Hero

CHAPTER ONE

Then of course I had no choice but to hand it over, Aart said, throwing his head back and smacking the table.

The other Hunters chuckled, leaning back in Sylar's cushioned chairs.

Nova sat on Aart's right, smiling with the rest, but most of her thoughts circled around Crusader and going back for some much needed peace and quiet.

Ten days after leaving Chindo, and dark space whispered past on either side without a single hint of colonised planets or other ships. It gave new meaning to the emptiness of space.

Nova placed her empty glass on the table and stood, stretching her back. I think I'll head back to Crusader and get some sleep.

Aart rolled his eyes. Okay, okay, I promise not to tell that story again.

Nova smiled. Even if I believed you, which I don't, I promised Cal I'd go over some of his repairs.

Face it, Aart, Orion said. She's sick of looking at your ugly face. Can't say I blame her.

Here, here! Gus said, lifting his mug.

And even I've heard that story twice, said Tyra.

Blade smiled, watching them all through dark eyes, but the rest of her body stayed frozen in place, like a hologram.

Tanguin smiled but most of her face lay hidden beneath a thick hood she'd been wearing since they got back on board Sylar. Her mechanical eye reflected occasional flashes of light but otherwise stayed shrouded in darkness. Long gloves hid the scars covering most of her arms.

Nova's heart twinged every time she looked at Tanguin, guilt squeezing her stomach even after so much time.

You know, Aart said. I think you should all be a little more grateful for my stimulating conversation. Without me, you'd all be dead of boredom by now.

Speaking of, said Tyra. How much further do you think, Blade?

Blade frowned, the corners of her mouth turning down. It's so hard to be sure. The stars look different, and it's so far away. If I could just find—

Unmarked ship detected, Sylar's smooth voice cut through the conversation.

Nova raised an eyebrow while the others put down their glasses.

You mean there's someone else out here? Aart said. Thank Vix because I was beginning to think we were the only ones.

No radio or other identifying signals detected, said Sylar.

Blade rose to her feet like a spring gradually uncoiling. How far away?

Still ten minutes flight time. They were detected by the long range scanners.

Blade gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles white. Are there any life signs?

None detected, Sylar replied.

Blade's knees wobbled and she had to rest both hands on the table to stop from falling over. Turn everything off.

I'm sorry— Sylar began.

What? Aart said.

Blade's eyes opened wide and she clutched Aart's shirt. Turn it off! Turn them all off!

Do it, Aart said.

The lights flickered, plunging them into darkness.

Life support, engines, everything! Blade hissed. And make sure you keep the nearest star at our back.

I— Aart's voice wavered.

Dammit! Blade said. Do it!

Aart cleared his throat. Do what she says.

The ships maneuvered in line with the nearest star before the engines died and the gentle air flowing through the vents cut off, leaving behind a deep silence like a thick blanket, threatening to suffocate them.

Nova wrapped her arms over her chest, cold already seeping into her bones and reminding her of the escape vessel from Ankar. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

What the hell is going on? Tyra said.

Shh! Blade hissed. No one say a word until they're out of range.

Nova's hand fell to the knife at her belt and she stepped away from the table, keeping her footsteps as silent as possible. The back of her neck tingled and each breath seemed to catch in the back of her throat. She shuffled away until her spine pressed against a cold wall, straining her ears for any sound of movement.

She'd come to like Blade, but in reality she barely knew the other woman. She'd been in prison for the cosmos-knew-how-long, and that could change a person. What if she'd decided to kill them all in the darkness?

Nova slowed her breathing and pulled her knife free of her belt. A cold trickle of sweat dribbled down her forehead and traced her cheek.

The rest of the ship remained silent except for faint breathing coming from the other Hunters. None of them sounded alarmed or strained.

Nova gritted her teeth and kept her knife in hand.

The minutes seemed to drag by like hours, each one stretching into infinity. Nova's tensed shoulders, hunched up around her ears, ached, longing to relax. An eternity later and still no movement. Nova opened her mouth, ready to confront Blade.

Out of range, Sylar's voice filled the ship and the lights flicked on.

A warm rush of air brushed out of the vents and floated over Nova's skin, easing the chill that had sunk into her muscles.

What the hell was that about? Gus said.

And what are you doing over there, Nova? said Aart.

Orion snorted. I think she was getting ready to be boarded. Look at that knife.

Blade met Nova's eyes. She was getting ready to kill me. In case I attacked.

The others fell silent and shared uneasy glances.

Nova shrugged and came back to the table, tucking her knife back into her belt but still within easy reach. What was all that about?

Blade collapsed into her chair and rested her elbows on the table, hanging her head. I'd almost managed to forget they were out here. It's been so long...

What was it? Tanguin said, her voice soft.

Blade took a shaky breath. Reapers.

Aart dropped his glass. It toppled through the air and smashed on the floor, sending shards skittering across the smooth metal.

Nova stepped back, shaking her head.

The others seemed frozen, eyes locked on Blade.

Aart's Triple-X Labourbot rolled out of a nearby closet and swept the shards of glass from the floor, humming as she did so. The broom's gentle scratching across the floor was the only other noise in the deafening silence.

It can't be, Aart said.

Blade's gaze stayed fixed on the table. They're creatures that hunt through space. You probably don't get those kinds of monsters where you're from. No one knows where they first came from, but—

HAV, Nova whispered.

Blade frowned and lifted her head. What?

They come from HAV.

Blade shook her head. No. HAV disintegrates people, turns them into clouds of blood.

Nova's legs shook and her heart clenched in her chest, as if refusing to pump blood through her body. She lowered herself into a chair, eyes fixed on a point in the distance. Not all the time. In some people it's an ongoing infection. I've seen it.

We've seen it, Aart said.

No, Orion said, placing his palms on the table. You made that story up. All that talk about fighting Reapers on Kopet. That didn't actually happen.

Aart met Orion's eyes. I kept trying to tell you it was the truth.

Reapers don't exist, Orion said, voice shaking.

I didn't want to believe you... Tanguin said.

You've fought them? Blade said, arms dropping to the table and mouth hanging open.

Nova nodded. It's a long story.

But, Nova, Aart said, leaning across the table and locking his eyes with hers. Those things we fought couldn't have flown a ship. Hell, they couldn't even open doors!

Nova shrugged, a dull ache throbbing at the base of her skull. We don't know how they might have mutated over time, if these Reapers are from the original outbreak.

As in hundreds of years ago? said Orion, lifting an eyebrow.

Nova nodded. Even on Chindo they were experimenting with HAV – they might have changed it.

Aart shook his head. They were—

I know.

Blade let out a long breath. They're gone now. But all of you should have your ships' long range scanners on. Next time you might not be lucky enough to have a star at your back hiding your heat signature.

There are more of those things? Gus said.

Blade nodded. No one knows how many but last time I was on Bardo there seemed to be more sightings and more attacks every year.

Bloody hell, said Gus. Where I come from Reapers are just a story you tell children to make sure they do what they're told.

Blade swallowed and shook her head. They're very much a reality out here.

CHAPTER TWO

The next five days passed without seeing another Reaper ship. Blade seemed to spend most of the time staring out of the front window with her shoulders hunched, barely speaking. Nova spent more time in Crusader, with Cal and Tanguin keeping her company.

We'll be landing in Bardo within ten minutes, Crusader said.

Thank the Cloud for that, Tanguin said. I don't know how much longer I can spend cooped up in these ships.

You spent almost all of your time cooped up in The Jagged Maw, Nova said. How's this any different?

You mean, aside from having my own room?

You have a room, Nova said. On Sylar...

Tanguin snorted. Yeah. Aart's ship. You know he sings at the top of his lungs—

Every morning, Nova finished for her. Yeah, I've heard his... renditions.

Sylar has informed me that she has many recordings of Aart and has offered to send us some, Cal said. For our enjoyment.

He hovered between Nova and Tanguin where they sat in the pilot's pod.

Tanguin groaned and Nova grinned. Tell her we're very grateful, but we're… ah... we enjoy listening to your robot tones.

Cal's internal motor whirred. I've passed the message along. Although I don't appreciate you making fun of my musical endeavours. You could have knocked.

Nova laughed. Aww, c'mon Cal. It wasn't that bad.

Tanguin grinned. Yeah. She told me you could be the next DJ-Labourbot.

Cal swivelled between them, his eye zooming in and out on their faces. Really? He hovered away from them, a series of beeps, whines and other discordant sounds blaring from his speakers.

Nova chuckled and leaned in close to Tanguin. Good cover. He would have been moping around the ship for days.

"I just hope he doesn't start playing that music first thing every morning."

Nova grimaced. Been there, done that. I don't think I could face it again.

We're coming in to land, Crusader said. Aart has suggested everyone meeting in Sylar to enter the planet.

Alright, we're being summoned, Nova said, pushing away from her chair.

Together, she and Tanguin navigated through the maze of ships to Sylar where the others stood watching the main screen. An orange planet loomed below them, and as they drew closer a city came into view covered with short grey buildings, interspersed with bright splashes of colour.

That's the market, Blade said, pointing to a patchwork of coloured cloth. Try to land close to there. It's where all the off-worlders go so you won't draw attention.

What about you? Aart said.

My girlfriend lives not far from the market... if she's still there.

With a dull rumble the ships entered atmosphere and dark space was replaced with a bright sunny sky. A cleared area filled with ships lay beside the market and they nestled down between two beat-up flyers. Their combined ships towered over the rest, standing out more than if they'd attached flashing neon signs.

Well, Aart said. We tried.

Maybe we should have detached them first, Nova said.

Mine wouldn't have made it, said Gus. No fuel.

Mine's out, added Orion.

Aart nodded. Sylar is nearly on nothing and from memory, so is Crusader.

Nova grimaced, she'd forgotten their dire fuel situation. If she ever wanted to get into space again she had to find a way to get more supplies.

Through the external cameras they saw people turn to stare at their ships, mouths gaping.

I thought this was a major trading hub, Aart said. Surely you get different ships here all the time.

Yes, Blade said. But none like this thing.

Aart grimaced. I'll admit it's not the prettiest complex, but we had to improvise to get past the border.

Blade shrugged. There's nothing more we can do.

Sylar's door hissed open and a cacophony of light and noise poured through the door. Bright sunlight filled the entrance room, reflecting off the metal surfaces and creating dancing patches. Coloured tents cast pools of cool shade as people drifted between the stalls and merchants yelled out their wares.

Nova gaped. After so many days spent in the dark and cold of space, the sudden boom of noise and colour filled her senses, drowning them.

This is more like it! Aart said, clapping his hands together.

Blade took a stumbling step forward. It looks just the same…

Woah, Tyra said, stepping in front and holding her hands up. Shouldn't we have some kind of plan? We can't just wander out onto a strange planet. We'll be carved up and served for lunch for all we know.

I have to get home, Blade said.

So we walk her home and she can show us the sights on the way, Aart said.

Blade bit her lip. Okay. But try to keep a low profile, I— She didn't finish her thought.

Low profile it is. Did you hear that Orion? Aart said, raising an eyebrow.

Gus snorted. You two are as bad as each other. But I'll keep you in line.

Settled then, Aart said.

Blade stood straighter. Stay close, and don't let any of the merchants pull you away. They'll be selling you back your own front teeth before you know what's happening.

Tanguin sidled closer to Nova. There are so many people, and smells! I don't know if I can go out there…

Nova laid a hand on Tanguin's shoulder and squeezed. You'll be alright, and I'm right here.

What if they have rules about… about cyborgs?

Nova grimaced. I've got your back.

Blade glanced over her shoulder. Still… keep your hood down. Last time I was here cyborgs were tolerated, but anything could have happened since then.

Tanguin drew a ragged breath and pulled her hood lower over her face.

Let's do this! Aart said.

Blade strode forward, leading the way out onto the planet. Her footsteps clinked down Sylar's ramp until they reached the dusty ground. Swirls of red dirt danced up around her ankles and floated away on a stinging breeze.

Sylar's door slid shut behind them.

A spicy smell, like chillies mixed with garlic, wafted through the air, mixing with the scent of sand and people. Strange languages clicked and buzzed through the air, unrecognizable to Nova and her companions.

They paused at the edge of the crowd, mouths hanging open.

This way, Blade said, turning left into a crowded alley.

They weaved around a table laden with old-fashioned analogue clocks, all of which had a different range of numbers. Their uneven ticking filled the air as their bent arms clicked around the dials. Tiny gears whirred over behind the clock faces, metal spindles twisting and interlocking.

Nova couldn't help but stop and admire the craftsmanship.

So you can keep track of the time on planets with different day cycles, Blade said.

Nova raised an eyebrow. She'd only seen one analogue clock before in her life and that was on Roxanne's mantelpiece back on Tabryn. That had definitely never been used for keeping track of alternate day cycles.

We should keep moving, Blade said, tugging Nova's sleeve.

Nova glanced back at the table and her eye caught on a black shape huddled in the shadows. A glint of sunlight reflected off a hard carapace and insectoid eyes bulged from the darkness. A pair of pincers loomed into view and clicked twice.

Nova swallowed and hurried after Blade, spine tingling. She felt the thing's eyes on her all the way to the next corner.

Have you seen some of these… people? Tanguin said.

Nova glanced to her right where a man with fingers the same length as Nova's whole arm stood talking to a woman with butterfly wings.

Talk about taking mods too far, Nova whispered.

Tanguin nodded.

They weaved through the market stalls, away from the light bustling section filled with candles and other trinkets, and into a darker line of shops.

This is what I'm talking about, Gus said, stopping in front of a glass window covered in dust.

Most of the shop