“Nothing ruins a future skidpunk’s day like a good old rules-obsessed brown noser. I knew a girl in fifth grade who was the absolute bane of my existence. She was a hall monitor, because of course she was.”

  “Ya!”

  Health: 93%. Aethervoir: 72%.

  Jessica Faxton spun through the dark training room, pivoting on her rear foot and lashing out with a roundhouse. Her four opponents circled reluctantly, despite them having active runebands and her wearing almost no protection.

  One after the other, she engaged them and struck with a flurry of punches and kicks until she drove them back or knocked their training pistols out of their hands. One of them pointed over her shoulder, a quick gesture, before she sent him staggering. Another trainee tried to grab her from behind in a clinch underhook but only got under one of her arms. She folded and hammered an elbow strike into his solar plexus. He cursed and crumpled to his knees.

  “That’s good,” she said casually as she turned and checked her peripheral vision, watching for her next target. “Non-verbal cues. Much better than all that shouting earlier. You’re working together better. However…” Jessie leapt and kicked the training pistol out of another trainee’s hand before she could fire a round, “... pointing is too obvious. Check the handbook for some of our coded signals and come up with some of your own.”

  Two of the trainees had set up at a distance, pistols at the ready.

  Jessie threw herself into a side aerial as her opponents fired, engaging her Evasion skill. Her aethervoir dropped as her reflexes magnified even further. Even so, one of the rounds grazed her arm, stinging and leaving a thin scratch along with a blue paint mark. She hissed and cursed as she landed and righted herself. That alone wasn’t enough to take her out of the match, but…

  A blast of water hit Jessie like a punch to the face. One of the trainees, the only sorcerer in the group—with an actual artifact rather than a runeband—had timed an elemental attack almost perfectly. She fell on her back, and a buzzer sounded.

  Health: 88%. Aethervoir: 54%.

  The cadets’ supervisor, Miguel, spoke over a loudspeaker. “First knockdown took… five minutes and forty-two seconds. Well, it’s better than last time.”

  Jessie quickly got to her feet. The other trainees cringed as she stomped toward them.

  “Good work, everyone,” said Jessie. “You’re improving. And congratulations, that last move was well executed.

  “However, you.” Jessie pointed at a stocky young man, who looked like he might wet himself. “You’re a Rune Bulwark, aren’t you?

  The young man grasped his wrist, as if covering his band would hide what Jessie already knew. Yes, this cadet had one might rune and two resilience runes. He was much hardier, especially in mere hand-to-hand combat, than any unenhanced human, and even than most other runebanders.

  “I hardly saw you during that exercise,” Jessie continued. “You’re the tank. It’s your job to soak up attacks. You’ve got to be in my face.” She leaned in close to the cowering man, as if demonstrating. “You’ve got to command my attention so your faster teammates can flank me.”

  “Corporal Faxton has an excellent point,” said Miguel. “Team synergy is key in the GPD Elite. If you can’t master it you’ll never be able to take on a real sorcerer.”

  Jessie kept her stern instructor stare fixed on the trembling trainees. She barely resisted the urge to give the training room’s observation camera a rude gesture.

  “Dismissed,” she said through clenched teeth.

  Health: 96%. Aethervoir: 82%. Warning: You are not fully compatible with this artifact. You have already reached the maximum level allowed for this class based on your affinities.

  Jessie sighed as she switched off her hair dryer, bandaged her injured right arm, and suited up. The armlet on her left upper arm made her a Zephyr Warrior—or at least, it was supposed to. It was a powerful physical class supported by wind skills. Jessie had her aether affinities tested many times, and her wind affinity was high. Still, for some reason none of her father’s sizable collection of artifacts quite matched her. This armlet had come the closest, but most of the wind skills were incredibly difficult and costly to execute, if not closed off to her entirely.

  The result? Jessie was what some called an aetherjack. Stronger than someone using a mere runeband, but lacking the power of a sorcerer with a fully compatible artifact. She didn’t even get the benefit of a lecti spirit. Miguel had probably misspoke by saying if the trainees couldn’t take her they’d never be able to take on a “real” sorcerer. Either that, or he had been trying to make a lighthearted joke. Hopefully. But it still stung.

  “Corporal Faxton?” It was one of the other young women in the training program, also fresh out of the shower and buttoning up her own uniform. She grinned enthusiastically, despite a bruise on her cheek. “It’s an honor to train with you.”

  “Um… thanks,” said Jessie. She shook herself slightly, put on her professional face, and searched her memory. “Thank you very much. Officer Carter, wasn’t it? Your class is Wake Runner? Speed and water aether? You’re the one who hit me with the water skill after the training round clipped me.”

  “Oh, yeah. The training round was also me. Sorry about that.”

  “Don’t be.” Jessie smirked. “We might still be in there otherwise. You scored both hits? You did very well then.”

  “Thanks, but is your arm ok? It looked like it was bleeding.”

  “Perfectly fine.” She rolled her arm in a full circle to demonstrate. “I have decent resilience. It’s just a scratch and a little bruising, so it’ll be completely healed in a few hours.”

  “You’re inspiring, Corporal. The way you move is part fight, part dance. We’re so lucky to have you.”

  Jessie paused. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, come on, you’re Jessica Faxton. You’re like a billionaire, right? And your dad was one of the greatest artifact hunters to ever live. And he obviously taught you a lot, because you’re almost too skilled to be one of us. One of the Elites I mean. Hopefully that’ll mean me too, soon. But it’s just wild that you chose to be a cop!”

  “It’s not that wild. I like the discipline. I like learning new skills. And I like teaching people.”

  “Sometimes you seem a little bored with the teaching part.”

  Jessie gave the younger woman a sidelong glance.

  “No offense! It’s just, you know. I know you’re playing the big baddie that we’re all supposed to team up and take down, but you go in without weapons, without armor. You fight so viciously, and you yell at us for taking so long to score a hit. It’s like you’re trying to be challenged, not trying to challenge us.”

  Jessie bit her lip. “I’m sorry if it came off that way. I just wanted to push you—”

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  “Faxton?”

  “Captain Tetsumi!” Both of the officers turned and saluted when they heard the new voice.

  “At ease,” said Captain Reiko Tetsumi. She was a middle-aged woman, dark of complexion, streaks of grey in her hair, with a stern but kind face. “Cadet Carter, that was a good showing today. Why don’t you rejoin the group?”

  Carter blushed, gathered up the last of her things, and scurried away. Captain Tetsumi looked to Jessie. “Excellent training exercise as always, Corporal Faxton. You’re mesmerizing to watch.”

  “Thank you, captain,” said Jessie.

  “Walk with me. I want to discuss your shift assignment.”

  The two of them left the locker room and started to work their way through the labyrinthian hallways of the GPD Elite Level 5 Southwest headquarters. They passed many lightly armored Elites in gear similar to Jessie’s, a few in heavier armor, and a healthy smattering of regular officers and new recruits in the training program.

  Jessie cleared her throat. “I don’t know how much you heard…”

  “Of that exchange with Carter?” The captain smirked. “You’re a very competitive young woman, Jess. Always have been since I met you. There’s a reason we have you teach the new recruits in the training room rather than the classroom. Your style, your straightforwardness, your uncompromising vigilance. It’s a good eye opener for them. That said, some of what Carter said has merit.”

  “Which parts?”

  The captain ignored the question. “Where have you been assigned today?”

  “Evan and I are set to patrol cell G-12 and surrounding.”

  “G-12? Interesting.” Tetsumi tapped on a tablet as she spoke. “You know, your boyfriend was sighted in that area again.”

  Jessie scoffed. “Please don’t call him that. I take it the regulars are begging for help again?”

  The captain shrugged. “Red has been a pain in every beat and traffic cop’s ass for months now. Skidpunks can move as fast as cars after all, and they can go up on sidewalks and slip through any gaps a pedestrian can. Most would have injured if not killed themselves by now, pulling the stunts he does. I must admit, his skills are on a level we’ve rarely seen. It could be a fun chase for you, you know. A real challenge.”

  “And he’s still non-violent?”

  “Immaculate. No injuries except for one cop who hit a tree, but that was his own fault. No threatening overtures or near misses that would force us to use more drastic measures. He goes out of his way to avoid endangering civilians. He’s clearly well versed in Gigopolis’ escalation laws.”

  “Then I refuse, as always. If he’s not dangerous then it’s a waste of city resources to send an Elite.”

  Tetsumi’s lips tightened, but she nodded. “That’s your right, of course.”

  “Why does my name always come up when they pester us about him, anyway?”

  The captain chuckled. “Well, sorry you’re good at your job, dear. You’re one of the best chasers in the entire Elite. Perhaps the best, even counting our sorcerers with perfect artifact matches.”

  Jessie grimaced.

  “Damn.” Tetsumi palmed her face. “Forget I said it like that. You can fight circles around most of them anyway. All I’m saying is, your profile fits the task. The algorithm is going to select you even if no one mentions you by name.”

  Jessie clenched her fist. “Well, at least I’m compatible with something.”

  “Look.” Tetsumi focused on her tablet as she continued. “I’m not going to order you to chase down Red. I agree that would set a bad precedent, and I agree, the regular force squawks at us for trivial things far too often. However, they are increasingly frantic about this case. I’m just as annoyed as you are at denying the same request day after day. If you took it upon yourself to chase him down, it would put an end to it. It would also be a show of good faith to the regulars. Some of whom have the ear of the city council or the chief of police.”

  “I’ll think about it,” Jessie sighed.

  The captain smiled slyly and began tapping more quickly. “Good. Perhaps L4-G10 would be a more conducive place to think.”

  “L4…” Then she understood. “The Frozen Lady.”

  “Is it? Oh yes, that is where Squid Lanahan’s nightclub is. Well, we can’t be sure Red is heading there. I’m sure those rumors of illicit street skid races operating out of the club are exaggerated. But wouldn’t it be something if he did turn up?”

  “Still playing matchmaker, I see?”

  The captain raised an eyebrow. “I’m not nearly that clever, but I do the best I can for you girls.”

  Girls. “Speaking of which, how is Fu?”

  “Fushigi? My lovely daughter is living the dream, or so she says when I hear from her.” Tetsumi shrugged. “All posh in her fancy topside apartment, building death machines for that vigilante company.”

  “G-Tech.” Jessie nodded, thoughtful. “Do you think they’re doing a good thing?”

  “With their whole sorcerer incubation plan? Perhaps. I’m not in love with the idea of private companies keeping the peace. Also, that term, ‘licensed vigilante sorcerer.’ It makes no sense. Licensed vigilante? It’s an oxymoron.”

  Jessie smirked. “Opponents to the bill on the city council started throwing the term out to mock it, then the proponents co-opted it. Now it’s the official name of the law.”

  “Ugh, politics would be so much better without politicians. Anyway, G-Tech does seem keen to cooperate with the Elites without competing, so I’ll take the help for now. Of course I’d prefer to just have those sorcerers in the Elites, but I see the point. More and more people are binding artifacts seemingly at random. Not all of them are police academy material. Take an artifact away from someone and it’s just deadweight until you can find a compatible replacement. Which can take, what—months?”

  “Generations, historically.”

  The captain sighed. “Now, G-Tech’s frontman, that Chris Eisner. He knew your father, didn’t he?”

  “Worked with him. And he visited the manor often. I almost thought of him as an uncle for a while, before…” Jessie shuddered. “He was there briefly while I was still grieving, but he never really knew how to relate to a child, let alone how to comfort one. Eventually he just wandered off and started doing his own thing. I haven’t spoken to him in years. But from what I remember, he’s a good man. Fu’s in good hands. Are you still angry at her for leaving the force?”

  “Angry? Heavens, no. She never had the temperament for a cop. I knew she’d move on eventually. I’m just… well, to be honest I’m a little surprised you didn’t follow her.”

  “Me?”

  “Why are you here, Jessie? In the Elites?”

  That question again. “To make a difference,” she replied reflexively. Then she winced and, more sincerely, she added, “To train. To get stronger. To learn how to fight, so I can find…”

  She cut herself off. So I can find my parents’ killers.

  “You are making a difference, of course. You’re getting stronger. And you’re a vicious fighter, no doubt about that. But as for what you really want?” The captain shook her head. “A lead about your parents isn’t going to just show up in a case file, Jess. If you really want to track those people down you need to think and act more like your father. Like a hunter. Not like a cop.”

  “I will. Eventually. I just don’t feel ready yet.”

  “Oh, listen to me.” Tetsumi wiped her eyes. “You’ve got me in mothering mode, and I’m supposed to be thinking like a boss. I do worry about you girls, though.”

  “Corporal Faxton!”

  “Ah, there he is,” said Tetsumi.

  Jessie’s partner, Evan De la Cruz jogged up. “Sorry I’m late, Corporal. Usually your training session goes longer.”

  Jessie nodded sufferingly. “One of the cadets got a lucky hit in. Well, I shouldn’t say that. She got a very competent hit in. Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes, ma’m!” Evan saluted her. She’d asked him not to do that, but the young man just couldn’t seem to help himself. “G-12, right?”

  “Actually we’ve been reassigned to L4-G10.”

  “The Frozen Lady, huh? Is Red on the run again?”

  Jessie rolled her eyes. Everyone knew. Everyone.

  Evan half-whispered to the captain, “Was that the wrong question to ask?”

  “She’s your partner,” the captain murmured. “Figure her out yourself. And if you do, tell both me and her.”

  Jessie gave the captain a flat stare. “Come on Evan, let’s go.”

  Evan followed Jessie onto the elevator, and she punched the button for the garage.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to assume. It’s just when I heard the cell coordinates—”

  “Yes,” Jessie said with a sigh. “You figured it out. Captain doesn’t want us to actively pursue Red, but she wants me nearby just in case.”

  “Ah. Is something else bothering you, Corporal?”

  “Not really. I was just thinking I need to get in touch with Fu.”

  “Your old partner.” Evan looked crestfallen.

  “And my friend, De la Cruz.”

  “Right. Sorry again. I was just wondering why it was on your mind. You don’t have to answer.”

  The elevator dinged and opened on the garage. Squad cars and motorcycles were lined up in neat rows. Jessie and Evan split up. Evan was only authorized for a standard bike, while Jessie was allowed to drive something a bit more special.

  “I need to talk to her,” Jessie called over her shoulder, “because she needs to call her damn mother.”