Regnig had assured me he wasn’t finished with my story, but neither was I. There were too many things to accomplish. We needed to secure the Alliance and enable a better future for all of our partners.

  I stared at the ample text, almost unbelieving how much we’d endured to reach this point. And now Regnig was meeting his end. Hugo was missing, and Jules was off chasing after the mythical First World. When would these misadventures stop, allowing us to focus on the important things? I rubbed my eyes and closed the book.

  With a quick check on the Communicator, I saw that Jules hadn’t responded. I kept it visible, then crawled under the blankets, once again gazing at the ceiling. But this time, sleep found me, dragging me into another nightmare.

  TWELVE

  “Hugo, what are you doing here?” Casidy’s voice carried through the mostly empty courtyard.

  “Looking for a clue,” he replied.

  “We were searching everywhere for you,” she told him.

  Hugo tapped his wrist. “You realize these things have tracking on them, right?”

  She rolled her eyes and jogged to his side. “What are you after?”

  The sun was higher than he’d thought, meaning they were probably late for the start of the contest. Malir was going to be so angry. “Where is he?”

  “Malir? He’s at the hotel waiting for me to drag you back.”

  “I can’t. Not yet.” Hugo stared at the nearest statue. The giant hunks of carved rock were majestic, their edges smoothed by years of weather.

  Casidy grabbed his arm, tugging him closer. “What are you seeing?”

  “The Deity stones, or Shandra Valincin.”

  “You believe in those?”

  “Believe? Why wouldn’t I? We have one at the Institute. You just used it the other day,” Hugo said, finding it odd she’d even asked that question.

  “I understand it’s a different portal. But Deities? That’s a little far-fetched.”

  Hugo suddenly realized something he’d never noticed before. “You don’t think Jules is one of the Deities.”

  “No, Hugo. I don’t think these Deities exist,” she said pointedly.

  Hugo stepped away, shaking his head. “You have to be kidding me.”

  “I trust in science,” she said.

  “So do I, but the Deities are real. My sister has faced three of them. And so are the other dimensions, and the Void between the portal worlds. The Theos did put themselves into the stones early on to protect the universe from unbalancing. All of these things have happened, Casidy.”

  She regarded him with an odd expression. “And let’s say for a moment that you’re correct. Why are you staring at these old statues?”

  “We’ve only found three stones. Why does Seqor have four giants holding what appears to be the Valincin?” Hugo gawked up, squinting at the nearest.

  “Did the Deities have six arms?”

  “No, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t alter their appearance,” Hugo suggested. Really, he had no clue whether they carried the ability or not.

  “Can Jules do that?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “Let’s go,” she said.

  “Not yet.”

  Casidy sighed and removed a device from her pocket. “Okay, you want a better view?”

  He nodded and heard the humming of a drone overhead. She passed him the tablet, and he observed as the drone showed him live footage as it floated around the statues.

  “Wait, stop there!” he called, and Casidy returned the miniature mechanical unit to its previous position. “That’s it.”

  “What is?” Casidy bumped into his shoulder, peering at the screen. “It’s a symbol.”

  “I recognize it. That’s where they found the second stone,” Hugo whispered. “Get the others. Record the shapes.”

  Casidy paled, but listened to his instructions, floating the drone throughout the courtyard. When it was completed, Hugo couldn’t stop smiling. “This is our clue.”

  “Four symbols. Four stones. But you have three already.”

  “Of course. I know three of them, but not the fourth.” Hugo used the tablet to cross-reference the Crystal Map, and saw the fourth icon had never been searched.

  “Could it be so simple?” Casidy asked.

  “Could what be?” The voice drew their attention, and Malir stood at the edge of the courtyard, a frown on his brow.

  Hugo looked around, not wanting to be overheard. They went to their leader and told him Hugo’s theory. Hugo expected Malir to lash out, but instead, he just laughed.

  Malir tapped the screen. “You think it’ll take us to the First World?”

  “Maybe,” Hugo admitted.

  “Okay. We can try it. Next time you run off, tell someone. Jules will kill me if anything happens to you,” Malir said.

  “So you’re really just scared of her?” Hugo mumbled.

  Malir shoved him in the arm as they returned to the hotel. “Nah. You’re growing on me too, kid.”

  He didn’t bother asking Malir to ditch the nickname. He was too excited.

  Casidy picked up speed. “We’re going to be late.”

  They quickly gathered their belongings and hurried to the meeting, encountering a few people outside the doorway. Malir ran ahead, bringing out his credentials.

  “Hi, are we too tardy?” he asked.

  Hugo was face to face with a hybrid. His jaw dropped. “Terrance?”

  The man looked baffled. “And who are you? Another human?”

  “Another?” Casidy managed.

  “I saw one earlier. Lance and Balee, our Protectors, were speaking with her,” the hybrid said.

  “Wait, how are you here?” Hugo asked.

  “I could ask the same thing, Earthling,” he said.

  Malir held his wrist higher, showing the contract. “Let us in.”

  The man scanned it with a light, and it beeped angrily. “The invitation is fake.”

  “No way. We got it from one of the invitees. His name was Donov the Illustrious,” Malir told him.

  “Yes, Donov. This tall?” He held a hand way up in the air. “Reeks of desperation and liquor? I’m sorry to say, you’ve been had. Next!”

  Hugo looked behind them, but the line had disbanded. “Is my sister in there?” he barked. “Curly brown hair. Green eyes.”

  “She captivated the Protectors’ earlier, but I’m afraid that is all I can say. The contest is beginning.” The hybrid moved for the entrance, and Hugo went to grab him. A drone whinged and fired a warning shot on the ground in front of Hugo, stopping him in his tracks. “I’d suggest you depart promptly.”

  The door slammed closed, leaving the three of them on the sidewalk, empty-handed. “Now what?”

  “We go to Anlise and fly to the nearest portal.” Hugo grinned, imagining Jules was across the wall, joining the contest. “With Jules on board, we’re definitely going to win the prize.”

  Malir contacted a taxi shuttle, and they were soon ferried away from Seqor and into orbit.

  _________

  “What’s wrong?” Suma asked.

  Jules scanned the gathered, still not seeing a sign of Hugo or the others. “Nothing. I thought I sensed something. Like he was close.” Jules scratched her forearm, feeling a gentle itch. She concentrated on Hugo, then Malir, but came up empty.

  “If he was, we’d have seen him. I’m sorry. Maybe he’s been returned to the Institute,” Suma said hopefully.

  Jules kept her gaze on the pair of Arnap soldiers on the edge of the stage. They were calm, stoically standing with confidence. Their hands were now interlaced behind their backs, giving them a casual exterior. She struggled with the fact that their old enemy was here, and conspiring with the same man running this contest.

  The room was full of noise. Last night, the teams had been more subdued at the dinner, but now, they were almost vibrating with anticipation of the coming events. Searching for the First World, in what they were told was a sanctioned contest, sponsored by a giant corporation from Zecos. Planetary Provider Inc. had a reputation throughout the three nearest galaxies, and that gave them a huge reach. Thousands of viable worlds to utilize and terraform.

  A sinking sensation hit her in the gut as the doors opened, and the same man from last night wandered onto the stage. He was less frail, his steps more confident. Nix Benah looked younger in the soft lighting.

  “What happened to him?” Slate asked.

  “I don’t know,” she muttered. “But I’m guessing it wasn’t just a good night’s rest.”

  Lance and Balee stormed the podium, flanking Nix from either side as they strolled to center stage.

  “Everyone, be silent for a short duration,” Balee said. When she smiled, Jules saw the similarities to Leslie. “It is time to provide your final instructions.”

  Nix waved them off, and Lance held for a moment before backing away with his partner.

  “I grew up on the lowest level of Tower City. For any of you that…”

  Jules glanced behind her, seeing Jaeke and Xandr finally joining their group. She returned her attention to the man speaking.

  “…you know Tower City is an inhospitable place, unless you’re lucky enough to be on top. I was a skinny kid, my lungs only operating at fifty percent, until someone from the higher levels offered to clean up the stacks. He came down wearing a gilded cape, his clothing pressed, his face shaved and unmarked with pocks. I wanted to be him.”

  Nix spoke with a storyteller’s cadence, and she found herself being dragged into the tale with the rest of the gathered teams.

  “With a goal in mind, I started my journey to the top. My parents died when I was twelve, leaving me stranded with my sister. I worked tirelessly, eventually clawing up to the second-to-last level. She didn’t make it to her fourteenth birthday. Fueled by my circumstance, I fought tirelessly to succeed. I started a filtration company when I was sixteen, offering cleaner air to the less fortunate. For a price, of course, but they paid. Within two years, I’d managed to climb to the midway point of Tower City. I could see the skies, and the ocean beyond the confines of the metropolis. I dreamed of one day visiting space, of doing something for our people. I also desired to destroy the Tower and start afresh. Give them a new home on another world. Thus Zecos One was formed, ten years later. My first terraform project. Only, it failed.”

  Jaeke leaned closer, his breath warm. “Sure. His rich friends have places out there, overlooking Benah Canyon.”

  Jules ignored his musings. Flim shifted on his feet, his hair brushing against her arm.

  “I’ve worked so tirelessly, and not everything has been a success. With life, business, and even… love, you are never guaranteed anything. I lost my mate. Nearly took my own life. But my business has never slowed. Because of this, I am finally doing it. When the First World is discovered, I’ve made a promise to the people of Tower City. I will deliver them to a new sanctuary.”

  The lights lowered, and a projection appeared behind Nix. The orb spun slowly, and he used a control in his hand to zoom. “This is Zaluniv. The city has been prepared. Infrastructure is there for all twelve million inhabitants of my previous home.”

  The audience clapped, but Jules felt their trepidation. What did that have to do with any of them? They weren’t from Tower City. Only Jaeke behind her was, to her understanding.

  “This may underwhelm the rest of you, but we’ve decided to allow immigration to Seqor as well. Come this time next year, we will permit one million of each race represented in the contest to join us in living on this paradise. The details will be forthcoming, but you will all be heroes to your people for bringing such fortunate news home when the contest is complete.”

  Jules understood his motives. They were all heavily invested now. Even if they lost, they won.

  “The contest begins in ten minutes,” he said, and the room buzzed with excitement. “I’ll explain the ground rules.”

  “Here it comes,” Flim whispered.

  Jules stayed quiet, trying to hear every word.

  “One team at a time, you will be directed through the portal chamber. Before you choose your first destination, you’ll be given a device. Select the location, and record everything about the world. Gather samples of soil, air quality, wildlife. If there are intelligent beings, make contact, do your best with the translation tools built into the unit, and all I ask is that you represent Planetary Provider Inc. to the best of your ability. Do not inflict harm. At the first sign of confrontation, retreat.”

  Jules blinked her dry eyes. “This doesn’t even have to do with the First World,” she said softly.

  “What?” Suma asked.

  “It’s a scam. He’s just using these people like Gatekeepers for his own selfish reasons. They’ll explore hundreds, maybe thousands of worlds, and he’ll have the details in the span of a few days.” Jules balled her hands into fists. “It’s going to be chaos.”

  “I see what you’re saying, Jules.” Slate glanced behind him at Jaeke. “He wants a list of who he can sell a terraformed planet to.”

  “Or which worlds have what resources. Do you think it’s a coincidence the Arnap are here?” Suma added.

  “They’re going to wage war,” Jules said. “We have to stop them.”

  “How?” Suma asked. “The contest is starting.”

  Jules considered the question, knowing full well she could shut the portals down if necessary. At least she thought she could.

  “Lance and Balee will arrange your departures. May the odds be in your favor.” Nix Benah lifted an arm, and the crowd cheered him loudly. Jules watched him walk off, the pair of Arnap following behind like loyal sentries.

  “What are we going to do?” Jaeke asked. “I must find Anlise, and your brother as well.”

  As frustrating the situation was, Jaeke was right. “We use the portal and check the place Papa suggested.”

  “He thinks it’ll lead us to the First World?” Suma asked.

  “He and Regnig experienced something… strange.”

  “How strange? Because with those two, it would have to be really bizarre,” Slate told her.

  “He didn’t elaborate, but…” Sadness crept past her barriers, and her shoulders shuddered.

  Suma put an arm around her. “What is it?”

  “It’s Regnig. He’s dying.”

  Slate inhaled through his teeth. “I had no idea. I’m sorry, Ju.”

  She dabbed at the corners of her eyes, pushing the pain away. “He’s at peace with it. But that doesn’t mean I am.”

  “That’s what you want with the First World,” Jaeke interjected, likely unaware of who or what Regnig was.

  “What’s he talking about?” Slate asked.

  “The rumors of the healing pool. It’s said that the dead can be revived by bathing them in the waters. The pool is located on the First World,” Xandr said, his tongue flicking from his mouth.

  All eyes settled on Jules, and she didn’t argue with their assumption.

  “If Regnig has accepted his fate, then you need to as well. Even if this miraculous pool existed, we can’t go against his wishes and force it,” Suma said.

  “I know. I’ve been foolish.”

  Jaeke gestured at the stage, where Lance was coming directly for them. “We have company. Let’s stick to the plan. We find the First World and locate our loved ones.”

  Jules nodded, moving to the front of their group when Lance approached.

  “Miss Parker. Are you ready?” he asked, smile wide.

  “For the portal? Aren’t there, like, a hundred teams?” She glanced at the exit. None of the teams had left yet.

  “We’re offering you a head start,” he said.

  “I’ll take it.” Jules followed him past the other contestants, all of whom glared at them as they left the confines of the hall. It was a beautiful morning on Seqor, but that did little to counter the nerves she experienced.

  Nix Benah was using the contest as a front for his personal gain, and she would stop him at all costs. But her brother had to be found. And Regnig’s imminent demise weighed heavily on her.

  They filed into the transport, and Lance didn’t even question them when Xandr and Jaeke joined their team on the ship. Everyone suited up, the Aktoo man using an EVA that accommodated his lengthy tail. Jaeke’s was plain gray, with few of the features she’d grown used to with the high level of tech flooding the Institute. He didn’t even carry a weapon, but Slate had enough to share.

  The trek to the portal chamber was quick, and soon they all stood within the cavernous room, the pair of ancient stone Protectors holding the ceiling up.

  “Where to?” Lance asked, and Jules thought about the symbol her father had given her. She couldn’t very well use that, not with so many witnesses. Jules noticed the drones in the air, watching them from near the top of the cave.

  Instead, she chose a random destination, making Lance smile. “Here is your Journal.” He passed her a round tablet. “Don’t forget to record everything you encounter.”

  Jules grinned and nodded in agreement. They gathered near the stone, and she selected the proper icon. Without looking at the hybrid, she touched the symbol, sending them to a distant destination.

  They appeared on a hillside, with rolling green valleys, the sky a light purple.

  Jaeke staggered forward, eyes cast upwards.

  Jules took the Journal and threw it to the grass. Without preamble, she stomped on it, shattering it in a dozen pieces. She focused on it with her powers, and the shards melted into a puddle of electronics.

  “What are you?” Xandr asked.

  “I’m the person that’s going to stop Nix from harming any more people.”

  THIRTEEN

  “You wasted an entire day.” Anlise had been berating them for the last five minutes. Hugo let her go on, knowing she’d be out of fuel eventually.

  “We could have been gone, checking more planets off the list,” she said.

 

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