Friends in Low Places
The vehicle rumbled through the streets of Gital Deep for almost half an arn before it came to a stop. John, D'Argo, and Chiana were helped out of the transport and led into a building. Still wearing the goggles, they were guided up stairways, one stumbling step at a time, and through several turns of passageways. Finally, they were steered into a room and ordered to stand.
"You may remove the goggles," a feminine voice instructed.
The room was simple and utilitarian. Every wall was white, causing the few pieces of brown furniture to stand out in contrast. A long table with six chairs, a mammoth desk, and a cabinet that reached from white floor to white ceiling were all that took up space in the expansive room. It made the new occupants feel insignificant.
The speaker was a solitary Kinfea female seated behind the desk. "Do you work for Cabmauri?"
"Work is a pretty broad term," John answered cautiously. He and his companions were alone with this woman. There were no visible bodyguards and so far, the only precautions she had taken involved the goggles. They had not even been disarmed. Regardless, John felt sure she held an advantage somewhere.
"Then you are hired mercenaries."
Chiana stepped forward, tilting her head at an odd angle as she slid into the gang leader role. "Who wants to know?"
"I am Vieo, Matriarch of House Alendar," she said. "Ally to the House of Cabmauri Mudest, and potentially your ally as well."
"Potentially." Chiana asked. "Depending on what?"
"You are not members of any House. No one will afford you protection or aid. Not for free. My price for assisting you may be easier compared to what anyone else would ask, since our interests coincide. I recommend you agree, considering you are currently at odds with Bonyon Daul."
Chiana ran her tongue along the inside of her teeth before flashing a confident smile at the woman. "What makes you think we are at odds with anyone?"
"You entered into an agreement with House Daul but have failed to deliver. He will take that as an affront to his reputation. It would be within his right to seek retribution." Vieo made an indifferent gesture with one dark hand. "It could result in a very uncomfortable and short existence for you and yours."
"And why do you care?" John asked.
It was clear Vieo felt it beneath her to answer the question of a minion. Her tone dipped toward sarcasm. "As I've stated before, I am an ally of Cabmauri."
"Yeah." John moved closer to Chiana, standing even with the Nebari. "And I'm guessin' that if Bonyon gets bent out of shape at us for stiffin' him, he's also gonna be a little steamed at Cabmauri."
A quizzical expression marked Vieo's face. "That would be correct," she said.
"And if Cabmauri is on Bonyon's short list, then I'm guessin' all of Cabmauri's allies are in the hot seat as well. Including," John smiled. "You."
Vieo's head moved from John, to Chiana, and back again. "Yes."
"So. It would be in everyone's best interest if we worked together. As equals."
The Kinfea did not wish to give up the position of power. It was obvious by her hesitation. "Very well." She reluctantly responded. She looked again at Chiana questioningly, trying to determine whom to acknowledge now as leader.
Chiana grinned as John stepped back beside D'Argo. "Not just another pretty face, is he? So, let's talk business."
***
Food and drink were brought in. None of it seemed particularly appetizing to John but he had learned long ago not to think too hard about what he ate. Especially considering how easily he could find himself with nothing at all. Whatever filled his cup was good however and made up for the food's lack of taste.
They sat at the table like old comrades while Vieo talked. "The trade of Mabry Crystals has grown significantly over the last few cycles. House Mudest has seen great wealth because of it, but I fear he will not be able to hold onto that dynasty for long."
D'Argo pushed away his plate of uneaten food. "Cabmauri does not appear to be a wealthy or influential man."
Vieo inclined one shoulder. "Several of his shipments have been stolen, just as the one you were transporting. It has been a long time since he has made a profit. His name is beginning to suffer for it. If he loses his reputation, someone else will be able to step into Cabmauri's position and none of the Houses will object. Or stop it."
"Not even his allies?" Chiana asked.
"Without his reputation, Cabmauri will have no allies. The Houses that back him now will suffer by association."
"Sounds to me like his friends should be trying to find out who's ripping him off." John reached for a metallic pitcher and refilled his glass.
"That is where I hope you will be able to assist us."
"The other leg hits the floor," D'Argo muttered, glancing across the table to John.
"Shoe. The other shoe," John corrected before turning his attention to Vieo. "What do you think we can do that you and all your resources can't?"
"As long as a House is successful and reputable, none can interfere with their trade or hinder their profit. Moving in on another's trade is only allowable upon failure. The Houses cannot act openly against each other. To do so would start an open war between one set of allies and another." Vieo rose from her chair. "Already, we are divided by accusations and rumors. Houses are choosing sides and taking up weapons against each other. We have suffered deaths."
"You think it's another House stealing from Cabmauri?" Chiana shifted in her chair as she reached to pick a few bits of food from her plate. D'Argo grimaced in repulsion as the Nebari popped the morsels in her mouth.
"We suspect, but are unable to prove. Without proof, we cannot accuse. Cabmauri's allies would rather fight then be shamed."
"Who is it you suspect?" John asked.
"The only source of Mabry Crystals in all of Kinfea Prime is House Mudest. Bonyon Daul," Vieo added with a knowing grin," is Cabmauri's only customer."
"So you think our pal Bon-Bon is trying to cut out the middle man. Maybe take over as sole distributor."
"That is what we believe, yes. We are hoping you will be able to get us proof of this. As mercenaries, you will be able to move and operate without incriminating us."
"And just what makes you think we are going to help you or Cabmauri?" D'Argo demanded.
"House Daul may already consider you a liability. One which would serve him well to dispose of."
Chiana grinned, rolling her head to the side as she peered down the table. "Sounds like a good reason to me."
"And there's still the small problem of getting Jool back," John muttered under his breath. Speaking louder, he looked at Vieo. "Alright. We'll check it out. But there's no guarantee we're gonna find anything."
"That is all I ask." She walked to her desk and pushed a button. Within microts, the door opened and a pair of guards stepped in. "They will show you outside"
John rose from his chair and joined D'Argo and Chiana. He eyed the guards. "What, no goggles this time?"
Vieo smiled benevolently. "We are allies now. I have no reason to fear your knowing the location of my House."
"Trusting sort, aren't they?" Chiana mumbled loud enough so only her companions would hear her.
"Honor among thieves and all," John replied as they followed the guards through a maze of corridors and stairwells.
Chiana laughed, shaking her head. "There is no such thing."
More guards watched the entrance, protecting the families who worked and dwelt inside the compound. The crew of Moya waited as locks were disengaged so they would be allowed to leave. John could not help but feel relief when they finally emerged. He had spent enough time on the wrong side of locked doors to appreciate the chance to walk away freely at the end of an encounter with strangers.
D'Argo took the opportunity to glare resentfully at John. "You promised this was going to be a simple task."
"See, I told you we should have just forgotten about the Princess all along."
John did not get an opportunity to defend himself or his actions. The compound of House Alendar erupted in a maelstrom of fire, brick, and glass. He was thrown off his feet by the concussion of the explosion, tossed down the street like a newspaper on a windy day. For a moment, he caught a glimpse of D'Argo buffered by falling stone and thought he heard Chiana scream.
Then everything went black.
***
"After everything that you have experienced, I am still astonished by your naivety."
John was reasonably sure he wasn't dead. He rolled over onto his side, bracing a hand against the ground. His fingers touched something soft, like the cushion of a sleeping bag. Opening his eyes, he forced them to focus on his surroundings. It was too dark to see much outside the shape of a rough chamber the size of his mother's linen closet. Dim light filtered through a curtain hung over the doorway. The room was empty except him and the blankets he lay on.
And the Scorpius clone.
"Can't tell you how happy it makes me to know I can still surprise you, Harv. Means you haven't completely picked my brains clean yet." John started to prop himself up, but pain shot through his head. Grimacing, he decided to wait just a little longer before moving. It would give him time to see if anything else hurt.
"Astonished, John. But not entirely surprised. I wonder if it is a Human fallacy or a personal trait that insists deep down all creatures are inherently good."
All his fingers and toes were still attached. Nothing broken. No pools of blood or strange mucus. In fact, he had felt worse after a game of backyard football on Thanksgiving. Well, except for the concussion. "Maybe I am dead," he reasoned.
"No," Harvey responded dryly. "You are not dead. This time, you were the lucky one."
Carefully, John picked himself up off the floor and reached out a steadying hand to the wall. It felt cold against his palm. Sturdy and reassuring, but it made him miss the warm hum of Moya's bulkheads. "Human fallacy. No one wants to believe the Devil is real." He lifted his gaze toward the clone and almost smiled.
"You are limited by your definitions of good and evil."
"Dunno about that. Had you pegged right off." He lowered his hand and tested his balance, wobbling slightly. The headache retreated to a throbbing, but tolerable, ache. "Hold up a sec. What do you mean I was the lucky one?"
Harvey turned his head toward the doorway but said nothing. It was enough to make John's heart plummet to his feet. He brushed past the hallucinatory Scorpius and into the next room.
It was of similar design to the chamber John had woken in, but larger. There was not a single window in the course stone walls. A door made of unidentifiable material created a barrier between this place and the world outside. Light was provided by fuel burning lamps suspended from the low ceiling. There was no furniture and no sign that anyone lived here on a regular basis.
He was immediately confronted by D'Argo's back as the Luxan bent over a pale and still figure on a floor mat. A second individual, a Kinfea male John had never seen before, knelt nearby holding a bowl of blue stained water. Neither of them appeared aware of the Human's entrance.
"I can not stop the bleeding," he heard D'Argo say and his stomach twisted in cold knots. As John drew closer, his gaze fixated on the sight of Nebari blood. A shard of glass, easily the size of D'Argo's hand, lay discarded on the ground. Liquid blue, irrationally reminding him of mouthwash, dripped off the opaque fragment and oozed in rivulets from a hole in Chiana's bodice.
John dropped to his knees beside the Luxan. There was no way the girl could bleed this much and still live. "Oh, god," he whispered.
The vehicle rumbled through the streets of Gital Deep for almost half an arn before it came to a stop. John, D'Argo, and Chiana were helped out of the transport and led into a building. Still wearing the goggles, they were guided up stairways, one stumbling step at a time, and through several turns of passageways. Finally, they were steered into a room and ordered to stand.
"You may remove the goggles," a feminine voice instructed.
The room was simple and utilitarian. Every wall was white, causing the few pieces of brown furniture to stand out in contrast. A long table with six chairs, a mammoth desk, and a cabinet that reached from white floor to white ceiling were all that took up space in the expansive room. It made the new occupants feel insignificant.
The speaker was a solitary Kinfea female seated behind the desk. "Do you work for Cabmauri?"
"Work is a pretty broad term," John answered cautiously. He and his companions were alone with this woman. There were no visible bodyguards and so far, the only precautions she had taken involved the goggles. They had not even been disarmed. Regardless, John felt sure she held an advantage somewhere.
"Then you are hired mercenaries."
Chiana stepped forward, tilting her head at an odd angle as she slid into the gang leader role. "Who wants to know?"
"I am Vieo, Matriarch of House Alendar," she said. "Ally to the House of Cabmauri Mudest, and potentially your ally as well."
"Potentially." Chiana asked. "Depending on what?"
"You are not members of any House. No one will afford you protection or aid. Not for free. My price for assisting you may be easier compared to what anyone else would ask, since our interests coincide. I recommend you agree, considering you are currently at odds with Bonyon Daul."
Chiana ran her tongue along the inside of her teeth before flashing a confident smile at the woman. "What makes you think we are at odds with anyone?"
"You entered into an agreement with House Daul but have failed to deliver. He will take that as an affront to his reputation. It would be within his right to seek retribution." Vieo made an indifferent gesture with one dark hand. "It could result in a very uncomfortable and short existence for you and yours."
"And why do you care?" John asked.
It was clear Vieo felt it beneath her to answer the question of a minion. Her tone dipped toward sarcasm. "As I've stated before, I am an ally of Cabmauri."
"Yeah." John moved closer to Chiana, standing even with the Nebari. "And I'm guessin' that if Bonyon gets bent out of shape at us for stiffin' him, he's also gonna be a little steamed at Cabmauri."
A quizzical expression marked Vieo's face. "That would be correct," she said.
"And if Cabmauri is on Bonyon's short list, then I'm guessin' all of Cabmauri's allies are in the hot seat as well. Including," John smiled. "You."
Vieo's head moved from John, to Chiana, and back again. "Yes."
"So. It would be in everyone's best interest if we worked together. As equals."
The Kinfea did not wish to give up the position of power. It was obvious by her hesitation. "Very well." She reluctantly responded. She looked again at Chiana questioningly, trying to determine whom to acknowledge now as leader.
Chiana grinned as John stepped back beside D'Argo. "Not just another pretty face, is he? So, let's talk business."
***
Food and drink were brought in. None of it seemed particularly appetizing to John but he had learned long ago not to think too hard about what he ate. Especially considering how easily he could find himself with nothing at all. Whatever filled his cup was good however and made up for the food's lack of taste.
They sat at the table like old comrades while Vieo talked. "The trade of Mabry Crystals has grown significantly over the last few cycles. House Mudest has seen great wealth because of it, but I fear he will not be able to hold onto that dynasty for long."
D'Argo pushed away his plate of uneaten food. "Cabmauri does not appear to be a wealthy or influential man."
Vieo inclined one shoulder. "Several of his shipments have been stolen, just as the one you were transporting. It has been a long time since he has made a profit. His name is beginning to suffer for it. If he loses his reputation, someone else will be able to step into Cabmauri's position and none of the Houses will object. Or stop it."
"Not even his allies?" Chiana asked.
"Without his reputation, Cabmauri will have no allies. The Houses that back him now will suffer by association."
"Sounds to me like his friends should be trying to find out who's ripping him off." John reached for a metallic pitcher and refilled his glass.
"That is where I hope you will be able to assist us."
"The other leg hits the floor," D'Argo muttered, glancing across the table to John.
"Shoe. The other shoe," John corrected before turning his attention to Vieo. "What do you think we can do that you and all your resources can't?"
"As long as a House is successful and reputable, none can interfere with their trade or hinder their profit. Moving in on another's trade is only allowable upon failure. The Houses cannot act openly against each other. To do so would start an open war between one set of allies and another." Vieo rose from her chair. "Already, we are divided by accusations and rumors. Houses are choosing sides and taking up weapons against each other. We have suffered deaths."
"You think it's another House stealing from Cabmauri?" Chiana shifted in her chair as she reached to pick a few bits of food from her plate. D'Argo grimaced in repulsion as the Nebari popped the morsels in her mouth.
"We suspect, but are unable to prove. Without proof, we cannot accuse. Cabmauri's allies would rather fight then be shamed."
"Who is it you suspect?" John asked.
"The only source of Mabry Crystals in all of Kinfea Prime is House Mudest. Bonyon Daul," Vieo added with a knowing grin," is Cabmauri's only customer."
"So you think our pal Bon-Bon is trying to cut out the middle man. Maybe take over as sole distributor."
"That is what we believe, yes. We are hoping you will be able to get us proof of this. As mercenaries, you will be able to move and operate without incriminating us."
"And just what makes you think we are going to help you or Cabmauri?" D'Argo demanded.
"House Daul may already consider you a liability. One which would serve him well to dispose of."
Chiana grinned, rolling her head to the side as she peered down the table. "Sounds like a good reason to me."
"And there's still the small problem of getting Jool back," John muttered under his breath. Speaking louder, he looked at Vieo. "Alright. We'll check it out. But there's no guarantee we're gonna find anything."
"That is all I ask." She walked to her desk and pushed a button. Within microts, the door opened and a pair of guards stepped in. "They will show you outside"
John rose from his chair and joined D'Argo and Chiana. He eyed the guards. "What, no goggles this time?"
Vieo smiled benevolently. "We are allies now. I have no reason to fear your knowing the location of my House."
"Trusting sort, aren't they?" Chiana mumbled loud enough so only her companions would hear her.
"Honor among thieves and all," John replied as they followed the guards through a maze of corridors and stairwells.
Chiana laughed, shaking her head. "There is no such thing."
More guards watched the entrance, protecting the families who worked and dwelt inside the compound. The crew of Moya waited as locks were disengaged so they would be allowed to leave. John could not help but feel relief when they finally emerged. He had spent enough time on the wrong side of locked doors to appreciate the chance to walk away freely at the end of an encounter with strangers.
D'Argo took the opportunity to glare resentfully at John. "You promised this was going to be a simple task."
"See, I told you we should have just forgotten about the Princess all along."
John did not get an opportunity to defend himself or his actions. The compound of House Alendar erupted in a maelstrom of fire, brick, and glass. He was thrown off his feet by the concussion of the explosion, tossed down the street like a newspaper on a windy day. For a moment, he caught a glimpse of D'Argo buffered by falling stone and thought he heard Chiana scream.
Then everything went black.
***
"After everything that you have experienced, I am still astonished by your naivety."
John was reasonably sure he wasn't dead. He rolled over onto his side, bracing a hand against the ground. His fingers touched something soft, like the cushion of a sleeping bag. Opening his eyes, he forced them to focus on his surroundings. It was too dark to see much outside the shape of a rough chamber the size of his mother's linen closet. Dim light filtered through a curtain hung over the doorway. The room was empty except him and the blankets he lay on.
And the Scorpius clone.
"Can't tell you how happy it makes me to know I can still surprise you, Harv. Means you haven't completely picked my brains clean yet." John started to prop himself up, but pain shot through his head. Grimacing, he decided to wait just a little longer before moving. It would give him time to see if anything else hurt.
"Astonished, John. But not entirely surprised. I wonder if it is a Human fallacy or a personal trait that insists deep down all creatures are inherently good."
All his fingers and toes were still attached. Nothing broken. No pools of blood or strange mucus. In fact, he had felt worse after a game of backyard football on Thanksgiving. Well, except for the concussion. "Maybe I am dead," he reasoned.
"No," Harvey responded dryly. "You are not dead. This time, you were the lucky one."
Carefully, John picked himself up off the floor and reached out a steadying hand to the wall. It felt cold against his palm. Sturdy and reassuring, but it made him miss the warm hum of Moya's bulkheads. "Human fallacy. No one wants to believe the Devil is real." He lifted his gaze toward the clone and almost smiled.
"You are limited by your definitions of good and evil."
"Dunno about that. Had you pegged right off." He lowered his hand and tested his balance, wobbling slightly. The headache retreated to a throbbing, but tolerable, ache. "Hold up a sec. What do you mean I was the lucky one?"
Harvey turned his head toward the doorway but said nothing. It was enough to make John's heart plummet to his feet. He brushed past the hallucinatory Scorpius and into the next room.
It was of similar design to the chamber John had woken in, but larger. There was not a single window in the course stone walls. A door made of unidentifiable material created a barrier between this place and the world outside. Light was provided by fuel burning lamps suspended from the low ceiling. There was no furniture and no sign that anyone lived here on a regular basis.
He was immediately confronted by D'Argo's back as the Luxan bent over a pale and still figure on a floor mat. A second individual, a Kinfea male John had never seen before, knelt nearby holding a bowl of blue stained water. Neither of them appeared aware of the Human's entrance.
"I can not stop the bleeding," he heard D'Argo say and his stomach twisted in cold knots. As John drew closer, his gaze fixated on the sight of Nebari blood. A shard of glass, easily the size of D'Argo's hand, lay discarded on the ground. Liquid blue, irrationally reminding him of mouthwash, dripped off the opaque fragment and oozed in rivulets from a hole in Chiana's bodice.
John dropped to his knees beside the Luxan. There was no way the girl could bleed this much and still live. "Oh, god," he whispered.