Chapter One-Hundred-Forty-Nine: Coin and Glory - Part One

  Galactic Quadrant: Darna Quadrant

  Government: Talum Merchant Federation

  System: D-447

  Planet: Ora

  Location: Orarak City, Governor’s Office

  ***

  Before the Grand Hunt’s first challenge.

  ***

  “Governor Adonius, the soldiers of Federation Space Command are not your personal lackies. You are Interim Governor of this system only. If I hear another report of Flagship Thorn breaching codes of conduct, I will be rescinding their pass for the system,” the pompous Commander Merrik says to me.

  Father warned me of him, a man of principles who cannot be purchased. How I loathe the self-righteous. The implants given by the Theocratic Imperium embedded in my temples hum as they suppress the urges to peel the flesh from his plump body. Father also told me there was a way around such men of principles. A way that will be provided shortly.

  “Commander Merrik, I will have a writ from the Counsel sent to you shortly. Until then,” I wave my hand ending the transmission before he can speak.

  Leaning back in my chair now, I rub my temples. It won’t be much longer, father will have bribed the lower Counsel to give Thorn full access to the system, letting us use the pets we have collected. Soon I will be able to prove myself worthy of Helenius’s blessing, taking up an Edict in his name, as my father and his father before him did. Having passed the fifth boundary, it is high time that I be granted it.

  “Governor Adonius, Officiator Marcus and Warden Adona are here for you,” my new assistant says over the intercom. I wonder how long this one will last, hopefully longer than the last…

  “Send them in.”

  As they enter, Marcus gives a weak bow, befitting his weak will. Adona as always remains cold in her stare, she does not bow to me, nor does she call me by honorifics as she ought. Always defiant. No matter, soon I will bring her to heel. Soon I will hold the leash to Father’s favorite pet.

  “Sir, there’s been a small error in the account of the number of Kuwathi who will be attending the Grand Hunt,” Marcus explains, rather annoyingly. Why must they always bring their problems to me.

  “How many?” I sigh.

  “237,492 extra have been collected or are currently being collected after the initial… screening process.”

  His demeanor irritates me, if not for the implants I think I would like to see his head on a spike, right outside the lavatory. Perfect place for him. Controlling the urges I move back to his words.

  “Marcus, get to the point,” I say, tenting my hands in front of me, slowly spinning in my chair, only half present here. Word from father should arrive soon.

  “The writ we have from the Lower Counsel in regard to the Grand Hunt specifies it must be under 1,001,000. Anything above that number must be elevated to the Middle Counsel,” Marcus says, there is sweat disgustingly rolling down his brow.

  Rubbing my temples again, the implants are working overtime suppressing the desire I have to flay Marcus into a suit, making Adona wear him.

  “Adona, why is this bumbling fool bringing this to me and not to you?” I ask, turning to her now.

  “Sir, I…” Marcus begins, but I snap my fingers, silencing his stupid mouth before it pains my ears with more of his drivel.

  Adona does not show me any inflection as she prepares to answer, her mask is thicker than when we were children, how I enjoyed those initial days after father brought her home. She used to cry over the mention of that boy she loved, oh how I cherished those early days. When she first came, she was na?ve, I pretended to be her friend, her ally, only to learn all of her weaknesses and use them as a refined knife. The implants try to press the feeling back. What was his name again? Eres. Yes, a simple name for a simple boy. I used to play the holo recording of his death for her daily during breakfast. It’s unfortunate that she grew cold to it eventually. The one of her Arasha friend though, that one still got a rise from time to time. Sweet Yuna, the one who died in her arms more than ten years ago.

  She finally speaks, pulling me from memory.

  “I informed Marcus of a suitable solution weeks ago when he brought it to me,” Adona says, now swiping her holopad, pulling up a series of communications between them. My implants help analyze the data, but I mentally push away the feed.

  “Summarize it,” I say, not caring for the boring details.

  “We can shift them to the other Kuwathi settlements in the southern hemisphere.”

  “We don’t have the time to do that. Sir, it must be completed before the first official challenge,” Marcus says.

  “Adona, give Marcus the solution,” I say, leaning forward, inspecting her face closer. I do not need my implants to tell me how to solve this simple problem, my instincts are enough.

  She moves her hand through her holopad once more. Showing us transport ships. My eyes peer closer at her now, she knows this will fail, she is not a fool like Marcus. They will postpone the Hunt if we admit faulty collection proceedings leading to a higher than authorized harvest. No, the solution is very simple. The reason she does not reach it is also clear, she wishes for the Grand Hunt to fail, but she knows she can’t be the reason or father will punish her, and those under her on Helenius Prime. Her precious subordinates.

  “It may be possible, but it will be a logistical nightmare getting them out before the inspection team comes through,” Marcus says, “Not to mention it will taint them, moved populations statistically have a higher rate of rebellion after all.”

  If only he had been given implants as a child, he might not be such a moron, and I might not be tasked with dealing with him. Price of his being a noble’s bastard I suppose. Perhaps he would look better as a hatrack. A fun thought. The implants press me to relax, suppressing the urges.

  “Then you should begin by…” Adona starts.

  “No,” I say, tilting my head at her ever so slightly, the edge of my lip forming in a smile, “Adona, he needs the fastest solution.”

  Her eyes turn to meet mine, how I miss her old ones. It was such a shame that father ripped them from her skull. The light they used to make always… the implants stir once more.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “This is the fastest solution,” she lies, her false confidence does not fool me. It never has.

  Even if she were to somehow fool me, the implants would alert me to the subtle changes in her behavior. She may try to hide behind her mask, downing anxiety suppressors but I know what lies beneath. A feast of raw emotions to devour.

  “Marcus, the ones we have already over collected, send them to the trough,” I say, unable to suppress my delight any longer as I see Adona shudder, a tensing in her face.

  Marcus stares blankly at me like an empty canvas that pretends to be art. If he were not from a Noble family, I would have killed him long ago and painted on that canvas using his blood. That would be art.

  “That would be a swift solution, but that feels like a waste, sir,” Marcus says, taking a step back.

  “You forget that a Sentinel from the Theocratic Imperium is a Keeper this year,” Adona says, almost challenging me with her stare, her clenched hands giving away her anger.

  Of course I did not forget, she knows as well as I that Sentinel Dargo is here to observe me. It is not uncommon for the Theocratic Imperium to send someone to observe the most promising individuals. He will respect my resolve. How could he not. My holopad sends an alert through my implants, in the corner of my vision I see a message from father.

  The writ has been approved for Thorn to deliver the cargo in orbit.

  Your cousin is still working on the exemption for the next challenge.

  He is unfortunately not as capable as you.

  How is Adona faring in her duties?

  My mouth tightens as I read the last part, this is my time to shine, and he asks after his favorite pet… his bastard. I send him a quick reply.

  I am only as capable as I am because of your tutelage, father.

  Her performance is adequate, for the moment.

  “You will send the required amount to the trough. If you fail, there will be consequences,” I say turning my attention back to the matter at hand, taking note of Adona’s displeasure, savoring it. “Marcus, you said some were still being collected?”

  “Yes, sir, Naro city is being collected as we speak, they just received your standard recorded holo for cities being processed.”

  “Pull up a holo.”

  The holo appears shortly after, my implants tell me more than 90,000 eligible hunters reside in the area. Like animals to a slaughter the Kuwathi will soon file from the city like so many before them. Only to be deposited into the overflowing trough. That is a waste, and rather boring, then it comes to me. A perfect solution to remove some of the herd, and get the Deca flowing in early. Father will be pleased.

  “Marcus, put out a ping to our VIPs, there’s going to be a special pre hunt challenge. Exclusive access only, set the buy in for double… no, three times the standard fare. Tell them, there will be copious amounts of blood.”

  “Understood, Sir.”

  I pull up the interface for the Kuwathi city Naro after ensuring my hair is perfect. My holopad chimes to tell me it is live.

  “Ah, it appears I have made an error,” I sigh, I do love some good theatrics.

  Some of the Kuwathi in the various holos lower themselves and give thanks, foolish.

  “It would appear that we are not going to be able to house all of you for this year's… event. Therefore, as a countermeasure, everyone will gather outside the city. Anyone who remains automatically forfeits… their life.”

  I cut the transmission. Adona shifts uncomfortably… delicious.

  “That is highly irregular, and not to mention against the sanctions of article…”

  “Calm down,” I say waving my hand at her, “There were rebels in that city, I have very reliable reports stating such.”

  “Bullshit,” Adona snarls, her perfect little mask slipping for but a moment.

  I smirk at her, sending a message to the commander of the collection, letting them know I will be speaking to the Kuwathi again soon.

  ***

  “Marcus, how much have we made so far?” I ask.

  “Sir, it’s quite a lot,” he says, swiping a holo at me.

  It’ll do. I send another message and open the interface to send a holo to be projected to all the animals waiting in the cold. It wasn’t intentional that some would die on the edges of their formation, desperately clawing to get closer to the center, but it did mildly amuse me. I straighten myself for the holo and speak to the animals like any good shepherd would.

  “You have been found guilty of harboring rebels amongst you. As such, you have been chosen above the other cities that are participating, and as I said before, there was a slight clerical error. We cannot house all of you.”

  Rebels, an easy ruse to make up, especially with so many real incidents of late.

  “After removing the infirm and the children,” I look at Adona, who does well to hide her upset, “There are exactly 94,572 of you eligible.”

  I fight the urge to smile widely.

  “Only 50,000 will be permitted to board the transport vessels.”

  Their faces remind me of her face when she first became part of our house, when father stripped her precious Kuwathi name from her.

  “If there are more than 50,000 by the end of the countdown, you will all fail and your sentences will be immediately carried out,” I can barely contain the smile as I finish with, “Happy hunting.”

  I end the transmission, pulling up more holos and displaying them all around us. Waiting for the excitement to begin. Each second that passes more beautiful than the last. The anticipation is exhilarating.

  Blood pours after a time, and the screams begin.

  ***

  That was a delicious snack for what is to come. I stare at Adona, her face still trying to hide the horror of what her eyes just saw. If she were not father’s favorite pet, the things I would do to her, I lick my lips as I imagine peeling back her flesh. A headache begins to form on my brow, from the implants no doubt. The thought falls away, but one lingers still, less potent but still requiring release.

  “Adona, find me someone who looks like Marcus.”

  Marcus shudders, a grin finds its way to my lips again. I do enjoy his weak spine. Someday, perhaps I will make it into a coatrack. For today, I will have to manage with a look alike. Father frowns on me killing those of noble blood, I look at Adona, even bastards.

  “Understood,” Adona says, her face is calm, but I know that something lurks under it, something wonderfully ripe.

  “Forbidden fruit,” I mouth without meaning to as I try to peel back her mask of falseness.

  “Sir?” Marcus says, a notable gulp follows.

  I wave them both away, I must meditate, the implants will need recalibrating soon as well. Fucking hell, the things I must put up with for Father’s dreams. If only I could do as I please. If only she were not his favorite pet bastard. Perhaps he will give her to me if I complete this grand task he has set before me.

  ***

  Day of the Grand Hunt’s first challenge.

  ***

  “Welcome Hunters!” Marcus says, over the Colosseum’s intercom system, “Give it up for the first round of hunters everyone!”

  My face wears a smile for the millions who watch from the stands cheering, and the countless others from the drone footage. In truth I do not appreciate their adoration, the thought of my name upon their disgusting lips sickens me, yet another burden I must bear for father’s dreams. The prodigal son must always usher in his father’s dreams, or so my grandfather told me, days before my uncle drove an Edict into his heart. There is advice in two forms there I suppose.

  “Okay – Okay settle down everyone, and now a word from the Governor of this system. The one gracious enough to organize the festivities for all of us!” Marcus says as our gravpod hovers to the center of the Colosseum, I detect he is enjoying himself.

  “I am Adonius of the great and noble House Helenius. As many of you are no doubt aware, I am the Interim Governor of this wonderful solar system,” I say to the multitude of garbage that gluttonously feasts upon foods.

  The only pleasure I see in them is knowing their excrement goes to the trough as well. My implants show me a message from Flagship Thorn’s Commander.

  Ready when you are, Governor. – Admiral Avek

  A soldier that knows his duty to his house and pays the respect that’s due. A fine example of House Helenius’s troops. Unlike the pompous FSC commander. I focus myself, I must speak to the masses still. Raising a hand now to silence their awful cheers.

  “I am pleased to announce the official start of the 447th annual Grand Hunt. We have a large selection this year, the largest ever I am told.”

  An acceptable amount of excitement follows.

  “Twenty Kuwathi cities have volunteered their citizens seeking glory. Exactly one million souls will compete this year.”

  The Kuwathi beasts were forced to be here, perhaps one of the few entertaining aspects of this position father thrust upon me. How I enjoy watching the sands become red.

  “I hope you all enjoy the opening festivities. For coin and glory, our Federation thrives,” I say, as they repeat it back I can’t help but to give a real smile, for they do not know what comes. They do not know the plans that have been laid by Father for all of them. My hand trembles with excitement at the thought of it. Lambs watching lambs.

  ***

  After a boring exchange of dialogue that father’s team of driveling sycophants concocted for me and Marcus to use during the Hunt, the first official challenge is beginning. Thorn has already launched the cargo. Now the feast for my eyes begins.

  “Ladies and gentlemen! I give you the Gana Emperor Scorpion!” Marcus yells.

  I give a command through my implants to my holopad that opens the cages. My face opens into a smile as the first of the genetically filthy is cut in half by the oversized scorpion’s claws. I wonder if these creatures can understand the service they provide, culling the herd of filth is a sacred task. A task that Alverian Nobles have been charged with for a thousand years now.

  “Fun fact, the venom from the Gana Emperor Scorpion is so toxic that it can even kill others of its kind, and did you know their stomach acid is so volatile it can even break down metal? Makes transporting them incredibly difficult,” Marcus says over the intercom for all to hear, my head tilts at him as my eyes slowly move to Adona who has a half grin suppressed on her delicate face.

  She told him no doubt. I will get her back for this. She has made a critical mistake today. One that I will not soon forget.

  free month ??

  ^^^FREE MONTH^^^