Tuesday March 29, 454 MC
1333 GMT
Core 47
47 ONLY used Damion to help him walk along the hallways back to their room because of minor dizziness. 47 had used the Impulse Barrier against another assault from Arkin in the sims. Arkin’s new Core was unable to modify the Hephaestus against the Barrier. How Arkin continued to be chosen by Cores so quickly, 47 did not know. While Damion was vehemently against the use of the Pulse, 47 had needed to test it out again since he had installed the new energy drain into the Ares. The purpose of it was to supply the Impulse Barrier with the energy it needed to work without draining him.
Unfortunately he hadn’t installed a large enough conduit and they had needed to stun more enemies this time around, since Arkin slipped an ally into the battle with him. So the energy drain had run out and the Pulse had looked for its next source, which was 47. But it wasn’t nearly as bad as previously, and 47 was merely weakened instead of downright exhausted.
“Damn it,” Damion spat.
47 knew Damion didn’t like the Pulse—well, Damion liked not dying but didn’t like the attention it drew, and they were both becoming exhausted from Arkin’s attacks. It was also becoming a stress factor within the Alpha ranks. The Commander would have to address the attacks soon—it just wouldn’t be today. After this round of sims, they were supposed to be given assignments or wait until the first rebel raid or uprising to go back out.
“How bad are you?” Damion asked.
“I am merely having an imbalance of equilibrium at the moment. I shall be acceptable in about seven minutes’ time.”
“Right.” Damion looked over his left shoulder at the other Zodiacs being dragged in by maintenance haulers. They were all without power and their Cores more than likely stunned. “Let’s get the hell out of here before the Commander appears again.”
Damion walked a bit faster. Most of the people they passed didn’t even pay attention to them since they had to drag in a few downed Fighters, and some Cores needed assistance. 47 suspected Damion had an easy goal: their quarters.
47 was silent as he contemplated the Impulse Barrier. He needed to install a larger energy supply for it to drain from. He looked back and saw Arkin’s new Core, 108, being pulled from the ship. The dark-skinned Core’s body was rigid, his gray eyes open in a sightless stare. He was still alive but… 47 looked at Arkin, supported by his comrades as he glared at his disabled Core in disgust.
47 turned away, allowing Damion to help him onto an elevator. Once the doors closed, he had a confession for him. “I have… reservations about using the Impulse Barrier against other Zodiac ships.”
“Why?”
47 tripped, then straightened out as the world spun for a moment. “Arkin will terminate 108, blaming it on the Barrier. I am doing harm to the other Cores.”
“No others need to die because of that bastard. There has to be a way to stop him.” 47 was relieved that Damion had held back his usual derogatory diatribe. “Why does he get chosen? The other Cores have to know that he’s been through so many.”
“He is one of the better Fighters. Not as exceptional as you, but good. The Commander wants him to remain an Alpha. While most of the time Cores choose their Fighters, sometimes they are forced to pair with the ones the Corporation wants on the field. The Creators want me to use the Impulse Barrier and Arkin is an Alpha willing to attack us with no reservations. They did the same with me, except the other Cores have no way of fighting back. So they die.”
47 closed his eyes to try to push back some of the dizziness. It helped until they had to exit the elevator and start walking toward their quarters.
“Screw the Commander.” Damion looked happy to see the door to their room. “Lie down for an hour or two and then try and find 108. Maybe they’ll take him to Medical before releasing him to Arkin.”
“As you order.” Once Damion sat him on the edge of his capsule, 47 slid down into it. He wouldn’t rest yet. He pushed in the code to activate the capsule and gasped as the jacks entered his body, sagging into the embrace of the system. Following the circuits throughout the Zeus like the pathways of an underworld, 47 emerged in the Medical Bay. He searched each pod before coming to 108’s and slipping into the feed. He sent out an inquisitive pulse toward the unconscious Core.
There was mute surprise at first and then acknowledgment.
While Cores might be bonded to Fighters and forced to fight one another, they had no negative feelings toward one another. They were a silent community, helping and watching over one another through the system when they could and when it wouldn’t go against any order given. It was the only way to help each other since they couldn’t do so out of the system.
47 asked 108 if he was okay, and 108 reported that he was acceptable. He inquired about Arkin, and 47 felt something he had never experienced before—fear. Overwhelming fear. Emotions shouldn’t transfer over the cold circuits, but the burst of energy that pierced 47’s mind was enough. He pushed 108 back toward calm and then further into sleep. He wanted to keep 108 there, in the Med Bay, for as long as possible. But he knew that Arkin would take his Core, whether or not he was unconscious, as soon as possible. After saying farewell, 47 quickly made his way back to his own mind and awoke with a gasp.
“You okay?” Damion had changed out of his flight suit and into jeans and a plain black T-shirt. “Did you find him?”
47 sat up, the cables falling slack. Tired of having the standard-length cables, which tended to pull at him, he had made the ones in his capsule longer. He blinked blearily at his Fighter, swallowing as he tried to get moisture back in his mouth.
“Affirmative. He is in the Medical Bay. I pushed him into a deeper sleep and sent a message from the medic terminal stating a flux in 108’s Norepinephrine levels to try and delay Arkin’s collection of him, but I do not believe it will work. And 108 is… scared. He believes that Arkin will claim him whether he is conscious or not.”
“47, think.” Damion leaned down so they were almost face-to-face. “What would keep a Core from being claimed by his Fighter? Other than being near death. Coma? Poison?”
“A Core is a possession, not a person. If a Fighter is insistent enough, nothing can keep him from claiming his Core except the Commander or the Creators.” 47’s gaze met Damion’s unwaveringly. “The medics assume that a Fighter would know his Core best and therefore would do the best for his Core’s recovery. The medics fear the Creators’ ire if they interfere with their experiments. How far a Core is pushed despite the repression of emotions to stimulate those emotions, even fear, is an ongoing experiment. It allows the Creators to refine their development techniques.”
“Except this bastard wants to find one to be better than you, and there isn’t one.” Damion closed his eyes and let out a long breath. “Hack into the medical computers. I don’t care what you come up with, but make up something that would make Arkin unable to pick 108 up for at least an hour. I want you to stay here and keep plugged in while I go talk to Juni. Hopefully this won’t get us tried for treason.”
47 was silent for a moment as he thought, and then a faint twitch of his lips betrayed a very quick smile. “Delanor space seed. 108 may have gotten it on him while exiting the Hephaestus. It would be fathomable it attached to the inside of one of his ports as it attaches to the outside of the craft. If the scanners sensed a sudden outbreak, the computer would close down the Medical Bay for quarantine. Will that be acceptable?”
Damion spoke with a large grin “You’re a genius. I heard about one outbreak while in training. Bay scanners missed it because it was tucked into a pilot’s helmet somehow. I’m just glad it’s fake and we don’t have to worry about gigantic hives and respiratory failure.” He ruffled the top of 47’s head. “I’m going to see how anxious Juni is to get his own Core. Remember, you stay here and lock that door after I leave in case Arkin comes looking for you or me.”
“I will observe Arkin and proceed to warn you if he or any of his associates approaches,” 47 promised, pleased that his Fighter was happy with him. He sank back down into a supine position, launching himself into the circuits again.
Damion
DAMION DIDN’T waste any time getting down to the lower decks. This would piss Arkin off more and delay him getting another Core, but he couldn’t stand by and watch it happen again. The other Alphas’ Cores were used, some badly, but only Arkin was getting away with multiple counts of manslaughter. Damion would need to investigate if these actions were solely contained to Zeus or if they were found on the other flagship, Hera. He prayed it was only this Commander and group of Fighters that treated such amazing people with indignity.
He found Juni in the exercise room. Damion gripped the front of Juni’s shirt and pulled him roughly off the workbench where he was doing sit-ups, then led him to the side of the room. “You want a Core?”
“What?” Juni’s blue eyes widened in surprise at both the question and the near manic expression on his best friend’s face.
“Look, Arkin’s been killing Cores. I’m not sure how many they have on this ship, but right now there is one that he’ll probably kill within the next twelve hours. They may have a supply of Cores on this ship but I’m tired of sitting here doing nothing,” Damion explained in a low, hushed tone, making sure no one could hear him.
“Um, I don’t know what the hell you’re going on about here, buddy.” Juni frowned, and Damion could tell that he wasn’t sure if Damion was telling the truth or had gone completely off the deep end. “Is this even legit?”
“Probably not.” Damion shook his head and then dragged Juni by the upper arm out of the workout room and away from others. “Look. You’ll be saving a life, and I’m not making that fucking part up. Plus, we get to piss off Arkin.”
“If I get dishonorably discharged, I’m kicking your ass.” Juni yanked his arm free from his friend’s bruising grip and followed Damion.
“That’s it?” Juni’s quick agreement surprised Damion.
“You’re either crazy, drunk, or I’m just insane enough to trust you. We’ll figure out which one it is in a few minutes.”
“Just be quiet, follow me, and don’t make a sound.”
Damion knew a few other people in the corridor would start to notice they didn’t belong within the area, so he used his Alpha-status badge to purloin the Elite elevators to Medical. He trusted 47 to gain him access even if Medical was now in fake quarantine.
Once Damion and Juni were in the elevator, 47 spoke through the speaker system. “I apologize if I am being ‘creepy’ again, but deemed it necessary to report. Medical is fully sealed under quarantine. No one is present except for 108. The other Cores were already claimed by their Fighters since they were not as affected. Arkin has been confined to his room, also under quarantine. I have impressed your plan onto 108 and implemented the beginning of the bonding process between him and Juni. He was never fully bonded with Arkin, and he agreed quickly.”
“Bonded, huh? Isn’t this supposed to be done after we’re chosen?” Juni looked at Damion in obvious confusion.
“By the power invested in me and my incredibly talented Core, you’ve been chosen. Think of it as making a best friend in about five seconds.” Damion had no other way to describe it, since Fighters didn’t go through the bonding process in the same manner as Cores. All Damion knew was that 47 had initiated the bonding while Damion was sleeping on the night 47 chose him. But Damion had trusted the strange man ever since, even finding himself liking and enjoying 47’s company more and more over the week that he’d known him.
“Is he broken? Why the fuck are we going into a quarantined area?”
Juni was beginning to panic.
“It’s fake, the quarantine—47 can do that. But no, 108 is fine for being a Core. No one will think anything other than 108 is a bit of a fickle ass. He’s lucky, because Arkin is good but not as good as us, and this time Arkin got real damn close to blowing us into space vapor—something he’s never been able to do with his other Core. I think 108 will be even more exceptional once he’s out of Arkin’s control.” Damion tried to sound excited for Juni, but really he wanted 108 out of Arkin’s hands.
“Won’t Arkin get a new one in a few weeks?” Juni asked as the elevator doors opened onto the Medical corridor.
“Shhh.” Damion waved his hand to shut Juni up and looked around. He wasn’t going to take any chances. Happy that the hallway was empty, he ran. He followed the green, open doorways to find the Core Diagnostic section in the Med Bay where 108 would be kept, knowing 47 wouldn’t allow him to get lost.
Once Damion and Juni were inside, the doors closed behind them and the lights turned red. 47’s voice came over the comm system.
“I have stopped all the sensors from indicating a disturbance, but I will not be able to hold it for long before someone recognizes a loop. I’m bringing 108 out of stasis now.”
A few seconds later, 108’s eyes fluttered open. They were steel gray, a color only found in the eyes of those Saturn-born. The rest of him—the dark tan skin, ebony hair, and fine bone structure—were also traits from the same planet. Those eyes met first Damion’s and then Juni’s.
“He will not be able to communicate for approximately two hours due to the stun from the Impulse Barrier. I have already changed records to show that 108 has chosen Fighter Juni.”
“Why did I have to come?” Juni asked, looking down at the rather skinny young man in the pod.
“Here.” Damion went across the Diagnostic room and dragged a chair over to the side of 108’s pod. “Sit.”
He pushed on Juni’s shoulders and Juni had no choice but to sit down quickly. Then Damion took his hand and put it on 108’s. “Let him bond to your electromagnetic waves and a bunch of other stuff I don’t get, so that there is no chance in hell that Arkin can dispute this.”
“Okay, sure. Damion, you sound like a crazy man.” Juni frowned but kept his hand on the Core’s. “Arkin wanted you dead before. Now he’s going to want me dead too.”
“When we’re done with this, we’re going to go have a nice chat with Arkin,” Damion said in a dark voice as he walked over to one of the computer stations. “47, give us a four-minute head start before the system comes back up, but keep Arkin locked in his room. Then I want you to secure a path for us to the air locks down by the trash collectors on the seventh floor starboard area. Just in case we need them in an emergency.”
“As you order,” 47 confirmed. “You have approximately eleven minutes before I can no longer hold the systems.” A diagram of the areas Damion had spoken of appeared on the medical screen in front of him, an arrowed path appearing on the map. “This is the route you will need to take so that I can keep you secure.”
108’s gaze seemed to be riveted on Juni’s. Hearing 47’s voice, his steel gaze flickered to the monitor and then back to Juni.
“Forgive my interruption, but 108 is still… afraid. He is worried that Fighter Mathis will treat him just as Arkin did. For all my attempts to tell him otherwise, I deduce that he only might start believing it if you told him the truth.”
“Juni, hurry things up, tell the Core that you’re not a raping, abusive asshole.” Damion looked over at his friend, sighing with impatience.
“You serious? Wait, never mind, you and your creepy Core go ahead and keep plotting your crazy schemes.” Juni shook his head and stood back up so he could look down at the Core. He kept hold of 108’s hand. “Is my arm supposed to buzz?”
“Juni!” Damion hissed.
“Eh, hey, I’m Juni. Juni Mathis. I’ve never hit anyone in my life—well, not in the way Arkin hit people, only the people in bars who try to steal my date. I don’t really have much interest either in other guys. No offense. I sort of dig the tits-and-ass type to keep my interest.”
Damion rolled his eyes. “Classy. And I thought you Lunar-born were Elite citizens.”
“It’s the damn truth!” Juni exclaimed, and then he must have realized 108 was still there because he winced when they touched, as if the Core’s arm was extremely cold. “Hey, I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m not an ass. Wow. His arm’s really cold!”
108 continued to stare at Juni for a few more long moments before his eyes closed. The cables retracted from his ports, and he let Juni’s hand go so that he could use the sides of the capsule to push himself to his shaky feet.
“He has agreed to be your Core. Fighter Mathis, 108, direct your attention to the monitor in front of Fighter Hawk,” 47 said before a full diagram of the Zeus appeared and then narrowed as the escape path on the schematic began blinking. “I will help guide you if you become confused on the route. You have six minutes before I must turn off the warnings. I can continue to keep Arkin contained until further notice. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Just stay in your pod.” Damion grinned almost maniacally. “The rest is something I’ve been looking forward to.”
Damion and Juni helped 108 to Juni’s quarters and gently placed him in Juni’s bed so that he could rest. Beta quarters didn’t come with a Core capsule, so it was the only place comfortable enough for 108 for now. Medical would be pissed and worried about contamination, but by the time they started accusing Juni of kidnapping, 108 would be able to tell them through the uplinks that he had gone with Juni willingly.
In the meantime Damion took Juni with him to Arkin’s quarters. Damion knew 47 was following them through the ship’s cameras. The array of talents 47 owned was truly impressive. Damion could see why the Creators would not want to terminate him just for being annoying. He waited for 47 to unlock Arkin’s door before he knocked. The ignorant blond bastard was cursing as he opened the door. Damion punched him—hard—before the door had completely slid open.
Arkin yelled out in surprise and pain as he fell back into the living quarters, crashing into the small table. As soon as Damion and Juni stepped into the room, 47 closed the door to prevent anyone from disturbing them.
“What the fuck, Hawk! Not only do I have to deal with your freak of a broken Core, now you have to burst into my fucking room and attack me?” Arkin watched the blood pool in his cupped hand from his broken nose. “The Commander will hear about this!”
“You’re lucky that all I did was break your fucking nose, since I’ve had at least two clear opportunities to kill you during simulations.” Damion grabbed the front of Arkin’s shirt and easily picked him up, slamming him against the wall. “You want to know why I didn’t?”
“I do.” Juni didn’t look comfortable being part of the beating, but he wasn’t against it either, nor was he moving to stop it.
Damion punched Arkin in the stomach after blocking the bleeding man’s pitiful kick. “Because of the Cores. They don’t ask for this, but they keep following us. I actually feel sick knowing how many you’ve killed.”
A rumble started in Arkin’s chest that soon turned into a roaring laugh. Arkin looked almost demonic, cackling laughter with the mess of blood running down his face.
“You feel sorry for the fucking slaves? How pathetic!” Arkin grinned up at Damion with teeth stained red. “Your Core been feedin’ you sad stories? Telling you this shit to lead you into a false sense of security, to pity him and let down your guard so that he can kill you just like he did the others? The only difference is this time he’s playin’ with you before killing you outright.
“You know what CORE stands for? Corporation Organic Robotic Entity. Robotic Entity. They’re just a computer with a human body—toys. That’s what Cores are for—to do whatever we fuckin’ want. Whether it’s to feed us dinner, bend over to be fucked, or to die when we want them to. They ain’t human. They’re fucking machines. Who the fuck cares if they die? There’s always another one waiting to take its place.”
The console from which 47 had been talking was oddly quiet, almost dangerously so.
“They are not machines.” Damion’s large hands moved quickly to Arkin’s neck, easily contracting the cartilage and blood vessels. “They are human. Even if 47 is trying to kill me, it would still be a human killing another human.”
Juni finally moved, putting a hand on Damion’s shoulder. “You’re not going to kill him, are you? I thought you were going to kick the shit out of him.”
“What does it matter? He doesn’t learn. He never fucking learns.” Damion squeezed the thick neck harder. “How many of your Cores did you do this to? Or did you just beat them to death? Coward. Dirty fucking coward.”
Arkin’s hands flew to grasp Damion’s wrists, his eyes widening in fear and popping at the lack of air as he struggled to get free. Even if he wanted to respond, he couldn’t speak from the pressure around his neck. He kicked out in retaliation, connecting with Damion’s legs, but it didn’t seem to have any effect as Arkin bucked his body.
The console was silent for a few more minutes until Arkin started to lose consciousness. “Fighter Hawk, your termination of Fighter Arkin in this manner is unwise. I apologize for my boldness, but may I suggest releasing him?”
“Listen to the creepy man.” Juni tugged at Damion’s arms, trying to coax him to release Arkin.
Damion allowed Arkin to pull free, his hands still shaking with fury as he watched Arkin sputter and fall to his knees. A cold emotion filled his stomach, almost making him sick. “I had planned to drag you to the trash chute and push you out the air lock, you asshole. You have a Core to thank for me walking out of here without killing you.”
Arkin took deep shuddering breaths and coughed as he rose to his hands and knees.
“Now I see. Instead of the slave following your orders, you’ve become a slave to the machine. Is that it?”
“He doesn’t control me!” Damion went to punch Arkin again, but Juni stopped him by grabbing his forearm.
“So it wants you to think. But it does all this crazy shit, and you don’t wonder what other shit it can do. Come on, you naive bastard!” Arkin coughed and swayed on his hands and knees. “I used them the way they’re meant to be used, and once they outlived their usefulness, I got rid of them. And you should too, before that crazy tool decides that you aren’t useful anymore either!”
Arkin continued to laugh as he sat up straight and then braced himself against the wall to stand.
“Don’t!” Juni shifted the same instant Damion moved to hit Arkin again “Don’t kill him yet!” Once again, Juni strained to hold Damion back, using all his strength to keep the stronger man from slaughtering Arkin.
“Stay away from any Core for the next few weeks, Arkin, or I swear I’ll finish what I just started.” Damion turned to leave, knowing if he didn’t go now, he might kill the asshole.
“Oh, I’ll stay away from them, but it doesn’t mean they will stay away from me. They love what I give them, every second,” Arkin replied, snickering as he moved along the wall toward his console. “Maybe I’ll get my hands on your Core. I’m sure he’d love me trying out that sweet ass. I’ve heard he even cried for Morales. Of course, that’s just a rumor, but I’d love to see if it were true. You’ll have to let me know.” Arkin reached his console and with one quick punch had it sparking into pieces. “Now spy on me, you fucking freak of a trash compactor!”
Juni had to stop Damion, once again, from attacking Arkin. With a firm grip on Damion’s bicep, he yanked him out of Arkin’s quarters, waiting for the door to close behind them before speaking. “Man, breathe. We don’t have long until they find that Core missing and search the entire ship for him.”
“I should have killed him,” Damion muttered, wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his sleeve.
Core 47
BACK IN their room, 47 gasped and sat straight up in his capsule, stifling a groan as he cradled his head in his hands. The backlash from Arkin breaking the console had almost knocked him out. 47 had seen the fist coming and pulled out at the last second, but not quickly enough. He was relieved Damion wasn’t in the room to see his weakness. His skin burned at every input port in his body, and he knew he couldn’t go back into the system right now. With blind fingers, he found the keypad. His head was pounding and he needed to get it under control before his Fighter came back. As soon as he was free, he pulled himself up to sit on the edge of the pod and tried to breathe. 47 hated being blind and not knowing exactly where Damion was, but that was the way it was sometimes.
Damion
JUNI ESCORTED Damion straight back to his quarters. Damion was relieved to see 47 was still in the room, but not happy to see him looking so pale. Before he was able to ask what was wrong, there was a sudden alarm and announcement, telling everyone to return to their bunks for lockdown.
“Juni, go quick. They’re going to start searching each room for 108. When they show up, tell them he came to you by himself.”
“108 will confirm your story. The trauma to his body from the Impulse has allowed him to distort his programming. The Creators will not be able to find this distortion for quite some time, as long as 108 is meticulous in his actions. He is officially your Core. There may be a small investigation, but nothing will come of it. It has not been announced, but Fighter Traynor is resigning his Alpha post to take a promotion with the Academy. Fighter Traynor’s Core was reassigned due to low performance and a query into a replacement was placed within the Creator database for an appropriate match twenty-two hours ago. The Hermes will be your Zodiac. 108 will begin adjustments as soon as he is capable,” 47 supplied, pushing himself to his feet. “He still will not be able to communicate for approximately twenty-four minutes. They will not search your bunk for another thirty-six.”
“Great. Damion, you okay?” Juni backed up toward the door.
“No,” Damion snarled. “But I won’t attack the bastard again. At least, not right now.”
“You and I need to have a talk about your temper.” Juni left swiftly, but he still looked uncomfortable.
47 walked over to the miniature kitchen. It was nothing more than a small fridge and a coffee producer, but it was enough to get them by. After opening the fridge, 47 took out a beer and walked over to Damion, handing it to him before going back to sit on the edge of his capsule. “I apologize for requesting that you not terminate Fighter Arkin. I know it was not my place. I understand that by doing so I increased the tension of the situation.” His words were quiet, tired.
“It was the right choice.” Damion took off the seal and began drinking his beer. “I want to kill him, but if I did, it wouldn’t make me any better than him.”
“Yes, it would. He was also under suspicion with Fighter Morales for the murders I informed you of. Murders they committed before they were recruited, even if he did abuse Cores. Arkin did not cease murdering, only slowed his pace. You would have been terminating him to keep others safe, while he killed out of malice.” 47’s gaze was on the toes of his boots.
“Did Morales rape you?” Damion asked in a tight voice, not sure if he wanted the answer.
47’s gaze flashed up to Damion’s face and then back down to his boots, almost too quickly to track. “What Fighter Morales did with me during the time we were paired was in perfect compliance with what is acceptable for a Fighter in situations where stress would need to be dealt with in the form of sexual release. It is beneficial to the Corporation Alpha Fighters who are consistently in high-stress situations. If they limit their sexual needs to their Cores, they would not push those needs on other personnel,” he replied evasively, standing and walking toward the bathroom.
“Damn it, 47! I am not in the mood!” Damion stalked forward and caught 47’s upper arm. “Yes or no?”
47 did not flinch as Damion’s large hand grasped him tightly. He was silent for a few minutes, not looking at Damion. “According to the statute, there is no such offense when it comes to such behavior between Fighters and Cores. So no—” He paused, his gaze on the floor. “—but according to my own rules, yes. According to my research, that is what it is called.”
Damion nodded and let 47 go. He wasn’t sure what he was feeling at the moment, now that his suspicions had been confirmed. “Arkin won’t stop.”
47 took a small step away from him, closer to the bathroom, standing in the doorway and taking small covert glances at him. It was as if 47 was waiting for Damion to come for him like Morales and the others did. “No, he will not. If my analysis of his personality is correct, he will only increase his efforts to defy you.”
“He needs to be stopped, but the Commander won’t do it since he, and Arkin, want you dead for killing the other Fighters. The rape would just be covered up before I could even get it to the Ethical Boards, that is, if they would be brave enough to confront the Creators. I suspect the Commander fears the Creators and losing his cushy job and that’s why he hasn’t put a bullet in you. However, my gut says this all feels as if it’s a distraction, but I can’t say why, which is about as helpful as Red Ore in my coffee.” Damion tossed his empty bottle into the trash receptacle with more force than necessary, drawing satisfaction from hearing it shatter.
47 was silent for a few minutes, reaching out to grip the bathroom doorframe. “Do you really believe what you stated about Cores? That we are human?”
“Yes.” Damion answered without hesitation. “It doesn’t matter if you were grown in a lab or taken at birth from a whore. It doesn’t change anything.”
“Most are born, like you, and only modified in a lab. Only a few, like me, are grown.” 47 was quiet for a few minutes more. “I could do it if it would please you.”
“Do what?” Damion asked warily.
“Terminate Fighter Arkin,” 47 replied softly, still not looking at Damion.
“No, you shouldn’t.” Damion glared at him. “You’ve killed enough, and those men attacked you directly. Arkin has only tried to kill us in simulations… so far.”
“Yes. Only us.” 47 sounded close to normal, but a bit colder. He walked into the bathroom and shut the door.
Damion rested his head in his hands, wondering how long it would take the Creators to do their checks and find 108 gone, and then how long until Arkin went to Medical looking for some drugs to take away his pain and to collect his Core.
He would give anything to see Arkin’s face when he found out 108 had bonded with Juni. Damion wished he could go to the gym, find it in him to watch a vid, read a book, to be able to think of anything but 47 being sexually and physically abused.
Core 47
NORMALLY 47’S showers were quick and efficient, enough time to clean himself according to the top hygienic codes. But today… today he stood under the hot water longer. His whole body ached from the backlash and his head was still pounding, but the heat helped ease his discomfort. Unfortunately, it did not help deter him from thinking about Damion’s words and obvious anger about the previous abuse of 47. 47 did not understand why Damion cared when no one else did.
Shaking his head in wonderment, he turned off the multiple jets and stepped out of the shower, wrapping himself in a towel. The chemical rinse was devoid of color or smell and simulated water. The creation of this invention was something 47 had pondered the full logistics of in the past and found no answer. Looking about, he realized he had made a tactical error and forgot to bring his clean uniform into the bathroom with him. That was odd; he never forgot anything. Perhaps he had taken more damage from the backlash than he had suspected.
After drying off, he grabbed a robe and stepped out of the bathroom. He retrieved his clothes from his side of the closet and went back into the bathroom to change. In the room again, he could hear the repeating alerts telling everyone to stay in their rooms. Avoiding looking at Damion, 47 retrieved another beer for his Fighter, and then sat back on the edge of his capsule.
“You think you can check in and see if Juni is doing okay?” Damion asked.
47’s gaze met Damion’s for a second or two before they slid sideways to avoid Damion noticing any emotion showing in them. “I apologize but… I cannot. Not for approximately ninety minutes. Perhaps more.”
“What? Why?” Damion immediately appeared concerned, not mad in the least.
“I am… I received minor damage when Fighter Arkin demolished the console I was riding in,” 47 responded regretfully. “I apologize for my inadequacy at this time and the inability to follow your orders. If you wish, I will still attempt to contact Fighter Juni.”
“No, no it’s fine.” Damion shook his head and waved dismissively in the air. “It sounds like you need to rest. Between the Pulse and getting 108 out, you’re probably exhausted. I made a decision while you were cleaning up. One I want you to try and respect.”
“I am adequate should you need me. I have learned to push aside the need for rest.” 47 tilted his head, looking at Damion from underneath his hair. “Core 47 will obey.”
“I’m giving you a name,” Damion said with a firm voice, he didn’t let 47’s gaze move from his.
47 moved his head so that he was looking at Damion without his hair impeding his vision. “This is the decision you speak of that I must respect?”
“Yes. Meaning once I give it to you, I want you to respond to it and not ignore it. All right?” Damion gave him a tight smile.
“Affirmative. Do you also wish me to respond in the instance that others use it?” He did not understand this insistence of something as menial as a name, but if it was important to Damion, then it did not matter whether or not he himself understood.
“If you want. That is your decision.” Damion stood and came over to hold 47 gently by the biceps. “If you hate it, tell me, and I’ll think of another.”
47 looked down at Damion’s hold on him and then back to his face. “I will respond to you by any designation you give me, but I do not believe I will answer if anyone else uses it.”
Damion smirked. “I’m not surprised. You love being in control and hate when others try and take it from you.”
Damion took a deep breath and wrung his hands. “Requiem.”
47 tilted his head again, blinking as he contemplated his new name. “Requiem. A mass for the dead, a chant, or music for the deceased. If you do not mind my asking, why Requiem?”
“It just seemed… fitting. You don’t like it?” Damion frowned.
“I do not have the ability to like or dislike it.” Requiem’s gaze fell again to Damion’s hands on his arms, and he was intrigued that he did not mind the almost consuming touch. It was not anywhere near the same as the others who had touched him. It did not contain any… maliciousness, and he could get away if he wanted to. “But if it pleases you, I approve.”
Damion’s smile stretched ear to ear. “Yeah, it pleases me. Now go rest, because I’m going to talk to the Commander and see if I can explain this mess before Arkin gets to find out about 108. Then I’ll check in with Juni to make sure he’s okay.”
47… no, Requiem now, to Damion, found his lips twitching in response to Damion’s smile, almost as if they were making an attempt to match it. But finding the feeling in his facial muscles strange, he stopped, and his face went back to its normal passiveness. “As you wish.” His gaze fell yet again to Damion’s hands holding him.
“Great,” Damion said and released Requiem’s arms to ruffle his hair gently. He then went to the bathroom.
Requiem turned. His gaze followed Damion as he shut the door, then rested on the capsule. A name. His Fighter had given him a name. How… intriguing. Requiem had never come across any records where this had happened before.
Another strange feeling entered his chest, causing pressure, but not a disagreeable one like when he witnessed Arkin’s abuse of 92. No, this one was… pleasant. Not understanding it, Requiem climbed into his pod and lay down, weariness taking over his limbs. He gasped in mild pain as the jacks entered his input ports, but he was able to ignore it. Fighter Damion Hawk was definitely… interesting.
Requiem shut his eyes, almost immediately falling into a deep sleep.
Damion
DAMION SLUMPED down in Juni’s quarters.
“What’s wrong?” Juni came and sat by him.
Damion kicked at the table leg, then groaned. “The Commander is letting Arkin slide again.”
“You’re surprised? Really?” Juni shook his head. “Arkin’s nose is so far up the Commander’s ass I’m surprised he can detach himself long enough to fly.”
Damion dry washed his face. “Arkin was there—right there in his office. The Commander said he’s willing to overlook my insubordination if we stay away from Arkin. The Commander expected we were behind 108 disappearing and must have suspected that I’d go and see him. They both really don’t give a shit about Cores.”
“But… can 108 stay here with me?” Juni glanced at the unconscious Core in his bed. “And the whole Alpha thing?”
Damion nodded. “So long as I tell 47 to steer clear of Arkin, the Commander said he’d overlook your sudden enlistment.” He patted Juni’s leg and found enough happiness for his friend to smile at him. “Welcome to the Alpha level. Don’t expect a welcome party from anyone. I’ve hardly been able to talk to the other Alphas. They avoid me because of 47.”
He wouldn’t call 47 ‘Requiem’ in front of other Fighters.
Juni’s bright smile in regards to the news diminished as he spoke. “And Arkin? Was he ordered to stay away from you? Will he get another Core?” Juni cast a worried glance at 108, concerned for any Core given to Arkin.
Damion scoffed. “The Commander advised Arkin to stay away. Politely. And Arkin loved that. As for another Core? Arkin’s been put on a four-month waiting list.”
“Well that’s something at least, right?”
“Maybe. The Commander also altered the rotation so we wouldn’t be on shift together. Time will tell.” Damion stood up and paced the small quarters. “This can’t go on.”
“Hey. It’s four months. Gives us time.”
Damion frowned at Juni. “Time for what?”
“You might not be able to talk to the other Alphas because of 47, but they may talk to me and we can help change your rep.”
“Change my rep? I’m not a politician,” Damion reminded his friend.
Juni’s face broke out into a toothy smile. “Let me work on it.”
“May Athena watch over you.” Damion raised his arm to the sky and then made a small bow.
“Trust me. If Prometheus could steal fire from the gods, I can work on getting you in with the other Fighters.”
“Damn,” Damion said. “I almost believe you.”
“You should. And since I’m not getting a party, you get to help me move my shit when they give me my new room!”
Damion laughed. “I’m not getting near your nasty ass boots!”
They talked for a few more minutes before Damion went back to his room. Despite the events in the Commander’s office, he had Juni as an Alpha. Damion was happy he had another Alpha he trusted implicitly for partner sims and in real battle. He also was heartened by Requiem, who appeared to enjoy his new name, and that pleased Damion. Arkin would be without a willing victim for months. Juni would be there to watch his back. He went to sleep that night feeling content for the first time in weeks.