Winter Dread, page 10
“113,” I said. “You?”
He glanced at me. “I’m level 82, and kenosi of 164.”
“Nice,” I said. “I look forward to getting to know you better.”
“I’m not here to be friends, Kyle,” he said. “I wanted to meet you before anyone else so I could warn you. There’s a lot of animosity towards your guys.”
“I know,” I replied. “I’m not surprised. I know we don’t need to be friends. I want to earn respect and trust, nothing else.”
He stopped walking. “That’s our mech hangar over there.” He pointed to the large building in the distance. “I know you’ll want to see it, but I want to also warn you there. Ohara’s told us all, you’re heading for lead. At the moment that’s been my position.”
I knew he was still weighing me up. “You will lead,” I said. “Until you believe I am ready to take it.”
He held my gaze. “Good answer, you have a lot to learn here.”
I looked back to the hangar. “I know it. Will you help me?”
I saw from the corner of my eye that he swallowed, and his lip twitched. “Help is a very different term to many. I will do my job. That good enough?”
I have been able to access some other things, Asht said inside my mind. I will speak with you shortly.
I tried not to be worried. But I was.
Edward glanced back towards my hangar. “I’ll catch you tomorrow, Kyle.”
I nodded, and then I watched him leave. I was out on my own and heading back in seconds.
That didn’t stop the blow to the back of my head. I whirled around to face the oncoming attack. Two guys, one much larger than I was, hidden faces and short staff weapons.
Taking on two wasn’t something I would let faze me. If this really was how they were going to play it out here, right now, then I’d make sure I was gonna go down fighting.
Level sixty-four, to their whatever. My kenosi wouldn’t back down either.
I tried to draw from within though, and there was nothing. One of the men laughed at me. “Think that’s going to work here? The area’s blocked. Some of the most powerful people and tech make sure we can’t hurt each other like this.”
This was gonna hurt the old-fashioned way then and was why they’d brought weapons. So be it. I quickly thought a message to Tyto.
Me - I’ve been jumped. Can’t use full defence.
Tyto - Where are you?
Me - Back of the bunkers, not that far. Don’t move. I have to do this.
Tyto - Don’t be stupid.
Me - If you come to my rescue, then I’ll look weaker. I need to see what they’ve got.
Taking a deep breath and relaxing my muscles, I cut Tyto off. These men came for me, I was going to show them what I could do.
They looked me up and down before tag teaming me with fierce blows I barely evaded.
Twisting, I wrestled the staff from the smaller guy. I turned it and swung, smashing it into his face.
A crack to my knee drew my attention to his partner, almost laying me out. I raised the staff to defend from a second blow.
The smaller guy pushed me, and my footing slipped. His partner landed a blow across my ribcage. The pain knocked the wind from me, but Xe helped me stay on my feet.
I pulled back a bit and assessed. I needed to focus on one of them and level the odds before this went much further. Blood gushed from the smaller man’s nose, darkening his mask. If I could take him out, I might be able to handle his partner from there. I slammed the staff against his wrist as hard as I could. I was rewarded with a scream of pain and him clutching the probably broken limb as he went down like a brick.
I was too slow. His partner slammed me across the back with his staff, making something crack. I pushed the pain aside and turned to fight. A fist caught me in the jaw. The world spun. It took everything I had to stay upright.
Asht was hurting as much as I was while Xe scrambled to fix us up. But it was no use.
Another hit and another rained on me, and I sank to my knees. I’d held my own, but they’d definitely won.
I sent off another quick message to Tyto.
Me - I’ll be back soon. No healing.
Then subsequently I passed out. Not for long though, and when I woke, I pushed myself off the ground to stand. I wasn’t expecting a rescue by any means, nor would I let anyone know where I was, although they’d been asking for the last full minute trying their best to track me through the new tech in the bunks.
Asht had answered them for me.
Asht - We are okay. We will be back in the bunks soon. Stay where you are.
It was actually pretty forceful of him.
The reply from Tyto though was on point for him and I’d expect nothing else.
Tyto - They’re gonna fucking pay for this.
I knew they were watching. I pushed myself up, feeling the break in my ribs. With my kenosi not working, I’d nothing to heal them other than my nites. I didn’t want to, anyway. Pain was good. Pain meant I was still alive. I straightened my back, felt the breath hitch in my throat.
You are not bleeding into your lungs. It’s a clean break, Xe said.
Thanks. Keep doing what you can, Xe. Thank you.
We are. Kyle . . . She hesitated. Don’t be stupid. If you can heal, do it.
No, I said.
I hobbled off, the pain in my leg almost as bad as my lungs.
The door opened as I approached, and Tyto stepped out. When he came to me about trying a heal, I held my hand up. “No, let these fuckers know I’m no pushover.”
Tyto stepped back, allowing me into our quarters. I hobbled through, past the bunks, to the concern of my team. But I pushed through and sat down on one of the bunks.
“Dinner’s ongoing. Want us to bring you something back?”
“No, give me a few minutes. I’ll be okay.”
I glanced to my notifications. I’d really taken a beating.
FOR GIVING BACK AS MUCH AS YOU GOT, YOU LEVELLED UP - LEVEL 61
It seemed so insignificant now, but out there I struggled with moving. Simple hand-to-hand combat was suffering with my Dexterity being so low. I needed to concentrate on that, those quick points I was awarded. As much as I should bump my stats to grow my personal level, this had to take a push upwards or it would be left way behind.
Five stat points, and then the two quick points. It didn’t affect my other stats moving at all. But at least it now sat at:
Dexterity – 112
It was much more in line with the others now.
Tyto pulled up a chair and sat before me. He reached forward and tapped my forehead. “Let me see.”
I pulled forwards a 3D image for him to see, detailing my injuries. “Cracked tibia, two broken ribs, bruising internally, and some facial fractures from the guy’s fist. I’m more than sure when I used his staff and smashed it into his face, I broke his nose and more.”
“It’s going to take a while to heal those with Xe running full pelt,” Tyto said.
“Yeah. Sorry, Xe,” I said aloud.
We’re going to need some extra bits. But you’ll be able to pick those up, hopefully at dinner.
Naylar popped her head through. “We’re going to eat.” She winced on seeing my face. “Are you coming?”
“Yes,” I said. “They’re not going to see me be anything I’m not. I’m coming.”
You should be able to walk better. We concentrated on the leg, movement important. The rest we can get to work on when you’re fed.
I flicked the image away and stood, at least until the leg flexed okay and I could step on it. Tentatively, I tested it a little further.
“Good?” Tyto asked.
“Yeah, I’ll manage,” I croaked. “I’ll follow you though.”
“Face is bruising well,” he said.
“I’m sure theirs is just the same.”
Tyto laughed. “Brilliant.”
I followed him, holding my head high, right back across from where I’d stumbled from earlier. There were people around, and I got the odd look. There were murmurs from them, some concern, others wondered why I hadn’t healed myself.
The canteen hall and then into the canteen itself was full, many different species, denti, and others. I could hear several languages, and though Asht was translating, they were just talking, nothing special.
I let Tyto pick a tray up for me and place it on the rack. The queue moved pretty quick and walking through it wasn’t hard. The smell of food made me feel better, though my ribs stabbed at me with every breath.
My teams had settled on one side of the room, eating and chatting. After putting as much as humanly possible onto my plate and picking out two sets of desert and drinks, the person behind gave me a concerned look. “You need everything on your plate, kid. I’ll add a discount so you can still get breakfast in the morning with your credits.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“You need me to report it?” he offered, tapping in my dinner’s numbers, checking it against Tyto’s.
“No,” I replied with a smile. “I’m good.”
Tyto offered to carry mine, and we swapped. “Don’t want you dropping this little load. You need it.”
He deftly managed to carry both over to where our teams sat, and I joined them. Listening in as I ate.
I noticed Edward from the other side of the room as he then began to make his way over to us. I think Tyto would have done something if I hadn’t slapped his foot with mine under the table. He glanced at me, and I held his stare with mine.
He sat next to Tyto, and I knew it was taking every bit of his resolve for him not to say anything.
“What happened?” Edward asked, flicking his hand towards my face.
I held his eyes with mine. “You lured me out, I was jumped. That much is pretty obvious.”
“I didn’t have anything to do with that,” he said, his head cocked as if getting a better look at my growing bruise.
Tyto almost choked on his food, and I glared at him.
I nodded back at Edward. “I can see that.”
“You want me to find out who it was?” Edwards asked.
I shook my head and stabbed some of my dinner. “No, they got a good taste of what I’m capable of.”
“I can take you to the healer. We’ve got practice first thing tomorrow. I need you fit.”
Tyto was agreeing with him then, nodding along. “Kenosi is blocked, soon learned that.”
“Yes. We’re not allowed to use it anywhere bar the training spaces. We’ve several indoor and outdoor arenas—that’s the only places.”
I listened to him. It made sense. With a grudge against me from many others, I looked around the room to others, who quickly looked away. “My nites are on it. I’ll be okay by tomorrow.”
“They’re not going to hold back in combat,” Edward said.
“I don’t want them to,” I replied and pulled out the pudding to eat. It was no way as good as Latife’s, but it still tasted divine enough for me and was loaded with lots of goodies Xe needed. I hoped it was enough.
“Okay,” Edward said.
“I appreciate the warnings, I do,” I said. “Rest assured the person that organised that hit on me will get theirs.”
“I’ve not seen anyone missing,” Edward said. “Did you defend well?”
“That’s a loaded question.” I grinned. “If you’re meaning ‘did I injure them’, then yes. But I’ve seen no one with any damage.”
“No.” Edward looked around, scanning faces in the crowd. “That’s what’s concerning me, if you did.”
“I broke a nose, gonna be some facial fractures and broken arm at the least.”
“Then they’ve got a rogue healer.”
“I thought you couldn’t use kenosi here?”
“There are a few places they can go, but they’re training grounds, and monitored. If you go to one of those you likely owe someone big time, and that would mean they’re on the inside. I’m not sure I’d want any of them on my team.”
That made sense. I spooned in more of the food, feeling less than satisfied at the feeling. There were fewer minerals and vitamins than I needed. Just going to take me longer, Kyle. I’m sorry.
Don’t be, I said. We’ll get the rest from breakfast.
Edward put his hand down flat on the table, and I could see the detail of a tattoo poking out from his sleeve. “I don’t want rogues on any of my teams.” When he looked at Tyto, he added, “Your concern is noted, and I will not stand for any of it, even if Kyle doesn’t want to know who did this. I do.”
“If I can help, I will,” Tyto answered.
Edward pushed himself up, about to walk away. “Your reputations already precede you both. First training will not be easy on any of you. Be prepared.”
We all watched him leave and walk back towards the others he’d been sat with.
“What do you think?” I asked him.
“He’s right to be concerned. Whoever took that pop at you was sending a warning, but it was a warning to him as well. He’s got a lot of issues within his teams if they’re going to those lengths and against the rules.”
“Correct,” I said. “Dissent in any ranks hurts everyone.”
It took me a while to finish my own food. Tyto was long fed and watered, and the others had made their way back to the bunks to rest for the night. As it had been pointed out to us a few times, Tyto, Dylan, and Hiroto stayed with me. Our conversation turned from lighter subjects to the more pressing. Aware we were probably outstaying our welcome, I finally pushed my tray away and finished my drink.
Dylan was the one who picked it up along with his own, then took it to the wash. I smiled at Hiroto, though my lip cracked and then stung.
“You’re stubborn, and I don’t agree with your logic, but you always have a plan.” Hiroto pulled out a tissue from his pocket, then wet it. He leaned over and dabbed at the side of my face.
“He’s not showing any weakness,” Tyto said. “That’s what they’re looking for, a tattletale. They want to exploit anything they can, and if you’d gone to the base’s healers, there would have been an investigation. It might have stalled training. They were banking on it. It does put us at a great disadvantage tomorrow though.”
“It won’t affect us tomorrow; I promise you that. They can throw anything they want our way. We’ll rise above it.”
11
The night wasn’t easy for me. Every time I turned, I hurt. Every breath stabbed through me. My bunk was not providing much in regard to comfort or warmth. It was dang cold in here.
You’re in shock, Asht said. I’m sorry. We’re doing everything we can.
I heard someone moving around. Then they sat on the edge of my bed, their added weight putting a strain on everything that hurt.
“Lie back,” the voice said.
I croaked out a rather weak, “Hiro?”
“It’s much easier to hack their system than they even know. Took me a little longer in this body than I thought it might, but I still did.”
“You’re a legend.”
I lay back down, and he put a hand on my bare chest.
“They won’t know anything, will they?”
“They won’t have a clue. I believe this might be the way the others got around it too. I imagine tomorrow out in the field I’ll spot them before anyone else.”
“Just enough so I can sleep, okay? I want the pain to be real.”
“I know. I know you well enough to push where I need. I’m just going to give Xe the easier options.”
I felt the kenosi entering me, though it was barely detectable. “Good job. I trust you,” I said, closing my eyes, leaving him to a chuckle.
“You have no idea the things I could have done to you, my friend.”
I laughed, but it hurt. So I stopped myself. Then there was nothing. The lulling of real sleep started to take me, and I went with it.
I woke to the rustles of everyone else around the room, feeling much better than through the night. The others were up and about, and I made my way up and out to the showers. Tyto followed me. It was his attention as I stripped that I shied from. He stepped towards me, and I didn’t move. Gently, a finger reached out and traced the side of my back. “Fucking did a right number on you. If I’d been there!”
I stepped away from him to the water flow. “They’d have done the same to you too, and as a team we’d be worse off.”
Tyto soaped up and was quick. I took my time, noting the deep, dark colour to my ribs, and the back of my leg.
When I went to wash my hair and then rinsed off myself, I moved to look at the mirror and get a better look at the damage to my face. It didn’t matter how many times I saw the denti bodies. Their eyes. I was fascinated every single time. The deep soul inside was obvious to see as kenosi flickered around my irises. Thank you, Asht said. I don’t think anyone has looked at us the way you do.
That upsets you?
No, I am thankful you aren’t like anyone else. You see me.
I hope we all have many more partnerships like this, I said.
I ran my finger down the side of my face. Felt the deep pain it endured, and the relief Hiroto gave me last night. This morning’s training would be very interesting.
I looked around the room as I stepped into it, clothed and at least refreshed. Los and Naylar cringed as I looked around to them all. “I don’t have a lot to say. Let’s go out there, show them we’re stronger than they think. Don’t let them see you struggle, no matter how much pain you’re in. Understood?”
“Yes, sir!” came their chorus.
“Then let’s go see the mechs that are going to change our lives.”
I moved to walk through their ranks, making sure to meet their eyes as I did so. They might see the bruising and the slight limp still, but they would see nothing but determination and strength coming from me here.
We walked out and towards the mech hangars. I knew where we were to meet, and I could see Ohara and Lance standing waiting to greet us.
I stepped up to her, leaving the others stood behind us. She reached out, grasped my chin. “Who did this?”
