Arranging travel to Myero wasn’t hard. The Breakers had contacts among several pirate crews, and they all knew me well enough to trust me. That didn’t mean they cut me a good deal though. Word had traveled fast about Presh being killed, as well as the death of the Overseer. Most of the crews I talked to didn’t want that kind of heat anywhere near them. But, I found one that was willing to take the risk.
The Prancing Visari was an older model ship in bad shape. The captain had booked legitimate cargo to Myero, and he charged me a thousand BPUs for the privilege of riding in a secret compartment of his cargo hold. I was alone with my thoughts, holed away in the wall for the majority of the trip, only leaving to take meals and go to the bathroom.
Presh’s death weighed heavily on me. Being with the Breakers was the only world I ever knew. I felt like I was adrift in the void with nary a ship in sight to pick me up. Still, Myero felt like a safer place to be than Brarcolyn. Everyone there knew me as Ka’vex, but I’d have to drop that name for a while. The Overseers would be looking for Ka’vex, so I dusted off my birth name and by the time I landed, I’d pulled the shroud of Arnis over me again.
I’d already decided where I would go the moment we touched the planet’s surface. I had no formal education, no recognized skills, and no contacts on Myero. I could worm my way into one of the gangs on Myero, but without using my Jargunian name I’d have no reputation to stand on. I needed to find somewhere safe and protected. So, I went to the last place I thought the Bracolynite authorities would think to look.
I enlisted in the Black Palace Military.
When I walked into the enlistment center I thought it was strange they didn’t ask me any questions. I just walked up to the desk and told them I wanted in, and I didn’t care where. They held out a thumb prick and took my blood, had me sign some paperwork, and loaded me onto a transport off the planet. Less than a day after landing on Myero, I was shipped off the planet with a hundred others.
On the ship was our new Company Leader. She didn’t tell us our name and said she didn’t give a roak about ours until we’d gotten through the Proving Grounds. I wasn’t sure what that was all about, but I found out quickly.
The moment we landed the doors opened and we had a dozen Black Palace Sergeants in black armor rushing through the doors and screaming at us. We were hustled off the ship with batons and shouts and into a building where we were processed, stripped, and shoved into decontamination chambers. They used high-pressure hoses and chemical foam to wash us clean. The stuff they used made my eyes water and turned patches of my skin blood-red with irritation. Haircuts came next, and they weren’t gentle as they raked old-school razors across our heads and faces, making sure to get every last offending follicle.
After that, they sized us up and handed us all uniforms that looked more like something you’d wear in a prison. The gray, utilitarian jumpsuits made us all look like we were heading to an execution rather than training, and the truth wasn’t far off from that.
Everything moved so fast I couldn’t even process it all. There were piles of papers, digital readouts, blood samples, and more screaming. It wasn’t until we lined up in formation to enter the Proving Grounds that my mind slowed down enough to take it all in. The mention of possible death probably helped hone my attention too.
“Good afternoon, recruits,” the sergeant began as he paced in front of us in his black armor. We still hadn’t seen anyone’s faces other than the other recruits. I didn’t know if that was on purpose, but it made it difficult to determine who was who beyond their rank.
“Just because you enlisted, doesn’t mean you get the privilege of joining the All Father’s military. You must show that you’re worth the time to train. That’s what the Proving Grounds are for.”
Something about that sent a tingle of anticipation and fear down my spine. Even though I was born on Brarcolyn, I was raised with Jargunian beliefs. Part of those beliefs was showing yourself to be worthy. I’d shown my worthiness to Presh, earning my full name, but something told me the Black Palace had different standards.
“The rules are simple, get from here to the other side of the arena. Ahead of you is five hundred yards of pain, and there are only so many open slots waiting. Fall short, you’re done. Make it too late, you’re done. Die? You’re done. But don’t worry, there will be a small death stipend paid to your next of kin.”
Death? Surely they wouldn’t waste people just for failing their little test. I’d find out shortly that they would.
“Any questions? Too bad!” he shouted.
“You don’t get paid to ask questions! You’re paid to follow orders! And right now, your orders are to make it to the other side in three…”
The doors began to open and everyone flinched at the loud, mechanical sound. It was really starting. Right now.
I looked around at the other faces, seeing fear and apprehension all around me. There wasn’t room for judgment on my part. I was about to piss myself.
“Two…”
From the middle of the crowd, it was hard to see what was ahead, but I could hear the ratcheting sound of weapons and the roar of flames. I bent over to check that my boots were secure, and tucked in any bits of loose clothing.
“One!”
As the crowd sprinted forward as one, all I could focus on was getting through this alive.
To be continued…
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