Page 20 of Souls of Steel
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Pollux
“This sucks. No wonder Brendan had to drag Knox off. I didn’t expect her to pack such a punch.”
I sighed and leaned against August’s shoulder, finding comfort in his proximity, just like I always had. “Brendan is right. We can’t let her stay.”
It wasn’t fair, because I did believe the Sphinx had known what she’d been doing when she’d picked Selene. But at the same time, Selene wasn’t prepared for this place, for what it meant to be a Chimera Warrior, and for the misery of the existence of the women who lived on Tartarus Base.
A twinge of grief coursed through me as I thought about my sister. Once, she’d been able to smile too. I could still remember the hugs we’d shared as children, the way we’d watch the chimeras together and count the stars.
She was gone now, lost to me, like so many others. If not for August, I didn’t know what would’ve happened to me. He’d kept me from falling apart until we’d gotten the chance to meet Scylla and the others.
“You’re stronger than you know, my darling,”Scylla murmured in my head, having obviously heard my thoughts.“But you’re correct. It’s for the girl’s own good that she leave this place.”
Her voice held a mix of anger and sadness. While the burdens on her soul were very different from my own, she understood the cruelty of selfish hearts better than anyone.
“Can’t you make Sphinx change her mind?”
“I can try, but not yet. It’s not so easy, you know that.”
I nodded, well aware that for this to work, we’d have to force Selene into far worse situations than a simple shared room. Yes, she might be uncomfortable with us being around when she slept, bathed, or dressed, but that wouldn’t break a connection between a chimera and a tamer.
She needed to face something truly terrible to turn away from her potential, to reject the Sphinx and the gift she’d been granted. But that was the only way she could return to her previous life—if she severed her connection with her chimera and gave up her position. If that didn’t happen, she needed to stay here. Her power was much too volatile for anything different.
As I mused over what to do, the door opened and Selene stepped out of our dorm. She looked calm, and her smile made me ache. “Thank you for waiting. You mentioned something about a schedule?”
“Yes, of course,” I replied. “Can you show me your back-link communicator?”
She blinked at me in confusion. “My what?”
Oh. I’d forgotten. Terrans didn’t use this kind of technology. Since back-links were primarily meant for tamers, she wouldn’t have seen it in other people either. “It’s a special kind of com-link for chimera pilots. It’s easier if I just show you.”
She nodded, but still tensed when I stepped closer. When I brushed my fingers over the edge of her uniform, she seemed to stop breathing. She needn’t have worried. I had no intention of making our relationship sexual.
I was attracted to her, of course. Any man with an inclination toward the female gender would have felt the same. But my priority right now was getting her out of here and back to Terra, where she was safe. My sexual desires didn’t matter.
I had some trouble finding the familiar latch, since it was hidden under the thick curtain of her crimson hair. Still, I’d used it for years before my body had adapted to my new powers, so I managed. As I flicked the almost invisible switch, Selene’s uniform turned into a far less harmless flight suit, one designed to help and contain her. “You might want to bind your hair. It’ll get in the way.”
Selene was so befuddled she forgot about her previous apprehension. “What just happened?”
“All the students at Chimera Academy naturally emit tachyons, especially when they’re young and have no control over their powers,” August explained. “The uniforms are designed to control that. The back-links turn the mechanism on and off, although they’re only used by tamers. We have specific ways of connecting with our chimeras, so our equipment helps us with that. ”
“I didn’t realize the uniform that function,” Selene mused, still sounded dazed.
“Most things at the academy are functional. Clothes aren’t just meant to cover one’s body. Don’t worry. You’ll learn.”
August took her hand and flipped it around, pressing his fingers to her wrist. He’d never been the most patient person in the world. While not as temperamental and volatile as Knox, he had his own issues. Since the fiasco at the Apsid Quasar a few years ago, he didn’t like to take chances, not with our well-being, at least. Selene was nothing if not a huge chance.
The holo-screen activated upon his touch, providing Selene with most of the information she needed. “That gives you basic access to the academy compound. You’ll find your schedule listed here, as well as the materials you’ll need to get ready for your classes.”
“Right,” Selene said. “Thanks.”
As the long list appeared in front of her, Selene stared in disbelief. Then, she looked from the hologram, back to us.
I had no desire to spend more time with her, but this was just the beginning, and I’d never planned to abandon her in the middle of the academy. For all we knew, she might run into some idiot, blow him up and destroy herself and half the compound in the process.
“Come on,” I told her. “We should probably show you the rest of the base. You can familiarize yourself with the academy later. Do you have credits with you?”
