Across from me, Adelaithe frowned."You know, we wondered the same thing when the claim finally went through.Why now?Did you know, we've filed that claim six times in the years since you left – the latest one was four years ago, and I'll admit we'd given up after that one didn't go through either – but lo and behold, we got notice that that old claim was finally processedjustafter you left Yellow Fin station.Only a few hours after!You know, we file claims for everyone who leaves as a way to tie up loose ends.They always go through, and although they rarely actually bring someone home, we always pray.Hope does spring eternal.Your claims, though, they just kept getting stuck somewhere in that filing office.You must have had a fickle friend keeping an eye out, until they weren't.You see, this is why it's good to keep ourselvestoourselves: you certainly make new friends easily, Alikander, but you just can't trust them like you can trust your blood."
I didn't know what to say to that.Ididknow that the idea that I could trust anyone from Seraphim was absolutely ludicrous – but what did it mean that the claim had been filedsix timesand only went through a few weeks ago?
In the end, though, it didn't fucking matter.The sum that had just landed in front of me was so astronomical that it might as well have been a deal for my soul.
This wasn't the kind of debt you ever paid as one person.This was the kind of fine levied against governments and mega-conglomerates.This was a noose around my neck and one that would just pull me straight back to the gallows of Seraphim.
My mind was reeling and I struggled to scrape together any words that made sense; they kept getting stuck in the gristle of my throat, tasting of ash.
"He will respond before the Tournament begins," Silver Sea said as my jaw worked, teeth grinding against one another.
"Wonderful,thank you, both of you.It's been such a treat to see you again, and just so much nicer to have a one-on-one, don't you think?"Adelaithe stood up, picking up her bag and giving another squinty, fake smile."Alright, I'm off for the day.Don't forget: I'm just a message away.You have a nice afternoon now."
She left and, in a rush and all at once, I knew what I was going to do.It came to me with bell-bright clarity and might well have been sung by a heavenly host for how suddenly and clearly it settled upon me.All at once, my worries faded and I was left only with grim certainty and the strangest type of peace.
I was going to get out on those sands, and I was going to die.Let the conglomerate try to stop me: I would go out on my own terms, and god help anyone who got in my way.
"Sashen Solar," Silver Sea said, her voice low.
"It's alright," I said, firm."I should have guessed – I mean, clearly she was baiting me into badmouthing Seraphim during that interview.It's just –" And then I laughed, throwing the wadded up papers across the room and then scrubbing my hands hard across my face."You know, they've either underestimated how much I hate them, or they've overestimated my attachment to living.Maybe both.I've got to get out there, though.I've got to be able to get to the arena, Silver Sea.Do you think the conglomerate would really –"
She huffed out a thin, whistling breath through her slitted nostrils."I am very skeptical.CPEF must take into consideration cultural value when weighing economic damages.It is fundamental to the Primus accords: economic judgments must defer to legitimate cultural claims, subject to third party review to assure merit and authenticity.The Tournament is based in ancient ketaari tradition.To pull a participant because of a debt claim from a foreign entity wouldviolate these accords.Seraphim can threaten, but I do not think their claim would be successful.But…" Her mouth thinned again.
"But?"I repeated.
"Our executives are no longer all ketaari.They may not consider the assertion of cultural value strong enough to countermand CPEF's initial ruling.I will do what I can, Sashen.Leave it to me."Then, her yellow eyes tightening, she asked, "Are you quite certain you will not consider their offer?It is a binding agreement with third party monitoring."When I nodded, she stood and stepped in close, touching a hand to the crown of my head."Yes, I suspected as much.Do you know, I think they will make many documentary films, and perhaps a feature film, about you?And to think, I have your residuals."Her tone took on a dreamy quality, and when I looked up at her, she was smiling down.
It was her sort of a joke, just for me, so I laughed and shrugged as I pushed myself to my feet, feeling a little unsteady."Just make sure they only use footage where I look hot.And that they cast someone ridiculous attractive to play my part."
"Of course," she said as we started to head from the room."I will also be sure they include many explicit sex scenes."
I let out a surprised laugh, and bumped her side with my elbow."You know me so well," I crooned, and then we made our way to a stupid fucking ceremonial tea where I pretended to be excited about tomorrow, instead of preparing myself to die.
Chapter 24 –Red Star Collapsing
The thing about your imminent death is that, once you've accepted it, you really stop giving a shit about a lot of other stuff.Partway through the tea, I decided I was done, so I just left.I wasn’t even at the same table as Araxis, so what was the point?Icertainlydidn’t want to talk to some malat sponsor about the best time of year to tour the Gorelion Nebula or whether I thought Ofesa Siol would incorporate more synthcore into her next album.I went up to my room and I took out all of the clothes that had been ordered for and fitted to me and I threw them on the floor as I sorted through them for something comfortable for the participant briefing.I went to the kitchen and ate an entire container of froth, which was the closest thing to ice cream they made in space even if it tastedvaguely of damp.That was brin palates for you.I went up to the rooftop and stood where my blood was still staining the sandstone, which was maybe morbid but it weirdly made me feel a bit better.
I'd almost died then, andsincethen I'd gotten to fuck Araxis again, so at least there was that.And I would really piss Seraphim off when I refused their offer and died before they could force me back to their garbage station.And I'd said some good last words for the camera.
Iwentto the briefingbecause I had to, and it was more or less what I'd expected.After the meeting, we'd draw for our drop locations.We could yield, but we were not obligated to accept someone's yield – a yield was not a guarantee of safety.We could not interact with each other outside of the arena once the Tournament began: we'd be shown to and from our quarters by our handlers, and we wouldn't be able to view any results from the Tournament so far.They would take our wristbands from us tomorrow morning when we geared up and we wouldn't get them back, period; they were conglomerate property.For the duration of the Tournament, we would, in essence, be isolated in a locked room waiting for bouts of violence.You'd know whoyouhad killed, but not who was left standing.Any battle could be the last, or just one in a string of remaining fights.Whenonly one participant was remaining, a song would blare from the arena speakers – they played us a sample, as if we hadn't all heard it in every compilation clip ever – and that was it, off to the victory ceremony with the taste of blood still in your mouth.There would be cameras everywhere, but we were to ignore them completely.We were not allowed to speak directly to the cameras; we were not allowed to address the audience or the viewers at home, and if we tried, they'd edit what we said out.
I guess they'd really cracked down after having to cancel the last Tournament due to political unrest and contentious ketaari land claims.It was too bad: I could have used my last moments to get in a few final jabs at Seraphim as I bled out.
Once the briefing had concluded, we filed into a different room to draw drop spots.One by one, we walked up to a flat gray panel and pressed our palm down, and a number flashed up on a screen in front of us.There was a swarm of silver cameras hovering near the ceiling, reporting the data back to bookies all across the galaxy who would then adjust the odds and take additional rounds of betting.
I wondered distantly how many credits Alet Trident was making off of this whole thing.How many were at my expense?
I went in the middle of the pack and was pleased when I ended up with 11.Araxis went near the end, and was set to be at the other end of the arena.Our eyes met, and I could feel a small flock of cameras whirring in closer to catch our reactions, so I just smiled at him.We'd planned for each possible position, so we could make it work.
Of course, I didn't intend on surviving that long.
The participant who would be closest to me ended up being Andiri of Creche Ena, and from the creasing around her eyes when her number flashed up and the slow curl of a smile, I knew she was pleased.
I felt only a detached serenity.
"Alright, all draws have been determined," barked the marn who'd been running the draw.His lower set of arms folded across his stomach as his upper set gestured broadly."Participants, once youleave this room, you will move into isolation.The next time you see each other will be in the arena.Good fortune to all of you!"
Asudden cracking sensationspider-webbed through me, the veneer of calm fracturing.I'd thought wewouldstill have tonight.I peered over my shoulder, looking for Silver Sea.She was frowning and moved toward the marn to speak in hushed tones; I saw Araxis's handler going over to do the same.
