“I like what you’ve put on the table,” Kest said, “but I’m mainly using it as leverage against the Technols to see if I can get them to waive the required apprenticeship periods and practicums.”
I winced a little at the bluntness, but Biggerstaff just croaked out that weird catfish laugh.
“Not a bad strategy,” he said, “but I don’t think it’ll work. No matter how talented you are, artificers are going to be a credit a dozen to the Technols, and they’ll always give pride of place to Ylefs. Keep the Dragons in mind, Miss Metal Head. We can do you one better than anything they’re willing to offer. The Dragons are low on artificers, so we’re more likely to give you whatever you want with fewer conditions.”
“Will you let me quote you on that?” Kest brought out her HUD, slipping it onto her stick arm. The cinnabar at the wrist expanded to hold the wide band in place while she messed with the screen.
“For your leverage?” Biggerstaff grinned. “I like the way you think, little lady.”
He repeated it while Kest recorded him.
“Thanks,” she said, sending the message. “We’ll see what the Technols have to say about that.”
“Probably tell you to get stuffed,” Warcry said.
“If they do, I know the gang I can turn to,” Kest said.
“Got that right,” Biggerstaff said. He looked at Rali. “What about you, young man? You’ve got a powerful aura and the air of a man without a criminal past. Could have your pick of shogunates someday if you joined up.”
Rali bowed over his hands. “I’m honored to be considered worthy of the Eight-Legged Dragons, but for the time being, I must respectfully decline.”
“A diplomatic no,” Biggerstaff said, grinning. “Just like a Selken. Well, how about this—I give the two of you guest status for now. You’ll get to see the perks of our organization up close and personal to help you make a more informed decision.”
He led us to a row of elevators and pressed the down button.
“Let’s head down and get our Selken friends set up first,” he said, checking his HUD. “They’ll be on Level 9, in the guest suites. Then we’ll get you probationary Dragons set up.”
There was a ding. One of the elevators opened, and we got in. The walls of the car were glass, which I’d always thought was cool. I stood staring out at the floors below while we descended to Level 9.
The car came to a stop, and the doors slid open on another walkway. This one was lined with thick carpet. I felt bad for tracking mud and muck all over it, but Biggerstaff wasn’t waiting around for me to find somewhere to scrape my sneakers off. He led us down the walkway, around a corner, and stopped at a pair of doors.
“Mister and Miss Selken,” he said. “Welcome to your suites. Put your HUDs to the panel to set them as the key.”
Rali lifted a finger. “Apologies, but I don’t have one of those things. If you can unlock it for me, though, I’ll just leave the door open. I don’t have anything worth stealing, anyway.” He grinned and held up his walking stick. “Besides this.”
Biggerstaff blinked. It was the first time I’d seen him caught off guard.
“That explains why your ranking never updates on Van Diemann’s Spirit boards,” the catfish said. He pressed his sleek black HUD to the panel and the lock clinked open. “This place was remodeled a few years back, so all the analog locks are gone, but I can talk to someone in physical plant—”
“Don’t worry about it,” Kest said. “There’s bound to be a spec sheet for these panels on the hyperweb. I’ll set up a data entry for him later with the option for you to erase it and turn it back into a HUD sensor when we leave.”
Biggerstaff’s whiskers twitched, and he looked at Kest with a new level of respect.
“Do me a favor and really think on the Dragons’ offer, Miss Iye Skal,” he said.
She nodded, then opened her room. Through the door I could see lots of natural tones, greens and blues, and hear what sounded like a babbling brook. Thick cushions were piled up around a low wood table in the sitting area, and I caught the corner of what looked like a kitchen counter disappearing behind a wall.
Warcry and I started to follow Kest and Rali inside, but Biggerstaff stopped us.
“This is as far as either of you go until you’ve earned it,” he said.
Kest turned back. “But I need to work on his prosthetic.”
“Then you’ll have to do it in his room or one of the common areas,” Biggerstaff said. “I’m afraid probationary members aren’t allowed in rooms below their level.” Before Kest could say anything else, he jerked his flat head at the elevators. “Speaking of, let’s head back upstairs and get you gentlemen settled in.”
Kest shot me a look, and I shrugged. She held up her HUD to let me know to message when I got a chance. I nodded and followed Biggerstaff back to the elevators.
Fight Tower
“AS NEWLY SIGNED RECRUITS, you’ll be on Level 3,” Biggerstaff told us once we were headed back up. “The accommodations are basic, but you shouldn’t want to stay there, anyway. It’s just a starting point.”
We stopped on Level 3 and got out. The floors there were not carpet. They were the same vinyl-like tile that was in the entryway. It squeaked under my wet sneakers.
Biggerstaff stopped at another pair of doors. “These two are free right now. Key in your HUDs.”
I pressed my Winchester’s cracked screen to the shining panel of the door in front of me. Even though my HUD was a lot older than Warcry’s and Biggerstaff’s models, the panel beeped and the door swung open without a problem.
“It’s a bento box,” Warcry spat.
There was just enough space to lie down. A bedroll leaned up against one corner.
“What about bathrooms?” I asked.
“Communal, down the hall,” Biggerstaff said. “You don’t
