Re: Dawn
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2021 1:01 pm
Author's note: the musical score of 'Dead Before the Dawn' from Game of Thrones Season 8 inspired the final scenes of this chapter. Read, listen, and perhaps you will understand what I mean.
Also, due to the critique I have received, and some hindsight, this chapter was changed, along with some later scenes to maintain plot consistency. Hope you enjoy!
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Dawn - part 9.0
-
Ashrain smiled. Truly, genuinely smiled. Not a big, cheeky smile. Not an affiliative smile. Nor a dominant smile. Not even a smile that follows being rewarded.
It was just a smile.
A smile that came from a good feeling that seemed to pass through the hospital and found its way to the nearby Inn where Ashrain had been resting with Weaver, Icespear and her two Soroins. Some people were so overwhelmed by this blissful laughter that they collapsed. While everyone seemed to recover, the positive effects it had were still visible. Loroi walking through the corridors with a genuine grin. The last time she felt so good was when she was studying at the Torrai Academy to become a fleet commander and would join her friends and part-time nemeses at a tea house. Including Moonglow. They would laugh with each other, discuss, argue, tease and laugh some more. But this laughter, this joy, was something different. Where did it come from?
Buzz! Buzz!
The commlink in Ashrain’s wristguard broke her chain of thought as she tapped it. Her holographic display revealed a message from Greywind.
Grey: Ashrain. Received word about an incident at the Greensea Hospital. Everything alright?
Ash: Yes. But how did you know?
Grey: Received message from Livewire.
That was strange. Greywind sent one of Ashrain’s nieces to their location without first informing her.
Ash: Livewire is here?
Grey: Yes.
Ash: You think I can’t handle this task on my own?
Grey: Careful, my brave venturer. I am your grandaunt, but I am still your Emperor.
Ash: Apologies.
Grey: Just tell me what happened.
Ash: A wave of hysteria swept over the Loroi residing here.
Grey: Injuries?
Ash: None at all. The hysteria incited laughter. Bliss even.
Grey: Where did it originate?
Ash: Don't know.
Grey: Where is Mizol Twoface and the baby?
Ash: Resting I assume. But she refuses to leave our special guest’s side.
Grey: I see.
A pause.
Grey: Has the child recovered?
Ash: Yes. Doranzers will approve her release tomorrow.
Grey: No need to wait. She should be transferred now. Livewire and her team will escort you.
Ash: Understood Aunt. See you at the Complex.
Grey: No. Change of plans. You will be escorted to the Island.
Ashrain’s smile slowly disappeared along with her joyful mood.
Ash: The Island? You are serious? Aren’t you going to give our special guest back to the humanity envoys?
Grey: Humanity envoys are not aware of her presence on Deinar. I prefer to keep it that way. Besides, the child is in our territory and belongs to me.
Ash: This seems irregular.
Grey: I have already made arrangements. Follow your orders.
Ash: Understood.
Grey: I look forward to seeing you again my brave venturer. See you at the Island.
This seemed irregular, but in the end it wasn't Ashrain's place to question Greywind. She opened her cubicle-bed’s glass-door and stepped out. She sent to her comrades, “Listel Weaver! Teidar Icespear! Soroins! Wake up!”
The glass door on the cubicle that Weaver and Icespear shared switched from opaque to transparent. The two were already clipping their armor onto their jumpsuits and stepped out within moments.
The glass to the Soroins’ cubicle was still opaque. Ashrain pounded on their cubicle and verbally commanded, “Up and out!”
The opaque door slid open as the Soroins stumbled out. One with her armor barely clipped on and the other with her jumpsuit not even zipped up. Both blushed guiltily. It seemed pretty obvious what they had been doing inside their cubicle.
“Next time I say, ‘up and out,’ I expect you to be fully dressed and at quick for action,” said Ashrain.
“Yes, Commodore,” the Soroins replied, their blushes intensifying.
Ashrain motioned for them to follow. Icespear could not help but snicker. It was not uncommon for girls to be late after a long night of ‘fun.’ The four exited the Inn and back into the corridors of the hospital.
Weaver and Icespear became more alert as three new presences entered their range of sanzai. Within moments, three Mizol Operatives dressed in black armor approached them.
“Hello, Torrai Mazeit Ashrain,” one of the Mizols said politely. She had brown irises with cerulean hair fashioned upward like electrified spikes and a narrow face with a slightly pointed chin. She was younger than Ashrain.
“Greetings, Mizol Lennai Livewire,” Ashrain sent back. “Thank you for coming to assist us.”
“Pardon me, Torrai,” Weaver interrupted. “But do you know each other?”
“Livewire is my niece,” Ashrain said matter of factly. “She has been sent to provide us escort.”
“Now?” Weaver said surprised. “But the don’t the Doranzers have to approve-"
“We have already given our ‘urgent release order’ to the Doranzers, Listel,” Live cut her off abruptly.
“Under whose orders?!” Icespear challenged, taking a heavy step forward.
Although slightly shorter, the confident Mizol Livewire took her own step toward Icespear. “By command of our Emperor, Teidar,” she verbally replied cooly as she gave Icespear a mild telekinetic push. Clearly was not bashful about asserting her dominance. “And you’d best remember who your superiors are.”
The psychokinetic shove surprised even Icespear. Mizols were not typically strong with telekinesis, but this one had a considerable amount of force in her.
Although they met only a few occasions, Ashrain knew her younger grand-niece well enough. A young, cocky and ambitious Loroi unfazed by most peoples’ opinions. While Loroi were not typically ashamed to admit that they deserved to be the ruling race of the Union, Livewire was belligerent even by loroi standards. Formerly trained at the Teidar Academy, Livewire was especially gifted at electrokinesis and telepathic attacks. She was also known for her use of unconventional mental tactics to undermine and cripple opponents. Essentially she shocked them from within. She was also skilled at psychological warfare, using her victims' pain, fear and insecurities against them. There had been several incidents at the Teidar Academy when Livewire used these skills on her sparring partners. While the Elders wanted to expel her, the Emperor merely transferred her to the Mizol School of Perrein where her skills could be put to good use. And disciplined her with a firm warning if she stepped out of bounds. Ashrain and Livewire were not particularly fond of each other. However, Livewire was committed to the family clan. Surprisingly she had never failed an assignment. Ashrain would respect her for it were it not for the unsavory rumors of her brutality.
“Now,” Livewire addressed the group. “May we proceed?”
“Follow me,” sent Ashrain.
As the group walked through the halls of the hospital, Weaver and Icespear gave each other uncertain looks. They avoided using sanzai for fear of exposing themselves, but they both knew that something did not feel right.
-
Twoface awoke to the sound of infantile gurgling and moaning. The baby was fidgeting on the bed. Twoface yawned and picked her up. The memory of her dream was clear as day. Did the two of them somehow connect? It seemed impossible, and yet-
The child surprised Twoface when she slowly opened her eyelids, revealing her green irises.
Amazing, thought Twoface. Beautiful. Perhaps it had not been just a dream after all.
Twoface's enamoured pondering was interrupted by a disturbance outside the room. The guard seemed to struggle against something before collapsing. Twoface barely had time to jump to her feet before a giant of a Loroi burst into the room followed by two strangers, all of them donning masks. Before Twoface could react, the assaulter pulled a device, spraying a substance directly into her airways. Twoface was unable to fight the sudden nausea, her head spinning with drowsiness. She fell into darkness.
"Quickly," the giant of the intruders sent. "Get the infant. I'll take the Mizol." She tapped her earpiece and spoke, "Brighteye, find us a way out."
Exiting through the main entrance was too risky. With the aid of their coder, Brighteye found them an inconspicuous route to avoid detection.
Upon discovering that Twoface and the human infant were missing, Ashrain and her company of warriors bombarded the hospital's security and Doranzers with questions, struggling to find out where the two could have gone.
-
Dawn - part 9.1
Twoface’s vision was blurry as she slowly came back to consciousness. She was lying on a cot in what seemed to be a small room, stripped of her armor and possessions. Clad only in her jumpsuit.
“Ah, you’re up,” a familiar presence sent to her.
Twoface turned toward the other side of the room and could not believe who was standing there.
“Luckystar?!”
Twoface’s big sister smiled. “It’s been a long time, Twoface,” Luckystar said with muscular arms crossed, leaning against a small desk. Her dark, long hair tied back into many braids. The right side of her skull grew no hair since it was covered with scarred tissue. Much of her right ear was missing with only shredded remains. Clearly she had suffered some injury, but surely Doranzers could have fixed that. Unless Luckystar no longer had access to Doranzers. Which could mean that she was no longer a Soroin.
Another Loroi was standing with her in the room. Even from the confines of the room, Twoface could sense dozens of other Loroi presences outside. Wherever she was, Twoface could guess who these people were.
“You’re gangers,” said Twoface as she sat up on the cot.
“Very observant, Sentinel,” the ganger said with hostility, taking a few threatening steps toward the Mizol.
Luckystar unfolded her muscular arms and, with a solid pat on the ganger’s shoulder, stopped her. “I’ll deal with her,” Luckystar sent to the ganger. “Leave us alone!”
“Enforcer Hail won’t like that,” the hanger pointed out, but was silenced with painful squeeze on her shoulder by the larger Loroi.
“Enforcer Hail can take it up with the boss,” Luckystar sent with a dead serious tone. “Now get out!” The ganger took the hint and left the room. Luckystar turned her attention back to Twoface and smiled. “I can’t believe I found you, little sister. It’s a small galaxy after all.”
“Luckystar,” Twoface sent incredulously. She should have been relieved and happy to see her sister again after all this time, but something about her was different. Her demeanor and personality had changed into something darker from its former self. It was enough to send chills down Twoface’s spine.
Luckystar took two sweetened misesa buns from her desk. Taking a huge bite out of one, she took a heavy step toward Twoface. “Here,” she sent as she handed the other bun to her smaller sister. “You must be hungry.” Twoface flinched away. “You’re not happy to see me?” Luckystar asked mildly stung.
Feeling a little hungry, Twoface meekly accepted the bun and ate. "How long have I been out?"
Luckystar smiled. “Nearly two days. Who would have thought that we’d actually meet again on Deinar?”
Amidst her chewing, Twoface looked up at her sister. “Luckystar,” she sent. “What are you doing here?”
“I should be asking you the same thing,” Luckystar replied as she took another hefty bite, wolfing down the bun. “Though I’m even more curious about what you’re doing with a human.” Luckystar took a few heavy steps toward the other side of the room and crouched down in front of the opened incubation pod where the baby slept. “Creepy, aren’t they? No presence. Completely concealed by a lotai. Though I have to admit it’s pretty cute.”
“Is she alright?” Twoface asked as she finished her bun.
Luckystar shrugged. “It seems fine,” she sent as she stood back up facing her sister. “Good thing that pod of yours had some milk. We’ve kept it fed.”
“Luckystar, what is going on?” Twoface inquired. “What are you doing with these gangers?”
“Easy,” warned Luckystar. “Some of the girls here think you’re a liability. If you’re not careful, they’ll do whatever it takes to cover our tracks. But I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen. If you just follow my lead, you’ll be fine.”
Twoface could not believe what she was hearing. “Luckystar, what’s going on here? Why are you with gangers? How did you even end up in a place like this? I thought you were committed to the Soroins.”
“I was,” Luckystar sent back. “But I quit.”
That was a shocker for Twoface. There were plenty of Soroins that dropped out, but Twoface never in her life could imagine someone like Luckystar quiting. “Please, tell me what has happened!”
Luckystar sighed. “Fine, then. I’ll start from the beginning. After you left us for the Mizols, my squad and I continued our duty at Justa. The tozons went by. We stopped a few Nissek incursions on the border. Apparently the Hegemony is having a tangle of their own with the Ninnil."
"Ninnil?" Twoface had heard of the race, but never seen them. No one in the Union had. They were a newly discovered race hailing from the Super Bubble, anti-spinward side of the Local Bubble. According to the stories shared by more pacifist Nissek, the Hegemony and Ninnil were fighting over territory within the Ninnil gap, the only passable tethy linking the Local Bubble with the anti-spinward Super Bubble.
“I tried to contact you,” sent Twoface to her sister.
“I know,” sent Luckystar. “I refused to reply because I was still so angry. I admit I still hated you for leaving… but at the same time... I missed you. But I was still so mad... too occupied with duty to reach out. Things were going poorly for us at Justa. More resources had to be poured into the Umiak fronts, leaving us with so little to work with. I fought on, but the more I fought the more I realized how much we had sacrificed for the Union. And how little we got in return. Our own sisters, warriors and civilians alike, were being neglected on the other side of the Local Bubble. I watched many of my friends from our old diral die. My two daughters, who I barely had a chance to meet and invest time in, were deployed and lost at the Umiak fronts. Finally, I’d had enough. I threw in my armor and simply left. I didn’t care what the family had to say anymore or if they disowned me. Not that they say much to dropouts anyway.”
“And you never thought to contact me?!” Twoface said incredulously. “Is that why you never replied after all these years? I would have helped you, Luckystar.”
“Would you really have dishonored yourself with a dropout?” Luckystar asked.
“How does honor outweigh the well-being of family?” sent Twoface. “You taught me that.”
“If you really cared about family that much, why didn’t you stay-“ Luckystar stopped that train of thought and fought against her growing frustration. “It wasn’t your problem to bear. Anyway, after I left the Soroins, I found myself transported to Deinar to work for the Manual Labor Guild. They needed a work force at the Imperial Seat. It was tough work, but I had nowhere else to go. The work expected of us was brutal. Exhausting. Luckily I managed to meet some very unique people. Some gangers who specialized in obtaining exclusive goods.”
“You mean theft?” Twoface stated more than asked. “You mean you started stealing?”
“Give me a break, sister,” Luckystar replied in her defence. “Do you have any idea what a Guild barracks is like? It’s crowded, hot and stuffy. The tens of thousands of solons we had to work everyday with barely any rest. Do you see these facial scars?” She pointed to her face. “I got this after an explosion in a gas mine. I had to climb my way out while dragging injured Loroi with me. I wasn’t going to live the rest of my life like a beast of burden. Besides, the gangers didn’t always steal. We specialise also in selling goods that the Union brands illegal. People are willing to pay good money for what we provide. I saw that you had tried contacting me several times.” At this point, Luckystar’s eyes seemed to lighten. No longer intimidating. She knelt in front of her sister and caressed her cheek, running a thumb over her scar. Their link intensified as Luckystar’s feelings were laid bare for her sister. “I admit I've been angry with you for so long. But... I'd like to let go of old grudges. Even after years of not speaking with each other, you have no idea how much I missed you. But I couldn’t. I was on the run.”
Twoface did not know how to react to all this. On the one hand she was ashamed that Luckystar had resorted to a life of crime. But she had gone through some terrible ordeals and made bad decisions because she just wanted an escape from the cruel reality that she had been thrusted into. While leaving the warrior castes was shameful, Twoface had seen Loroi crushed by the burden of duty. All hope and faith in their Empire drained from their psyches. Could she blame her sister for just wanting to be free from it?
“You should have called me,” said Twoface, touching Luckystar’s hand on her cheek. “I could never abandon or disown you as a warrior or a civilian.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” Luckystar reassured her sister. “When I saw you there at the hospital, I couldn’t believe it. I recognised you instantly. If it’s any condolence, I never meant to knock you out at the hospital. But we were in a tough position. I couldn’t just leave you there. We ditched your armor and equipment so there was no chance the warriors could trace you.”
“So where are we now?” Twoface asked.
Luckystar removed her hand from Twoface’s cheek and stood to her full height. “On the outskirts of Adadis. We’re at an abandoned warehouse where we’ve been storing our goods. Soon we’ll be moving out, though. Always gotta’ stay on the move to avoid getting caught.”
Twoface rose to her feet, Luckystar helping her up, and went to pick up the baby. The little human moaned and squirmed as Twoface gently rocked her.
“You’ve gotten attached to that little thing, haven’t you?” Luckystar remarked with arms crossed.
“I cannot deny it,” admitted Twoface. “She is special. I can’t explain why or how, but she is.”
“I’m envious,” sent Luckystar.
Twoface faced her sister. There was still so much about this situation that made no sense. “Luckystar, why did you attack us?” Twoface asked. “Were you after the baby?”
Luckystar nodded. “Yes.”
“But why? How did you even know that there was a human infant at Greensea?”
“Our gangs have contact with clients in so many sectors,” said Luckystar. “You’d be amazed how many hospitals need cheap medicine. And that is just one of the many goods we can provide. One of our contacts there alerted us.”
Arms tensed protectively as Twoface clutched the baby close to her chest. “Luckystar, what is going on here? Why did you abduct this baby?”
Luckystar sealed her eyes as her head dropped slightly. “Our boss… has some clients that are very interested in possessing a child.”
“Possessing a child?” asked Twoface. “A human child?”
Luckystar nodded as she met her sister’s suspicious gaze. “After the Great War ended, the Union has limited access to mating encounters. The chances of encountering a male and impregnation for civilians is even slimmer now. But ever since we Loroi discovered an alien species that resembles us, the Loroi have become enamored by these humans. And not just their menfolk. There’s a secret market right now with a demand for human children that happen to end up in Union territory. These clients are very wealthy and are willing to pay handsomely just to have a kid.”
The realization hit Twoface. These gangers intended to sell the baby. The Mizol took a step back as she held her charge protectively and sent in shock, “Trafficking! Trafficking humans! You’re trafficking sapients!”
Luckystar sighed and tried to assure her sister. “It’s not what you think-”
“What I think?!” Twoface blurted out. “You intend to sell this child like she were some animal!”
“It’s not what I want,” Luckystar tried to make her sister see it from her point of view. “It’s just business. Besides, it’s not like we’re selling her as a slave or to be Nissek meat. A wealthy Loroi is ready to pay hundreds of talents simply for the joy of motherhood. Think of what she’d pay just to hold a human child in her arms!”
The concept of loroi adopting humans was conceived by the civilian populace since the Union's first contact days with humanity. Twoface had heard of Guilds proposing the possibility of human orphans being adopted by Loroi civilians. As a substitute for having little-to-no chance to birth their own descendants. A controversial but intriguing idea to placate the civilian masses. And the Terrans were believed to have tens of millions of orphans to go around. The Elder Council, revolted by such a proposal and pressured by humanitarian ambassadors, denied these requests. Although there were rumors that a few Council Members were being bribed by wealthy Loroi to make legal exceptions. Technically Union law did not forbid for Loroi warriors to adopt alien children in the event that said aliens had no means to reach their own race. It was neither common practice nor encouraged for Loroi to adopt aliens since doing so would be much too cumbersome. And it was less likely for aliens and their offspring to be cut off from other members of their respective races. But on a few occasions in Union history, it had been done in the interest of fostering peace.
“Luckystar,” Twoface pleaded as she clutched her charge close. “You can’t do this!”
Luckystar sighed. “This isn’t my choice-“
“We all have a choice no matter our dhalid,” Twoface urged her sister. “Giving up an innocent life for profit is wrong!”
“Even if I didn’t want to,” Luckystar sent back, “there’s nothing you or I can do about it. It’s been arranged. Tomorrow, our gang is moving out. And I’ll be taking the human to the boss.”
“And who’s this boss of yours?”
Luckystar seemed nostalgic a moment. Whoever this boss was had obviously left a powerful impression on her. “Her spoken name is Eternal Endurance.”
The revelation struck Twoface like a bolt from the blue. Every Mizol in the intelligence community knew who Eternal Endurance was. A notorious and influential ganger with a powerful criminal network throughout the many sectors of the Union.
“Eternal Endurance?!” Twoface gasped. “Luckystar, do you have any idea who you answer to? She is a monster!”
“More monster than our current Emperor?” said Luckystar. “Endurance is a visionary. She’s not just in the business of making money. She’s a philanthropist who has helped so many Loroi.”
“She’s also a murderer!” Twoface tried to reason with Luckystar. “A thief! And an abductor! She has killed thousands of people!”
“Only people that tried to destroy what she is trying to make for the Loroi,” Luckystar defended. “Loroi who don’t have a voice.”
The Mizol could not believe she was hearing this. Tears threatened to break at the corner of her eyes. “What’s happened to you, Luckystar? This isn’t who you are! The sister I knew would never have bent her knee to murderous thugs.”
That earned Twoface a slap as Luckystar smacked her across the face. “That’s for the insult! This discussion is over. Our Enforcer Hail wants to kill you to cover our tracks. I’m the only thing stopping her right now. Now you stay put and do nothing. I can convince Eternal Endurance to admit you into our clan. But only if we play it smart. If you try to leave or do anything suspicious, I won’t be able to protect you. Stay here!”
With that said and done, Luckystar left the room, locking the door behind her. Twoface was lost and hopeless as she collapsed back on the cot with the baby in her arms. The baby started to cry. While she seemed not to realize what was about to happen to her, she cried as if she did.
“What do I do?” Twoface panicked, desperate to find a way out of their situation. “What do I do? I’m about to lose the baby to criminals! How do we get out of this?!” Hopeless tears leaked from her eyes as she held the little girl close to her heart, staring helplessly into her green eyes. “I’m sorry,” Twoface whimpered. “I’m so sorry! I failed you!”
The sounds of tinkling and water droplets against steel and glass sounded off as rain pelted the roofing of the warehouse.
-
Dawn - part 9.2
“Approaching target area,” the shuttle’s Tenoin sent back to her comrades.
After Livewire and Ashrain reported back to Greywind that gangers had kidnapped the baby, the Emperor was quick to deploy them and a few of her most trusted operatives into action. The hover van used by the gangers was an unregistered vehicle that managed to slip by checkpoints. The Operatives calculated every possible destination and their best guess lied with an area of abandoned warehouses just outside Adadis, where reports of criminal activity were quite frequent. Silent drones had been deployed to scan the area and, within moments, picked up thermal signatures within one of the warehouses. Including a small heat source just a bit hotter than the Loroi. As hot as a small human. While gangers covered their tracks well and were always on the move to avoid capture, it was often a safe bet that they nested at abandoned and least travelled locations.
“Remember, Loroi,” Ashrain sent to her comrades in the shuttle. “Use firearms only when necessary. Be precise with your hits. We cannot risk injuring Twoface or the infant.” She had insisted on overseeing this operation. Commanding a strike team of troopers was not her expertise, but due to their circumstances, she accepted the role with Greywind’s approval. They were not going to lose the human or Twoface.
“I could not agree more,” answered Livewire as she clipped on her black combat helmet. “Besides, fighting close quarters only makes it more interesting.”
“Hey,” Icespear called Livewire out. She might have been a superior officer, but Icespear placed the well-being of her comrades over seniority. “We’re not here to indulge in your bloodlust. We are here to rescue Twoface and the infant.”
“Mind your attitude, Teidar Icespear,” Livewire emphasized Icespear’s inferior rank. “You think I intend to deliver a dead human to our Emperor?”
“Enough!” Ashrain silenced them.“Livewire, you and your Operatives will provide cover for Icespear as she recovers Twoface and the baby. Once recovered, escort them safely to the extraction point. Soroins have already surrounded the target area, but must stay outside of sanzai range of the gangers. As soon as you have entered the warehouse, the Soroins will be deployed to distract the gangers. Avoid lethal force for the baby’s safety as well as Twoface’s, but deal with the gangers appropriately.”
“Understood,” the Loroi replied.
“Once I’m inside, I should be able to detect Twoface’s presence,” Icespear said as she slipped on her combat helmet. She had been equipped with combat armor. As a Teidar, she needed no firearm.
“One-thousand meters over target area,” the Tenoin sent to her comrades. “They don’t seem to know we’re here.”
The shuttle had some stealth features, including soundproofing to conceal it presence. And the rainstorm outside made their approach easier.
Livewire opened the shuttle doors. It was dark and raining outside, which gave them a tactical advantage as long as it didn’t get windy.
“Loroi, secure maneuver gear,” Livewire instructed. Live wire, her two operatives and Icespear checked the packs attached to the backs of their armor.
“Secure!” The Loroi responded.
“Deploy on my mark,” Ashrain instructed as the four Loroi readied themselves, staring out into the rainy night.
Ashrain transmitted a command to the Soroins on the ground. “Troopers, are flashbang canisters in place?”
“Affirmative,” came a radio response. “The drones are hovering just above the roof and ready drop the canisters on your command.”
“Fire canisters in ten solons,” Ashrain commanded. “Livewire, jump now!”
The three Sentinels and Unsheathed leaped from the shuttle. As they descended through the darkness and rain, they fired the thrusters of their maneuver gear to steer and slow their descent. It was no jetpack, but more reliable and maneuverable than a parachute.
-
Within the warehouse, the gangers had nearly packed up their crates and loaded into transports. They were soon ready to move out. Luckystar was arguing with Enforcer Hail over Twoface.
“Keeping that damn Mizol around is a bad idea,” said Enforcer Hail.
“No one touches her or the human unless the boss says otherwise,” Luckystar stood her ground.
“Don’t think that just because you’re a favorite of the boss that that gives you-”
The Enforcer never got to finish that thought as something crashed through the glass roof and several small objects fell to the floor within the warehouse.
Flash! Bang!
Before anyone could react and inspect what it was, a flashbang stunned the gangers and the warehouse was flooded with smoke.
“We’re under attack!” Luckystar shouted out to the gangers. Amidst the chaos and confusion, four new presences entered from above, releasing a hissing propulsion as they eased their descent.
Without thinking, Luckystar bolted for the room where Twoface and the baby were. She had to get her sister out of here. The gangers had been found out.
-
There was smoke everywhere. But Icespear and the Operatives could see thanks to the thermal sensors installed in their helmets. There were numerous gangers all around them trying to find their way through the smoke. The Operatives, circling around Icespear, tapped their wrists and their ballistic shields unfolded.
A series of bangs from the other side of the warehouse drew the gangers attention as the Soroins moved in. Controlled bursts sounded off as gangers dropped, either immobilized or eliminated. Other gangers took cover and fired back with pistols. The Soroins stood their ground. Their purpose was merely to draw the gangers’ attention away from Icespear and the Operatives.
Livewire commanded as she stood behind her shield, “Icespear, find Twoface!”
“I’m working on it,” Icespear sent back. Amidst the smoke, shouts and shots, Icespear searched the area like a radar. There were many presences all around, but she found the distinct signature that was her friend. But it was accompanied by another presence near Twoface. And it was moving Twoface away from the action.
“I found Twoface, but I think someone has her hostage,” said Icespear. “That must be where they have the infant. We must pursue!”
Livewire nodded. “Lead the way, Teidar!” She turned to her two Operatives. “Cover our rear!”
The four moved toward Twoface’s position away from the action between the Soroins and the gangers. They cleared the smoky area and entered another section with more crates and suspended walkways hanging above them. A few more presences alerted Icespear’s psyche as five gangers ran across the upper walkways and took aim at the four below.
“Attack from above,” Icespear warned.
“I see them,” confirmed Livewire. “Cover! Now!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The gangers overhead fired down on the warriors below. Icespear and the Operatives crouched for protection behind the crates.
“Icespear, keep up the pursuit!” Livewire ordered. “We’ll give you cover fire and deal with these ones! Take my shield!”
Icespear nodded and accepted the ballistic shield from Livewire.
Livewire relayed her attack pattern to her subordinates who moved out with their ballistic shields held up and drew pistols. The gangers fired on them, but their shots could not penetrate the shields. Icespear dashed holding her shield overhead in pursuit of Twoface. While the Operatives were safe behind their shields, the gangers were hailing them with shots. They could not return fire.
While the gangers were distracted, Livewire extracted a foldable, remote drone that fit perfectly in the palm of her hand, activated it and threw it up in the air. The tiny drone unfolded and ascended upward toward the ceiling. Livewire tapped the side of her helmet bringing up her HUD. Unable to look directly without getting shot, she drew out a mirror and used the reflection to find the gangers on the walkways. She found one firing a pistol.
Her helmet was equipped with a voice activated smart program that could connect with and control remote devices. She uttered, “HUD, connect to drone! Activate facial recognition program!”
Her HUD formed a red square target marker and locked onto the ganger’s face. The red square turned blue. Target locked! “Drone, execute!”
The tiny drone was equipped with a smart camera and found its target through the data transmitted by Livewire’s HUD and flew downward toward its intended target. It flipped ninety degrees and, as it made contact with the ganger’s frontal lobe, detonated the small package of explosive compound it carried. While the explosion was nothing more than a meager pop, the small blast from the compound was still strong enough to burn a hole through one’s skull. The ganger fell dead.
A wicked grin formed on Livewire’s face. She loved these little toys. Finding her next target, she threw another drone into the air.
-
Twoface heaved as she struggled to keep up with Luckystar. After hearing an explosion from the room she and the baby were being held in, Luckystar bolted in and told them they had to run. Without thinking or knowing what was happening, the two of them and the human fled through the labyrinth of crates.
Far from the warehouse, they came to a garage with an assortment of vans, cargo trucks and hover bikes. Twoface crouched down with the baby in her arms and took a breather.
“Put the baby down and help me,” Luckystar sent as she pushed one of the massive sliding doors open.
Twoface placed the baby on the ground, wrapped only in a blanket. She should have brought the incubation pod, but it was too much weight in the heat of the moment. She ran over to her sister and helped to open the sliding doors with her. Outside was pure darkness with downpour.
Twoface ran back to pick up the child while Luckystar climbed into a hover van and activated the remote guidance system. She climbed out and the van automatically drove itself out to a predetermined destination. She did the same to several more vans and cargo trucks, leaving only a few vans and the hover bikes alone. The vehicles would distract the warriors long enough for Luckystar and Twoface to slip past them.
“Come on, get in!” she ushered her sister to one of the remaining vans and whipped the van’s door open. “I know how the Soroins set up around a target area. We can sneak past them.”
“You go,” Twoface said sadly as she held the baby. “I can throw them off your trail.”
“What are you talking about?” Luckystar sent. “We found each other again after all this time. Forget those jarheads and come with me. With that baby, we can make it to Eternal Endurance. If we deliver the infant, Endurance will give us a huge cut. Think of the status we could gain with the gangers. Or we can just start over on our own. You and me.”
Twoface backed away as her sister tenderly reached for her, clutching the baby close. “I made a promise to an innocent woman that I’d protect this child,” she sent in defence. “Even if I could break that promise, I can’t give up this baby. Not for all the wealth of the empire.”
Luckystar’s affectionate eyes turned cold and steely. “You choose a little human over your own flesh and blood?”
“It’s you who doesn’t realise that I choose you both,” sent Twoface as tears formed at the corners of her eyes. “That’s why I’m telling you to go while you still can. If they catch you, they’ll throw in prison or worse.”
“Get in the damn van,” Luckystar ordered aggressively as she took a thundering step toward her sister.
Twoface backed away, her lips quivering with fright. “No.”
In a quick motion Luckystar pulled out a pistol. “Twoface, I have sacrificed and suffered too much to be abandoned by you a second time. Now it’s time for you to choose between that infant and me. If you don’t get in the van…”
Twoface refused. She could not believe her own sister would kill her. “Are you really going to shoot me?”
Luckystar aimed at Twoface’s head. “On the count of three.”
Twoface did not flinch even in her fear. “I don’t believe you.”
Luckystar’s finger rested on the trigger. “One!”
“As children you protected me because you love me. Just as I’ve always loved you. Now I and this innocent child need you to do the right thing.”
Luckystar’s finger squeezed harder on the trigger. “Two!”
“I know you, Luckystar. You can still get out of here. I know you don’t want to do this.”
For the briefest of moments, Luckystar’s lips quivered and her eyes watered as she glared at Twoface, her finger refusing to let up on the trigger. She practically whimpered out, “T-three!”
The shot never came as the pistol was shot out of Luckystar’s hand by a flying object. Before Luckystar could react a second, larger crate smashed into her frame, sending her crumbling to the ground.
Twoface whipped her head around to see Icespear rushing to her position. She had used her psychokinesis to hurl the objects at Luckystar.
“You alright?” Icespear asked her friend and superior.
Twoface nodded, turning back to her sister as Luckystar struggled to recover from the shock of the blow. Icespear forced her down with a telekinetic push. “Stay down, you thug!”
Even though she didn’t beg for help, Luckystar stared back at her sister with teary, pleading eyes.
Twoface was torn. “Not so hard, Icespear,” Twoface urged Icespear. “She’s my sister.”
The Unsheathed cocked an odd eye at Twoface. “You’re kidding,” she sent incredulously. “Your sister, here, kidnapped the human and was going to shoot you.”
“It’s a long story,” Twoface pleaded. “Just please… not so hard.”
With humph Icespear eased the pressure she telekinetically administered on the downed ganger.
Within moments, Livewire approached with her two operatives, having taken care of the remaining gangers. “Well done, Teidar Icespear,” Livewire said with smug contentment, turning her attention to Twoface. “Good to see that you and the… human, are unharmed, Miss Twoface. And don’t worry about the gangers. They’ve been taken care of.” She switched her predatory gaze to Luckystar still pinned down by Icespear’s telekinetic force. “All we have left is this one.”
Twoface’s eyes went wide with shock as Livewire pulled out a final drone. She knew those drones contained explosive compound. “Wait, you can’t!”
Livewire cocked an eyebrow at Twoface’s outburst. “Yes, I can,” she sent dismissively. “She’s a criminal.”
“She’s my sister,” Twoface pleaded. “She deserves a trial.”
“Her sentence is already decided,” said Livewire. Her HUD locked onto the pleading face of Luckystar and flung the drone into the air. Luckystar’s sealed shut tight as she fought against the tears. She knew what was about the to happen, but accepted her dhalid.
The drone unfolded, activated and flew-
Bang!
Icespear released a psychokinetic shot that blasted the drone in midair and used a second more powerful telekinetic shove that sent Livewire flying across the room. Before the other two operatives could react, Icespear forced them with her power across the garage as they were smashed into the open van. The Teidar sealed the door shut and, with all her telekinetic might, flipped the van three-quarters turn as it landed on the door and effectively trapped the Sentinels inside. That would hold them for the moment.
While she was still recovering from being blasted across the room, Livewire groaned as she tried to shake off her dizziness, but froze as Twoface stood over her with Luckystar’s pistol in her left hand and the baby clutched safely in her right arm.
Livewire glared menacingly at Twoface. “This is treason,” Livewire snarled loathingly.
“You will not hurt my sister,” Twoface said as she pointed the pistol at Livewire.
“You will pay for this, you scarred clayface!”
“A price I gladly pay for family,” said Twoface. She turned to Luckystar who was slowly climbing back to her feat. More Loroi presences entered their range of detection. The Soroins were approaching. “Luckystar, get on one those bikes and get out of here!”
The dropout turned ganger tried to send something back, but merely whimpered out, “Twoface… Sister…”
“Just go!” Twoface commanded Luckystar. “I don’t know when or how, but I’ll find you again. I promise. Go! Before it’s too late!”
The Soroins drew closer. Without anytime to convey her feelings for her beloved sister, Luckystar groaned with frustration as she ran for the hover bikes. She climbed onto one, fired up its engine as it roared. The bike lifted off the ground and, in a flash of motion, zoomed out of the garage and into the rainy night. Luckystar was gone.
While there was a risk Luckystar might get caught, Twoface believed that a former Soroin and hardass like her sister could manage herself. Within moments, the Soroins entered the garage, checking the vicinity to confirm it was secure and were confused as to why an Unsheathed sealed two Sentinels in a toppled van and why another Sentinel was holding a baby in one hand and holding another Mizol at gunpoint.
Taking a few steps back, Twoface simply dropped her weapon and brought her left hand under the baby. She had been so focused on the intensity of the moment that she did not notice the baby’s cries throughout the ordeal. All she could do was coo and comfort the gentle soul.
“Icespear, thank you,” Twoface sent to her friend and subordinate. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Even brutal Unsheathed have dignity,” Icespear sent back.
Livewire commanded a Soroin to take the baby from Twoface and two others to seize Icespear. As the human was taken from a now docile Twoface and Icespear was wrestled to the ground, Livewire climbed to her feet and stopped just inches from Twoface.
“You are going to be so sorry,” Livewire sneered, “after I turn you and your treacherous accomplice into a hundred different kinds of messed up!”
The very angry Mizol gripped Twoface’s neck, sending an electrokinetic shock through Twoface’s nervous system, crippling her to her feet. And with one fluid motion, punched Twoface into unconsciousness.
-
Out in the dark storm, Luckystar had trouble seeing where she was going between the abandoned houses as she flew over the crumbling streets. The rain struck and stung her eyes, forcing her to keep her head low below the wind shield. She had a few close calls when a few troopers tried to cut her off, but she was a skilled driver as well as a fighter and slipped past them.
After barely escaping the warriors, Luckystar drove on into the night. Her hover bike allowed her to steer clear of the roads, since that's where the warriors would likely patrol, and cut across rough terrains. By morning, she had found herself in a mountainous forest many miles away. Exhausted and wet, Luckystar fell off her bike and finally let her tears fall.
She cried. Cried that Twoface had slipped from her grasp again after just finding her again. When she had spent her tears, Luckystar pulled herself together, climbed back on the bike and headed east for Nottinrer. Luckystar had some credits in her pocket that would last her long enough to rendezvous with the gang.
Eternal Endurance was not going to be happy that the gangers lost all their goods and the baby, but the boss always had a backup plan.
-
Greywind slowly awoke from a not so comfortable slumber. She rubbed her tired old eyes and gazed out of the port window of her personal shuttle. The world was dark outside. The Mestirot Ocean barely visible below. Even with the dim lights within the cabin of the shuttle, it was not easy to make out any stars outside.
These last few days had been very taxing. The pickup at the hospital four days ago went terribly wrong, but at least the human had been recovered from the gangers. A team of Intelligence Officers were already investigating the matter to find any other suspects that were connected to these criminals. Including the one ganger and former Fighter that apparently escaped from the warehouse.
On top of that, she had two traitors to deal with, Mizol Lennai Twoface and Teidar Icespear, the former guardians of the human. They had to be dealt with, but it could wait.
Now with the baby recovered and the peace conference finally concluded, the humanity envoys departed. None the wiser about this incident. Just as Greywind wanted. Not that the humans could do much even if they knew. The baby was legally hers now. With that order of business settled, the old Emperor was now on her way to the Island.
Although the negotiations seemed to end well, Greywind still had to deal with the Elder Council and the Union Assembly Members that backed them. They would no doubt throw every legal action against her ruling party. Even if the Terran Colonial Authority neutralized the raiders of the Wastelands, it seemed doubtful that the Council would cease its call for war. And this new Confederate Movement within the Terran Government, if it succeeded, would convert the Terran Colonial Authority into a military power. One that could rival even the Empire’s. Barely a decade ago Greywind was not so concerned. But the Terrans were expanding at an alarming rate thanks to their recent technological leaps.
It was funny.
The humans claimed to uphold freedom and democracy above all else. Proudly boasting that they were not ruthless conquerers as the Loroi. Ironic, thought Greywind. The humans, whether they realised it or not, were becoming exactly what the Loroi were. They expanded, extracted resources and secured planets strictly in their own best interests, just like the Loroi. If that was not hypocrisy, then what was?
Even if war was prevented now following the eradication of the raiders, the Terrans could match the Loroi within several generations. And if the members of their race continued to stoke the flames of xenophobia, it could put the Union in a dangerous position.
The truth was Greywind would have no problem going to war with the TCA. The problem was that Greywind knew that the Union had billions of young warriors that were itching to kill something since many of them missed their chance when the Umiak War was finished after twenty-five long years. If they were unleashed upon humanity, the carnage would reach catastrophic levels. The Loroi would undoubtedly win if they launched a campaign now to subjugate the humans. But realistically, the siege of humanity worlds might be no different than what the Loroi of Seren suffered under the Umiak occupation. Greywind could imagine rows upon rows of dead menfolk, womenfolk and children that would pile up within the first few weeks of conflict. The news and images of such siege and slaughter would spread through the Local Bubble like wildfire. The Union would be shaken to its very foundations. The Assembly would dissolve. The alien races would never trust the Loroi again. Because if the warriors were willing to kill even something that resembled Loroi, how much compassion did they really have for other races?
While the politicians of the Union Assembly approved the Elder Council’s call for war, many of the alien civilians from the religious and universalist orders spoke out against it. The Terrans did not seem to realize just how divided the Loroi and alien races really were (or simply did not care). Greywind could appease the Assembly with compromises, but she knew she was slowly running out of options.
Was Greywind doing the right thing to prevent war? Or merely making it worse by delaying inevitable conflict?
The old Emperor yawned silently. Best to let it go for now and seize an opportunity when it presented itself.
Through the port window, a dim light was shining over the horizon. The dawn was coming. Greywind ordered some sunflower tea to help stimulate her. Her attendant, a young Loroi with a tuff of short green hair called Link, returned with a steaming cup which she handed to the Emperor. As Greywind accepted the aromatic drink, there was a sound as if the attendant stepped on a cushion. But in fact, the young Loroi accidently stepped on Greywind’s long trail of grey and purple hair which pooled over her seat and into a coil on the floor.
Link’s purple eyes went wide as she realised her mistake, bowed and apologised. Greywind dismissed it with a wave of her hand and took a sip of tea. The attendant awkwardly strode away. While many Loroi excessively enjoyed noillir, Greywind preferred flowery tea. The old Loroi had sampled consumable flowers from almost every known civilization. One of the female human diplomats had even gifted the Emperor with a vase of exotic red flowers called roses before they departed. Roses apparently grew only on Earth. Greywind intended to plant them in the Garden of the Island. She was eager to cultivate more of the beautiful alien flowers. She simply could not get enough of them after she sampled a few rose petals in her tea yesterday. Delicious!
After a few thousand solons of flying, the shuttle arrived at the west islet of Ginazaigo. This was the Island. Originally a resort home belonging to a family of wealthy weapon manufacturers, the Island was confiscated by the Emperor as a compromise for the family’s war profiteering. In exchange Greywind allowed them to keep their other assets. On the west side of the Island was a sizeable mansion of circular buildings and towers built atop a cliffside overlooking the ocean. While much of the original mansion remained unchanged, there were a few additions made such as laboratories, a small armory, a training ground, a library, as well as underground facilities built into the cliffside below the mansion. There was even a detention area. And much more.
The shuttle touched ground on the mansion’s landing pad overlooking the ocean. Greywind left the shuttle, her cape of long hair trailing behind her. She relieved her attendant and guardians of their usual duties for the day. They left to rest and relax elsewhere. The Emperor passed through the massive doors of the main hall and made her way to an elevator which would take her to the subterranean laboratories. Upon exiting the lift, she passed through the laboratory corridors, and heard the sound of infantile crying. Greywind entered an examination room. A small team of Doranzers and Listels were examining the human infant. Extracting samples of skin particles, tiny hairs, saliva, even urine and fecal matter. They had recorded the child’s other biological readings for archiving. One Doranzer extracted a sample of blood into a tiny chip-shaped vile no bigger than a finger nail and stored it, but healed the tiny puncture with medicine.
The human child seemed to be in good health and was lucky not to suffer any serious injuries from the gangers.
The team of Loroi noticed their Emperor enter the room and showed proper reverence. Greywind was more interested in the human child and approached the examination table. The baby would not stop wailing. Greywind stroked the little baby’s head, admiring her tiny round ears, the light-brown skin and green irises. She was so warm to the touch. So small and helpless.
Delicately Greywind eased her aged fingers to support the baby’s head and body and lifted the frail human into her arms. The baby’s unrelenting cries were annoying, but Greywind did not care. She simply could not break her cerulean gaze at this precious thing in her arms. Turning heel, the Emperor left with the baby in her arms. One of the Listels made to protest since there were more tests and observations to be made, but was stopped by a colleague. The Emperor wanted to spend some time with the human. The scientists could collect more data later.
Greywind took the lift back up to the surface level and made her way to the Garden. Next to the Garden was a large social arena where a few Torrais and Mizols were gathered. Including Ashrain, Livewire and Grewyind’s other relatives and closest friends. Listel Weaver was also sitting with them. While it was early in the morning, they had no doubt been up all night enjoying festivities. They were seated on floor futons sampling drinks and foods. And smoking spice pipes much to Greywind’s disapproval. She would have a serious chat with them later.
The small party noticed their Emperor enter the Garden, stood and paid respect. Greywind acknowledged them but did not go over to join them. The party understood that, at moments like these, the Emperor wanted to be left alone and resumed their festivities. As the Loroi continued their telepathic chatter, Ashrain, looked one last time at Greywind before reengaging with her relatives and friends. Although Greywind never seemed to smile, she was content.
After the human had been successfully rescued from the gangers, Ashrain and her company made their way to the Island. The Loroi that merely assisted with the operation were sent back to their usual posts. These last few days had been nerve-wracking. Now she was simply happy to just sit back and enjoy a gentle high of spice. She tried to cheer up Listel Weaver, but she seemed to concerned about her compatriots, Twoface and Icespear, and so did not trouble her. While Ashrain would never admit it, she did think it bold and humorous for Icespear to give Livewire a psychokinetic punch. Livewire was kin, but Ashrain's niece deserved a beating.
Although Twoface and Icespear did in fact commit treason, she could not help but sympathize with them. She would be sure to have an exchange with her grandaunt and speak on the two Loroi's behalf.
Greywind moved toward stone steps at the edge of the Garden which descended down to a vast balcony overlooking the ocean. She sat down at the top of the steps to rest her old, aching muscles and gently rocked the child as she watched the horizon turn from dim blue to flaming orange as the dawn approached. The stars twinkled out one by one.
The old Emperor loved this island. It was a good place to help her forget about her troubles if only for a moment. While she did not own this island, as warriors were prohibited from owning property, she had the authority to use it as she saw fit.
The baby seemed to be growing tired from wailing and did not cry as intensely as before. Perhaps she was also feeling better to be held close by somebody. But her small cries drew the attention of a tiny Loroi barely three tozons old who was hiding in the garden bushes. She was Greywind’s great, great, great, granddaughter. One of many Loroi children residing at this Island. It seemed a few of the children were playing hide and seek and up to other mischief.
The Loroi child slowly approached, curious at the alien infant concealed by a lotai. Greywind allowed her great, great, great, granddaughter to approach and inspect the tiny human. Soon about a dozen other Loroi children of varying ages came out of hiding in the Garden and approached their Emperor to see what the commotion was about. They gathered around Greywind to behold and admire this new arrival as Deinar’s sun slowly rose in the distance. Not all the children of the Island were awake that morning, but would soon meet the baby.
Also, due to the critique I have received, and some hindsight, this chapter was changed, along with some later scenes to maintain plot consistency. Hope you enjoy!
-
Dawn - part 9.0
-
Ashrain smiled. Truly, genuinely smiled. Not a big, cheeky smile. Not an affiliative smile. Nor a dominant smile. Not even a smile that follows being rewarded.
It was just a smile.
A smile that came from a good feeling that seemed to pass through the hospital and found its way to the nearby Inn where Ashrain had been resting with Weaver, Icespear and her two Soroins. Some people were so overwhelmed by this blissful laughter that they collapsed. While everyone seemed to recover, the positive effects it had were still visible. Loroi walking through the corridors with a genuine grin. The last time she felt so good was when she was studying at the Torrai Academy to become a fleet commander and would join her friends and part-time nemeses at a tea house. Including Moonglow. They would laugh with each other, discuss, argue, tease and laugh some more. But this laughter, this joy, was something different. Where did it come from?
Buzz! Buzz!
The commlink in Ashrain’s wristguard broke her chain of thought as she tapped it. Her holographic display revealed a message from Greywind.
Grey: Ashrain. Received word about an incident at the Greensea Hospital. Everything alright?
Ash: Yes. But how did you know?
Grey: Received message from Livewire.
That was strange. Greywind sent one of Ashrain’s nieces to their location without first informing her.
Ash: Livewire is here?
Grey: Yes.
Ash: You think I can’t handle this task on my own?
Grey: Careful, my brave venturer. I am your grandaunt, but I am still your Emperor.
Ash: Apologies.
Grey: Just tell me what happened.
Ash: A wave of hysteria swept over the Loroi residing here.
Grey: Injuries?
Ash: None at all. The hysteria incited laughter. Bliss even.
Grey: Where did it originate?
Ash: Don't know.
Grey: Where is Mizol Twoface and the baby?
Ash: Resting I assume. But she refuses to leave our special guest’s side.
Grey: I see.
A pause.
Grey: Has the child recovered?
Ash: Yes. Doranzers will approve her release tomorrow.
Grey: No need to wait. She should be transferred now. Livewire and her team will escort you.
Ash: Understood Aunt. See you at the Complex.
Grey: No. Change of plans. You will be escorted to the Island.
Ashrain’s smile slowly disappeared along with her joyful mood.
Ash: The Island? You are serious? Aren’t you going to give our special guest back to the humanity envoys?
Grey: Humanity envoys are not aware of her presence on Deinar. I prefer to keep it that way. Besides, the child is in our territory and belongs to me.
Ash: This seems irregular.
Grey: I have already made arrangements. Follow your orders.
Ash: Understood.
Grey: I look forward to seeing you again my brave venturer. See you at the Island.
This seemed irregular, but in the end it wasn't Ashrain's place to question Greywind. She opened her cubicle-bed’s glass-door and stepped out. She sent to her comrades, “Listel Weaver! Teidar Icespear! Soroins! Wake up!”
The glass door on the cubicle that Weaver and Icespear shared switched from opaque to transparent. The two were already clipping their armor onto their jumpsuits and stepped out within moments.
The glass to the Soroins’ cubicle was still opaque. Ashrain pounded on their cubicle and verbally commanded, “Up and out!”
The opaque door slid open as the Soroins stumbled out. One with her armor barely clipped on and the other with her jumpsuit not even zipped up. Both blushed guiltily. It seemed pretty obvious what they had been doing inside their cubicle.
“Next time I say, ‘up and out,’ I expect you to be fully dressed and at quick for action,” said Ashrain.
“Yes, Commodore,” the Soroins replied, their blushes intensifying.
Ashrain motioned for them to follow. Icespear could not help but snicker. It was not uncommon for girls to be late after a long night of ‘fun.’ The four exited the Inn and back into the corridors of the hospital.
Weaver and Icespear became more alert as three new presences entered their range of sanzai. Within moments, three Mizol Operatives dressed in black armor approached them.
“Hello, Torrai Mazeit Ashrain,” one of the Mizols said politely. She had brown irises with cerulean hair fashioned upward like electrified spikes and a narrow face with a slightly pointed chin. She was younger than Ashrain.
“Greetings, Mizol Lennai Livewire,” Ashrain sent back. “Thank you for coming to assist us.”
“Pardon me, Torrai,” Weaver interrupted. “But do you know each other?”
“Livewire is my niece,” Ashrain said matter of factly. “She has been sent to provide us escort.”
“Now?” Weaver said surprised. “But the don’t the Doranzers have to approve-"
“We have already given our ‘urgent release order’ to the Doranzers, Listel,” Live cut her off abruptly.
“Under whose orders?!” Icespear challenged, taking a heavy step forward.
Although slightly shorter, the confident Mizol Livewire took her own step toward Icespear. “By command of our Emperor, Teidar,” she verbally replied cooly as she gave Icespear a mild telekinetic push. Clearly was not bashful about asserting her dominance. “And you’d best remember who your superiors are.”
The psychokinetic shove surprised even Icespear. Mizols were not typically strong with telekinesis, but this one had a considerable amount of force in her.
Although they met only a few occasions, Ashrain knew her younger grand-niece well enough. A young, cocky and ambitious Loroi unfazed by most peoples’ opinions. While Loroi were not typically ashamed to admit that they deserved to be the ruling race of the Union, Livewire was belligerent even by loroi standards. Formerly trained at the Teidar Academy, Livewire was especially gifted at electrokinesis and telepathic attacks. She was also known for her use of unconventional mental tactics to undermine and cripple opponents. Essentially she shocked them from within. She was also skilled at psychological warfare, using her victims' pain, fear and insecurities against them. There had been several incidents at the Teidar Academy when Livewire used these skills on her sparring partners. While the Elders wanted to expel her, the Emperor merely transferred her to the Mizol School of Perrein where her skills could be put to good use. And disciplined her with a firm warning if she stepped out of bounds. Ashrain and Livewire were not particularly fond of each other. However, Livewire was committed to the family clan. Surprisingly she had never failed an assignment. Ashrain would respect her for it were it not for the unsavory rumors of her brutality.
“Now,” Livewire addressed the group. “May we proceed?”
“Follow me,” sent Ashrain.
As the group walked through the halls of the hospital, Weaver and Icespear gave each other uncertain looks. They avoided using sanzai for fear of exposing themselves, but they both knew that something did not feel right.
-
Twoface awoke to the sound of infantile gurgling and moaning. The baby was fidgeting on the bed. Twoface yawned and picked her up. The memory of her dream was clear as day. Did the two of them somehow connect? It seemed impossible, and yet-
The child surprised Twoface when she slowly opened her eyelids, revealing her green irises.
Amazing, thought Twoface. Beautiful. Perhaps it had not been just a dream after all.
Twoface's enamoured pondering was interrupted by a disturbance outside the room. The guard seemed to struggle against something before collapsing. Twoface barely had time to jump to her feet before a giant of a Loroi burst into the room followed by two strangers, all of them donning masks. Before Twoface could react, the assaulter pulled a device, spraying a substance directly into her airways. Twoface was unable to fight the sudden nausea, her head spinning with drowsiness. She fell into darkness.
"Quickly," the giant of the intruders sent. "Get the infant. I'll take the Mizol." She tapped her earpiece and spoke, "Brighteye, find us a way out."
Exiting through the main entrance was too risky. With the aid of their coder, Brighteye found them an inconspicuous route to avoid detection.
Upon discovering that Twoface and the human infant were missing, Ashrain and her company of warriors bombarded the hospital's security and Doranzers with questions, struggling to find out where the two could have gone.
-
Dawn - part 9.1
Twoface’s vision was blurry as she slowly came back to consciousness. She was lying on a cot in what seemed to be a small room, stripped of her armor and possessions. Clad only in her jumpsuit.
“Ah, you’re up,” a familiar presence sent to her.
Twoface turned toward the other side of the room and could not believe who was standing there.
“Luckystar?!”
Twoface’s big sister smiled. “It’s been a long time, Twoface,” Luckystar said with muscular arms crossed, leaning against a small desk. Her dark, long hair tied back into many braids. The right side of her skull grew no hair since it was covered with scarred tissue. Much of her right ear was missing with only shredded remains. Clearly she had suffered some injury, but surely Doranzers could have fixed that. Unless Luckystar no longer had access to Doranzers. Which could mean that she was no longer a Soroin.
Another Loroi was standing with her in the room. Even from the confines of the room, Twoface could sense dozens of other Loroi presences outside. Wherever she was, Twoface could guess who these people were.
“You’re gangers,” said Twoface as she sat up on the cot.
“Very observant, Sentinel,” the ganger said with hostility, taking a few threatening steps toward the Mizol.
Luckystar unfolded her muscular arms and, with a solid pat on the ganger’s shoulder, stopped her. “I’ll deal with her,” Luckystar sent to the ganger. “Leave us alone!”
“Enforcer Hail won’t like that,” the hanger pointed out, but was silenced with painful squeeze on her shoulder by the larger Loroi.
“Enforcer Hail can take it up with the boss,” Luckystar sent with a dead serious tone. “Now get out!” The ganger took the hint and left the room. Luckystar turned her attention back to Twoface and smiled. “I can’t believe I found you, little sister. It’s a small galaxy after all.”
“Luckystar,” Twoface sent incredulously. She should have been relieved and happy to see her sister again after all this time, but something about her was different. Her demeanor and personality had changed into something darker from its former self. It was enough to send chills down Twoface’s spine.
Luckystar took two sweetened misesa buns from her desk. Taking a huge bite out of one, she took a heavy step toward Twoface. “Here,” she sent as she handed the other bun to her smaller sister. “You must be hungry.” Twoface flinched away. “You’re not happy to see me?” Luckystar asked mildly stung.
Feeling a little hungry, Twoface meekly accepted the bun and ate. "How long have I been out?"
Luckystar smiled. “Nearly two days. Who would have thought that we’d actually meet again on Deinar?”
Amidst her chewing, Twoface looked up at her sister. “Luckystar,” she sent. “What are you doing here?”
“I should be asking you the same thing,” Luckystar replied as she took another hefty bite, wolfing down the bun. “Though I’m even more curious about what you’re doing with a human.” Luckystar took a few heavy steps toward the other side of the room and crouched down in front of the opened incubation pod where the baby slept. “Creepy, aren’t they? No presence. Completely concealed by a lotai. Though I have to admit it’s pretty cute.”
“Is she alright?” Twoface asked as she finished her bun.
Luckystar shrugged. “It seems fine,” she sent as she stood back up facing her sister. “Good thing that pod of yours had some milk. We’ve kept it fed.”
“Luckystar, what is going on?” Twoface inquired. “What are you doing with these gangers?”
“Easy,” warned Luckystar. “Some of the girls here think you’re a liability. If you’re not careful, they’ll do whatever it takes to cover our tracks. But I’m going to make sure that doesn’t happen. If you just follow my lead, you’ll be fine.”
Twoface could not believe what she was hearing. “Luckystar, what’s going on here? Why are you with gangers? How did you even end up in a place like this? I thought you were committed to the Soroins.”
“I was,” Luckystar sent back. “But I quit.”
That was a shocker for Twoface. There were plenty of Soroins that dropped out, but Twoface never in her life could imagine someone like Luckystar quiting. “Please, tell me what has happened!”
Luckystar sighed. “Fine, then. I’ll start from the beginning. After you left us for the Mizols, my squad and I continued our duty at Justa. The tozons went by. We stopped a few Nissek incursions on the border. Apparently the Hegemony is having a tangle of their own with the Ninnil."
"Ninnil?" Twoface had heard of the race, but never seen them. No one in the Union had. They were a newly discovered race hailing from the Super Bubble, anti-spinward side of the Local Bubble. According to the stories shared by more pacifist Nissek, the Hegemony and Ninnil were fighting over territory within the Ninnil gap, the only passable tethy linking the Local Bubble with the anti-spinward Super Bubble.
“I tried to contact you,” sent Twoface to her sister.
“I know,” sent Luckystar. “I refused to reply because I was still so angry. I admit I still hated you for leaving… but at the same time... I missed you. But I was still so mad... too occupied with duty to reach out. Things were going poorly for us at Justa. More resources had to be poured into the Umiak fronts, leaving us with so little to work with. I fought on, but the more I fought the more I realized how much we had sacrificed for the Union. And how little we got in return. Our own sisters, warriors and civilians alike, were being neglected on the other side of the Local Bubble. I watched many of my friends from our old diral die. My two daughters, who I barely had a chance to meet and invest time in, were deployed and lost at the Umiak fronts. Finally, I’d had enough. I threw in my armor and simply left. I didn’t care what the family had to say anymore or if they disowned me. Not that they say much to dropouts anyway.”
“And you never thought to contact me?!” Twoface said incredulously. “Is that why you never replied after all these years? I would have helped you, Luckystar.”
“Would you really have dishonored yourself with a dropout?” Luckystar asked.
“How does honor outweigh the well-being of family?” sent Twoface. “You taught me that.”
“If you really cared about family that much, why didn’t you stay-“ Luckystar stopped that train of thought and fought against her growing frustration. “It wasn’t your problem to bear. Anyway, after I left the Soroins, I found myself transported to Deinar to work for the Manual Labor Guild. They needed a work force at the Imperial Seat. It was tough work, but I had nowhere else to go. The work expected of us was brutal. Exhausting. Luckily I managed to meet some very unique people. Some gangers who specialized in obtaining exclusive goods.”
“You mean theft?” Twoface stated more than asked. “You mean you started stealing?”
“Give me a break, sister,” Luckystar replied in her defence. “Do you have any idea what a Guild barracks is like? It’s crowded, hot and stuffy. The tens of thousands of solons we had to work everyday with barely any rest. Do you see these facial scars?” She pointed to her face. “I got this after an explosion in a gas mine. I had to climb my way out while dragging injured Loroi with me. I wasn’t going to live the rest of my life like a beast of burden. Besides, the gangers didn’t always steal. We specialise also in selling goods that the Union brands illegal. People are willing to pay good money for what we provide. I saw that you had tried contacting me several times.” At this point, Luckystar’s eyes seemed to lighten. No longer intimidating. She knelt in front of her sister and caressed her cheek, running a thumb over her scar. Their link intensified as Luckystar’s feelings were laid bare for her sister. “I admit I've been angry with you for so long. But... I'd like to let go of old grudges. Even after years of not speaking with each other, you have no idea how much I missed you. But I couldn’t. I was on the run.”
Twoface did not know how to react to all this. On the one hand she was ashamed that Luckystar had resorted to a life of crime. But she had gone through some terrible ordeals and made bad decisions because she just wanted an escape from the cruel reality that she had been thrusted into. While leaving the warrior castes was shameful, Twoface had seen Loroi crushed by the burden of duty. All hope and faith in their Empire drained from their psyches. Could she blame her sister for just wanting to be free from it?
“You should have called me,” said Twoface, touching Luckystar’s hand on her cheek. “I could never abandon or disown you as a warrior or a civilian.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” Luckystar reassured her sister. “When I saw you there at the hospital, I couldn’t believe it. I recognised you instantly. If it’s any condolence, I never meant to knock you out at the hospital. But we were in a tough position. I couldn’t just leave you there. We ditched your armor and equipment so there was no chance the warriors could trace you.”
“So where are we now?” Twoface asked.
Luckystar removed her hand from Twoface’s cheek and stood to her full height. “On the outskirts of Adadis. We’re at an abandoned warehouse where we’ve been storing our goods. Soon we’ll be moving out, though. Always gotta’ stay on the move to avoid getting caught.”
Twoface rose to her feet, Luckystar helping her up, and went to pick up the baby. The little human moaned and squirmed as Twoface gently rocked her.
“You’ve gotten attached to that little thing, haven’t you?” Luckystar remarked with arms crossed.
“I cannot deny it,” admitted Twoface. “She is special. I can’t explain why or how, but she is.”
“I’m envious,” sent Luckystar.
Twoface faced her sister. There was still so much about this situation that made no sense. “Luckystar, why did you attack us?” Twoface asked. “Were you after the baby?”
Luckystar nodded. “Yes.”
“But why? How did you even know that there was a human infant at Greensea?”
“Our gangs have contact with clients in so many sectors,” said Luckystar. “You’d be amazed how many hospitals need cheap medicine. And that is just one of the many goods we can provide. One of our contacts there alerted us.”
Arms tensed protectively as Twoface clutched the baby close to her chest. “Luckystar, what is going on here? Why did you abduct this baby?”
Luckystar sealed her eyes as her head dropped slightly. “Our boss… has some clients that are very interested in possessing a child.”
“Possessing a child?” asked Twoface. “A human child?”
Luckystar nodded as she met her sister’s suspicious gaze. “After the Great War ended, the Union has limited access to mating encounters. The chances of encountering a male and impregnation for civilians is even slimmer now. But ever since we Loroi discovered an alien species that resembles us, the Loroi have become enamored by these humans. And not just their menfolk. There’s a secret market right now with a demand for human children that happen to end up in Union territory. These clients are very wealthy and are willing to pay handsomely just to have a kid.”
The realization hit Twoface. These gangers intended to sell the baby. The Mizol took a step back as she held her charge protectively and sent in shock, “Trafficking! Trafficking humans! You’re trafficking sapients!”
Luckystar sighed and tried to assure her sister. “It’s not what you think-”
“What I think?!” Twoface blurted out. “You intend to sell this child like she were some animal!”
“It’s not what I want,” Luckystar tried to make her sister see it from her point of view. “It’s just business. Besides, it’s not like we’re selling her as a slave or to be Nissek meat. A wealthy Loroi is ready to pay hundreds of talents simply for the joy of motherhood. Think of what she’d pay just to hold a human child in her arms!”
The concept of loroi adopting humans was conceived by the civilian populace since the Union's first contact days with humanity. Twoface had heard of Guilds proposing the possibility of human orphans being adopted by Loroi civilians. As a substitute for having little-to-no chance to birth their own descendants. A controversial but intriguing idea to placate the civilian masses. And the Terrans were believed to have tens of millions of orphans to go around. The Elder Council, revolted by such a proposal and pressured by humanitarian ambassadors, denied these requests. Although there were rumors that a few Council Members were being bribed by wealthy Loroi to make legal exceptions. Technically Union law did not forbid for Loroi warriors to adopt alien children in the event that said aliens had no means to reach their own race. It was neither common practice nor encouraged for Loroi to adopt aliens since doing so would be much too cumbersome. And it was less likely for aliens and their offspring to be cut off from other members of their respective races. But on a few occasions in Union history, it had been done in the interest of fostering peace.
“Luckystar,” Twoface pleaded as she clutched her charge close. “You can’t do this!”
Luckystar sighed. “This isn’t my choice-“
“We all have a choice no matter our dhalid,” Twoface urged her sister. “Giving up an innocent life for profit is wrong!”
“Even if I didn’t want to,” Luckystar sent back, “there’s nothing you or I can do about it. It’s been arranged. Tomorrow, our gang is moving out. And I’ll be taking the human to the boss.”
“And who’s this boss of yours?”
Luckystar seemed nostalgic a moment. Whoever this boss was had obviously left a powerful impression on her. “Her spoken name is Eternal Endurance.”
The revelation struck Twoface like a bolt from the blue. Every Mizol in the intelligence community knew who Eternal Endurance was. A notorious and influential ganger with a powerful criminal network throughout the many sectors of the Union.
“Eternal Endurance?!” Twoface gasped. “Luckystar, do you have any idea who you answer to? She is a monster!”
“More monster than our current Emperor?” said Luckystar. “Endurance is a visionary. She’s not just in the business of making money. She’s a philanthropist who has helped so many Loroi.”
“She’s also a murderer!” Twoface tried to reason with Luckystar. “A thief! And an abductor! She has killed thousands of people!”
“Only people that tried to destroy what she is trying to make for the Loroi,” Luckystar defended. “Loroi who don’t have a voice.”
The Mizol could not believe she was hearing this. Tears threatened to break at the corner of her eyes. “What’s happened to you, Luckystar? This isn’t who you are! The sister I knew would never have bent her knee to murderous thugs.”
That earned Twoface a slap as Luckystar smacked her across the face. “That’s for the insult! This discussion is over. Our Enforcer Hail wants to kill you to cover our tracks. I’m the only thing stopping her right now. Now you stay put and do nothing. I can convince Eternal Endurance to admit you into our clan. But only if we play it smart. If you try to leave or do anything suspicious, I won’t be able to protect you. Stay here!”
With that said and done, Luckystar left the room, locking the door behind her. Twoface was lost and hopeless as she collapsed back on the cot with the baby in her arms. The baby started to cry. While she seemed not to realize what was about to happen to her, she cried as if she did.
“What do I do?” Twoface panicked, desperate to find a way out of their situation. “What do I do? I’m about to lose the baby to criminals! How do we get out of this?!” Hopeless tears leaked from her eyes as she held the little girl close to her heart, staring helplessly into her green eyes. “I’m sorry,” Twoface whimpered. “I’m so sorry! I failed you!”
The sounds of tinkling and water droplets against steel and glass sounded off as rain pelted the roofing of the warehouse.
-
Dawn - part 9.2
“Approaching target area,” the shuttle’s Tenoin sent back to her comrades.
After Livewire and Ashrain reported back to Greywind that gangers had kidnapped the baby, the Emperor was quick to deploy them and a few of her most trusted operatives into action. The hover van used by the gangers was an unregistered vehicle that managed to slip by checkpoints. The Operatives calculated every possible destination and their best guess lied with an area of abandoned warehouses just outside Adadis, where reports of criminal activity were quite frequent. Silent drones had been deployed to scan the area and, within moments, picked up thermal signatures within one of the warehouses. Including a small heat source just a bit hotter than the Loroi. As hot as a small human. While gangers covered their tracks well and were always on the move to avoid capture, it was often a safe bet that they nested at abandoned and least travelled locations.
“Remember, Loroi,” Ashrain sent to her comrades in the shuttle. “Use firearms only when necessary. Be precise with your hits. We cannot risk injuring Twoface or the infant.” She had insisted on overseeing this operation. Commanding a strike team of troopers was not her expertise, but due to their circumstances, she accepted the role with Greywind’s approval. They were not going to lose the human or Twoface.
“I could not agree more,” answered Livewire as she clipped on her black combat helmet. “Besides, fighting close quarters only makes it more interesting.”
“Hey,” Icespear called Livewire out. She might have been a superior officer, but Icespear placed the well-being of her comrades over seniority. “We’re not here to indulge in your bloodlust. We are here to rescue Twoface and the infant.”
“Mind your attitude, Teidar Icespear,” Livewire emphasized Icespear’s inferior rank. “You think I intend to deliver a dead human to our Emperor?”
“Enough!” Ashrain silenced them.“Livewire, you and your Operatives will provide cover for Icespear as she recovers Twoface and the baby. Once recovered, escort them safely to the extraction point. Soroins have already surrounded the target area, but must stay outside of sanzai range of the gangers. As soon as you have entered the warehouse, the Soroins will be deployed to distract the gangers. Avoid lethal force for the baby’s safety as well as Twoface’s, but deal with the gangers appropriately.”
“Understood,” the Loroi replied.
“Once I’m inside, I should be able to detect Twoface’s presence,” Icespear said as she slipped on her combat helmet. She had been equipped with combat armor. As a Teidar, she needed no firearm.
“One-thousand meters over target area,” the Tenoin sent to her comrades. “They don’t seem to know we’re here.”
The shuttle had some stealth features, including soundproofing to conceal it presence. And the rainstorm outside made their approach easier.
Livewire opened the shuttle doors. It was dark and raining outside, which gave them a tactical advantage as long as it didn’t get windy.
“Loroi, secure maneuver gear,” Livewire instructed. Live wire, her two operatives and Icespear checked the packs attached to the backs of their armor.
“Secure!” The Loroi responded.
“Deploy on my mark,” Ashrain instructed as the four Loroi readied themselves, staring out into the rainy night.
Ashrain transmitted a command to the Soroins on the ground. “Troopers, are flashbang canisters in place?”
“Affirmative,” came a radio response. “The drones are hovering just above the roof and ready drop the canisters on your command.”
“Fire canisters in ten solons,” Ashrain commanded. “Livewire, jump now!”
The three Sentinels and Unsheathed leaped from the shuttle. As they descended through the darkness and rain, they fired the thrusters of their maneuver gear to steer and slow their descent. It was no jetpack, but more reliable and maneuverable than a parachute.
-
Within the warehouse, the gangers had nearly packed up their crates and loaded into transports. They were soon ready to move out. Luckystar was arguing with Enforcer Hail over Twoface.
“Keeping that damn Mizol around is a bad idea,” said Enforcer Hail.
“No one touches her or the human unless the boss says otherwise,” Luckystar stood her ground.
“Don’t think that just because you’re a favorite of the boss that that gives you-”
The Enforcer never got to finish that thought as something crashed through the glass roof and several small objects fell to the floor within the warehouse.
Flash! Bang!
Before anyone could react and inspect what it was, a flashbang stunned the gangers and the warehouse was flooded with smoke.
“We’re under attack!” Luckystar shouted out to the gangers. Amidst the chaos and confusion, four new presences entered from above, releasing a hissing propulsion as they eased their descent.
Without thinking, Luckystar bolted for the room where Twoface and the baby were. She had to get her sister out of here. The gangers had been found out.
-
There was smoke everywhere. But Icespear and the Operatives could see thanks to the thermal sensors installed in their helmets. There were numerous gangers all around them trying to find their way through the smoke. The Operatives, circling around Icespear, tapped their wrists and their ballistic shields unfolded.
A series of bangs from the other side of the warehouse drew the gangers attention as the Soroins moved in. Controlled bursts sounded off as gangers dropped, either immobilized or eliminated. Other gangers took cover and fired back with pistols. The Soroins stood their ground. Their purpose was merely to draw the gangers’ attention away from Icespear and the Operatives.
Livewire commanded as she stood behind her shield, “Icespear, find Twoface!”
“I’m working on it,” Icespear sent back. Amidst the smoke, shouts and shots, Icespear searched the area like a radar. There were many presences all around, but she found the distinct signature that was her friend. But it was accompanied by another presence near Twoface. And it was moving Twoface away from the action.
“I found Twoface, but I think someone has her hostage,” said Icespear. “That must be where they have the infant. We must pursue!”
Livewire nodded. “Lead the way, Teidar!” She turned to her two Operatives. “Cover our rear!”
The four moved toward Twoface’s position away from the action between the Soroins and the gangers. They cleared the smoky area and entered another section with more crates and suspended walkways hanging above them. A few more presences alerted Icespear’s psyche as five gangers ran across the upper walkways and took aim at the four below.
“Attack from above,” Icespear warned.
“I see them,” confirmed Livewire. “Cover! Now!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The gangers overhead fired down on the warriors below. Icespear and the Operatives crouched for protection behind the crates.
“Icespear, keep up the pursuit!” Livewire ordered. “We’ll give you cover fire and deal with these ones! Take my shield!”
Icespear nodded and accepted the ballistic shield from Livewire.
Livewire relayed her attack pattern to her subordinates who moved out with their ballistic shields held up and drew pistols. The gangers fired on them, but their shots could not penetrate the shields. Icespear dashed holding her shield overhead in pursuit of Twoface. While the Operatives were safe behind their shields, the gangers were hailing them with shots. They could not return fire.
While the gangers were distracted, Livewire extracted a foldable, remote drone that fit perfectly in the palm of her hand, activated it and threw it up in the air. The tiny drone unfolded and ascended upward toward the ceiling. Livewire tapped the side of her helmet bringing up her HUD. Unable to look directly without getting shot, she drew out a mirror and used the reflection to find the gangers on the walkways. She found one firing a pistol.
Her helmet was equipped with a voice activated smart program that could connect with and control remote devices. She uttered, “HUD, connect to drone! Activate facial recognition program!”
Her HUD formed a red square target marker and locked onto the ganger’s face. The red square turned blue. Target locked! “Drone, execute!”
The tiny drone was equipped with a smart camera and found its target through the data transmitted by Livewire’s HUD and flew downward toward its intended target. It flipped ninety degrees and, as it made contact with the ganger’s frontal lobe, detonated the small package of explosive compound it carried. While the explosion was nothing more than a meager pop, the small blast from the compound was still strong enough to burn a hole through one’s skull. The ganger fell dead.
A wicked grin formed on Livewire’s face. She loved these little toys. Finding her next target, she threw another drone into the air.
-
Twoface heaved as she struggled to keep up with Luckystar. After hearing an explosion from the room she and the baby were being held in, Luckystar bolted in and told them they had to run. Without thinking or knowing what was happening, the two of them and the human fled through the labyrinth of crates.
Far from the warehouse, they came to a garage with an assortment of vans, cargo trucks and hover bikes. Twoface crouched down with the baby in her arms and took a breather.
“Put the baby down and help me,” Luckystar sent as she pushed one of the massive sliding doors open.
Twoface placed the baby on the ground, wrapped only in a blanket. She should have brought the incubation pod, but it was too much weight in the heat of the moment. She ran over to her sister and helped to open the sliding doors with her. Outside was pure darkness with downpour.
Twoface ran back to pick up the child while Luckystar climbed into a hover van and activated the remote guidance system. She climbed out and the van automatically drove itself out to a predetermined destination. She did the same to several more vans and cargo trucks, leaving only a few vans and the hover bikes alone. The vehicles would distract the warriors long enough for Luckystar and Twoface to slip past them.
“Come on, get in!” she ushered her sister to one of the remaining vans and whipped the van’s door open. “I know how the Soroins set up around a target area. We can sneak past them.”
“You go,” Twoface said sadly as she held the baby. “I can throw them off your trail.”
“What are you talking about?” Luckystar sent. “We found each other again after all this time. Forget those jarheads and come with me. With that baby, we can make it to Eternal Endurance. If we deliver the infant, Endurance will give us a huge cut. Think of the status we could gain with the gangers. Or we can just start over on our own. You and me.”
Twoface backed away as her sister tenderly reached for her, clutching the baby close. “I made a promise to an innocent woman that I’d protect this child,” she sent in defence. “Even if I could break that promise, I can’t give up this baby. Not for all the wealth of the empire.”
Luckystar’s affectionate eyes turned cold and steely. “You choose a little human over your own flesh and blood?”
“It’s you who doesn’t realise that I choose you both,” sent Twoface as tears formed at the corners of her eyes. “That’s why I’m telling you to go while you still can. If they catch you, they’ll throw in prison or worse.”
“Get in the damn van,” Luckystar ordered aggressively as she took a thundering step toward her sister.
Twoface backed away, her lips quivering with fright. “No.”
In a quick motion Luckystar pulled out a pistol. “Twoface, I have sacrificed and suffered too much to be abandoned by you a second time. Now it’s time for you to choose between that infant and me. If you don’t get in the van…”
Twoface refused. She could not believe her own sister would kill her. “Are you really going to shoot me?”
Luckystar aimed at Twoface’s head. “On the count of three.”
Twoface did not flinch even in her fear. “I don’t believe you.”
Luckystar’s finger rested on the trigger. “One!”
“As children you protected me because you love me. Just as I’ve always loved you. Now I and this innocent child need you to do the right thing.”
Luckystar’s finger squeezed harder on the trigger. “Two!”
“I know you, Luckystar. You can still get out of here. I know you don’t want to do this.”
For the briefest of moments, Luckystar’s lips quivered and her eyes watered as she glared at Twoface, her finger refusing to let up on the trigger. She practically whimpered out, “T-three!”
The shot never came as the pistol was shot out of Luckystar’s hand by a flying object. Before Luckystar could react a second, larger crate smashed into her frame, sending her crumbling to the ground.
Twoface whipped her head around to see Icespear rushing to her position. She had used her psychokinesis to hurl the objects at Luckystar.
“You alright?” Icespear asked her friend and superior.
Twoface nodded, turning back to her sister as Luckystar struggled to recover from the shock of the blow. Icespear forced her down with a telekinetic push. “Stay down, you thug!”
Even though she didn’t beg for help, Luckystar stared back at her sister with teary, pleading eyes.
Twoface was torn. “Not so hard, Icespear,” Twoface urged Icespear. “She’s my sister.”
The Unsheathed cocked an odd eye at Twoface. “You’re kidding,” she sent incredulously. “Your sister, here, kidnapped the human and was going to shoot you.”
“It’s a long story,” Twoface pleaded. “Just please… not so hard.”
With humph Icespear eased the pressure she telekinetically administered on the downed ganger.
Within moments, Livewire approached with her two operatives, having taken care of the remaining gangers. “Well done, Teidar Icespear,” Livewire said with smug contentment, turning her attention to Twoface. “Good to see that you and the… human, are unharmed, Miss Twoface. And don’t worry about the gangers. They’ve been taken care of.” She switched her predatory gaze to Luckystar still pinned down by Icespear’s telekinetic force. “All we have left is this one.”
Twoface’s eyes went wide with shock as Livewire pulled out a final drone. She knew those drones contained explosive compound. “Wait, you can’t!”
Livewire cocked an eyebrow at Twoface’s outburst. “Yes, I can,” she sent dismissively. “She’s a criminal.”
“She’s my sister,” Twoface pleaded. “She deserves a trial.”
“Her sentence is already decided,” said Livewire. Her HUD locked onto the pleading face of Luckystar and flung the drone into the air. Luckystar’s sealed shut tight as she fought against the tears. She knew what was about the to happen, but accepted her dhalid.
The drone unfolded, activated and flew-
Bang!
Icespear released a psychokinetic shot that blasted the drone in midair and used a second more powerful telekinetic shove that sent Livewire flying across the room. Before the other two operatives could react, Icespear forced them with her power across the garage as they were smashed into the open van. The Teidar sealed the door shut and, with all her telekinetic might, flipped the van three-quarters turn as it landed on the door and effectively trapped the Sentinels inside. That would hold them for the moment.
While she was still recovering from being blasted across the room, Livewire groaned as she tried to shake off her dizziness, but froze as Twoface stood over her with Luckystar’s pistol in her left hand and the baby clutched safely in her right arm.
Livewire glared menacingly at Twoface. “This is treason,” Livewire snarled loathingly.
“You will not hurt my sister,” Twoface said as she pointed the pistol at Livewire.
“You will pay for this, you scarred clayface!”
“A price I gladly pay for family,” said Twoface. She turned to Luckystar who was slowly climbing back to her feat. More Loroi presences entered their range of detection. The Soroins were approaching. “Luckystar, get on one those bikes and get out of here!”
The dropout turned ganger tried to send something back, but merely whimpered out, “Twoface… Sister…”
“Just go!” Twoface commanded Luckystar. “I don’t know when or how, but I’ll find you again. I promise. Go! Before it’s too late!”
The Soroins drew closer. Without anytime to convey her feelings for her beloved sister, Luckystar groaned with frustration as she ran for the hover bikes. She climbed onto one, fired up its engine as it roared. The bike lifted off the ground and, in a flash of motion, zoomed out of the garage and into the rainy night. Luckystar was gone.
While there was a risk Luckystar might get caught, Twoface believed that a former Soroin and hardass like her sister could manage herself. Within moments, the Soroins entered the garage, checking the vicinity to confirm it was secure and were confused as to why an Unsheathed sealed two Sentinels in a toppled van and why another Sentinel was holding a baby in one hand and holding another Mizol at gunpoint.
Taking a few steps back, Twoface simply dropped her weapon and brought her left hand under the baby. She had been so focused on the intensity of the moment that she did not notice the baby’s cries throughout the ordeal. All she could do was coo and comfort the gentle soul.
“Icespear, thank you,” Twoface sent to her friend and subordinate. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Even brutal Unsheathed have dignity,” Icespear sent back.
Livewire commanded a Soroin to take the baby from Twoface and two others to seize Icespear. As the human was taken from a now docile Twoface and Icespear was wrestled to the ground, Livewire climbed to her feet and stopped just inches from Twoface.
“You are going to be so sorry,” Livewire sneered, “after I turn you and your treacherous accomplice into a hundred different kinds of messed up!”
The very angry Mizol gripped Twoface’s neck, sending an electrokinetic shock through Twoface’s nervous system, crippling her to her feet. And with one fluid motion, punched Twoface into unconsciousness.
-
Out in the dark storm, Luckystar had trouble seeing where she was going between the abandoned houses as she flew over the crumbling streets. The rain struck and stung her eyes, forcing her to keep her head low below the wind shield. She had a few close calls when a few troopers tried to cut her off, but she was a skilled driver as well as a fighter and slipped past them.
After barely escaping the warriors, Luckystar drove on into the night. Her hover bike allowed her to steer clear of the roads, since that's where the warriors would likely patrol, and cut across rough terrains. By morning, she had found herself in a mountainous forest many miles away. Exhausted and wet, Luckystar fell off her bike and finally let her tears fall.
She cried. Cried that Twoface had slipped from her grasp again after just finding her again. When she had spent her tears, Luckystar pulled herself together, climbed back on the bike and headed east for Nottinrer. Luckystar had some credits in her pocket that would last her long enough to rendezvous with the gang.
Eternal Endurance was not going to be happy that the gangers lost all their goods and the baby, but the boss always had a backup plan.
-
Greywind slowly awoke from a not so comfortable slumber. She rubbed her tired old eyes and gazed out of the port window of her personal shuttle. The world was dark outside. The Mestirot Ocean barely visible below. Even with the dim lights within the cabin of the shuttle, it was not easy to make out any stars outside.
These last few days had been very taxing. The pickup at the hospital four days ago went terribly wrong, but at least the human had been recovered from the gangers. A team of Intelligence Officers were already investigating the matter to find any other suspects that were connected to these criminals. Including the one ganger and former Fighter that apparently escaped from the warehouse.
On top of that, she had two traitors to deal with, Mizol Lennai Twoface and Teidar Icespear, the former guardians of the human. They had to be dealt with, but it could wait.
Now with the baby recovered and the peace conference finally concluded, the humanity envoys departed. None the wiser about this incident. Just as Greywind wanted. Not that the humans could do much even if they knew. The baby was legally hers now. With that order of business settled, the old Emperor was now on her way to the Island.
Although the negotiations seemed to end well, Greywind still had to deal with the Elder Council and the Union Assembly Members that backed them. They would no doubt throw every legal action against her ruling party. Even if the Terran Colonial Authority neutralized the raiders of the Wastelands, it seemed doubtful that the Council would cease its call for war. And this new Confederate Movement within the Terran Government, if it succeeded, would convert the Terran Colonial Authority into a military power. One that could rival even the Empire’s. Barely a decade ago Greywind was not so concerned. But the Terrans were expanding at an alarming rate thanks to their recent technological leaps.
It was funny.
The humans claimed to uphold freedom and democracy above all else. Proudly boasting that they were not ruthless conquerers as the Loroi. Ironic, thought Greywind. The humans, whether they realised it or not, were becoming exactly what the Loroi were. They expanded, extracted resources and secured planets strictly in their own best interests, just like the Loroi. If that was not hypocrisy, then what was?
Even if war was prevented now following the eradication of the raiders, the Terrans could match the Loroi within several generations. And if the members of their race continued to stoke the flames of xenophobia, it could put the Union in a dangerous position.
The truth was Greywind would have no problem going to war with the TCA. The problem was that Greywind knew that the Union had billions of young warriors that were itching to kill something since many of them missed their chance when the Umiak War was finished after twenty-five long years. If they were unleashed upon humanity, the carnage would reach catastrophic levels. The Loroi would undoubtedly win if they launched a campaign now to subjugate the humans. But realistically, the siege of humanity worlds might be no different than what the Loroi of Seren suffered under the Umiak occupation. Greywind could imagine rows upon rows of dead menfolk, womenfolk and children that would pile up within the first few weeks of conflict. The news and images of such siege and slaughter would spread through the Local Bubble like wildfire. The Union would be shaken to its very foundations. The Assembly would dissolve. The alien races would never trust the Loroi again. Because if the warriors were willing to kill even something that resembled Loroi, how much compassion did they really have for other races?
While the politicians of the Union Assembly approved the Elder Council’s call for war, many of the alien civilians from the religious and universalist orders spoke out against it. The Terrans did not seem to realize just how divided the Loroi and alien races really were (or simply did not care). Greywind could appease the Assembly with compromises, but she knew she was slowly running out of options.
Was Greywind doing the right thing to prevent war? Or merely making it worse by delaying inevitable conflict?
The old Emperor yawned silently. Best to let it go for now and seize an opportunity when it presented itself.
Through the port window, a dim light was shining over the horizon. The dawn was coming. Greywind ordered some sunflower tea to help stimulate her. Her attendant, a young Loroi with a tuff of short green hair called Link, returned with a steaming cup which she handed to the Emperor. As Greywind accepted the aromatic drink, there was a sound as if the attendant stepped on a cushion. But in fact, the young Loroi accidently stepped on Greywind’s long trail of grey and purple hair which pooled over her seat and into a coil on the floor.
Link’s purple eyes went wide as she realised her mistake, bowed and apologised. Greywind dismissed it with a wave of her hand and took a sip of tea. The attendant awkwardly strode away. While many Loroi excessively enjoyed noillir, Greywind preferred flowery tea. The old Loroi had sampled consumable flowers from almost every known civilization. One of the female human diplomats had even gifted the Emperor with a vase of exotic red flowers called roses before they departed. Roses apparently grew only on Earth. Greywind intended to plant them in the Garden of the Island. She was eager to cultivate more of the beautiful alien flowers. She simply could not get enough of them after she sampled a few rose petals in her tea yesterday. Delicious!
After a few thousand solons of flying, the shuttle arrived at the west islet of Ginazaigo. This was the Island. Originally a resort home belonging to a family of wealthy weapon manufacturers, the Island was confiscated by the Emperor as a compromise for the family’s war profiteering. In exchange Greywind allowed them to keep their other assets. On the west side of the Island was a sizeable mansion of circular buildings and towers built atop a cliffside overlooking the ocean. While much of the original mansion remained unchanged, there were a few additions made such as laboratories, a small armory, a training ground, a library, as well as underground facilities built into the cliffside below the mansion. There was even a detention area. And much more.
The shuttle touched ground on the mansion’s landing pad overlooking the ocean. Greywind left the shuttle, her cape of long hair trailing behind her. She relieved her attendant and guardians of their usual duties for the day. They left to rest and relax elsewhere. The Emperor passed through the massive doors of the main hall and made her way to an elevator which would take her to the subterranean laboratories. Upon exiting the lift, she passed through the laboratory corridors, and heard the sound of infantile crying. Greywind entered an examination room. A small team of Doranzers and Listels were examining the human infant. Extracting samples of skin particles, tiny hairs, saliva, even urine and fecal matter. They had recorded the child’s other biological readings for archiving. One Doranzer extracted a sample of blood into a tiny chip-shaped vile no bigger than a finger nail and stored it, but healed the tiny puncture with medicine.
The human child seemed to be in good health and was lucky not to suffer any serious injuries from the gangers.
The team of Loroi noticed their Emperor enter the room and showed proper reverence. Greywind was more interested in the human child and approached the examination table. The baby would not stop wailing. Greywind stroked the little baby’s head, admiring her tiny round ears, the light-brown skin and green irises. She was so warm to the touch. So small and helpless.
Delicately Greywind eased her aged fingers to support the baby’s head and body and lifted the frail human into her arms. The baby’s unrelenting cries were annoying, but Greywind did not care. She simply could not break her cerulean gaze at this precious thing in her arms. Turning heel, the Emperor left with the baby in her arms. One of the Listels made to protest since there were more tests and observations to be made, but was stopped by a colleague. The Emperor wanted to spend some time with the human. The scientists could collect more data later.
Greywind took the lift back up to the surface level and made her way to the Garden. Next to the Garden was a large social arena where a few Torrais and Mizols were gathered. Including Ashrain, Livewire and Grewyind’s other relatives and closest friends. Listel Weaver was also sitting with them. While it was early in the morning, they had no doubt been up all night enjoying festivities. They were seated on floor futons sampling drinks and foods. And smoking spice pipes much to Greywind’s disapproval. She would have a serious chat with them later.
The small party noticed their Emperor enter the Garden, stood and paid respect. Greywind acknowledged them but did not go over to join them. The party understood that, at moments like these, the Emperor wanted to be left alone and resumed their festivities. As the Loroi continued their telepathic chatter, Ashrain, looked one last time at Greywind before reengaging with her relatives and friends. Although Greywind never seemed to smile, she was content.
After the human had been successfully rescued from the gangers, Ashrain and her company made their way to the Island. The Loroi that merely assisted with the operation were sent back to their usual posts. These last few days had been nerve-wracking. Now she was simply happy to just sit back and enjoy a gentle high of spice. She tried to cheer up Listel Weaver, but she seemed to concerned about her compatriots, Twoface and Icespear, and so did not trouble her. While Ashrain would never admit it, she did think it bold and humorous for Icespear to give Livewire a psychokinetic punch. Livewire was kin, but Ashrain's niece deserved a beating.
Although Twoface and Icespear did in fact commit treason, she could not help but sympathize with them. She would be sure to have an exchange with her grandaunt and speak on the two Loroi's behalf.
Greywind moved toward stone steps at the edge of the Garden which descended down to a vast balcony overlooking the ocean. She sat down at the top of the steps to rest her old, aching muscles and gently rocked the child as she watched the horizon turn from dim blue to flaming orange as the dawn approached. The stars twinkled out one by one.
The old Emperor loved this island. It was a good place to help her forget about her troubles if only for a moment. While she did not own this island, as warriors were prohibited from owning property, she had the authority to use it as she saw fit.
The baby seemed to be growing tired from wailing and did not cry as intensely as before. Perhaps she was also feeling better to be held close by somebody. But her small cries drew the attention of a tiny Loroi barely three tozons old who was hiding in the garden bushes. She was Greywind’s great, great, great, granddaughter. One of many Loroi children residing at this Island. It seemed a few of the children were playing hide and seek and up to other mischief.
The Loroi child slowly approached, curious at the alien infant concealed by a lotai. Greywind allowed her great, great, great, granddaughter to approach and inspect the tiny human. Soon about a dozen other Loroi children of varying ages came out of hiding in the Garden and approached their Emperor to see what the commotion was about. They gathered around Greywind to behold and admire this new arrival as Deinar’s sun slowly rose in the distance. Not all the children of the Island were awake that morning, but would soon meet the baby.