Trials of Conviction, page 12
"Who?" she asked, ticking another turn off in her mind.
"Her."
Elena frowned as she realized who he was talking about. "You mean Kira."
The name felt awkward on her tongue without the title of aunt in front of it. Too short. Not nearly majestic enough to encompass all that her auntie was.
The general grunted in agreement.
Elena beamed. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"You shouldn't. She's a menace."
Elena lagged behind, baring her teeth at the general's back in rage. How dare he say that about Auntie?
If she hadn't promised to be on her best behavior, she would have attempted murder. His. Not hers.
Maybe she could take him unaware. Strike with the element of surprise.
Elena eyed the general's back as he stopped in front of a massive, several stories tall opening that looked like one of those strange doors that were everywhere on Ta Sa'Riel. The ones with all the arches.
Though why anyone needed such a big doorway mystified her. It seemed like a waste of material and time to her. Was there anything inside the structure massive enough to make it necessary?
A giant might be tall enough. You know, if there were such things as giants.
"Something I said?" the general asked, noticing Elena's absentmindedness.
"Nothing," Elena answered, remembering why she'd gone off on that tangent in the first place.
She breathed slowly in and out. Don't attack the big, scary general, El. Auntie would be most displeased if she found out later.
The general hummed, dismissing the topic as he led her through the giant arch into the outdoors for the first time since her arrival on this planet.
Elena lifted a hand to shade her eyes. After the dim light of the pit, the bright sunlight was piercing.
It took a moment for Elena's eyes to adjust. She blinked rapidly, gasping as the cityscape came into focus. Instead of a desolate, barren wasteland, this world was lush and filled with life. Alien trees and plants provided a counterpoint to towering, oblong structures that sprouted from the land like quills on a porcupine. They stabbed the sky's belly. Their dark stone soaking up the light.
There were other structures. Dozens of them. All integrated into the terrain's natural features.
The general started down the steps to the avenue below. Elena pulled her gaze from the landscape to hurry after him.
"Idolizing the Phoenix will only lead to heartache and loss," the general informed her when she caught up.
"Says you."
The general shook his head at Elena. "You're a fool."
Elena shrugged. "Then I'm a fool."
She was willing to accept that. Elena knew who Auntie was and that was good enough for her. There was no point wasting her breath arguing the case with one of Auntie's enemies.
"What am I supposed to call you anyway?" Elena asked.
She was getting tired of addressing him as 'you' or 'general' in her head.
The general stared before he gave another shake of his head. “Ajix.”
Elena made a face. "Odd name for a general. Did you know it's close to the name Ajax?"
"A human name," Ajix sniffed in disdain.
"It means eagle in some languages. It was also the name of a hero in one of their myths."
"Which one?"
Elena brightened at his interest. Maybe there was a chance this general wasn't so bad after all. "The Iliad. Ajax was a hero from the Trojan war, known for his large stature and bravery."
Ajix grunted.
Elena couldn't tell if he appreciated the explanation or not.
"At least you're not as mad as that woman," Ajix said as they reached the structure that he'd been leading her to. "She would never have been so quiet this past week. She would have caused a scene and drawn attention as soon as she arrived."
Elena took that as an insult. "I'm just as capable as her."
Just on a smaller scale. On account of her being so short and all.
"It's a compliment."
Elena didn't take it that way. "Where are we going anyway?"
"Curiosity will get you killed."
Or it would save her life.
In Elena's experience, the latter was more likely as long as she was careful.
"What is your name?" Ajix asked as they entered the tower.
"Elena."
She considered lying but what was the point. Lothos had already mentioned their spies within the Houses. Any attempt at deception on her part would lead to increased scrutiny. Something someone with her secrets couldn't afford.
"Very well." The general stopped in front of a delicate, filigree door stamped with a strange symbol. "We're here. I suggest trying to lay low. Being noticed is a good way to get killed."
"Is there anything in this place that won't leave me dead in the end?"
"No."
"Lovely," Elena muttered.
"Sarcasm will also get you killed."
Elena's lips parted as she stared up at the general. Was that a joke?
Impossible. Generals weren't known for their humor.
While Elena was still reeling from trying to figure it out, the door opened. The room they stepped into held a tranquility that felt jarring next to the violence and filth of the pits. It left Elena feeling out of place in her grime covered clothes, unwashed body and hair that hadn't seen soap or shower since her arrival.
Elena kept to the edge of the room, taking in the soft, unnatural light that hurt her eyes almost as much as the sun's rays had. She felt the desire to flee, suppressing it with effort.
The Phoenix's niece didn't run. Particularly not from children. Even Tsavitee ones.
Their entrance drew attention. The children from the pit looked over at them, a distinct lack of curiosity on their faces.
It took a moment for Elena to realize why she found that disturbing.
Every once in a while, when Aunt Kira and Uncle Jin brought home someone new, they were like this. Looking at the world through dead eyes.
Tommy came to them with the same indifferent expression. As if he no longer cared about anything.
Those first few months Aunt Selene had hovered over him, afraid he'd wither away or explode into violence and have to be put down.
"Who is this?" the Sye from earlier asked, gliding forward.
"Elena. She's a new recruit for the crèche."
Elena dropped her gaze, not wanting to appear challenging.
"We're not due new blood."
"It's the decision of the higher ups. I'm just informing you of it."
The Sye inspected Elena with pursed lips, humming lightly to themselves in thought. "She's scrawny."
"She's designed for infiltration and espionage," Ajix explained.
"She was in the pit today," a boy said from her right.
Elena looked up to find the children's leader seated atop the largest of five boulders in a rock garden. The sand around his boulder had been carved into a pattern. Its grains unmarred by footprints or other blemishes. It was a mystery as to how he'd reached his perch without disturbing anything.
Unlike the only other two generals Elena knew, Lothos and Ajix, the boy's face held fewer runes. There was only one set scrawled vertically down his cheek. His skin color was also lighter, closer in shade to Aunt Kira's primus.
His jawline was strong and his features angular, making him rather handsome if not for the clear hostility in his gaze.
He looked at Elena like she'd kicked his puppy or something. Considering the Tsavitee didn't keep pets, at least not the kind they cared for, his level of antagonism was a little uncalled for. At least wait until she did something. Then he could hate her.
Wait a minute.
Was this the Phoenix effect she'd heard so much about? Maybe she did take after her aunt.
"How many coins did she collect?" the Sye asked.
"One."
"So little. I may have considered her if she'd gotten at least two."
Well, excuse her. No one told her this was a numbers game. How did they expect her to play if they didn't explain the rules?
In Elena's opinion, she'd done pretty well considering the few clues she'd been given. Would these children have been able to acquit themselves so well? In a foreign environment? With zero allies? Or even a proper weapon?
Elena thought not. This was the product of relentless training by her uncle and aunts. Something these people couldn’t even fathom.
The Sye waved a hand in dismissal. "She'll be dead weight. Weak and useless."
Weak? Hah!
Just wait until Aunt Kira arrived and Elena was no longer restricted. They'd see who was weak then.
Despite her disdain, Elena kept her feelings off her face. As Auntie and Uncle always said, being underestimated was a gift. It meant no one would notice when Elena started making moves under the surface.
"You should call her scrappy instead," Ajix corrected.
Elena just barely managed not to nod in agreement.
"She survived a week alone in the pit. Except for Fyr, no one else in your crèche could do the same."
See? See? Ajix got it.
The Sye's expression was grudging. "How many kills?"
"Five." Ajix let the pause stretch. "A tiea, two jian, a cla and a wla."
The children's faces hardened. Their disinterest changing to hostility as they finally realized how much of a threat she could be.
Elena listened, trying not to show her confusion at the unfamiliar terms. It made sense that Ajix wouldn’t use human terms to describe the different Tsavitee species. She’d have to figure out which was which before anyone realized. Otherwise, her cover would be compromised.
The Sye looked mollified, staring at Elena for a moment before flicking a hand in acceptance.
Ajix bowed, the subservient gesture shocking Elena. She’d always thought generals were at the top of the Tsavitee food chain.
Ajix straightened, giving Elena a warning look to not cause trouble.
As if she would ever listen. Trouble was in her blood. She lived, breathed, and ate it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Her aunties and uncle hadn't been able to train that out of her. She doubted the Tsavitee would be any more successful.
Elena watched Ajix's departure to see if she could spot the mechanism he was using to trigger the doors.
It had to be a device of some type. Either on his person or keyed to his biometrics. If she could figure out which, maybe she could do a little recon while everyone else was sleeping.
"What should we do with her, Kai?" one of the younger children asked in Tsavitee.
Elena turned to find the Sye watching her. Kai caught Elena's chin, forcing her face up for a better look.
Elena didn't struggle, not daring to move or flinch.
"The same as always. If she wants to live, she'll have to earn her place among you."
There was a strange smile on Kai's face, a clinical detachment that sent fear shivering through Elena.
"I hope you don't disappoint." Kai released Elena, sweeping a gaze over her one last time before disappearing through one of the doors off the communal area.
Elena waited until the Sye was gone, taking her time to size the children up the same way they were her.
She waved at them. "I'm Elena. What are your names?"
The children stared at her for an uncomfortably long time.
There was a sigh from the top of the boulder as the boy dropped to the ground.
"Leave her," he ordered, herding the children away. "She won't be here long anyway."
Elena's hand dropped to her side as the children disappeared into their rooms. "You know, I don't think they like me, Uncle Jin."
As usual, there was only silence from the lu-ong spawn that lay as still as death around Elena’s bicep. As quiet as the first day they'd arrived.
"No matter, though. I'm not here to make friends." Elena forced back the crushing sense of loneliness, wrapping her arms around her waist for comfort. "Still, I wish you'd wake up, Uncle Jin. It'd be nice to have someone to talk to."
Until then, she'd just have to keep going with the flow and hope things didn't get too dicey.
Eight
Kira – The Wanderer somewhere in space
Kira hooked a towel around her neck, using the ends to pat her face and hair dry as she stepped out of the communal bathroom located on the lower aft deck beneath the ship's pitiful excuse for crew quarters.
She felt good. Finally like herself again. The grime and sweat that had accumulated from her three day 'nap' washed away under the shower's enzyme spray.
Kira could kill Graydon. What had the man been thinking letting her sleep for that long?
Three days? That wasn't a nap. It was a coma.
She was tempted to suspect he or Wren had done something to ensure she got the rest they felt she needed, except she was pretty sure the party responsible was the oasis Harlow had built in the middle of her ship. Something about that place had lulled her to sleep and kept her that way until her mind and body were partially healed.
The only silver lining about her lost days was that she did feel better. Clearer. Less like she might lose control at any moment.
The barrier keeping her primus locked inside her skin was stronger. A few, tissue thin layers reinforcing it. As microscopic in width as they were, they were better than nothing. Nowhere near as strong as the chains she usually used to keep the primus from rising, but at least her alter self was no longer in danger of breaking loose the moment she sneezed wrong.
The wound Jin's absence had left in her psyche was still the same. Its raw, jagged edges a constant reminder. Like a sore tooth she couldn't help prodding. At least, her soul's essence was no longer actively leaking out of it.
Those three days of recovery meant death was no longer quite so imminent. It was the small wins that kept her afloat.
Kira reached the upper deck and headed to the bridge to check in. Finn had given her an overview when she first stepped out of the garden, but she wanted to hear the situation from Raider.
Not knowing what was happening on her own ship was disturbing. Now that she was awake, she'd have to see about correcting that oversight.
Spotting Blue sitting on the deck outside the bridge, Kira lifted her chin in greeting. "What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be in there?"
Or at least in her quarters. Not sitting on the floor with all this...stuff.
"What is all this anyway?" Kira asked, trying to make sense of the clutter.
"Raider is busy. I'm giving him space." Blue didn't look up from the computer boards she was bent over. The smell of something burning came as Blue soldered wires together. "And this is Jin."
Kira's gaze flew to the items scattered across the floor, taking a closer look and noticing what she'd missed before. For instance, the volley ball sized sphere laying on its side. The camera lens Jin used as his 'eye' pointing at them.
The bottom had been opened and his hardware pulled out. The J1N's wires were exposed, trailing out of the main body like guts that had been left to rot in the sun.
The calm Kira had achieved popped like a balloon. Hysteria and anger jeopardized her control over the primus as it rolled in her mind. Its presence expanded, pushing against the thin barriers she'd just re-established.
"Blue, I said get him mobile. Not take him apart," Kira barked.
Rationally, Kira knew this wasn't Jin. This wasn't her nightmare and he hadn't been broken and disassembled. That though this was his body, the real Jin was somewhere else. Somewhere safe. Or at least safe-ish.
Blue jerked up. Her work goggles still covered her face, the lenses magnifying her eyes to the point they seemed bug-like.
Catching Kira's expression, Blue yanked the goggles off her face, leaving her hair disheveled. "Wait, no. I can see how this looks bad, but I promise I'm not doing anything unnecessary or gratuitous."
She twisted back to the J1N, scrambling to reassemble a few parts before plugging a cord into her tablet.
"See—this is what I'm talking about." Blue pointed at a particular stream of code. "Jin made it so you can't remotely hack his body. I have to be hardwired in if I want to access the J1N's original programing."
Kira calmed a little. "Why do you want the original?"
"I figured it'd be easier to get the drone up and running that way. While the J1N is considered obsolete nowadays, it was pretty advanced in its time. Replicating Jin is impossible with the limited time and resources I have. But the J1N is a different story. It already has a series of commands built into its source code. I just need to get them working."
"You realize the J1N was originally tasked as our jailer. Its purpose was to oversee and punish."
Resurrecting its previous incarnation was maybe not the best idea.
Blue's excitement faded, awkwardness showing as she glanced at the J1N. "Oh."
Yeah. Oh.
"I could overwrite that part." Blue's enthusiasm grew as she latched onto that idea. "At the very least I can section off those commands so it's not a problem."
Kira's confidence didn't match Blue's. Her doubt showed.
There wasn't a lot of room for error here. As Blue had already mentioned, this wasn’t exactly her field of expertise. The J1N from Kira's memories was dangerous. A demon of her childhood. The thought that Blue planned to resurrect any part of that monster was disturbing.
"I can do this, Nixxy. I promise. The J1N won't be a danger to us, and when Jin comes back, he'll be as good as new."
Kira thawed, her body loosening a little. "Are you sure you can do this?"
As much as she wanted the J1N up and running, she didn't want to compromise Jin's body either.
Blue's nod was fervent. "I know I said I couldn't before, but I can. I want to."
Shouting from the bridge interrupted their conversation.
"You said Raider was busy?" Kira asked with a glance in that direction.
"Centcom called."
"You mean Jace?"
Kira was already heading to the bridge before Blue had time to reply. The tension that greeted her arrival was like a fist to the face. Thick enough that she could have cut it with a knife. Raider's expression was set in a scowl as he glared at a hologram of Rear Admiral Jace Skarsdale. Raider’s jaw ticked. His arms were folded across his chest and his feet spread in a closed off posture that announced his intransigence.
