Chapter Thirty-Nine

Falling Leaves

“No, no, no. We can only supply the minerals listed at those prices as part of an exclusivity contract,” Berenice said into the comm line. “My company can have no business with warmongers or their supporters.” She rolled her eyes at the moaning complaint.

“It is basic common sense not to become involved in a war,” Berenice said when they were done. “Shipments getting hijacked or destroyed, fluctuations in the local currency could mean they were unable to pay for the goods—”

Chatter, chatter, Berenice thought. Why were people so damn slow on the uptake.

“Yes, I’m on the station. The local spiral withdrew the ban on my person in light of my ability to supply the many, many items you require.” She hesitated. “Did you get that from the—” She beamed. “Of course, I know it. I wrote it.”

That changed the response on the other end.

“Excellent. I promise you will see both the wisdom and profit of this decision for years to come.” Berenice shut the comm line and leaned back with a satisfied smile.

“Sucess?” Leah said from behind her.

Berenice shrieked in shock, kicking the chair out behind her as she leaped and spun. She had landed on the desk, one hand on her holster, before the chair slammed into the far wall. “Princess?” She relaxed with a sigh. “You scared the crap out of me!”

“I could hardly knock,” Leah said with a shrug. “I take it things are progressing well for you?”

“To put it mildly,” Berenice said, plopping down on the desk and swinging her legs back and forth over the side. “Funny thing, all these traders involved with the Falling Waters nutters keep dying. It’s left huge gaps in the market that I am just sliding into. The credits are falling like rain.”

“They are more involved than I had expected. I thought someone as isolationist as Cyrus would get more of their supplies from within the Confederated Planets.” Leah said with a frown. “It is risky for him to get all these components from outside parties.”

“Not really,” Berenice said with a happy smile. “He doesn’t trust his allies, so he gets the important stuff from third parties. If you have the credits, there is always a queue of people ready to sell their morals for a bit of extra profit.”

“I am about to leave this station and move on, but when I saw you were here, I wanted to ask for some help,” Leah said carefully. “I understand it may be upsetting for you, but I am merely doing—”

“Anything you need,” Berenice said seriously. “We are all on the same side here. You use knives, and I use credits, but we have the same goal.”

“Then I would like access to some funds, and I need to know any names you come across that might need to be dealt with,” Leah said darkly. “I know that is not what you do, but…”

“The funds are simple,” Berenice said. “I have a prepared identity for you to use as part of my consortium, and it gives you free access to the majority of our accounts. Please keep receipts when possible, and just leave a message before any massive withdrawals.”

“Uh, thank you,” Leah said with evident surprise.

“As for targets for assassination, I have a list.” Berenice dug around on her desk and pulled out a data chip. “These are all the ones I’ve been able to confirm are major suppliers. The top five are beyond my ability to acquire or bankrupt in any reasonable timeframe, so I would start there.”

“There are over thirty names here,” Leah said in surprise.

“You can find the evidence against each one in the attached files. If you think I’m wrong about any of them, fair enough.” Berenice said with a shrug.

“You do understand I will kill these people?” Leah seemed shocked. “You are just a Merchant. I didn’t expect you to be so ready to kill or have people killed.”

“I’m a Marshall as well as a Merchant,” Berenice said with a laugh. “But trust me, no one has more blood on their hands than the ones running companies. We crush lives for profit when required. Well, I don’t because I’m a Marshall, but still.”

“I see.” Leah nodded. “In that case, I will leave you in peace.”

“You don’t want to stay for dinner or at least a little drink?” Berenice asked.

“Uh, I could,” Leah again looked a little surprised. “You are not uncomfortable with me here?”

“Not at all,” Berenice said with a grin, “And I have HyperDrive in my personal supplies!”

She saw Leah smile and knew the princess shared the same weakness as the rest of the royals. It was a good thing they were the ones making HyperDrive, or it was a weakness someone could exploit.

/===<<<>>>===\

Leah slipped out of the rented compound a few hours later, feeling better than she had in weeks. Berenice’s extremely warm welcome had been a delightful surprise. She had spent so much of her time hunting lately that the old habits had come back. Leah tended to consider herself something shameful that needed to be hidden—a necessary person, but not a welcome one.

Berenice had been a much-needed reminder that she didn’t live that life anymore. Leah had family and friends now. More than just that, they were not ashamed of her or considered her abilities something to hide or look down on. No, they were proud of her; they understood her.

Leah might have been killing again, but she was doing it because it was necessary. Because it would save other lives. That was a significant difference.

She patted the pocket with the data chip in, wondering if Berenice had any idea what a fantastic gift she had given Leah. It wasn’t just the list, although that would save her a significant amount of time; it was the evidence attached. Berenice had assumed Leah needed to know the people were guilty. Berenice didn’t think Leah was just a killer to be pointed at enemies.

That alone was one of the best gifts Leah had ever gotten.

A shadow caught her eye, and she moved over to lean against a shop wall as if cleaning a bit of crud from her delicate shoes.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

“First one, I have the reports from those within the Confederacy.” the shadow whispered.

“Go ahead,” Leah said with a smile.

“We have removed thirty leaders from the targeted systems and will act on fifteen more in the next two days.”

“Good. I will enter the enemy systems soon, but I must still weed a few more weeds from this garden first,” Leah said with a satisfied smile. “How goes our other project?”

“The Church of the Spark grows roots in the systems surrounding its flame. More hear the call every day, and a large conflagration prepares to burn within the homes of our enemies.”

“Really?” Leah was genuinely shocked. The idea of spreading a little religion along with the bloodshed had been more of a distraction tactic than a serious proposition when it first occurred to her. As a bonus, her people seemed to find solace in the idea of working for something greater than themselves or their missions.

Brix and his people had kept things simple, the ‘Spark’ being the spark of human kindness or just kindness, she supposed. The light that led those to help and care for others, guiding them through the darkness of their lives in an uncaring universe. It spoke of shared ideals and welcoming those different from yourself. The church spoke most about the idea of a trouble shared being a trouble lessened, and so on. It fostered a sense of community and, best of all, had no sacred book or even an actual god or goddess to worship.

It was just an idea given form and shape and sent out into the galaxy.

“Many are finding the Spark within themselves. They seek to help others instead of only themselves. The spark warms in the act, and soon they are aflame.” the shadow spoke in pleased tones—pride radiating in the words.

“Good work,” Leah said with a slight shrug. “I will see you again in a week. Here or there.”

“I understand, First one. May Blood or Spark see you home safe.”

Leah blinked. “And you.”

Well, that was new.

“Excuse me, Miss?” A voice called to her as Leah emerged from a small eatery a half hour later, having stopped for a small round of people-watching to settle her mind and ground herself in the local customs. She did this each day, using her hearing to gather local gossip, manner of speaking, and any accent. It made her merge better into the population as she hunted.

Leah turned with a polite smile, her gold badge glinting in the station’s lights, to see a nervous, pale man hurrying toward her. His hands clutched a small box, which immediately set her on edge. A subtle shift of stance readied her to react should this prove to be an attack or trap of some form.

“Yes?” Leah asked.

“I am sorry to bother you,” the man said as he closed, coming to a stop a respectful three paces away.

Leah looked him over. His pale skin was a result of his badge, an Iron Rank, which meant poor nutrition and no time in the gardens, but his thin form was built of well-toned muscles, and he stood with good balance. Not a fighter, but something similar, perhaps. A lock of black hair fell from his hood as he bowed to her.

“No bother. How can I help you?” Leah said, a little more at ease now that she was sure he was no fighter.

“I know I am not supposed to bother a Gold Badge, Miss, but I have seen you around the station, and I could not help but notice you,” He smiled awkwardly.

“Perhaps you should try harder,” Leah said coldly. The last thing she needed was anyone watching her.

“Indeed, I will,” he bowed again, “But first, I must give you this.” He held out the box with a flourish that nearly ended his life.

“And what is it?” Leah asked, not taking the box.

“All I could offer to an angel forever out of my reach,” he said, opening the box and nervously holding it out again.

Leah peered suspiciously into the box, seeing a delicate glass and metal item inside. It was… beautiful. The swirls and shapes seemed to move almost as she looked at them, an endless feast for the eyes all encircled in a delicate bubble of glass and steel. No, not steel, but iron.

“It’s amazing,” Leah admitted. “What is it?”

“The smallest possible example of the Endless Maze design,” he shrugged. “I am only an Iron Badge. I didn’t have much saved for this kind of thing. I never fell in love at first sight before.”

“Pardon?” Leah took a step back.

“I know it is an offensive idea for you, but I meant no harm. I just had to say it in person, no matter the cost.” He attempted to hold the trinket out to her again. “Please accept it.”

“Name?” Leah said, the decision made in an instant. It was how she worked.

“Cole,” He said quickly. “I have no last name, I’m afraid.”

“Cole, you offer your heart to an angel, but what if she is a demon beneath the skin? A murderer? A schemer, or worse?” Leah asked, looking intently at him.

“That would be unfortunate, but you can not choose who you love.” Cole gave a lopsided smile. “Angel, Demon, or other, I love you nonetheless.”

“What if it would end in your death? Tonight, here, now.” Leah said, giving him one more chance.

“Then I accept my fate,” He chuckled. “I was destined to die staring at a glass forge, so your face and form are a much finer last sight.”

“Do not say you were not warned,” Leah said, grabbing the token in one hand and his wrist in the other.

Turning, she stalked back the way she had come.

Berenice started a little as Leah pushed back into the room, but the assassin had to admit she covered it well. The merchant would make a good operative if she weren’t so obsessed with figures.

“Leah, what’s wrong?” Berenice asked, turning to look at Cole. “Do we have a problem?”

“I do,” Leah said. “This one loves me, and I have accepted. Is there a room I can have for the night?”

“Whoa, slow down, okay?” Berenice said, coming around the desk. “Try that one again.”

Leah sent the entire interaction to Berenice via data burst. Life was so much simpler now that everyone she cared about was at least partly a machine.

“Pretty ballsy move there, Cole,” Berenice grinned.

“I know it seems insane,” Cole said quickly. “I didn’t expect anything other than to be shouted at, but I had to try. What else is life for?” He did his best to straighten himself up. “My life is forfeit, so be it.”

“Oh, you poor baby,” Berenice chuckled. “The soul of a poet and the bravery of the terminally romantic. You are going to have a very interesting life.” She turned back to Leah with an amused smirk. “So, what are you planning to do with him?”

“I am going to have lots of sex, and then I want him sent back to the Imperium,” Leah said honestly. Paren had chosen Carl, so she should be allowed to have Cole. She was preparing the arguments in favor when Berenice nodded.

“No problem. I have a suite of rooms upstairs you can use tonight. I’m not planning to sleep.” Berenice nodded to the stairs behind her. “And neither are you from the sounds of it.”

Leah grinned.

“Tomorrow, I can put him on a ship I have going to the I.P.A.” Berenice looked Cole over. “I’ll have some ship suits and ID packets made for him by sunrise. He can head directly to Bly’s Rest from there.”

“You’re really from the Imperium?” Cole asked excitedly. “It sounds like an interesting place.”

“Yes, Cole,” Berenice turned a serious look his way. “We are. This woman you love is a princess of the Imperium. Would you kill or die for her? Forget the lines and answer honestly because there is no going back from here. You can change your mind and be held here until we leave, or go up those stairs with Leah and have a new life. It will be a tough, bloody, and dangerous one. Leah’s mother is the one they call the Nightmare Queen, and her sister is the maker of those nightmares. Choose carefully, and choose now.”

Cole smiled, his entire face radiating with earnest intensity. “Choose between a life of drudgery and a miserable death or a life of danger and adventure among the stars with the most incredibly beautiful woman I’ve ever seen? How ever will I decide?” he leaned down, kissing Leah’s hand where she gripped his wrist. It was such a shock she let go of him.

He marched over to the foot of the stairs, put a single foot on the steps, and turned, holding out his hand to her.

“Tell me, princess, will you accept my body? It’s all I have left to offer. My heart and soul are yours already.”

Leah felt herself moving before even making a conscious choice. She looked back once at Berenice and saw the beaming if slightly dirty, smile.

“Night night, you two,” Berenice called as she turned to follow Cole.

Leah looked up as she climbed the stairs, feeling something for the first time, which was rare for her. Leah felt butterflies in her stomach—which she could not have—and a blush started to rise.

For the first time in her life, Leah felt nervous. She took a deep breath and calmed herself with the only thing she could think of.

If he didn’t like her, she could always stab him.