Chapter 150

  Augustus spoke, breaking the silence. “None of that explains why you want to go alone.”

  The way he phrased it told Alexander that Augustus hadn’t accepted it.

  “It’s for the same reason that I went after the cultivator without you.” Alexander met his gaze. “You cannot fly. If you’d seen how easy it was for me to deal with the cultivators stuck on the ground…”

  Alexander sighed. Then placed his cybernetic hand on the table with a thump. “We’ve always understood the risks. Pandora. Mercy. Ripper.” He paused. “Uh… the other guy. They could have killed us, but we knew it was worth doing despite that.”

  “I’d argue that removing Flashpoint from the world is equally worth the risk, Alex,” Talia said.

  He turned to her. “It is. But I’m sure you remember how hard it was to hurt him. He’s not likely to go down without a fight. Even if you’re all there and we successfully ambush him, unless he dies immediately, he takes to the air within seconds. Then you’re nothing but a liability, because he’ll rain literal fire down on you from the sky.”

  Alexander continued. “Flashpoint is not an easy target. He’s probably high Tier 2 by now, with more experience fighting superhumans than us. His powers are focused for combat, and who knows what he gained from the solo combat reward.”

  “He fought in it?” Annie asked.

  “Yes,” Alexander said. “You really should watch something other than Barkforce, you know.”

  “I do! There’s this awesome new reality show—”

  Talia interrupted. “Why do you think you can handle him alone then?”

  “Because only one of us will be prepared to fight the other.” Alexander started counting on his fingers. “I’ll have fire and heat resistant drones. Armor. Simulated strategies developed from studying all available combat footage.”

  He put his hand down. “And what each of you are missing. Superior aerial mobility.”

  The challenge settled over the table like a weight.

  Alexander let the silence stretch for a moment before continuing. “But this isn’t happening tomorrow. Flashpoint isn’t the immediate priority. The Beastworld is. Gateway security, mining and manufacturing operations, crew training, serum acquisition. That’s months of work. Two months minimum, maybe three, before I’m ready to plan Flashpoint’s end.”

  Everyone caught the sudden shift in his tone.

  “Which means you have time,” Alexander said. “Time to train. Time to develop. Time to solve the problem.” He looked at each of them. “If you can push your powers enough by then, enough to be viable, then you can join me.”

  Annie’s scowl softened.

  “Define viable,” Augustus said.

  “Flight or equivalent mobility. The ability to engage Flashpoint in aerial combat or otherwise contribute meaningfully without becoming a liability.”

  Annie crossed her arms. “Oh sure. I’ll just grow wings. Just have them pop right out of my back.”

  Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Maybe you should.”

  Annie blinked. “What?”

  “There’s nothing stopping you from forming wings using MetaMetal Adaptation. Combine that with your Density Flux Control, and you actually could fly.”

  Annie stared at him in shock.

  “But that’s just one option. Remember Iron Nadya? She launches herself into the sky, then drops like a meteor. You could do the same if you stopped holding yourself back by refusing to master your other powers.”

  Alexander knew he was being a touch harsh. Annie hadn’t stopped training, not since day one, and she threw herself into growing stronger with a constant, aggressive energy that no one else in Grimnir matched. The problem was that she continued to focus her efforts in the wrong direction. Annie didn’t need more raw power. She needed finesse. Innovation. Mastery. In that order.

  Then she’d be a menace on the battlefield. Unstoppable.

  A little tough love was exactly what she needed to push past her limits. And she needed to be ready for what was coming. They all did.

  Alexander turned to Augustus. “You should be able to fly using magic. The wizard you killed in the solo challenge flew. He had a spell for it.”

  Augustus frowned. “I haven’t figured out how to form a proper spell yet.”

  “My Cultivator’s Core continues to surprise me. It has depth to it I didn’t expect. I’m sure your spellbook is the same, you just need to figure it out.”

  “I’ll work on it,” Augustus said, sounding determined.

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  Talia had been quiet throughout the exchanges. “What about me?”

  Alexander considered her for a moment, then shrugged. “I don’t know. But I don’t think that will stop you from working something out.”

  Talia’s expression turned serious, but he could see she was already turning the problem over in her mind.

  Felix spoke next. “If I grow strong enough, might I also join?”

  “I don’t know,” Alexander said honestly. “Your challenge isn’t simply improving your attributes. You need to master your collection of forms, the powers tied to them, and then develop strategies to employ them.”

  Felix focused, listening intently.

  “As far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason to risk your life on this when you could keep training. So if you want to be part of it, then you need to show me you’re ready. Reach Tier 2. Work on understanding your powers and your weaknesses. Then figure out how you’ll contribute, and what you’ll bring that makes the difference.”

  Felix nodded. “I understand.”

  Annie had been staring at Alexander the whole time. He finally raised an eyebrow at her.

  She scowled. “There’s no fucking way you’re leaving me behind. You’ll see. I’ll figure out how to dance on the bloody clouds if I have to.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, Alexander saw Augustus nod along with Annie’s declaration. Talia gave a small nod as well, still deep in thought. Felix’s expression held quiet resolve.

  Alexander allowed himself to feel a touch of satisfaction. This was what he’d wanted. The fire lit, the challenge accepted and the urgency made personal.

  He knew they understood. Intellectually, at least. Just as he had before losing his arm. They needed to get stronger. Their enemies were. Both the ones they already had, and those they’d make in the future.

  But he could see it in their eyes now. Whether it was Annie’s competitive need to keep up, Augustus’s desire to protect, Talia’s pursuit of perfection, or whatever motivated Felix… They felt it now.

  They would push themselves harder. Drive themselves forward, toward their uncertain futures.

  Just as he would.

  Alexander didn’t allow any of his thoughts to show on his face. Instead, he simply smiled at Annie.

  “We’ll see.”

  He stood up, pushing his chair back. “That’s everything. Any questions?”

  The room was quiet for a beat.

  “When do we start?” Carmen asked.

  “As soon as we’re back on Earth.”

  ***

  Alexander stood on the bridge, watching the viewscreen as Astra Omnia grew larger against the backdrop of space. The station gleamed bright against the void, its structure catching and reflecting light from a dozen different angles. Above it and to the right, Earth floated in the distance. Blue and white, familiar.

  A sense of returning home settled over him despite how short a time they’d been gone. He attributed it to everything that had happened since they’d left.

  Carmen turned to Petra. “Contact the station.”

  “Astra Omnia, this is the GSS Sleipnir,” Petra said into her headset. “Requesting docking clearance.”

  She listened for a moment, then turned back to Carmen with a slight frown. “They’re saying they don’t have us on their schedule.”

  Carmen tapped something on the arm of the captain’s chair. “Astra Omnia, this is Captain Reyes of the GSS Sleipnir. We are requesting priority clearance for a VIP dock. We are transporting Grimnir.”

  Silence followed.

  The response played across the bridge. “Captain Reyes, the GSS Sleipnir is clear to dock. Welcome to Astra Omnia. We hope you enjoy your stay.”

  “Thank you, Astra Omnia.” Carmen cut the connection.

  Vikram glanced up from his console. “I’ve received the docking coordinates.” He looked over at Yuki. “Flight plan ready.”

  Yuki nodded and grabbed the flight controls. “Taking us in.”

  Alexander turned to Carmen. “Not to tell you how to do your job, but will you organize a rotation to keep some people on the ship at all times?”

  Carmen nodded. “Already done. Ryan and Yuki drew the short straws for the first watch.”

  Alexander looked over at Ryan, who gave him a steady look from his tactical station.

  “We’ll keep her safe,” Ryan said.

  “Thanks.” Alexander turned back to Carmen and pitched his voice lower. “Heading to the airlock. I’ve transferred the first three months’ salaries along with bonuses for everything the crew went through.”

  She smiled. “They’ll appreciate that. At least for a week or two until they’ve burned through most of it.”

  Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Maybe the first person we need to recruit is a financial advisor.”

  Carmen chuckled. “I’ll keep an eye out.”

  Alexander gave a lazy wave and left the bridge. He made his way through the corridors to the airlock where he found the others already waiting. Annie, Augustus, Talia, and Felix in golden retriever form. Gilly was absent.

  They were still maintaining some discretion regarding the aliens, though he didn’t think it mattered as much now. Still, it was better to be safe until they knew what they were returning to.

  A short time later, the ship shuddered as the docking clamps locked into place. The mechanical thump resonated through the deck plating. A minute passed while the airlock cycled and equalized pressure. Then the inner door opened with a hiss.

  Annie took point, heading down the docking tube without hesitation.

  Alexander and the others followed.

  The tube opened onto a wide receiving area. Alexander stepped through after Annie, taking in the scene before them.

  A welcoming party waited in a neat arrangement. Several servers in crisp uniforms stood holding silver trays laden with drinks and small plates of what looked like canapes. At their head stood a man in an immaculate tailcoat, complete with a top hat.

  The concierge bowed deeply from the waist, sweeping his hat from his head in a smooth, practiced motion. He held it against his chest as he spoke.

  “Astra Omnia welcomes your return, Grimnir. I will be your personal concierge for the duration of your visit. Should you require anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask.”

  He straightened, returning the hat to his head with the same fluid grace. “I have been instructed to inform you that the Queen of Hearts has cleared her schedule for the day and hopes that you will visit her office at your earliest convenience.”

  Alexander turned to the others. “I’ll meet with the Queen now. Head home and check that everything is as we left it, then show the crew around and get them acquainted. Accommodations are up to them. Here or there is fine with me.”

  Augustus nodded. “Good luck.”

  Alexander made his way past the servers and headed deeper into the station.

  “Don’t forget to pick up my bird!” Annie yelled after him.

  “What bird?” he called back, rounding the corner before she could respond.

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