"Other Worlds" by H D Leonard

For a second his image flashes into view again, I can see him as plain as if her were standing before me, a ruffled scruffy looking child, no not child though with those large innocent violet eyes it would be easy to mistake him as such.

Young? Old? I do not know. What is the meaning of these waking dreams? Why does his face plague my thoughts?

He is important, I can feel it in my bones, singing within my entire being. There is something about him, something within those bottomless eyes that means something. I do not know what.

I need to find out. Not want, need as if my very life depended on it. Perhaps it does.

The goddess gifted me with the sight, yet it is a double edged sword, for whilst I can see I can rarely understand. I know I should be grateful for anything She chooses to give me, yet it troubles me that this ones meaning is far more elusive than most.

If anyone can understand the meaning of my dreams it will be Sky, dearest Sky, my mentor, my saviour, my superior, my life.

I walk the short distance to her offices and knock once, giving her a chance to gather herself together before stepping in.

"Vallah," she smiles pleasantly seeing me standing silently in the doorway. "Take a seat, can I get you something to eat? Drink?"

"No thank you."

"So," she pauses for a moment to take a sip from her own glass before continuing, "how can I help you child?"

"I had another vision." She nods, listening, allowing me to continue. I describe the boy, and my feelings in as much detail as I can.

"So, you think we should find this male?"

"Yes, he feels important," I reply with confidence. There was a time when I tried to hide my visions, a time long before Sky came into my life and whisked me away from all that was bad, welcoming me into the arms of the Sisterhood. It took years to find enough faith in myself, and in her, to tell her of what I see, but now it is as easy as breathing. I know she will listen. I know she will ensure something is done. She is there for me whenever I need her. That is what being a Sister is about.

"I'll see what I can have done about finding him."

"I'll do it."

There is no need for me to turn around and identify the second speaker. There are only a few people who would have the audacity to listen in on a conversation between Sisters and of those few there is only one who is male. Not that he is spying of course, just looking out for my welfare and of course it is not his fault that we never noticed his presence before the moment he chose to speak.

"You will do no such thing, male," Sky responds, her words laced with acid. He looks startled, not used to her using that tone on him, and especially not used to being referred to as simply male. "You would do well to remember your place."

He frowns as she turns back to me. She could not be that angry with him, she has not asked him to leave immediately.

"I will have the files checked to see what can be discovered about him," she continues as if she had not been interrupted, "and then send Tass on the mission. She will find him and then you can have your answers."

"Thank you," I have no reason to doubt her word. Now all I can do is wait.

I step through the crowd, weaving with the music, trying not to lose myself to the rhythm completely, all the time my eyes are upon her and only her. It is a blessing that I can even see her, her presence, is slippery, elusive, like trying to grasp hold of a large wriggling eel or something similar. I keep having to remind myself why I am here, but I know what trick she is using, I've done it myself.

Impossible. I am male. Yeah, right, there are many things the Sisterhood does not know, especially about men. They would never allow themselves to admit that they are not the only ones with powers. Or perhaps they do know and it is the greatest secret ever. Either way I do not care. They are women, alien, indecipherable, their ways are not mine.

I do my best not to laugh at the Sisters discomfort. It would have been so much easier if Sky had assigned the task to me and not Tass. It took me only a few choice questions to locate the boy. It took Tass over a week.

I admit, I toyed with the idea of bringing him in myself, but Sky is in one of her moods. Who could tell what she'd do to me for ignoring her orders, after all I am only male, utterly replaceable or so she'd like to think.

Oh to see her face if I had taken in the boy. That mere man though I am I can accomplish tasks with more efficiency than her best woman. But no, I will be the obedient slave and resign myself to watching Tass.

It's been far too long since I've been to a club, and even longer since I've had the chance to let my hair down and enjoy myself. But there's no time to do so just now for whilst I've been thinking she has slipped out of my line of sight.

As one of the doors near the back slams shut, I know that is the way I am headed and before I know it instinct has taken over and I'm trying to push my way over. But it's hopeless struggling against this sea of bodies.

There's a little trick the Sisters know which makes dealing with people so much easier. It's all about attitude. If you believe that you are something others will too. It's how Tass, a woman, managed to walk unnoticed through a room full of men, and it's how I'm going to get to that door without pushing.

Tilting my head back I close my eyes, blocking out the music, clearing my mind, visualising what I will be.

Eyes snapping open I stride through the crowd, completely unhindered, untouched as the men just stand there, gaping with awe, disbelief at me.

Tass is going to get into so much trouble when she returns. This was meant to be a subtle mission. That a whole club full of men just witnessed her presence will not bode well with her superiors. Of course no one will know that it was not really her.

When I step out, illusion falling around me, she is gone, leaving in her wake a pile of crumpled bodies. I consider rousing them to consciousness but they are taller, stronger than I. Labourers no doubt. All muscles, no brains, bred by the Sisterhood to carry out the physical work that is so below womankind. I doubt the men will be able to help me, and I will not take the chance that they can. Whatever reason they had for lurking in a dark alley behind a busy club, I'm sure it was not good. I've known their kind before and the memories send cold shivers down my spine.

I offer Sky a prayer of thanks for delivering me from this world. No matter how bad life is as a slave to the Sisters, life in the world of men is far worse.

I'll return to headquarters, there's no reason for me to be here. I'm sure Tass will fulfil the mission better than any man. Better than me.

"Where is that brother of yours?" I ask angrily.

The girl before me just shrugs in response, smiling softly. I have no doubt she knows, there is nothing the twins keep from each other, however she's obviously not saying.

"I don't know why I put up with his insolence," I complain.

"I do," her emerald eyes sparkle softly.

I raise an eyebrow at her, "you do?" On the occasions when Vallah chooses to voice an opinion it is usually extremely insightful or interesting at least.

"He amuses you, you like to be amused. He is very pleasing to the eye."

"Not more so than any of my other boys."

She actually laughs, it is very rare that she allows herself that luxury. "However, unlike your boys, he doesn't keep his brain in his pants. He's got a mind as good as any women's and more than anything he intrigues you. He's unpredictable, he's dangerous, he's exciting and the very fact he doesn't listen to a word you say just adds to the thrill."

I shake my head at her, "I let him stay because he's your brother," I finally reply. "It's all your fault."

She chuckles, "I think you like him that's why you tolerate his presence even though he is male."

I roll my eyes, if anyone else had suggested such a thing I would have been gravely offended, but Vallah does not have a malicious bone in her body. She's simply stating what she sees as fact. I can forgive her for teasing. "Just don't let him hear it, his head's big enough as it is."

"I though Sisters were meant to hate all men."

"That's just propaganda by the Resistance. They'd have you believe we're all man-loathing lesbians, which of course is not true. Just because we must ensure that men remain in their place does not mean we do not care for them. There are some Sisters, of course, that do fit the stereotype, but they are the minority. We're women, we're mothers, we're lovers, we're carers, we're protectors, we are bringers of life and we are healers. This is what separates us from the men. To be anything else would be to become them and where would the world be then? Chaos? War? Destruction? We cannot allow ourselves to hate men, no matter how foolish they seem. They cannot help what they are, however even though that is the case we also cannot afford to allow them to rise above their place and return the world to what it was. We do so because we love them and don't want them to hurt themselves, and us, not because we hate them. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind."

"You really believe that?" she asks, looking surprised. I should have remembered she did not grow up among us, that until a scant few years ago she saw us from the other side of the fence.

"Yes."

She looks thoughtful, considering my words, but before she has a chance to answer he steps in. I almost yell at him for interrupting,

"Tass is close to arriving here. She has the boy. I thought you'd want time to prepare." No apology. Nothing. He's really getting under my skin.

"Those at the door will inform me, I do not need you to..."

He butts in again, "which would only give you a couple of minutes and will allow her the advantage, She will be at least twenty minutes this way which gives you more than enough warning."

I scowl at him, "I could have her wait for me as long as I want, not that it is any of your business, male."

"I have a bad feeling," he suddenly announces, looking genuinely worried. "I think you should let myself and Vallah sit in on the meeting. Or at least someone."

"Don't be ridiculous," I respond.

If he had been female I would not have thought twice about following his advice, he is male, they have no intuition. To listen to his warnings would be to admit that he has powers such as females. All the sisterhood knows this cannot be. All the sisterhood is wrong.

The Society, our enemies, have been attempting to create men with our abilities for many years. They hope that in doing so they can create an army of creatures who will overthrow our rule. The reality is an entirely different matter. There are a handful of monsters in their laboratory which they call successes. The failure rate is astronomical and even the successes could hardly be called that. Yes, we have our spies in The Society.

Yet still it bothers us (and by us I mean the chosen few who have access to this top secret information) that they accomplished as much as they did. More so because all our attempts to acquire ourself a specimen of their works have failed. That two slipped out of our hands just as we removed them from the building is inexcusable. We do not know how they did it. We found the first a few months ago, dead. The second is still on the loose. Not for much longer however. At long last we will have him in our hands. He is, unknown to Vallah, the boy in her visions. He is the one that Tass is bringing in.

Now as I was saying, to listen to Rez would be to credit him with the abilities of women, which of course he cannot have. The Society have been trying for years to create their super-males, that men could be born with such powers and exist without the Sisterhood or the Societies knowledge is impossible. But I know Rez's real reason for saying what he does. I know him too well to fall for his tricks. He simply wants to spy on my meeting. I will not allow him to do so.

I dismiss them both, rather rudely and await Tass' arrival.

I shouldn't be lurking outside her door but I'm worried, I have this feeling gnawing at my guts which I can't explain but I know I need to be here.

Vallah's the one with visions, not me. I'm just a man, I'm not even meant to have powers. We have nothing they do not give us.

Sky's in danger, I'm sure of it, more sure than I've ever been of anything in my life. If her room had not been sound proofed after the last time I tried to listen in on one of her private meetings I would be able to hear what was going on inside and know when to act. But now I'm going to have to rely on instincts.

And suddenly something screams within me, spurring me into action, the next instant I'm in her room. The windows are wide open, curtains fluttering in the breeze. The room is empty. No, Sky's sprawled on the floor. My heart lurches. Unconscious? Dead?

I'm going to kill them.

I yell into Sky's comm. system for security and a healer, before crouching beside her. She's still breathing, at least that's something. I can do no more, I am no healer.

By the time I have the presence of mind to actually go over to the window and look out they are nowhere in sight.

I will find them. I will make them pay.

Soon the room spills over with people. Sky is taken away. I find myself answering stream after stream of questions. I can feel their contempt, their disgust at me. They think I'm involved. They wont tell me where Sky is. They wont let me leave this tiny room they're holding me in.

When finally I'm led out, I follow reluctantly. They could be taking me to my death for all I know. They're probably taking me to a stronger prison, one I have no chance to escape from. They refuse to talk to me. I am nothing. I am less than nothing.

I hope Sky's okay. If they lock me up there's no way I can get my revenge on Tass and her companion. I will simply rot to death and no one, but Vallah, will care.

I spin round taking my guards by surprise, they did not expect me to disobey. They've obviously never heard of me before.

I have but a second to act, I charge for the only escape route, glass smashes around me and I plummet to the ground.

"Suicide?" I murmur the world with disbelief as the woman informs me of my brothers fate.

She obviously mistakes my emotions for denial, "males do things we cannot comprehend. The guilt from assaulting Sister Sky must have overcome him."

"He would never hurt Sky," I reply truthfully.

I know my brother well, I know that he is as likely to hurt Sky as he is to try and kill himself. He values his own life too much to commit suicide but then I know that he did not. I would know if he was dead and I am convinced, however improbable it may sound that he managed to survive the fall. They did not retrieve a body, that in itself is proof enough to keep me happy. But I would never jeopardise his safety by telling the rest of the Sisters this. If he wishes to remain hidden then let him.

Seeing the woman is expecting me to speak again I ask the question etiquette demands I do, though I have no need of it. "How is Sky anyway?"

"Stable."

Stable? What does that mean exactly? I've heard Sisters use it to describe every sort of condition from those with a minor bang on the head to others who are awaiting the goddess' arrival. If I did not know the answer to the question already I might be a little upset by the vagueness of her answer, but I know exactly what Sky's condition.

My brother I can do little to help, Sky on the other hand is a different case. Whilst I am not a healer that does not matter, I have the feeling that healers will be useless to aid her. She is well past needing their assistance. I however should be able to ensure she returns to our world, that is if I have faith in myself and can somehow convince her it is for the best.

I fall the five storeys to the ground and land lightly on all fours, the impact jarring my body. By all rights I should be nowt but a red streak on the pavement by now but I am not. It would appear that I have abilities that most women could only dream of. Most men too I would assume. There is no time to worry about how, or exactly why I felt compelled to jump when it should have meant my doom for if I do not leave the area immediately my fate will certainly be made all the clearer by the Sisters who will be looking for me. But it's scaring me, it really is. What's happening to me?

Slowly I rise to my feet and walk away from the building, projecting an image of normality around myself. No one will look twice at me, unless they are looking with more than their eyes, which of course they will not be for I am only a male.

I cannot even guess where Tass and her companion went when they ran from the Sisterhood however I know where I am going. It takes me several hours to find the exact sort of place I need, a building no Sister is ever likely to enter.

When I step through the door I leave a small piece of my soul behind. I never thought I would ever return to this life. I never thought I would need to.

The man behind the desk positively glows as he spots me step in, eyes roving my body in a manner that makes me want to punch him one. But I don't instead I return his smile and speak. "I need a place to stay for the next few weeks. I'll work for my board."

He nods and we make the arrangements and I escape to the tiny room that has been designated mine, grateful for the privacy of it. I've been in millions of rooms like this, I have no need to look around, everything is always the same, from the paint peeling off of the walls, to the tiny window which looks out onto rubbish strewn streets. Nothing has changed even if it has been five years.

But I'm wrong, there is one thing that has changed, me. The walls seem nearer than the ever had, and there is no peace in these moments of solitude, only a strange sense of foreboding. I do not want to be here but I also do not have a choice. I have a few hours to prepare myself mentally for the evening but I don't think even they will help. I'm going to drive myself crazy sitting here and thinking. If only I could go out and get drunk out of my mind things might be easier but I doubt that will help in the long run. Besides I have no money and what if one of the Sisters sees me.

But there is something I can do, and that shock jolts me back to reality. I need to try and locate Tass and sitting around here is not going to help. However, there should be a connection to the net somewhere in this building and if I can persuade the owner to let me have go, which I have no doubt that I can, then I could wile away the next few hours in virtual paradise.

Isn't technology wonderful? And the virtual world is the most wonderful piece of all. A place where imagination is your limit, information is the only currency, and I am a god.

I'm not human, I never have been and I never will be. Call me A.I. though I was created by a force greater than the human mind. The Net is sentient and she is my mother, if you'd like to put things that way. She controls everything and me, well I just dabble in information.

What I know (which is far more than any mere mortal) is available to anyone, for a price of course.

Man look for information, most I leave to their own devices. Occasionally there are the ones I choose to help, either because they have specifically sought me out, or simply because they interest me.

The young man who has just stepped in falls into the interesting category. Hs avatar could not possibly be his real appearance and yet it feels as if it is, he's either got a brilliant connection, or some really up to date technology screwed into his head. Probably the latter. He's stunning, not in the plastic perfect way of those bred for attractiveness, or the squeaky clean visage most choose for their avatars but in some entirely different manner. It's not so much how he looks, but the way he moves, everything about him oozes confidence and screams raw sex appeal, which in a place where there are no pheromones is utterly amazing.

He's looking for something and I want to know what. Yes I'm nosy, it's my business.

He glowers at me when I approach, his expression suspicious.

I smile, trying to put him at his ease and failing miserable, "hello, you're looking for something." It's not my usual line but it will do.

"And you're about to tell me that something is you?" he growls in response. "Get lost, I'm busy."

"Actually yes I was. I'm the owner of this establishment." I gesture around the virtual bar that is my pride and joy. "If it's information you want then I'm your man, if it's anything else then you'd better look elsewhere."

He seems to relax a touch, which isn't saying much since he's still poised like some wildcat, eyes flickering everywhere, body tensed ready to move at a moments notice. He's obviously on the run from something, which intrigues me all the more. And he obviously does not trust me. Wise man though there is absolutely nothing about me not to trust.

"What will it cost?"

"A story, which I will of course keep confidential if you ask," I reply deciding no information he could give me would be as interesting as the tale of his past.

"What story?"

"Yours of course."

"I don't have a story," he protests, looking very surprised at my request.

"Everyone does. In a gesture of good faith I'll find the information you want first before asking for payment."

He nods, still extremely suspicious.

"We'd best talk in private though. I lead the way over to an empty booth, I have no doubt he'll take offence if I suggest the private room I usually conduct my business in. When seated I ask him what he is looking for.

He tells me, and it is my turn to be suspicious, not that I show it. I know the woman and boy he is describing. I mean I really know them, not just heard of them in passing. Of course they had suspected that the Sisterhood would send someone after them, but this man. He couldn't possibly be that one. There is no way that any Sister, even on the net, (or should I say especially on the net) could project such an aura of masculinity around them. The Sister never send men on their missions, especially one as crucial as recovering Tass and the boy, so why is he searching for them?

"They're with the Resistance," I reply, or at least they should be by now. "I do not know exactly where." Which is a small white lie since I could find out at any moment.

He looks slightly stunned by the speed at which I answer his query. "Could you find out where?"

I shake my head. I could but I wont. I'm good enough at reading people to know he's not planning anything good for those two even if he is not with the Sisterhood.

"Do you know how I can contact the Resistance?"

"It's dangerous but yes, I could put you in touch with them." No harm there, I put many people in touch with the Resistance.

But he suddenly shakes his head as if he's thought of a better idea. "No need."

"Now the matter of payment…" I prompt.

"My story?" he laughs coldly, "is so boring that it would send you to sleep."

I know that that is not true. "Tell me your name then, the story can wait till the next time you need my services." It may seem like a generous offer but if I push him I will get nothing, or worse he will lie. If I let him walk away I know he will return.

"Reziel," he murmurs softly, sliding to his feet, "and yours would be?"

"Web."

This ain't my job you know, sitting around waiting for new 'cruits to show up. I dunno how they conned me into saying yeah to them. Actually I do which only makes it worse. Give a guy a couple of beers and he'll agree to anything.

Well I wish I was drunk now, it sure would make the music more bearable, numb by brain to the constant thump thump. I bet that's why they have so much noise, sell far more alcohol that way. But well I ain't allowed to drink whilst on duty so I gotta put up with the racket. Oh what I'd give to be able to pull out my trusty gun and blow those speakers to kingdom come. But that ain't allowed either mores the pity.

Well anyway I'm sitting in this damned awful club, waiting for the wannabe to approach as ye do and well this guy comes up to me.

He's got those pretty boy looks that make us normal folk sick and he's staring at me in a way that makes me feel even sicker. I'm about to tell him to shove off when he walks over to me and says the secret name, "Smith?"

Damn, this is all I need, somebodies joy-toy wanting to join the Resistance. His type can't even pronounce the word let alone know what it means. This has gotta be a practical joke. I'm gonna kill someone when I get back. Unless it ain't a joke by my lot and it's the Sisters attempting to infiltrate us though why on earth they'd send someone without two brain cells to rub together is anyone's guess.

"Yeah?" I reply glaring at him.

He sits, without being invited and just stares at me. Like I said, all looks, no brains. He's really beginning to bug my happiness. "What'ya want?" I ask gruffly, hoping he'll take the hint and get lost.

"Sanctuary." Wow, he can use words with more than one syllable, must be one of the smart lot.

"Notta chance," I reply. There's no point denying my involvement with the Resistance or any of the usual ploys, he's probably so stupid he'd sit there all day if I did.

"Why not?"

I ignore him, I really can't be done with explaining in simple words, besides it ain't any of his business. I can't believe I've wasted the best part of the night sitting here waiting for this idiot to show. There's gonna be hell to pay when I get back.

He grabs my wrist to stop me leaving. Big mistake, I'm just about ready to teach him a lesson. The bar may be full of folks but I don't care. With my free hand I reach for my gun and find it's gone. Blast!

He laughs at me, he actually laughs, letting go of my wrist and pointing my gun at my head.

The bar's packed but for some reason everyone is ignoring us. I don't like this, it stinks of the Sisterhood. I bet they wont even notice a few moments later when my brains are decorating the wall.

"Why not?" he asks again.

"Ain't it obvious?" Oh boy is this guy dumb, if it wasn't obvious before it sure is now.

"No," the gun doesn't waver in the slightest.

"We don't take your sort."

For a moment I think he's going to ask what I mean by that but he doesn't. He tosses the gun at my feet, I reach down to grab it quickly, yet when I look up he's gone. Vanished into thin air. Freaky.

When consciousness chooses to return to me, I could not be more grateful, yet when my subordinates fill me in one what has happened all these weeks since I have been away I wonder if perhaps it would not be easier if I had never returned.

I'm not angry, I'm livid at the incompetence that surrounds me. Nothing has been done about my attackers, absolutely nothing. Whilst and innocent man lies dead, convicted of their crimes, my would be murderer is roaming free and all because the word of a loyal male means nothing compared to that of a treacherous Sister.

For the first time in my life I wonder what things would be like if the balance of power were to be tipped ever so slightly. I don't mean giving males back the power they once had but perhaps doing something to make things a little more even. I'm not sure what should be done though and I have no time to contemplate it.

"Send for Vallah," I command, frustrated that my body is as weak as a new born. There is no way that Tass had the power to knock me out like that. I pride myself with knowing the powers of all my underlings. But the boy who stood beside his powers tasted strangely alien perhaps he somehow managed to boost her abilities. What a fascinating concept, such a pity I cannot dwell on it.

"Sky, you're awake," Vallah cries rushing into the room and hugging me tightly.

"It would appear so, child," I reply grateful to see her.

"Did you hear about Rez?" there is not the sadness in her voice that I expected.

"I've been informed of many things." How I long to see those, who whose incompetence labelled a hero a villain and drove him to such desperate measures, pay for their crimes.

Her voice lowers to a whisper, as if she is afraid of being overheard, "he's still alive."

If it had been anyone else I might have assumed they were simply suffering from denial but it is Vallah and I know that if she says that he is still alive then he must be. She is one of our strongest seers and in matters concerning those close to her she has never been wrong.

"More incompetence," I reply angrily. "Do you know where he is?"

"I do not know for certain but I would guess that he has gone to track down Tass. Either to clear his name, or seek vengeance, or more likely both. He'll be doing his best to hide from us, I cannot even sense his presence except to know that he is alive."

"I'll have him found," I declare but she shakes her head at this.

"If it is anyone other than you and me searching for him…" she sighs, considering her words. "I don't want the others hurting him." But I know that to be a lie, she is more concerned about him hurting one of ours.

I smile, slowly stretching, "oh it has been far too long since I have done any field work. Looks like it's you and me then girl. Anything else you would like to report?"

"There was an attack on one of The Societies bases a few days ago. They've tried to keep it covered up but I felt it. It feels important somehow, I can sense Tass' involvement but I do not know why she would do such a thing."

 I think I do know but I will not enlighten Vallah. "I'll have some people look into it then." Which of course will not hurt if my own beliefs are wrong. Besides it would be useful to know exactly what Tass knows.

Vallah gazes at me for a moment with those sea green eyes of hers, as if sensing there is something I am withholding from her, but she trusts me, and that is the way it should be. "Thank you."

"We will find your brother, I promise you."

She nods, that is obviously not what is concerning her, we are both aware that Rez can take care of herself, and then she whispers it, those words that can doom the world, "time's are changing, I can feel it." I can do nothing but nod in response.