Luna was scared. She had never seen Charlesworth this animated before. He was boarding up the doors, and pooling ammunition with some of his friends from the farm. The windows were perches for large machine guns she’d never seen before.
“We’re going to war.” he’d said that morning. She spent the rest of the day following Augustine as she helped get sandbags set up in the front lawn. That is until they’d made her do work too: her sharp claws useful for digging trenches that were later reinforced by some of Charlesworth’s farmers.
Darnabeth was tending to her two children, school was closed today, and the maids had refused to come to work, hiding in their houses.
Lancers were flying by outside with their dragon steeds, readying themselves for the invasion. Even ornithopters had been drafted, their bodies retrofitted with all sorts of deadly weapons, giant mechanical versions of their biological counterparts.
“Why are they attacking?” Luna asked Augustine. They had set up sandbags deep into the night, but were done now. Everyone was resting. Her claws were a mess.
“I don’t know. But I’m going to find out tonight.” Augustine said.
“How?”
“Ilios. Jecko’s dragon.” Augustine replied sheepishly.
“I knew that’s where you’ve been sneaking off to.” Luna teased.
“Don’t tell Darnabeth, she’ll freak out.”
“I won’t.”
“Will you come with me? Ilios says he knows a good place where we can hide.”
“Isn’t he in the militia? What about his lancer?”
“His lancer is in on it. They don’t want to fight in the war. They say the invaders aren’t as evil as the government says they are.”
“What else do you know?” Luna asked.
“Nothing else. I’m finding out the rest today. He told me to bring whoever I can. Do you know anyone else who might want to come?”
“You’re asking me now? In the middle of the night?”
“We can pick them up on the way!” she hissed.
“Oh… there’s nobody.” Luna replied dejectedly. “I don’t sneak off. The only dragon I really know is you.”
“Aww.” she replied, touched, “But I’ll find you someone! I’m sure you’ll meet a lot of nice dragons there.”
“I’m really not interested…” Luna muttered, looking out the window. There was a full moon outside, clearly visible. It lit up the night sky with its milky radiance.
“You’re not coming?” Augustine asked, shocked.
“I didn’t say that. I just said I’m not interested in other dragons.” Luna replied.
“Give it time.” she opened their window. They hadn’t barricaded their chambers yet.
“Do we need anything?” Luna asked, looking at her toys.
“No.”
Luna put on a neckpouch, scanning the room for sentimental items. “We won’t be coming back?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” she asked.
“No, but it’s better than sitting around in the middle of a warzone.” Augustine replied.
“Ok, I trust you. I’ll follow you anywhere, you know that right?” Luna picked up her favourite doll, a small grey tiger with white paws and black polka dots. His eyes were black beads, and he wore a set of wire glasses.
“Really?” Augustine scoffed, her tail disappearing past the window.
Luna jumped out after her. They disappeared into the moonlight.
–
–
A second into their invasion and everything was already going wrong.
“I won’t.” chirped Devo, in case Darwin didn’t hear the other beems’ protests over the beemspace band. They didn’t want to attack the planet, knowing the resident Descendent fleet would be forced to engage them.
“What about landing troops?” Darwin asked the ship. Meyoko was standing next to him, noticeably angry at Devo.
“What about landing troops?” Devo relayed the question to the other ships. It was the only way the majority of the Descendents even acknowledged Darwin on their frequency.
They began chirping away at each other, debating this topic. Some of their fleet had disappeared during the trip here. There were only one hundred and twenty two of them now. Six had been from Devo’s own flock. Luckily none of the ships that had disappeared were ones with soldiers aboard. Darwin had tried spreading the soldiers out to the rest of the ships, but the Descendents had refused. Only twelve ships of the one hundred and twenty two actually carried soldiers. Another five had mercenary teams aboard, though those Descendents were here more out of curiosity than anything else. They didn’t seem to actually engage in any of these debates.
The outcome was undecided, some of the Descendents didn’t find anything wrong with dropping troops, others felt it was taking advantage of the resident defence fleet’s passivity to them.
Now that Darwin thought about this, it hadn’t even started with the invasion. The events leading up to this point were just as disastrous: The ambassador had refused all of Darwin’s demands, including the return of only the Vorchan slaves, a request that Darwin had considered extremely generous for such a backwards planet. Disappointed, they had left the next day with Gaian escort. Only Litigus and Titan had given Darwin any protection in case the Gaians decided to attack them, and even that protection was with an agitated defence fleet flanking the two imposing ships at all times.
“I’m very sorry about this, General.” said Meyoko. “I would have thought my flock would be more willing to free fellow oppressed.”
“We won’t engage in combat here. It could harm the Descendent inhabitants that live here.” Devo said.
“Then speak to the RDF about a ground invasion. What do they think about our plight? I’m sure they would support a crusade as dire as ours.”
“They will not, they have a birth allegiance to this planet.” Devo explained.
“Will they attack fellow Descendents to protect that allegiance?” Darwin asked.
“They will.” Devo replied.
“Then rally the ships that will take that risk for our people’s freedom. We will liberate these Vorchans.” Darwin roared.
–
–
Nyx had been right. It had been the most wonderful six minutes of his life. A rapturous symphony of fangs, wings, snouts, paws, claws, and – most importantly – tails, used properly, the way he wanted it. He’d wished he’d had time to hold her after they’d finished, but the inspector was already managing to get the table dislodged from the cockpit doors.
“I love you.” Fawkes said wistfully, they were helping each other get on their feet, their tails still entwined.
“That was wonderful.” Nyx whispered, kissing him. He kissed back, she still had that sweet taste, it was euphoric.
“What a mess. What the hell did you – actually on second thought I don’t wanna know. Let’s go.” said the inspector, the table breaking in two as it fell from the cockpit door. There were bits of glitterlove everywhere, along with all sorts of other things. Fawkes took in the mess with a proud smile, sniffing the musky air. “Yeah yeah, it’s better you get it out of your system now anyways. Our cells are pretty lonely.”
“Do you get many prisoners here?” Nyx asked.
“Surprisingly, no. Mostly Raumenoid thieves and the like, petty people, the chronics and the high-rollers end up being transferred out. Usually by Stripes or another RT. Occasionally there are Vorchans, too. In fact, there’s a female Vorchan in our detention cell at this moment.”
“Really?” Nyx asked, her tail glistening from all the fluids that had accidentally made their way onto it during their session. She whipped it clean and sharpened it against the bulkhead they were walking by. “Is she nice?”
“Playful.” the inspector said simply.
“Don’t have too much fun.” Fawkes warned.
“Unfortunately you won’t have too many people to play with, Fawkes, especially not Vorchans. You might even get your own cell. We try not to trap Vorchans and Raumens in the same cell together, not since last time…”
“We do get hungry.” Fawkes said, licking his lips, her taste still there. He leaned up against her as they walked, licking her neck.
“I don’t know how you two will survive a month separated.”
“Neither do we.” Nyx replied, gazing into Fawkes’ eyes.
“If you get to know the guards you might be able to get some time together. They are pretty corrupt, but don’t tell em I told you. Or if you do, make sure they gimme a cut. Ha! Ask about the shower!”
“Thanks for the info.” Fawkes said.
They arrived at the outpost in a few minutes, armed guards escorting them to the processing chamber.
“Well. I’ll see you guys around.” said the inspector.
“Take care.” Fawkes said, watching him leave through the double doors.
“Vorchans? Possible murder, oohh that’ll be a tough case.” commented one of the guards as their data appeared on his screen. “Fawkes? Nyx?”
They looked over. “Cindy will escort you to your area, Nyx.”
A female guard arrived, standing a fair distance from Nyx. “Alright dear, let’s go.”
“The cells are here?” Nyx asked.
“A few tiers down, but yeah, pretty much. It’s a very small, short-term facility.” explained Cindy.
“I see.” Nyx said. She licked at her paw, savouring that taste, staring over at Fawkes. He grinned, ruffling his wings. “Tell me about your showers.”
“They’re one tier down on the east wing. I guess you could probably use one.” observed Cindy. Nyx suddenly realized how sticky and wet she was, smiling sheepishly, beckoning for Fawkes to say something.
“Do I get one too?” Fawkes asked, tail raised.
“After Nyx.”
“You only have one shower facility?” Fawkes asked, feigning surprise.
“Yep.”
“I could share.” Nyx suggested, doing an exaggerated sigh.
“Nope.” the guard said.
“Are you sure?” Fawkes growled, trying to intimidate the guard.
“That depends.” he made the universal gesture.
“A hundred.”
“Five minutes.”
They all grinned.
“I think we’re going to have a good time here.” Fawkes declared, nuzzling Nyx.
–
Nyx arrived at her cell six minutes later. Very exhausted, but glad to finally be able to get some rest.
“Well, here you are.” Cindy said, unlocking the cell door. “Watch out for the other Vorchan.”
She’d almost forgot about the other Vorchan. Nyx wanted to ask a few questions but Cindy was already walking away, getting between a set of doors that separated the cell-block from the other corridors.
Nyx walked in. It was a small room, wide enough to extend her wings, but that was pretty much it. There was a single bed on her right. That was the only furniture in this room.
This would be bad. Nyx realized, looking at the shadow below her, aware of the Vorchan up above. It pounced, landing on her back, pinning her to the ground. She was powerful, her skin dark brown and green. Terran: The one race that might stand a chance against a Blackwing.
“Listen to me,” growled the Terran, “here are my rules:” Nyx rolled her eyes, going limp as the Terran clamped down on her neck, the Terran’s body awkwardly balancing itself on top of her. She was worse at mounting than Fawkes. “1. You do everything I say, everything. 2. There is no escape. 3. There is no communication in any way with other Vorchans. 4. Your freedoms are earned—“
“—Not given. How do you know those rules?” Nyx asked.
“How do you know them?” asked the Terran, surprised. She loosened her grip.
Big mistake.
Nyx spun around, ramming the Terran against the wall of their small room. The shock from the impact left her dazed long enough for Nyx to pin the Vorchan to the ground. She put her feet on the Terran’s tail and pressed down on her shoulders the way Fawkes had. Her tail now had free reign, she started snaking it over the Terran’s body. “Blackwing tails are very flexible.” Nyx said.
“I see that.” the Terran replied, watching it idly stroke her body.
“One edge is razor sharp, the other edge isn’t. The side I press with is a direct reflection of my mood.” Nyx explained. For a moment, she missed the dominance she had over her concubines, regardless of how horrible it had been. She thought of all the role-playing she could do with Fawkes: Her forever-willing partner. So long as she dashed in his own desires every few sessions, which were quite pleasurable too.
The Terran seemed to sense her arousal, and growled back, “What’s your name, Blackwing?”
“What’s yours?” Nyx hissed, running a fang along the Terran’s neck.
“Names aren’t given.” she whispered back, pushing forward. “They’re earned.”
Nyx was taken aback by the power in her legs, scampering as the Terran disappeared from below her and spun around. The Terran’s tail kicked up fragments of dust and paint as it damaged the wall from the whiplash. They were eye to eye now, with very little room between them.
“Martock?” Nyx asked. “Do you recognize that name?”
“Maybe.” the Terran snapped at her. Nyx pulled away, snapping back. They butted heads, lunging for each other, spinning around each other wildly.
They both stopped after a few minutes, panting heavily. The room was humid from their exercise, their bodies were wet and hard to grab, making them give up, their heads resting on the other’s tail.
“Spikes.” Nyx observed, looking at the Terran’s tail.
“Four are serrated, three are blunt. The ones I use are a direct reflection of my mood.” she said, twitching her tail slightly.
“Heh.” Nyx closed her eyes, tired but listening.
“I like your red blades, Blackwing.” the Terran commented. Nyx felt her sniffing the filed down blades.
“Martock didn’t. That’s why they’re like that.” she said.
“Martock has his desires.”
“How do you know him?”
“How do you?” rebutted the Terran.
“I’ll answer if you answer mine.” offered Nyx.
“Fine, you first.”
“Terra. He captured me four years ago.” Nyx said.
“Interesting.”
“Now you.” Nyx said.
“X-43. I captured him twelve years ago.” said the Terran.
“What?!” Nyx asked in surprise, getting up. The Terran didn’t give her a chance at mobility, keeping her trapped in a corner of the room.
“That’s right.” scowled the Vorchan.
“I don’t believe you.” Nyx said uncertainly, glancing at the blocked and locked exit.
“Really?” the Terran whipped her tail against the wall. It made that dreaded sound. It gave Nyx flashes of her past. She tucked her ears to her side, trying to drown them out. “Does it bother you?”
Nyx backed against the wall, her old fears returning. “I-I-I don’t – don’t believe you!
The Terran hit her with her tail, opening an old scar across her right shoulder. Nyx cried out, collapsing to the ground. “That’s impossible.”
“Is it? What could be more evil than someone like Martock?” The Terran sliced at Nyx’s chest, hitting more old wounds. “She who created Martock.” the Terran roared, unleashing her tail’s fury once more.
“Please!” Nyx yowled, completely defeated.
“Do you agree to my rules?” the Terran asked.
Nyx didn’t say anything, feeling the dreaded whip as the pain rippled across her leg.
“Do you?”
Nyx nodded, tears in her eyes. This couldn’t be happening. She was bleeding. She hadn’t bled like this since she’d escaped from that horrible man. She’d never thought she would bleed like this again.
“Good. Now judging by how you used your tail, I’d say Martock had taught you the same trick I ‘taught’ him.” the Terran said, her tail hovering over Nyx’s face. “Turn around.”
Nyx’s eyes widened, her stance stiffened. “What?”
“Turn around.” the Terran repeated, hunger in her eyes.
“What are you… no.”
“You agreed to the rules. You know what happens to those that disobey.”
“They wouldn’t let you! They’d stop you! They’re watching!”
“Are they? Do you see any cameras?”
“Flames will see you! Flames will see you through the walls and kill you!” Nyx roared, tears in her eyes.
“The Descendent? He’s asleep.” the Terran said.
“How… do you know that?”
“Did I say you can ask questions?!” the Terran shrieked.
Nyx cowered back in fear, trying to disappear against the wall, her black skin glinting carmine from her wounds.
“Now you have ten seconds to turn around before I end your pitiful existence right here.” warned the Terran. “Nine.”
She started counting down, Nyx was terrified, looking at the door. There was no way she could escape, but there was no way she would let herself be violated by this creature. Not even Martock had stooped to that level. Nyx had never thought there could be anything worse than that whip.
“Let me take a look at you.” Martock’s voice was echoing in her ear.
“Seven.”
“Show me your left front paw, Nyx.”
Nyx wet herself. The Terran stopped counting down, staring at her. Nyx had never felt this horrible since the Death Ship. She wanted to die again, terribly ashamed.
“I’m going to die…”
“Yes, yes you are.”
Nyx collapsed, falling on her side, her back against the wall, her tail tucked between her legs. She looked out at Martock, who was glaring back at her, analyzing her with those dark eyes. She felt herself shivering uncontrollably, hyperventilating. She wailed automatically as the Terran touched her, examining her with her snout.
“You’re just like him.” the Terran said simply, testing Nyx’s unmoving tail with her paw. “Those eyes.”
Nyx stared at the Terran, a blur in her mind. She felt herself losing consciousness. She couldn’t do that! She couldn’t imagine being completely defenceless against this monster. Darkness began to creep into her periphery, she couldn’t stay awake.
“Please don’t…” Nyx muttered, barely able to speak. She had over-exerted herself, her body desperately wanted to shut down. “please don’t…”
Her world turned black as she fainted.
–
The Terran was gone when she awoke. Had it all been a bad dream? She could smell the urine, and saw the damage on the walls. Then she saw her scars, and the blood. She didn’t feel any pain in her backside. She examined her tail, and tried to look at her back but wasn’t flexible enough. She shuddered, trying to free herself of the Terran’s stench, hoping she hadn’t done anything to her.
Would the Terran come back? Nyx backed up against the wall opposite of the door, shaking, waiting for Martock’s torturer to return.
The door latches disengaged, and it opened slowly, creaking as the metal hinges moved all of that reinforced weight. Nyx closed her eyes, terror suffocating her. She didn’t want Martock to be anywhere near her life. She wanted Fawkes. She could go through hell with Fawkes at her side.
“Nyx?” it was a Raumen voice, but Nyx didn’t look, not wanting to be bothered. Maybe if she’d stay still the person would go away. “Nyx…” the Raumen sounded worried. Nyx could recognize the voice now, and heard her coming closer.
“Don’t touch me.” Nyx warned, growling slightly.
“You’re bleeding. I didn’t think she would—“
“Did you think I’d just give in like all the others?” Nyx asked.
Cindy didn’t say anything, looking away guiltily.
“I want to see Fawkes.” she whimpered.
“I don’t have the power to do that.” Cindy replied.
“I need to tell him what happened.” Nyx said.
“I can tell his guard to tell him.” Cindy said.
“I can’t see him?”
“Greg is the one who breaks all the rules. He works the front desk.”
“Then tell this Greg to bring Fawkes to me.”
“The other Vorchan’s gone. The one who hurt you? That was her last day.” Cindy said cheerfully, changing the subject.
Nyx felt a little better knowing that. “What was her name?” Nyx asked.
“I don’t actually know. They don’t tell me these things. I don’t even have control over who goes in what cell.” she said, sighing plaintively.
“She’s VE.” Nyx commented.
“She is?” Cindy asked.
“Yes. Are there really no cameras in this room?” Nyx asked.
“None that I know of. But I don’t think she’s VE.” Cindy replied.
“Why not?”
“VE always contact us if they are bringing one of theirs. And we’d definitely not arrest a VE operative. That’d be terrible for public relations.”
“She’s VE.” Nyx muttered, closing her eyes.
“Why are you so sure?” Cindy asked.
But Nyx didn’t feel like talking anymore, shuffling into a position where her cuts didn’t hurt as much.
“Nyx…”
“Why are you here?” Nyx asked.
“Oh… well I just wanted to… well.”
Nyx opened her eyes again, watching Cindy. “Well what?”
“I just wanted to make sure you were alright – but you aren’t, and there’s nothing I could do about it. So I don’t even know why I wasted your time.” she sighed, turning around.
Nyx watched her quietly close the door and listened to her muffled footsteps fade.
–
–
I think there’s something wrong with Nyx. Flames observed.
Why?
See for yourself. Flames transferred control of strip-9 to Fawkes. It was focused on Nyx and extrapolating her metabolic state. She seemed to be in a lot of stress. There were what appeared to be scars on her body. There were stains on the floor that looked fresh. Discrimination programs ran the stains through several of Flames’ active sensors and they indicated blood.
Fawkes looked through Flames’ memories, but his active sensors didn’t record in his sleep. They had to be aimed consciously. Where is the other Vorchan? Fawkes asked, his anger diffusing into the neural band like a drop of blood in clear water.
Flames began scanning the station. There were Vorchans, but no others in the cell area. Maybe Nyx killed the other Vorchan?
I have to talk to her. Fawkes declared, getting up from his cell. He started banging on the door with his tail, chipping bits of it as sparks flew from the impacts.
A guard eventually banged back, “Stop that!”
“I want to see Nyx!” Fawkes roared.
“Sorry. I’m not Greg.” replied the guard, walking away.
Fawkes subconsciously had targeting graphics lined up on the door. Flames automatically aligned his AHC to his Captain’s neural pipper, but they both stopped the firing sequence. I wish I could just blast my way out of here.
I wish we could too. Flames muttered, testing his terminals. There was no way he could get a koveran chamber charged, and he still hadn’t gotten anywhere with Stripes. Their relationship was very awkward. Flames had begun to wonder if Stripes even really liked him, or if he even liked Stripes. Those RT’s…
Flames! Pay attention! Do something!
What if I pretended she had two terminals, could I trick myself into not seeing the RT’s. Or is that considered cheating?
We were talking about Nyx.
Nyxes are nice, but the Coalition decommissioned them years ago.
…?
Oh, right. The Vorchan.
Are you a sliverfish? Do you have memory problems?
What’s a sliverfish?
Flames!
There’s nothing I can do. I told you. You have to get to Nyx yourself. She’s not in any immediate danger. If I try to break the law to assist you I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Stripes that apprehended me… he transmitted, leaking a little sorrow into the blood-stained band.
Oh Stripes. If only he weren’t so weak, then he could impress her. He shot three gees through his lens, giving a three gee counterforce to keep him stationary. The pain almost blew out his terminal again. Where once he could have pulled thirty gees on a whim, he couldn’t even pull enough gees now to crush a Raumen.
Fawkes felt equally helpless, tapping his claw against the hardened steel door.
–
“Meal time.” they tossed in a plate of food. Fawkes stared at it like a leocat would stare at a small rodent.
“Disgusting.” Fawkes muttered.
It contains all the vital nutrients you need. Flames said, scanning it.
Why don’t you scan me a way out instead of wasting your sensors irradiating my food?
My sensors are safe!
Fawkes pushed Flames’ gaze away manually. Flames resisted, trying to push his gaze back.
Fine! Flames said, moving his gaze somewhere else. Don’t cry to me when you get poisoned! His mentality retreated.
Flames?
He wasn’t answering, in sulk-mode. Fawkes took a deep breath, and put the plate in his mouth, swallowing the entire setup, cheap cutlery and all. “Not too bad.”
Fawkes stared at the small hatch where the food had come from, his tail wagging. He had something Raumens didn’t – a hand reached in to grab the plate: Reflexes!
Fawkes clamped down on it before the man could pull it back. He yelped in pain and surprise. “Oh Nova no please I don’t want to end up like Drenin!”
Fawkes pulled the hand to the floor, pinning it with his paws, his claws revealed just enough to puncture a little bit of skin. Now he could talk. “What’s your name?”
“Michael!”
“Can I call you Mike?” Fawkes snarled, his saliva dripping on the man’s hand.
“Uh you can call me whatever you want, just don’t eat my hand.”
“Okay Mikey. I want to see my mate.”
“I’ll get Greg – GREG! GET OVER HERE!”
Is Greg coming?
Greg hasn’t left his desk.
“Greg doesn’t seem to be coming.” Fawkes said, he extended a single claw, drawing blood. Michael cried out in pain.
“GREG for Nova’s sake get your lazy ass down here.”
He’s moving. Flames reported.
“What the hell?” Greg had just noticed the security monitor and Michael’s precarious position. He started running down the corridor. “Let go of his hand!”
“I want to take a shower! And I want to take it with Nyx! And I want to take it now!”
“Whoa whoa. Alright, let’s calm down here. We can come to a happy ending here.” Greg said.
“I’m getting hungry.” Fawkes said, licking Michael’s hand.
“Oh Nova he’s gonna eat it! Make him stop!”
“Fawkes! Don’t do it!”
“Shower! Nyx!”
“Alright, alright.”
“Oh thank the gods. Thank you.” Michael sighed.
“A hundred grand.” Greg said.
“What?” Michael asked in surprise. “This isn’t the time!”
“Seventy-five!” Fawkes snarled, extending another claw. Michael was crying now.
“Eighty!”
“For god’s sake Greg!” Michael pleaded.
“Deal!” Fawkes snarled, letting the hand go. He saw Michael go flying back, collapsing against the bulkhead across from the door, clutching his wounded hand.
“Oh Nova it’s a mess.” Michael whimpered.
“It’s fine, their saliva has healing properties.” Greg replied.
“Fuck you Greg!” Michael growled, leaving.
Fawkes transmitted eighty thousand credits over via Flames. Giving the ship access to his bank account had been a little risky considering Flames’ appetite for Puritans, but there was no other way to get any credits circulating.
My Puritan poaching is in the past! Flames had argued.
They were fine anyways, Flames didn’t like RT Puritans that much. Unless it was Kite…
The door opened. Fawkes trotted out. “I want half an hour with Nyx.”
“Ten minutes.” Greg said.
Fawkes was outside his cell. He loomed over Greg, snarling.
“Fifteen.” Greg stammered.
“Deal.” Fawkes spat, walking to the shower.
–
“Nyx…” she looked horrible. The scars bright red rubies on her chrome black hide. She looked away.
“She out-did me.” Nyx whimpered.
“How?”
“I think she is one of Martock’s lackeys. He must have sent her here to kill me.” Nyx said.
“What did she look like?” Fawkes asked, looking at the scars. They looked like the whip-marks she had gotten when they’d been Martock’s slaves.
“Terran. Dark brown, green stripes.” Nyx said, recalling the monster’s pounce.
Fawkes laughed. “Right, Flames can’t scan in color.”
“It’s not funny.”
Fawkes was still smiling. “So you were out-done?”
“Yes…” she whimpered, sitting down in the shower. Fawkes walked over to the valve and released some warm water, letting it wash over them. She winced as she moved to get her scars out of the line of fire.
“It’s almost—“
Don’t say it! Flames warned.
But it’s true. What was the term you used? Poetic Justice? Irony?
“Fitting?” Nyx asked, smiling – a little.
“I’d like to learn how she did it.” Fawkes whistled.
“Oh, would you?!” Nyx snarled, pouncing on him, sincerely enraged. “I’ll show you! She said I was pretty good!”
Nyx whipped him with the sharp edge of her tail. It cut into Fawkes skin, he cried out in pain. She had never whipped him that hard before. He squirmed, trying to get away, terrified. “Doesn’t feel nice, does it?”
“I didn’t know your tail was that sharp. Why didn’t you use it on her?” Fawkes asked. The water dribbling over his scar. This one would stay with him for a while.
I told you not to say that.
No you didn’t! You were going on about your poetry. That hurt.
You deserved it!
Nyx kept him pinned. Fawkes expected another attack, but she just laid her head on his plated black and red chest. “I missed you.”
“It’s been less than a day.” Fawkes said.
“I still missed you. You could see me through Flames. I can’t see you at all. I’m trapped in that little cell with no windows.”
“Flames’ eyes aren’t very good.” Fawkes assured her. “He couldn’t tell the difference between a Gnarbeast and a Nipper.
Hey!
Nyx laughed. “How much time do we have left?”
“I don’t know.”
Six minutes, thirty-seven seconds. Flames reported.
“Hmm.” Nyx moaned, making herself comfortable on top of him. He wrapped her in his wings. “I think I’ll just cuddle.”
Nyx? Cuddle? Does she know the meaning of the word? Flames asked.
“Will this—“ Fawkes stopped himself, Involve tails?
“What?” Nyx asked.
Fawkes nuzzled her, trying to shift into a comfortable position with all that weight on top of him. Not that she was fat… he thought quickly, hoping Flames wouldn’t make that connection, just a Blackwing. They were the second largest race next to the Terrans. He imagined what it would be like if he were a Terran, then he’d have some fun. There are records of massive Vorchans of all sizes. Your relatively small size to the higher benchmarking Vorchan is more likely due to the planet you were born on.
I wasn’t born on her planet. Fawkes said.
Yes, and you’re much bigger than the average Vulcan on her planet.
How do you know that?
Well I measured her size and extrapolated the ratios.
You have a lot of spare time on your hands.
I do.
Go jump Stripes.
She hasn’t been that close since you got arrested. I think she’s trying to keep herself emotionally detached in case she has to arrest me.
Well then seal that void before it splits you two up forever… Fawkes transmitted, flashes of failed loves entering the neural band like a holoflick.
I will. You’re right. We’ll visit Violet the moment we leave this system. Flames transmitted.
Get her out of your big head. Thanatos will never ever approve.
Thanatos doesn’t have to know. It’ll be a secret relationship – very romantic.
What do you see in her?
I – it’s complicated.
Well I have time. I’m not going anywhere. Fawkes transmitted, feeling Nyx’s calm breathing. He had never seen this side of her before.
Well. I tried to kill Violet, horribly. I tried to kill her family, and her friends.
You did—
And she still loved me. If that’s not true love I don’t know what is. Flames explained.
Good point. Fawkes transmitted thoughtfully. She’s also a young beemster who’s never bonded before and—
Could have chosen any number of Descendents to be horribly violated by! But she wanted to be horribly violated by me!
I’m sure if another sexy ship approached her she couldn’t resist.
You’re cruel. Flames said. Fawkes could feel his emotional pain ruining this fine moment. He transmitted all of his contentment into the neural band, calming the hurt ship. They both floated in contentment for a while. Greg is – no wait, that’s Michael.
Michael knocked on the shower doors. Nyx’s ears perked up, she turned around drowsily. “That was nice.”
Eighty-five thousand credits for cuddling. That’s quite a deal.
Shut up, Flames.
–
–
Twenty-three ships had decided to assist in the attack. The twelve troop transports had reluctantly stayed, afraid of the Vorchans that were aboard them. The five mercenary craft had stayed as well. Titan stayed, which made Litigus stay. Devo had also stayed, along with three of his close friends: Meili, Baldur, and Tyr.
Darwin didn’t feel too bad. He knew now which ships were truly loyal. He expected to come out of this assault with at least ninety percent of the troop transports deserting once their payload was dropped off. It didn’t matter. He hadn’t needed a fleet for any of the liberations so far, and if this is how they’d behave the one time they were needed, he’d rather they left.
He prepared for the assault aboard Vee, one of the troop transports. He ran BIT tests on his exosuit as Ludwig briefed the Vorchan soldiers.
Getting in would be the hard part. A swarm of Descendents had settled in an orbit around the planet. They would fire on any Descendents that entered the gravity well, but he didn’t think they would be able to notice Vorchans in exosuits, the Biomechanoid Starships’ mass detectors having evolved more to detect other beems and ships.
This was it. Ludwig gave the order and the exosuits began to power up. The Descendents opened their fighter bay door, the pressure equalizing. They were now in a vacuum.
“Here we go.” transmitted Meyoko. Meyoko: he guiltily remembered their time in the lounge when he’d sneaked out last night. He’d gotten a little carried away with the drinking. He hid the bite mark with a rank insignia design they’d hastily painted on.
Devo shot forward, the other ships following. The Descendent swarm opened to greet them, pinging them warily with their sensors.
“Go!” Darwin ordered, activating his thrusters. They shot out of the ships, heading straight for the largest forest in Gaia: Green Siege.
Green Siege had a diameter of over a hundred kilometres, a hunting ground for Vorchans that had decided to live off the land. He’d hoped they would meet people like Imicus there who would join their cause.
It was quiet on their approach. His neurovision highlighted five thousand six hundred and thirty three Vorchans. The Descendents were pale candles off in the distance, their sensor beams bright spotlights that rarely ever looked in this direction. It was why he had chosen a pass from this angle, away from the ‘warmer’ side of the planet where the koverans were more concentrated.
They entered the atmosphere, their exosuits aerobraking them in formation. They dropped down in different locations in the forest. He noticed some dropped short or long, having to fly to the concealment of the trees. Luckily nobody had fired on them, everything was going along smoothly.
He met up with Meyoko and Lucienda. He was in a group with them and forty-seven other Vorchans. They would scout the areas first, combining first-hand data with that of the Descendent fly-bys.
–
–
Luna had never seen so many dragons fall from the sky. She was scared, but Ilios assured her they were friendly. They hadn’t retreated to this forest to hide. They had retreated to switch sides.
Jecko spoke with the dragon leader that night. They exchanged information.
“Isn’t this exciting?” Augustine asked.
“It’s war. I’m worried about Charlesworth, and Darnabeth.”
“If they’re smart they’ll join us too. These dragons are here to free us. They call themselves Vorchans.”
“Free us? But we have wonderful lives!” Luna argued.
“You do. I don’t. Most of the lower class don’t.”
“I’m lower class.” Luna said.
“Maybe, but you’re also very pretty.” Augustine said reluctantly, “Which made them take a fancy to you.”
“You’re pretty too!” Luna replied automatically, sensing her friend’s agitation. She was a dark brown, with black stripes. Her body was bulky, too. It wasn’t a surprise they used her for carrying.
“Luna. You’re one of a kind. No other dragon here looks like you.” Augustine said. It was true, most of these dragons were brown or green, with very little blends of colors.
“It’s because of my parents – do you think they’re here?” Luna asked excitedly, there were so many dragons.
“I don’t know, smell for them.” Augustine said.
“All I smell is dragon.” Luna replied.
“Well then keep smelling, I’ll help you look too. I think I remember what they look like.”
“Well obviously you’d remember. My father was a stunning black, entwined with red designs that ran along his body like an elegant web. My mother was a mystical black, her eyes and blades red. Oh she was so pretty.”
“So then why do you have blue on your body?”
“Black and red obviously make blue!”
“I don’t think they make blue.”
“What else would they make?”
“Dark red?”
“Shut up, they make blue.” Luna said, flying off to look for her parents.
–
–
“Something is wrong.” Macaria said.
Thanatos and EagleEye had returned from their hunt for shard-carriers. They had intercepted seventeen ships. It hadn’t been very difficult to find them with the escrow system GalCore had in place. The Universal Network had become their best friend.
“What do you mean?” Thanatos asked.
“Flames’ signal has been very weak for the last few days.” Macaria replied.
“Signals weaken over time.” Thanatos said.
“No, not this drastically. I think he’s hurt.”
“Flames can take care of himself.”
“Are you sure?”
–
–
Fawkes had a dream. He was back at the academy. They were trying him for murders he hadn’t committed yet. His father was there, in the jury.
“But it was the Koverax.” Fawkes argued, “The symbiote!”
All the women were there. His many ‘escorts’ over the years, eyeing him among the massive group of people that had gathered to watch him be sentenced – almost all Raumen. Everyone except for the Vorchan that was in the corner, at the very last set of seats, easily noticeable by her size. She was giving him that unforgiving red glare. His old fears returned as she seemed to get closer without moving, her tail winding up slowly for that snap. Lucidity kicked in and he realized it was a dream. He fought to wake himself before she did her tail whip. Her red eyes washed over him as he tried to blink away the dream. “Nyx!” he begged, waking up to the sound of footsteps.
Someone was at the door. Flames? Flames wasn’t in his neurovision. Was he still dreaming? The door began to hiss open, the old mechanical frame groaning.
“Fawkes.” said Erebus, not believing the sound. He had to still be dreaming, but he readied himself for combat anyways, taking a VE fighter’s stance.
Flames! he called again.
“If you’re trying to call your ship, it’s not going to work. I’ve set up an inhibitor field.”
“Who are you?” Fawkes asked.
“You know who I am.” she was blocking the only way out. If this really was Erebus there was no way he could outdo her in closed quarters combat. She was almost twice his size.
“What are you doing here?”
“Stop asking questions you already know the answer to.” Erebus sighed, looking at her tail, “Did you think the VE would just forget about you?”
That tail, she was really good with that tail. It was beaded like his, with razor sharp spikes on one end. It was her tail-jab, or was it the roundhouse that hit with the spiked side? He desperately tried to remember, readying his muscles for a dodge and counter.
“You won’t take me back.” Fawkes growled.
“I will.” she replied calmly. “Stripes!”
“Yes?” Stripes chirped.
Dread engulfed Fawkes. “Flames wake up!” he yelled. “FLAMES!”
No response.
“Take him out.”
“No! It’s not his fault!”
“He shot two.” Erebus replied.
“Under my command. The Captain is responsible!” Fawkes argued.
“Too late. He’s probably already dead.” Erebus said.
“I’m loading the AHC now. I’ll let you know.” Stripes replied calmly.
“Stripes!” Static, the inhibitor was blocking everything. “STRIPES, you can’t do that! Don’t do it!”
“She can’t hear you, and if she could it wouldn’t make a difference.”
“You bitch.” Fawkes roared.
“We’ll see how long it takes for you to beg for mercy.” Erebus purred, “I think it took Nyx around three minutes?”
With that, Fawkes lunged for her throat. Erebus whipped her tail while he was airborne, knocking him against the wall with the blunt side. Fawkes’ world closed in on him as he recovered from the hit, instinctively dodging as Erebus came in to try and finish. He went for the exit, wanting to fight in the corridor where he had a little more room.
“Running already?” Erebus asked, snapping for his tail. Fawkes yelped and retracted it, jumping clear of the room, now in the corridor. There was no security here, but all the exits were sealed.
“Not at all!” Fawkes chortled, sprinting towards her, ensuring a foot was on the ground at all times, wings primed.
She struck with her tail again, but Fawkes jumped out of the way, rebounding off a wall and clamping on her thick neck. Erebus began to roll, pinning him against a bulkhead. While this may have kept him from getting an advantageous position, it kept her trapped on her back. He began jabbing with his tail, targeting her stomach where he knew she was weaker. The angle made it difficult to score critical hits.
She pressed harder, suffocating him against the wall, he began to wheeze, beating his wings to try and break out of this position.
“Don’t feel so bad.” Erebus taunted. “I’m sure his death was quick, and Nyx isn’t my target, though I’m sure she’ll remember me for a long time…”
Oh how he wanted to kill her, but he couldn’t move, still pinned. She would shift to a different position to grab him, or would she? Maybe she would just wait for him to pass out and carry him away that way.
“Coward.” he panted. “Fight with honour!”
“Honour?!” Erebus chortled, beating herself back against the opposite bulkhead, ready to lunge at him off the wall like a spring.
Fawkes tucked in his wings and jumped out of the way. She hit the wall and destroyed the outer layer, kicking up a plume of dust and debris.
She shrieked in anger, charging at him through the smoke.
He didn’t see her hit him but felt the impact as he was pressed along, pinned against her forehead and horns. She hit the wall, Fawkes could feel and hear some of his ribs breaking from the impact as he was crushed between her and the far port hatch.
He howled in pain, thinking of Flames. He struck her in the eye with his tail. She fell back, flinching. He followed with a lunge, knocking her back further and then jumping clear as her tail came around. It wasn’t as quick as Nyx’s, but it had a Nova’s punch, and the sharp side could finish him in a single blow. She swiped it at him, Fawkes watched. It was the jab that used the sharp side, her powerful hits used the blunt end.
He grinned, proud of this newly acquired knowledge, lunging at her from the opposite end that tail was at. She set herself up for a roundhouse, sweeping the tail low. He jumped over it as it came down, the momentum from the tail making her vulnerable for a few seconds – long enough for him to clamp down on her neck again, with much more power and precision this time. He expected to taste blood but instead just felt the pain of teeth grinding on what felt like steel. Her hide was too thick.
“Hmm.” she scowled, body-slamming him to the ground. He groaned in pain, trying to get back up. He coughed a little blood, that wasn’t good.
She was looming over him now, victory in her eyes. “Are you done?”
“Die.” he groaned, pawing at her weakly before losing consciousness.
–
Flames awoke to red eyes staring at him. Was that from Fawkes’ dream? He wasn’t sure, he’d ask him but he seemed to still be sleeping, not showing on the neural band.
As his grogginess faded, he realized the red eyes were from Stripes’ combat scanner. She would do that occasionally. He filtered it out, filing all of Stripes emissions under ‘friendly’ to keep it from waking him again.
“I think you gave Fawkes a nightmare.” he said.
“I did?” she asked.
“Yeah…” he really should tell her.
“I’m sorry…” she said. More warnings were blaring at him in his neural vision. He automatically silenced them, filing them all under ‘friendly’.
“It’s okay. But Stripes! I’ve been meaning to tell you something.”
“What?” she asked dejectedly. He didn’t think she’d take his comment that hard. It was just a nightmare, but her transmission sounded mournful, as if someone had died.
“It’s just… well…” Fawkes was venting CKRO, his veins lighting up. He knew he was. He shifted his skids to hide his anxiety.
“What is it, Flames?”
“I – nobody’s ever been as nice to me as you have. I’ve never gotten drones before, or had someone at my side for several days straight. Even Fawkes left my side during our vacation at Avalon.” he forced a laugh. Stripes wasn’t responding the way he thought she would be. He quickly continued on, “What I’m trying to say is that… well. I’ve never – no, that’s not a good way to say it. Well I… hmm…”
“Flames…” Stripes said urgently.
“Wait! Let me finish. Ok. What I’m trying to say is that… while I may have… been with many… ships… for… things… I – errr… never actually really… really… stayed with one! For a long period… I’ve… bonded but I’ve never had a mate… yes that’s what I mean. And well, I need to – no. Well yes. Ok. What I’m trying to ask you is.”
“Are you asking me if –“
“Will you be my mate?” he finished.
“Err….”
“I know you have RT’s, but I think that’s great. It makes you unique – special! And I’ve gotten used to your colors! I’d love to see them with me all the time. They’re synonymous with safety and … things…”
“Flames…” she transmitted again, more slowly this time, thinking things over. Her passive gaze took over again, looking around sheepishly.
“Not that I’m all about the looks! I think you’re great. You’ve always been patient with me, and—“
“It’s just a contract. I was doing my job.” the words stung him like koveran-laced sword.
“Oh – okay.” he tried to hide the sudden sorrow from the neural band, wanting to fly off but unable to get clear of the station without risking another electric shock.
He didn’t want her to see him with all this CKRO building up around him, he flew over the station, getting her out of his sight, staying close to the asteroid colony to avoid the gas giant’s crimson tendrils.
She was following him.
“I knew it was the contract. But I still loved the attention. Even if I only… thought it was something more.” Flames felt so stupid, so selfish. “I’m sorry I’ve made this awkward. You probably already have a mate anyways. Why didn’t I ask that first? I’m so stupid.”
“You’re not stupid!” she snapped, pulling up alongside him.
He felt better now, even if his heart had been crushed, then wrenched from him and grinded into little pieces. He tried to think of Violet… he still had Violet – he didn’t. Violet was his old self wanting another young Puritan. Violet wouldn’t watch out for him, wouldn’t save his life. She didn’t have the pool of experience that Stripes had in being reliable and watchful. He wondered how many ship’s she’d given P and P too. He wondered if they even cared how good a Descendent she was.
“I don’t have a mate.” she said.
“Probably a lot of bonds though. A Descendent as reliable as you… Puritans would probably ask for P and P all the time – Descendents even…”
“Nope.” she replied simply, “Not one, ever. You were the first.”
“But you said—“
“I’ve never gotten a P and P request. I’ve had escort requests, and I always follow through on my contracts. But nobody wants to bond with an RT. It’s far too uncomfortable. I ended up getting tagged on couriers as an RT for that very reason, since a lot of the weaker ships like the option of a bond in case a link isn’t formed.”
“It’s bizarre anyways. It’s not what bonds are meant for.”
“There’s many stages to a bond. P and P is a very limited bond… but you should know this! You must’ve had hundreds of P and P requests. I can’t imagine a ship that wouldn’t want to have a ninety on their nodescape.”
He did, it was true, and he’d devoured most of them. “Each one was…” Special? “They’re still bonds!” he snapped.
“They aren’t! Barely! Then you were doing it wrong! Memory transfers and nodescape reinforcement bonds are not like full bonds!” she said, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
“You… never—“
“No I’ve never bonded before. I admit it! But I still know! I can imagine what it’s like! It’s just a data transfer. It’s what The Builders meant for us to be, anyways. Flying memory containers. Celestial data, genetic data – what does it matter…”
Flames was quiet for a while, reading her, watching her skids flutter in agitation, electricity from the lens shooting between the RT’s and the primaries.
“Then why does a genetic transfer only happen in a full bond?” Flames asked.
“Full, partial. There’s no difference! It’s just data transfer! You call it a full because you find it more ‘important’, that’s it.”
“They are different!” Flames argued.
“They aren’t!” Stripes snapped back, agitated, she turned away, flying back towards the front of the station, away from the cold side of the asteroid. “And yes.” she said, stopping.
“To what?” Flames asked, catching up to her.
“To being your mate.” she replied. She extended her skids, the lens destabilized slightly, grounding into Flames’ hull. An electrostatic ‘kiss’. He was suddenly infinitely relieved. “And my first priority as your mate is to make sure you’re alright.”
“Did you really just say yes?” Flames asked, enamoured.
“And to make sure you’re healthy: you have to sleep. Get some sleep.”
Flames pulled her in with his polarized hull, they were touching slightly, a subtle magnetic cushion keeping their hulls from scraping into each other violently.
Stripes settled next to him, their skids bumping into each other.
Flames had never had a ship this close to him for this long. She seemed to suck the guilt away from him. His sins were in the past now. She felt like an atonement.
“Go to sleep…” she repeated.
Flames let his systems start shutting down, turning off his passive and active defences, knowing Stripes would be by his side forever.
–
–
“Is Flames dead?” asked Erebus, dragging Fawkes by his tail.
“Yes…” Stripes replied shakily.
“I know you liked him.”
Stripes didn’t respond, but the channel opened for a few moments.
“I guess I can turn the NI off now.” Erebus said.
“How could you…” Fawkes was nearly in tears – Flames’ sensors gone, his presence a phantom in the nodescape.
“Stripes?” Erebus asked.
“What…”
“Are you okay?”
No response.
“There will be other Descendents.”
“There won’t.”
Something was touching Flames’ skid. Fawkes felt it vividly, a subtle caress, overpowering even the pain of being dragged along the floor like game. How could he feel Flames’ inputs if he was dead… unless he wasn’t…
He was about to activate the ocular strips but stopped himself, realizing that would give away Flames’ status. He was sleeping; a deep sleep. Stripes did love him.
Fawkes let Erebus drag him to Stripes’ brig. He was sore from the journey, and retreated to a corner to recover, curling up and wrapping himself in his wings. He kept an eye on Erebus, knowing how she’d longed for him. But her love for the law was always greater, keeping her from committing acts forbidden by the VE. But Fawkes wasn’t VE anymore…
Erebus closed the cell door, locking herself in with him. He should have expected this. He didn’t uncurl, resting his head on his tail. What had he done to avert Nyx? Feign fatigue? He closed his eyes partially, yawning. That was a thick and sharp tail, even the thought of it anywhere near him made his skin crawl. But that was Nyx’s thing, she couldn’t be like that.
She passively walked up to him, sitting down a few meters away from him, resting her head on her paws, her tail wagging slowly. “You know. Nyx and I were very alike.”
“Were you now?”
“We were.” she said, looking at her tail, “When we first captured Martock…”
“You captured Martock?”
“Yes – he was trying to steal shards from one of our planets.” she said. “It was how he must have gotten the co-ordinates for Nyx’s planet. It must have taken years to get there…”
“I see.”
“Don’t think the law protects you. I’d be keeping that tail in tight…”
“You’re like that, huh?”
“It’s great being a Vorchaness: We get the best of both worlds.” she had that glare, but her eyes were dark, almost black. It was only the glint in them that caught any color: A dark brown.
He automatically knew when her gaze had changed from a scan to pounce estimate. He shot up stretching and trying to ready himself at the same time, limbering his muscles. “There’s room here.” Nyx taught me how to evade.
“We’ll see. I’ve always liked you, Fawkes. It’s a pity you had to choose their side.” she lunged at him. She was big and heavy, easily avoidable. He shot up in the air, flying over to the other end of the chamber, hovering.
“You did too. Stripes is a Descendent, how is her consciousness intact?”
“That’s true. I guess I should thank you. After your traitorous acts they decided to compromise a little if requested. I let them do some genetic alterations but kept her mind intact.”
“You made her an RT?” Fawkes asked.
“Indeed.”
Flames was distant in the nodescape, he wasn’t orbiting that gas giant anymore. They were on their way to VE space, if not in it already.
“You might as well just give in.” Erebus said, betraying slight desperation. “They’ll probably execute you when we arrive.”
“Then I’ll die with memories of Nyx in my mind. Not of you.” Fawkes spat back, landing and readying himself for another dodge.
“Stripes spent an entire koveran chamber killing your ship. It means we have thirty minutes to build up our reserve chamber before we jump to the capital. If you give yourself up now, I promise to go easy on you in those thirty minutes.” she growled.
“Never.” Fawkes hissed.
–
–
“Flames!”
“I’m working on it!” Flames chirped. Stripes had given him an entire chamber’s-worth of energy. It must have been a limited bond in his sleep. How he wished he could have felt it. His beemveins lit up as the terminals received the koveran energy. “This won’t be very accurate. But I think I can get us within an AU of their position.”
“Go!” Nyx said desperately.
Flame stopped, “But what will we do when we get there? I won’t hurt Stripes.”
“Think of something, then! They have my Fawkes!”
He scanned his nodescape, recognizing Macaria. She was very dim, and he wasn’t sure if he’d even be in communications range if he jumped to her. But then why would Stripes have given him the koveran energy? Was it to jump or escape?
“Do something Flames!”
Flames added power to his neural plexus, thinking this over logically. If Stripes spent a chamber jumping, and gave another chamber to him, it meant she had one chamber left. If they followed standard Descendent procedures, then they would have to wait for a reserve chamber to charge to ensure they didn’t jump in ‘dry.’
How long had it been since he’d woken? Ten minutes? He had twenty minutes or so.
But what did Stripes want him to do then? Did he want him to run with the energy or follow her? And why not stay here then? What about the Captain? Was the Captain with her? He must have been if Fawkes was taken…
Flames let fate decide, he activated his jump drive without entering an exact co-ordinate, letting his instincts input the data for him.
He arrived in a field of red. He accepted the broadcast.
“NYX!” yelled Martock. “I have you now!”
Helios streaked in towards him like an arrow. Flames shot out of the way, dodging the possessed Puritan.
Why had his instincts brought him here? This was the last time he listened to his stupid gut.
“Let me talk to him!” Nyx yelled.
Flames opened a two-way channel, the two ships circling each other, pulling over ten gees.
“Martock!” Nyx yelled. “I met your tormentor from twelve years ago! X-43? Does it ring a bell?”
“Erebus?! Where is she!”
Erebus? Flames recognized that name.
“She has Fawkes. We know her co-ordinates.”
“No!” Flames pleaded to Nyx, “Martock will kill Stripes!”
“Answer me, serpent!”
“Martock. You are a man of honour, correct?”
“Always! What is your request?”
“A chance at revenge on this Erebus. In exchange, I get Fawkes and the starship he is aboard is not harmed.”
“Revenge in exchange for mercy on Fawkes and Erebus’ ship?”
“Yes.” Nyx said, biting her lips.
“What about you and Flames?”
“Fawkes, Erebus’ ship, Flames, and I will get a one-jump head-start.”
“Futile. We will track you down, absorb the koverans you vent in your jump and use it to pursue and capture you.”
“Flames will die defending himself.” Nyx said.
Flames didn’t like the way she was negotiating, but couldn’t think of anything better to say.
“You will all surrender to me after I finish with Erebus!” Martock roared.
“You’ll kill them all but me.”
“Fawkes’ wings will adorn my chambers.”
They weren’t getting anywhere. Flames had wasted his jump on this. He was stuck here. He wondered if Martock knew he couldn’t escape.
“I need someone to recover my eggs.”
“I will. And I’ll sell them.”
“Fine. Then I won’t give you our co-ordinates. Then Flames will fight you and we will end this here. Charge your cannon, Flames!”
Nyx was crazy, but Flames deployed his AHC, seeing the Symbiote ship take a defensive position and flare its koveran shield. The energy seemed to pass through and around the Puritan, as if it existed here and in beemspace at the same time.
“You.”
“Me?” Nyx asked.
“I will let your friends go in exchange for you.” Martock said.
“And my children?”
“They will be free… return to me Nyx!”
Nyx closed the channel, “Flames, you know the co-ordinates for the other eggs?”
“Nyx… I’m so sorry for jumping us here.” Flames cried, “I did a blind jump… I –“
“You let fate decide.” Nyx said calmly. “You did the right choice.”
She had the channel reopened, “Martock. I agree to your terms. Let us defeat Erebus.”
“Oh my precious Nyx. Let’s jump forth, and unleash the wrath of the NCR!”
Helios’ koveran shield extended out to Flames. Flames recoiled in surprise, but felt his terminals energising. He was sucked into a jump with the Symbiote.
–
–
Erebus was good, but she was too big, too slow. He scuttled between her legs, jumping clear of most of her tail before the sharp end swiped his shoulder, knocking him on his back. The Terran jumped on top of him. I spoke too soon, Fawkes thought, his tail keeping hers at bay.
“That tail will kill me.” Fawkes hissed, struggling to get off this weight.
“It might. The VE will forgive me when they see your body.” she roared.
There was absolutely nothing he could do in this position. His wings were crumpled in, pinched between the floor and his back. His legs were pinned, his paws pressed at her helplessly. His tail would fail soon, overpowered by hers.
Once it did, she started stroking him with it, trying to excite his body the way Nyx had when he’d first met her.
For a Terran she didn’t look too bad.
“It wasn’t that insincere. Just because I was planning on killing you during the process doesn’t mean that it was insincere.”
Fawkes laughed, recalling Flames’ memory. Flames’ memory? Flames!
Fawkes!
“MARTOCK!” Erebus roared, flaring her wings and raising her front paws in anger. It shifted her weight, giving Fawkes an opportunity at kicking her off. It worked, he broke free, hugging the ceiling.
“Erebus! We meet again!”
“The outcome won’t be any—“ Erebus was suddenly overcome in a vermillion glow. The energy streaked around her. She started crying out in pain, her body dissolving. Stripes was crying out too.
“Stripes!” Flames yelled helplessly.
It wasn’t a person that was devouring the Vorchan, but an ethereal mote of energy. Fawkes knew who it was. He could hear his laughter.
He ran.
“Now, for your part of the deal!”
“Fawkes!” Nyx transmitted. He could hear Martock’s laughter in the background, “I’m sorry – I love you!”
Time froze. It meant Flames’ felt he was in immediate danger. Fawkes reached out to his mentality, reading his mass scans: An interstice.
Three ships emerged, two immediately opened fire on the Symbiote.
“Darnell!” Fawkes and Flames exclaimed. “Help her!”
Thanatos streaked in towards the symbiote, flanked by EagleEye. They were augmenting each other with their shields. Thanatos tucked in his skids.
–
–
Darnell hated the symbiote. He hated what it had made of him. What it had done to Wings. He hated what it had done to Martock.
He rammed into the Puritan’s dorsal carapace with all his might, kneeled down on Thanatos’ bow, engulfed in a koveran shield, waiting.
“You!” Martock roared. “The symbiote knows you!”
“It does!” Darnell yelled, leaping off the bow of his ship and into Martock’s bridge.
“You’d kill a Puritan for—“
Darnell opened fire with a full spread from his rifle-sword, unleashing a barrage of koveran energy that made Martock disintegrate. The symbiote shrieked, forcing Darnell to jab a shot into his neck.
Martock reintegrated behind him, lashing out at him with a symbiotic sword of red koveran energy. Darnell leapt out of the way just as one of EagleEye’s rounds exploded on top of the symbiote, dispersing it.
“Darnell!” shrieked Martock’s ghoulish symbiote-infused voice.
“I don’t forget!” Darnell roared back, lashing at the wisps of koveran energy with his sword. “Show yourself!”
Was that the right thing to say? Thanatos asked giddily, pulling himself free of the punctured Puritan. He waited in a hold position in case Darnell had to make a quick escape across the vacuum.
“What the hell is that?” Tory asked.
“A Koverax!” Flames replied, moving into a defensive position in front of Stripes, the symbiote had badly wounded her, and now the Koverax was closing on them, smelling the easy kill.
“Get out of here, Flames.” Stripes said.
“We’ll get out together.” Flames replied.
“We won’t. It sapped all of my energy.”
“Then we’ll bond and fly out.”
“We don’t have enough time.” Stripes said, “But thanks for the offer. I learned your trick.”
“Trick?”
Stripes polarized her hull, it pushed Flames clear as the Symbiote came crashing into her, leaving nothing but a koveran trail in its wake. It was headed for the wounded Puritan now.
“Stripes?” Flames whimpered. Thanatos and EagleEye shot past him, pursuing the Koverax. They unleashed wave after wave of koveran energy. It made the Koverax recoil slightly.
“Right, we aren’t winning this.” Thanatos said, picking up Darnell and Fawkes in a precision overpass. They then shot by Flames, pulling him along in a gravimetric field.
“Line up with us, we’re getting out of here.” EagleEye transmitted, firing several high-yield rounds behind them and in front of the Koverax, slowing its advance. The space around them was irradiated, emanating an iridescent glow from all the weapons fire. The Koverax seemed to have difficulties catching up on them through all the realspace damage.
“But Stripes… we have to save—“
“She’s gone, Flames!” Thanatos roared, triggering a formation jump back to Emerald.
–
–
They spent a night recovering at Emerald. Fawkes was already thinking about the seventh egg, and their route there. Flames hadn’t stopped thinking about his loss. He didn’t say anything, but Fawkes felt the moments repeating themselves in the ship’s mind.
There’s nothing you could have done, Flames. Fawkes transmitted.
We could have not triggered its presence. We could have not made Martock come.
I would have died.
Thanatos and EagleEye could have jumped in. I could have jumped straight to you and had their support. Instead, we used Martock to save you.
Flames! Snap out of it! I’ve never seen you act like this after a loss.
How would you feel if Nyx died?
Stripes wasn’t even—
Flames transmitted the memory of their conversation.
—Oh…
I’d like to go type-4 for a while.
Flames, I didn’t know.
Can I go type-4?
We have to save our eggs.
Use someone else. I want to be alone.
Flames… Fawkes sighed, stroking his dorsal side. Flames didn’t respond, sitting in space like a rock. Fine, it doesn’t sound like I have a choice.
–
–
With everyone off of him, Flames didn’t have to worry about counter-gees. He didn’t have to worry about his performance in the eyes of others. His terminals were still sore, but his chamber was working – the one Stripes had jumpstarted.
He remembered exactly where she died, that point a scar in his nodescape that would never disappear. He jumped back.
So many other ships had died because of him. Were they all a Stripes to someone? How much grief had he caused?
He didn’t have to scan, the koveran field still not having dissipated, the iridescent swirls having coalesced to a radiation cloud, collapsing in on itself slowly. In a few thousand years it might become something.
There wasn’t much left of Stripes, but there was something: A small string of debris. It made him cry out in anguish, her death a confirmation. In some corner of his mind he had hoped that she would be here, intact.
He scooped the debris into his hold, making sure none of it was damaged any more in the process. The process itself was slow and methodical. Nothing would be missed.
“I’m sorry, Stripes.” he said, the Koverax a phantom signature. He could see it crashing down on them. She’d saved his life. He had been ready to die here. He deserved to die here for all the death he’d caused, all the murders. He’d been a pawn of the symbiote his entire life, feeding it like a fool, and now he’d fed it again.
A memory node. His drones noticed it immediately, an effervescent sparkle in the debris. It was still working, retaining whatever moment lay inside it.
He deployed a drone’s umbilical, mating it with a small intact access port on the side of the node.
He could feel her RT’s. Erebus paced on his hull. You really think he’s interested, don’t you?
I do. Do you think he’ll ask me?
The Captain is trying to recover a Vorchan. They’re using you as a jump-to. It’s a trick.
That’s not true!
Isn’t it? You’ll see. The Vorchans will come aboard and he’ll stop speaking with you. They were his objective, just like your objective is to defend him.
Do you think the Captain is Fawkes?
I’m very sure. I will confirm it today.
And then?
Then we take him back to X-1.
And Flames?
Flames has to be destroyed.
Flames could feel Stripes’ frustration at the thought.
He doesn’t love you, Stripes. I’m sorry.
It was strange reading her memories. Bonds were the only situations where such things were generally felt. Just like in a bond, her phantom terminals strained his capacitor. For a few moments he pretended she was here with him, in a bond. He could see phantom nodepoints on his nodescape, he merged them with his, uploading the data from the memory node.
Flying memory containers… “We’re more than flying memory containers!” Flames yelled, wishing she was here to argue.
He would take her to the gas giant, the co-ordinates fresh in her memory. If the Builders willed him to die for the crimes he’d committed, now would be their chance. If they didn’t…
He jumped into the gas giant’s atmosphere. It was eerily calm, the ionic tendrils not noticing him, their effervescent clouds washing over him like a river of energy.
He jettisoned the debris, giving Stripes her final resting place, her place. Stripes’ gas giant.
Time froze again. This time it was an energy signature. It emanated from the debris. For a moment Flames thought it might have been Stripes jumping in, he could see her silhouette in the iridescence. Then he saw the signature spike out towards the gas giant, and then towards him.
The ionic tendril hit him before he could move out of the way:
He saw himself, skids extended, in front of the Koverax.
He does love me. Stripes transmitted, seeing the creature closing in on them.
She grabbed Flames, kissing him for a moment before pushing him clear of the Koverax’s path. She was content, a sense of absolution that went beyond anything Flames had felt before.
The memory turned red as the Koverax hit her.
–
Flames awoke floating listlessly through the gas giant’s atmosphere. It was very calm at this part of the gas giant, and a beautiful, deadly sight. He wondered how many beems in the universe had ever been this close to one. He had felt her love. Flames shot a beacon out towards the debris: ‘Stripes Requiem.’ It was a fitting name, the ambience of the planet a hymn to his senses.
He jumped back to Fawkes, his chambers miraculously recharged.
–
–