Free Edda by Conor Kostick

of two kilometers. And again, you should also take the sidearm and the knife.”
    “Nice.” B.E. checked the sights, looking through them toward the far side of the warehouse. “Very nice.”
    “For the medics, we have these packs. It’s pretty obvious how to use the stuff in there. And for the scout”—she looked around questioningly at Anonemuss, who nodded—“we suggest taking just the smaller weapons that can be concealed and a few neat devices for looking around corners, recording images, that kind of thing. They are all in that bag there. Finally, what about you, Erik? Want any guns or a kit?”
    For a moment everyone’s attention was drawn to the incongruity of Cindella, a bright fantasy swashbuckler standing among these modern, darker figures.
    “I’ll take one of those Higgs handguns, but I’m hoping that my magic items will work on the other side of the portal. If they do, and it comes to fighting, I’ll rely on them.”
    It didn’t take long for everyone to gather up the gear that had been assigned to them. Then the team moved toward the exit of the warehouse. As they did so, a wave of applause from the people in the building—hesitant at first, but then surging up strongly—accompanied them. It was a good moment, and Ghost felt proud of the people of Saga; they were showing the humans just how much their assistance was appreciated.
    The portal was only two blocks away from the warehouse. When they got within a hundred meters of it, the whole group paused. There it was again, shimmering and mysterious. A rectangle cut out of the air. It was inviting, too. For all the seriousness of the moment, Ghost found herself enjoying the situation. Here was her chance to move on to a new challenge. A whole new world, in fact. Perhaps a new species of people to befriend. Or destroy.

Chapter 7
    A VOTE FOR WAR
    Milan led the way through empty streets, thoroughly enjoying himself. After Ghost had defeated the Dark Queen there had been some pretty awesome parties. And it was kind of cool being a celebrity. But in the last few months, Milan had felt, well, bored. Now this gate shone before him with an air of menace, true, but also with the promise of some serious action.
    “Well, I guess I’m up.” Anonemuss stepped forward, looking for all the world like an ordinary office worker from Saga taking a casual stroll along the street. He walked over to the flickering gateway, a tall silhouette against the silver light.
    “Just a moment there, please.” Gunnar turned and faced the group with his hand raised, which seemed to be as much of a surprise to the humans as it was to Milan. “I would like to draw attention to the risk we are taking. It is no small act of bravery on the part of those of us in Saga this morning. It is a potential sacrifice of a very few, not for the good of our own community, but for the sake of those electronic beings who inhabit this world. Since we are clipped up, we are potentially vulnerable to contamination feeding back into our brains from Saga or the mysterious new environment. To keep such risks to a minimum, I would remind everyone that you can and should pull out of the system as soon as you sense something is not right. This is not just a case of personal security; it is a case of keeping information about New Earth from those who might harm us.” Gunnar paused. “Thank you.”
    “Thank you ,” answered Anonemuss with more than a hint of sarcasm.
    This seemed to infuriate Gunnar, and Milan shook his head, partly to show how unimpressed he was by the human team, but also in disbelief at the experience of hearing the tremulous and husky voice of an angry middle-aged man coming from the youthful figure of his avatar.
    “Let me remind you of the primary concern of our government. Whatever happens through there, we must not, I repeat, NOT bring to the attention of electronic intelligences the existence of our colony! The slightest slipup might one day lead to armed satellites