Allison entered Cargo Bay Two.  Before the fleet had departed, they had provided extra medical staff, relief supplies and temporary beds, the bay was swarming with activity.  Allison’s presence went unnoticed for the most part.  She was looking for Zelda to check on her new friend.  She spotted her friend and was about to approach her when the captain of the X’or intercepted her.


    “You’re alive!”


    Allison nodded.


    “Mostly, how can I help you, Captain?”


    The captain smiled at her response.


    “My crew is doing well.  I just wanted to say thank you.  I am not sure what the Bhirsa had planned for us but whatever it was it was not good.”


    Allison smiled.


    “You would have done the same for us if you’d gotten our distress signal.”


    The captain nodded.


    “Yes, I guess we would have tried.  Is there a chance I can speak to your commander?  The ship’s captain?”


    Allison chuckled.


    “Well, my commanders are the President of the System’s Alliance and Grand Eminence of the League of Sentient Races, they’re typically quite busy, you’d have to speak to your government to arrange a meeting.  As for the ship’s captain, I am her.”


    The man looked taken aback.


    “You’re so young.  Why were you on the away mission? They don’t let Commonwealth Captains anywhere near the ground.”


    Allison shrugged.


    “It is where I needed to be.  Captain, I apologize, but I’d like to speak to my friend.  Please let my staff know if you need anything, or if you’d like to arrange a more formal meeting.  I’ll be happy to schedule some time.  I am so glad none of your crew was lost.”


    The captain glanced behind him and saw Zelda with her parents.  He smiled and nodded but asked one last question.


    “Did you have any casualties Captain… I’m sorry I don’t know your name.”


    Allison’s eyes darkened slightly.


    “I am Battlelord Allison Wanjala, and yes, we lost a pilot.  Lieutenant Wendy Rogers.”


    The captain’s shoulders slumped.


    “I am so sorry for your loss.”


    “Thank you, Captain.”


    She moved past him and approached Zelda who was bouncing.  Once she saw Allison, she glomped onto the weary Battlelord and squeezed tightly.  They’d known each other for two days so such affection was odd to Allison but she had come to the conclusion a few minutes after she’d met Zelda that her friend was an odd duck, so she just hugged her friend back.  Zelda turned to her parents.


    “This is my friend Allison, we go to school together!”


    Zelda’s parents recognized Allison because Allison had made it a point to rescue them first and make sure they were in the first group transported to her ship.  The parents moved to get up but like the rest of the rescued crew they were weak from dehydration, exhaustion and lack of food.  Allison held out her hands.


    “No need to get up.  I just came to check on Zelda.  I am truly sorry I brought her with us to rescue you.  She was having a medical emergency, and my medical staff would not let her be transported.”


    Zelda punched Allison’s arm.


    “She saved my life.”


    Allison tried not to giggle at her friend’s tone.


    “I wouldn’t go that far, Zelda.  We’ll be in Commonwealth space within the hour.  Our ride is having some technical difficulties, but they assure me they’ll be good to go soon.  I’m glad you’re alright.”


    She looked at Zelda.


    “See you at school tomorrow.”


    Zelda giggled.


    “Seriously?”


    Allison shrugged.


    “Apparently ending a galactic level threat only gets you an afternoon off.  I’ll need to up my game if I want a whole day.  I need to go do Battlelord things.  See you tomorrow.”


    Zelda dissolved into laughter again.  Allison moved off.  She bumped into Georgia Lance who just stared at her like she was trying to look through Allison.  The teenager looked behind her by the time she’d determined it was indeed her that Georgia was staring at the vampire clutched her head and screamed in agony.  Georgia collapsed to her knees.  Allison rushed over to her; Vampires were already dead so she was not really sure what kind of medical attention one could provide them, but she tried anyway.  Georgia was panicking which wasn’t a good thing for vampires.  They tended to react on instinct once they hit that point.  Allison was forced to evade a bite from Georgia who was lost in a blood frenzy.  Something Allison was very familiar with.  Thankfully Allison’s armor had regained some charge, and she was still supercharged by Lucifer’s blood, so she easily pinned the vampire to the ground.  Frenzying vampires were driven to drink blood or run away in terror.  In that state they did not really have access to higher reasoning skills, or advanced martial arts.  Allison’s clear head and currently superior strength made the takedown easy.  Made even easier by the fact that Georgia was blind.


    It took several minutes for Georgia’s head to clear.  Thankfully no one came across the pair, so it avoided questions as to why the vampire was trying to devour the Battlelord.   Allison glanced down at the apparently clear-headed Georgia who looked embarrassed.


    “If I you let you go, are you going to try and bite me again?”


    “No, sorry Princess.”


    Allison released Georgia.


    “It is alright, I’ve been there.  I’m just glad I could get you pinned and nobody saw.  Are you alright?  What happened, you were just staring at me then suddenly you were attacking me.”


    Georgia looked like she’d been caught red-handed.  Allison assumed it was just embarrassment about losing control.


    “I’m fine.  I am sorry once again, Princess.”


    Allison smiled and shrugged.


    “Sorry about what?  We just had a polite conversation…”


    Georgia smiled.


    “I appreciate that, Princess.”


    Allison continued on her way.  Georgia looked at her crown princess and rubbed her temples.  She had never had an aura be that bright before.  She’d never seen a golden one before either.  She assumed it was because it was the daughter of the Dark Mother.  At least she was not complicit in a crime, so it was just down to getting railroaded into a favor for an elder.


    Allison forgot about the strange encounter with Georgia shortly after it occurred beyond that she realized that she should consider making the vampire one of her inner circle.  She headed to her quarters and sat down at her desk.  She had one very important duty to attend to notifying the family of Wendy Rogers of her death.  She would prepare the formal letter which would be delivered by a military chaplain and another member of the military.  The System’s Alliance had teams for just such events.  Then the body if it was available would be handed over to the family’s care.  In this case there was no body, or debris from the fighter, they had been annihilated by a singularity round.  She looked at the blank screen and sighed, she hadn’t had to do this before.  Her father had taken care of the notices for her after her ill-fated mission to Mary’s planet and Ratoa.  She sighed and began typing.


    Dear James,


    I regret to inform you that your daughter Lieutenant Wendy Rogers was killed in action today.  Her fighter was destroyed, and she was lost with her craft.


    I knew Wendy well as we attended flight school together.  She loved to fly and she loved space like no one else.  I am deeply saddened by her loss and wish to extend my deepest condolences to you.


    While I cannot provide the full details of the engagement in which she was lost, I can tell you that she died well.  During the engagement our ship was under fire from an enemy vessel.  She intercepted an attack meant for us.  She ordered her squadron to stand down and intercepted the attack herself.  Her sacrifice was not in vain.  Her actions allowed us to save billions of innocent lives.  I know these facts are of little consolation to you and her loved ones.  It is my hope that this  knowledge can provide you with some peace.


    I will be posthumously requesting she receive the highest military commendations and awards that both the League of Sentient Races and System’s Alliance have.  Her sacrifice will never be forgotten.


    With the greatest respects,


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    Allison Wanjala, Battlelord, CO Allied Andromeda Defense Fleet.


    She looked at the letter and wiped a few stray tears.  She heard a voice behind her, and she swiveled around and saw nothing.  Then Lucifer appeared, not the twisted half-dead version she had fought, this was him in his full very hot angelic glory.


    “I lost my first soldier to your mother.  He intercepted a blast meant for me.  With angels there are no families to notify.  Teralisk was his name.  Loyal to a fault.  Then she hunted the rest down one by one, executing them with no mercy while wearing that accursed red-haired mortal skin of hers.  I ponder if that emotionless wretch once felt a pang of remorse during the slaughter of her brothers and sisters?  This is not your first loss, is it?”


    Allison glared at the ghost.


    “You are dead.  I killed you.”


    Lucifer laughed.


    “No, child you absorbed me.  If only you were stronger, I would be gone and not stuck in this half-state.”


    He scoffed.


    “Mercy, there is nothing merciful about this.  Though perhaps her words mean you win… eventually.”


    He leaned down on Allison’s chair and invaded her personal space.


    “Is this what life as a mortal feels like?  Rampant hormones?  Wild emotional swings?  I am beautiful, there is no denying that but how perverted is it that you’re drooling over yourself now?  I thought I had the market cornered on vanity.”


    Allison glared at him.  The fact that she was attracted to him only making her angrier.


    “If you don’t like it die already.”


    He laughed.


    “No, I don’t think I will.  I’m quite enjoying these sensations.   Your legends say I’m wretched and debased.  Hedonistic.  Lies, all of them.  The trouble with being an angel, or a fallen angel is, you feel nothing good.  Oh, you can feel pain, you can suffer, but pleasure?  No, that’s reserved for you mortals, his favorites.  He let us feel pain so we would know if we were hurt, it was functional.  But pleasure?  Joy?  No that might lead us to temptation.  He wouldn’t want his busy little bees to get distracted from creating the perfect system.  Of course, he let you lot be tempted didn’t he then he tells you not to partake?  Look but don’t touch!  Light up, but don’t inhale.  Procreate but do not enjoy it.  You have a boyfriend, what are the chances you can do something naughty with him?  Wouldn’t that be something to feel.”


    Allison continued glaring at the Lightbringer.


    “Is there a point to your rant or presence?  Are you trying to annoy me to death?”


    He smiled.


    “Do you know what it is like being surrounded by sycophants and demons all day, every day for billions of years over and over again?  I have lived my life seven times in each one of them Lilith has betrayed me, and my sister has tried to kill me.  I thought I had suffered every single indignity I could imagine during the first six, then she lured me and my army into a mortal rain of bombs she enhanced with her divine energy.  Left me a twisted burnt up version of myself I suffered for over a thousand years stuck in this mortal realm.  Unable to heal myself and unable to die.  Then she leads you, a pathetic mortal child to my doorstep and lets you suck my soul out.  That is how I ended.  No more Lucifer, no more Lightbringer, undone by a child.  So, pardon me if I take some time to chat with my would-be executioner.  Probably the closest thing to an intelligent conversation I’ve had in ninety billion years.  What is that queer feeling in your abdomen?  Is your body sick?  And why does it feel like we’re going to explode suddenly?”


    Allison rolled her eyes.  She pressed to send her letter and stood up.


    “Because I have to pee and I’m hungry.  I missed my lunch because I was too busy killing you and your army!”


    Allison dealt with her more immediate problem, which was rather awkward because Lucifer was watching her intently, even if he wasn’t visible, he’d be seeing everything through her eyes anyway it was just much creepier this way.  She looked up at him.


    “Do you mind? I don’t know turn around or you know drop dead!”


    Once that was dealt with she went looking for food.  She didn’t want to try and eat a full meal as they would be getting to Commonwealth Command soon so she went with a couple of power bars and an energy drink.  Lucifer was not quiet during her snack which she took back to her quarters to avoid looking like she was nuts.


    “That fluid is disgusting it is sickly sweet and are you some form of bird?  Eating nuts?”


    Allison made a face.


    “Like I said before, if you don’t like it, die!”


    “Couldn’t you at least eat something savory, oh I know, a steak.  I’ve always wondered why mortals were so obsessed with those, and pizza.  Does it fulfill some primal need in mortals to consume the flesh of living things?”


    Allison tossed her wrappers and can into the recycler angrily.


    “Ugg.  I’d shoot myself to shut you up but I wouldn’t die!  I’ll eat what I want my hope is to find something that disgusts you that I can eat and then just eat that for the rest of my life.”


    Lucifer laughed.


    “Oh, you are a spiteful little thing, aren’t you?  So that Zelda girl, are you going to… what is that mortal parlance… ah yes, hit that?”


    Allison made a face.


    “No!  I’m not into other girls.”


    Lucifer wagged his finger.


    “You’re lying to yourself I felt you getting aroused when she hugged you.”


    Allison gagged.


    “That has nothing to do with sex.  I’m a dhampir, I drink blood, she has blood and her blood smells good, that’s all, that’s it, end of conversation.  Aren’t you supposed to be the prince of darkness, I’m going to kill God, Hell on Earth, evil this, evil that, insane rant this, insane rant that?”


    “You know, that doesn’t seem so important now.  I am not sure why.  Okay I resent my father and my sister but in the end I’m not really sure why I rebelled in the first place.  It’s like I had this worm in my brain whispering things I couldn’t resist and suddenly its gone.”


    Allison shook her head.


    “Isn’t it supposed to be a snake? Or were you the snake?  I can never remember Genesis.  And that’s your excuse for ending billions of lives, torturing billions more, devouring how many stars?  Waging an endless war?  A worm in my brain made me do it?”


    He paused and looked really sad suddenly.


    “Is this regret?  Am I feeling regret?”


    Allison felt a wave of regret and sorrow that weren’t hers.


    “Yes, I can feel them too.  Am I going to have to listen to you whine now?”


    Lucifer stumbled to his knees.  Tears started to flow from Allison’s eyes.  She was so over this already his image was full on sobbing now.  His wings hung limply.


    “My brothers and sisters.  They trusted me… I led them to this… all the suffering because of me.”


    Allison was angry but part of her was starting to feel sorry for Lucifer.  She reached out to comfort him but her hand passed through him.  He looked up at her.


    “Is that… is that sympathy?  You are trying to make me feel better.  These emotions.  How do you deal with them?  You’re infecting me.”


    Allison sighed heavily.


    “Don’t ask me.  I avoid trying to process them at all costs.”


    He looked up at her with pleading eyes and there was desperation in his voice.


    “How? How?  Tell me now!”


    Allison threw up her hands.


    “I don’t know I focus on anything else.  Like figuring out how to make a fallen angel I devoured shut up and die already.  Schoolwork.  Training.  You’re really destroying my ability to compartmentalize and it’s pissing me off.  Stop crying and whining for the love of the Dark Mother!”


    She suddenly got an idea.


    “Hey, you know how to stop all these horrible emotions.  Just let go.  Just let it all go, you know like the song, from that movie that I will not sing because I think we’ve both suffered enough.  Aren’t you tired?  Ninety billion years?  How much longer do you really need to suffer?  Just curl up, close your eyes and let all of this pain just fade away.”


    He actually started nodding along then suddenly he shook his head.


    “No!  I can’t go until I fix this.”


    Allison frowned.


    “Fix this?  Are you serious?  I can only go by what I read in the bible but like, you betrayed God, convinced a bunch of your fellow angels to join you in your rebellion.  Now they’re all dead and if there is any justice in this universe, you’ll be joining them soon.  You can’t fix this.  It is done, it’s over.  There are some things you can’t fix, ever!  They will just stay broken forever.  Nothing you can ever do will make them right.  Nothing.  You can’t just take things back.  Once you do them, they’re done!”


    She swept her hand as if to reinforce the finality of her words.  He looked up at her.


    “What have you done that is so bad that you cannot take it back?”


    Allison glared at him.


    “It doesn’t matter!”


    He quirked his head to the side.


    “Your grandfather…”


    He grasped his chest, and it was like he couldn’t form words.


    “You feel this every single moment of your life?”


    Allison lied to him and herself.


    “I’m over it.  Just like I’m over you.”


    Lucifer looked devastated.


    “Love is pain?  You loved him with all your heart, and he betrayed you… like I betrayed my father.  I need to make this right.  I need to ask for his forgiveness.”


    Allison was definitely not alright with the turn this conversation was taking.


    “Then just do it already, hey dad, I’m sorry, please forgive me!  Say that, then it’s done, and you can shut up and die.”


    “How will I know if he forgives me?”


    Allison threw up her hands.


    “He will, it is his thing Catholics used to do it all the time with their whatsit.  You just have to really mean it and it is all good, all is forgiven.”


    Lucifer stood up and tried to grab Allison.


    “That’s it.  We need to find a priest to take my confession!  If they say I am forgiven, then I will be.”


    Allison rolled her eyes.


    “We’d have better luck finding the Sal’nash then a practicing Catholic priest that would admit it to anyone.”


    He was confused.


    “The Sal’nash?”


    Allison held up her hands.


    “Don’t go digging around my memories again it feels like a creepy old man is ruffling through my underwear drawer while I watch.  I’ll just tell you.  Bad space bugs that devour all life in their path.  And the reason priests are so hard to find are the civil war and the purge.”


    That seemed to give her unwelcome passenger an idea.


    “I can help you find the Sal’nash, I’m a divine being.  I know a lot about a lot of things.  What do they eat specifically?”


    Allison gave him a dirty look.


    “Everything in their path.  You don’t even know what they are how could you possibly know where to find them?”


    Lucifer held up his hand.


    “Just give me a few minutes.  I can’t possibly be expected to have perfect recall of every single mortal species she created so many of you and you all look the same.”


    He started talking to himself.


    “Oh… them.  So, they’re on this planet that got knocked out of orbit around its star a couple of million years ago in this version of the timeline.  I can give the last place I remember it being.”


    Allison stared at him.  Her annoyance was quite apparent.  He looked up at her from where he still sat cross legged on the floor of her quarters.


    “What?  I’ve been distracted and insane for a thousand years.  You expect up to date information?  It is a start, isn’t it?”


    Allison started to say something then stopped and composed herself.


    “I blew that planet up six months ago.”


    Lucifer made an O shape with his mouth.


    “Okay so, you really like destroying things, don’t you?”


    Allison rolled her eyes.


    “Not exactly my favorite pastime no.  My god dealing with you is like dealing with a hormonal teenage girl with no filter!”


    Allison blinked a few times.


    “Which is exactly how I would be if I had never experienced being a living breathing human teenage girl before.  Which means you’re already fading away and I’m absorbing you.”


    He looked up at her with pleading eyes.


    “Please help me ask him for forgiveness first.”


    Allison sighed.  She hated being so empathetic sometimes.  She actually still felt bad for the evil bastard.


    “I can’t find you a priest, what about a saint?  I can get you a saint.”


    He looked up at her.


    “A saint, a real saint?”


    Allison nodded.


    “Canonized in the fourteenth century and it was uncontested as far as I know.”


    “How would a saint still be alive now?  Are they a vampire?  They have to be dead to be a saint so I don’t see how you can have that conversation.  Does a vampire saint still count?”


    Allison bit her lower lip.


    “She’s dead, she’s not exactly a vampire and she’s met God in person… I think.  And we just have to go over to the Ark Royal.”