Code Noir (31 page)
Authors: Marianne de Pierres
I followed Link out of the bar and down into the closest alley. I’d been in this one before when the Prier pilot had contacted me for the first time. It sent a prickle of remembrance across my skin, but there was no ’Terro waiting for me, only Glida.
‘Glida?’ I stared between them. ‘You two know each other?’
Link spoke. ‘Everyone knows you brought more of us back from Dis. I - I figured we should get acquainted.’
I blinked in surprise. The boy had intelligence stamped on his face. It impressed me. Maybe Teece’s job wouldn’t be so hard after all. I would have been pleased if Glida’s face wasn’t swollen from crying.
‘What is it?’
‘They’ve taken Wombebe.’
My frozen heart cracked. ‘Who?’
She held out an audio bung like it was a bomb. ‘They left this for you.’
I stuck it into my ear and with a shaking finger pressed hard. The device was meant for messages only. When the crackle cleared I recognised the thin, now familiar voice of the Prier pilot.
‘
What you saw in there, what you know now - it’s called Code Noir - designer slavery. I can’t stop it by myself. I need you. I’ve got the kid. Stay in the game and you’ll get her back
.’
What you saw in there, what you know now - it’s called Code Noir - designer slavery. I can’t stop it by myself. I need you. I’ve got the kid. Stay in the game and you’ll get her back
.’
The recording crackled again in pause.
‘. . .
you should know. You haven’t changed. He was lying. I know because I was there
.’
you should know. You haven’t changed. He was lying. I know because I was there
.’
The bung shrivelled and fell from my ear to the ground.
Loyl Daac had lied?
Why
had Loyl lied?
had Loyl lied?
I stared at Link and Glida absorbing what I had just learnt. If he had, that meant I still had some control over myself, and a chance to change things.
Even better
, I discovered I still wanted to.
, I discovered I still wanted to.
My life crashed back at me like a reboot. With it I felt the Eskaalim’s stranglehold loosen and my emotions thaw in a white-hot flash of hope. I could almost hear its long, anguished howl.
I picked up Glida and whirled her around me.
I wasn’t just back in the game.
I could still win.
Acknowledgements
Code Noir is the darkest hour in this series and owes much to the ROR-ettes, Lyn Uhlmann, Launz Burch, Tara Wynne and Ben Sharpe (I hope we get to do this again one day, Ben!).
And as always, to Rose, Nicci and Paul.
Code Noir
MARIANNE DE PIERRES
Hachette Digital
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