Descendant Machine by Gareth L. Powell

Author:Gareth L. Powell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags:  
Publisher: Titan

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

ALLERGIC-TO-SEAFOOD

NICOLA MAFALDA

Still speaking in excellent Jzatian, the creature introduced themself as Allergic-to-Seafood, a Bridger of the Silent Dark from the Clan of the Bountiful Shores.

“In my culture, it is traditional when you enter adulthood to name yourself for your greatest weakness, thereby claiming it and robbing it of its shame. For instance, we have among our crew individuals bearing the names Drowning-Phobia, Never-Fully-Committed and Dependent-on-Alcohol. Thanks to the counselling of the Rav’nah Abelisk, that last one I mentioned has remained sober for over a year now. We are all very proud of them.”

Kona asked, “Is Bridger of the Silent Dark your rank?”

“Indeed. I guide my people’s ships through the fury and turbulence of the Under Realm.”

“You’re a navigator?”

“I am.” They turned to look at the ship under repair. “And if we can get our vessel repaired, I will be the one to conduct it away from this ancient place, in search of our home.”

I asked them, “Have you been here long?”

“Eleven revolutions of the Celestial Heavens, as seen from the Cliff Temple above our beach.”

“So, quite a while?”

“Around a tenth of my expected lifespan.”

“Sheesh.”

“Can you help us?” They moved their head, fixing first the envoy and then me with all four of their shiny marble-like eyes.

“We’ve come to see the Abelisk,” I said. “He’s in danger, and so are we. But if we can get him to safety, we’ll send another ship to pick you up.”

“You swear?”

I glanced at the envoy, and he nodded.

“Alternatively, I carry a number of printers,” he said. “And it may be possible to fabricate any missing components you need in order to render this vessel flightworthy.”

Allergic flailed their tentacles. “That is such good news!”

“I wouldn’t celebrate yet,” Cerise cut in. “We still have four squads of Jzat marines that are intent on slaughtering us.”

The tentacles froze. “Are you enemies of the Jzat?”

“We are not.” Kona stepped forward with all four arms held out to his sides in a gesture of transparency. “But a dangerous faction has arisen among my people, and I am afraid that faction may wish to cause the Abelisk harm—or worse. And so, I am here to offer what protection I can.”

“I see.” The creature seemed to mull this over. “And yet, there are only four of you. I do not see you being able to each defeat an entire squad of marines.”

Cerise muttered, “No shit.”

I ignored her. “That’s why we need your help,” I told Allergic. “They don’t know where the Abelisk is. If you can show us how to find him, we might get enough of a head start to avoid a fight altogether.”

“Do you want to see him right now?” Allergic asked.

“That would be good,” I told them. “Time being of the fucking essence and everything.”

“Then you had better follow me.” Allergic tipped forwards onto their tentacles. They scuttled away like a giant beetle, and we hurried to keep up.

“Is it far?” Kona asked.

“Around two days’ walk,” the creature replied. The movement of their tentacles against the deck

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