Of Exiles and Pirates by Aleks Canard

Author:Aleks Canard [Canard, Aleks]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780244679316
Publisher: Aleks Canard
Published: 2018-04-18T22:00:00+00:00

Accord Gone Awry

1

Sif roused Trix.

The shuttle was five minutes from the Transfer. Trix put her armour on and climbed into the pilot’s seat. Set her course for the Azure Zone. It was roughly 28 minutes to Hariyfir.

‘I hope you know what you’re doing,’ Sif said.

‘Hmm.’

‘Noctius Saberil isn’t like Nadira Vega. You two aren’t exactly friends.’

‘We’re not enemies either.’

‘Why can’t you just work for Ren Gerdac without seeing what the Ice Exiles have on offer?’

‘Because Gerdac’s a pirate. And I think he’s cleverer than he acts.’

‘But he doesn’t act the fool.’

‘No. If you act the fool, it’s only fools you’ll deceive. I think he’s using Luc Reno’s philosophy. He’s not showing all his cards. I want to hear the Ice Exiles’ side of the story.’

‘And what makes you think they’ll tell you?’

‘It’s all a matter of leverage.’

‘I know. You don’t have any.’

‘I have Ren’s plan.’

‘Ren hasn’t given you any direct orders that we have on file. They could think you’re bluffing.’

‘Perhaps. The Dread Phantoms and the Ice Exiles are no saints. Ren said he was leaving piracy once he took out the Exiles, but his plans with Luc are long term.’

‘Are you feeling alright?’

‘Why wouldn’t I be?’

‘You’re getting far more involved than usual. This time you don’t have to. I know you want to do right by the Oni Three, but that doesn’t mean you have to see Noctius.’

Trix said nothing. Sif was right. She hated involvement. But she had a hunch. Had to see it through.

The ship arrived at Hariyfir around 3:00am Australian time. Griff would still be working on the Fox unless he’d fallen asleep.

Hariyfir looked like a stained-glass marble. Its oceans were diverse shades of blue. Its continents were small. Mostly archipelagos. They were lush with tropical greenery, save for the poles. Ice caps like Earth’s kept the poles cool year-round.

Yujius was Hariyfir’s capital city. It was a submerged metropolis that partially stretched above water. This was so ships could dock on its tower. Then their occupants could take an elevator directly into the city’s heart.

Psygotas had evolved from sea dwelling mammals. Eventually they became something that resembled mermaids in Earthen stories, only their entire bodies were mixtures of fish-like scales, and skin comparable to Earthen dolphins. Slowly, their tails turned into split fins, then into legs. From there they journeyed onto land. Psygotas quickly discovered that they couldn’t survive outside water for more than thirty minutes, but they couldn’t expand their civilisation too much underwater. Building beneath the ocean was difficult with primitive technology.

Trix descended into the atmosphere. Compared to the Fox, her shuttle handled like the Riven Star Cannon she’d driven on Noccril with Yvach and Dai.

She came in on the colossal tower that was close to kissing the stars. Smaller vehicles were only permitted to dock on the upper levels. Larger ships occupied the lower levels.

Trix found a spot and docked the shuttle. Checked she’d left nothing behind then exited out the cargo bay. She didn’t know how long she’d be staying. Bought a two-day pass for 250 orits.

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