But since Polemos had taken over as War Leader, every Soma who graduated received a rating based on their power levels and performance on a scale of one to five. High level Somas were given priority access to new Mageia. Dagan for example, was rated at power level three, performance level five, so his overall score was four stars. He would be one of the first Somas introduced to the new Mageia.
My power level potential was high. I’d scored a five on all my power evaluations, which had surprised me since I hadn’t been able to change shape. I’d also scored a five on my performance scores, despite this the Committee had still reduced my overall score to a one, as evaluated by the Instructors Council. I suspected there was one instructor in particular who’s opinion had weighed heavily against me.
Dagan and I had already met all of the Illyrian unbonded Mageia that were of age. Since a Soma’s relationship with their Mageia typically held at least some sexual component, those under eighteen were not permitted to attend a Touchpoint event. That didn’t mean they didn’t find their match before that age. Many Illyrian Mageia were Bonded well before they turned eighteen. Mageia were so rare in Illyria that an unbonded Mageia was almost unheard of until they had begun smuggling the persecuted race out of Alexandria.
Illyria had formerly left matching a Soma and Mageia up to destiny. Polemos took a dim view of wasting any potential war resource and had changed that philosophy. He had insisted that, as part of the war effort, they prioritize introducing the refugee Mageia to Somas who had completed their tactical training and were highly rated, rather than leaving the match up to fate. His edict had been a two-edged sword: on one hand, it had given me the opportunity to participate in the Touchpoints up until this point. On the other, it now disqualified me from future consideration.
“Mageia are a resource,” my cadre had been told as they prepared for final evaluations. “You need to be the best of the best to be considered. The powers of our Bonded pairs may well be the deciding factor in this fight. You do not waste resources in a war.”
I sighed as we headed toward the Tower Pavilion. I had no desire to watch virtually every other Soma my age have an opportunity to match with a Mageia while I stood on the sidelines, but orders were orders.
Dag looked at me curiously as I turned to get his things.
You look like shit, Dag signed.Still not sleeping?
I shook my head, not really wanting to discuss my vivid dreams with my friend. I grabbed my jacket and followed Dagan out of the apartment building. The walk to the Tower Pavilion usually took about thirty minutes. We could have taken a bus, but with traffic at this time of day it was probably just as quick to simply walk. Besides, focusing on signing as they walked meant we could ignore the stares of strangers.
I could almost read Dagan’s mind as I saw him decide not to pursue the issue of my poor sleep. We both knew that my only options would be to seek counseling or sleeping medication, both of which could lead to disqualification. Not that it mattered anymore, but Dag didn’t know that yet.
Polemos isn’t wasting any time with this group of Mageia,Dagan signed emphatically.They arrived on theChrysalisjust this morning. We got orders to report less than an hour after they got here.
We need them,I signed stoically.Every single Mageia counts.
Everyone knew that Illyria had been losing the war against Alexandria until Polemos had been appointed. The man had an uncanny understanding of Alexandrian strategies, and under his guidance they had finally begun to hold their own, and even occasionally beat back the Alexandrians. His support of a weapons research division had begun to yield fruit, but nothing could make up for the overwhelming advantage the Alexandrians had with their Mageia.
For reasons no one quite understood, there were almost no Illyrian-born Elusians. The few that did exist had been so traumatized by what they saw their fellow citizens go through under Suppression that most were extremely reluctant to use their powers, even on enemy Mageia. They knew all too well what their powers could do.
Things had been especially bleak for our country until about two years ago when the first group of smuggled Mageians had been brought to Illyria. Out of that first group of forty or so, almost all of them had matched with a Soma within three months, unlocking the magical abilities of both Bonded. The Mageians gained the ability to access multiple elements, and their Bonded became resistant to magic and even more powerful shifters. Of course, not every Mageian became a Tesseris Mage, able to completely block the Elusian Suppression ability, but some became Dual or Tri Mages, and were able to provide at least some protection to their fellow magic users.
These newly recruited Mageians had shown they had a serious bone to pick with their former masters and had already been combat trained by the enemy. With the support of the refugees, the Illyrians had been steadily making inroads into their opponent’s positions.
I hate to think where we’d be right now without Polemos,I signed with more energy.
It’s almost creepy how well he understands the Alexandrians’ war plans sometimes,Dagan responded.It’s like he knows what they are going to do even before they do.
Maybe he does?I signed.Maybe he has-
Dagan was stepping out to cross one of the busy streets when I caught a glimpse of motion from the corner of my eye. My arm flew out and thrust Dagan back just as a car with flashing lights flew by. Dimly, I could just barely sense what might have been the sound of a siren.
Rattled, Dagan looked around in surprise.
You okay?I asked.
Dagan nodded but swallowed hard.
Yeah, sorry. Just wasn’t watching.
I reached out and affectionately slapped him on the back of the head.
Pay attention! I don’t want you getting hurt,I signed.
I know. I will.Dag signed ruefully. He was a little flighty sometimes and I’d helped him learn to focus his attention over the years.
By the time we arrived at the Pavilion, my thoughts were firmly on the here and now as I struggled to figure out how to slip away. We swiped our badges at the security desk and were directed to the auditorium. We had gone through this song and dance at least twenty times now, and I was so over the hopeful emotional buildup that inevitably came crashing down.
When they had first started holding the Touchpoints, as they were now called, I’d been as excited as any other unbonded Soma.
Bonding with your Mageia was considered the high point of a Soma’s life. Nothing else came close, or so they had always been told. After having been through so many Touchpoints without being chosen, I was actually starting to agree with the Selection Committee and was fairly certain I would never find his Mageia. The thought had left me feeling frustrated, helpless and more than a little bit desperate. I didn’t want to end up like most unbonded Somas.
