with clones, you stupid bitch?"
Oh fuck.
"I'm gonna be sending your brother back to you in pieces. Very small pieces that I will personally cut off him each and every day. And just to show my sincerity, we'll make the first cut together." He motions to the man behind him, who proceeds to cut off a finger with a plasma knife. The flesh smokes up in thick tendrils as it burns. My fingers find the SEAR scar on my jaw as Moju's screams turn demonic and I cover my ears.
"I'm sure you remember how that feels, right? Except, Junco, he won't be treated with some special membrane to seal it all up pretty." He laughs and then turns back to Moju, apparently thinking he is off screen, or maybe he just wants me to think that. "She's not coming for you, Moju. She's gonna let you suffer just like everyone else."
And then the screen goes black and a deletion sequence begins counting down. In a matter of seconds the entire video is erased and a smoldering burn begins in the center of the card and spreads outward to the edges. I toss it onto a tray that holds a pitcher of water in the middle of the table and I'm halfway across the room about to kick Slag's ass when I catch myself and spin back around.
Fuck.
Think, Junco. Think.
I take a seat and let my head fall into my hands as my mind races through my options. I know Lucan is in on this. And Slag. I envision six different ways to kill them both using only three moves.
Shit. Think.
I force myself to stop and rationalize it. Why would Lucan want me gone? I ponder all the possibilities, but only one makes sense. To make sure Tier dies. That's the reason.
Trust no one. Show no weakness.
I take a deep breath and count to five before letting it out.
Calm, Junco.
No weakness.
I repeat the breathing until my heart stops racing and then I get up and walk around to make sure I can control it before knocking on the door.
Chapter Seven
They all file in, including Ashur, and each one takes a seat at the table across from me. I smile, and then push the hatred down as Slag begins describing the deal he's been sent to offer.
I interrupt him after only a few words. "Who sent you here, Slag?" My eyes pierce into him, rage at him, but I don't allow a single muscle on my face to move.
He looks at me, confused. "Your mother, Junco. Didn't she explain things on the video?"
I let out a breath and Ashur is on his feet so he can reach into the ashtray and pick up the remains of the tech. Only the extreme edges are left, and they are charred black. He leaves the table and walks around to my side and stands behind me.
"That tech did not contain a video of my mother, Slag. So, I'll ask you one more time, who sent you?"
Slag's mouth sags and it's Lucan who answers my question. "Junco, the launch credentials check out. It came from the Subjective planet pad in Vegas." He tilts his head up like he's thinking. "Recently acquired, since you were picked up."
I laugh. "That is so much bullshit."
He continues without a pause. "A lot has happened on Earth in the time you've been away. Vegas was captured the week after you left."
"It's not a very strategic move on their part. It's a long fucking supply line from Vegas to the Subs, isn't it?" I turn to look him in the face to wait for his answer.
Slag clears his throat and I turn back to him as I quiet down the slip in facial muscle control. "I was sent by your mother, Coot."
"She's not my mother, so quit fucking calling her that. Mothers give birth to their children, or at the very least care for them. She did neither. I'm done here."
I get up to leave but Lucan puts his hand up to halt my progress. "Junco, if you refuse this offer to return to Earth you'll be sent to Fledge. Immediately."
I shrug. "Whatever." I turn back to Ashur. "Take me to Fledge then, Ash."
He smiles and nods but Lucan is on his feet and already in front of me. "Just so I am clear here, Junco – you choose to stay and fight instead of returning to
Oh fuck.
"I'm gonna be sending your brother back to you in pieces. Very small pieces that I will personally cut off him each and every day. And just to show my sincerity, we'll make the first cut together." He motions to the man behind him, who proceeds to cut off a finger with a plasma knife. The flesh smokes up in thick tendrils as it burns. My fingers find the SEAR scar on my jaw as Moju's screams turn demonic and I cover my ears.
"I'm sure you remember how that feels, right? Except, Junco, he won't be treated with some special membrane to seal it all up pretty." He laughs and then turns back to Moju, apparently thinking he is off screen, or maybe he just wants me to think that. "She's not coming for you, Moju. She's gonna let you suffer just like everyone else."
And then the screen goes black and a deletion sequence begins counting down. In a matter of seconds the entire video is erased and a smoldering burn begins in the center of the card and spreads outward to the edges. I toss it onto a tray that holds a pitcher of water in the middle of the table and I'm halfway across the room about to kick Slag's ass when I catch myself and spin back around.
Fuck.
Think, Junco. Think.
I take a seat and let my head fall into my hands as my mind races through my options. I know Lucan is in on this. And Slag. I envision six different ways to kill them both using only three moves.
Shit. Think.
I force myself to stop and rationalize it. Why would Lucan want me gone? I ponder all the possibilities, but only one makes sense. To make sure Tier dies. That's the reason.
Trust no one. Show no weakness.
I take a deep breath and count to five before letting it out.
Calm, Junco.
No weakness.
I repeat the breathing until my heart stops racing and then I get up and walk around to make sure I can control it before knocking on the door.
Chapter Seven
They all file in, including Ashur, and each one takes a seat at the table across from me. I smile, and then push the hatred down as Slag begins describing the deal he's been sent to offer.
I interrupt him after only a few words. "Who sent you here, Slag?" My eyes pierce into him, rage at him, but I don't allow a single muscle on my face to move.
He looks at me, confused. "Your mother, Junco. Didn't she explain things on the video?"
I let out a breath and Ashur is on his feet so he can reach into the ashtray and pick up the remains of the tech. Only the extreme edges are left, and they are charred black. He leaves the table and walks around to my side and stands behind me.
"That tech did not contain a video of my mother, Slag. So, I'll ask you one more time, who sent you?"
Slag's mouth sags and it's Lucan who answers my question. "Junco, the launch credentials check out. It came from the Subjective planet pad in Vegas." He tilts his head up like he's thinking. "Recently acquired, since you were picked up."
I laugh. "That is so much bullshit."
He continues without a pause. "A lot has happened on Earth in the time you've been away. Vegas was captured the week after you left."
"It's not a very strategic move on their part. It's a long fucking supply line from Vegas to the Subs, isn't it?" I turn to look him in the face to wait for his answer.
Slag clears his throat and I turn back to him as I quiet down the slip in facial muscle control. "I was sent by your mother, Coot."
"She's not my mother, so quit fucking calling her that. Mothers give birth to their children, or at the very least care for them. She did neither. I'm done here."
I get up to leave but Lucan puts his hand up to halt my progress. "Junco, if you refuse this offer to return to Earth you'll be sent to Fledge. Immediately."
I shrug. "Whatever." I turn back to Ashur. "Take me to Fledge then, Ash."
He smiles and nods but Lucan is on his feet and already in front of me. "Just so I am clear here, Junco – you choose to stay and fight instead of returning to
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