Rebellion (9 page)

“Yes please.” Both children leaned closer, and Leeda looked up and smiled.

“Aside from the magic that Portal Masters use, which even I don’t know about, there are limits which have to be obeyed. Other than that, it’s pretty simple.”

“What limits?” Joon asked.

“Well, you can only traverse a gateway four times in an hour with a maximum of about eight-hundred pounds each trip.”

“If it’s only eight-hundred pounds, how do you move starships?” Leeda was starting to find her voice.

“Good question,” Ria said. “Starships are a bit different. They use interstellar jump points, which are a kind of portal, but you can’t just fly from one to the other like walking through a gateway. You have to use special drives that are able to accelerate to incredible speeds and actually bend space and time. That bit of magic is done using a rare element called carnium, which we have on Earth.”

“Whoa,” Joon said looking totally transfixed. “That’s cool.”

“It is pretty cool,” Ria said. She spent a few more minutes describing the Cavacents’ transport ships before Laric rescued her.

“All right, you two. It’s time I take this lady dancing.”

“Aww,” Joon said. “She hasn’t told us about Earmot yet.”

Ria laughed and didn’t bother correcting him. “Next time, okay?”

“Promise?” Leeda asked.

Ria nodded. “Promise.”

“They’re adorable,” Ria told Laric once they left. “And super smart.”

“They are. Spoiled rotten, too.”

“As they should be.”

Ria spent the rest of the night dancing with Laric. It was a party like none other she’d experienced, and one she’d never forget.

* * * *

Ria existed as a point of light amongst the stars. Pure energy, she zipped from place to place, stopping momentarily, then zooming off to the next spot. Exhilaration and joy engulfed her as she explored her bodiless form. She traveled at the speed of light, and if she went fast enough, she could see her own trail and form a shape with light. She played with circles and rectangles, stars and swirls. She thrilled at the stops and starts needed to form the shapes. Pure joy engulfed her, and it was staggering.

She woke to the sound of her own laughter. She pondered the dream in the fog of a happiness hangover.

Okay, that was cool.
“Harvey, what time is it?” She rolled to her side and reached for her com on the side table.

“It is nearly time for you to arise, madam.” Harvey had taken on the personality of an English butler of late. “The crowds await to cheer you from the balcony.”

“Very funny. Just tell me the time.”

“The time is six twenty-eight in the morning of the forty-eighth day in the twenty-sixth year of the glory that was your creation, madam.”

“Oy, no more birthday reminders,” Ria said, swinging her legs off the plush mattress.

“As you wish, madam.”

Ria eyed her com unit. She was kinda digging the whole butler thing. She stretched her arms and stood for a whole body routine, easing the sleep from her muscles. She flicked her hand, and the deep blue curtains slid aside, letting in the early morning sun. All the rooms in this wing faced Watersedge and the sea beyond. It was a calm day, and the sun glistened on the water. She thought back over the previous night. The opening ceremony for the Summer’s Ball had been amazing. Watersedge went all out for the party. The master of ceremonies had kicked off the event with a live projection that was visible from every corner of the celebration. The costumes of the partygoers and the performers alike were magical and mystical. Everything about the event lent itself to a dreamlike state. Maybe that was why she’d had that dream. She smiled as a thrill shot through her at the memory of being a point of light. They’d stayed out late and indulged too much. This morning, she, Dani, and Ian were meeting Laric and going on a six-mile hike around Watersedge. That should clear the fog from her brain. She threw on some clothes suitable for a hike. Opening her bedroom door, the smell of something delicious drifted in, making her stomach growl. She decided to follow her nose when Dani and Ian emerged from their room down the hall.

Dani laughed at something he said as Ian playfully slapped her ass.

“All right you two, knock it off or go back to bed,” Ria said.

Ian turned to go back inside, but Dani grabbed his arm. “No way. I’m starving. You smell that?”

He took a deep breath and nodded agreement. “All right. Food, then off to our hike. How’d you sleep, Ria?”

She thought of her dream and almost laughed out loud. “Heavenly. Did you two sleep at all?”

“Oh, stop,” Dani said, smacking her on the arm.

Ria smacked her back. “You’re just such a cute couple.”

Ian frowned at her. “I don’t do cute. Neither does Dani.”

“Whatever,” Ria said walking down the hall. “Come on. Time to eat.”

Both Rucon and Darl were absent at breakfast. Mara sat with Sherla and an awkward-looking Armond.

Warming trays lined the length of the table along with breadbaskets and a large variety of fresh fruit, a number of which Ria didn’t recognize.

“Good morning,” Sherla said, motioning for the servant to add place settings to the table.

They exchanged greetings and dug into a fabulous breakfast.

“And what are your plans for this morning?” Sherla asked.

“We’re meeting Laric Jara. He’s taking us up the Range Wood trail,” Ian said.

“Oh, that’s lovely.” Sherla plucked a small blue fruit from a bowl and slowly peeled it. “You do have repellers with you, yes?”

“Oh, yeah,” Ria said. “We picked some up when we were here a month ago.”

“Excellent.” Sherla dropped a peel, revealing a juicy red interior.

Ria decided she would retrieve her dart before heading out, just in case. Laric assured her the repellers were sufficient to keep the dangerous animals away, but she’d feel better with an actual weapon. She pulled her com from her pocket. “Harvey, can you show me a vid and a brief on a local animal called a worick?”

“It would be my immense pleasure, madam,”
her com replied.

Sherla giggled. “Mara told me about Harvey. You are a clever girl, aren’t you Ria.”

Dani gave her a little push. “Clever girl. You’d make a great companion for The Doctor.”

One of Ria’s favorite TV shows on Earth was Doctor Who. “That I would.” She pulled up the holo of the worick for all to see. “That’s one nasty beastie.”

Harvey screamed like a teenage girl, and Ria nearly dropped it. “Again? What the
frack
, Harvey. Never do that again. Ever.”

“My apologies, madam. I felt it an appropriate response to the creatures in this vid.”

“Yeah, well, it’s not. Just stick to the butler persona, okay?”

“Yes, madam.”

The vid showed a pack of five woricks. Four legged, they moved like lions. Their bone structure was clearly visible underneath leathery skin. Bony-looking spikes protruded along their spines. They stood three to four feet at the shoulder, and their heads bore the shape of a chevron. The top two-thirds of their head consisted of the same bony substance as their backs. Their eyes were wide set, and the bottom third of their head was all mouth, filled with sharply pointed teeth. Four-inch claws on muscular legs made for a terrifying sight.

“They say those jaws can snap a body in half with one bite.” Sherla sunk her teeth into a slice of the fruit, red juice dripping down her chin.

Ria shivered and put Harvey away.

* * * *

It was the second night of the Summer’s Ball, and Ria was back with the others, ready for a magic-filled evening. The hike that morning had been just what they needed to get ready for another night of fun. The forest was beautiful and refreshingly cool under the cover of the evergreens.

Tonight, the women sported wings and everyone wore masks. The wings were glossy transparent creations that moved with the breeze. There was disagreement among the locals whether or not the
Swali
were real or mythical, but either way, they made fun inspiration for costumes. Women with similar winged gowns drifted and danced everywhere. The music had the same hauntingly beautiful feel as the night before, and dimly lit globes of pink, purple, green and blue hovered around the vast expanse of the museum grounds.

Ria decided that the tables Darl reserved were in a great location with easy access to food and drink, as well as dancing.

“I want you kids to make the most of this,” Darl said, slightly slurring his words. “Not everyone gets to see the glory of our Summer’s Ball.” He’d already had a fair amount to drink, and Ria suspected he wouldn’t last the night.

“He’s right you know,” Sherla chimed in. “You must start tonight with a walk to the top of the stairs of the museum. I believe you missed it last night, yes?” She pointed to the centerpiece of the vast lawns they occupied. The white-columned building was alight with multicolored floodlights adding to the fairy-tale effect.

“The porch goes all the way around,” Sherla continued, “and we are fairly near the center of the festivities. These lights”—she motioned to the hovering globes—“demarcate the extent of the ball. It’s a beautiful sight up there.”

“Gotta see that,” Ria said, getting to her feet. “You guys up for it?”

All the EPs went, even Armond who seldom appeared to enjoy himself. Rucon and Mara stayed behind with Darl and his wife.

“No peeking on the way up,” Sherla called out after them.

Armond and Ian led the way with the girls following behind. Ria managed not to look around until they reached the top. The sight took her breath away. There must have been tens of thousands of lights spanning the three-mile area, all casting a faint glow on the town.

“Wow,” Ria said.

They made their way around the building, weaving in and out of other people enjoying the sight.

“I like this view best,” Ria said, stopping where they’d come up.

Beyond the lights, the mountains rose in the distance. The ball occurred during the double full moons and the mountains glowed with an eerie light. Ria shivered even though the night was a bit on the warm side.

“I don’t know,” Dani said. “I think I might like the ocean view over the cliffs more. Look how they reflect the lights.”

Ria turned to the east. “It might be a tie.”

Ria made her way back down the steps of the museum with the others, stopping for some drinks along the way. The music now was lively and perfect for dancing.

They reached their table and Ria set down her drink. “Dani, come dance with me.” She spun in a circle and made a sweeping gesture with her arm. “We will be
Swali
together and fly to the stars.”

* * * *

With his brightly colored mask, Ty blended in with the crowds as he wove his way toward Jara’s table. The sun had set and the dual moons overhead cast their glow across the partygoers. Music, the sounds of laughter, and people talking loudly drifted through the night air. This was the first Summer’s Ball since the fall of the empire and the energy was different. There were more off-worlders than ever before, and the crowds were thick in the center of the festivities.

A couple holding hands jostled him as they made their way to the dancing area. The man took the
Swali
in his arms and kissed her deeply before they began to sway and gyrate together. Too close and too slow for the upbeat music.

Ty clenched his fists and moved on, scanning the crowd. His body tensed.

Leon Jara stood at the edge of the dancers, facing away, speaking to an older man. Jara’s posture screamed military discipline.

Reaching into his pocket Ty fingered the small, but deadly, laser. It brought no comfort. He made his way closer, heart beating faster with every step. A bead of sweat trailed down his temple. This was the man who killed his parents, old Jafferies, and Goddess only knew how many more Curzans. When he came within earshot of Leon, he stopped and listened.

“…they’re ten. Yes, this is their first ball. Very excited. The nanny has taken them back to our lodgings for the night.”

He has a family.
Ty squeezed his eyes closed.
Children.
How could he do to those kids what their father had done to him? A lifetime of pain and longing.
I can’t do this.
He flung his mask to the ground and turned to leave when someone grabbed his arm in a painful grip.

Ty stared into the eyes of the devil himself.

Leon had an iron hold on him. “I know you, boy.” He looked at Ty with absolute loathing. “What do you think you’re doing here, heh?” He leaned in and spoke into Ty’s ear so no one else could hear. “You’re on my list, did you know that? You and those Sordinas. I’m going to enjoy ridding our planet of your scum.”

Ty tried to pull away, but Leon wasn’t letting go.

“But not Bella. No, not Bella. I’m going to take my time with that one.”

Ty held the murderer’s gaze, pulled out the laser, and sliced a path from his stomach to underneath his chin.

A look of shock crossed Jara’s face before he crumpled to the ground.

* * * *

Ria flung her arms wide and let the music move her. As she approached the edge of the dance floor, a familiar buzz started from her core.
Ty.
Something was wrong. She eagerly looked around, trying to find him. When she did, she froze. “Oh, Goddess.”

“What’s wrong?” Dani followed her gaze.

“Get Ian!” Ria bolted for Jara, but it was too late.

Screams echoed through the crowd. Jara’s wife rushed to his side as Ty turned and ran.

Ria was almost on him, so she gathered her psi and slammed Ty to the ground. More people screamed and panicked as they realized what had happened.

Ria stood, feet planted apart, keeping Ty pinned with her psi. The connection made her buzz, but it was horrible and confused. Not like before. Rage and sadness and a dozen other emotions poured into her. And pleasure. It was sick.

Head on the ground, Ty hollered. The sound reverberated deep inside, and she caught her breath. She nearly let go before Ian and Armond arrived. Staggering back, she let them take over. She stood shaking as Ian pulled a band from an inside pocket of his jacket and bound Ty’s wrists.