The Burning Ground

Chapter 10
1. Setup

Shadith touched the test sensor and triggered the holo, then stepped back and walked in a slow circle about it, checking the smoothness of its turn, how the eyes followed her and the way the leaf-shadow flickered over and through it without obscuring the basic shape. She stopped where she’d begun the circle, said, “Speak.”

The image smiled, lifted a hand. Its translucent lips moved, and sound came forth. “Because you see this, I know you are Yseyl, thief and assassin. Your face and form trigger the image. I want to make a deal with you. I can help you take the whole Fence down instead of just blowing a few holes in it. In return…”

Shadith listened critically while the speech played to a finish, ending with the date of her return, then she reset the projector. “Well, little gray ghost, it’s time to lay down more bait. Can’t take a chance you’re somewhere else entirely. Sar! I hope Digby appreciates the beating my tailbone’s going to get. They could rent out those miniskip seats to a torture museum.”