Read Online Aliomenti Saga 6: Stark Cataclysm by Alex Albrinck - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Alex Albrinck
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lucky. I’m not lucky. I’m cursed.”
Sarah frowned. “I don’t think you’re cursed. I think you’re the perfect manifestation of your parents love for each other. What better way to memorialize a love that’s lasted over a thousand years than one with such power… and the strength of character to refrain from using it for improper purposes?”
He’d never thought of it that way. “I suppose that makes sense.” He paused. “So you elected not to develop Energy skills, then. What… if you don’t mind my asking… what does an Alliance member do if they make that choice? It seems everything we do, in the Cavern and Outside, requires Energy.”
“Or immortality,” she noted. “I did take the ambrosia, after giving them my blood sample for storage. My mom had surgery a few years after I joined up; one of the Alliance worked there and was able to scrape up a sample that I could use if needed. I doubt I’ll ever have children, but if the opportunity arises, I’m set. On the other hand, I now have the ability to do good for centuries. That has an appeal all its own.”
That explained a lot. “The ambrosia explains the speed and quickness and strength.” He shook his head. “It’s hard to believe we’re meeting again after all this time.”
She laughed. “If I’d told you back then we’d meet up almost twenty years later in an invisible flying machine after I saved you from people who wanted you dead, but only because you’re too noble to blow up the bad guys… you would have called me crazy.”
He snorted. “All the while knowing that invisible flying machines exist and I could easily blow up bad guys.” His face dimmed. “I guess I’m still not clear. Why were you there?”
She shrugged. “I’m part of the Alliance, Fil. Like everyone else, I pick my spots and go do what I can to make the world a better place. I didn’t need to spend any time away from society first, so it’s no big deal if people recognize me. At this point, I can still claim I just look young for my age. In another ten years, I’ll have to vanish. People in their late fifties shouldn’t look so young, you know?”
Fil laughed. “I know a few people who don’t look a day over forty who’ve been around a lot longer than fifty or sixty years.”
She patted him on the arm. “I know. I’ve met them, too.”
His face fell. “Sorry, I…” He paused. “I need to understand that being part of the Alliance doesn’t require Energy, don’t I?”
“I know I’m a bit unusual in that regard,” she agreed. “But an Energy-less life isn’t something you’ve ever dealt with, so it’s difficult for you to wrap your mind around the concept.”
He nodded. He glanced at the craft. “I know the Alliance doesn’t have one of these”—he tapped the wall of the craft—“for everyone. Why do you have one?”
She chuckled. “Because I can’t teleport, of course. And I need to be able to travel quickly in order to do my job.”
“What is your job?”
She considered before responding. “The majority of people in the Alliance possess Energy. That’s a problem, because you wage a constant battle against exposure to the Aliomenti, and especially Porthos. If something cracks a scutarium-lined room or you lose focus and drop your Shield… you may get a visit from the Hunters. They know that, too, of course, and Porthos spends time tracking any sudden Energy bursts for that reason. About five years ago, a member of the Alliance came up with an idea that’s revolutionary in its simplicity but powerful in its application. Why not mobilize the small percentage of us who elect to not develop Energy skills to infiltrate Aliomenti strongholds as humans?”
Fil thought about it and realized the implications. “Brilliant,” he breathed. “You can join their businesses as human employees. You can spy on them, free our captives, all without them realizing it. Except…” He frowned. “They’d read your thoughts, know
Sarah frowned. “I don’t think you’re cursed. I think you’re the perfect manifestation of your parents love for each other. What better way to memorialize a love that’s lasted over a thousand years than one with such power… and the strength of character to refrain from using it for improper purposes?”
He’d never thought of it that way. “I suppose that makes sense.” He paused. “So you elected not to develop Energy skills, then. What… if you don’t mind my asking… what does an Alliance member do if they make that choice? It seems everything we do, in the Cavern and Outside, requires Energy.”
“Or immortality,” she noted. “I did take the ambrosia, after giving them my blood sample for storage. My mom had surgery a few years after I joined up; one of the Alliance worked there and was able to scrape up a sample that I could use if needed. I doubt I’ll ever have children, but if the opportunity arises, I’m set. On the other hand, I now have the ability to do good for centuries. That has an appeal all its own.”
That explained a lot. “The ambrosia explains the speed and quickness and strength.” He shook his head. “It’s hard to believe we’re meeting again after all this time.”
She laughed. “If I’d told you back then we’d meet up almost twenty years later in an invisible flying machine after I saved you from people who wanted you dead, but only because you’re too noble to blow up the bad guys… you would have called me crazy.”
He snorted. “All the while knowing that invisible flying machines exist and I could easily blow up bad guys.” His face dimmed. “I guess I’m still not clear. Why were you there?”
She shrugged. “I’m part of the Alliance, Fil. Like everyone else, I pick my spots and go do what I can to make the world a better place. I didn’t need to spend any time away from society first, so it’s no big deal if people recognize me. At this point, I can still claim I just look young for my age. In another ten years, I’ll have to vanish. People in their late fifties shouldn’t look so young, you know?”
Fil laughed. “I know a few people who don’t look a day over forty who’ve been around a lot longer than fifty or sixty years.”
She patted him on the arm. “I know. I’ve met them, too.”
His face fell. “Sorry, I…” He paused. “I need to understand that being part of the Alliance doesn’t require Energy, don’t I?”
“I know I’m a bit unusual in that regard,” she agreed. “But an Energy-less life isn’t something you’ve ever dealt with, so it’s difficult for you to wrap your mind around the concept.”
He nodded. He glanced at the craft. “I know the Alliance doesn’t have one of these”—he tapped the wall of the craft—“for everyone. Why do you have one?”
She chuckled. “Because I can’t teleport, of course. And I need to be able to travel quickly in order to do my job.”
“What is your job?”
She considered before responding. “The majority of people in the Alliance possess Energy. That’s a problem, because you wage a constant battle against exposure to the Aliomenti, and especially Porthos. If something cracks a scutarium-lined room or you lose focus and drop your Shield… you may get a visit from the Hunters. They know that, too, of course, and Porthos spends time tracking any sudden Energy bursts for that reason. About five years ago, a member of the Alliance came up with an idea that’s revolutionary in its simplicity but powerful in its application. Why not mobilize the small percentage of us who elect to not develop Energy skills to infiltrate Aliomenti strongholds as humans?”
Fil thought about it and realized the implications. “Brilliant,” he breathed. “You can join their businesses as human employees. You can spy on them, free our captives, all without them realizing it. Except…” He frowned. “They’d read your thoughts, know
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