V. RINGMASTER'S CARNIVAL
***
Kronos was the proud center of orbit to two beautiful moons. Hedas was small, had a rocky terrain, and was covered in poisonous gas that kept it uninhabited. A bit of a problem child, but a pretty sight in the night sky all the same.
Iros, on the other hand, was the breathtaking bigger sibling. A few small cities dotted its glittering surface, and beyond their streets, crystals that formed on top of the moon’s crust shimmered rainbow under the ever-black sky.
The smallest populated area was less a city and more a small town centered around a carnival. The Carnival of Iros appeared to be a reputable organization to the public, but anyone involved with crime on a serious level knew it was run by Ringmaster, both as a money-making operation and as a way for him to recruit young talent into his ranks.
Getting recruited was the team’s plan.
“Remember, we’re on his turf now,” Jasper told the others as they exited the small spaceport at the carnival’s edge. “Keep your guard up. We’ll have to stay in disguise twenty-four-seven. Or how ever many hours are in a day here.” She scanned the flashing lights and spinning rides in the distance. “I wonder why he’s brought the race to his carnival.”
Thea tipped her head back and raised an eyebrow. “It might have something to do with the giant hole in the sky.”
Jasper followed her gaze. Her heart sank deep into the pit of her stomach, stirring up an all-too-familiar feeling of dread. “Oh.”
Seeing the warp was somehow worse than she remembered. And it was alarmingly close to the moon. Not close enough for it to have any pull, though. Not yet.
“What are people saying about it?” Jasper asked. “Is it in the news?”
Thea projected a holoscreen from her watch. Multiple social media and news feeds popped up in a grid and began to scroll on their own. “No one has an explanation, but I guess that’s not surprising. There’s mostly just…jokes.”
“Jokes?” Jasper’s brow furrowed.
“Yeah. This guy posted a picture of it and said, ‘anyone wanna go on a date with me in the giant hole in the sky?’ And someone else said they hope it destroys Iros before their astrobiology test tomorrow.”
“Kids these days.” Jasper shook her head as she led the team onward. “What’s happening in Aymes’s messages?”
“He’s on his way here to help manage the race, but Ringmaster hasn’t given him any new information.”
A thick layer of dirt had been laid over the carnival grounds, giving the patrons something softer to walk on than sharp crystals. There were also sparse patches of grass planted here and there. Flashing neon lights from the rides and game booths illuminated it all. Workers dressed as clowns wandered through the crowds, juggling and performing magic tricks to entertain people waiting in line.
At the center of all the rides and performers and wafting scents of carnival food stood a massive red and white tent where the circus shows took place. The smaller tent next to it was their destination. Jasper waved as she approached the worker standing outside the tent. “We have an appointment to audition,” she told him. “We called earlier.”
He jutted a thumb at the open tent flap behind him. “In there.”
Roughly twenty other people waited inside the tent in a loose line. Carnival workers walked up and down the line, asking for names and basic information.
“Do all of these people have powers or something?” Grace whispered as a boy nearby lit a flame in his hand. The firelight reflected off the shiny gold wig she’d be wearing during her time on Iros, part of Jasper’s attempt to keep her from being recognized.
“Either that, or they’ve been training for a long time,” Jasper answered. “Ringmaster’s only interested in people that can handle working for him. Or do him some favors, at the very least.”
Thea leaned in and whispered. “I recognize some of the workers. That man by the front of the line attacked me and Dax at Dr. Prime’s apartment.”
One of the workers held up an arm to get the crowd’s attention. “Listen up!” she shouted. “We’ll take you or your group to the main tent one by one so you can audition. Most of you, if you’re accepted, will be background performers. Work hard, and you can earn a bigger part in the show.” She rested the hand on her hip. “You’ll be given a place to stay in one of the outer tents, unless we decide to make you a bigger act, in which case you’ll get a room in the main facilities building.”
While she led the first person in line out of the tent, Jasper gestured for the others to huddle in a circle. “We need to get into the main building.”
“It’s not like we have much control over where they assign us,” Dax said. “Shouldn’t we just do our best?”
“No. We need better than our best. A few flips aren’t going to cut it. Remember, they aren’t just looking for a show, they’re looking for abilities that will be useful to Ringmaster.” Jasper lowered her voice. “I have a few ideas.”
“You’re going to come up with a new act for us ten minutes before we’re auditioning?” Holly hissed.
“Yes.” Jasper explained her plan, most of which she came up with as the words left her mouth. It was all based on the very quick X-ray scan she’d taken of the big tent as they’d walked past it.
The others stared at her. Holly folded her arms. “That’s a lot to do without any practice.”
“Can you do it?” Jasper asked. “If there’s any part someone isn’t comfortable with, we’ll cut it. But displaying the extent of our abilities is the best way to impress them.”
“My part will be easy,” Thea said with a shrug.
Holly sighed. “I can do mine.”
“Me too,” Dax added.
Jasper glanced at Grace, who swallowed and nodded. “Me too.”
“You sure?” Jasper asked, scanning Grace’s expression for any sign of fear. “I know you’ve got a lot of strength, but you haven’t had much practice using it.”
Grace lifted her chin. “Yeah. I can do it.”
Jasper grinned. “Great. I’m going to grab my motorcycle from outside and track down some glitter.”