“It seems like too much of a coincidence that Brazud would lock down all of its gates and station more guards?” I said. “Could they know about me?”
“It is possible,” she replied. “I have heard that the line to enter the city is long, and people are angry. They do not understand why the gates are closed. Perhaps they have heard of you.”
“Maybe it wasn’t what I did in Madomar,” I said. “Maybe they know of others from the Revenge.”
“Others?” she asked. “Like you?”
“Human, yes,” I said.
“There are many humans on this planet, but none like—” She stopped before lifting a hand to her mouth. “I believe there might be some of your people in Brazud. But I doubt you will like what you find.”
“What makes you think there are others like me?”
“Because I have heard that some fight in the arena. Powerful humans.”
Was there someone else from the Revenge who’d inherited Void powers? Had the Lakunae grabbed another crew member and gifted them with abilities, like they’d done to me?
It was unlikely, but it was still the best news I’d had in days. I’d seen the scrap with the Federation insignia, but this felt like more hard evidence.
Yaltu looked distraught at not informing me of the superpowered human earlier.
“It’s okay,” I said as I placed a hand on the soft skin and scales of her arm. “You didn’t connect the dots. But now, I’m eager to get going. If even one of my people are there, I have to find them.”
“I cannot go with you,” Yaltu said, sadness in her tone. “I am wanted by the guards. They wish to kill me to end the lineage of my father’s rule. I am prevented from entering.”
I thought she was some kind of anti-authoritarian who’d gotten in the way of the planet’s slave trade. Still, there was no way she could get any closer to the city.
“Skrew can go with Jacob!” He pounded two of his fists into his birdcage-like chest. “Skrew knows the way. Skrew knows the big, big gate.”
What he considered help sometimes wasn’t, so I was a bit wary of bringing him along. I also recognized that I still needed a guide. Like it or not, Skrew would be going with me. I’d just have to keep him on a short leash.
I turned back to Yaltu, prepared to tell her that I was ready to go, but something in her expression made me hesitate. She looked concerned, but more at the immediate situation than the danger of the entire mission.
“You do not have to bring Skrew with you,” she explained. “You can make him go, or stay.”
It seemed she had a complex relationship with slavery. Sometimes, she seemed to despise it, while she accepted it at other times. I supposed growing up on this planet had made it second nature.
“Skrew is free,” I reminded her. “He can go or stay as he pleases. I can’t order him otherwise. I could tie him up and hang him upside down from one of the nearby trees. Other than that, he’s free to do what he feels is right. I’m no one's master.”
“It is the way of the Sitar that the strong command the weak,” she whispered. “You are strong, and Skrew is weak. He recognizes your strength, which is why he is happy to serve. It is the way of the Sitar, so it is the way of the people on our planet. The strong always rule over the weak. It has been this way as far back as the eldest among us can remember.”
“The people should choose their own leaders, for better or worse. The strongest person doesn’t always make the best leader.”
“You are correct, but I have worked hard for them to see that. Perhaps now they will.” She leaned back and crossed her arms. “Your power will be visible to all people. You will draw attention. Others will want to challenge your power to prove their own. But for people to truly listen, Skrew must act like your slave, and you as his master.”
“Simple,” Skrew added helpfully. “Skrew has practice. Skrew was a slave. Then, big Jacob smashed Cobble and bonked him hard. Smashed and squashed. Pow! Made Cobble dead. Such awesome! Jacob was smashy and punchy! Made big muscles!”
I ignored the vrak and looked at Yaltu. “I’ll do my best to keep my head down. These clothes should help.”
I handed Ebon to Yaltu. “This almost got Madomar destroyed. Hold onto it for me until I return.”
The sword had been more than useful, but the Lakunae’s powers would make up for not having a weapon. Besides, I wanted to be careful in Brazud and not draw attention. Skald’s bugs and hovercrafts had been one thing, but I wasn’t willing to test my abilities on a city filled with soldiers. Ebon could stay with Yaltu for now. Besides, it would give me a reason to return to her.
“I will keep this safe,” she promised and clasped Ebon reverently. “Be sure to return in one piece. I’ll have a bath waiting for you should you choose to return.”
That was a deal I was more than happy to make.
“Okay,” I said, turning to Skrew, “you ready to go?”
“Skrew is ready.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
After Skrew and I left Yaltu’s hideout, we traveled a well-worn road toward Brazud. After only a few hundred yards, we were met by throngs of aliens trying to make their way through the city outskirts to the walls. Most appeared lost, but some looked as if they’d done it before and were on a mission. Those in the lead had a few dozen others trailing them, obviously hoping the alien in front would take them to a shortcut. Almost every species I saw was unknown to me, and likely unknown to the Federation. Humanoids made up approximately half the number, and the other half were varying shades of beast, insect, or walking cosmic blob.
Brazud, like
