Chapter called "Jani-Fe" from The Seekers: Perrin Peters
Here's one chapter from my third book, a sci-fantasy detective novel called The Seekers: Perrin Peters. Feel free to leave your comments! If you want to read the whole thing, my books are available on many platforms in both electronic and paperback forms. And if you don’t want to buy my books but still want to support me, I’m on Patreon. And if you prefer one-time payments, you can Buy Me A Pizza or a Coffee.
https://www.chantireviews.com/2025/08/26/the-2025-ozma-short-list-for-fantasy-fiction/
Gatherer’s words made sense. Their whole mission made sense. Why would they jeopardize it and steal the White Book, which has value only in certain hands? How can it push forward their magical research? Yes, if someone promised them knowledge in exchange… But would anyone have knowledge the Undertakers can’t gather on their own? Is it worth it to endanger their relationship with the Meora or to endanger the Meora themselves? No, it doesn’t make much sense. What’s a lot more likely is that someone tried to set up Tess Madel by dumping General Caran’s body at one of her properties.
Do I really think that? Perrin sighs and kicks back in his chair. Or do I want a part of their bizarre but fascinating world? Or maybe it’s even simpler? He asks himself that, as the lovely image and voice of Gatherer is at the forefront of his thoughts.
Pim-Pum-Pim-Poom!
Perrin’s eyes drill the door as his hand pushes the right buttons on his keyboard. Who could it be at such an hour? Maybe now they are the assassins? The image on the monitor changes, and Perrin beholds a teal-haired Meora woman. Trying to push his eyebrows back down, he rushes to the door.
His guest doesn’t look at him and flies inside. Without pausing, she waves her hand, causing one of the chairs in front of Perrin’s desk to turn around so the chair’s back is now against it. Without saying anything, she sits on the backrest, facing the desk, and silently waits for Perrin to catch up.
“Err… Can I help you?” He locks the door and slowly returns to his station, observing every move the Meora makes.
Clad in a teal pullover, a shiny silver vest on top of it, black pants, and teal sneakers with silver accents, she looks like… What does she look like? Her pale-blue face is absolutely calm. Her silver eyes below the teal bangs don’t wander around the room but are focused on him. Her teal, triangular Meora mono-wing is barely glowing.
“I know you’ve been at Tess Madel’s today,” says a demanding voice. Not too high, not too low. Yet the typical Meora metallic, robotic modulations are pronounced more than in most Meora he spoke to. “I want to know what a PI, a former member of a security firm, wanted with her. You didn’t just come to the Undertakers — you went straight up to the central pyramid. So, it wasn’t just an idle visit to one of their Seekers or Toilers.”
Perrin takes a deep breath, feeling his lips curve for no apparent reason. “You know about me. Good. But who are you?”
The Meora looks away, shaking her head slightly. “Why do people keep insisting on that? Okay, let’s try it. My name’s Jani-Fe.”
Jani-Fe… Unable to recall anything, Perrin types the name into his computer. It made sense for a Meora to care about her brethren, but could she be a spy? No address… No known associates or family… No—
Seeing Perrin’s eyes getting big and his eyebrows jumping up, Jani-Fe rolls her eyes. “Yes, your computer is right, my number is 700. No, it’s not an honor to meet me. No, it’s not ‘interesting’ to be a tank-born. Yes, I do feel special, but in a bad way. No, I don’t remember being in a tank or being born, the same way you don’t remember being in your mother’s womb.”
Err… Every word she said made so much sense. So, what should he say instead?
“I’m sorry for others who bothered you with the same questions.” He pauses. “Sure, I am curious. You were born, what, 150 years ago? I wonder what the world was like back then, especially from a Meora’s perspective. But now is not the time, and you are not required to satisfy my curiosity.”
“Good, because I’m here on business.” Jani-Fe nods, pressing her teal lips together.
“Which is? Why do you want to know about me visiting Tess? And how did you learn about my trip in such detail?”
The Meora shrugs. “How else? I hacked the cameras.”
Perrin frowns. “I think those cameras should be decently protected, so it wasn’t trivial. Are you a professional hacker?”
Jani-Fe shrugs again. “I do enjoy exploring systems and diving into data streams.”
“Hmm…” Perrin kicks back in his chair, watching every slight movement of Jani-Fe’s silver eyes. “Were you watching me, the collective, or both?”
“Why would I watch you?” Jani-Fe scoffs. “I don’t buy that change of heart of theirs. Accepting Meora after years of scolding us just like that?”
“Well, as long as their actions weren’t based on emotions but on reason, however twisted, I don’t see why not. Emotions get stuck in your brain, while rational reasons…”
“Yeah, yeah, I don’t buy it.” Her hand pushes the thought away, and her head shakes. “Or rather, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to buy. What if they get back to it once the Meora breed more and take a bigger place in society? I have to know.”
Hmmm… Either she’s for real, or she’s a spy of the enemy. The one who stole the Book? Have I stepped on someone else’s toes? There’s no way to know for sure except for faking ignorance and checking if she wants to know more than she absolutely needs…
Perrin smiles. “I don’t think even they know what they’ll do in the future. As for the present — I think we may yet help each other.”
Jani-Fe questioningly raises her right eyebrow, watching Perrin typing something on his computer.
“Catch!”
Jani-Fe retrieves a tiny communicator from one of her vest pockets. “An NDA?”
Perrin nods. “Of course. My contract authorizes me to seek outside help.”
Jani-Fe cranks her head to the side, looking at Perrin from a different angle, and then pushes the sign button.
“Now,” Perrin starts, watching the state of his smart contract change, “I have a problem. Becoming a Black Undertaker and learning what I need will take too long, and the outcome will be unknown. But if someone with skills better than mine were to hack their systems…”
The Meora shakes her head. “Hacking their computers is not the same as hooking to their cameras. I’d have to have physical access or hope someone left a port ajar, which has never happened yet.”
“Please, Jani-Fe.” Perrin motions her to slow down. “Don’t tell me why something can’t be done. Rather, think about how can we do it.”
She looks at him angrily, but they both keep quiet for a while.
“Well,” she starts, “why make it hard? We can infiltrate the complex. Scout things out. I’ll search for data we both need, and you’ll watch my back.”
“Infiltrate them?” Perrin frowns. “How?”
“We’d have to assume the identities of two existing members. Stash the real ones for the time being. This way, their systems won’t ring alerts that the number of members has changed or that some unexpected new members have appeared. We find a good access point, get the data, leave, and clean our trail.”
“That’s it?” Perrin almost laughs, then sighs, thinking. “It sounds way too complicated to be a good plan.”
He pauses. Jani-Fe’s face is thoughtful. She’s not hurt to hear her plan rejected. Is she already thinking about a new strategy? Should he…
“Hmm…” Perrin chuckles as something clicks in his brain. “I told you not to tell me why something can’t be done, but look at me thinking about how complicated your plan is! You know what, Jani-Fe? Let’s start preparing. Either we fail even at that, or your idea actually has merit.”
Thank you for your attention! I hope you liked the chapter.
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