They called her the Last Light. The Last Light of Baleros. To most, she was a [Soldier]\u2019s story. And not even a grand one at that. Her legend was small. But somehow, it spread.<\/p>\n
She was no warrior. She hadn\u2019t built up decades of triumphs like the larger-than-life figures who dominated Baleros. The Titan. The Seer of Steel. Or even the younger heroes, like Aria Fellstrider, \u201cBattle Hymnist\u201d of Maelstrom\u2019s Howling.<\/p>\n
And yet, the Last Light\u2019s tale lived on. It spread from word of mouth, from soldier to soldier, until you could hear a story about her a hundred miles from where she had ever walked. And that was because there was something in the Last Light that called to the [Mercenaries], to [Soldiers].<\/p>\n
To anyone who fought on the battlefield, really. The Last Light was someone who would mend you. Save you when no potion could. Her true name, her identity was actually unimportant. She just symbolized a dying soldier\u2019s hope. So they knew her. The Last Light. The [Doctor] of Baleros. And when they lay dying in the mud and gore, impaled by spears, bleeding, mage-burnt or torn from a monster\u2019s claws, they called for her. The wounded, the despairing. Reaching out for a glimmer of hope.<\/p>\n
But she was not there. And they died or lived by miracles she had nothing to do with. The Last Light was a legend. The real thing was only Human. And so powerless.<\/p>\n
So frail.<\/p>\n
And she was coming home.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Geneva Scala rode down a trade road of Baleros. The pony she rode wasn\u2019t too happy about carrying her. And she wasn\u2019t too happy with it, really. But since both were well-disciplined, they plodded down the stone road in disagreeable silence. Geneva occasionally swatted at a fly that landed on her. Her right hand gripped the reins while her left flicked the flies off before they could bite and lay eggs. It was spring, and the air was humid. The pony flicked its tail constantly as its shod hooves gently struck the stone.<\/p>\n
A trade road. Unlike the muddy, sometimes flooded or overrun dirt trails, the trade roads were almost always clear. They connected the major cities of Baleros. They had been painstakingly laid over hundreds of years and were maintained\u2014for it was from them that the lifeblood of Baleros, trade and war, flowed.<\/p>\n
The pony Geneva was riding decided to relieve itself as it walked. She felt the gurgling and smelled and heard the distinct plops<\/em> on the road behind her. She half-twisted, wrinkled her nose, but didn\u2019t bother chastising the pony. There was really no point. Besides, the trade road had all kinds of detritus left on it. It would be clean once one of Baleros\u2019 many storms or showers passed by.<\/p>\n The person riding behind Geneva minded a bit, though. She heard an exclamation, a female voice.<\/p>\n \u201cOh! \u304d\u3082\u3044! Don\u2019t walk in\u2014ew, ew!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva sighed. The voice belonged to a Japanese girl, who was horrified as her pony trod right through the smelly leavings. She heard Aiko crying out in disgust in English and Japanese and then laughter. It came from ahead of Geneva and behind. After all, she wasn\u2019t alone.<\/p>\n The trade road had tons of travellers on it. Caravans bearing goods to and from the ports, adventurers, and of course, companies marching to battle. The party that followed the traffic on the right side of the road was small. Six people, all riding ponies.<\/p>\n \u201cKen!<\/em> Miss Essil! My pony\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAiko, it\u2019s fine. Ponies walk through all kinds of bad things. Don\u2019t worry. \u5927\u4e08\u592b.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Ken\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva heard Aiko break off and speak rapidly in Japanese. She heard another voice reply. She looked to her side. Ken was arguing with Aiko, probably about the hygiene of pony hooves. Like Aiko, he was Japanese. A young man with a wide-brimmed farmer\u2019s hat to protect him from the sun. He was dressed in light Balerosian clothing. Aiko, who had elected to wear one of her hats from Earth, had on a bright travel dress. Both wore longer clothing to protect their fairer skin from the sun.<\/p>\n However, the extremely pale-skinned duo of riders riding behind them wore no protection from the sun at all. The two Selphid [Guards] riding behind their group laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cPonies don\u2019t mind what they step on, Miss Aiko. It\u2019s snakes that bother them. Snakes, flies\u2014if you want to help, keep waving the pests away, and your pony will thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Aiko did. She had a long fly whisk in her hand and was diligently keeping the stinging flies from her pony, whom she\u2019d even named. Geneva stared down at her pony. It rolled its eye back as if to dare her to try and play nice. She kept riding, her body automatically balancing to prevent her from being jolted. Well, not exactly automatically.<\/p>\n Geneva was a poor rider. She didn\u2019t \u2018do\u2019 horses. Or other four-legged animals bigger than she was, really. She liked dogs. Cats. Fish. Horses were a bit too\u2026Centaurs were fine. But she didn\u2019t feel that riding animals was for her or them. And they agreed.<\/p>\n Normally, she\u2019d be saddle-sore from poor posture, but as luck would have it, she was riding like a professional. And it wasn\u2019t really something she was doing. Or rather, she was doing it, but\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Essil! Miss Essil, my pony doesn\u2019t want an apple! Is that bad?\u201d<\/p>\n The sixth member of their group looked over her shoulder somewhat reluctantly at Aiko. Essil, a Lizardwoman who was more at home in the saddle than on the ground, was a rare breed of her species. In that she didn\u2019t actually enjoy talking all the time. Aiko, by comparison, would have fit in well with the Lizardfolk. The Japanese girl smiled as the two Selphid [Guards] hired to protect Aiko, Geneva, Ken, and, to some extent, Essil herself laughed again. Essil eyed Aiko\u2019s pony and shook her head curtly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not hungry because you fed it two apples already. You\u2019re spoiling it. Don\u2019t give it any more or it\u2019ll overeat when feeding. I\u2019ll have to lower how much I give that one\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She grumbled and turned forwards. Essil scowled at the road ahead, her tail waving in time with her pony, who was calmly plodding ahead of the small group.<\/p>\n \u201cJust\u2014stop fussing over it! We\u2019re nearly at Talenqual\u2014once we\u2019re there, I\u2019ll take my<\/em> ponies and you lot can leave me alone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe love you too, Essie.\u201d<\/p>\n A Selphid wearing a Dullahan\u2019s body called out cheerfully. His name was Maquit, at least when he wore a male body. When she was in a female body, she preferred to be called Maqua. Geneva turned sideways to eye the Selphid as Essie glared back at him.<\/p>\n Selphids. The body snatchers of Baleros. A pejorative phrase, really, since Selphids didn\u2019t steal the bodies of the living and only rarely stole dead bodies outright. They paid to use the bodies of the deceased, hopping from body to body as they eventually decayed, much like hermit crabs and shells. Not that Okasha had liked the comparison when Geneva had made it.<\/p>\n Nevertheless, Selphids were fascinating. To Geneva, they reminded her of a fictional book she\u2019d read when she was a kid. Animorphs. <\/em>To her, Selphids were a bit like Yeerks,<\/em> only they infested an entire body via the nervous system, rather than through the brain.<\/p>\n Strange. Yeerks<\/em> had terrified Geneva as a child. The thought of aliens living among normal people, of being able to control someone against their will, leaving them helpless in their own body had been horrifying. But Selphids didn\u2019t bother Geneva at all.<\/p>\n They were\u2026people. They had unique personalities, morality, and like people, few were disposed towards mindless cruelty. Selphids were in fact very careful about the rules that defined their culture\u2014they never inhabited living creatures. Doing so was punishable by death by every species in the world\u2014especially their own. And they were also courteous of the dead. They paid the families of the deceased for the bodies they inhabited and were in fact more careful of their vessels than the owners had been in life.<\/p>\n Which of course made Geneva\u2019s own situation that much more ironic. Geneva saw a fly buzz at her face\u2014no, a mosquito. A big one, with a proboscis that would hurt<\/em> if it stuck it in her. Mosquitos had evolved to take on the bigger monsters of Baleros, and some had decided that being unobtrusive wasn\u2019t as important as being tough. This one had a much, much bigger body, covered in a thicker carapace.<\/p>\n And it wanted Geneva. It landed on her cheek. She jerked\u2014but her left hand had already snatched the mosquito before her right hand could. It quickly and ruthlessly smashed the bug between its fingers. Geneva felt the horribly unpleasant crunching <\/em>and squish<\/em> between her fingers before her left hand tossed the mosquito away. It rubbed its fingers on the pony\u2019s side\u2014the animal snorted unhappily.<\/p>\n The death of the mosquito didn\u2019t bother Geneva. She was a pacifist. She had sworn an oath not to harm. But that didn\u2019t apply to animals\u2014she could eat meat\u2014and it certainly didn\u2019t apply to Baleros\u2019 stinging insects. Nevertheless, she shuddered a bit at the sensation. She heard a whisper.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry<\/em>. I\u2019ll deaden the nerves next time.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The voice hadn\u2019t come from anyone around Geneva. Rather, it was a silent whisper in her eardrums. In<\/em> her eardrums. Only the [Doctor] had heard it. She whispered back, her lips barely moving. She knew she didn\u2019t have to be loud, only make the barest vocalizations.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t. It\u2019s fine. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n The conversation went unnoticed by Essil and everyone else on the road. They were in good spirits; after all, their journey was nearly at an end. Geneva wasn\u2019t in such a good mood; she felt tired, weary of ponies, and honestly? A bit depressed. A bit useless.<\/p>\n One person did pick up on that. Ken, the young man riding next to Geneva, looked over, and his smile grew into a thoughtful look. He stopped teasing Aiko and nudged his pony a bit closer to Geneva\u2019s. The mare obeyed happily. She seemed to enjoy carrying Ken, who had given her a treat and kept her free of the biting flies. But that wasn\u2019t unusual. People liked Ken. It was his thing.<\/p>\n Ken, the [Negotiator]. Ken, who had managed to get even Essil to guide them at a cheap rate. And book them in good inns. And done most of the talking. And who was a Level 25 [Negotiator]. His latest Skill, [Moodreader], allowed him to see what people\u2019s general states of mind were. Geneva hated that Skill.<\/p>\n She also hated that Ken didn\u2019t outright ask what was wrong. True to form, he waited for a second, assessing her, looking around, and then carefully asked a question. It was how he did so well with the touchy Dullahans and Centaurs\u2014he was polite, deferential\u2014he\u2019d taken the etiquette of his culture and applied it to Baleros with splendid results.<\/p>\n \u201cGeneva, are you excited to be back in Talenqual? I think we have achieved some good results that the others will be very happy with, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva scowled and then tried to smile. Her lips twitched\u2014then turned into a natural smile. Not her own. She turned it back into a scowl. She hated how naturally Okasha could do that.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will be good to be back. I can work on isolating a proper antibiotic. As for achievements\u2014we haven\u2019t brought back more money than we left with.\u201d<\/p>\n In fact, they had a lot less. Their journey had set them back, and while they still had a surplus of funds, they\u2019d used up far too many gold coins for Geneva to be happy. Ken nodded, looking slightly puzzled.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we\u2019ve made good progress. That\u2019s worth the effort, is it not? And we have done quite a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n You have.<\/em> Not me<\/em>. Bleakly, Geneva thought of all the people Ken had introduced himself to, and the talking he\u2019d done, while she\u2019d stood around awkwardly as people stared at her. She shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a good use of time. But I\u2019m just worried about our finances. We didn\u2019t get a [Message] from Paige, so all\u2019s probably well, but without a proper source of income\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She broke off sharply as she saw Ken\u2019s polite smile grow ever-so-slightly strained. Somewhat guiltily, Geneva realized this was the umpteenth time she\u2019d brought up the issue on their journey. Even he had to be tired of hearing it. She cleared her throat.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be glad to be back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo will I. I want to see Kirana and Paige! They say they\u2019ve made new dishes from home. Very tasty ones, I hope!\u201d<\/p>\n Aiko rode forwards, smiling brightly. She was a [Nurse], a [Sketcher]\u2014she was hoping to become an [Artist] with more practice\u2014and Geneva\u2019s assistant in most things. She was a breath of sunshine while Geneva\u2014was not.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will discuss it at the headquarters. And maybe talk about renting another space from Miss Hastel. That would be very important. Paige told me the apartments was\u2014excuse me, were\u2014<\/em>very full already. \u201d<\/p>\n Ken nodded to himself. Geneva nodded, keeping her mouth shut. She glanced behind her. Maquit and Ilmt, the two Selphids, were caught up in a quiet dialogue of their own. They were fairly relaxed, this being a busy trade road, but they wore the shortswords and bucklers on them at all times.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks for escorting us to Talenqual despite the detours, Maquit. We appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid [Guard] glanced up. He grinned, a younger intelligence smiling out past the old Human man\u2019s face. He had a bald head with wisps of grey hair, and his body was portly. But Maquit was barely out of his teens. And he spoke like it, despite the older voice. An odd dissonance, but you grew used to it with Selphids.<\/p>\n \u201cOur pleasure, Miss Geneva. And if you want to travel again, remember to ask for us! We\u2019ll be in Talenqual as long as it takes to find more work, probably a day or so at the latest. But should you need work, just mention Calectus\u2019 name and you\u2019ll get one of us. If there are any in the city, that is.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva nodded. Maquit and Ilmt had given her group an excellent deal on their rates and accompanied them wherever they wanted, despite the detours Geneva had asked for. That was because Calectus, the Selphid [Honor Guard] who\u2019d protected Geneva throughout the jungle, had spread the word. Geneva was a person of interest to Selphids, and so they went out of their way to give her aid. Because they thought she could help them.<\/p>\n Oh, how Geneva wished she shared that optimism. She shook her head, feeling herself grow gloomier again. She turned ahead and then noticed her left hand doing something. She watched as, unbidden by Geneva\u2019s<\/em> mind, her left hand uncorked her water flask, raised it to her lips. Her mouth opened, and Geneva drank. All of this occurred without Geneva ordering her body to do any of it.<\/p>\n She must have been dehydrated. Geneva hadn\u2019t felt it, but the humidity and heat of Baleros was a constant thing, and she was mildly sweaty even in the early morning. But her body\u2019s other passenger, her truest protector and one of the reasons why she could command Selphid aid, would have noticed at once. Not that anyone else would know just by looking. Except perhaps\u2026another Selphid.<\/p>\n And perhaps Maquit and Ilmt had noticed, because their gazes fixed on Geneva for a second longer than normal. But they only smiled when she looked back at them and made a joke about Humans being easier to guard than Dullahans\u2014at least Humans don\u2019t forget their heads! She knew they wanted to talk to her body\u2019s other occupant, but they\u2019d been very careful and the right moment had never sprung up.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re nearly there.\u201d<\/p>\n Essil interrupted the group\u2019s chatter. The Lizardwoman looked back over her shoulder and pointed as, ahead of them, Talenqual appeared out of the jungle. Geneva looked up and sighed.<\/p>\n Home. <\/em>Or at least, a place where she lived. She rode towards the city, hunched over her pony. It had been two weeks of travelling. And they\u2019d accomplished\u2026something. They really had. She just wished she could smile. Because after all this time, she still felt so useless<\/em> that it hurt.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re back!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Daly was lounging in one of the two sofas the apartment held when Andel burst through the door excitedly. The young Australian man was on his day off from fishing, and he\u2019d seen Ken, Geneva, and Aiko coming through the gates. His words provoked an uproar among the Earthworlders.<\/p>\n \u201cAt last! Let\u2019s go meet them!\u201d<\/p>\n Excitedly, Mary jumped to her feet. Dawson waved a lazy hand. He was playing on the one gaming smartphone the company shared.<\/p>\n \u201cBah, they\u2019ll be here any minute. They know the way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAiko\u2019s back?\u201d<\/p>\n Kirana poked her head out of the kitchen, looking excited. Daly nodded, and she ran upstairs to find Priya as they both were good friends with Aiko. Daly looked around. He saw Blake, who was sitting and talking with a few of the other recent newcomers, look up from his briefing about Baleros and the world. So did Nicoletta and the Italian kids.<\/p>\n \u201cThe others?\u201d<\/p>\n Nicoletta looked confused. Daly nodded. He stood up.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019ll be Ken, Geneva, and Aiko. Ken and Geneva are two of our company\u2019s leaders. Along with Luan.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re very good. The highest-levels our group has. You\u2019ll like Ken. He is a [Negotiator]. And Geneva is famous. The Last Light of Baleros is what people call her.\u201d<\/p>\n Nicoletta frowned, still struggling a tiny bit with Tofte\u2019s Norwegian accent. She hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cThe\u2026Last Light?\u201d<\/p>\n Tofte nodded. He tried to explain how Geneva had gotten the name\u2014which was a trick in itself because the story was complicated. Daly, who had been there, only half-listened. He glanced around and saw Siri coming down the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard Ken\u2019s coming back? And Aiko and Geneva?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. Our [Doctor]\u2019s returned.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly felt a bit of relief in saying it. Ken and Geneva being here would make him relax a lot. He hoped they\u2019d come with good news or, better yet, a lot of money. But them just being here and not necessarily on the road would be good. Siri frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cI met Geneva only once, when I first came here. Then she left on her trip.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, right. I forgot you\u2019ve only been here for a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n It felt like Siri had been part of the company, and the Bushrangers, for ages. But she was new. Daly saw Siri was frowning slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm. What\u2019s she like in person? Geneva? She was very\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Siri broke off. Out of politeness, perhaps. Daly wondered what her experience had been. He hesitated and then shrugged nonchalantly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll see her in a few seconds.\u201d<\/p>\n The Swedish girl eyed him, but didn\u2019t push it. And indeed, she settled back down in the chair she\u2019d been using. Meanwhile, more of the company not working flooded back into the apartments. They wanted to greet Ken and Aiko and Geneva.<\/p>\n Many of the most eager ones were the newest members, the ones who had barely had a chance to get to know Ken and the others before they\u2019d gone on their trips. They hadn\u2019t spoken to Luan, who was always working, or gotten more than their first encounter with Geneva. Ken, they knew; he\u2019d helped find a lot of them. But the others were more mysterious. And Geneva?<\/p>\n Sometimes, Daly still heard stories about her. From adventurers, no less. And every time Quallet came back with his growing company, newer members of Gravetender\u2019s Fist would be with him, just to see if the myth had any feet. Daly couldn\u2019t tell what they thought after meeting Geneva. But it was the question everyone asked at first.<\/p>\n What was the Last Light of Baleros like, really? What was Geneva, the [Doctor], like as a person? Daly had seen her on the battlefield. But he had known Geneva afterwards. And what she was like was\u2014<\/p>\n The door opened. Daly heard an exclamation from the stairs, then a shout.<\/p>\n \u201cKen! Aiko! Geneva!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone turned. Half the room shot to their feet and crowded the door. Daly heard a familiar voice, exclamations, and then Paige shouting.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, everyone, back up! Back up and let them through!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Hers was not the voice of a [Negotiator], but sometimes you just needed to be loud. The Earthworlders moved back, and Daly saw a familiar face. Ken was wearing the conical hat, but it was pushed back, and he was smiling, shaking hands. His face lit up as he saw Daly, and the Australian felt a jolt of relief in his stomach.<\/p>\n \u201cKen!\u201d<\/p>\n He pushed his way forwards. Ken approached slowly through the crowd.<\/p>\n \u201cDaly! It\u2019s good to see you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve missed you. Could have used you yesterday\u2014and Aiko too! Hello there!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Daly! Hello, Paige! And Kirana, Priya\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Aiko lit up as she hugged her friends from India. Daly looked around. People were crowded about, Blake, Nicoletta, Lorenzo, and Diana were craning to see\u2014<\/p>\n And then there was a moment of calm. Heads turned. Some of the laughter died out, and people turned to see the third member of the company who\u2019d come back.<\/p>\n No one leapt forwards to hug her. She did not tower over the others; she was a bit short of six feet, tall for a young woman, and dressed in travelling clothes. But that wasn\u2019t what marked her. Geneva Scala could have been any young woman with Italian heritage. But her eyes. They were\u2026<\/p>\n Intense.<\/em><\/p>\n Yes. Intense was the word. Look at Geneva from the side and you might not sense it at first. But take one look at her gaze or notice how she moved, how she walked or even stood. It wasn\u2019t posture so much as readiness. She felt intense, and if Ken made you relaxed, Geneva made you check the skies for a storm or listen to the wind. She had the same pressure in her gaze that Daly sometimes saw in Siri\u2019s eyes when they were about to enter combat, or in Dawson\u2019s. Or his own, in the mirror on dark nights.<\/p>\n You wanted to know what Geneva was like? A look said it all. She looked around the room, clearly conscious of the effect her entrance had had. She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n Ken could have said that and turned it into an opening for conversation. Geneva\u2019s statement somehow shut it down. That was Geneva, even when she wasn\u2019t acting as a [Doctor]. She was just driven when there was nothing to drive.<\/p>\n And she didn\u2019t smile often. Sometimes, Daly thought she\u2019d forgotten how. Then she\u2019d give him a natural smile, and he\u2019d know it wasn\u2019t Geneva who was doing the smiling. Daly looked around. People were hesitating, silent, unsure of how to greet her. He wondered if Geneva had the same effect on Lizardfolk. Probably not. Even her personality had limits.<\/p>\n Still, it was awkward, so Daly did his best. He put a smile on his face, reached out, and slapped Geneva on the shoulder. She blinked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cGood to see you, Geneva! Our [Doctor]\u2019s back, everyone!\u201d<\/p>\n There was a pause. Geneva stared up at Daly, and he saw her lips twitch. Then a natural, welcoming smile came over her face. It looked completely normal. But Daly still felt a shiver run down his spine. A natural smile, but she hadn\u2019t given it.<\/p>\n \u201cGood to be back! Thanks, Daly.\u201d<\/p>\n And that wasn\u2019t her way of saying it either. But the effect was welcome. Everyone not in the know immediately relaxed, and the babble of voices broke out again. They crowded around Daly and Geneva and the others, asking questions. Ken had to hold up his hands and raise his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease! Everyone! We just arrived. Let us give Paige some things\u2014we have souvenirs as well! And then we will have time to answer questions! Paige, I have a pack\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPut it in my work room. Kirana, do we have food?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have wonderful snacks!\u201d<\/p>\n The Indian girl beamed. There was a cheer\u2014and like that, the twin apartments were filled with people eating the snacks Kirana and the others were bringing out, sitting on the couches and floor and table, listening to Ken relate the stories of where they\u2019d been and what they\u2019d seen, or to Aiko doing the same, but from a different perspective.<\/p>\n And somehow, Daly found himself standing next to Geneva. That was the second thing you\u2019d notice, if you looked. Geneva Scala, the Last Light of Baleros, didn\u2019t command the room. After you got over the intensity of who she is, after you looked past the legend, you realized Geneva was just\u2026ordinary. Or rather, she didn\u2019t do extraordinary things. In fact, she was fairly quiet. Until something demanded her attention.<\/p>\n \u201cHad a good trip?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUneventful. But yes, perhaps. There\u2019s good and bad\u2014Ken\u2019s planning on filling you and Paige in tonight. We got some of the things she wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva sighed. She looked tired, and Daly imagined she\u2019d been travelling from dawn to arrive by midmorning. He coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cHow was the road? Did you take a Centaur carriage?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Too expensive. We rode. Ken\u2019s guide had ponies, so we made most of the journey on horseback. Not my idea of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, you don\u2019t like horses? I\u2019m partial to them myself. Although they are temperamental buggers.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva looked up. She hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cNext time, I\u2019ll give you my seat.\u201d<\/p>\n It sounded like a joke, even if her delivery was terrible, so Daly laughed. Geneva didn\u2019t smile, but the corners of her mouth moved. The two looked over at Ken.<\/p>\n \u201cIs Luan\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope. He came in once. Dumped a bunch of gold coins on us, slept for almost two days straight, and then went back out. Said he had a big contract. He\u2019s really gunning to get a Courier rating.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva looked concerned.<\/p>\n \u201cHe should take it easy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I said. But did he listen? He\u2019s flying up in levels, Geneva. He did ask about Aiko, but that was it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Aiko asked about how Luan was doing too. She had something she wanted to talk to him about. I don\u2019t know what.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Daly and Geneva\u2019s eyes slid towards Aiko, who was happily chatting away. Geneva shuffled her feet. Daly bit his lip. As far as they knew, it was just friendship. But you had to wonder. Luan was married, but Aiko had admired him until she\u2019d learned about that pressing fact. It was probably nothing. And if it wasn\u2019t?<\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2014did you encounter any trouble on the road worth mentioning? How were your guards? Did you need an escort? The Bushrangers are doing better. We\u2019ve taken a good number of contracts since you left\u2014all hunting or recon ones. We could spare some of our own if you need it next time.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Doctor] looked up and then shook her head slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, our Selphid [Guards] worked very well. Not that there was any need for violence. They did stop a [Thief] from targeting Aiko one time, but the trade roads are very safe. Honestly, we probably didn\u2019t need them. But they\u2019ve said we can hire them again, and Calectus\u2019 name is still good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we\u2019ll definitely have you going with someone. Alone\u2019s too risky for my tastes.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly frowned. Geneva nodded. The two stood together another moment as something Ken said elicited a laugh. Then Daly had to ask.<\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2026how\u2019d it go? The cities, I mean? Did you get the company\u2019s name out? Obviously you didn\u2019t find anyone from home\u2014but how many people did you see?\u201d<\/p>\n He had to know. Daly had been hoping\u2014dreaming, really, of Ken\u2019s small expedition to the nearby cities coming back with a bucket load of gold coins. Enough to put the company in the black for months and give Daly time to think about outfitting his Bushrangers, and Paige the money to really get to work on translating things from their world over here.<\/p>\n They hadn\u2019t gotten any [Messages] that indicated wild success, but that wasn\u2019t the sort of thing you advertised, was it? Especially since rumor had it that some [Mages] were on the take and would sell you out to [Bandits] or other lowlifes. Or just sell your information to anyone who wanted to be in the know.<\/p>\n Daly was hopeful. Right up until he saw Geneva look down. She clenched her hands and then looked him dead in the eye. There was that intensity. But that was just Geneva on the surface. Behind that, what she\u2019d been through, there was a normal person there. And the guilt in her eyes told him everything before she opened her mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Nothing?\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva nodded. Daly saw her close her eyes, and then she spoke slowly. Quietly, above the chatter in the room.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing. I performed two surgeries\u2014removing an old arrowhead and pulling three rotten teeth. That\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly felt his stomach drop as if Geneva had slugged him.<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n But you\u2019re the [Doctor]. <\/em>They\u2019d sent her with Ken to learn what she could, so Ken could make introductions, get their company known. And Geneva was their ace. The miracle worker. The Last Light who\u2019d rake in the coin performing surgeries. That was the plan. But Geneva just shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cThey had [Healers] who could do a lot with potions, poultices, and so on. And there are [Doctors] in this world\u2014or at least, people who can perform the most basic of surgeries. With healing potions, though, that\u2019s all they need.\u201d<\/p>\n Of course. Daly imagined it. Cut yourself? Healing potion. Break a bone? Set it and use a healing potion. Lay your leg wide open so you could see the bone? More expensive healing potion or a [Healer]. And he saw it in Geneva\u2019s eyes. Frustration. She looked away.<\/p>\n \u201cNo one needed me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It would have been easy if Daly got angry. But he didn\u2019t. Geneva saw him take the bad news like a physical blow. She knew it would hit the others hard, once news got around. Ken was only telling stories of what they\u2019d seen\u2014huge, sprawling Lizardfolk cities, magical artifacts, tall towers built out of magicked stone\u2014although not on the level of skyscrapers. Interesting people, fascinating experiences. But nothing about the money.<\/p>\n \u201cSo how much did it cost?\u201d<\/p>\n The young man from Australia looked ready for the worst. Geneva paused.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got sixteen gold coins. So a little over two-thirds of what we left with.\u201d<\/p>\n A huge sigh left Daly\u2019s mouth. That was a lot of money spent. But if they\u2019d used the full amount, it would have been a lot of money\u2014probably a month of the Bushrangers working their best\u2014lost.<\/p>\n \u201cNot bad. How\u2019d you manage it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike I said, I did two surgeries. And Aiko earned some money doing her manga sketches of people.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCaricatures?\u201d<\/p>\n Daly smiled for a moment. Geneva nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cClose. Lizardfolk loved them. And Ken saved us money by being Ken. He talked us into better rates for practically every inn we stopped at. Same for the [Healers] I visited.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you did get what you needed? There\u2019s something, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly was trying to put a good spin on it. Geneva frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. And there\u2019s a bit of progress there. But again\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She couldn\u2019t lie to him. Even if she wanted to. Daly hesitated. It would have been easier if he said how disappointed he clearly was. But he didn\u2019t. Instead, he did the best thing possible. He put his hand on her shoulder and gave her a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, I\u2019m glad you\u2019re back. We need you here.\u201d<\/p>\n It was the perfect thing to say to make Geneva feel worse. She just nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, what\u2019s to be sorry about? If they don\u2019t need surgeries\u2014we should have thought of that. And frankly, it was bum luck. There could have been work for you. Someone slips, cuts off a hand\u2014or has an accident that a potion can\u2019t handle?\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva nodded. That was true. There could have been a dire situation that only she could have solved. But it hadn\u2019t come up, though they\u2019d visited a few sprawling large cities with people living together in the tens or hundreds of thousands. No one had needed her, even when Ken was selling Geneva\u2019s talents as loudly as possible. Because there wasn\u2019t a war going on. And that meant Geneva couldn\u2019t do much.<\/p>\n What she could do, in the end, was teach what she knew. She could make a field surgeon out of Aiko and anyone else who wanted to learn. She could teach them how to operate, remove shrapnel, staunch bleeding\u2014but what use was that to someone when a healing potion could do the same?<\/p>\n \u201cIf someone lost a limb\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt has to be fresh. And ice isn\u2019t that common around here. No one thinks to ice a limb, Daly. If word got out what I could do, I imagine they might. But\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n That was something Geneva had on healing potions and [Healers]. She could cut away organs or limbs affected by poison, magical rot, and so on and use spot-applied healing potion to regenerate the area. She could also reconnect an arm or leg if she was very, very quick and the limb hadn\u2019t begun to rot. In those two areas, she was useful. But the rest? Not at all.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I didn\u2019t do much. I wish I could say I did, but I was useless on the trip. I would have told you by [Message], but Ken said it was better to break the news in person.\u201d<\/p>\n Or rather, what he\u2019d predicted was that anyone who was at the Mage\u2019s Guild would spread the word about rather than just relay it to Paige or Daly. The Australian nodded. He frowned at Geneva, clearly trying to think of something to say. And then he had it.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the Centaur boy\u2014colt, sorry, please excuse my mistake\u2014you saved would disagree. And the [Wood Cutter]. And Quallet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s true, I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n But those were all people she\u2019d helped earlier. She could have stayed in Talenqual, and both of them knew it. Daly coughed, looked around, and then waved.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Kirana! Can we get one of those? Kirana, you know Geneva, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes! I know Geneva. Hello. Would you like one? This is a dahi kebab.<\/em> Vegetarian.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva recognized the deep-fried vegetable dough ball that was offered. She took one and bit into the bread-crumb exterior. It was still warm and delicious.<\/em> Daly snagged two, and Kirana scolded him.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! I\u2019ll share with Geneva.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Doctor] took another bite, peering at the two.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you doing well?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, thank you!\u201d<\/p>\n Kirana smiled at Geneva. The two paused, because Geneva had nothing else in her arsenal to say. Then Kirana turned as someone shouted her name from the kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re terrible at talking to people. Were you always like this? Eat the kebab. It\u2019s really good.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cShut up.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly glanced at Geneva, then realized who she was talking to. He bit into his kebab, and his eyes opened wide.<\/p>\n \u201cBloody hell, that\u2019s good! No wonder we\u2019re spending so much on our food budget each week!\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva savored the rest of the dahi kebab<\/em>. It was very good, and she suspected it had been chosen to appeal to the widest variety of people\u2014there were some vegetarians mixed in with the Earthworlders, although some had been forced to compromise their values to survive.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst time having them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKirana and her lot are always coming up with new stuff. They practically run the kitchens now. Indian cooking works really well with Baleros\u2019 markets, apparently. Lots of spices, similar foods\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s lucky. Perhaps we could sell some of the foods they make?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPaige was talking about that. Kirana wants to hit at least Level 15 before we try that, but she\u2019s open to the idea. Really, the issue would be getting a market stall or somewhere to sell from. And the ingredients. It\u2019s not too bad, but we might need someone to stand watch. And\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n They needed money, but they were waiting for us to come back.<\/em> Geneva\u2019s last bite soured in her mouth. She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll work something out.\u201d<\/p>\n What else could she say? She turned as she saw Ken had gotten up. He waved at the people who were protesting and trotted over to her and Daly. He gave the Australian a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cDaly, I wanted to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s about the money, Geneva just filled me in. No worries, mate.\u201d<\/p>\n Ken\u2019s eyes flicked to Geneva for a second.<\/p>\n \u201cShe did? Well, I think it is disappointing, but it is not all bad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I was saying. You guys did accomplish the rest, right? Paige\u2019s disappeared upstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n Ken nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWe did do good work. I introduced our company to many others, and Geneva did meet with every high-level [Healer] in the cities we visited. I think it was productive\u2014I also have many things to share with everyone. A map of the world, and I\u2019ve learned of other continents. And<\/em> I\u2019ve learned about the Four Great Companies.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly exhaled. Geneva could see him taking that on, bolstering his mood. Now, why couldn\u2019t she have said it like that? Probably because she hadn\u2019t done any of that. Except for spending money bribing [Healers].<\/p>\n \u201cMaking connections, huh? Good lad! Don\u2019t suppose you\u2019ve got anything that would help us out? The Bushrangers, I mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cActually, I did. I met a few groups who were interested in yours. I know their names, and I wanted to share them with you\u2014later. There were a few intriguing job offers that I saw in other cities.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe should take our group on the road, then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe. But I will share more tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n People were already calling for Ken to come back. He waved at them again. Daly smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I can wait. But oh! Before you go\u2014we had a little adventure of our own. We just finished a contract hunting these armored pigs\u2014Stelbore they\u2019re called\u2014when guess what? We got word of some \u2018strange Humans\u2019 hanging out in an abandoned village. So we checked it out and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ken\u2019s eyes widened.<\/p>\n \u201cYou found more people from Earth?\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva\u2019s head snapped up. Daly nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cJust yesterday they came in. They\u2019re still hungry, but we rescued four. A kiwi\u2014uh, a guy from New Zealand named Blake and three Italians. The Italians barely speak English, but I thought you should meet them. And Geneva\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHave you given them a checkup?\u201d<\/p>\n The Italian-American was looking around. Daly shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly a once-over. They looked pretty fine\u2014but one of them has diabetes. We gave them your emergency treatment!\u201d<\/p>\n That only worried Geneva more. She looked at Daly.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I see them now? Are they here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah. They\u2019re still bulking up. Uh\u2014hold on. Let me get them. Hey! Blake, Nicoletta! Geneva wants to see you! She\u2019ll do a medical examination!\u201d<\/p>\n Daly raised his voice. The four newest Earthworlders looked up, startled. With Daly\u2019s help, Geneva moved them upstairs to a room. Ken stayed below to keep chatting, but Geneva had something to do and she intended to do it now. Better yet, she knew Italian.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, thank God! No one here speaks Italian! Are you really a doctor?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Nicoletta was incredibly relieved to speak in Italian rather than her faltering English. Geneva, whose Italian was rusty, faltered for a few sentences before speaking quickly with the other two. Lorenzo and Diana clustered around her, asking all the questions they couldn\u2019t due to the language barrier.<\/p>\n \u201cS\u00ec<\/em>, s\u00ec, I am a [Doctor]. I was training in medical school before I came here. I want to give you a checkup to make sure all is well. Are you hurt? Diana, I hear you have diabetes.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot very bad. But it was terrible. I was very sick\u2014until they gave me a\u2014a potion?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Diana explained. Geneva breathed a sigh of relief.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a stamina potion. It helps, although we do not have insulin to properly take care of you. But I promise, I will do my best. Please let me check you just in case first as I answer questions. There are many small ticks and insects in Baleros as well as diseases. You are probably fine. But could you help me put up a curtain? Then I will check you one by one.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Quickly, she rigged up one of the privacy curtains that the company used to separate the genders when sleeping in a large room at night. Geneva got out a few tools from the pack she\u2019d carried on her journey and saw the three Italians and Blake, the girls first. They were less embarrassed to get a checkup from Geneva, especially because\u2014and this was the tricky part\u2014Geneva had to see them in their underwear.<\/p>\n In fact, she\u2019d have liked to see them naked, but she settled for verbal descriptions and having them check themselves. That also meant Blake and Lorenzo had to check each other\u2019s rears, an intimate experience neither enjoyed. But necessary.<\/p>\n \u201cNo spots? No injuries or other pain? Swelling?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNone. Thank you, Doctor Geneva.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Lorenzo replied, blushing a bit. Geneva didn\u2019t blush\u2014she moved her stethoscope and bent her ear to listen to him breathing. She didn\u2019t know what she\u2019d do if she heard something terrible, but knowledge was the first step.<\/p>\n \u201cBreathe in. Hold your breath. Breathe out\u2026thank you. You\u2019re quite healthy.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n In the time since she\u2019d operated on the battlefield, Geneva had made a few more tools with the company\u2019s resources. She now carried a few items out of a general practitioner\u2019s kit. Among them were a primitive wooden stethoscope\u2014really just some paper and a tube to magnify the sounds\u2014a measuring tape, wooden tongue depressors, clean gauze, alcohol for disinfectant, and so on. But her real kit, which was useless now, was far more advanced.<\/p>\n Metal retractors, scalpels, scissors, and hooks. Different sized needles with thread specialized for one kind of stitching or another. Clips, clamps, forceps, and tools to cut or snip bone. Sutures.<\/em><\/p>\n To most people, a surgeon\u2019s gear might look like some kind of serial killer\u2019s torture devices. And there were commonalities. Surgery wasn\u2019t pretty or pleasant. And unfortunately, Geneva had learned, it wasn\u2019t that useful <\/em>either.<\/p>\n Back on Earth, Geneva had been studying as a general surgeon. She\u2019d cut corpses open and been a good student, but her actual experience had been almost all theoretical when she\u2019d been taken. She\u2019d learned to be a surgeon the hard way\u2014by killing her patients before she\u2019d improved.<\/p>\n And a surgeon wasn\u2019t the same as someone practicing general medicine, no matter what people thought. But since Geneva was the only person who\u2019d taken classes and read up on medicine, she had to fill that role too. She summarized her report to Daly and Paige as the four headed back downstairs, relieved and chattering to themselves.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re fine. Completely. Diana\u2019s one to watch, but they\u2019re all fairly healthy for people who survived the jungle. Their only complaint is just malnourishment, I think. The bug bites aren\u2019t infected, they show no signs of fever\u2014and the scars show no signs of inflammation. Keep feeding them simple foods in smaller meals.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re doing that. Anything we should do for Diana? I have her carrying the stamina potion like Filip and I\u2019ve told Nicoletta what to do, but is there anything else?\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cAll we can do is stabilize her with the potion if her hyperglycemia begins acting up. Frankly, I\u2019d rather have low blood sugar than high\u2014as far as I can tell, stamina potions generate some kind of insulin that will regulate the high blood sugar, but it requires a high-grade potion. Low blood sugar is simple. We can give her calculated amounts of food. But she and Filip need to keep regulating their intake. It\u2019s guesswork, but I\u2019ll monitor them\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She saw Paige and Daly nodding and felt like a fraud. They listened so attentively to her words. As if Paige and Daly hadn\u2019t done everything needed already. Daly had gone out there and rescued the four. What had Geneva done? Come back, proclaimed all was well and they were doing a good job. But somehow, the two Australians still looked relieved to hear Geneva say it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a relief to have you back, Geneva. We\u2019ll talk more when Ken\u2019s free of everyone\u2014we\u2019ll have to pry him away\u2014but I\u2019m gonna grab us all after dinner for a chat. In the meantime, I\u2019m sure you could use some rest. Do you need to take a nap? Kirana could make you a lunch\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had something to eat and her snacks. Thank you. I might walk about for a bit. But I\u2019ll be back for dinner. Ah\u2014Aiko\u2019s pack is full of\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI put it in my workroom. We filled your space with bodies\u2014the apartments are full to bursting at night. But you can take over my spot anytime. Just let me know.\u201d<\/p>\n Paige reassured Geneva. The [Doctor] nodded. What else was there to say? Nothing.<\/p>\n \u201cThen I\u2019ll\u2026head out for a bit. Exercise my legs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure. Good to have you back!\u201d<\/p>\n Paige smiled. Geneva tried, but the courtesy was something she couldn\u2019t return. So her invisible friend did it for her. Which was worse, because both Paige and Daly knew Geneva\u2019s secret.<\/p>\n \u201cGeneva! Will you come and talk with us?\u201d<\/p>\n Nicoletta called out as Geneva came back down the stairs. The young woman hesitated. The Italians were clearly dying to speak to someone, but Geneva was saved by Paige.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Geneva needs to walk about. Why don\u2019t we work on some English? You\u2019ll need to learn, sadly. But we\u2019ve got some useful stuff. One of us has a smartphone with a huge dictionary loaded onto it, and we might be able to transfer the files or just switch phones. Do any of you know how to jailbreak phones? Because working with the software is tricky. We should also check your stuff for anything useful\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva exhaled as Paige took over talking to the four newcomers. Blake looked puzzled as he fished out his smartphone.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to help, really, but my phone\u2019s been dead for ages. Unless you\u2019ve got a charger\u2014and a solar panel?\u201d<\/p>\n Daly grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, mate. You\u2019re going to love this. Guess what? A magic spell charges up your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo way!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The exclamation elicited laughter as the new Earthworlders flipped out. They fished out their electronics\u2014they only had phones, having been teleported while being on a bus\u2014but each one was a treasure trove of data. As were they themselves. As Paige explained as Geneva slowly edged over to the door, anything they knew from earth was invaluable.<\/p>\n \u201cAnything. Chemistry\u2014we have a periodic table up, but no one can remember the bottom parts\u2014math, like the Pythagorean Theorem, knowledge of how to replicate different things from Earth\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike cake! I remembered how to make that stuff. Beautiful!\u201d<\/p>\n Dawson blew a kiss. Daly laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cBut your first cake was utter shite, mate! Leave the cooking to Kirana!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, you\u2019re saying I can\u2019t cook? Shove off! I\u2019ll show you. Hey, Kirana! Let me help with tonight\u2019s dinner\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t need more poison, Dawson! We\u2019ve got enough to kill the monsters with already!\u201d<\/p>\n One of the other Bushrangers hollered. Everyone laughed. Blake looked at Daly.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose making weapons would be one of those important things, yeah?\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva froze. She looked at Daly and Paige. The [Engineer] girl hesitated and glanced at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t want it to spread. But yes. Anything you can tell me is useful. However, remember what I said about bringing up anything from home around others. I know how to make gunpowder\u2026I think.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd a lot of our tech\u2019s either not useful or too hard to build, frankly. Light bulbs, batteries\u2014not that great when you can just cast [Light]. I\u2019ll kiss you myself if one of you knows how to put together a steam engine, though.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly grinned. He felt at his back and then looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, right. You saw that we used crossbows, right mates? They\u2019re our bread and butter. Paige is trying to improve them, but it\u2019s tough. Guns are out of our reach for the moment. Plus, half of us think a good crossbow is better than one of the old firearms.\u201d<\/p>\n And I told them under no circumstances could firearms be imported to Baleros\u2019 mercenary companies.<\/em> Geneva felt a pang. She knew what Daly did was important. And she\u2019d seen monsters. Even so. Blake was conferring with Lorenzo, who was interested. The young Italian was making a cranking motion with one hand. Blake was nodding.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, yeah. I saw your crossbows, Daly. They look good. Ever think of making a ballista?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure. We\u2019ll mount it on our elephant. Too hard to carry, mate. But Paige is working on a monster one. We\u2019ll put it on Dawson\u2019s back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOi, Daly! What\u2019ve I done to deserve all this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRecently?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Another laugh. Blake nodded, but now he looked excited.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but have you thought about\u2014do you know about repeating crossbows? Lorenzo was saying that there\u2019s one that shoots like that. Chinese or something\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He got no further because Paige reached out.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me more!<\/em> No wait, sketch it!\u201d<\/p>\n There was an uproar. Geneva hesitated. Repeating crossbows? That sounded\u2026terrible. She imagined the damage one crossbow could inflict. And if you chained it up like a machine gun\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cSounds useful.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva ignored the voice. She walked outside. Somehow, it was cooler<\/em> outside than it was inside with all the body heat of so many people crammed together. But not less humid. Geneva looked around the bustling street, took a few breaths, and then began to walk. She needed to walk.<\/p>\n So. She was back. Daly had taken the news well. So had Paige. Neither one would say they were let down. But Geneva felt bad enough anyways. She\u2019d earned no money. She hadn\u2019t had any patients. And she\u2019d wanted some, as horrible as that was.<\/p>\n She was part of the United Nations company. Named after an ideal of Earth. A company that was the only thing protecting the scattered people from her planet. They were poor, but everyone was pitching in. And Geneva was trying. But she felt useless today and most days after leaving the war between the Roving Arrow company and the Razorshard Armor company.<\/p>\n And what was worse, in a sick way, she missed the battlefield. She missed being needed<\/em> all the time. Here, she was dead weight unless someone was hurt, and healing potions trivialized how much she could add. What good was a [Doctor] without patients?<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re being mopey again.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Someone spoke in her head. Geneva sighed. It was her invisible guest. The reason Geneva was never alone. Okasha the Selphid voiced her opinion, speaking in a very quiet voice in Geneva\u2019s head. No one else heard. No one else could<\/em> hear. Because Okasha lived in Geneva\u2019s body. She was a Selphid possessing a living being, the most heinous of crimes a Selphid could commit. If anyone found out, Okasha would die. But she had done it to save Geneva\u2019s life.<\/p>\n A long time ago. No, mere months ago, Geneva had been working as a [Doctor]. An enraged [Sergeant], Thriss, had struck a blow along her spine, paralyzing her. Geneva would have died from blood loss or at Thriss\u2019 hands if it weren\u2019t for Okasha. The Selphid [Rogue] turned [Nurse] had killed the sergeant, and then offered Geneva a choice.<\/p>\n She\u2019d gone into Geneva\u2019s body, bridged the gap and the destroyed nerves, and now helped Geneva move. Without her, Geneva would be helpless. And she could do more than just that. She was Geneva\u2019s protector, her friend, and the literal voice in her head.<\/p>\n Sometimes she was a quiet passenger that only did a few things, usually with Geneva\u2019s left hand, like swat at flies. Other times she was active. She could possess Geneva at will. Not that she usually did that, but a smile, a twist to avoid stubbing her toe, waking Geneva up in the morning at the right time.<\/p>\n Geneva had grown used to Okasha\u2019s presence over the months, but it was still strange. She shared her body now. And unfortunately, that meant sometimes the person she was sharing it with had a different opinion.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine. I deserve to be depressed. We didn\u2019t bring anything back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou got information. And the [Healers] did give you what you wanted.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cDaly was expecting us to come back with coin. Instead, we just wasted what he worked so hard to get.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva heard a sigh in her head. The Doctor spoke, her lips barely moving. Okasha didn\u2019t need to hear the words out loud; she was in Geneva and could read her vocal cords and muscles. Her voice was distinct from Geneva\u2019s own as well, at least when she wasn\u2019t using Geneva\u2019s vocal cords, and she could change Geneva\u2019s voice in astonishing ways if she chose to as well.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, but how does being sad help with any of this? It\u2019s pointless, and it just makes your mood worse. Cheer up.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to. Okasha, don\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Too late. As she was walking, Geneva suddenly felt a jolt of emotions\u2014a compounded mix of excitement, energy, and what she could only describe as happiness\u2014shoot through her. She stumbled, and Okasha steadied her. Geneva felt the Selphid doing\u2026something in her. It wasn\u2019t a horrible feeling\u2014not like the Selphid writhing about.<\/p>\n Okasha\u2019s biology allowed her to spread out incredibly finely, and her control was impeccable, at least with practice. Geneva was the first living being she\u2019d ever been in, so occasionally there were accidents. But not now.<\/p>\n Whatever was running through Geneva pepped her up in a moment. Instantly, she felt better. The funk clouding her mind vanished. Geneva felt her spirits rise. And then she grew angry.<\/p>\n \u201cStop that!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n A passing Dullahan looked around and saw Geneva scowling at the air in front of her. He opened his mouth, and then Geneva snapped again, apparently to no one.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t ask you to do that. I hate it when you do that! Don\u2019t do it again, understand?\u201d<\/p>\n The Dullahan decided to walk faster. Okasha was unmoved.<\/p>\n \u201cI just tweaked a few things. It was just a little adjustment, nothing big. Don\u2019t worry.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Geneva scowled.<\/p>\n \u201cI know exactly what you did. Those were hormones.<\/em> Dopamine, serotonin, endorphins. You released them into my brain, my system, to make me feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n It was incredible and scary to think Okasha could do that at will. But Geneva knew what she\u2019d felt, even if she couldn\u2019t control the effect it had on her body. She sensed Okasha hesitate.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Hormones? No, it wasn\u2019t that. It\u2019s, uh, completely different. Look, it\u2019s just this little\u2014\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t play games. I\u2019m a [Doctor]. I know everything about my body.\u201d<\/p>\n That was a lie. But Okasha fell for it. She was surprisingly gullible, or she overrated Geneva\u2019s knowledge.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn it. Okay, I\u2019m sorry. I was just trying to be\u2014how did Humans ever learn so much about their own bodies?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe had to. We didn\u2019t have healing potions or magic. We fought plagues and disease, advanced on the backs of a few people who found a cure, a new way of doing things.\u201d<\/p>\n They had no magic on Earth. No Selphids either. If they had, most of the mysteries that had taken scholars and doctors centuries to uncover would have been solved instantly. Selphids knew almost everything there was to know about the body\u2014even if they didn\u2019t have the medical lexicon that Geneva did.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Geneva. I\u2019m just trying to be helpful.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBy smiling at people? That\u2019s not me, Okasha.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould it kill you to be friendly? Oh wait, you can\u2019t smile.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAnd you smile and then they think I\u2019m crazy because I don\u2019t act like you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, excuse me for caring!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Geneva heard something like a gurgling sob in Okasha\u2019 voice. The Selphid went quiet, and Geneva felt her left side begin to drag a bit. Okasha had stopped assisting Geneva\u2019s movements and was just passively feeding Geneva\u2019s instructions to her body. When that happened, her left side was slower to react. Geneva\u2019s stride became a limp, but the [Doctor] took a vicious pleasure in knowing her body was under her imperfect control. Then she felt a bit guilty. But she did hate thinking Okasha was influencing her. It was just\u2014<\/p>\n The streets of Talenqual were filled with people. Hawkers selling goods, people going about their business. And children. A Dullahan ran past Geneva, then tripped. She was a little girl with her head attached to her shoulders and covered by a ratty scarf. Her armor was very poor\u2014plant matter and bark as opposed to anything else. Practically a beggar. She bumped into Geneva and caught herself.<\/p>\n \u201cWhoops! Sorry, Miss Human\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She gave Geneva a gap-toothed smile, quite unusual for a Dullahan. But children took after every culture, didn\u2019t they? Geneva stopped.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine. Are you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Her right hand, which had been reaching for the Dullahan child as she backed away, suddenly shot forwards and grabbed the Dullahan\u2019s wrist. The child yelped in alarm. Geneva heard a growl. Her voice. And her face was suddenly scowling.<\/p>\n \u201cDrop it.\u201d<\/p>\n Okasha glared with Geneva\u2019s body. The [Doctor] froze in alarm, but the Selphid had control of her body. The Dullahan tried to get away\u2014her arm began to detach from her body, but Okasha just tightened her grip.<\/p>\n \u201cLeave your arm and I\u2019ll bring it to the Watch. Want to live as a one-armed Dullahan wanted by the City Guard all your life?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine!\u201d<\/p>\n The Dullahan withdrew a pouch and tossed it on the ground. Geneva\u2019s<\/em> coin pouch. The [Doctor] gaped mentally\u2014she hadn\u2019t even realized it was gone! Okasha was unimpressed, though. She snagged the pouch, checked it, and put it back on her belt. Only then did she let go and glare at the [Pickpocket].<\/p>\n \u201cGet lost. A poor thief picks on [Healers] and [Doctors], kid. Next time at least go for a [Merchant].\u201d<\/p>\n The Dullahan girl fled. Okasha walked Geneva forwards as the crowd, who had noticed the incident, resolved itself back to normality. A few people shot Geneva admiring glances; Okasha kept Geneva moving until Geneva\u2019s heart rate had slowed. Then they had another conversation.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo problem. You want to walk?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright then. Your turn.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Geneva\u2019s pace faltered and then returned to normal. Geneva looked around, but the Dullahan child was long gone.<\/p>\n \u201cYou scared her.\u201d<\/p>\n Okasha was unmoved.<\/p>\n \u201cSo? I don\u2019t feel bad. I would have kicked her if you\u2019d let me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cKicked her?\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva was appalled. Okasha punched Geneva\u2019s right shoulder with her left hand lightly. A Lizardgirl on the road eyed Geneva with interest.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s for her own good. She has to learn not to be caught. Or the next time someone gets her, she\u2019ll lose her arm, her hand\u2014or even her life.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The thought was incredibly depressing to Geneva. She looked around again, as if she could draw the girl out of the crowd.<\/p>\n \u201cThen we should have helped her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow? By giving her your coin purse? Someone will just rob her. Or she\u2019ll spend it and steal again and again. That\u2019s how I grew up.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNo. She needs someone to take care of her. If her family isn\u2019t there, or if they\u2019re not responsible, she needs a home. Guidance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlanning on saddling the United Nations company with a mouth that\u2019ll steal from them and bring trouble down on them?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n But that was the option, wasn\u2019t it? Geneva bit her lip.<\/p>\n \u201cOn Earth, there are institutions that help people in need like her. Orphanages. Soup kitchens. Homeless shelters.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd do they save everyone?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The cynicism in Okasha\u2019s voice made Geneva acutely aware of what a lie it would be to say yes. She shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. But it\u2019s something. The system is there, even if it is flawed. It\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n A helpless rush ran through her. This time, Okasha did nothing to stop it. Geneva walked on, looking around. Yes, Baleros had richness and beauty. But it was a world. This was a city. There was just as much darkness to it. And in Geneva.<\/p>\n That was the problem. Okasha\u2019s hormonal treatment could only do so much. Geneva spoke out loud as she walked down the street.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s\u2014not just me being disappointed in myself, Okasha. I told you. I\u2019ve diagnosed myself. I\u2019ve had a traumatic event. I\u2019m not sure of all of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder\u2019s symptoms, but I\u2019ll bet I have it. Me and Daly and at least half of the United Nations company. The four newcomers certainly did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou told me about that. I still don\u2019t quite get it. I mean, I do. You\u2019re shaken up from battle. But you\u2019ll get over it. Everyone does.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWill we? People from Earth aren\u2019t used to war, Okasha. At least, the ones from countries like Nicoletta\u2019s aren\u2019t. There\u2019re cultural differences, a difference in expectations. Most Humans don\u2019t even see butchered animals. Many will go most of their lives without seeing a dead body more than once or twice\u2014and usually in nonviolent situations.\u201d<\/p>\n And even if they do see them, it\u2019s on the news or at a remove. It\u2019s not war.<\/em><\/p>\n Okasha\u2019s voice was wondering in Geneva\u2019s head.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t imagine a world like that. But if that\u2019s so, perhaps I do understand a bit. You\u2019re all like the children of nobility. Sheltered. So you have this PTSD thing, which makes you sad and depressed all the time, is that right?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026the barest of summaries, but I suppose so. There are a lot more complications to it, let alone treating the problem. Mental illness is not my field of study.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I suppose it is, now. I\u2019m not qualified to be more than an assistant in the operating room back home. Here? I\u2019m the font of medical knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh no. Here we go again\u2026you know what you need, Geneva?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSex.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva tripped. Okasha caught her effortlessly and kept her walking, turning her head back and forth as pedestrians walked past her.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just saying, that\u2019s what we did back in the companies. A new soldier gets the shakes after a battle? Get them drunk, get them laid, and get them a break. Three, four battles after that, if they\u2019re alive, and they\u2019re fine.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHaving sex is not a solution, Okasha. It\u2019s escapism\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt feels good and you should do it. What\u2019s wrong with that?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor one thing, I have you in here with me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that why you don\u2019t masturbate? Look, I\u2019m totally fine with it. I\u2019ll help, actually. Heck, I\u2019ll do it for you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Geneva closed her eyes. One shot back open.<\/p>\n \u201cWatch your step! And don\u2019t get judgmental! I have needs too! Look, if you\u2019d just consider\u2014what about him?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut come on! I\u2019m sure he\u2019d be interested. Let me do the talking, though. Unless he likes stone-faced [Doctors] with no sense of humor.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cDaly laughed at my jokes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was humoring you. Although he\u2019s a good option\u2014uh, unless he\u2019s still moping about Quexa. I should have told him Lizardfolk don\u2019t do long-term relationships when they\u2019re younger. Hey, you think he and Paige are\u2014\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, what about him? Come on, I know you like him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNo.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGeneva, that\u2019s an objectively sexy body. Look at it!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not dating a Centaur, Okasha.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho said anything about <\/em>dating?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Geneva shut up. The problem with arguing with a Selphid in your body was that they could tell when you were lying and what you were feeling. The heart palpitations, sweat\u2026Okasha admitted it was new to her to have a living body doing these things, but she was good at monitoring a body, and she gloated now.<\/p>\n \u201cYou and I have the same taste, which is good taste. Admit it! Come on, Geneva. Just one night? Or we can take it slow. I bet you we can get an empty room for a moment in the apartments. Or, hell, I\u2019ll settle for a tree in the jungle, although if there are bugs\u2014\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWill you be quiet!?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I\u2019m <\/em>restless. Geneva! Do you know how quickly nerve endings wear out in a dead body? There\u2019s a reason we call it \u2018fresh body fun\u2019, you know.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNot in my body. Not now, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait, does that mean later\u2014\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Geneva groaned. This was going to be a problem. But Okasha was living with her. It was like having a roommate you couldn\u2019t get rid of. Not without suffering full-body paralysis and your roommate being incredibly vulnerable to harm or diseases. That kind of relationship everyone had. She changed the subject abruptly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to talk with Daly and Paige tonight. See if I can do something\u2026anything to help. At least I can tell them about the diseases and my progress there.\u201d<\/p>\n She heard Okasha shudder.<\/p>\n \u201cHorrible stuff. Okay, at least you\u2019re perking up! See? Even talking about sex\u2014\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBut until then<\/em>, I want you to help me exercise, Okasha.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva heard Okasha whine.<\/p>\n \u201cAgain? But I did that yesterday!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cAnd two days ago. It needs to happen at least three times a week, Okasha. Preferably more. You know it\u2019ll be beneficial.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but <\/em>you\u2019re not the one doing it. And it\u2019s really tiring! Why do I have to do it?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Geneva hesitated. This called for some delicate negotiations, and Ken was nowhere in sight. She thought for a second and then spoke quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you do it, I\u2019ll eat that awful stuff you like so much.\u201d<\/p>\n She sensed Okasha growing excited.<\/p>\n \u201cXelca meat? You promise?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva grimaced. She hated xelca<\/em> meat. But Okasha loved the stuff. Especially if it was fried up in lots of grease. Geneva liked pasta, but Okasha hated the stuff. To Geneva, it was home cooking and delicious if done right. But the Selphid didn\u2019t like grainy foods. It was a sore point that often resulted in them eating pasta with xelca meat, which both could agree on.<\/p>\n \u201cI promise. I\u2019ll even ask Kirana to make some.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd buy it fresh!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The young Italian woman sighed, but with resignation.<\/p>\n \u201cDeal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright then! Here I go! You don\u2019t mind if I do it now, do you? Keep walking\u2014I\u2019ll try not to make it affect your legs. Okay, how long per muscle? I know, I know\u2014full body workout. And that core thing you keep talking about.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva felt Okasha moving slightly through her body, and then she felt her leg muscles suddenly contract. Her stride didn\u2019t change, but suddenly her muscles were working in her leg. Geneva didn\u2019t feel much more beyond the movement though. She heard Okasha\u2019s voice in her ears.<\/p>\n \u201cExercise, exercise, move that muscle, suppress that lactic acid. Boring. Move again, move again\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid was singing a childlike nonsense song as Geneva felt her moving the muscles in her body. Tensing them, pulling and stressing and really just damaging them to induce the same effects as if Geneva was giving her arms, legs, and core a vigorous workout. But the Selphid was far more advanced than any workout regime; she could even play with the hormones and induce the growth needed for Geneva to gain muscle in the right places.<\/p>\n And that place was everywhere. From the legs, Okasha moved up to Geneva\u2019s thighs and stomach, working out her abdomen which had been mostly fat until recently, her upper arms, and even her neck. Not too vigorously; Geneva had no desire to be some kind of inhuman body builder, no matter if Okasha thought she could do it. But she did think being in prime physical shape would be very handy, and a Selphid was the easiest way to that goal.<\/p>\n In fact, Geneva felt a bit guilty sometimes. She was gaining abdominal muscles at an extraordinary rate. Any beach-going narcissist back in her world would kill for a Selphid to manage their bodies like Okasha did hers. It wasn\u2019t just vanity\u2014okay, it was a bit of vanity\u2014but as Okasha concentrated on Geneva\u2019s arms, she did the truly important work. Geneva wanted her arms to be stronger.<\/p>\n Her hands especially. Geneva was aware that a surgeon\u2019s hands and techniques could change the outcome of a surgery, so she\u2019d asked Okasha to figure out a way to give her more muscular strength, more fine control. And the Selphid had managed just that. Not only could she improve things like Geneva\u2019s grip strength, she could tell exactly what parts of Geneva\u2019s body were sore and redirect her body\u2019s resources to deal with the problems.<\/p>\n \u201cIn some ways, Selphids are the answer to every biological issue we\u2019ve been seeking. Pacemaker, nanobots\u2014a Selphid surpasses modern technology in countless ways.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva muttered to herself. She sensed Okasha push her hands open and give her a thumbs up.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are useful, aren\u2019t we? But this is dangerous, Geneva. Not for your body\u2014but if other Selphids started doing it. Not everyone\u2019s like me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNot as ethical?\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid\u2019s voice grew serious as she worked Geneva\u2019s hands, making them twitch as Geneva shoved them in her pockets.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Not by far. If I wanted to control you, I could. And with a living body, I could do a lot more than what other Selphids can. I could Rampage without issue since I can heal your body. And if you had a [Warrior]\u2019s body, it would be even stronger. I\u2019ve been thinking about that.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva shivered. Okasha felt it and hurried to reassure her.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t! Ever! I meant that in the sense that I can see why a living body is so dangerous. It makes Selphids more powerful than other species. It\u2019s too tempting. If we started doing it again, it would lead to the Selphid Empire, I\u2019m sure.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid Empire. A time when Selphids had ruled over other races. Yes, Okasha was right. That was a problem. Still, Geneva spoke mildly.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I trust you. You could have taken my body if you wished to. Instead, you share it. You let me have control. Why? Why be so\u2026kind?\u201d<\/p>\n For a second, the Selphid paused. Then she spoke simply.<\/p>\n \u201cYou swore an oath not to kill. I have my own.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Geneva\u2019s heart jumped. Okasha squeezed her hand gently, a gentle pressure on her nerves, as if Okasha was holding her hand. The two walked on.<\/p>\n This was why it worked. Because they could get along. Two chance roommates in a single body turned out to be friends. It was luck. Geneva said nothing more. But her spirits rose, and Okasha knew. The Selphid kept working her body, and as promised, Geneva stopped by a meat vendor on the way back.<\/p>\n \u201cXelca<\/em> meat! Good when it\u2019s hot, edible when it\u2019s not! Get a stick, three coppers! Five coppers for two sticks!\u201d<\/p>\n That was a new slogan. And catchy. All the meat vendors were yelling it. Geneva had to smile as she paid for some xelca<\/em> meat. That was Lizardfolk for you. Give them an idea and they\u2019d run away with it.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Geneva! You\u2019re back! What\u2019s that you\u2019ve got?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cXelca <\/em>meat. Kirana, can you make a little dish with it? Please\u2014ah\u2014please fry it up.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva sighed. Unbidden, her mouth opened again.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd can you make it extra greasy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith vegetables, naturally.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot that you need too many.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI prefer Yellats<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you really<\/em> don\u2019t need to add them. Just meat is fine. Actually, deep-fried meat would be\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHorrendous. So we\u2014I\u2019ll<\/em> just have some fried meat to go along with whatever you\u2019re making\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of fried meat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut not too much<\/em>, because I\u2019m sure you already have a meal in mind and I\u2019d be delighted to have that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Right. Of course.\u201d<\/p>\n The look on Kirana\u2019s face as Geneva delivered that monologue was priceless. Daly nearly laughed himself sick as he covered for Geneva\u2014only he and a few others knew her secret. Even the regular Earthworlders had no idea\u2014it was just too risky for anyone to find out about Okasha. The Indian girl took the xelca<\/em> meat anyways and promised to turn it into something special. Daly grinned at her, but didn\u2019t mention Okasha out loud.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll say this, it\u2019s nice having Kirana cooking. She knows enough vegetarian dishes to keep our picky eaters happy\u2014and they\u2019re tasty for us meat eaters too! Dinner should be ready in a few. You want to sit? Ken\u2019s still talking. Lips of gold, that one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n Guiltily, Geneva realized she\u2019d been moping rather than acting like a responsible leader. She followed Daly back into the apartment and tried to actually contribute rather than drag everyone down. That meant, sadly, that she had to rely on Okasha to do some of the talking.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n That night, the United Nations ate like champions. In that they ate a lot, talked noisily, and were about as raucous and noisy as any group of young adults. It wasn\u2019t for everyone; Geneva knew that some people ate leftovers in smaller groups, but the act of socialization was important. Everyone she looked at had a job. Even if some had vacation days like Andel, or were off-duty like the Bushrangers, they worked for a living. It changed them.<\/p>\n Gone, gone were the young men and women who had wandered into Baleros. The ones before her were still growing and still immature at times\u2014like Dawson, who was one of the older ones\u2014but they also had a level of emotional awareness that others their age might lack.<\/p>\n There were no adults to run to, no one to solve their problems but themselves. Paige and Daly broke up fights, but the Earthworlders had to resolve problems themselves. Some didn\u2019t, but most rose to the challenge. As such, Geneva felt oddly at home, as if the young man of sixteen years old was a friend in his last year of medical college talking with her over his xelca <\/em>meat mixed with curry.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, anyone want a drink? I\u2019ve got some cheap, er\u2014I think it\u2019s a rum? Came off one of the boats! Not that crap they sell at the markets that\u2019ll kick you off your ass and then on your back, but it\u2019s still strong stuff! Watch yourselves, mind. If you\u2019ve got work\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Daly\u2019s warning went unheeded as a shout went up and most of the table raised their glasses. He went around dishing out the alcoholic drink. Geneva had a glass herself\u2014she watched as a girl of fifteen had a small shot mixed with a fruit juice.<\/p>\n No one raised an eyebrow. Alcohol was necessary. It helped take the edge off, and aside from Americans, most of the Earthworlders had tried alcohol. And it had the other effect of taking the most tired off to their beds after dinner. Full stomachs, excitement, and a bit of drink\u2014people dropped off left and right.<\/p>\n There were some who stayed up, like the Bushrangers who weren\u2019t working, but they\u2019d had their fill of Ken\u2019s stories enough not to groan too hard when Daly looked around and announced that the kitchen in the west apartment was now off-limits.<\/p>\n He\u2019d chosen it because it had a door. Daly stood up as Geneva got to her feet. He approached her, smiling, but with a hint of reserve.<\/p>\n \u201cTime for our chat. But, uh, Geneva, I know this is an important meeting, but Michael\u2014you know, from Spain?\u2014he\u2019s worked up some cards. Wood, but we wanted to play some games. If you wanted to talk, we could do that before\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva was determined not to bring the group down. And in fact, this suggestion appealed to her. So she cut Daly off with a nod.<\/p>\n \u201cFine by me. But bring the alcohol. We might as well make a proper game of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly\u2019s surprised smile was enough of a reward. That was how Geneva found herself sitting at a table, playing on wooden, painted cards with Siri, Daly, Paige, Ken, and Aiko. They represented the United Nation\u2019s leadership\u2014although Luan was as yet missing. Siri was a new addition, but Daly explained her presence simply.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s the best of us Bushrangers and a solid head. If I\u2019m ever unable to take over, I\u2019d trust Siri to make the right calls. Anyone object?\u201d<\/p>\n No one did. Ken did look around, though, with a small frown.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Siri is Daly\u2019s, um, backup, then Paige should be allowed to nominate someone. Is there anyone you would recommend we listen to, Paige?\u201d<\/p>\n Daly hesitated as he shuffled the thin, wood cards that Michael had made. They were simple, but even the act of shuffling them made some at the table perk up.<\/p>\n \u201cDunno about the other guys. Dawson\u2019s a fighter, but he\u2019s a bit iffy sometimes. Paige?\u201d<\/p>\n She shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no one I\u2019d call a leader. I handle the home front. Kirana\u2019s good, but she bosses around the girls from her country mainly. I think she has something on them or there\u2019s a reason why they\u2019re listening to her she\u2019s not saying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCaste system? Doesn\u2019t India have that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm. Might be? But I think it\u2019s something else. Maybe her parents were someone famous. Or maybe she\u2019s just better at leading them. She had to get them out of the jungle after the guys got executed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue. Ah, well. We\u2019ll hold off on Kirana. Too many girls as it is. Yow!\u201d<\/p>\n Daly yelped. Ken smiled, and the Australian checked the deck.<\/p>\n \u201cGot fifty-four cards\u2014no jokers. But instead\u2014hah! Good on Michael. Look.\u201d<\/p>\n He raised a card. Instead of the joker card, Michael had painted a [Doctor] wildcard, complete with a red cross. Geneva blinked at it as the others chuckled. Daly placed the two aside as he shuffled the deck.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, before we get to chatting\u2014what\u2019s our game? Swedish Rummy? Oh Hell? Donkey?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAiko and Ken probably don\u2019t know those games. Don\u2019t make it complex, Daly. Let\u2019s just start with poker. We can go from there.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly shrugged. He began dealing out the cards. Siri looked at her hand as Aiko quietly asked Paige to refresh her on how to play.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat shall we play for?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow about\u2026coins?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh come on\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot for real. It\u2019s all company money anyways. But we do have a bit of spending money. Say we use that and pool it? But the winner takes like\u2026a few silver coins more than the others?\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva nodded, and the others agreed. Soon, they were playing cards while talking, pausing only to bid and reveal who had the winning hand. Daly chuckled as he took the first bid with three twos.<\/p>\n \u201cSo? I think we\u2019ve all heard the bad news. No big haul from the expedition.\u201d<\/p>\n Siri looked up. Geneva had only met her once, doing her examination before she\u2019d left. The [Doctor] stared down at her garbage hand and shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. I\u2019m sorry\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t Geneva\u2019s fault! Healing potions are too useful!\u201d<\/p>\n Aiko protested. She was a poor player of poker, as was Ken. It wasn\u2019t a natural game to them\u2014they probably would have swept the competition playing another game, though. Mahjong, maybe. Ken knew how to play that. Aiko was bleeding silver while Ken won a hand by luck.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s fine, Aiko. Thank you, but I can\u2019t say anything other than that I should have seen it coming. There\u2019s no need for [Doctors] outside of a battlefield. Not as much need for them there either, frankly. That\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva sighed. That was the truth of it. If a company had healing potions in supply, even on the battlefield, they could heal most injuries right off. Her business came from poor companies\u2014or situations where healing potions were hard to come by. Things like Evercut Arrows gave her work, but they were in short supply in taverns. Usually.<\/p>\n Paige exhaled, trying to keep sounding upbeat.<\/p>\n \u201cIt can\u2019t be helped. But you did get me some of the ingredients I wanted. And you got our name out. That\u2019s a plus. But Aiko did say you got some work done with the [Healers], Geneva.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Doctor] nodded as she placed her cards on the table.<\/p>\n \u201cFold. That\u2019s right. I went around to [Healers] and paid them to show me their poultices and secret recipes. Mainly in hopes of discovering something useful. I also investigated past diseases, plagues, and other ailments that occur on Baleros. To familiarize myself with them before I have to treat them.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Siri as she said this. The Swedish girl nodded seriously, placing two cards down and gesturing at Daly to give her two in return. She had an excellent poker face.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you find?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly? A mixed bag. As I said, injuries aren\u2019t nearly as bad here as they are in our world. True, amputations occur more frequently since healing potions have limits and surgery is primitive, but people survive amputations, and there are magical prostheses.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPro-what? Ken?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProsthetics. They\u2019re\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ken lapsed into Japanese. Aiko nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cOh! Like Quexa\u2019s leg!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcept some are magic. Which means you can have an arm made out of fire or some shite like that. What else, Geneva?\u201d<\/p>\n Daly frowned at his hand. Geneva shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cIllnesses aren\u2019t as prevalent either. At least, plagues and other major outbreaks don\u2019t occur that often, despite the lower level of hygiene.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh come on. Why not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTwo reasons. Actually, three. First, a disease like a plague tends to move from city to city much slower, and the population density is lower here. Second, there isn\u2019t as much international traffic. Less chance of diseases spreading to vulnerable populations without airplanes. Third\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHealing potions?\u201d<\/p>\n The table groaned. Paige scooped up her winnings. Geneva frowned at her hand. She was getting trash.<\/p>\n \u201cBut not in the way you think. Potions don\u2019t cure diseases, remember? They accelerate a body\u2019s natural functions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey make it worse.\u201d<\/p>\n Siri looked up. Geneva nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cEither a [Healer] figures out some kind of cure or the potions make the disease worse and it kills off everyone it infects. Plagues are far more deadly in this world because of potions. And when a truly virulent one appears\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The others fell silent. Paige grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease tell me you can cure that. Or do something?\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva glared at her cards and slapped them down on the table, one by one.<\/p>\n \u201cI. Need. Antibiotics. But without them, there are some remedies that seem to work. There\u2019s some antibiotic components in each of the recipes I learned. Not strong ones, though. But it\u2019ll do until we can find something like penicillin. I\u2019ve been using red wine or spirits as antiseptic\u2026and there\u2019s honey, ginger\u2014and garlic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow effective is it?\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly? Don\u2019t get sick. I can do something for you, but I\u2019ll be relying on the body\u2019s immune system as much as what I can do externally. But I am working on medicines. Poultices based off the [Healer]\u2019s personal remedies that combines the best of them. So I\u2019ll be able to do some work\u2026but I\u2019m not about to try and cure diseases.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnless we can get an [Alchemist] to figure out how to find the penicillin mold.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf it exists. And won\u2019t that be expensive?\u201d<\/p>\n Daly muttered sourly. The table fell silent. Geneva felt a pang in her stomach. Ken, who\u2019d lost every hand since his lucky one, looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is not hopeless, though. We are improving. A few months ago, we were eating rice and afraid of paying rent. This is better. The Bushrangers are gaining fame. We are saving money. This is<\/em> working.\u201d<\/p>\n The others looked up. Ken smiled around the table. Then his eyes slid to the cards.<\/p>\n \u201cFive copper coins.\u201d<\/p>\n He<\/em> had a good poker face too. Geneva calmly slid her coins over.<\/p>\n \u201cRaise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCall.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI fold.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFold.\u201d<\/p>\n Ken met Geneva\u2019s eyes, a polite smile on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cI raise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI fold\u2014no, I don\u2019t\u2014shut up, Okasha!\u201d<\/p>\n Two voices burst from Geneva\u2019s mouth. She scowled and put down her cards as Siri blinked and Daly sat back. Paige and Ken showed their cards along with everyone else. Daly laughed as it was revealed that Geneva had pure trash and Ken had a straight. The [Negotiator] took the round, and the others tossed in their cards.<\/p>\n \u201cYou had nothing!\u201d<\/p>\n Okasha protested with Geneva\u2019s voice. The [Doctor] closed her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why I was bluffing.<\/em> Ken and Paige probably would have folded if we went another round. Okasha, you\u2019re terrible at gambling.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have nerves of steel.\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid grumbled. Ken smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Okasha. I probably would<\/em> have folded. Geneva is very hard to read.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Ken. Hi everyone! Nice to meet you, Siri.\u201d<\/p>\n Okasha smiled with Geneva\u2019s face and introduced herself. The Swedish girl had heard about Geneva\u2019s secret, but she had to do a double-take and ask the usual questions of Geneva. Did it hurt? What was it like? Geneva answered as best she could as Daly narrowed his eyes at Ken.<\/p>\n \u201cWait a second\u2026are you reading our moods with your Skill?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI would not do that!\u201d<\/p>\n Ken protested innocently. And his meager coin pile attested to that fact. Geneva grumbled as the table got back to the game.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me do the gambling.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine. I\u2019ll drink. Pass me the bottle, Paige? Thank you!\u201d<\/p>\n The conversation passed back to the expedition\u2019s results. Ken had a lot to say. He\u2019d been more than just a mouthpiece to talk up the United Nations company. He\u2019d observed, listened, and gossiped with as many people as possible. And his conclusions were frank.<\/p>\n \u201cBaleros is\u2026dangerous. Of the other continents, it is one of the most dangerous. Chandrar and Baleros are considered to be roughly equal\u2014although Chandrar is more dangerous because of the climate than war. But Chandrar has slaves and the King of Destruction that we heard about.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh yeah. I heard people muttering about him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, he is concerning. But Baleros is just as dangerous. We were unlucky to come here, but luckier<\/em> in some respects. There is a continent\u2014Rhir. It is very dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI heard there are Demons there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDemons? As in actual\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think they are a type of monster, Daly. Not Demons\u2014yokai<\/em>, Aiko\u2014or anything else. But it is very deadly. On the other hand, Terandria and Izril are safer. There are Drakes, who are apparently very angry, who fight with Humans and Gnolls on Izril. They hate Lizardfolk, but Humans live on the northern half of Izril.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Terandria? I\u2019ve heard it\u2019s mostly Human.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, it is safe\u2026but it is farthest of the continents away from Baleros. All the continents are far. Ship voyages are also dangerous and take a long time. We could hire a good ship and [Captain], but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Paying for all of us would be tough and we\u2019d be starting from scratch, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn the other hand, it\u2019s something to consider. Okay, how about where we are?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I think we chose a good city. You see, we are here\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ken paused the game to pull out a map of Baleros. They were on the lower southeastern coast, and Talenqual was connected via the trade roads to most of the other major cities in the area. He outlined a few zones north and to the west.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is fighting over there, but I think it is unlikely to come here. Talenqual is safe. And\u2014this may be good or bad\u2014it is not controlled by a Great Company.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly nodded. He frowned down at the map. They were just a dot. Baleros was massive, and to Geneva, it vaguely resembled the Americas, albeit with a few noticeable differences. There was no Panama Canal\u2014the continent was a fairly solid chunk that had a large southern jungle and vaguely hammer-esque north half. She watched as Daly traced their route\u2014barely more than an inch on the map.<\/p>\n \u201cHell, this place is big. Tell us about the Great Companies, Ken. They\u2019re the big players around here, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Ken nodded. He sat back as the card game took a nap and the others leaned in.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. There are Four Great Companies. You know of them, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone sitting at the table nodded. How could you not? The Four Great Companies were the most powerful forces on the continent. More than nations, more than cities. Their reach was vast, and hundreds, possibly thousands of smaller companies had links to them.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I asked and each one is different in\u2026temperament? Reputation, leadership\u2014they are all distinct. As you know, the Iron Vanguard is up north. They are mostly Dullahans.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA species company.\u201d<\/p>\n Paige put in. That meant a company that represented a species\u2019 interests as much as their own advancement. Ken nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cBut not all Dullahans. The Iron Vanguard is old and established in the north. The north is, ah, cold.<\/em> One of the only cold places in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPause. What do you mean \u2018only\u2019 cold places, Ken?\u201d<\/p>\n The Australian girl frowned as she held out a hand. Ken pondered how to reply. Geneva stepped in for him.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly two continents have snowy regions. Except for Chandrar\u2014the desert might qualify as a tundra. But besides mountains, only two areas have semi-permanent snow. The north-most parts of Baleros and Terandria.\u201d<\/p>\n Paige frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing on the south side?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot a thing. Chandrar\u2019s farther south, and it\u2019s a desert. But not snow. And there isn\u2019t an Antarctic region that I can tell.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOdd. Where is the equatorial line, then?\u201d<\/p>\n Siri traced a finger across the map, perplexed. Daly hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cThere might not be one. I was chatting with a bloke in the bar, and he claimed the earth was flat<\/em>. Think that\u2019s right? Or is it just a round planet and no one\u2019s made the connection yet?\u201d<\/p>\n Ken shook his head gravely.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I think the earth may be flat, Daly. You see\u2014I asked and there is an end of the world. Ships sail off it. It is a known fact.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh.\u201d<\/p>\n The table went silent. Everyone tried to digest that information. Paige sat back, shaking her head.<\/p>\n \u201cTwo moons, a weird equator, the end of the world\u2026I wish we had a telescope. Or a satellite.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can build one later. Go on, Ken. The Iron Vanguard\u2019s northern Dullahans. And?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. You see, the Iron Vanguard has many\u2026fortifications. The north is poorer, but it has some good metals to mine. So the Dullahans fortify it\u2014and the Iron Vanguard controls much of the region. They are\u2026an aggressive company. But they prize heavy armor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBunch of [Knights] tromping around tanking fireballs. I get it. And knowing Dullahans, they\u2019re a right laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n Aiko giggled. Ken nodded. That was fairly spot on.<\/p>\n \u201cTheir leader is the Seer of Steel. A [Juggernaut] with a body made of the most expensive armor money can buy.\u201d<\/p>\n Siri raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do they call him the Seer of Steel?\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva muttered into her drink. Okasha poured her another refill. Both of them liked alcohol.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause he doesn\u2019t go into battle with his head. He leaves that far, far away in his fortress. He controls the body with a scrying orb in place of his head. That way you can only hit his body. He\u2019s practically impossible to kill, or so it\u2019s said.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s properly intimidating. But I suppose a big shot would be like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly slid his eyes sideways to Siri. Geneva wondered if they were trying to figure out how they\u2019d kill something like that. Aiko looked around and spoke brightly.<\/p>\n \u201cVery scary. But the Male\u2014male\u2014Ken, how do you say it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaelstrom\u2019s Howling.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you. Yes, they are not so bad. They are Centaurs! And Lizardfolk. They have a Centaur leader and her daughter\u2019s one of the main commanders, and they control the\u2014middle?\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed to the map of Baleros.<\/p>\n \u201cVery open plains. They have the most space, but since it is so wide, they cannot control\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She mimed to say \u2018all of it\u2019. Ken nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd there is another company which emerged recently. The Forgotten Wing Company. They seized a lot of land from the other companies. They are the closest to us. Based in the south.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes! They are led by the Titan!\u201d<\/p>\n Daly\u2019s brows show up.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard of that guy. The best [Strategist] in the world, right? What do you know about him?\u201d<\/p>\n Ken shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cMuch of it is gossip. So I did not trust it. But he is very intelligent. He teaches other [Strategists], and he is famous. Apparently he loves playing games of strategy? Anyways, his company is considered very powerful, but\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He raised a finger.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014It is considered fragile.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFragile? How? It\u2019s a fucking massive company, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n Daly frowned. Ken nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is. But it is new. And people think that since the Titan and the leader\u2014it has another leader called Three-Color Stalker whom no one knows except that she is a powerful [Assassin]\u2014they think that if those two die, the company will fall apart.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. So a few high-level blokes are the only things holding it together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Pretty much. But while they live, it is very dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the last company? The Eyes of Baleros?\u201d<\/p>\n Siri was done drinking. She pushed her glass back and got some water instead. Ken frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cI know little other than they are based deep in the jungle. Very secretive. They have the smallest land, but no one fights them. They are a species company. Of Gazers.\u201d<\/p>\n The others at the table frowned. None of them had met a Gazer. From what they understood, they were a secretive people with huge eyes that had powerful magical properties. Ken hadn\u2019t been able to get much solid information about them, but what he had heard had disinclined him to meet them in person.<\/p>\n \u201cI have heard of Gazers and I\u2026do not think they would be a good company to anger. From what I understand, the Eyes of Baleros is a very difficult company to work with.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh. So. We have a mixed company? The Forgotten Wing? A Centaur and Lizardfolk company, a Dullahan company, and a company made of\u2026Gazers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cActually, it is Centaurs, Dullahans, Gazers, and the Forgotten Wing Company.\u201d<\/p>\n Aiko corrected Daly. Ken nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was<\/em> a Lizardfolk company who was the fourth Great Company, but the Forgotten Wing company replaced them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo they\u2019re really<\/em> dangerous. Fine. That\u2019s valuable information, Ken. But from where I sit, we\u2019re not in a position to tangle with them anyways. I\u2019m more focused on getting a solid base of support around here. Maybe work out a deal with Quallet\u2014fuck, I don\u2019t know. We need land or some big revenue source.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly sighed. Paige nodded as she knocked back another shot of rum.<\/p>\n \u201cI agree with Daly. I\u2019m not suggesting we attract attention to ourselves, but having some backup would be nice. We\u2019ve got allies, but they\u2019re small players compared to a Great Company. And if war threatens, the company protecting this place, the Featherfolk Brigade, isn\u2019t going to necessarily cut it. They don\u2019t owe us anything, more to the point. And if they don\u2019t like another company basing themselves here\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou want an army.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva spoke quietly. Daly looked up. He hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cNot one to fight with. But\u2014there are big [Bandit Lords] and other companies out there, Geneva. I\u2019d be reassured if we could scare them off, rather than chance it, if battle came calling.\u201d<\/p>\n There was nothing she could argue with about that statement. Geneva was well aware of how Baleros worked. The strong survived. Daly sighed longer, louder.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly? A Gold-rank adventuring team would make any company hesitate. If we could get the Bushrangers to that level\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cImpossible.\u201d<\/p>\n Siri said it flatly. The Australian glared at her, but she was unmoved as she sipped her glass of water.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t have the levels, Daly. And though we do level, it\u2019s too slowly. To level faster, to gain more money, we need artifacts to take on more monsters. Crossbows are too weak.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, but we\u2019re paying the United Nation\u2019s bills here, Siri.\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded, but the frown didn\u2019t go away. Paige looked between the two.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m working on this new invention that might help\u2014but we could use money back at home too. The apartment\u2019s so full that we\u2019ll start having fights.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd my tools and experiments take money. Rather than earn it.\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva looked into her glass. How many times had Okasha filled it? She slumped over at the table. Daly winced.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t mind me, I\u2019m just running my mouth. Look, Geneva. If you need money, we\u2019ll earn it. You just keep figuring out stuff like antibiotics, syringes, and so on. We can pay the bills with the Bushrangers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Daly, you just said it. You need better weapons. Armor. Artifacts.\u201d<\/p>\n Aiko looked worried. Daly grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry. That\u2019s if we want to take on bigger threats. We can<\/em> earn a living just taking on lower-level monsters, right Siri?\u201d<\/p>\n The Swedish girl nodded reluctantly. Geneva tried to remember the Bushrangers telling stories of hiding in the forest while bugs ate them alive. But Daly acted like it was nothing.<\/p>\n \u201cDaly, you work very hard. If we can support you and your team\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ken began, but the young man from Australia waved a hand.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it. We can keep going on as we\u2019re doing. It\u2019s not the most profitable, but hey, even if Dawson bitches about it, a few days of rest make up for some hard hunts. Besides\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled tiredly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not like I do much around here.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone looked at Daly. Paige shook her head and rolled her eyes. Ken frowned and slowly stood up.<\/p>\n \u201cI do not think that is true. You hold together the company when we are gone. We rely on you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNaw, that\u2019s you and Luan and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Daly looked at Geneva. But Aiko was protesting.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you are excellent, Daly! We need you, so do not be\u2014Ken, what\u2019s the word?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cModest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cModest, yes!\u201d<\/p>\n Daly flushed a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, okay. But look, I just meant the Bushrangers can keep funding us. And Luan\u2019s pulling in coin\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike I said, give me a few days, no, one day\u2014there\u2019s a lot Blake was talking about I want to try, and I have this idea\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Paige spoke up. Siri leaned forwards.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can take on other assignments. If we get other weapons. They don\u2019t have to be magical. But I was thinking. What if we carried warhammers\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor breaking armor? That\u2019s heavy\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, only some of us. But with traps\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am going to talk to Kirana about opening up a stall outside! We can sell some of her cooking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014And if I can get the formula right, we don\u2019t even need to use metal. Ken told me about a Japanese version that\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The conversation was growing confused. Lots of voices melded together. Geneva slumped at the table, pouring herself another drink. She whispered the word in between the voices.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n So many people trying so hard. And here she was. She vaguely realized that Okasha was trying to get her to stand up.<\/p>\n \u201cYour liver isn\u2019t happy. And I\u2019m\u2026drunk? We should lie down.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n That was a good point. Geneva got up. She didn\u2019t remember excusing herself, only that the others were smiling and positive, and she\u2014felt useless. She trundled up the stairs. Paige had told her to go to her workshop to sleep. After two tries, Geneva found it.<\/p>\n She lay on the ground, world spinning round and round. Trying to think. Okasha was singing in her head, babbling. The silly Selphid was drunk. Couldn\u2019t hold her liquor. Not like\u2026Geneva.<\/p>\n \u201cWhee. Hey, I\u2019ve never been in a living body, so I had no idea it does <\/em>this when you get drunk. Did you know you have this weird thing that\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo to sleep, Okasha.\u201d<\/p>\n At some point, the Selphid did. Geneva felt it tugging at her mind too. She couldn\u2019t move anymore, even when Paige and Aiko stumbled into the room and went to sleep. Geneva just lay there, feeling the floorboards pressing against her cheek. Her thoughts were muddled. But she knew one thing.<\/p>\n She was useless here. Useless, for all her knowledge. Sometimes, she wanted to go back to the wars. Where she had some use. But she couldn\u2019t. She knew that. She couldn\u2019t be a [Doctor] on the battlefield.<\/p>\n Because in war, it seemed that all a [Doctor] could do was make things worse.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The next day, Geneva woke up without a hangover. In fact, she felt fresh, good\u2014and had a bladder that seemed to encompass her entire body. She got up, peed, and heard Okasha whispering in her head.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything hurts\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She\u2019d taken care of the alcohol in Geneva\u2019s system but couldn\u2019t do the same for herself. Geneva let Okasha rest and ate for both of them. Then she went upstairs and began to do the only work she could. And even that was deferred work.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do the petri dishes look, Aiko?\u201d<\/p>\n The girl peered into the glass dishes that Geneva had bought. The cultures of primitive gelatin were growing molds. The [Nurse] had a mask on her face. Geneva stood back, watching.<\/p>\n \u201cCareful with the petri dish. Remember, my sterile field is down. The masks\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Geneva. I know. The bacteria is growing well. But the antibiotics\u2026see?\u201d<\/p>\n Aiko handled the dishes carefully, taking care not to bring them too close to her face. The masks were Geneva\u2019s design, but she couldn\u2019t be sure how well they protected Aiko. Geneva peered at them, taking care not to touch the petri dishes.<\/p>\n Her hands were sterile thanks to her Skill. And while Geneva had learned she could temporarily disable the field that cleansed the area around her, her hands would kill the bacteria in a moment. She frowned at the samples she\u2019d made up.<\/p>\n She had mixed several of the [Healers]\u2019 poultices into new batches, trying to find a mix of antibiotic agents to replace penicillin. So far, the results were promising\u2026but hardly as good as penicillin itself.<\/p>\n \u201cNot bad. But not good either. Look at how the bacteria\u2019s resisting the samples. We have two strains\u2014#4 and #6 that look like they\u2019re the best. We\u2019ll try them against other cultures. Let\u2019s get a mouth swab. From someone else. Daly, maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Geneva.\u201d<\/p>\n Coming up with an antibiotic was one of the achievements Geneva was determined to hand the United Nations company. It was essential. Preventing diseases might not earn much money for the company\u2014healing potions really did kill off a lot of people with bad illnesses if used carelessly on them\u2014but it was vital nonetheless. She\u2019d trade her left leg for penicillin. Hell, both legs. This world needed it. She needed it. Without that, Geneva\u2019s skills outside of a battlefield were practically zero. Infections were the one thing she could cure, but this\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n Geneva was laboring over another antibiotic test case with Aiko when someone pounded on the door. Daly thrust open the door, stopped as Geneva shouted at him, and backed up.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry! But I thought you should know\u2014we just got word that the Gravetender\u2019s Fist company is marching towards us!\u201d<\/p>\n Both Aiko and Geneva looked up. Geneva\u2019s heart skipped a beat.<\/p>\n \u201cDid they say if they had injured?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo word on that. But they were doing a patrol along contested territory. I\u2019m going to say hi to them! Meet me there!\u201d<\/p>\n Daly raced out of the room. Aiko looked at Geneva. She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cPack up. Seal all the containers. Carefully. Then we\u2019ll head out.\u201d<\/p>\n She straightened. A company had injured, usually, even if they were on peaceful duties. Accidents happened. Not that she wanted it. And healing potions\u2014but there was a chance. She should hurry. Geneva looked around for her medical kit. Okasha, who was still recovering from her hangover, whispered in her ears.<\/p>\n \u201cThe company\u2019s back? Oh good. Maybe someone will be hurt so you\u2019ll stop complaining.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Geneva ignored that. But a part of her, a cynical, dark part, hoped Okasha was right.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The Gravetender\u2019s Fist company was camped outside of Talenqual. Naturally, a mercenary company couldn\u2019t all enter a city. That was practically an invasion. It was only because Gravetender\u2019s Fist had a reputation for honesty that they were allowed near the city at all. That, and the fact that the reigning company who controlled the city, the Featherfolk Brigade, outnumbered them substantially.<\/p>\n Gravetender\u2019s Fist was still a small company. But they were gaining respect. Not only did they have an experienced leader, Quallet Marshhand, but every soldier was armed with a crossbow, which they usually fired before switching to other weapons. It was an interesting tactic, and refilling quarrels and selling crossbows had earned the United Nations company a tidy profit.<\/p>\n And Quallet\u2019s company had strong ties to the United Nations company. Even if one wasn\u2019t under control of the other and neither company owed the other anything, they had an agreement to support each other where possible. But none of that was really why Daly hurried towards the camp. He only stopped when he saw a distinctive Lizardgirl walking towards Talenqual with a slight catch to her stride.<\/p>\n Quexa looked a bit older than Daly remembered from his first encounter with her. But she was no less cheerful, and by now, her peg leg barely slowed her.<\/p>\n \u201cDaly! I knew we\u2019d see you! I told Quallet we had to stop here, and he agreed! How are you? You look good! Are the Bushrangers doing well?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cQuexa. It\u2019s good to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n The two stopped as they met just outside of Talenqual. Daly looked at Quexa and then noticed she had company. Quallet, a Lizardman, and two officers that Daly vaguely recognized were accompanying the [Mercenary Captain] along with Quexa. She was his second-in-command. Quallet nodded at Daly as the Australian turned to greet him.<\/p>\n \u201cQuallet. How\u2019s business?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood. We\u2019re off-duty. We finished a patrolling job. Decided to stop by here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI heard. Did you see any fighting?\u201d<\/p>\n Quallet shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cMostly quiet guard duty. But we did run into a [Necromancer]-led company on our route back this way. Brief battle\u2014we both agreed to a ceasefire after we shot two volleys at him. Nearly broke his magic barrier.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cGood to hear. Hey, I know Paige and Geneva are headed this way. I just\u2014came along first.\u201d<\/p>\n Quallet nodded. He glanced at Quexa then cleared this throat.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll head into the city. We\u2019ve got business there. Quexa, find me later. I need to talk to Geneva.\u201d<\/p>\n That got Daly\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone killed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. I\u2019ve got two bad infections among my troops for Miss Geneva to look at. Human.\u201d<\/p>\n He walked past Daly. Quexa fidgeted. The other officers followed Quallet, but the Lizardman stopped. He held out a claw.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, you\u2019re the Human that Quexa had sex with! Hi! I\u2019m Zalel!\u201d<\/p>\n Daly choked. He hesitated, looked at Quexa, who was blushing with embarrassment, and held out a hand. The Lizardman shook it energetically after a moment.<\/p>\n \u201cUh, nice to meet you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGreat to meet you too! I\u2019d love to chat, but old Quallet\u2019ll get mad. Quexa, I\u2019ll catch you later! Hey, wait up!\u201d<\/p>\n Zalel followed the others. Quexa stared daggers at his back until he was gone and then turned hurriedly to Daly.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t have sex with him. He\u2019s just an old friend. Just so you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t ask.\u201d<\/p>\n Daly instinctively replied. Part of him wanted to say it was fine whatever Quexa did, but that would be a lie. He hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, how\u2019re you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood! I\u2019ve been practicing new spells. Marching with the company\u2014it was pretty dull, but hey, the job\u2019s a job, right? And the company\u2019s growing. It\u2019s good to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n Quexa blurted that last bit out. Daly smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cLook at us, standing around. Say, want to go for a walk in the city? We can talk on the way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure! I\u2019m just dying<\/em> for a