High in the sky through the Window of the World a glimmer twinkled. Made of three specks of light, they formed a small triangle that could be seen among the millions of stars that lit the nighttime sky. To the untrained eye that triangle was nothing but a collection of stars. But to any TELREC it held warmth and reassurance. It held their hopes and dreams, it framed the object of their faith. Those three stars framed the invisible TELREC moon called Malhrer, and they held the glance of one of their mightiest of agents, Listras, on a cold night that only promised to get colder.
She was rushing to a notoriously decadent, very upscale sex club called ‘DaLynch’ located in a rundown section of Province Ten. It was said that a small man with great mental power came there often, and Listras discovered that man to be Graid. Over the past troas she downloaded training and procured employment in DaLynch, finding it catered mostly to the elite — politicians, entertainers, business owners, even designates from the Iggaraouts. She called herself Elehtria, and she appeared now as a buxom steel-haired woman with blue eyes and many genehancements along her arms and legs. The club owners found ‘Elehtria’ to be almost indispensable — she had talents and skills that distinguished her from the other entertainers there. Listras found it to be an easy transition from her normal patrolling, enforcement, and general assassination duties to this undercover work. She had done this kind of work before — catering to a target’s sexual needs — though never in a sex club. From her training she had become an expert at fulfilling the desires of the patrons, whether they be man or woman. Tantamount in her mind was the rebuke of monitor Suldhaj, reminding her she needed to immerse herself in the Novan culture, take their sinful ways as her own. She knew he didn’t approve of her selection for this mission, and was determined to prove him wrong.
But most difficult for Listras was mental maintenance of the identity the TELREC had crafted for her, this ‘Elehtria.’ While in the club, she could no longer ‘think’ as Listras, she had to function as Elehtria, a woman from the streets, a woman used to multiple partners who catered to all forms of perversion. When and if she encountered Graid, she knew maintaining this disguise would be extremely difficult, which is why she hoped his sexual side would mute his analytic responses.
She remembered quickly that detachment was the best strategy; never to judge, or be surprised at a request of a patron of the club. Of course, over her long service as a TELREC, she had certainly seen or nest everything morally bankrupt the planet had to offer, though the vice and corruption was particularly thick and concentrated at clubs like these. Everyone who had a fetish or obsession outside of the norm, who hoped for something exciting and illegal to happen, came to clubs like this. At DaLynch on any given night someone could be raped, bestiality could happen, dismemberment. A whole level was devoted to the art of domination, from near-death climax, to perpetual imprisonment. Sometimes someone would die in a particularly horrible way that would excite and inflame the passions of the spectators. She had seen much of this on the first night, and though it shocked her at the time, she quickly became jaded to the occurrences without realizing it. Her soul was distant from her body while she was in the club’s walls. Even now, as she neared the club, she could feel her self drifting back, replaced by the machine that was her body. She always afforded one last look up at those three stars at some point in her journey, to remind her of her ultimate goal. And tonight, she might accomplish it.
Finally! To confront the Kal-Alçon! I still can’t understand why he makes himself so vulnerable, what his fascination is with this entertainment.
Much had been made in TELREC circles about Graid’s preoccupation with sex, his need to fulfill his desires whenever he so chose regardless of the security risks. TELREC may not have known where the Rell base was on Novan, though every sign pointed to one, but they knew where Graid was, so flagrantly did he favor Novan clubs.
He knows our fear of defeat! Kolob, once Ascended, would dispatch Graid quickly. But we all suspect a normal TELREC will have great difficulty defeating him. All intelligence suggests he must have a MPR of at least level forty, possibly more.
Though Listras distinguished herself as a premier performer at the club, she knew Graid would be a more formidable challenge to impress. His Rell discipline, coupled with his sexual experience, made him nearly impossible to seduce. Her mission was to kill Graid, any way possible, and if she could save his mind for study, so much the better. She knew sex was the only way she could get close to him, but she knew that it would be a battle — a battle to win his attention over the other performers, a battle to win entry into his bed, and then finally, after what surely would be a grueling night of sex, a battle to kill this master. She couldn’t bring any poisons, or weapons, for he would sense them quickly. She would have to kill him with her bare hands, and mind.
Surprise is the only option, she thought to herself. To wear him down, to sexually exhaust him. Then, while he is sleeping, to strike! It seems so cowardly, but I know even that will be difficult.
She knew it would be difficult to attract his attention, so jaded was he by most sexual displays. She saw him once, when she first started at the club, when she was not yet ready to battle him. She hung in the background, watching him as he went through ten different women, playing with them, mentally wearing them down. He saw him engage in sexual acts most Novans would shrink from, and yet they barely aroused him. When he left, looking disappointed, she feared he would not come back, that he would find somewhere else to play. But tonight she got a cast that he was coming for some recreation, and Listras felt she was ready for him. She had been thinking on a suitable introduction to him, over these troas, and decided on it when she saw a young boy in one of the holding pens. He was recently abducted from the streets, obviously being saved for something special. It took many favors with the owner, but she convinced him to let her have the boy for a special night with Graid. Some part of her felt pity, even compassion for the youth, but she couldn’t let it interfere with the mission. Too many lives were at stake to sacrifice it for one errant boy. As she entered the club, she headed down to the holding pen to retrieve the youth. She ran into one of the other dancers, Neoc, coming up the stairs from a dressing room. Dumb, and easily distracted by bright shiny things, she was a favorite with many of the patrons of the club. She had a vicious streak, a predilection for inflicting pain on strong men. Listras knew of her history — not much wasn’t in the TELREC database, and understood where that inclination came from.
^Well, if it isn’t Elehtria!^ cried Neoc, as she bounced closer to her, her amble bosom barely framed by the tight black bodice that was stretched tightly over her. Listras always knew Neoc was attracted to her, more so because Listras never acted on it. ^I guess you nest who’s coming?^
^No, who?^
Neoc smiled. ^Don’t play dumb with me. I saw you the first time you saw Graid. You couldn’t keep your eyes off him!^ She ran her fingers along Listras’ shoulder, looking at her with wanton eyes. ^I know he’s a strong thing, but he couldn’t please you like another woman could.^ She pressed herself closer to Listras, backing her against a wall. Neoc was a little taller, and she loved to use that height to her advantage. ^Why don’t you give me a chance?^
Listras had been avoiding her, but too many refusals would arouse suspicion. She ran her hand along Neoc’s inner thigh, bringing a deep moan from her.
^Sometime soon. But I have . . . other needs, for now.^
Neoc pouted, and backed away. ^Is that what that little morsel in the holding pen is for?^
Listras grinned. ^Yeah, I thought I could get his attention.^
^You know he doesn’t like men, or little boys.^
^Doesn’t matter,^ cast Listras. ^The boy is just for shock value. I will win his attention.^
Neoc could be vengeful, especially when spurned. Listras had seen it countless times, when a woman she was after was caught by another. She may not have had much intelligence, but she was sly and crafty, with few scruples.
> ^Not before me! I nest he spends a lot, and is impossible to tire in bed.^ Neoc pulled down the legging on her outfit, smoothing some wrinkles, posing a little for Listras. ^I don’t know what he does for a living, but I would love to be with a man like that. If it just weren’t for Selva . . .^
Listras betrayed some concern, sharpening her gaze. ^Who’s that?^
^What? You didn’t know about Selva? Ha!^ laughed Neoc, as a smugness settled over her. She twisted her lithe, young body, adjusting the fitting under her breasts, stroking her hair. ^Well, she is the only woman I’ve seen Graid spend any time with. I know she loves him, and I think he’s coming around to the idea. You might be fighting a hopeless battle. Besides, I have some tricks in store for him. And if I get to him first, well, I don’t like sharing my bed. Especially with someone who hasn’t taken an interest in me.^ She looked at Listras with deceptively coy eyes. ^So he just might leave early, with me.^
Listras pressed Neoc against a wall, her eyes like fire, stepping out of her identity for a moment.
^I don’t lose battles, little girl. You do that stupid dance you do, and let me worry about Graid, and Selva.^
Neoc didn’t know whether to be aroused or frightened. She liked it rough, but was much more accustomed to dealing it out than receiving it.
^Who do you think you are?^ demanded Neoc, as she tried to push Listras away. Listras mentally pressed hard on Neoc, just for a moment, but long enough for Neoc’s knees to buckle, for her to lose her breath. ^Let me go!^ she cried, feeling pain she never had before. Listras grabbed her neck and brought her head close, her eyes so close she could see the fear within them.
^Don’t forget about me. Don’t even think about spoiling my fun with Graid! Or I will make you scream, and it will only be for my pleasure.^
Listras threw her head back into the wall, bringing a small shriek from Neoc. She staggered up, and backed away, fear spreading over her face. Neoc turned and ran up the stairs, a small wet patch forming between her legs. Listras leaned against a wall for a moment.
I know how important this mission is, but I so tire of these Novans. I have seen so much of their filth; I need to get out of this. She thought for a moment on Essile. I need to be strong, just like you Essile. But I don’t think you’d be doing the things I’m doing. And I’ve done plenty of difficult things in my life. Why do I think about this now? Why has my resolve been shaken? It must be that boy down there — it will be hard to kill him tonight. But it must be done.
She stood straight, and walked a few steps.
Then why do I feel like I’m dying inside? I have seen the face of the Cuhli-pra! I have seen the inside of Malhrer, spoken with the Monitors! I might become one of them! And yet, it all feels so empty. She turned, and gazed in a nearby mirror, outside a dressing room.
I’ve seen them look in there, and like what they see. I’ve seen the ugliest of them smile when they look at their reflection. I never see what they can. I only see this weapon in a woman’s clothing, ready to kill. I wish I could be something better, someone with a simpler life. Someone who can love. Listras made her way down to the holding pens, past the burly female guards, ogling her with leering casts, past the pens filled with all manner of life; farm animals, reptiles, beaten men and women, and a few other children. She came close to the pen she needed. A gentle melody played in the background as the club was opening, bringing eager patrons streaming in searching for amusement. For a moment, it kindled another memory, one before she became a TELREC, when music brought her comfort, and images of dreamy creatures lost to her youth.
‘If I were to have one dream fulfilled, one wish granted, it would be that she could simply love people, oblivious to their shortcomings, to see only the beauty within them.’ Her mother’s thoughts hung low in her mind, a dim reminder of something lost, some wish her mother made as the TELREC took her away. Who was she wishing to? And why about me? She shook her head, clearing her mind. Oh, what am I thinking? I must be strong. I have lost my detachment.
Listras stood in front of the boy, looking at a wasted life. He was drugged, so much so that he didn’t look up when she came in. He stank, with a stench that smelled of his own filth. Great sorrow welled up inside her, only to be crushed by her duty. She mentally took command of the boy. He stood, as she ordered, and proceeded to take off his clothes. She led him to a nearby washing facility and commanded him to wash himself. In a moment, he stood before her, clean, yet dead to the world.
She succumbed to temptation and peered into his mind and saw his past experiences, the faces of his family, his home.
He is young — too young to have an implant. His family was wealthy, and kind. He has suffered so much since he came here.
She spoke to him, softly. “It will all be over soon, sweet one. It won’t hurt; at least, I’ll make it so you won’t feel a thing.”
Chapter 19