  Jackal shook his head. ‘Don't be silly, Karen. We both know it doesn't work that way. There's no “serve or die”, there's only serve. But enough talk, why don't we get on with this?’

  Karen didn't reply but made herself ready. She'd known this was coming for the last three years. That one day she would have to fight Jackal, and that her only option would be to try and make him kill by accident.

  She felt sad inside. Jay didn't have that option. What would Jackal do with him? She swallowed, a sudden fear gripping her. Jackal was giving her that deceptive, pleasant smile. He reached down and took his medallion between two fingers.

  Karen grunted. He'd decided to change the rules. She watched, feeling a little numb as Jackal disappeared in his medallion's fiery light. He reappeared, and Karen drew a ragged breath as she looked upon his mid-class Canine armour. His breastplate was thicker than usual but his greaves, boots and gauntlets were that of the light-armour class, while his full helmet that of the heavy class.

  He removed his helmet with one hand and Karen found herself tensing. Jackal always did that before he struck. He liked his face visible so he could properly taunt his opponent.

  It was over. Karen couldn't hope to fight Jackal while he was in armour. He was done playing around and he was going to make sure he took her alive.

  Jackal stepped forward confidently, and Karen backed a few steps. He would be able to smell her fear now. She couldn't do a thing to stop him, and he knew it. Jackal started to advance, and Karen tried to control her breathing, wondering what to do. Was there anything she could do?

  She and Jackal both yelped and jumped backwards in surprise as an Avian warrior swooped down and landed between them. The light-armoured man was a bronze with huge, dark-brown feathered wings. That was all Karen could tell about him because the warrior stood facing Jackal, blade unsheathed.

  ‘Karen, you're one of the luckiest people alive,’ Jackal told her wryly.

  ***

  Lion left the Predgarian Centre behind after leaving Wolf a message at the Predgarian Temple's reception desk. The Centre was never supposed to be left unmanned, but this was an extreme circumstance.

  He sped through the streets astride the golden, armour-plated motorcycle named the Leo Garde. Lion hated it. It was showy and over the top. He'd been told at the temple that gold warriors were expected to be showy though. Gold warriors were the best that the Orders of Light had to offer and were considered champions, heroes even. So he'd been given a huge monstrosity that blinded people when it was sunny.

/>   Lion sighed at the inconvenience of it all as he stopped on Neverinde Avenue and took the radio off his wide belt. He pulled out the screen from the bottom and punched in the code for Fire Tiger.

  It seemed she was nearby, which meant Leopard would be too. He sped through the streets towards the two female warriors, wondering if they'd learnt anything since they last spoke.

  He came to a halt on Heather Street, his map stating he was right on top of the other two Felines. He looked around at the large houses on either side of him, each one with a lawn and driveway. There was no sign of any medallion warriors.

  Lion took out his radio again, raising it to his face, eying the small garden gnome to his left grinning at him.

  He lowered his radio as he spotted Tiger on the roof of a house further down the street. She leapt off, somersaulting down, her ginger hair flying out behind her in a long ponytail.

  Her fiery armour glinted for a second as the light of the suns caught it. She landed nimbly and trotted up the road towards him with a grin. Leopard slunk out from around the corner of the same house, wearing a dissatisfied frown.

  Lion groaned inwardly – it seemed Leopard was in a bad mood again. The two light-armoured Felines were not similar, one in flaming red and orange, the other in pale yellow and faintly spotted armour. Leopard's blonde hair was always cropped short and only seemed to amplify the severe expression she always wore. The metallic Feline masks did not hide Leopard's grim expression or Tiger's fun-loving attitude.

  They could be temperamental at times, but Lion was used to them now. They were both very good at their job, and he was lucky to have them.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ Leopard snapped. ‘This is our patrol.’

  ‘He probably couldn't bear to be away from the action any longer,’ Tiger guessed with an impish grin.

  ‘I haven't been able to contact the Dakkonin,’ Lion said through his heavy helmet. ‘With no Dakkonin at their base or out on the streets, it means West Sector is unguarded. The entire unit is out, and I've sent word to Wolf to get back here as soon as he can, and to bring help.’