The five alternately described the events: the infiltration, the discovery of the transports, Yan taking control of the tank, turning off the booby-trapped panel, the frantic struggle in the hangar, the tumultuous extraction, and the eventual remote detonation that destroyed the base.
The general listened to their report and said, "Excellent," "This operation will be formally documented as a success. However, I strongly suggest that future assignments place more of an emphasis on stealth. His eyes lingered sharply on Yan, who became suddenly fascinated by his fingernails.
"Anything else requiring our attention?" Nora asked.
"Yes, Miss Rahmyn. We have. Nora's explosive reaction interrupted the general's response. With one smooth motion, she drew her pistol and jumped out of her chair, aiming it at the general's image on the viewscreen. Her face twisted in rage, and her hand trembled—not out of fear, but out of pure rage.
She growled, "Don't ever call me by that name!"
All of her friends stared in stunned silence, with the exception of Luna, who maintained her composure. Luna was the first to react.
"Nora? "Set down the gun," she said in a surprisingly soft voice. "He doesn't know."
Despite her menacing glare remaining fixed on the general for the duration of the call, Nora sank back into her chair and slowly lowered her weapon after maintaining her rigid stance for another second. The general paused to gather his thoughts, then went on.
"Cyran Lek is a senator that we have been keeping an eye on for a while. We have been unable to establish a clear connection between him and any particular illegal activity, despite the fact that he has been seen speaking with other people suspected of treason on multiple occasions.
"What exactly is he suspected of doing?" Nayla inquired.
"Laundering substantial sums of money to covertly fund Core military research labs," the general said somberly. Paradoxically, Senator Lek is in charge of allocating the Peace Fund, which accounts for a sizeable amount of the Rim budget. He transfers these funds straight to Core leadership via a convoluted web of shell companies and initiatives. According to our intelligence, he has stolen about 320 billion blocks so far, and he is probably not the only official responsible."
Yan questioned, "So where do we fit in?"
"In two weeks, Senator Lek will host a sizable tournament, supposedly to commemorate the creation of a brand-new arena environment that he personally funded and designed. We hope your team enters and wins this competition. If you win, you should be able to get Lek and possibly gain his trust. Your goal is to obtain hard evidence of his treason from every source you can. Technical issues will be arranged by another agent for any teams that rank higher than you in the tournament rankings.
The words "No, they will not," Kieran said icily and firmly. "On the basis of skill alone, we will win this tournament. You will be left without five operatives if you try to meddle in any way. The general's suggestion was obviously dishonorable, and Kieran's sense of martial ethics was deeply offended.
After a brief hesitation, the general said, "That is... admirable, Mr. Ravy," "I assume you speak for your entire team?" Kieran's position was confirmed by four different nods. "All right, we won't get involved. However, be aware that the political climate is unstable and quickly worsening. The success of this operation is vital. Go as quickly as you can to the Solyn system, and get in touch with me right away if anything important happens. "Out." The viewscreen went blank as soon as the general touched something off-screen.
Luna and Kieran turned their chairs to look at the others. Yan's eyes widened in anticipation as she looked around.
"Did he say Solyn?" Yan practically vibrated with anticipation as she asked.
"Yes," Nayla said, clearly anticipating his response.
"Hot damn!" Yan shouted, jumped out of his seat, and ran to his room. Kieran raised his eyebrows and stared after him.
He asked the entire room, "What was that all about?"
"Solyn," explained Nayla with a sigh, "is a place I have for years tried very hard to keep Yan away from. With its upscale bars, exclusive nightclubs, opulent casinos, and every other luxury imaginable catering to the ultra-rich and famous, it's a wealthy Core world that is well-known throughout the galaxy.
"And his rush?"
Nayla clarified, "He's liquidating a significant portion of his assets," "Being the best in the galaxy, a single drink on Solyn can cost as much as a trivenium bar for 250 milliliters. Additionally, some of the most beautiful women in the world are drawn to it, and impressing them costs a lot of money.
"Ah," Kieran muttered, pretending to be occupied as he turned back to his console. They all knew that his personal romantic life was essentially nonexistent, and he didn't seem to care too much about it.
A minute later, Yan was back, crouched over a datapad, his lips moving silently as his fingers flew over the keys. Without raising his gaze, he took a seat at his station. At last Kieran's pretended indifference gave way to his curiosity.
"If I asked what you were doing, would I regret it?" He asked in a mocking tone.
"Yes," Yan said solemnly, continuing to concentrate on the datapad.
"Okay, what are you doing?"
"Setting up lodging. When we arrive, we must project a respectable image.
"And how much," Kieran countered, "are these respectable accommodations expected to cost?"
"Two blocks per night, times ten days… equals twenty blocks for lodging, per person."
"And who do you think will be covering this expense?" Luna interrupted coolly. Regardless of the amenities, she had no intention of paying such a hefty amount for just lodging.
"I'll pick up the tab," Yan said gently. He was extremely wealthy from his previous career as a popular arena gladiator, and the astronomical cost of their upcoming visit was well within his substantial fortune.
Kieran remarked, "You make that sound remarkably casual," with disbelief.
"It is," Yan said plainly. Kieran turned back to his console and raised his eyebrows once more.
He turned again a few seconds later, this time to Nora, who was hunched over her station, the ominous gleam still visible in her eyes. He asked cautiously, "What exactly was that about earlier?" "Your… discussion with the general?"
After giving him a chilly look over her shoulder, Nora turned completely to face the bridge. As she started talking, everyone's attention was on her. "For me, the name Rahmyn conjures up unpleasant memories. Even though I continue to follow my House's customs, I have broken off all communication with them.
"What happened?" Gently, Nayla inquired.
With a tight voice, Nora explained, "My brother was the first person in my family to find out about it when Luna and I left the deathmatch circuit." He purposefully misrepresented the facts, saying that I ran away after discovering who my next opponent would be. In actuality, I had become friends with that opponent. House Rahmyn follows pacifist ideals; making friends with a possible enemy is encouraged. When delivering the news, my brother left out that important detail. My whole family took his false story at face value. I was officially informed a day later that I had been disowned and that all communication had been cut off.
Yan muttered, "Ouch," in a sympathetic tone. "I can understand why you wouldn't be fond of the name."
"Yes," confirmed Nora sourly. "Over the past year, I've made four attempts to explain the truth. They consistently pretended not to recognize me and abruptly ended the conversation.
Perhaps a little bluntly, Kieran said, "I don't mean to offend, but it sounds like you have some real jerks in your family."
Nora said softly, "None taken," getting up from her seat and making her way to the simulator room. After a brief period of silence, the bridge began to function normally. Luna got up and went after Nora. Kieran and Yan started working together to plan Solyn's trip. In her chair, Nayla rolled into a tight ball and fell asleep.
After an hour or so, Luna used the internal communication system to call everyone back to the bridge, signaling that they had a critical issue that needed to be addressed.
"There are spirits that must be set to rest," she declared in a gentle, unusually graceful voice.
Kieran nodded gravely. "The ritual must be performed," he said. It was an unwritten custom of their kind; when a great ceremony was about to take place or a great conflict was about to break out, warriors instinctively lowered their voices and spoke in low, reverent tones. Luna was referring to a basic practice that was carried out following the death of a combatant. Fighters adhered to a distinct code that included particular beliefs and rituals, despite not having a formal religion. The idea that a deceased person's spirit remained inside their mortal body until it was released by the person who killed them was fundamental to this code. It was thought that this ceremonial release permitted the spirit to reincarnate, with the intention of returning as a warrior in their subsequent life.
The five sat on the bridge for the next thirty minutes, carefully going over combat footage that had been recorded by recorders on Kyara's own gun turrets and the weapon systems of the commandeered tank. Their mission was somber: to precisely count the number of foes that each of them had killed in the most recent engagement. 106 confirmed kills was the final total, which was astounding. There were six from Nora, eighteen from Kieran, twenty-three from Luna, twenty-five from Nayla, and thirty-four from Yan.
After calculating the number of kills, they temporarily withdrew to their quarters to change into customary ceremonial clothing. This was a simple square of grey fabric with a central opening that was draped over the shoulders like a poncho, a plain grey pair of trousers with a drawstring waist, and a plain grey t-shirt tucked neatly into the trousers. They wore the Element headbands they were given at their induction ceremony across their foreheads. The personal combat knife was discreetly sheathed at the small of each fighter's back.
The ship's simulator produced every element required for the ritual environment. A white stone pagoda in the shape of a hexagon emerged as the focal point of a tranquil forest scene. In the exact center of it was a pedestal holding a shining silver basin that, in contrast to the surroundings, was actually real and had been transported from their supplies. In each corner of the hexagonal structure were soft silk pads that were dyed in the various colors of the five Elements. The gently sloping roof was supported by pillars at each corner, and the gemstone that corresponded to the element it represented was set into each pillar.
As they ascended the steps to the pagoda entrance, Yan, Nayla, Kieran, Luna, and Nora moved solemnly in single file along a dirt-like pathway. With their heads bowed and their hands formally on their knees, each knelt respectfully on the pad beneath the pillar of their assigned Element.
The simulator's sophisticated sound system flawlessly reproduced a single, resonant gong tone that came from an invisible source. The note reverberated softly around the kneeling figures inside the temple, hanging pure and clear in the air that was simulated to be that of a forest. Each fighter took their Element stone out of their pocket and pulled the knife out of its sheath as the sound died away, carefully setting both down on the stone floor in front of their knees.
To start the ceremony, each Element had its own invocation. Each fighter recited their particular phrase in a clear, solemn voice as they moved counterclockwise around the circle. Nayla started. She looked up at the roof of the pagoda and spoke, first in Galactic English and then fluidly switching to the fighters' old, guttural language:
"This is what I am requesting because I am of Air. Even though they are no longer with us, may their souls continue to exist and fill the air with their presence. Amon tehk'na jen rath. Et rumet ariven. "Shtovacor." When she was done, she lowered her head again. There was a second gong sound. Yan's turn came.
"I'm from Earth, and I'm requesting this. As time passes, their bodies will merge with the Earth, but their spirits have departed. Humenjin Aesis, gramne riq. Amedin Mithro. "Shtovacor." For the third time, the gong chimed. Then Nora spoke.
"I'm from Water, and I'm asking for this. I pray that those who have died in battle will rise again and face others in the afterlife. Kyrae erenem, aremen tkat. Tkwane werena rigtek. "Shtovacor." She bowed her head. It was the fourth time the gong sounded. The invocation was recited by Kieran.
"This is what I'm requesting because I am of Fire. May fire purify the souls of the fallen and bring them back to life so they can fight once more. Dene tovarish, aquwae enrien. Emnacen kulturen, remen tavarnen. "Shtovacor." He bent his head. The room echoed with the gong's fifth ring. Last to speak was Luna, who stood in for Death.
"This is what I'm requesting because I am of Death. Take their morale and make a fair assessment of them. In order to renew them, pass them on to life. Adewe tek, sioseth rem. Okawa, Kire amendum, and Shtovacor. Luna bowed her head.
There was a profound silence for ten seconds. One last resonant time was sounded by the gong. In unison, the five warriors sheathed their daggers, stood up elegantly, paused for a moment in recognition, and then proceeded at a leisurely pace toward the silver basin at the center of the pagoda. Holding the sharp edges against the backs of their left hands, they formed a circle around the pedestal and drew their blades again as they spoke, this time in perfect, solemn unison. They intoned as they slowly and deliberately dragged the blades across their skin:
"As their blood was shed to give our victory, let our blood be shed to give them passing."
Their hands developed shallow cuts that ran diagonally from the index finger's knuckle to the wrist. Each of them allowed drops of blood equal to the number of people they had killed to fall into the vessel below as they successively held their bleeding hands over the silver basin.
"Zantara Nayla. Twenty-five. In the basin, twenty-five red drops mixed together.
"Zantara Yan. 34. They were joined by thirty-four others.
"Nora. 6. Six more fell. "Kieran Ravy." "Eighteen." Luna Trevyn added eighteen drops to the pool. 23. The last 23 drops increased the total to 106, creating a pool at the bottom of the silver basin that was about an inch deep.
After that, all five meticulously bandaged their bleeding hands and took strips of plain grey cloth out of pockets inside their ceremonial clothing. Until the wounds healed on their own, these bandages would stay in place. They stepped back from the pedestal two exact steps, bowed once in unison toward the basin, then turned and left the pagoda in silent single file, leaving the weight of their actions and the simulated forest behind.