Now there are concentrations of red dots dispersed throughout the city. “This is the latest Stargazer defensive formation, sent to us by our contact in the Royal Guard,” says Nishi. “The Sagittarian government can’t legally endorse our participation in military actions, Rho, but unofficially they’re feeding us details.”
“Most of us aren’t combat fighters, nor do we have access to or experience with weapons,” says Deke. “Which is why violence is not our primary objective.” Gyzer and a few other guys grow disgruntled when they hear this, but they don’t argue, so it’s clear this subject has already been settled.
“We’re going to be using invisibility Veils that will conceal us from others but are networked so we’ll be able to see each other.” Nishi holds up one of the collars Hysan gave her back on Gemini. “Once the fighting starts, we will back up the Stargazers, supplying weapons reloads, transporting the wounded, and bringing back reconnaissance updates on the Marad’s positions.
That’s all.
”
Deke shuts off his hologram. “Today and tomorrow, we will continue training in combat and weapons so that if the worst should happen, we can defend ourselves.”
“There are vials of Abyssthe available for anyone who wants to do readings,” offers Nishi.
“What happens if they attack us with Dark Matter?” asks Ezra, her elaborate braids practically swallowing her small face. “How will we defend ourselves then?”
Until now, the Marad has been attacking with brute force and advanced weaponry—not Psynergy. There’s been no evidence of any Dark Matter assaults since the armada, and with Charon back in power and still spreading his fabrications about cosmic rays from the Sufianic Clouds, most question the existence of the Psy weapon altogether. Despite the evidence LordNeith and Ambassador Sirna presented to the Plenum on Aries, no one wants to believe in a superweapon . . . just as they don’t want to believe in a supervillain.
“The city will be shielded.”
My heart recognizes the voice before my ears do, and a torrent of blood floods my face.
“And this time, I can assure you the shields will work, because I built them all myself.”
Hysan strides into the room in an inconspicuous all-black getup and casts his green gaze around the group. He stops on my face.
“My lady . . . it’s good to see you.” A strange silence follows, but Hysan seems to be the only person in the room who doesn’t hear it.
“Great to see you again, Hysan,” says Deke, dispersing the cloud of discomfort. “How do we shield the city?”
“I’ve spoken with Guardian Brynda, and we agreed that I will deliver the shields today,” answers Hysan, who still hasn’t broken eye contact with me.
Everyone murmurs, clearly impressed by his high reach. “That’s perfect,” says Nishi. “Rho, you should go with him and talk to Brynda since you’ve met her before. But first,” she says, gesturing to the rest of the room, “do you want to say anything—?”
“Well, we really should go now,” I say, as anxious about addressing the group as I am eager to be alone with Hysan. “The sooner we touch base with Guardian Brynda and find out what’s going on, the better.”
“Agreed,” says Deke, and a few others nod with him. Nishi’s the only one who looks disappointed with this plan. “Rho, you and Hysan should head out now so you can be back before dark. There’s been a curfew imposed until the threat’s over.”
Aryll looks at me like he might pull a Stanton and ask to come with us, so I head him off. “Stay and let Stanton know we got here safely? Nishi will help you get settled until I’m back. I won’t be long, I promise.”
Nishi walks over to Aryll while I join Hysan in the hall. I offer him my hand for the traditional greeting, and he kisses my skin softly. He doesn’t release my fingers as he leads me out the front door. “Wait—how are we getting there?” I ask,
“Most of us aren’t combat fighters, nor do we have access to or experience with weapons,” says Deke. “Which is why violence is not our primary objective.” Gyzer and a few other guys grow disgruntled when they hear this, but they don’t argue, so it’s clear this subject has already been settled.
“We’re going to be using invisibility Veils that will conceal us from others but are networked so we’ll be able to see each other.” Nishi holds up one of the collars Hysan gave her back on Gemini. “Once the fighting starts, we will back up the Stargazers, supplying weapons reloads, transporting the wounded, and bringing back reconnaissance updates on the Marad’s positions.
That’s all.
”
Deke shuts off his hologram. “Today and tomorrow, we will continue training in combat and weapons so that if the worst should happen, we can defend ourselves.”
“There are vials of Abyssthe available for anyone who wants to do readings,” offers Nishi.
“What happens if they attack us with Dark Matter?” asks Ezra, her elaborate braids practically swallowing her small face. “How will we defend ourselves then?”
Until now, the Marad has been attacking with brute force and advanced weaponry—not Psynergy. There’s been no evidence of any Dark Matter assaults since the armada, and with Charon back in power and still spreading his fabrications about cosmic rays from the Sufianic Clouds, most question the existence of the Psy weapon altogether. Despite the evidence LordNeith and Ambassador Sirna presented to the Plenum on Aries, no one wants to believe in a superweapon . . . just as they don’t want to believe in a supervillain.
“The city will be shielded.”
My heart recognizes the voice before my ears do, and a torrent of blood floods my face.
“And this time, I can assure you the shields will work, because I built them all myself.”
Hysan strides into the room in an inconspicuous all-black getup and casts his green gaze around the group. He stops on my face.
“My lady . . . it’s good to see you.” A strange silence follows, but Hysan seems to be the only person in the room who doesn’t hear it.
“Great to see you again, Hysan,” says Deke, dispersing the cloud of discomfort. “How do we shield the city?”
“I’ve spoken with Guardian Brynda, and we agreed that I will deliver the shields today,” answers Hysan, who still hasn’t broken eye contact with me.
Everyone murmurs, clearly impressed by his high reach. “That’s perfect,” says Nishi. “Rho, you should go with him and talk to Brynda since you’ve met her before. But first,” she says, gesturing to the rest of the room, “do you want to say anything—?”
“Well, we really should go now,” I say, as anxious about addressing the group as I am eager to be alone with Hysan. “The sooner we touch base with Guardian Brynda and find out what’s going on, the better.”
“Agreed,” says Deke, and a few others nod with him. Nishi’s the only one who looks disappointed with this plan. “Rho, you and Hysan should head out now so you can be back before dark. There’s been a curfew imposed until the threat’s over.”
Aryll looks at me like he might pull a Stanton and ask to come with us, so I head him off. “Stay and let Stanton know we got here safely? Nishi will help you get settled until I’m back. I won’t be long, I promise.”
Nishi walks over to Aryll while I join Hysan in the hall. I offer him my hand for the traditional greeting, and he kisses my skin softly. He doesn’t release my fingers as he leads me out the front door. “Wait—how are we getting there?” I ask,
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