The Cyber Chronicles IV - Cyborg (23 page)

"Striker could
do it, too."

"Yeah."

"What would
the enforcers do?"

He shrugged.
"Probably apply to the Overlords for permission to pursue us.
Luckily the Overlords don't like Myon Two any more than the rest of
us, so it's unlikely they'd get it. Omega's not due for
declassification for another seven years."

"So we'd be
safe there?"

"If we can get
there."

"We can, if we
go in my ship, then Striker can join us later."

"Yeah, that
might work." Kole stood up. "I'm going for a walk. By the way, you
have a new top bid; one million seven hundred and fifty thousand.
Unfortunately, the new top bidder is on Enden Four."

"And we can't
afford to go there."

"Nope."

Kole vanished
into the passage, and Tassin turned to gaze at Sabre. After a
moment, he opened his eyes, and she looked away, her cheeks
warm.

"I thought you
were asleep."

"And you found
that interesting? Was I blowing bubbles or something?"

She giggled.
"No. I just like looking at you."

"Is that a
symptom of friendship?"

"Yes."

"Well... I
like watching you, too."

"If only you
would remember."

He sighed.
"That would be nice."

Tassin longed
to hold him, and a lump clogged her throat. His bruises had faded
to pale yellow marks, barely visible, and the laser wounds had
healed well, though not completely. He still wore the cast, and his
elbow remained blue. He closed his eyes, and soon she realised that
he was asleep again.

****

Two days
later, Tassin stepped out of a hired air-car and gazed at a
palatial mansion, impressed. Manicured gardens stretched away all
around, the verdure broken only by marble paths and polished bronze
statues. Beyond it, forest clad the land to the horizon and beyond,
as she knew from the three-hour trip here from the capital city.
Clipped trees shaded lawn so finely mowed it looked like velvet.
Fluted marble pillars framed the edifice’s gleaming brass front
doors, and the sweeping roof appeared to be made from pink
crystal.

Charon Six was
what Kole called a ‘wonder world’, where rich moguls built vast
mansions and owned huge estates, living like kings. Tassin had
spent the last of their money on a new dress of scarlet silk
patterned with gold satin and a pair of strappy high heels, and her
hair flew loose about her shoulders in a shining sable cascade.
Sabre disembarked behind her, clad in full cyber armour, including
the helmet, which he had glued back together. He carried the
scabbarded sword, a laser strapped to each thigh. Kole joined them,
also wearing a new, fashionable suit of dark grey brushed
velvet.

A
white-uniformed servant met them at the top of the shallow steps
and led them inside. The mansion's opulence amazed Tassin, and she
gazed around in wonder at the many expensive hangings, paintings
and statues. Mosaics made from precious stones adorned the walls; a
king's ransom just in the entrance hall. The servant preceded them
through echoing halls hung with silk and satin, the floors imbedded
with diamonds, and into a room decorated entirely in white.
Gossamer curtains billowed in the breeze and white roses climbed
trellis-covered walls under a transparent roof.

The servant
stopped and announced, "Lady Tassin Alrade and Mr Kole Arvan."

Tassin gazed
around, wondering who was listening, then froze, her blood
chilling. Two cybers, clad in polished silver partial armour, stood
on the far side of the room, staring ahead. Her attention was
jerked away from them as a tall, slender man dressed in an
impeccable white formal suit rose from the depths of a huge chair.
His piercing dark eyes raked them, lingered on Sabre and came to
rest on her. A slight smile curled his full lips, and he put down
the vidbook he held.

"Welcome.
Forgive the clandestine nature of our meeting. I have enemies. I am
Jerrad Mandure."

Tassin
approached him. "Pleased to meet you."

Jerrad took
her proffered hand and pressed the back of it to his lips. "Such
beauty I have not seen before. I am in awe, Lady Tassin."

"You flatter
me."

He nodded to
Kole. "Welcome, Kole Arvan."

"We have the
item you bid for."

Jerrad waved a
hand. "That can wait. We will have refreshments first, naturally."
He gestured to a delicate table spread with dainty treats and a
silver tea service. "Please, sit."

Tassin sank
down on the plush white settee, and Kole settled beside her. Sabre
took up a guard position behind her, and Jerrad eyed him as he sat
opposite.

"Of course,
you have a cyber. I should have expected that. You are undoubtedly
a woman of great wealth."

"You have
two," Tassin pointed out.

"Actually, I
have eighteen, all A-grades, but who's counting?"

"Whatever do
you need so many for?"

"As I said, I
have enemies, some of whom live close by. What grade is yours?"

Tassin smiled.
"A, of course."

"Naturally."
Jerrad snapped his fingers, and a white-clad servant appeared to
pour the tea and hand it out.

Tassin sipped
hers, discovering that it was a scented herbal variety she
detested, and took a sugar-frosted biscuit to hide the taste.

"I trust your
journey here was not too arduous? You came by yacht, of
course."

"Something
like that. What line of work are you in?"

Jerrad smiled,
revealing even white teeth that looked too perfect to be natural.
"My wealth is inherited. I have never worked. You?"

"Inherited, of
course." Two can play at that game, Tassin thought, starting to get
irritated. "I assume you are also of noble birth?"

"My family is
descended from the best blood lines, of course. Your title is a
minor one, was it inherited too?"

"Actually, I
am incognito. I have a far higher status than a mere lady, I assure
you."

"And what
might that be?" Jerrad nibbled on a pastry.

"I am a
queen."

Kole choked on
his tea and grabbed a napkin, coughing. Jerrad eyed him, then
turned his flaccid smile on Tassin once more. "How marvellous to
make such a claim."

"Oh, it is not
just a claim, I assure you. I am descended from a long line of
royalty."

"How
delightful. You have a castle, too?"

"Indeed."
Tassin took another biscuit. "I even have a kingdom, and
subjects."

Jerrad turned
and beckoned to one of his cybers, who strode over to him. Tassin
tensed, glancing at Kole, who had paused with his cup raised and
his mouth open. Jerrad cast Tassin a stiff smile.

"Forgive me,
Lady Tassin, but I must confirm the veracity of your claim." He
looked up at the cyber. "Cyber Thirteen, is this woman telling the
truth?"

The cyber
turned his head towards Tassin. "Yes."

Jerrad sent
him back to his post with a gesture. "My apologies, Highness. I
am... honoured by your presence."

Tassin tilted
her head. "Of course you are. Now may we get down to business? I
have a busy schedule."

"May I ask why
you have chosen to sell such a unique and valuable item?"

"It irks me
greatly. It was the weapon of my enemy, King Torrian, who sought to
wed me and thus annex my kingdom by right of capture, a foul man. I
defeated him, naturally."

"Naturally."
Jerrad looked a bit stunned now.

"So, although
you have offered a paltry sum, and I have had better offers, I have
decided to let you have it. I am sure you cannot afford more than
you offered. The sword is, of course, priceless."

"Of course,"
Jerrad echoed faintly.

"I expect all
your wealth is tied up in this magnificent estate, which does you
credit, but pales when compared to mine, I have to say."

"No indeed, I
have vast sums available."

"Truly, you
are then a remarkable man to make such a low bid for something as
rare as this. And as powerful."

"Why did you
accept it then?"

Tassin fanned
herself. "Ah, but I tire of chasing all over the universe. I have
no need of more wealth, of course."

"Of course."
Jerrad cleared his throat. "How much have you been offered?"

"Well, I
believe it was over two million, not so Kole?"

Kole nodded,
his eyes darting. "Two point four, to be exact."

"And are you a
courtier, Mr Arvan?" Jerrad enquired.

"Oh no,"
Tassin interjected. "Kole is my advisor in this little venture. He
has vast experience in the field of ancient, priceless artefacts
and so on."

"I see."
Jerrad glanced at Sabre again. "Presumably you have a veritable
army of cybers at your estate... kingdom, Queen Tassin."

"No of course
not." She giggled. "I am beloved of my people, my dear Jerrad, all
of whom would lay down their lives for me, and some of whom own
such great wealth that they have the armies. It is so tedious to
worry about armies, do you not think?"

Jerrad looked
peeved. "Of course. So what's he here for?"

"To carry the
sword, naturally. It is rather heavy."

"In full
armour?"

Tassin glanced
at Sabre. "Oh, well, I just think it looks fine; although the
silver is nice, too."

Jerrad put
down his teacup. "Would an offer of two point six be more to your
liking, then?"

"Oh, I am sure
you do not have to prove your wealth to me, Jerrad."

"My wealth is
self-evident, Queen Tassin. I just hate to be outdone."

"Of course you
do. I would accept it, naturally."

Jerrad's eyes
glinted. "You're most gracious. May I see it now?"

Tassin raised
a hand in a languid gesture, and Sabre walked around the settee to
hold out the sword to Jerrad.

The
billionaire eyed it. "This is not the item in the picture."

"I am afraid
it is, dear boy. Would you like a demonstration?"

"I think that
would be in order."

Tassin stood
up and held out her hand imperiously. Sabre placed the sword hilt
in it, and she staggered a little under its weight, casting Jerrad
an innocent smile. "It is such a dashed heavy thing."

Gripping the
plain leather sheath, she drew the sword, and it whined.

Jerrad's eyes
widened. "It makes sounds?"

"Oh yes, it
has many powers, but do not ask how it was made, I pray you."

Jerrad studied
the silver blade, which Kole had spent half an hour polishing the
previous day. "It looks... ordinary."

Tassin turned
the impossibly ornate hilt towards him. "This is not ordinary,
Jerrad. No human could have crafted something so fine."

"It still
doesn't look like the picture."

"No." Tassin
raised the weapon. "Sword, become crystal."

Jerrad leapt
back with an oath as the sword flashed to crystal, radiating shafts
of scintillating ruby light.

"There."
Tassin smiled. "Is it not pretty?"

"It
understands you?"

"And so much
more. May I show you, or will your cybers be alarmed?"

"Show me."

Tassin looked
around for a suitable target and spotted a porcelain bird bath just
outside the door. She pointed the sword at it. "That should do.
Sword, destroy that... thing."

A bolt of
brilliant light shot from the tip of the blade and struck the bird
bath with a sound like a slamming door. The bird bath exploded in a
cloud of dust and steam. Tassin lowered the weapon and turned to
beam at Jerrad, who gaped at the ruined bird bath.

"There, how
was that?"

"Bloody
amazing." Jerrad stared at the sword.

Tassin
caressed the blade. "Sword, I think you have impressed the one who
will cherish you. Are you not pleased?"

The sword
chimed, then reverted to metal with a flash of pink light. Jerrad
reached for it, his eyes alight, but Tassin held it out of his
reach.

"Payment,
Jerrad. Do not be uncouth."

"Yes, yes, of
course." He snapped his fingers, and a servant appeared. "Fetch me
two point six million credits from the safe."

The servant's
eyes widened, but he hurried out. Tassin smiled and sheathed the
sword, handing it back to Sabre. "A word of warning, dear Jerrad.
It does not like to be toyed with, but it loves to be cherished and
admired."

"Of course, I
shall treasure it."

"I am sure you
will."

"That was more
powerful than any laser cannon ever invented. It... it vaporised
that bird bath."

Tassin raised
her brows. "Is that what that thing was? It was a bit tacky, if you
ask me. And it only uses as much power as it needs."

"You mean, the
bigger the target, the more power it uses?"

"Precisely. I
do believe that is what I just said, was it not, Kole?"

He cleared his
throat and put down his teacup. "Yes."

"How can you
bear to part with such an amazing thing?" Jerrad demanded.

Tassin sighed
and examined her fingernails. "As I said, it irks me, and I do so
dislike being irked."

The servant
returned carrying two large translucent wafers and six smaller
ones, which Jerrad took and offered to Tassin with a bow. She
gestured to Kole, who rose and took the fortune. Sabre held out the
sword to Jerrad. He took it eagerly, holding it as if it was made
of glass, his expression avaricious.

Tassin turned
away. "It was pleasant doing business with you, Jerrad. Now, I have
an appointment."

He looked up.
"Yes, thank you, Queen Tassin. My servant will show you out."

"Of course he
will." She headed for the door, which a hovering servant
opened.

Chapter Twelve

The journey
back to the air-car was achieved in silence, and only when they had
been flying away from the Mandure estate for almost half an hour
did Kole clear his throat and glance at her.