Chapter 112: Broderskap (1) (Patreon)

“A soul-related transaction, huh?” 

Though the receiver had been disinterested in tone before, and sounded more like a robot than a human, he was now very intrigued. I couldn’t blame him. My soul was quite valuable. At least, if the various devils in mythology are to be believed. Trade your soul for this; trade your soul for that. Why’s the damn thing so important?

“That’s correct,” I confirmed. “I promise it’s not damaged. I’d give it a ‘very good’ condition on online auction sites.”

The receiver didn’t laugh at my joke, either not getting it or not having a sense of humor. “Judging by where this machine is calling from… He can meet you. Yes, indeed, he can. Duke Jewls is available to meet right now. Well, he’s always available. That’s just how good he is at his job. You couldn’t ask for a better boss.”

I adjusted the earpiece. “Hearing your tone makes me reminisce about the good old days, where fast food workers would spout out rehearsed lines about deals. Well… I’m in the middle of a mission for the Archduchy. Not busy, per se… but will that be a problem?”

“Are you available now?” he asked. 

“Yes.”

“There’s a hovercar en route to your destination.”

“What?” I frowned. “You have a place here?”

“No. Duke Jewls is proud to operate more than six thousand space stations across the galaxy. It began as a family business out of his garage, selling books, but slowly evolved into a galaxy-wide corporation. We still maintain our family values. Here at Jewls Spying, you’re our jewels…” His dead-sounding voice trailed off into inaudible mutterings. 

I cut him off. “Right. When’s the car going to be here?”

“Oh, it’s already there. One of our employees is waiting to take you to your destination. You’ve been keeping him waiting. How rude.”

I opened my mouth and closed it, at a loss for words. I decided to hang up without a word. I walked back to the front door, and it slid open. Just as was stated, there was a black hovercar waiting for me. It was far more sophisticated than the piece of junk we’d driven to the city. If I’m to make a comparison, it looked like an old beat-up truck next to a limousine. It even had the black color, to match. 

“I’m going to go on a trip. If I’m not back by tomorrow, I’m probably dead. Or worse,” I shouted out to no one in particular. 

#####

Oftentimes experiencing an abundance of niceties leads one to suspect that something is wrong. Such was the case for me. 

The hovercar was very nice. The interior was velvet, or something like it. There were ice-cold glasses of water, and all sorts of snacks, most of which I didn’t recognize. The interior was spacious, and the ride was smooth. It was as comfortable as laying in a king-sized bed made of down feathers. 

But there weren’t any windows. There was no driver—indeed, there was no steering wheel. And I altogether could not shake the feeling that something was watching me. I wouldn’t put much stock in those sorts of things, ordinarily, but there was something rather real about it. I was becoming acutely aware that I might be dealing with something out of my element. 

I was starting to get used to that sort of thing. 

Yet the comfortable ride was over nearly as soon as it had begun. The door of the slick black hovercar slid open while I enjoyed a crunchy snack. I was surprised for but a moment, and then, recognizing my cue, I stepped out. 

Duke Jewl’s space station was not what I had pictured. It was mostly metal, matching what I had in my mind, but there was a long red carpet rolled out before me. It was only one path. Looking up, we were indeed in space—I could see nothing but blackness and stars, and in the far distance, I saw a black ball that was probably Sector 114. 

There were trees along the walkway. They resembled palm trees—tall, with wide, big leaves, though the leaves and bark were different enough to separate them from what I knew. Most eerie of all was the attendant waiting for me. 

He—or she, I suppose—was formless. If I’m to compare it to anything, it’s reminiscent of art. It resembled the form of someone who’d been drawn with broad strokes. Vaguely humanoid, though not quite right. The only thing that was discernible in the form was the face. Two eyes with black pupils, and very white, very straight teeth, set in a sharp smile. 

“Welcome, Mr. Zajac! It’s so nice to have you here. You’re here to meet with Duke Jewls, correct? Oh, why am I asking?” It waved its hand at me in a ‘oh, you!’ sort of manner. “I already know the answer.”

I couldn’t recall the last time I had told someone my last name. Thinking back, I’d told Zinuetet, and maybe… Rashien. Rashien probably didn’t even remember it, and Zinuetet definitely wouldn’t have told anyone. That could only mean one thing—they had access to the military records, or they had access to the data from my Citizenship Chip. Either was not a situation I liked at all. 

“I am here to meet him, yes. It’s fortunate he was free.”

“Oh, he’s always free. Well, by ‘he,’ we really mean that he’s capable of dividing his material form and consciousness into hundreds. He has to take a lot of business meetings.” It rubbed its vaguely-shaped hands together.

“I… see. I imagine he’s got a busy calendar, then.” I scratched at my cheek. “Well, uh… let’s get going, shall we?”

“Certainly!” the smile grew even brighter. “Come along then, Mr. Zajac.” It walked off down the red carpet. 

I trailed behind a safe distance away. “What exactly… do I call you?”

“If you’re asking my species, I’m a Shashen Servant. If you’re asking my name, I’ve forgotten it. Just call me whatever you please, Mr. Zajac.”

I inhaled and exhaled slowly. Is this what people become when they lose their soul to Jewls? 

“You’re going to love it here, Mr. Zajac.” It took on the same dead tone that I’d heard from the receiver. “Duke Jewls is truly the best employer. We always have smiles on our faces because we’re just so happy. All’s fair—no need for your cares. We used to have a wishing fountain, but Duke Jewls had to take it away. There’s nothing to want.

“It’s he who we seek to please,” continued the servant. “Each has a purpose and burden they bear. The Duke has much on his shoulders. Everyone working towards one purpose… it’s a beautiful thing.” The Shashen’s voice was so depressingly drained, but it put its hands together in a vague mockery of joy and continued to smile. 

“All’s well as long as you excel. Sometimes… I secretly cry. The words that I speak do not match with my mind. Ah. We’re here!” The servant stopped. 

I hadn’t realized it, but we were, in fact, here. ‘Here’ was a simple, but giant, metal sliding door. 

“Duke Jewls is waiting for you on the other side. I can’t wait to welcome you to the family once again.”

I stepped up to the door, feeling more than a little unnerved. The doors slid open, and I was greeted with a simple room. There was velvet on the carpets—it seemed to be the same as the car—and two wooden chairs on opposite sides of a table. 

The chairs seemed very comfortable. I stepped into the room unsteadily, and mentally prepared myself for what was to come. 

It had been a thought before, but now I was certain of it. I was in very deep waters.