《Untold Stories of a Galaxy》


 PGI - Zelaous Service

    Grass rustled as it could only be caused by movement. Hasty, stamping footsteps mingled with it and betrayed the fact that the ground was firm. A shadowy figure flitted through the green. A second followed, a third and fourth. They all had one thing in common - they were all human and wore the elite high-tech armour of the Rangers. Those who belonged to this force were among the best in the galaxy, and they needed to be, because trouble clung to their heels. Whistling energy shots echoed through the air and grenades exploded around the Rangers.


    One by one, the men and women shouted to each other:


    ¡°Move, move!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re right behind you, Captain.¡±


    ¡°Look out, enemy advancing!¡± The captain pointed to a row of grey boulders. ¡°Take up position behind those rocks!¡± he ordered, goading his soldiers. ¡°Let¡¯s clear them out of the way!¡±


    Together, the remaining Rangers replied, ¡°Yep!¡± and they all jumped and rolled towards the thick stones. Meanwhile, the assault rifles were still being drawn and placed on the covers.


    Spellbound, the group stared at the horizon, at a clearing full of lanky trees. A pack of ragged mercenaries emerged from between them. They consisted of humans and Galig, the amphibious inhabitants of the water-dominated planet of Aran, and they wore their face-concealing glass masks, as was customary and necessary for their species.


    Not impressed, the rangers unsheathed their weapons and exchanged a sneer. ¡°I hate these scum ...¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll take care of them.¡±


    ¡°We are the elite!¡±


    The battle was about to begin and was initiated by the united shout of the group. ¡°WE ARE THE RANGERS!¡± Together they all unleashed their firepower and it quickly fell victim to several vagabonds.


    It was a bungling move by the vagabonds, but even when they changed tactics and took cover behind a thick line of trees, it was only a futile and fatal mistake. The rangers¡¯ penetrating shots pierced the wood, taking down mercenary after mercenary until only a few were left alive. Desperate, the survivors sought their salvation in flight, disappearing into the fog of destruction.


    ¡°Cease fire!¡± the captain ordered with an appropriate hand signal to that effect.


    Creaking, the damaged trees burst as dark smoke billowed around them and tiny fires smouldered on their surface and around them.


    The sight was decidedly satisfying to the captain. ¡°And once again we have triumphed!¡±


    ¡°Did you expect anything else, Captain?¡± a Ranger asked confidently.


    ¡°No!¡± the captain clarified, rising to his feet. ¡°No one defeats us!¡± He jerked his right arm high in the air, presenting the Ranger insignia on his forearm, the golden meteor encircled by lambent flames. ¡°VITA!¡±


    ¡°VITA!¡± echoed in the chorus, and everyone imitated the arm gesture - this was the Rangers¡¯ motto and was synonymous with a belief in immortality. So the elite soldiers stood there as a raspy voice, muffled by a mask but still loud, rang out from behind, ¡°So this is where you all are!¡±


    United and hasty, without being driven by fear, all the Rangers turned. ¡°Sir!¡± they saluted as if they had known he was there: their Galig general.


    The commander stood on the highest rock, which seemed like a perfectly prepared stage, and he raised his arm. ¡°Vita!¡± he shouted, and as the Rangers¡¯ silent arm salute followed, the general assumed a taut and observant pose. ¡°I see you have defeated the enemy as expected. Not for nothing are we the figurehead of the galactic community, the guardians of security and order! Only the High Sentinels stand above us, but they¡¯re lone wolves, not a sworn army, unlike us.¡±


    ¡°Vita, sir!¡±


    Looking at it more closely, it all seemed a little surreal, this whole scene. None of the rangers had even a scratch from the fight or were dirty because of the meadows and woods.


    A male voice, clearly not on the scene, commented. ¡°Come on, are you serious?!¡±


    No, none of the rangers had heard these words and the general continued unhindered. ¡°There is nothing we can¡¯t do and nothing that will stop us. Anything is possible!¡± he said sternly. suddenly pointing forward as if addressing a spectator. ¡°And what about you? When are you joining the Rangers? Help us! Protect the galaxy - like the legendary Magna!¡±


    ¡°Change the channel already!¡± the absent male voice complained and now it was clear - the Rangers belonged to an advertisement and were flickering on a high-definition screen.


    ¡°Yes, yes, in a minute,¡± a woman¡¯s voice waved off.


    The Rangers¡¯ sign swirled around the general and his soldiers until it settled among them, etched like an iron stamp. ¡°We are the best! We are the protectors!¡± the general repeated. ¡°Join us today! We want you!¡± Again he pointed forward.


    ¡°Will you finally change the channel?!¡± grumbled the male voice and the commercials disappeared in a confusing rush of constant channel changing.


    ¡°Are you happy now?¡± asked Kysaek. She was human and aligned her swivelling chair with her watch partner, Jim Baker. Her lips formed a cheeky smirk and she stroked her short brunette hair.


    Jim was a middle-aged man and turned his chair as well, although his rotation was slower because of his massive corpulence. ¡°We have a clear rule: no zapping!¡±


    ¡°Zap, don¡¯t zap ...¡± Kysaek shrugged. ¡°Over 10,000 channels on this planet and from the nearby clusters, and still there¡¯s nothing decent to watch.¡±


    Jim reached for a steaming mug of coffee. The caffeinated hot beverage from Earth was popular in the galaxy and tolerated by several species. ¡°So I do like the lesson with the Fugian.


    ¡°Kysaek looked less than enthusiastic and switched off the screen. ¡°You mean, where you feel even more stupid afterwards because you can¡¯t keep up with those super-intelligent plants? I¡¯d even rather look at House Earth.¡±


    Jim shuffled from his cup with relish. ¡°Watching a bunch of idiots in a house with cameras for a year? No thanks!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right in a way,¡± Kysaek admitted. Her job consisted of watching a bunch of screens night after night anyway. ¡°I guess PGI made me a voyeur.¡±


    A thought occurred to Jim. ¡°Speaking of watching,¡± he said, scooting closer to the security console, which was populated with a multitude of surveillance screens. ¡°The update should be coming any second.¡±


    ¡°True.¡± Kysaek nodded and took her place beside her partner. She called up a digital wall glowing blue. It was the floor plan of the building where the two of them sat. It was round and divided into several rings. ¡°Do you have our beloved Security Chief One on the screen yet?¡± she asked sarcastically. She didn¡¯t like SC1.


    Jim was already going off camera after camera. ¡°Let¡¯s see ... Where is he, where is he?¡± he grumbled. ¡°As if we¡¯d miss him ...¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t make it so hard on yourself,¡± Kysaek said, scanning the areas of the outermost ring. So dots appeared on the map each time, the homing signals of other guards. ¡°Found it!¡±


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Where is he?¡±


    ¡°At patrol two. I¡¯ll bet you ten foreign currency he¡¯s stomping them.¡±


    Loosely, Jim nudged Kysaek¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Bet you call that? It¡¯s his rite. And today he¡¯s in a particularly bad mood.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s surprised?¡± retorted Kysaek, not taking her eyes off the plan. ¡°Must be because he didn¡¯t become SC2 today¡± Now she also made herself a mug of coffee and drank. She placed her other hand over the floor plan and enlarged it.


    The details and number of rings, five of them, stood out. From the outside in, the sections were divided. It started at level one and ended in the centre at level five, which took up the largest area of the building.


    Spitefully, Kysaek blurted out her thoughts on the scheme. ¡°Do you think our SC will ever accidentally stray to level two and get shot by the bots?¡±


    ¡°Oh, Kysaek!¡± Jim shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ve been working with him here for three years. This is and always will be a dream.¡±


    Kysaek had only been working for PGI for six months and waved it off. ¡°You have some dreams. Any above level five too?¡±


    ¡°Do you want to start another what-is-well-in-level-five discussion?¡±


    ¡°After all these years,¡± Kysaek grinned, ¡°don¡¯t you care what you¡¯re guarding?¡±


    First Jim put down his coffee before raising his finger admonishingly. ¡°I only know one thing - I get my foreign currency every month and that¡¯s all I want to know. The job is easy and well paid.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget boring ...¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m telling you - easy,¡± Jim repeated, ¡°It¡¯s the kind of job everyone dreams of!¡± He threw his arms up gingerly. ¡°We practically get paid to sit!¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t argue with that. You win.¡±


    ¡°Kysaek, Jim,¡± a young male voice announced over the console. ¡°SC1 is on his way to you and he¡¯s in the best of moods again.¡±


    Kysaek and Jim¡¯s eyes met, but he took over the reply. ¡°Were you guys nice to him too?¡±


    ¡°Yes. We gave him kisses,¡± the voice exaggerated. She was radioing on a channel SC1 couldn¡¯t hear. ¡°And he¡¯s giving them to you now.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need that,¡± Kysaek shrugged off the voice. She glanced at the clock on her vortex cuff. ¡°I thought we¡¯d elude him today, but there¡¯s still seven minutes until our shift is over.¡±


    Jim teased. ¡°Are you in a hurry?¡±


    ¡°Indeed I am. I want to go to the Eternity.¡±


    ¡°Eternity?¡± marvelled Jim, ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll let you in?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a long shot, and if they don¡¯t, it¡¯ll just have to be a bar.¡±


    ¡°Better hurry up then,¡± Jim suggested. ¡°Run another patrol round and then you can go straight to the changing rooms without seeing SC1.¡±


    ¡°Good idea.¡± Kysaek walked to the room entrance where the weapons locker hung on the wall. She could only unlock the secured box via a code box on the side before taking one of two plasma rifles, complete with ammunition, from the cabinet.


    Jim watched Kysaek put the handy ammunition cells on her weapon belt, next to her plasma pistol. As he did so, he remembered something. ¡°Oh, Kysaek! If I let you go early today, but tomorrow you¡¯ll finally tell me about when you joined the army and then how you ended up at PGI.¡±


    Nodding, Kysaek loaded her rifle. ¡°I will,¡± she promised, though she wasn¡¯t particularly eager to chat about it, and there was a reason for that. She felt her short time in the army had been a great failure and she wanted to keep that to herself. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow, Jim.¡±


    ¡°See you then, Kysaek. Have fun!¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Kysaek smiled, adjusting the flashlight on her shoulder and slipping her helmet on. Guilelessly, she flicked the switch of the automatic sliding door and almost ran into her superior, who was human like her.


    Douglas Phonor could be frightening, mainly because of his scarred face and stern eyes. The silver-grey and flat-cut hair completed the stereotypical image of the nasty commander. ¡°Where are you off to in such a hurry, Kysaek?¡±


    ¡°SC1!¡± stood Kysaek at attention. ¡°I wanted to make one last tour before my shift ends.¡°At the reply,


    Douglas glanced at his companions. There was Ten¡¯Dis, a silent galig. The other was a human called Mac and always showed humanitys bad side. ¡°Why a tour?¡± asked Douglas, looking with derision at Kysaek. He had never made a secret of his disdain for her before. ¡°We exist for walkabouts and you can park your ass back in the seat next to Baker.¡±


    Outwardly Kysaek kept her composure, but inwardly she was seething. She would have loved to give the guy a piece of her mind, as she often did. ¡°Excuse me, sir,¡± she began formally, adopting a haughty tone. ¡°Tours are part of our employment contracts. If you are uncomfortable with this, you will need to contact Human Resources.¡±


    ¡°SC1! Apparently Kysaek is underutilised,¡± Mac jumped into the conversation. ¡°We should have her do something useful ... the caretaker probably needs help cleaning.¡±


    The suggestion appealed to Douglas. ¡°Yes, that would be something,¡± he nodded, but downplayed the idea. ¡°However, that would be an insult to the good man.¡±


    Kysaek stuck to her line despite this. ¡°Sir, you haven¡¯t answered my question - may I do my work now or use my time talking until my shift is over?¡±


    Douglas was not wearing a helmet, it was hanging from his belt and his eyelids narrowed. ¡°Get out of my sight and do your job properly!¡±


    For Kysaek, SC1¡äs statement was a boon and she went one better. ¡°Sir,¡± she saluted and started her patrol.


    Outside the surveillance room it was much darker and the only more light Kysaek got was from her shoulder lamp. So many times she had marched through these corridors and still they were eerie to her. As always, everything seemed so sterile, clinically clean and not a soul came her way. There hadn¡¯t been any real action or a serious problem here for a long time, but in the end Kysaek didn¡¯t complain and agreed with Jim. The job was easy and still brought in enough foreign currency and she was going to spend some of that later at the Eternity because the end of her shift was here.


    In the empty and quiet locker room, she sat down on a bench in front of her locker. It was a good time for her, which she often used to switch off and think or rather daydream.


    What would it be like if she ever hit the jackpot? If she had enough foreign currency in her account to really enjoy life? Or if she were simply someone of note - an entrepreneur, a heroine, the toast of the town or even a rough-and-tumble number among the criminals and not just who she was before and now?


    But Kysaek came back to reality and got rid of any equipment and the rather practical underwear at her locker. Every now and then she looked down her naked body and tugged at the skin. Kysaek was far from fat, but she found her body was only slightly toned since she had left the army.


    ¡°The things we could do ...¡± murmured Mac suggestively. The would-be macho stood with his arms crossed at the corner of a row of lockers.


    Kysaek didn¡¯t care and she deliberately gave him the bare back, cold shoulder and leisurely got dressed again. ¡°For a little scumbag like you, unisex locker rooms must be paradise.¡±


    ¡°They have their merits.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Kysaek screwed up her face. ¡°You never get anything out of naked women otherwise.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, sweetie,¡± Mac evaded with conviction. ¡°There have been plenty of ladies who have had the pleasure of being with me.¡±


    ¡°Imaginary notions suit you. After all, no one would believe you had anything like that happen in real life.¡±


    ¡°Your sharp tongue, that¡¯s what I like most.¡±


    Kysaek didn¡¯t respond to the innuendo. ¡°Did SC1 let you off the leash? Or why are you here?¡±


    ¡°Apart from the view?¡± grinned Mac, looking unabashedly at Kysaek, with less and less skin to be seen. ¡°I¡¯m off work now too, and I was wondering what else you were up to?¡±


    At last Kysaek slipped on her tank top and finished dressing. ¡°Nothing with you.¡±


    ¡°Come on,¡± Mac demanded discreetly, pushing off from the corner. ¡°If you¡¯d just be a little nicer to me, I could have a word with the SC and suggest you for his patrol team. That¡¯ll give a few more foreign currency.¡±


    Not for a second did Kysaek think of accepting this offer. ¡°Even though I would like to have more foreign exchange,¡± she admitted frankly. ¡°I¡¯d sooner clean up the slimiest Nyrnka than be nice to you in any way.¡±


    Mac¡¯s conviction was unwavering and even growing stronger. ¡°Sooner or later you will, believe me,¡± he opined and left.


    Kysaek was not deterred by this, however, and she still dressed up for the upcoming night out. Finally, she slipped on her black jacket and fished a packet of cigarettes out of its inside pocket.


    Kysaek only lit one of them outside, however, as smoking was absolutely forbidden in Research Complex One. Annoying for her as a smoker, even if she was not as addicted to it as some others. Nevertheless, she enjoyed the taste of tobacco all the more while the wind blew hard and she shivered a little in the darkness because of it. To distract herself from it, Kysaek tried to fixate on the near horizon - the magnificent skyline of Auranis.


    An ascending and descending row of thin office towers that were clearly visible even on a night like this. Their architecture was invariably by the Talin, who used soft shapes and sublime construction. They were eggshell-white palaces in skyscraper form, coupled with the modern technology of the interstellar age.


    That view helped Kysaek get over the cold as she reached the company¡¯s heavily guarded entrance gate and here the wind did not pull as hard.


    At the compound entrance there were many guards, heavy guns and various scanning systems. Just the checks, whether she went out or in, took Kysaek almost fifteen minutes. Each time this led her to wonder why such a check was actually necessary. Especially after she was finally outside and she looked back at PGI¡¯s three main towers, of which the central one was the tallest, this thought came to her: PGI - what exactly are they up to here? Apart from the huge production hall for spaceship parts, Kysaek did not know her way around the site. Everything else PGI guarded well, and every time she saw the enormous fortifications around the company headquarters, her curiosity grew and yet she wanted to heed Jim¡¯s advice - shut up and make money. Besides, the nightlife of Auranis now awaited Kysaek and that was rapidly taking over her mind.

 Party

    Relaxed, Kysaek leaned against the beam of a canopy of the heated, half-open transit station. She was still a long way from Auranis¡¯ city centre, and yet a lively and noisy nightlife was taking place around her.


    Indistinct scraps of conversation, flashing and colourful lights from shops and advertisements, not to mention the bright towers of houses. In the sky were columns of honking hoverwheels and in between the sirens of the police and fire brigade were blaring.


    Kysaek ignored all that as much as she could, though, when a large video screen on one of the towers became active directly opposite her.


    ¡°We are always here for you,¡± a soft female voice spoke. ¡°We bring progress. We care about your well-being.¡± In the image, a bright light blue spread out and formed a circle with white lines, under which a yellow lightning bolt thundered and stayed. ¡°PGI - everything you need.¡±


    So began every spot of PGI and Kysaek recognised the voice of human model Jana Lakova, which was why she rolled her eyes.


    On screen, Jana stepped into the scene and strode to a sporty hoverwheel. ¡°But don¡¯t just believe what you see, believe what you hear,¡± the model smiled, posing lasciviously next to the vehicle. ¡°PGI is not just about good looks. There is a lot underneath too, hidden deep inside. However, safety is the most important asset to us.¡±


    ¡°Ah, there¡¯s the boss,¡± Kysaek mumbled to himself. Another one of those people that every PGI commercial contained - the owner and chairman of the company. Skarg Peeks, a Calanian, replaced Jana completely, with his enormous pair of blank black eyes and smooth-looking, hairless skin. A kind of giant squid. In addition, there was a pronounced, very long and towering head, like a cone. A nose did not exist and there was no such thing as a typical mouth with lips, only a few overlapping, faintly discernible fangs. Kysaek knew, however, that beneath the teeth was the calanese¡¯s maw, which became fleetingly visible when it spoke. ¡°We at PGI rise to the challenge of making the best even better,¡± Skarg said in a slippery accent and serious voice. ¡°Nothing is too expensive for us to do that and I can tell you that because as the CEO, I know it better than anyone. My name is insurance and a guarantee for your quality and satisfaction. But that¡¯s not all: PGI is growing unceasingly, more and more, and soon our range will be enriched once again. Just for you, we invest vast amounts of foreign currency so that our range is constantly expanding and pampering you.¡± Around Skarg flew images of countless, everyday products until he came to the end. ¡°PGI - everything you need.¡±


    Kysaek heard this saying at least a dozen times a day, and not necessarily in the company. PGI was everywhere, being one of the most famous and powerful, multi-galactic companies.


    But the maglev train, which was announced by a soft gong, was not the company¡¯s product. The conveyance pulled in, and no sooner had it stopped and opened its gates than the colourful variety of galactic species poured out of the interior as a concentrated mass. The rush out was so intense that Kysaek almost didn¡¯t get on the train and had to squeeze inside as the door closed. What assholes!


    In return, Kysaek was spoilt for choice in the compartment, as almost all the seats were empty. She opted for one between the doors, leaned against the window and threw a foot on the bench opposite. That was how she perceived the jolt as the train started moving, and after a soft chime, she listened to the electronic announcement: ¡°Welcome to the MB-3!Next scheduled stop: Auranis Capital, Marketplace 22.¡± Now there was no need for Kysaek to hurry, as her stop was still several stations away.


    Unlike before, it was no longer worth looking at the skyline. The maglev train was moving extremely fast and everything flew by in a torrent. This fast-flowing sight was not to everyone¡¯s liking, including Kysaek¡¯s. That¡¯s why her eyes drifted to the compartment where she found a single salika. She looked at the representative of the humanoid insect species, as Kysaek considered them to have a certain aesthetic, at least as far as salika women were concerned.


    The woman¡¯s body showed gentle, feminine features, similar to humans, even if it was angular in some places, the fingers resembled pointed claws and there was no bosom. A rounded but stiff chitinous armour covered the face, which sometimes made it difficult to interpret the emotions of both Salika, as apart from their moderately mobile lips and yellow-tinted eyes with dark pupils, there was no movement. However, and this only concerned the female salika, the at least had hair-like dreadlocks at the back of their heads, a thin weave of loose cartilage and muscle.


    Kysaek did not look at the insectoid for too long, however, and for the rest of the journey the empty seat opposite her was the only object of interest. ¡°Stop: Auranis capital, outer inner district three. Exit in the left direction of travel.¡± Even as the train doors opened, Kysaek could hear the fuelling, but for her still quiet, beat of the Eternity. She had been looking forward to this all day!


    Even as Kysaek stood in the club¡¯s miserably long queue, it didn¡¯t spoil her mood. Apart from that, it was a good opportunity for her to light the next cigarette. The flame just wouldn¡¯t quite flare up, but no sooner was her fag glowing than Kysaek felt a tap on her shoulder and she looked back.


    A monkey-like snout opened. ¡°Got a light for me?¡± asked a Davoc who must have been two heads taller and had considerably more muscle mass. He took a thick cigar filled with red satios herb into his mouth. It was an entirely different genus of plant and much stronger than human tobacco.


    Of all the many aliens in the galaxy, Kysaek, like quite a few humans, identified most with the Davoc and wordlessly gave this specimen a light.


    The Davoc¡¯s four, thin nostrils flared. ¡°Thank you,¡± he said, closing his three eyes before tilting his head.


    The powerful smoke of the satio filled Kysaek¡¯s sense of smell. ¡°Always,¡± she replied, knowing that the head tilt along with closed eyes was one of the respectful gestures of the species. It was not a common act, as the Davoc and humans were not particularly friendly towards each other socially, but that was a matter of policy for Kysaek, and not to be imposed on every individual being.


    The Davoc introduced himself. ¡°I am Gorag.¡±


    ¡°Elaine,¡± Kysaek returned.


    Gorag seemed nonchalant. ¡°Are you here alone or are you waiting for someone?¡± he asked as the fresh city wind made his body fur dance on his arms and head.


    ¡°I¡¯m alone,¡± Elaine said, stretching her arms. ¡°Just got off the night shift, so I need the Eternity. I come here often because it¡¯s the best club in this part of town.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Gorag agreed. The beginnings of his strong teeth kept showing as he spoke, which was natural and not threatening. ¡°Can I buy you a drink inside, to thank you for the fire?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t say no to a drink,¡± Kysaek nodded and winked. ¡°But I¡¯m going in solo. Whether I come out solo is the other question ...¡±


    This made Gorag laugh. ¡°You¡¯ve got class, I¡¯ll leave it at that,¡± he said, pointing to the sides of the Eternity¡¯s facade. ¡°Have you noticed the new security bots?¡±


    ¡°Already noticed.¡±


    In the interstitial niches of the building, half obscured by the evening shadows, stood armed bot guards, the simplistic, mechanical servants of the galaxy. Because of Kysaek¡¯s work at PGI, however, the darkness could not fool them. ¡°These are the cheap ones. Simple models that have been re-purposed from worker to guard.¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡±


    ¡°It comes with the job,¡± Kysaek said, raising her head as the snake gradually began to move more briskly. This awakened a bad premonition in her and near the door it was confirmed. The two bouncers turned away guest after guest without giving people even the slightest chance.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t look good,¡± Gorag murmured pessimistically from behind the door, but still noticed something. ¡°You might be able to get in.¡±


    ¡°Why me?¡±


    Animal-like, Gorag¡¯s nostrils quivered. ¡°Because all those who are turned away are men.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± asked Kysaek, looking at the situation again. In fact, the prompt rejection applied only to men of every species and there were merely a few women in between. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s going to be my day today,¡± Gorag guessed disappointedly. ¡°Not even if one of the bouncers is one of my people.¡±


    Kysaek tried to give Gorag hope. ¡°Maybe you¡¯ll get lucky,¡± she said, because one of the bouncers was indeed another Davoc. This one seemed to Kysaek to fit the job, a bit broader than Gorag and he looked grimmer. However, that was nothing compared to the second post at the door - a Hishek.


    This was a predator-like lizard that Kysaek called a raptor for herself, and it actually amused her. When she ran through the galaxy in her head like this, there was - with a bit of imagination - a suitable animal equivalent on Earth for many a species. Unlike ordinary animals, however, the Hishek had a loftier and straighter posture when standing. Their thick scaly skin looked as if it was interspersed with iron fibres in places. In addition, there were warlike colour stripes on the face as well as on part of the skin. A massive tail swung back and forth at the rear. The arms were rather short and impractical for everyday errands, but like the feet, they were equipped with extremely sharp claws.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Gorag took the hint, but he didn¡¯t think the conspecific at the door was one to let in. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m going to get into the club for that.¡±


    Kysaek would see in a moment, but first it was now her turn. While the Hishek only gave a guttural growl and showed his cutting teeth, his partner did the talking. ¡°Well, look at that! Finally someone comes along to bring a breath of fresh air to the Eternity.¡±


    The Hishek agreed. ¡°For a human, she¡¯s a good looker.¡±


    In reply, Kysaek smiled coolly. ¡°Glad that¡¯s settled, and for your free look, you may let me in now.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s got fire,¡± the Hishek laughed, fixing Kysaek with his red reptilian eyes. ¡°Get your butt inside.¡±


    The request was promptly followed by Kysaek, but she stopped halfway in the doorway when it was Gorag¡¯s turn.


    ¡°We have no need for another filthy bundle of fur in here!¡± the Hishek said dismissively. ¡°If you were at least better dressed, you could be employed as a cleaner.¡±


    ¡°Come on!¡± sighed Gorag in annoyance, jerking an arm up in the air. ¡°These are my best clothes and you already didn¡¯t let me in last week.¡±


    The Davoc bouncer cracked his hands. ¡°And you haven¡¯t learned a thing. Get out or we¡¯ll give you another lesson, but you¡¯ll feel it, not just hear it!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like that even better,¡± the Hishek bared his teeth and gave a warning growl at which his nostrils flared.


    Kysaek didn¡¯t just feel sorry for Gorag. The bouncers¡¯ behaviour went against her grain. ¡°He¡¯s with me,¡± she lied placatingly.


    The hishek didn¡¯t quite believe that. ¡°You sure? This would be a good opportunity to get rid of this guy.¡±


    The Davoc bouncer folded his arms. ¡°That¡¯s right, sweetheart -now or never.¡±


    ¡°Less talk, more let through,¡± Kysaek opined, poker high. ¡°Or I¡¯ll disappear again.¡±


    The bouncers looked at each other and didn¡¯t seem particularly happy, even pissed, but they silently waved Gorag through. Inside, where the volume was increasing, Gorag thanked them. ¡°I don¡¯t even know what to say. That was pretty decent of you.¡±


    Kysaek played down the act. ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± she replied. Then, before pushing her way into the first crowded room in the club, she made Gorag an offer. ¡°Let¡¯s skip the formalities. Buy me a drink and we¡¯ll call it even. I want a Star Fruit.¡±


    ¡°You bet!¡± agreed Gorag. ¡°I¡¯m right behind you!¡±


    A shiny, floating sphere rotated above Kysaek¡¯s head and it was covered with nimble, colourful spotlights. Faster and faster the lights began to spin in circles until the sphere took on a dull white, and around it a spiral galaxy emerged - a holographic sea of stars and beautiful space nebulae.


    A sprawling bar jutted out of one section of the wall, reminiscent of the tail of a comet from the get-up, and there stood a bald man, one of many waitresses. ¡°What can I get you?¡± he asked, looking at Kysaek. Gorag, however, took the order.¡±


    A Pure Skin for me and a Star Fruit for the lady.¡±


    ¡°Coming right up,¡± the barman replied and set about pouring and mixing the alcoholic drinks.


    Kysaek liked to drink the Star Fruit, but the drink made of exotic fruits from different planets was expensive even for a middle class place like the Eternity. So Gorag¡¯s thanks were more than welcome when Kysaek got her tall and free glass of Star Fruit. The contents kept changing colour, a cycle between green, purple and red.¡±


    So, Elaine,¡± Gorag raised his glass. ¡°I wish you a joyous evening!¡±


    The glasses clinked together. ¡°Me to you too,¡± Kysaek smiled delightedly and parted from the Davoc to survey the crowd at the end of the bar counter. Satisfied, she sipped her Star Fruit and an explosion of flavours danced on her tongue, further lifting Kysaek¡¯s spirits. This could be a super night tonight!¡±


    Soooo, party people!¡± it sounded from the speakers of the music system. ¡°I hope you¡¯re in a good mood!¡±


    An overwhelming part of the crowd jerked their arms or arm-like extremities up in the air and cheered the announcement.


    ¡°I see!¡± the voice said goadingly. ¡°I¡¯ve got a hot crowd here today, and what do you do when there¡¯s a fire somewhere? - Right! You keep fanning the flame!¡± A new piece of music unfolded, strongly represented by bass-heavy instruments, but it started slowly.


    The beautiful projection of stars on the ceiling became a swirling circle and contracted in the centre. A single ball of light remained, flinging all the stars back to all angles in a massive explosion, a small big bang that brought with it the start of more rapid music.


    This accompanied Kysaek bobbing her head and taking small sips of her drink.


    ¡°Sweetheart,¡± suddenly came the sound from the side. A hishek was there and he thought nothing of formality. ¡°Will you get on the dance floor, or are you too fine for that?¡± he asked, slapping his short paw on the counter. As he did so, several empty shot glasses clinked in front of him.


    Cheeky and unafraid, Kysaek answered him. ¡°If I go dancing, it¡¯s only trouble because I steal all the women¡¯s guys or vice versa.¡± She had never made a secret of her bisexuality. The galaxy was a very tolerant and open stage, although of course there were still enough dissenting voices about some things even in these times.


    Proudly, the Hishek jutted her chin and let her tongue fly out of her mouth. ¡°You think you¡¯re irresistible, huh?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I think I am,¡± Kysaek said nonchalantly, shuffling from her drink. ¡°Want to see how irresistible I can be?¡±


    The Hishek¡¯s eyes closed almost completely and he got the look of a hunter or a drunk. ¡°I like you and I¡¯d love to push you over the edge of the bed, but I¡¯ve got something hotter than you,¡± he asserted unabashedly, pointing to the towering, glass tubes of go-go dancers in the crowd. There, a galig swung her inviting, wide hips and animated dozens around her into wild movements. Unlike the male galigs, however, such as Ten¡¯Dis, the woman at the pole, apart from her more petite body, possessed an aesthetically pleasing flap of skin on her head. It was long and, next to the otherwise green skin, coloured in a natural orange.


    Kysaek especially liked the flap of skin - to her, it was their hair, only as skin and in one piece. She passed that on to the hishek as well. ¡°She is very pretty, your mask wearer. The colours on her head are particularly beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± the Hishek nodded with satisfaction, alluding to his own red streaks of colour on his muzzle. ¡°But apart from that, she has the hottest butt and those hips ...¡±


    ¡°Well, go see her then.¡°, Kysaek cheerfully encouraged the hishek.


    He drank one last glass. ¡°Good idea,¡± the lizard murmured, pushing his way through the crowd where everyone immediately made room for him.


    Now Kysaek was in a dancing mood herself, and she made her way to the joyous celebration crowd with her drink. When she was in such a mood, she could dance for hours, no matter how she had been before, and so she did likewise today. Her movements were fluid and she cut a very good figure, something she had been told many times before. Therefore, Kysaek was not surprised that some dancers were constantly trying to get close to her, but she pretended to be aloof. No one here, regardless of gender or species, caught her interest that evening.


    Kysaek shuddered at the sight of her watch. Early morning already? How time passed ... As much as she would have liked to celebrate more, she had to go home, because tonight was her next shift and she needed some sleep during the day.


    Despite the dawn, however, there was still no sunrise and because of the cool air Kysaek put on her jacket on the way to the transit station.


    In her area, at this earlier hour of the morning, it was nowhere near as busy or garish as the districts in the centre of Auranis or near the Eternity - especially since Kysaek lived at the bottom of the towers of houses. In a city like Auranis, :the higher the better. But that didn¡¯t mean Kysaek¡¯s neighbourhood was a ghetto. She only knew that from the outskirts or denser residential areas of the city. A few more blocks and I¡¯ll be home, she thought to herself as she walked past open shops.


    There, Kysaek saw bots who ran the shops, and there were various kinds of them in the galaxy. But here they were always the same models - white machines on two legs, with two arms and an almost square head. There was no such thing as a mouth, but there was a narrow black field at eye level. There, the bots showed different emotions and colours, depending on the situation. Right now, they all had two blue and happy eyes.


    In contrast, the sounds that Kysaek suddenly heard sounded anything but happy. It sounded like a quarrel and a scuffle, a robbery, and that¡¯s why she stepped up a gear.


    Around the next corner, Kysaek found the source of the noise. A Talin, who outwardly resembled humans extremely and whose skin was white as snow, was surrounded by a Davoc and lanky human.


    Again and again the woman tried to move away. ¡°Leave me alone at last!¡± demanded the Talin, without her lips moving or opening as she spoke.


    The staggering men, however, kept blocking her way. One of the people even seemed really drunk. ¡°W-we just want to beee nicely,¡± he grinned inanely.


    ¡°Thank you, but I don¡¯t need your care!¡± clarified the Talin. As hard as she could, she slapped against the Davoc¡¯s broad chest.


    The ape-being didn¡¯t mind. ¡°Your complexion is as pure as innocence itself,¡± he commented. ¡°Are you still innocent?¡±


    The Talin was grabbed by the Davoc¡¯s arm and he tugged so hard that her golden headdress slipped off her bald head. Still, she looked noble. ¡°You don¡¯t understand in a polite way, so I¡¯ll be clearer!¡± she began, becoming abusive. ¡°I have no interest in drunken scum like you!¡±


    Hastily, Kysaek crossed the street. She didn¡¯t think twice about things like that. ¡°Hey, you assholes!¡± she shouted, tightening her stance. ¡°Are your auditory canals so far away from your brains that you can¡¯t understand no?¡±


    The outcry was enough for the men to respond to Kysaek, but they continued to surround the Talin. ¡°Look, Dave,¡± the Davoc said to the human. ¡°Another treat.¡±


    Dave hiccupped. ¡°We are reaaallyy lucky, Dodol,¡± he returned to the Davoc, waving the newcomer closer. ¡°Come here, Shhwweetieee.¡±


    ¡°Go fuck yourselves!¡± insulted Kysaek to the two, hoping to get them away from Talin that way. ¡°Get out of here or it¡¯s about to get really uncomfortable!¡±


    The men¡¯s faces wrinkled, their expressions looked annoyed, and they backed away from Talin. ¡°What are you going to do about us?¡± growled Dodol.


    Only fleetingly did Kysaek look into the Talin¡¯s pale, light blue eyes and with a nod signified her to leave, but the stranger stood frozen and Kysaek had to buy more time. ¡°If only you had left!¡± she pressed out between her lips and put her hands on her hips. She was very sure she could win this fight, not because of her rather modest basic knowledge of hand-to-hand combat or the fact that, unlike the two guys, she wasn¡¯t particularly drunk. She was given the gift of prismatics, the ability to harness the natural energies of the universe. However, this talent required a lot of concentration and endurance: it was a power-sapping affair and Kysaek had never trained her prismatics well, which was why she knew that the fight would have to be decided quickly. ¡°Come here!¡±


    At the statement, the men staggered forward and Dodol snarled, ¡°We¡¯ll smash your face in!¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re the first!¡± shouted Kysaek. Her right hand balled into a fist and was surrounded by clear, shimmering white energy. This she unleashed, slashing forward to hurl a concentrated ball of prismatic power at Dodol.


    It caught the Davoc in the stomach area, like the blow of a powerful steam hammer, and he flew back even a metre.


    ¡°Shhluuttt!¡± came from Dave and he charged on without cover.


    A special fighter Kysaek was not, but she could easily cope with this full-blown fellow. This was followed by ducking away from her, some combination punches and a kick to the soft parts that sent Dave to the ground. ¡°So much for that, eh?¡± she took a strained breath, but behind her she heard a metallic rustle.


    Despite the previous direct hit, Dodol was already back on his feet, holding a piece of scrap metal he must have had from the nearby bins. With it he struck at Kysaek¡¯s back. ¡°Now you¡¯re going to get it! We¡¯re going to finish you!¡± the ape-creature roared and kicked the woman who was going down.


    There was nothing Kysaek could do to counter this, for her spine hurt too badly and the Davoc¡¯s brute strength did the rest. She could not do more than cower from the attacks, but at least she noticed that the Talin had escaped.


    Staggering, Dave also brought himself to a halt and joined in the kicking. Dodol raised the scrap for another strike, just then sirens howled through the morning air and Dave looked around in panic. ¡°Eh, stop it! Shheceruity forces!¡± The human immediately staggered away and Dodol, clearly finding it difficult not to take the blow, followed shortly after.


    After the two men had disappeared, Kysaek, badly battered, spread her arms and legs wide and looked up at the dimly brightening night sky. ¡°Miserable shit!¡± she took an exhausted breath. ¡°The shitty end to an otherwise good evening ...¡±

 Daily life

    It was darkened and quiet in Kysaek¡¯s bedroom. She was still in bed, half-covered, asleep. The sunlight, however, filtering through the slits in the blinds, was already tickling her eyelids and from outside came the lively bustle of Aurani¡¯s city life. It gradually brought Kysaek out of a deep sleep, but she didn¡¯t feel like getting up yet and pulled the covers over her head.


    It didn¡¯t help against the radio¡¯s incipient wake-up melody, though. ¡°A wonderful early noon, Aurani¡¯s capital, outskirts D-11,¡± said a friendly female voice. ¡°It is now 10:59 and the sun is high in the sky. There are almost no clouds and it will stay that way all day. The latest reports...¡±


    Determined, Kysaek stretched her arm high above the bed and strangled the radio. She plucked the blanket off herself leisurely. Not only could she still feel the blows of last night - she could see the effects just as clearly on her front. Bruises, everywhere. ¡°I was too careless,¡± Kysaek groaned to herself, looking towards the blinds. ¡°Lucky I didn¡¯t drink too much, or that would have turned out even worse.¡± She could think of nothing more to say than to laugh at herself. After all, she hadn¡¯t been able to keep herself out of it once again. It wasn¡¯t the first time Kysaek had taken such a beating, but it had been worse in the past. That was years ago, though, and now, at twenty-seven, she tried to avoid trouble more often. Still, she would repeat last night exactly the same way, out of female solidarity alone and because there were already too many idiots who got away with too many things.


    Painfully, Kysaek groaned as she stood up. ¡°Nrggh!¡± A hot shower would be best now. She stripped off her clothes as she walked. ¡°Turn on the News Programm.¡±


    She didn¡¯t have far to go to her shower because it was part of the bedroom and the bedroom was the only room in her flat. An all-purpose room, when you got right down to it. The floor was made of Eldar steel, one of the most common and sturdy metals, but in one corner there was a square frame in the ground and from that slowly rose a glass wall. The transparent structure carried a shelf of grooming products on the inside and surrounded Kysaek¡¯s naked body. At her feet, the previously hidden drain revealed itself and a simple shower head emerged from the ceiling.


    As pleasant warm water descended on Kysaek¡¯s light-wired body, a soothing sigh escaped her and she followed the previously activated television programme.


    The voice on the news was familiar to Kysaek, coming as it did from reporter Lisa Orton, one of the few people in the Auranis news landscape.


    ¡°A total of fifty-four people were killed in last night¡¯s high-rise fire and Fire Prevention is investigating the cause of the fire.


    Let¡¯s move on to galaxy-wide news - today marks the anniversary of the tragedy known as the Punisher incident. Seventeen years ago, as part of a top secret project and to safeguard against future conflict, the Spectrum of Central decided that research into the technology of the First was imperative and vital. To this end, an artefact, in the form of an inactive battleship, was selected from the scrap graveyard on the planet Mars and transported in utmost secrecy to a well-guarded facility, it was learned after the fact.¡±


    In the meantime, Kysaek rubbed a helping cor ointment on the sore spots before she even thought of resorting to the care products and continued to listen to news.


    ¡°Even today, the general population is outraged that the Spectrum defied that law which it itself enacted, stating that any handling or trade in the technology of the First is strictly forbidden, without exception. But this is how tragedy took its course, and in the proceeding of the research the avatar of the battleship came to life, which none of the scientists noticed. One by one, the entire base fell victim to the clandestine assimilation of the awakened First, as did visitors from higher command circles who had come to inspect. It was only thanks to the attention of the High Sentinels that the activities of the First were discovered and put to an end. Mercilessly and under the leadership of their best man, Enar Pi¨¦ren, the High Sentinels led a large fleet against the base and destroyed everything and everyone. Pi¨¦ren had survivors executed because he did not want any possible danger to the galaxy from assimilates, which brought angry protests. People even accused him of racism, as extremely few Galig were involved in the incident and he would never have slaughtered his own people like that.¡±


    In time, Kysaek sank into herself, listening to the rushing water as she thought of the Punisher incident and the Firsts. She had only been ten at the time, but she remembered the time when the tragedy had happened and she had first seen the pure fear of death people had of the Firsts. It stemmed from the Solaris War, the worst event in the history of the galaxy so far, but Kysaek had not witnessed it and only knew of the war from lessons, stories or various cinematic depictions. Therefore, she lacked the personal experience and could not completely comprehend it until today, this irrepressible fear of the Punisher, of the First or the process of assimilation, where the mind was manipulated. Learning and experiencing, two different things. However, Kysaek didn¡¯t need to have experienced all that to understand why the technology of the Firsts was taboo to the general public. Not even possession, but vague involvement alone was enough for at least twenty-five years in prison, if you got off lightly. That didn¡¯t completely deter Kysaek, though, and she didn¡¯t know. what she would do if she ever got the chance to find or sell such technology. Perhaps the lure of making a fortune would be too great, for the technology was coveted despite the ban and was among the most valuable things one could get foreign currency for.


    The flow of water ended and the last drops pattered down on Kysaek¡¯s head. Her hair stuck up to her neck and throat, smooth and shiny. ¡°I should stop by Traffo¡¯s studio before my next shift.¡±


    Kysaek packed up what she needed for her workout and headed to Traffo¡¯s studio, a fitness club. A summoned taxi was all she needed to get there, crossing almost half the city, but it was worth it to her. For one thing, the PGI premises were not far from the studio and for another, Kysaek liked the atmosphere of the club and the owner, the Eporan Ulun Traffo. She had been going to this studio for almost a year and yet Kysaek could not stop smiling when she thought about Eporans and fitness.


    However, Kysaek did not meet Ulun at the studio when she arrived, although he was usually at the reception desk. She didn¡¯t mind though, and after changing into short gym clothes, Kysaek took advantage of the fancy range of exercise equipment. Her focus today was mainly on things she could use to increase her stamina.


    This included a room that had similarities with a shooting range. The targets, however, were not targets but large dummies and barrels stacked on top of each other. There were no weapons and instead objects or prismatic energy flew at the targets.


    Kysaek observed the only two people present in the room: a Talin and a human man.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    While the man was rather average, the Talin stood out more clearly for her prismatic abilities, and no matter how strong her attacks were, she hardly broke a sweat.


    The fact that the room was so empty, however, was not because the studio was unpopular or because the existing customers did not want to take advantage of the offer. Individuals with the necessary prismatic abilities were just not a dime a dozen, and some species did not have the genetic prerequisites at all. One had to be born with it.


    For the trainees, auxiliary bots always brought new material to throw, mostly cubes and balls of ordinary metal. But sometimes there were more fragile things, like glass and wood, or more solid things, in the form of a rubber hoop. Kysaek knew the reason: to give the prismatics a feel for different materials. It was easier to use a sturdy piece of steel, as it could withstand more than a fragile glass that could be broken by the energy field with ease.


    Barrels that had been knocked over by hits or dummies that had suffered damage were set up again or replaced by grappling arms that came out of the ceiling.


    The training was intense, but the time did not last and Kysaek had to stop. She used the gym¡¯s washrooms to freshen up and was about to leave when she heard the familiar, tinny voice of Ulun Traffo. ¡°Hello, Kysaek!¡± he greeted her from behind and Kysaek returned the greeting amiably. ¡°Hello, Ulun!¡±


    The imposing Eporanian raised his arm ponderously and adjusted the system of his protective suit, a composite of more flexible Eldar steel and nanofilaments. ¡°Are you leaving again already?¡± asked Ulun slowly, lowering his arm.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been here for a while,¡± Kysaek commented. Every now and then she had trouble not looking up at Ulun¡¯s shoulders or other Eporanians. Many species wore their heads up, on shoulders or necks, but that was not the case with Eporanians. The face was not a normal head and there was no neck at all. Instead, it was a good bit below the shoulders and was hidden under the mask of the protective suit, slightly embedded in the torso. Kysaek referred to this as chest height and nodded at the nearly 2.50 metre tall Eporan. ¡°I didn¡¯t see you at the counter when I arrived. Since when do you move away from him?¡±


    Ulun stood there like a broad rock, with thick, chunky feet and about a metre in body diameter, as was standard among his people. With each sentence, the mouth slit of his face mask flashed purple. ¡°Involuntarily,¡± Ulun said tersely, and as Eporanians held, he spoke each word and entire sentences very, very slowly. ¡°I had to throw out two obscene Hishek. They were mating in the shower rooms.¡±


    Immediately Kysaek laughed. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure that¡¯s a problem for some guests,¡± she grinned, less affected. She herself would probably never start anything with a Hishek, for the cultural idiosyncrasies would be the least of her problems, but the lizards belonged to a species where the physical in any way was quite difficult for humans. The sharp claws alone were not meant for human skin. ¡°And if you get caught ... I wouldn¡¯t care.¡±


    ¡°I hope you haven¡¯t already used the cleansing showers for unthought-of practices yourself?¡± asked Ulun, not sounding overly concerned. He was very much in control of his emotions.


    Actually, Kysaek wanted to remain silent, but she allowed herself a joke. ¡°Have you ever caught me before?¡±


    ¡°No, but that wasn¡¯t an answer.¡±


    Obligingly, Kysaek showed her fingers without them being crossed. ¡°I swear - I¡¯ve never had sex with a Hishek in the shower rooms.¡±


    Ulun contented himself. ¡°Human humour is really special. Even 200 years after your arrival on the galactic scene, I haven¡¯t gotten used to it and I don¡¯t like it much.¡±


    ¡°You certainly have a few years ahead of you to maybe do,¡± Kysaek posited, alluding to Ulun¡¯s long life. The Eporanian was just 2398 years old, which among his people, if spared illness and the like, was about half the expected lifespan.


    ¡°Anything is possible,¡± Ulun replied and walked towards Kysaek. He barely got off the ground, however, as he dragged his feet across the ground more than he lifted them, and each step brought him only inches forward. ¡°Who gave you those wounds?¡±


    ¡°Two lousy bastards,¡± Kysaek replied. That Ulun only asked now did not surprise her. Eporans really did everything leisurely. It was their way, their culture. ¡°That¡¯s why I was here today. I need to get more in shape.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re not exactly disciplined, I¡¯m afraid,¡± Ulun said without sounding reproachful. At the marching pace, it must have taken him another minute to finish. ¡°But you¡¯re a friendly person.¡±


    Kysaek came towards him. ¡°Thank you, but I have to go. Work calls.¡±


    ¡°Wait,¡± Ulun asked, extending the arm on which he had his vortex cuff. ¡°Take this. You¡¯ll get an effective cream for it at the next healing station, for bruises. It does a lot of good and makes the wounds disappear quickly.¡±


    Without hesitation, Kysaek connected her cuff to Ulun¡¯s via an invisible digital network and was astonished. ¡°Estro Light? That¡¯s a pretty expensive brand. That¡¯s like giving me back three months¡¯ studio fees.¡±


    ¡°He who has much, let him share,¡± Ulun preached warmly. ¡°Such are the principles of my people and you are a nice person who deserves it.¡± However, he revealed what else lay behind this gift. ¡°Besides, it is publicity for me and for the healing station with which I do business. Especially since it is also just a sample pack.¡±


    Kysaek didn¡¯t hold that against him. ¡°Thank you, Ulun, but I really must be going,¡± she apologised, laughing inwardly. Eporanians were not among the best traders and richest species in the galaxy for no reason.¡±


    May the stars light and guide your path!¡±


    Kysaek kept it simpler. ¡°Until next time!¡±


    On her way to work, she picked up the cream in question and took advantage of the train ride to apply it in a quiet compartment. Ulun had not promised too much, for even during the journey the faintest effusions disappeared, and not only did Kysaek feel relief - she felt vitalised. This astonished her, when only a short while before she had spent hours in tedious training. With this feeling of relaxation, Kysaek sank into her seat and used the train¡¯s on-board signal to connect to its virtual system via her vortex cuff.


    It was a galaxy-wide digital network. Whatever your heart desired, you could find it all: information, trading opportunities, social interaction, distraction through games and, what Kysaek believed was at least half of the VS, pornography. With the right equipment, which cost a small fortune, one could even enter virtual reality as if one were actually there, but she had never been interested in that.


    A holographic window popped up before Kysaek¡¯s eyes and presented a short message.


    Aurani¡¯s security massively robbed!


    As the Auranis city administration announced today, a magazine of the internal city security was secretly cleaned out three days ago. Especially assault weapons and light artillery were stashed in the hoard. When asked how all this could have happened, a spokesman replied that the guards on duty had been extremely neglectful of their duties and had already been arrested.


    Kysaek found this both funny and strange. An entire camp cleared out in secret? Had the guards been on drugs or in a deep sleep?


    Suddenly, however, an exclusive red breaking news appeared and Kysaek knew immediately that it did not bode well.


    Neo Solaris has struck again!


    An hour ago, Neo Solaris wreaked unprecedented carnage in an outlying Z-2 shopping mall. The xenophobic organisation is responsible for well over 1000 casualties and despite the quick arrival of the police, they were not stopped. The police themselves also suffered huge casualties before the popular shopping mall was blown up by the terrorists. In a statement shortly after, Neo Solaris announced that they would not stop. This war would continue until humanity was given the place in galactic leadership that it deserved. The organisation continues to make no distinction between inferior aliens and those humans who support or otherwise associate with these aliens. In a swift response to this atrocious act, the human collective of the spectrum expressed regret and shame that there were still elements tarnishing the image of humanityso. Furthermore, the Luna Alliance would step up its efforts to put more of a stop to Neo Solaris and finally put an end to the alien-hostile grouping.


    At the end of the article, Kysaek shook her head in disbelief. Put an end to it? They had been trying to do that for almost 45 years. And even if they succeeded, there were plenty of radical groups like that. This was not a purely human phenomenon. However, since Neo Solaris had succeeded Solaris, this xenophobic organisation was in the spotlight more often.

 Daily duty

    Brawls, training, attacks. Kysaek had to put all this out of her mind on the job, or at least wait until she could talk about it with Jim in the quiet of the night. Yes, it would be a shift with many topics today.


    Before starting work, however, it was time to change, and while Kysaek stood half-naked at her locker, there was Mac again. He had the air of a stalker, who had only been waiting and was unabashedly watching her from the entrance again. Kysaek rolled her eyes. ¡°Never heard of hookers? They¡¯ll do anyone for money, and you seem to be in dire need of it.¡±


    ¡°Well what¡¯s the tone today?¡± said Mac, clearly alluding to the lingering bruises. ¡°Don¡¯t take it out on me when someone¡¯s done you in.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not normally mine, but maybe your gawking behaviour is a case for Human Ressources Department?¡±


    ¡°Please, you¡¯re in the wrong century. I¡¯m just waiting here for a colleague who is about to come on duty and happens to be wearing very little at the moment, in a mixed dressing room. If that makes you uncomfortable, you should have read your employment contract better.¡±


    More annoyed than pissed, Kysaek clenched her fist. ¡°Get the fuck out of here!¡± she said, thundering her fist against the locker.


    Mac didn¡¯t respond to this in any way. ¡°You know, I know a good remedy for stress, which you clearly have, and we still have twenty minutes before the shift starts.¡±


    The man was clearly a self-absorbed asshole wallowing in his vanity, and that¡¯s when an idea struck Kysaek. She quietened down and revealed her half-naked front. She wanted to give him what he needed. ¡°You know what? You¡¯re right! Let¡¯s take care of this!¡±


    Mac¡¯s grin couldn¡¯t have been wider. ¡°Finally, you¡¯re loosening up!¡± he commented, coming inside.


    Kysaek, however, raised his index finger and wagged it slowly in denial. ¡°Not here ... Ever thought about the showers?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, no. Must be hot.¡±


    ¡°And how,¡± Kysaek winked mischievously. ¡°We¡¯re running out of time, though. Go ahead quickly and I¡¯ll join you in five minutes, then we¡¯ll have a little foreplay.¡± She watched Mac walk hurriedly towards the showers. He seemed to have a firm belief in his success. Never in a million years, not even for all the foreign currencies in the galaxy, would Kysaek really have done that. Instead, she got ready for the shift and sidled up to the showers where the water was already rushing.


    Under the flowing rain of the showerhead, Mac stood by, bare-bottomed. He was oblivious to Kysaek¡¯s presence, though, and how she was readying her vortex cuff. Not that she was a technical genius, but the electric lock on the door to the showers was simple and a weak shock produced with the cuff was enough to disable the controls. Covered by the pattering of the water and without Mac taking any notice, the passageway closed and would take about fifteen minutes before it could be opened again via the controls. That was more than enough time for Mac to be late for his shift and for Kysaek to get a modicum of revenge, for SC1 was a fanatic about discipline, punctuality being one of the top priorities.


    Even Kysaek only arrived at the last minute in her guard area, where the normal, almost deathly boring and dark silence prevailed. Once again, she encountered no one in the corridors, apart from the patrolling guard bots, and they had never been the talkative sort or designed for such.


    In the camera room, Jim, already seated, greeted her. ¡°That was close! Two more minutes and you¡¯d be late!¡±


    Sensing the mood, Kysaek relayed it to Jim. ¡°I had some business to attend to,¡± she mentioned as she stowed her assault rifle.


    Jim took it calmly. ¡°I¡¯m not going to rat you out,¡± he said, pointing to his face. ¡°Are you trying out a new fashion trend or what is it?¡±


    ¡°More like an old trend: meddling in other people¡¯s business and getting the receipt for it,¡± Kysaek countered, placing herself on the vacant chair. There was nothing left of their fun before, as if the dull workplace had swallowed it up immediately.


    ¡°Sounds like a story worth telling,¡± Jim replied, but he uttered a warning in the same breath. ¡°You should be careful who you meet like this today though.SC1 is pretty pissed off because some have called in sick. Even his appendage Ten¡¯Dis.¡±


    Kysaek completed the list, with a new hint of mirth. ¡°Then he¡¯ll be in an even worse mood if Mac is late.¡±


    ¡°I sense tonight¡¯s shift will be full of good stories,¡± Jim foresaw, taking a sip of brewing coffee.


    Looking at the drink, Kysaek made herself a cupful as well. ¡°Do you think this would be a better job for me?¡±


    ¡°Which one?¡±


    ¡°Storyteller,¡± Kysaek replied. She had heard so many stories and talk, yes, she could certainly talk like a waterfall. However, she was honest enough to know the truth: That didn¡¯t make her a good storyteller.


    ¡°Not a bad idea,¡± Jim encouraged his partner. ¡°Best to start with your military service first ...¡±


    Yes, it was said by Kysaek yesterday and she was going to keep her word. ¡°Just don¡¯t be disappointed at the end. It¡¯s not that exciting.¡±


    ¡°Leave the judgement to me.¡±


    ¡°All right ...¡± began Kysaek, taking a deep breath. She just wasn¡¯t proud of her short time in the military and she was embarrassed, but she hid it well behind her words. ¡°It was around five years ago now when I was a recruit in the Luna Alliance military. I was totally fascinated, especially by all the publicity. Sort of like the Rangers¡¯.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not alone there,¡± Jim agreed. He had a few more years under his belt and shared his experience with Kysaek. ¡°They all suffered heavy losses in the Solaris War and only now are they slowly getting their act together. More than ever, the military is luring young people with promises, the Luna Alliance especially, and with the stories of Magna. To be a hero, someone of high value. The exception to the rule, the saviour and protector,¡± Jim cynically enumerated. ¡°The reality is quite different and young people usually simply lack the experience to know better, but I guess mistakes like that have to be made. It¡¯s the only way to get smart enough in the first place.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to say that to me anymore,¡± Kysaek clarified matter-of-factly. Her time with the Luna Alliance - or Alliance for short, as many more succinctly referred to it - had been a waste, in her opinion. ¡°In the military I was so ...¡±


    Suddenly it went pitch black. Lights and the monitors failed to work. ¡°What the?,¡± escaped Kysaek and Jim, startled.


    The internal communications of Kysaek and Jim¡¯s guard equipment activated with the voice of Douglas. ¡°Everyone report! What¡¯s going on?¡±


    From the second guard station came the first recall. ¡°All lights and security systems are down, sir!¡±


    Sho¡¯Algh mingled in next. ¡°Good question, SC1. I¡¯m in the north corridor and everything is suddenly dark here.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, sir!¡± replied Kysaek, before a thought occurred to her. ¡°But for whatever reason the power path is - shouldn¡¯t the emergency system be launching instead?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it should!¡± said Phonor grimly. ¡°A minute¡¯s up and everything¡¯s still dark. It shouldn¡¯t be like this!¡±


    As if on cue, the emergency lights around Kysaek did then glow, a bright, dim green, and few camera monitors regained their function. This was followed by a notice through an automated announcement. ¡°Emergency lights on. Emergency primary systems reactor started.¡±


    Jim reported. ¡°Sir - we have some pictures back, but only of the main areas! Everything is fine there, but otherwise we are blind!¡±


    ¡°The technicians can¡¯t explain it!¡± informed Phonor. He was not happy about it, but he made a decision anyway. ¡°Whether it¡¯s a power failure or sabotage, we¡¯ll run standard protocol, and since we¡¯re so understaffed today, one guard will be pulled from each monitoring station and they¡¯ll run a special patrol!¡±


    ¡°And who is to pull out, sir?¡± asked Kysaek. She didn¡¯t care whether she or Jim was to go.


    Inquiring about it Phonor felt unnecessary. ¡°You¡¯ll go on patrol for such a stupid question, Kysaek! Hopefully the rest, like adults, can figure it out quickly for themselves!¡±


    The order didn¡¯t bother Kysaek one bit, on the contrary. ¡°Getting ready sir!¡± she said, pulling on her helmet and helping herself to the weapons cabinet. Two more magazines and shock grenades than usual she took. ¡°And you keep an eye on everything here, Jim ... Even if nothing¡¯s going to happen.¡±


    ¡°Sure. The great blackout of 2317, the most terrifying event since PGI memory,¡± Jim joked, nodding. ¡°Until the electricians get the fuse back in.¡±


    Then it was out for Kysaek, and had she thought the corridors were dark before, the emergency light hardly helped her see. That was why she resorted to her shoulder lamp and at least broke through the shadows in front of her, but the silence still weighed on Kysaek¡¯s senses and exacerbated her tension. She still did not believe for a second that this was more than a technical defect. However, it didn¡¯t help against the burgeoning uneasy feeling in her stomach. ¡°Reaching the secondary checkpoint of my area now. No incidents,¡± she reported obediently.¡±


    Understood,¡± Phonor replied, prompting the remaining guards. ¡°I want readiness reports from the rest!¡± Those came through one by one.


    ¡°Baker in station one ready.¡±


    ¡°Station two ready.¡±


    ¡°Sho¡¯Algh ready.¡±


    ¡°Station three ready.¡±


    ¡°Tolward ready.¡±


    ¡°Enulis ready.¡±


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Today we have a shortage of personnel,¡± Phonor repeated, expressing his annoyance at this gently. ¡°We¡¯re splitting up. The bots are already monitoring the corridors anyway. Half the team stays upstairs, the other goes into the shafts. Kysaek, you take over entry in your area.¡±


    Kysaek was far from thrilled by the thought. The shafts, the maintenance areas under the building, were a tangled web of tunnels. Energy, water, chemicals - everything went in and out of there, and among Kysaek¡¯s colleagues, shaft-duty was seen as punishment, although the situation was not comparable to normal everyday life now. The locked hatch into the abyss was in a side alcove where at least a bright enough light shone. ¡°I¡¯m going down.¡±


    ¡°Sho¡¯Algh and Tolward get in through the other hatches,¡± Phonor ordered, dealing another side blow. ¡°And don¡¯t you all die on me down there! I¡¯m not in the mood for paperwork!¡±


    ¡°Die, sir?¡± pretended Kysaek dryly. ¡°Die of what? Yawning emptiness and boredom?¡±


    ¡°Shut up and get down!¡± instructed Phonor sternly. ¡°From now on, everyone reports only when they detect something unusual, and secondary communications run between the guard stations!¡±


    That was music to Kysaek¡¯s ears - she didn¡¯t need to talk to Phonor. So the strong and blowing wind didn¡¯t bother her either, the rise as she unlocked and lifted the hatch to the shafts. Especially as her helmet interface told her that unpleasant smells were in the air, but the stench was filtered out by the helmet.


    The rungs of the entrance led down some 30 metres and the shaft was cursedly narrow, even for the wiry Kysaek. Every movement downwards also changed the pitch, as silence became a recurring grumble and fluids and gases constantly flowed through the pipes. Once at the bottom, Kysaek contacted Jim on a third, private frequency. ¡°Actually, it¡¯s not so bad here.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Quite invigorating atmosphere, so different from the usual. If only it wasn¡¯t so dark and spooky,¡± Kysaek admitted. It was her third time in the maintenance tunnels and this time she was alone. Normally at least three guards went down together.


    Jim found words of encouragement. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Kysaek. I¡¯m tracking you via the 3D model. Besides, level five has given me clearance and I can lock down all the side passages in the tunnels. So contrary to expectations, if there¡¯s anyone down there, you¡¯ll find them on your main route or I¡¯ll lock them up.¡±


    ¡°I like that plan,¡± Kysaek replied quietly, careful not to give herself away by speaking loudly. Her gun at the ready, she moved off. There was one thing she was glad of and that was sharing it with Jim. ¡°Fortunately, I don¡¯t have to go through the sewage area. Sho¡¯Algh can scrape the dirt off his boots and legs later.¡±


    ¡°He can,¡± Jim agreed knowingly, ¡°But he won¡¯t get the smell off even if he washes it ten times.¡±


    Beside Kysaek there were turnings at certain intervals, but they closed steadily before they reached her. So her gaze became quite fixed, focused only on what was in front of her and aware of the visible cone of light. ¡°Personal experience, Jim?¡±


    Phonor interrupted this conversation. ¡°What about Tolward? Is anyone in contact with him?¡±


    ¡°Not me, sir,¡± Kysaek returned, as did her colleagues. ¡±


    ¡°He should check the central outflow,¡± Phonor informed them. ¡°Kysaek, you¡¯re closest there. Go see what¡¯s going on!¡±


    Kysaek followed the order. ¡°Will do sir!¡± Except for the increasing increase in her speed, however, she kept the same procedure for the time being. Surely it was only Tolward¡¯s radio that was down. Kysaek made friends with these thoughts because she already had the problem herself.


    The normal PGI guards got rather discarded equipment from time to time, that was well known among the lower guards. Everyone knew that the really good stuff went mostly to the elite force - or as the company so creatively called them, the PGIE.


    Kysaek didn¡¯t have time to deepen her thoughts, however, because on the dirty floor she found an abandoned weapon, which she approached cautiously, its ID51 matching Tolward¡¯s. ¡°Phonor, sir. I found Tolward¡¯s assault rifle, but without him.¡±


    ¡°Any sign of him?¡± inquired SC1 calmly.


    ¡°No, sir.¡±


    ¡°Okay - as of now, we¡¯re assuming a threat!¡± said Phonor, changing the plan. ¡°I¡¯ll contact the PGIE, and until they get there, everyone except the guard stations will go into the tunnels.¡±


    Kysaek gave her approach. ¡°I¡¯ll keep looking for Tolward.¡± At least she found no blood or other evidence of violence on the weapon. Another explanation of hers was that Tolward had been startled and dropped the weapon in the process. Or he had been caught from behind, strangled and taken away surreptitiously. Too many explanations floating around in Kysaek¡¯s head, The right answer, however, turned out differently, at least in part.


    Kysaek found Tolward just outside the central spout, on the ground, and ran towards him. His helmet was elsewhere and she saw the man¡¯s bloodshot eyes, wide open and devoid of life. Immediately Kysaek wanted to report, but suddenly the tunnel walls gave the unlocking click of weapons and she immediately jerked her body back. Bullets struck at her feet and into Tolward¡¯s armoured body and Kysaek took cover at the corner from where she quickly spotted the danger.


    Three security bots bearing the PGI logo marched through the tunnels in warning. ¡°No entry permit! Your life functions will be terminated!¡± the machines threatened. The black areas on their faces were covered by a rushing image, familiar from jammed screens.


    Jim enquired about the situation. ¡°What¡¯s going on there, Kysaek?¡±


    ¡°Bots! Our bots are attacking me!¡±


    ¡°Where are they coming from? The system didn¡¯t show them to me before and I can¡¯t get access to them.¡±


    ¡°Keep calm!¡± intervened Phonor. He didn¡¯t see a problem. ¡°Kysaek, destroy the tin buckets! The company will get new ones.¡±


    ¡°Aye, sir! I just can¡¯t get a shot,¡± Kysaek said.


    The bots fired at intervals, giving their target no chance to counterattack. By their action, however, the machines damaged some power lines and pipes, from which sparks and thin clouds of steam poured, warm and fortunately non-flammable in nature.


    Those clouds gave Kysaek the saving idea. The angle of her position was enough and she damaged more tubes. The escaping gases created a thick, white and opaque wall of mist.


    It put an end to the attacks of the confused bots. ¡°Target out of sight. Thermal image disrupted.¡±


    Kysaek knew roughly where the bots were, however, and threw one of the shock grenades before making use of her plasma assault rifle herself. Not only did the clang of hit hulls tell her where her targets actually were now. The twitching flashes of the grenade clearly marked the bots and took them out. Kysaek was able to advance further. ¡°Done.¡±


    ¡°Not quite,¡± Jim denied uneasily. ¡°I¡¯ve located unknown bio-signs here on the map, not far from you, and they¡¯re moving pretty fast now.¡±


    ¡°To my Position?¡±


    ¡°No - they¡¯re heading down the central outfall. The signals will be leaving the PGI compound soon.¡±


    ¡°Can I intercept them?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll pilot you through the secondary tunnels, then you can cut them off at the lock.¡±


    ¡°Then guide me,¡± Kysaek agreed and put herself in Jim¡¯s hands, who transmitted the predetermined route to her interface. She also knew where the unknowns were at all times. Judging by the signals, it was a group of four individuals.


    Kysaek arrived at the lock before the strangers. There, the water flowed almost deafeningly loud and the massive bulwark of Eldar steel stood wide open. She wondered how that didn¡¯t set off any alarms. She saw no traces of forced opening or traps, so she switched off her light and positioned herself well hidden. Her rifle pressed close to her body, the barrel next to her face, and she breathed quietly. Between the loud gurgling of the water, Kysaek gradually heard footsteps pushing through the knee-high water and excited voices speaking indistinctly.


    Jim, meanwhile, relayed new information. ¡°Kysaek, there are only two targets left. The others have stopped halfway. They¡¯re probably covering the retreat.¡±


    ¡°I saw it, but thanks,¡± Kysaek murmured.


    Lights from the strangers broke the darkness of the tunnel and one of the alien voices was unmistakably female, with the certain muffle of a Galig mask. ¡°We¡¯re almost there.¡±


    ¡°Yes, and then everyone will know!¡± retorted a sterner male voice that matched a Davoc.


    ¡°I¡¯m so angry ...¡± the Galig cursed. ¡°To see my own people like this, it¡¯s...¡±


    Quick as a flash, Kysaek came out of her hiding place and pointed her gun at the strangers. ¡°Hands up!¡±


    Shock went into the Galig, but the Davoc drew a pistol, which was shot out of his hand by the guard.


    ¡°I said hands up!¡± repeated Kysaek urgently.


    Slowly the intruders raised their arms in the air. ¡°Now what? Shoot us to cover up their crimes?¡± the Davoc asked defiantly.


    To Kysaek, this was just a diversionary attempt. ¡°No, but you are under arrest! For trespassing and I¡¯m sure a lot of other things. But the police will take care of that.¡±


    ¡°Murderer! Criminal!¡± wailed the Galig, stepping into the water. ¡°You can¡¯t hide forever!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯m distracted by confused statements!¡± clarified Kysaek. While she didn¡¯t know what exactly was going on here, she now noticed a floating stretcher in the stranger¡¯s back. It was covered by a cloth and to Kysaek it looked like someone was lying underneath. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Our proof!¡± the Davoc replied, taking a few steps forward. ¡°This will be PGI¡¯s end and you will all get your just punishment!¡±


    ¡°What proof?¡± asked Kysaek cluelessly. She was not clear what this was about and whether it was really a distraction, but she ventured another glance at the gurney.


    The Davoc took advantage of this moment and rushed forward. ¡°Do you even know what is going on here?¡± he growled, grabbing the barrel of Kysaek¡¯s gun. ¡°Or are you just a little wheel in the machine, obediently and stupidly following his orders?¡±


    A scuffle ensued in which Kysaek did not get the muzzle on her attacker. He was stronger and she fired a few shots at the ceiling. ¡°Let go!¡± she demanded vehemently, kicking the monkey between the legs.


    The opponent, however, refused to let go of the barrel, even though he went down on his knees because of the painful kick. His weight jerked the barrel to the side in such a way that an unfortunate and fatal volley hit the Galig, who had been about to draw her weapon.


    Now it was just Kysaek and the man who managed to snatch the weapon from her hands and throw it into the water.


    A fistfight began, in which the Davoc relied on pure strength. Kysaek, on the other hand, was nimble and countered with her knowledge, and if he ever hit her, she hardly felt it because of the armour. For this, the Davoc grabbed Kysaek once and threw her to the ground, where she caught herself with her hands. Now she had enough and her rage became a massive, prismatic wave of energy. It was a whole wall that Kysaek sent ahead, throwing not only the man but also the stretcher cross over the water, across to the other side.


    Hastily, Kysaek rushed off and, as she ran, drew her pistol, which she pointed at the prone man. ¡°Enough!¡± she warned, taking no more chances. With the Davoc still woozy from the attack, she threw him on his back and fitted him with a pair of magnetic handcuffs. ¡°That¡¯s it for you!¡±


    The pain still sat in the ape¡¯s bones and yet he possessed the ability to reply. ¡°I knew it! An ignorant woman making herself the lackey of the wicked! Were it not for that, I would be dead long ago.¡±


    Kysaek could not deny that she found it strange that the man stuck to his story. She wanted to know what the attacker was talking about. Her curiosity was piqued. She reasoned that maybe it had to do with the higher levels. ¡°I get paid for security. Everyone has their jobs like that.¡±


    Undeterred, the Davoc fuelled the guard¡¯s curiosity. ¡°Look under the cloth! Let¡¯s see if you¡¯re still doing your job properly afterwards!¡±


    What could a look mean? This question flashed through Kysaek¡¯s mind. Probably the shrouded object was far less exciting or bad than it was made out to be, and even if it wasn¡¯t - Kysaek worked for PGI and felt she was entitled to a bit more insight already. It all stayed within the company, after all. That¡¯s why she did it and carefully walked moreover cloth without disregarding the man.


    The fall of the stretcher had thrown the hidden body on its side, but the cloth was still wrapped around it. The right hand, however, was no longer affected and it looked strange


    .A grey skin, as if it were scaly or at least very dry, adorned the limb, along with strange, metallic surfaces.


    Kysaek had never seen anything like it before, at least she couldn¡¯t remember at the moment, so her mind was made up - she had to see more. She reached for the cloth where the open hand lay.


    Suddenly Kysaek was surrounded by blinding cones of light, which put an end to her plan, and half a dozen voices shouted in confusion: ¡°Hands up! Don¡¯t move! Gun down!¡±


    More out of shock than because of the demand, Kysaek dropped the pistol and jerked her arms up. Because of all the lights shaking wildly, she could just barely make anything out and could only assume that they were her colleagues. ¡°Don¡¯t shoot! I¡¯m with you!¡±


    Slowly the cloaking helmets were more visible, clearly PGIE-soldiers. ¡°Name!¡±


    ¡°Elaine Kysaek!¡± the guard replied. She didn¡¯t understand how they could ignore her PGI armour and the ID on it. ¡°I¡¯m on level one security and I stopped two suspects when they tried to steal something from the compound!¡±


    It took longer than it should have, but the PGIE¡¯s weapons were lowered. ¡°Confirm - Elaine Kysaek identified. Secure the area,¡± said a soldier and everyone swarmed out, attending to the stretcher, the live suspect or the dead Galig.


    From one moment to the next, Kysaek felt completely superfluous. But the interest in the hidden figure was still there.


    A soldier took note. ¡°Did you see the object under the cloth?¡±


    ¡°No, I haven¡¯t,¡± Kysaek swore, knowing she had nothing to hide.


    ¡°Better for you,¡± the soldier said harshly, issuing a subtle threat. ¡°This is way beyond your security level, so you shouldn¡¯t talk about what happened here either.¡±


    This offended Kysaek in a way. Just a moment ago she had prevented a robbery and confronted the attackers, and the PGIE didn¡¯t honour that for a second, but acted out and threatened. They could just screw her!

 The calm returns

    The hullabaloo surrounding the raid on the PGI headquarters did not last long. Two weeks had passed since the raid, everything had calmed down and Kysaek was standing at a taxi rank. Initially, she thought the elite soldiers would take the credit, but things had surprisingly turned out differently. Kysaek was presented as a glittering heroine by the PGI press officers that very evening and afterwards even Skarg Peeks expressed his gratitude, albeit only through a visual audio message. He rewarded her, with words, but at the same time held out the prospect of a place under the PGIE, or at least a much more appropriate and substantial position. Until today, however, Kysaek had heard nothing more from the Calanese or his representatives. But that bothered her far less than she had previously suspected. In her neighbourhood, at least, she was given discounts on shopping for a short time, people recognised her from time to time, in short, Kysaek had tasted a crumb of notoriety for the first time in her life, and who could resist it? In her opinion, those who always thought that stars didn¡¯t live so well were either stars themselves, who took everything for granted, or people who didn¡¯t know this life and were consequently clueless.


    And apart from the rags of fame, Kysaek also had an unexpected opportunity, because of which she was now waiting at the taxi gate. The Talin who had saved her from the two drunks had contacted her this morning. Through the media report, the stranger had recognised Kysaek and asked for a meeting, to which she happily agreed.


    The meeting place was quite far in the centre of Auranis, at the Upper Blue Caf. Although Kysaek had never been there before, she knew it from advertisements and already imagined that the Talin must have some foreign currency, for the Upper Blue Caf was a floating coffee bar in a class of its own. That¡¯s why she needed a taxi, as there were no footpaths or gliding platforms up there.


    While riding or rather flying in the hoverwheel taxi, Kysaek¡¯s vortex cuff got a message and she took a picture call.


    ¡°Hello, Kysaek!¡± greeted Xarus, a very, very casual acquaintance of Kysaek¡¯s and a member of the Palanian species.


    If he spoke up, Kysaek knew it was about unclean business because Xarus was a small-time crook. That¡¯s why she put on her poker face and switched the audio so the taxi driver couldn¡¯t listen in. ¡°Xarus ... what do you want?¡±


    ¡°How impersonal,¡± Xarus gave affectedly, stroking the thick bulges, on his face.


    Palans were sometimes scary to Kysaek. It varied from reptile to reptile, but the faces and head shapes alone could frighten her. Bulging shapes protruded from the back of the head, enclosing the head like claws and ending with pointed ends on the face. Between these thickenings and on the rest of the body, Palans also had scattered, thinly grown and sharp scales. Kysaek had already become acquainted with these, unintentionally, when she had once been pushed up against a Palanese in the magnetic train and had cut herself on its scales. Minisaw blades - that¡¯s what Kysaek called it. ¡°You check in maybe twice a year and I¡¯ve lived in Auranis for three years. So I might as well just classify you as a stranger and stall.¡±


    ¡°Quick-witted as ever,¡± Xarus slurred, his many tiny teeth showing every time he spoke. ¡°I saw you on the news recently. Very impressive. Did you actually defeat ten terrorists by yourself?¡±


    Xarus was not the first to ask Kysaek such a question. Although she had said in the report what had happened in the tunnels, at least the version she had been allowed, all sorts of stories had developed from it. ¡°You¡¯ve never been interested in gossip, unless it was business. So what do you want?¡±


    ¡°You just gave me the answer,¡± Xarus replied directly, putting aside the flattery, which didn¡¯t mean he was unkind. ¡°I¡¯ve got an absolutely once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.Such an easy job that makes you indecently rich in proportion.¡±


    ¡°And what would I have to do?¡± asked Kysaek, more out of politeness than interest. Back when she arrived in Auranis, she scraped by with small jobs. Everything was legal, but underpaid. So she met Xarus and got involved in a deal to drive stolen vortex cuffs around the city. She was to receive her pay at the drop-off point, but before that happened, someone tricked her and stole the van. Since then, Xarus kept coming up with new fantastic suggestions. Kysaek had not accepted any of them and never wanted to again - especially with her current, regular job.


    Xarus, however, continued to present the task simply. ¡°Keeping a package, that¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all, huh?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t I tell you?¡± said Xarus innocently. ¡°Someone comes by your house, drops off a box, and you keep it with you until it¡¯s picked up again.¡±


    The offer sounded too tempting to Kysaek. ¡°And the contents are what?¡±


    Xarus shook his head. ¡°Kysaek, Kysaek,¡± he said dismissively. ¡°If you were supposed to know what was inside, I would have told you. But this is a business where no questions are asked. That¡¯s why the pay is so high.¡±


    In the taxi, Kysaek chose her words carefully. ¡°So you want me to pay attention without knowing what to expect?¡± she asked, not giving the impression that the driver was listening in, and she slowly realised why the call had come now.


    ¡°Why so hesitant? You¡¯re being the model heroine right now. Do you really think anyone would suspect anything dodgy about you?¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s how it is,¡± Kysaek agreed. That Xarus might have been right about the suspicion, however, she had to admit to herself, and she allowed herself to be carried away by a question. ¡°What amount are we talking about?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s more like it,¡± Xarus replied with satisfaction, leaning back with rubbing hands. ¡°We¡¯ll split fifty-fifty. That means one hundred thousand foreign currency, for each of us.¡±


    Kysaek¡¯s eyes widened. She swallowed a surprised sound, however, and she cleared her throat. ¡°A decent salary.¡±


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re not alone, but let¡¯s call it that.¡±


    Kysaek hadn¡¯t even earned that much foreign currency in total since her arrival in Auranis. Because of the sum, she almost forgot that she still wanted to know what was in the package, because with a sum like that, it had to be very illegal and dangerous. ¡°Why don¡¯t you do it yourself? Too fine for the job?¡±


    ¡°Kysaek - I¡¯m the middle man. I weave contacts and look for people to take the jobs on offer,¡± Xarus talked his way out of it and turned the tables. ¡°And let¡¯s not forget which company you work for.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that got to do with it?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t pretend,¡± Xarus scoffed. He started laughing after that, which came across aborted to him and all the Palans. Somehow it was because of their jaws and one sound followed lamely the next. ¡°PGI, Kysaek. Leaving out the petty gangsters, surely every criminal knows that the company has its fingers in a lot of dirty business.¡±


    Kysaek knew such stories, but stories were not automatically true. PGI, for example, was supposed to be engaged in massive arms trafficking and slave trading. However, the company had contracts with countless governments and private, recognised groups to sell their weapons to, and workers were bulk commodities, as was the foreign exchange PGI raked in. Yet PGI has been indicted many times, has been under enormous media pressure, and yet the verdict each time has been innocent.


    When Kysaek thought of all this, however, the encounter in the tunnel came back to her mind and the claims of the terrorists and the cloaked figure. Was there something behind all the accusations after all? Was PGI really not as clean as she thought? Yes, she had never asked official questions, but who did? The way Kysaek saw it, everyone in the galaxy did their job, went home and started again. You couldn¡¯t live without foreign exchange. ¡°Is it bad?¡± she asked uncertainly.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t call it bad,¡± Xarus replied firmly in the negative. ¡°What¡¯s in the package won¡¯t hurt anyone. My word on it.¡±


    The temptation was there and Kysaek considered grabbing it. After years of boredom and easy living, she first prevented a whimsical robbery and now received a generous offer. Fortune wasn¡¯t knocking on her door, it was virtually hammering her! ¡°I¡¯ll do it!¡±


    Xarus rejoiced. ¡°Very good! I knew you¡¯d see a good opportunity when it was presented to you,¡± he said, relaying the information to her. ¡°You¡¯ll get the package sent tomorrow from the storage station near your flat. And I¡¯m explicitly pointing it out - don¡¯t look inside! You don¡¯t need to know what it is. You just need to know that it¡¯s safe with you and will be picked up and you¡¯ll be paid handsomely for it.¡±


    ¡°I think that can be done,¡± Kysaek replied tersely. She told herself that it would be even better, because if she didn¡¯t know what was in the package, she could deny everything if she was caught. Switched, foisted - she could think of many an excuse. ¡°Is there anything else, or have you said it all?¡±


    At his answer, Xarus acted up. ¡°I have much to say, but not to you. More business requires my attention.¡±


    ¡°Sounds important,¡± Kysaek agreed. She was not fooled by Xarus, however, for he would like to be a man in demand and yet he was only the sort of crook who sold you black market tickets outside the stadiums. That the Palanese now had such a profitable deal in hand, Kysaek chalked up as a one-time thing. ¡°See you soon!¡± she said goodbye, choking off a retort. After all, the conversation had bought her enough time that the rest of the flight took only a few minutes.The Upper Blue Caf was a constant flying building, a true ornament and based, like so much of the city, on the soft and noble architecture of the Talin


    The Upper Blue Caf was a constant flying building, a true ornament and based, like so much in the city, on the soft and noble architecture of Talin. Around the coffee bar flowed the traffic of hovering hoverwheels. Four, very tall and mirrored shiny office towers stood around the Upper Blue Caf and yet gave it more than enough air. Wildly, purple vines snaked their strands around the bar¡¯s landing ports and hung metre-deep over the perimeter, adorned with gold-dotted white and thorny flowers.


    ¡°The photos from the Virtual system are dirt against the real Upper Blue,¡± Kysaek muttered to herself in amazement. Elegance everywhere she looked, with the Talin species dominating the surroundings.


    Every now and then Kysaek pondered the many alien species and their cultures, and yet she rarely read up on them. It was just too much knowledge, she felt, and she didn¡¯t even know everything about them, just as people had always not known everything about their own different cultures. As in many places, the beautiful Talin women showed themselves here, in their tasteful and in places deeply revealing robes of Decoru silk. Open and billowing leg slits everywhere. Bare arms, now and then adorned with jewellery and bangles or colourful, strange tattoos, like their heads. Bare hips and breasts uncovered at the sides crowned the immaculate appearances.Guys would surely get off more than one here. Kysaek grinned to herself and felt a flush or two herself. At her back she heard Talin¡¯s voice from that night. ¡°Excuse me¡± She turned hastily. To the voice Kysaek got the face to match.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    The Talin smiled. ¡°Ah, it is you - Elaine Kysaek,¡± she spoke without her mouth opening or her lips showing a hint of emotion.


    Kysaek hadn¡¯t been the best at alien biology when she was at school, and hadn¡¯t known the species spoke differently when she first met a Talin as a child. At the time, she thought it was telepathy. But in fact there were fine slits of skin on Talin¡¯s neck, three on each side and so narrow that they were not immediately visible. Acoustic signals came from there, which Kysaek¡¯s biochip converted into intelligible words. She held out her hand in greeting. ¡°That¡¯s me. Have a nice day!¡±


    Silence followed from the Talin and she looked down at the hand, making no move to take it.


    Kysaek persevered until she noted the refusal. ¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    ¡°Yes, there is,¡± the Talin said honestly. ¡°It¡¯s just that it¡¯s only now occurring to me that this is a human gesture of friendship and greeting.¡± Hesitantly, Talin gave her hand.


    The grip was gentle, Kysaek noticed immediately, and did not squeeze too tightly. ¡°What is your name?¡±


    The Talin¡¯s introduction had an air of courtly nobility as she grasped her robe at the hem of her waist and curtsied. ¡°Dil¨¦n, daughter of Ensa, from the city of Sapto.¡±


    ¡°Are you a princess?¡± asked Kysaek plumply.


    Dil¨¦n dropped her hem. ¡°No, although I must confess that my mother likes to bestow such name adornments on me.¡±


    Embarrassment came over Kysaek. ¡°Sorry. Your name and introductions were so regal to me.¡±


    ¡°An apology is unnecessary,¡± Dil¨¦n reassured her. She walked with Kysaek to an unoccupied table whose finery was extravagant. Silver tableware and a sky-blue tablecloth with a shimmering seam running through it and illegible Talin characters on it enhanced the furniture. Only when Kysaek was seated did Dil¨¦n also take a seat. ¡°But I¡¯ll be happy to tell you about the significance of my imagination.¡±


    ¡°Would suit me,¡± Kysaek replied more relaxed. ¡°It will save me further embarrassment.¡±


    Dil¨¦n took a more comfortable sitting posture. ¡°What kind of embarrassment do you mean? You haven¡¯t done anything wrong.¡±


    ¡°They say that so easily. I mean, I knew Upper Blue Caf was a fine place, and I put on good clothes,¡± Kysaek said, her eyes moving from one Talin to the next. ¡°But compared to the other patrons, I guess I¡¯m more of a service person than a guest.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t deal with humans that often,¡± Dil¨¦n admitted. However, she was clearly amused by her guest¡¯s words. ¡°But I find your species so delightfully unpredictable. For better or for worse.¡±


    ¡°Then it was probably a good thing I was on the good side that night. There aren¡¯t that many of them around, I¡¯d say.¡±


    ¡°Yes, and I¡¯m very much indebted to them for that, and if it hadn¡¯t been for that incident at the PGI compound, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to find them and arrange this, or at least it would have taken a long time.¡±


    ¡°You have to take something out of everything. But let¡¯s talk about better things than good, bad or robberies. What was that about your imagination?¡±


    Changing the subject was in Dil¨¦n¡¯s mind. ¡°I¡¯d love to, but first I¡¯ll order us some treats.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead!¡±


    A wave from Dil¨¦n was enough and a service bot came moreover table. The machine had a female build and the face of a Talin. The bot didn¡¯t wear clothes, though, because that wasn¡¯t necessary. The anatomy was purely superficial and without explicit details. At the interfaces of the body, such as the wrists or the hips, there was no protective covering and green glowing lines appeared. Obediently, the bot took the order, a normal plate of sweet pastries and coffee.¡±


    The greeting of my species is related to our tradition,¡± Dil¨¦n explained, eating small chocolate rings, barely bigger than a fingertip. ¡°The principle of family exists with us just as it does with humanity. But the Talin do not have their own name after their first name and our family has a different status or ... basically we have two families, one of which is considered more important than the other.¡±


    Family, two families? Kysaek mused. The surname thing was understandable to her. It was with the two families that it wavered. ¡°Two families? How is that possible? Are Talin born to one family and adopted by the second?¡±


    ¡°If you stretch the definition, you could really call it that,¡± Dil¨¦n replied. Without pausing, she looked Kysaek in the eye. ¡°We have a biological and a non-biological family. The non-biological one has a higher, indeed the most important status. It is the city from which we come.¡±


    ¡°How can a city be a family?¡±


    ¡°Because we are given the grace to belong to this community,¡± Dil¨¦n continued, stirring her coffee slowly. ¡°So I am Dil¨¦n and I come from the city of Sapto on our homeworld.¡±


    With this clarification, Kysaek came full circle. ¡°The city gives the Talin their last name, and in order for them to define their biological family, they say who they are descended from.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly it.¡±


    The following remark didn¡¯t feel right to Kysaek, who wasn¡¯t sure if it wasn¡¯t offensive. She voiced it anyway. ¡°That¡¯s bound to cause quite a mess if two or more mothers in a town are called by the same name. I imagine that would be funny.¡±


    Dil¨¦n showed no sign of being offended. ¡°It certainly would be. In that case, though, it just gets a bit more complicated and you name your mother¡¯s mother.¡±


    ¡°Yes. The probability is certainly not that high that these two names are identical.¡±


    ¡°Very rare, but it does happen,¡± Dil¨¦n smirked before drinking her coffee.¡±


    You and your mother, that sounds lonely,¡± Kysaek said appraisingly. ¡°Don¡¯t you have any brothers or sisters?¡±


    ¡°Yes, two sisters,¡± Dil¨¦n said and took a cube of Spice. The sand-coloured spice could enhance the flavours of most dishes and drinks and Dil¨¦n crumbled it over her coffee. ¡°So don¡¯t be afraid. We¡¯re not lonely.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Kysaek replied, seeing a chance to clarify another question. ¡°However, the family enumeration is missing a father and anyway, I noticed that I have never seen a male Talin. Are there any males at all in their species?¡± Kysaek hoped this didn¡¯t go down like it did with the Nyrnka and the Talin turned out to be hermaphrodites.


    ¡°Your knowledge of my species is very slight, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Very little?¡± quipped Kysaek. ¡°I have no idea about the Talin. In fact, to this day, I don¡¯t even have a real clue about humans.¡± She saw her ignorance as legitimate and explained herself. ¡°There¡¯s just so much now. So many cultures, new religions, nations or entire planets where people are developing new customs. And even leaving that aside, I have to admit I¡¯m not much of a reader or scholar. Even with the possibilities of the Virtual system.¡±


    There was no trace of fear of error in Dil¨¦n. ¡°You are honest, carefree and fearful at the same time. I envy you such a quality.¡±


    ¡°Envy?¡± giggled Kysaek. That was a new one on her. ¡°No one has ever envied me anything.¡±


    ¡°Is your life bad then?¡±


    Kysaek searched for words. ¡°Bad, bad ...¡± she struggled, tapping her palms on the edge of the table. If she went by recent events, her life was not bad and so far it had not been marked by hardship or toil per se - with one exception, which she did not like to think about. Otherwise, she was not an orphan, such as there were in droves in the galaxy, and had never really been impoverished or exposed to other terrible things. No - Kysaek¡¯s life was normal. ¡°There are always points where you say, ¡®If only I¡¯d done or had this!¡¯ and it¡¯s similar in the present, isn¡¯t it? ¡®I wish I could do or have this and that.¡¯ But no, my life is fine.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought,¡± Dil¨¦n asserted, putting on a very friendly face. In general, her facial expressions were very intense with her eyes, mouth and every little muscle in her face. The Talin generally possessed a strong way of expressing their emotions. ¡°Do you know why we cover our heads?¡±


    Kysaek persisted in her banter. ¡°If this was a game show, I¡¯d be out on my third negative answer right now.¡±


    ¡°It is our most sacred place, the head,¡± she said, stroking her head. ¡°Our bodies are pure. There is nothing to protect us. Nowhere. In Talin society, it is considered shameful to show your head naked in public.¡±


    ¡°But at home there is no shame?¡±


    ¡°Yes and no.¡± On this subject Dil¨¦n was more serious than before, but not too stern. ¡°When I¡¯m in my flat, my roof is over my head. Covering is unnecessary because of that. If I am with someone else, I weigh it up. With family, very close friends or people with whom you have an intimate relationship, it would also be acceptable to bare your head.¡±


    ¡°Sounds reasonable to me. I¡¯m just wondering what the deal is with the head covering,¡± Kysaek admitted. She was more inquisitive than ever. Learning and reading things via virtual system was one thing. To learn it from someone was an entirely different and beneficial method.


    Dil¨¦n explained the spirituality of the Talin Society. ¡°Our faith, our belief is the reason. The Nubius always look down on us and judge us. And when the day of our end has come and there is no roof, no jewellery and nothing else to protect us, they help us and draw our energies out of the body over our heads into their divine realm.¡±


    The tension in Kysaek continued to rise. ¡°Who are the Nubius? Your gods?¡±


    ¡°From an outsider¡¯s point of view, that is correct and best for an explanation,¡± Dil¨¦n nodded, extending her index finger skyward. ¡°The truth is more complex, but that would require much time and knowledge of the Talin.¡±


    ¡°At least the Talin have kept their faith,¡± Kysaek opined, thinking of humanity¡¯s spirituality.


    Long ago, religions had lost their meaning and power. They still existed and the number of believers was passable, but their status before and after humanity¡¯s ascent to the stars could not be compared. However, the religions themselves were partly to blame for their fading. Even when humans were finally able to explore and colonise their own solar system, religious voices became very loud and angry. They resisted leaving the earth, arguing that there was only darkness in the galaxy and that God would be angry if people left his kingdom. There were several interpretations. In reality, however, it was fear of the loss of their influence, as later turned out to be true. There were attacks, small uprisings and attacks of all kinds to stop the progress of space travel. In the end, however, many faiths self-destructed, and no matter which faith it was - no religion in the world, upon discovering the other species, had an explanation for why those were not formed in God¡¯s image - as humans supposedly were - or why none of the alien beings had yet heard of Abraham, Jesus, Mohammed, Moses or the many, many saints and gods of humanity.


    Kysaek grinned unintentionally, for something occurred to her at the last thoughts.


    The Hishek, themselves an interstellar species for 3,000 years, observed Earth from time to time and made enquiries about certain events. They confirmed and proved that there was a man named Jesus of Nazareth in the earthly years before and after Christ. The Christians finally saw themselves vindicated and had accepted the information of the Hishek as true. It seemed that this religion was recovering and there was already talk of a purified humanity, but the Hishek had deliberately and forebodingly withheld knowledge because they had expected such a reaction. They smashed Christianity with the cruel truth that everything, really everything around Jesus of Nazareth was nothing but a lie. Everything that was built around him only served his cult and its expansion of power. Miraculous healings? - Jesus was a gifted herbalist, nothing more. Resurrection from the dead? - Jesus never died on the cross. The wrong man had been seized and mistakenly crucified as Jesus. Jesus took advantage of this and pretended that he had returned. His mother and the virgin birth? - Mary really existed, a whore for sale, and through this channel she conceived her child, conceived with a scrawny, simple-minded peasant boy who had saved up a few pennies for the first time. The list of lies was endless and the other religions did not fare much better, causing anger among some believers and leading to some incidents. Others, despite the revelation, continued to try to live by their helpful religious teachings, only there was certain reformation where they hardly fixated on the once central, divine figures anymore, but focused on teachings like forgiveness, discipline, family and such.


    Kysaek confessed. ¡°I¡¯m not a believer.¡±


    ¡°Really? That¡¯s a shame,¡± Dil¨¦n regretted, clutching his chest. ¡°You don¡¯t believe in anything? Not even in honesty? Justice? Goodness? Faith is not necessarily a matter of mysticism.¡±


    Kysaek could only exhale thoughtfully. Honest, righteous, the good - these words brought her back to what had happened at PGI. ¡°I¡¯ve been torn on that for a while, but for a while now I¡¯ve been leaning more towards no. I¡¯m not even sure I¡¯m doing good.¡±


    ¡°How am I supposed to understand that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not allowed to talk about that,¡± Kysaek said sternly. ¡°I¡¯d like to, but I¡¯m not allowed.¡±


    Dil¨¦n showed understanding. ¡°Some things must be a secret and some must not,¡± she said, placing her hand over Kysaek¡¯s. ¡°How far we put chains on ourselves and silence ourselves, though, is not anyone else¡¯s choice. It is ours alone. One should never conceal words for the sake of submission.¡±


    ¡°What makes you think submission?¡± asked Kysaek indignantly. Did Dil¨¦n suspect something or was it just a phrase? Basically, Kysaek didn¡¯t care, because both possibilities disgruntled her.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to accuse you,¡± Dil¨¦n apologised sincerely. ¡°It was meant to be advice, that¡¯s what we Talin tend to do ... that comes with our culture as well. The help and power of words.¡±


    Kysaek tried to make the situation unimportant. ¡°No harm done,¡± she said, gently pulling her hand towards her.


    Then Dil¨¦n¡¯s vortex cuff beeped and she sighed. ¡°It¡¯s my sister. I¡¯m afraid our meeting is coming to an end.¡±


    ¡°All good things come to an end,¡± Kysaek smiled and rose. ¡°But the best part is - it won¡¯t be the last beautiful thing.¡±


    As Dil¨¦n stood up, her posture continued to be perfectly straight and her robe fluttered in the wind. ¡°You are truly an interesting woman, Elaine Kysaek. I would like to continue the contact when I get the chance.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it won¡¯t fail because of me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear that,¡± Dil¨¦n said warmly, indicating a bow. ¡°And even if it should be years until our next meeting - I am very grateful to you.¡±

 This is reality - 1

    Kysaek had not believed it, but Skarg Peeks had kept his word, even if not to the letter. Again she put on her new equipment - level-three-equipment. She didn¡¯t think it was very different from before, but she realised that the number three had changed everything, not only for her, but for her whole team. All the guards from level one had been promoted and this had made itself felt to Kysaek. Everyone treated her with respect and said that it was only thanks to her that they all now had a better position and more foreign exchange. Even Phonor paid her a little respect, but that didn¡¯t make him any more sympathetic to her, on the contrary - as SC3, he was all the stricter and pushed the team even more. Kysaek compensated for this, however, and could hardly believe that preventing a theft paid off so well. In the meantime, she was no longer interested in what had been under the cloth, because her life was in too pleasant a phase for that. And she said to herself: Who would change that now? No, Kysaek didn¡¯t want to make waves and stay on her current course. The course upwards.


    Ready and equipped, Kysaek went to her new workplace, in the third security ring of Annex A. It was a new surveillance room. ¡°When are you going to stop grinning like that?¡±


    Jim stood in front of the camera screens with a very serene twisted mouth. ¡°I¡¯m more wondering where your grin is! Really, Kysaek, we¡¯ve hit the jackpot!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have to run around with a rapt expression just to show I¡¯m happy,¡± Kysaek countered. She was in a decidedly good mood, as were the rest, but eventually everyone¡¯s continued glee got slightly on her nerves.


    ¡°Now don¡¯t tell me all the commendations and nice faces are too much for you?¡± Jim looked incredulous.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s just enough with time. It¡¯s like little kids pulling at your skirt all the time, reminding you not to forget the yummy ice cream.¡±


    ¡°Trust me,¡± Jim said, remembering that he had a family. ¡°Kids are far worse. Mine certainly are. They toughen you up.¡±


    ¡°Your family. How did your wife react to your new salary?¡±


    ¡°Like all women. She spent a lot of it right away,¡± Jim smirked sarcastically. ¡°No offence, Kysaek.¡±


    ¡°The stronger sex,¡± Kysaek teased gloatingly. Being a little mean was just what she needed right now. ¡°Every now and then women have to remind you guys.¡±


    Jim pretended to be robust. ¡°It¡¯s not that bad. She bought a few overdue things for herself and the kids and I still have enough. Six times the old salary is just six times the old salary.¡±


    ¡°And we¡¯re doing the same thing as before, except now we¡¯re sitting a bit lower in the building,¡± Kysaek said, sitting down in front of the cameras. Unlike the previous surveillance room, here she had new insights into the complex and its research areas. ¡°And finally the mystery of the level three labs is solved.¡±


    ¡°Weapons development. I had expected more. It¡¯s not something that needs to be so closely guarded.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re free to be the hero in the next attack. I¡¯m sure that would give you two rings again and then we¡¯ll know the secret to level five!¡±


    ¡°And then we¡¯ll surely realise that level five is not the core,¡± mused Jim. He climbed up onto the joke wave. ¡°Surely there¡¯s a super-secret portal to another world there, or a lift, deep underground, to a top-secret and illegal research department.¡±


    This was too absurd for Kysaek now. ¡°You clearly watch too many crime and spy movies.¡±


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    In the middle of the conversation, Phonor spoke up over the radio, ¡°SC3 for Kysaek.¡±


    Relaxed, the guard reported back. ¡°Kysaek listening, sir.¡±


    ¡°I have to go to Annex B and take care of something. You take command of the third ring.¡±


    At first no word came from Kysaek¡¯s throat, so caught off guard was she.


    Phonor did so grimly. ¡°Do you understand me, Kysaek?¡±


    ¡°Aye, sir!¡±


    Mac complained. ¡°SC3 - are you serious? Kysaek?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d better be quiet!¡± warned Phonor, mentioning the day of the incident. ¡°After your enormous delay in the terrorist attack, you¡¯re lucky they didn¡¯t kick your ass out.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir, you¡¯re right. My apologies,¡± Mac murmured, aggrieved.


    At that the silence, the all too familiar silence returned to Kysaek¡¯s workplace. Yet it was completely different in her own neighbourhood at the moment, and in extreme proportions, so she didn¡¯t like the silence. She felt like she was waiting for a big bang that - inevitably - would just come if her neighbourhood had its way.


    Since the latest attacks by Neo Solaris, the tension of many species was heating up and they were taking it out on innocent people. Starting with small protests and smeared walls, it took over in the last few days. Human businesses were vandalised and there were massive riots in which two people died from lynchings. They were completely harmless and had nothing to do with Neo Solaris.


    Kysaek realised every day that the scars of the Solaris war were far from healed and the galaxy was not busy licking its wounds, but bleeding unimaginably. The core areas had recovered the fastest and were safe, as was what lay on their borders. Much beyond that, however, was wild and unsafe territory. Warlords and other figures had risen up after the war and exploited the weakness of the major galactic powers. Thus, vast numbers of new powers arose, but also fell, such as the Maw. Even before the war, this part of the galaxy was known for its enormous lawlessness and was a refuge for anyone who wanted to hide or carry out their machinations undisturbed. In the course of the Solaris-War and afterwards, however, the Maw continued to spread and this was partly due to one woman - the Eporanian Ilia Volon. She was considered, even by Eporanian standards, to be very intelligent and no less ruthless, and was the unofficial ruler of the Maw, the Queen of the Underworld. Nothing and no one did business in this area without her knowing about it or being involved in it.


    But Kysaek saw the Maw as only the tip of the iceberg, and she wondered why the heroes of old had let the galaxy down so badly. Magna, his crew - never had there been braver and more self-sacrificing fighters for the common good. They had all united the galaxy against Solaris and brought victory. After that, however, they were heard of less and less, and now most lived their lives, caring for no one but themselves.


    Out of the blue, there was a very loud crash. It sounded like an explosion from outside and the booming alarm in Kysaek¡¯s building howled. ¡°Heavy explosion registered at main gate,¡± the automated announcement warned. ¡°Repeat: Severe explosion registered at main gate. Aggressive individuals are storming the premises. Unauthorised use of firearms has begun.¡±


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°What now?,¡± Kysaek jumped to her feet. Abruptly she switched to the outside cameras and witnessed a brutal spectacle.


    The usually well-guarded main gate and its heavy artillery had been almost completely destroyed and were ablaze. Using force of arms, dozens of people and bots rushed into the compound and even two-armed airmen appeared in the sky, immediately unleashing a hail of missiles and blasting everything in front of the invading attackers with incendiaries.


    The few PGI guards who were spared from the fiery onslaught took up positions at corner points and vehicles standing around.


    Choppy came Phonor¡¯s voice over the radio. ¡°Hi-- S-3!-it¡¯s d-- Sta--s?¡±


    ¡°Evil, sir!¡± said Kysaek. She had understood enough and described the battle. ¡°The compound is being stormed, by a heavily armed mob. There are fighter bots and air units in the sky too, and they¡¯re pushing the few guards back fast!¡±


    ¡°I thought the wretched war was over long ago,¡± it came clearly from Phonor now. ¡°Send everything expendable to the compound immediately and hold the fort inside, Kysaek!¡±


    ¡°Will do, sir!¡±


    Not long after, another disturbing announcement came through, ¡°Digital software malfunctioning. Unauthorised access taking place. Hacker attacks registered. System on the verge of collapse. Emergency protocol zero is initiated. All security levels are overridden. All staff are given free authority to be...¡± The voice failed, as did many systems and the lights.


    An extreme feeling of d¨¦j¨¢ vu came over Kysaek. The parallels to the last attack were there, although this time it was far more violent and not a sneak-in. Could someone really be so stupid as to do the same thing again? But the thought got her nowhere. ¡°Jim, what¡¯s it like in the tunnels?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be tough. I¡¯ve got to see if I can get a signal somehow,¡± Jim replied and set to work. All the screens stayed dead, but at least he was able to produce a 3D model of the tunnels, despite the hacking. ¡°All clear. Dieneu installed doors and security systems are all intact.¡±


    ¡°Are they really going to do it by sheer force this time?¡± thought Kysaek aloud.


    Some exterior cameras Jim brought back, although the images were buggy. ¡°Do you really think it¡¯s the same people?¡±


    ¡°Who knows?¡± murmured Kysaek doubtfully. In the fierce fighting, it would be hard to take live prisoners, especially with old soldiers like Phonor on the way.


    Outside, Phonor held the fort at a landing platform and had gathered a squad of guards around him. He was causing enormous problems for the invaders, taking a tactical and merciless approach. Especially when the SC3 went into close combat between a row of parked transporters, he showed his skills. With well-aimed blows he knocked down opponents and stomped so hard on their faces that blood splattered far to the sides. At this sight, a hooded Talin immediately let go of her weapons voluntarily and fell backwards. She begged for her life, but Phonor did not grant the woman that. He slit Talin¡¯s throat with a knife and ran past her as she bled out, gasping.


    ¡°We¡¯re slowly regaining control,¡± Kysaek estimated as the initial storm faltered and degenerated into a solid stand-off. ¡°Jim, do a check on all the guard stations!¡±


    Because of the system failure, Jim had to resort to the armour¡¯s internal radio equipment. ¡°This is Jim Baker, level three, guard station one. I want a status report on all posts.¡±


    They all reported back one by one and at no point was there any sign of trouble or alien intrusion.


    ¡°I guess stealth really isn¡¯t their plan,¡± Jim commented, becoming deprecating. ¡°Lousy scum! I thought it was safe in Auranis and on this planet, but somehow someone always has to cause trouble.¡±


    Without Kysaek thinking much, she asked, ¡°Is this what the Solaris-War was like?¡±


    ¡°Little skirmishes like this one tended to be the quieter days of the war,¡± Jim said bitterly. ¡°And there weren¡¯t exactly many of those.¡±


    ¡°Then I get my first real impression of what it was like back then on the quiet days ... ¡°Suddenly there was such a sickening crackle in the radio channel that Kysaek and Jim grabbed their ears. The crackling was followed by a panicked male voice: ¡°We need backup immediately!¡±


    It took time for the scratchy sound to disappear and for Kysaek to be able to reply. ¡°Who is this?¡±


    ¡°Facility A, level zero,¡± the man identified himself and barely had breath to speak. ¡°They¡¯re everywhere! The bots! Th...¡± The contact broke.


    ¡°Hello? Who¡¯s everywhere? And where?¡± inquired Kysaek, but to no avail and she expressed her irritation. ¡°What the hell is level zero?¡±


    Phonor promptly supplied the answer. ¡°The section deep under Annex A, further down than the tunnels! It¡¯s only known to the SCs and staff of level zero, and it can be reached via the lift from level five!¡±


    ¡°Nice of you to tell us about it, sir, but why only now?¡± asked Kysaek, aggrieved, though of course she could guess the answer - it was certainly top secret.


    ¡°For the same reason you don¡¯t know what¡¯s in levels four and five! Company secrets!¡± said Phonor, appearing on a new camera image, between narrow, blazing garages. He was still in position battle, but he continued to speak calmly, ¡°But now all protocols are overridden and we need to get down there now and see what¡¯s going on!¡±


    ¡°Are you coming back, sir?¡±


    ¡°No. We need to clean up the situation out here just as much,¡± Phonor said, and he was right.


    The battle was not yet won and the attackers were recovering - thanks to treachery. Suddenly PGI¡¯s bots were stabbing the security forces in the back and they weren¡¯t just light machines, there were special models.


    Some were as wide and tall as a wagon and heavily armoured. They ran very slowly but had enormous firepower, which included grenades and small rockets.


    Others had four legs, similar to a spider, and created an energy field around them that intercepted many attacks.


    Combined in this way - light and agile, heavy and powerful, and with extensive protection - the in-house bots posed a serious threat to the PGI guards and, with the help of the terrorists, encircled them in some places.


    That¡¯s when Kysaek made a decision. ¡°Okay - I¡¯ll take care of it!¡± she said, instructing Jim. ¡°You stay here and try to help us by any means possible. Maybe you can fix the system failure or get us some plans. We need an eye to guide us.¡±


    Jim rehashed the conversation from earlier. ¡°So like last time, and it looks like you, not me, are going to get us our next promotion.¡±


    ¡°Only for your wife,¡± Kysaek asserted. In truth, she hadn¡¯t thought about what had gone before. She felt a strange feeling inside her, an unfamiliar one. Holding the reins had never been her thing, though she wanted it and had often dreamed of it. Kysaek made her way to the centre of the building and it was anything but easy, for there was heat everywhere. The bot rampage was not limited to the outer grounds or level zero, and she collected every guard she could along the way.


    Other guards, however, who had already rushed ahead, or civilian staff who had hidden or entrenched themselves, lined the perimeter largely as corpses.


    In the end, Kysaek had a whole six guards with her when she reached the centre, and of that she was richly disappointed.


    Level five was a warehouse, where strictly sealed containers, some damaged by the fighting, and a single hoverwheel transporter stood. None of the staff, guards or non-guards were alive, but there were no signs of near danger. The aforementioned lift was also impossible to miss, as it was a gigantic platform.


    Before the rescue unit could descend, another call for help reached them. ¡°We¡¯re trapped!¡±


    ¡°Stay calm!¡± replied Kysaek. ¡°Where are you?¡±


    ¡°In the west wing of ring four. I¡¯m the last of my unit and I have a dozen civilians here. The wretched bots are closing in and there are too many of them. Please help us!¡±


    Kysaek thought. Her orders were clear and were to secure level zero. There were certainly important secrets down there and innocent employees as well. But what made those in the depths more important than the lives that were just as much in danger up here? Secrets could be replaced, those still alive after their deaths could not. Kysaek decided - it would be wrong to save only one side. ¡°You three,¡± she instructed her companions, ¡°march to the west wing immediately and help the people!¡±


    While two of the three nodded obediently, one Talin voiced concern. ¡°We have our orders. The west wing is not a priority.¡±


    ¡°Let me worry about that!¡± retorted Kysaek. ¡°If there are consequences later, I¡¯ll carry them. So let¡¯s go!¡±


    No more rebuttal followed from Talin and the three guards hastily made their way to the west wing.


    Kysaek then set the wide lift platform in motion, which was an extremely slow undertaking, and the steel creaked disconcertingly. The fact that the little light was diminishing rapidly, as the walls of the lift shaft had hardly any lamps or they were switched off, increased the ominous mood.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know what awaits us down there¡± Kysaek admonished. Now she hoped that all the fantasies she had made with Jim about the secret research remained that - fantasies. ¡°Check and load your weapons. As soon as the platform is down, fan out.¡±

 This is reality - 2

    A perceived kilometre later, and equipped by Jim with a map of the zero level, it was then, and Kysaek¡¯s unit secured an area identical to the large storage room of level five. But here there was total darkness and even the armour¡¯s lamps could only catch a fraction of what was ahead.


    Unlike the upper levels, however, there was no sign of battle here. No bodies, no destruction. But neither were there any survivors or indications that anyone was here at all.


    So Kysaek tried the radio frequency. ¡°This is Elaine Kysaek from level three - level zero please respond.¡± Her call was followed only by a low crackle with no reply and she tried again. ¡°Hello? Is no one there?¡± she repeated and got the same result: silence and crackling. ¡°That would have been too easy,¡± Kysaek sighed. ¡°We¡¯ll split up. You two take this side and we two take that side.¡± Her partner was a human she didn¡¯t know. Thanks to the ID on the armour, however, she could playfully pick out the name. ¡°Come on, Wung.¡±


    Wung led the way. ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    The fact that she wasn¡¯t alone didn¡¯t help Kysaek much, though. An eerie feeling gnawed at her and everything seemed creepy. It didn¡¯t get any better for her when the initial area was behind her - on the contrary.


    The warehouse gave way to a series of laboratories, where the first clear signs of chaos appeared: overturned pieces of furniture and technical equipment, bullet holes and strange scratch marks in the steel of the floor, the walls and even the ceiling. More striking, however, was the d¨¦cor, which did not match any technology Kysaek was familiar with. She lived in a society of modern spacefaring civilisations, but the technology here seemed remote and abstract, as if it were not from this galaxy, and yet Kysaek knew it from somewhere. She was sure of that. But it was probably due to the circumstances that she couldn¡¯t think of why it was so familiar to her.


    Finely cut, unknown signs and red energy lines stretched across the surface of the objects. In safe glass boxes, rather silvery white spheres floated and flashed before her, and from some of the strange artefacts faint mists rose in an almost transparent green.


    Then there were the thick tubes, much of which were broken and would have fit at least two people. The first were all empty, but in some there was still a dark blue slurry a foot high, running down the sides of the containers and forming puddles in the rooms. There were footprints in these, but the quantity and overlap made it impossible to classify them, and finally there was a tube, undamaged, at the end of a long row. Inside was a naked Davoc - or what could still be called a Davoc.


    The humanoid ape lacked almost any fur, but the species¡¯ distinctive snout was unmistakable. Its skin, however, was as pale as a corpse¡¯s and its chest looked unnaturally pumped. It bristled with muscle, more than was usual for a stout Davoc, and was overgrown with tumours, which was even more apparent on the back and shoulders.


    A completely misshapen Davoc was there before her, whom Kysaek looked at for a longer time. The face was still best preserved and she recognised him immediately, for it was the Davoc she had overpowered in the tunnels. ¡°What have they done to him?¡± she murmured to herself. Kysaek just didn¡¯t recognise the rest of it, but as she studied the red signatures several times and looked at the dead man, it hit her all the harder. She suddenly felt so stupid, because it was exactly the same thing she had noticed about the stolen body in the tunnels: that and everything else belonged to the technology of the First, which she knew from pictures and videos! ¡°What kind of a kinky show is this?¡± she asked, feeling increasingly uncomfortable, her voice echoing in the corridors.


    Suddenly there was a crash further ahead, and Kysaek and her hitherto silent companion raised their weapons in shock. Both cones of light from the lamps went rigidly ahead, without the success of a sighting. The two remained as silent as they could, and yet the tension was palpable and rising rapidly, for a strange, halting and distinctive breathing pierced the sinister silence. ¡°Is anyone there?¡± shouted Kysaek offhandedly.


    A vicious growl followed, from a throat that sounded slimy, and slowly, exceedingly slowly, a handful of pairs of red glowing eyes emerged from the shadows beside the cones of light and bare feet entered the illuminated area.


    Wung swallowed. ¡°I don¡¯t think those are survivors!¡±


    Kysaek cautiously backed away with him. ¡°Oh yes!¡± she replied, at the sight of the pale skin on the legs from the shadows, and there was more.


    The approaching bodies appeared human, with no sign of any sexual characteristics, and red veins dotted them, while whole patches of skin had been replaced with metal. Their cheeks were sunken and pitted, revealing fangs - or whatever lay there in their mouths. A true picture of horror.


    The eyeballs were without irises or pupils and stared towards Kysaek before the three figures ran towards her without warning. ¡°Stop!¡± she warned. That was in vain, however, and she fired with Wung at the charging mob, which easily took the first hits.


    Wung panicked. ¡°Without me!¡± he said and ran headlong.


    Hastily, Kysaek threw his head back. ¡°Wung! Stay here!¡± she commanded, but the order was refused and she found herself facing the approaching monsters. As she had once learned in the military, she followed the mantra: Aim for the head! It helped and with each headshot one more monster crashed to the ground until they were all finished.


    Now life was coming, but it was not a good life. From everywhere seemed to come the growls of the hideous monsters and one of the sounds was even more frightening, a cursed loud and animalistic roar. It sounded like an angry Hishek or even worse.


    It moved Kysaek to follow Wung¡¯s lead and she beat a quick retreat. ¡°Jim? Jim, can you hear me?¡± she asked. Her partner¡¯s voice, however, did not return. ¡°Shit!¡± She lacked any sense of direction, despite the map. Running was taking too much of her concentration and this miserable darkness, which could only ever illuminate her for a moment, was adding to it. Everything looked the same there, and when she saw more labs, Kysaek realised she was completely wrong.


    Death was in the air here and the devastation was enormous. Many of the victims on the ground looked as if they had been beaten, scratched and torn to death. Only a few had bullet wounds, while next to one door only the lower half of a Davoc sat, as the torso was nothing more than a crushed, disgusting stain of blood and guts on the wall.


    The screams of the monsters penetrated to Kysaek¡¯s marrow, but she collected herself to some extent and tried to find a way out of danger via the map. With the security protocols suspended, all paths were open to her and she discovered a way - a secondary supply unit, not far away and with a secret connection to the public sewage system. There was still one small problem, however, in the form of a half-closed door that could neither be closed nor opened. It was the key to the area with the longed-for escape point, and the footsteps and sounds of the monsters were steadily approaching.


    Because of her equipment, it was difficult for Kysaek to get through the narrow gap and she had to do quite a bit of contorting, bending and pushing her legs through sideways one after the other. Her assault rifle got in the way and stalled her. It wouldn¡¯t fit through with her. So Kysaek decided to drop it, and she was almost through the door after that. Only her leg was still missing when that was suddenly grabbed and she struggled against the powerful pull. The moaning sounds of the monsters were returned loudly by Kysaek. ¡°Fuck off, you bastards!¡± She tugged and kicked out with her leg, constantly hitting something. A jerk later she escaped the grasp, but the figure¡¯s arm followed her right through the gap, only to be cut off seconds later by the sudden closing of the door.


    ¡°If I get out of here, I quit!¡± breathed Kysaek heavily as she heard the click of a gun.


    ¡°STAY STILL!¡± a human woman yelled at her, having appeared out of nowhere. It was a PGIE guard, accompanied by another guard and a Talin in scientific garb.


    Kysaek stretched her arms more to the side than in the air. ¡°Woah, woah, woah!¡± she tried soothingly. ¡°We¡¯re on the same side!¡±


    The targeting woman looked very panicked and her armour showed considerable wear and foreign blood. ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are! We just want to get out of here!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m certainly not stopping you, because I want to. How about we team up?¡±


    ¡°We? With you?¡± complained the Talin scientist, who was holding a pistol herself but shaking considerably. ¡°You¡¯ve startled the Runners! They¡¯re coming here! Just because of them! They¡¯re killing us!¡±


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    The term Runner did not interest Kysaek just then. ¡°And your roar makes it better?¡± she countered, swallowing as the terrifying animalistic roar from before was expelled.


    ¡°Nubius, preserve me!¡± the Talin stammered. ¡°It¡¯s here!¡°She didn¡¯t wait for Kysaek or the other guards and ran off.


    The reason for this fear soon became apparent when a real monster of about four metres came out of the side corridors. Its trampling footsteps sent vibrations through the steel and made broken glass crack. The creature¡¯s leg alone was the size of a full-grown tree trunk and the rest of its body was so wide that it almost filled the entire path. Two thick horns curved backwards and surrounded by a dozen smaller spikes protruded from its head, but unlike the normal monsters, this creature¡¯s skin was jet black and appeared slimy. Only the glowing red part was the same.


    Stiffly, Kysaek stumbled to the side, unable to form words or thoughts, so enormous was her fear.


    The PGI elite guards, on the other hand, opened fire, but they did so more out of desperation than the will to win. ¡°DIE!¡±


    The shots made the behemoth roar again, only now the sound was much more intense. The many flaps of skin around its wide, x-shaped mouth pulled apart to reveal a sea of teeth. Then it charged, unimpressed by the attacks, which easily disappeared into the mass of its body. The behemoth was like a steam engine and waltzed mercilessly forward, making a quake out of the vibrations in the ground.


    With a deft roll, the guard managed to dive under the attacker, but her partner was not so lucky. He was hurled through the air and smashed against the nearest wall by a far-reaching blow, the sound of which could be heard breaking every bone.


    It was the drumbeat that brought the paralysed Kysaek to her senses. She got into the fight and had an easy time attacking the monster¡¯s back with her pistol and prismatic energy, but it remained completely useless. Every time a hit was made, it was not only intercepted by the body - the tissue regenerated in a flash and appeared like a mixture of flesh and cables. So Kysaek¡¯s courage vanished as soon as it was there, and even a helping grenade from the Talin guardian, which produced a glare of stabbing flame, had no appreciable effect on the monster.


    Instead, a tentacle sprang from the fire and knocked the alien guardian to the ground, wrapped around her and dragged the Talin into the receding flames. The source of the tentacle was the monster¡¯s palm, where the body extension disappeared and the creature¡¯s powerful fingers wrapped around the guard¡¯s legs. The hanging and wildly swinging prey struggled, but for the monster it was more of a game. It stared at the guard and at the same time a huge spike grew out of its free hand. The monster drove it through the chest of its prey and stifled its burgeoning panicked scream before effortlessly tearing the guard in two.


    For Kysaek, it was enough. She could take no more and ran to where the monster had come from before. She figured that was the safest way because the passage to the sewers there was just wide enough for herself. Before Kysaek reached the escape point, however, the monster audibly took up pursuit and clumsily crashed around the corner behind her.


    There, the creature lay half-crouched at first and had to scramble to her feet. Clearly she was not agile and took some time to pick up speed. That was its weakness. But with every second the monster grew faster and caught up threateningly.


    At the last moment, Kysaek made it into the alcove leading to the sewer exit before the mass of her pursuer slammed against the resistant steel surface, but that did not make her safe. Several of the creature¡¯s tentacles slid blindly into the narrow passageway at once, searching and striking for its next prey, but narrowly missing Kysaek.


    Thanks to a hasty duck and a ladder to the depths, Kysaek was not caught and stood before the longed-for door to the sewers.


    Long after, as Kysaek staggered through the corridors of the sewer, exhausted by everything, she heard her pursuer ramming relentlessly against the wall. He roared and a strange sound, a vomiting and burning or even steaming, mingled with it.


    But even the rumbling eventually died away, and when Kysaek reached a distribution chamber, she allowed herself a much-needed breather. What was going on? She could not yet grasp or make sense of it all. In just a few hours, events had transpired and PGI - yes, PGI! - was clearly experimenting with the technology of the First. That technology that was used for the worst war in galactic history, and Kysaek was nothing more than a protector, an aide, in an effort to extract profits or other, shady things from that horror. No one would forgive her for that, or the others, ignorance or not, and knowing that made Kysaek especially angry. Phonor told her that all the SCs and staff knew about level zero and the oh-so-correct old soldier was nothing but a rotten pig. She would never have thought that of him, despite her dislike of him. For the moment, though, Kysaek had to forget that and just follow one priority - get out of here, far away from here, to some safe hiding place.


    This plan did not take place, however, for suddenly a large group of PGIE soldiers surrounded the distributor and pointed their weapons at the fugitive. ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡±


    Kysaek lacked all patience and will to go through with all this any longer. ¡°I¡¯m with you!¡± she defended herself. What else could she do? One climax followed the next and her stamina was at an end.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± said the obvious leader of the group. ¡°Things are under control upstairs and we¡¯ve already killed two terrorists disguised as guards.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this!¡± implored Kysaek, recounting her encounter. ¡°I¡¯ve got a huge beast on my ass, guaranteed to be pumped full of stimulants or some such stuff. We¡¯ve got to get out of here! It¡¯ll kill us all!¡±


    The leader didn¡¯t believe it. ¡°Go ahead and talk,¡± she said, apparently getting a radio call in after she turned ice cold. ¡°Plant A will be cleared with a neutron wave in five minutes. The assault order on all units has been countermanded. We are at the edge of the effective radius and are to eliminate all witnesses from level zero before retreating!¡±


    ¡°W-wa...?,¡± Kysaek only stammered as all the weapons around her charged. There was no way she could get out of here. No chance, no cover, no help. The happiness she thought had finally overtaken her turned into the complete opposite and she was about to close her eyes so she wouldn¡¯t have to see it coming. Before she did, however, she saw dust trickling down in front of her nose and over the heads of her executioners it was the same, which is why the PGIE soldiers were distracted, and even more so when a muffled rumble went through the walls. It¡¯s here!, Kysaek realised, and that¡¯s when it happened.


    A wall on the side shattered under the gigantic behemoth from the lab and swirled a mighty amount of dust into the manifold. ¡°RAWRRRRR!¡± it chimed its arrival.


    ¡°New target!¡± shouted the PGIE leader. ¡°Fire! Fire!¡±


    The order did nothing for the two soldiers at the scene of the breach. One was simply trampled by the behemoth and the second killed with one blow.


    Keeping her executioners¡¯ focus on the terrible foe, Kysaek saw her chance and moved away, though she still took some impressions of the fight.


    Unlike the labs, however, the situation here played out a lot differently. Some of the PGIE members looked frightened, but they kept their nerve and proceeded methodically.


    The monster¡¯s tentacles hit nothing, as the targets were very agile and some tentacles were shot unerringly, and the remains retreated into the hand. Grenades continued to have no effect, but the recoil was there for the behemoth and made it leap to where Kysaek had been standing before.


    A soldier was grabbed and simply torn apart, bringing the squad leader to the next tactic. ¡°Prismatics! Catch that thing!¡±


    Four users of Prismatics were in the squad and enveloped nd the behemoth in the white energy, effectively paralysing it. It could not move significantly and otherwise just growled loudly.


    One of the PGIE soldiers drew a plasma blade, a sword of Eldar steel with a fine, shimmering green underside that hummed as it swung and was so hot it sliced off the target¡¯s thick arm like butter.


    With that, however, he unleashed the monster¡¯s fury and it cried out. ¡°ROAWWR!¡± It demonstrated such raw power that it even broke the cripplingly powerful prismatic field of four users. As the arm rapidly regrew, it grabbed the sword wielder by the head and crushed him. A spike formed on the back of the monster¡¯s hand and it shot it at the leader, right through her stomach.


    The rest of the fight eluded Kysaek¡¯s eyes, but she could hear more than well. The gunshots, the detonations, the death screams - all of it diminished with each passing moment until there was only the snorting of the monster.


    Another annoyance entered Kysaek¡¯s mind, however, when an automated warning pierced through the tunnels: ¡°Neutron wave will start in one minute.¡± Kysaek was at her wits¡¯ end. Her lungs were burning, her legs were slowly failing and there it was again, the behemoth. ¡°The fucking beast is out to get me!¡± she gasped. A fork opened up in front of her. She was aware that paths in sewers could quickly end in dead ends or in front of blocked paths. Left, right, left, right, Kysaek weighed and simply took left. It was the wrong choice. At the end, only a wall with a barely discernible, rather shallow passageway waited and to the right there was a massive steel gate, too strong for Kysaek¡¯s pistol. She lacked the strength for her prismatic skills, as well as the time, as the behemoth cut her off and hurtled towards the wall of the junction.


    Out of desperation, Kysaek ran on to the dead end and gained some ground, but it didn¡¯t stop the countdown. ¡°Thirty seconds to neutron wave.¡±


    The pursuer now needed more time to get back on its feet, shooting spikes at Kysaek from a distance first. One spike hit close to her feet, one flew over her and the third grazed her on the shoulder. In addition, Kysaek¡¯s vision gradually blurred and the so-called second air was no longer with her. She was more on the tenth. The monster came closer and its shadow overtook Kysaek. Now she had no choice or yet - she could turn around and hope for a quick death, or she would try to slip through the narrow passage. If that didn¡¯t work, she¡¯d be dead too, but at least there was the absurd chance that the gap was large and the wall strong enough for her to escape and hopefully the neutron wave wouldn¡¯t reach that far.


    No, Kysaek still had a shred of will to live and was betting everything on this card. She dived head first into the rift and felt the wind of the errant monster hand behind her. Her back skittered fleetingly along the ceiling of the narrow passage, but she did not get stuck and the narrow gap went on for several metres under the concrete. Accordingly, she heard the heavy thud as the monster hit the massive bulwark above Kysaek. She was free as a bird, literally. The outflow ended up as a waterfall, and as it plummeted uncontrollably very far down, she could still hear the electric howl of neutron energy. The sewer from which she had escaped dissolved into a white column of light. The fucking monster is gone! That certainty arose in her before the end of her fall, before she disappeared into the dirty water.

 All against one

    Rain, rain and more rain. The weather was good and bad for Kysaek, useful and hindering. For almost three hours, the clouds over Auranis had been unloading their water, letting it crash mightily with thunder and lightning during the dawn. A stream of water flowed on the streets, though it was no higher than the sole of a foot, and yet the amount was enough to be turned into fountains by ground vehicles. Hardly a soul was out at the moment and those who were, conditionally protected themselves with umbrellas or sought refuge under house entrances and in open shops. A fact because of which Kysaek did not have to constantly watch out for prying eyes. The rain also formed a small veil around her rather conspicuous PGI equipment. Fortunately, it no longer stank so badly and all the dirt from the sewage system had disappeared, which also applied to Kysaek¡¯s head. She had lost her helmet in the fall into the sewage and had spent some time waiting through the sewers and they were what they were - nasty waters. However, Kysaek¡¯s equipment was slightly damaged in the course of her escape, so the rainwater and the cold that came with it slowly affected her battered body and made her shiver more with each passing minute.


    But she was still holding on, and while Kysaek watched the next street from a side alley, she realised anew that she couldn¡¯t just go in anywhere or go home. They had been looking for her for about an hour, and not out of concern for her. The authorities wanted to arrest her, as she had learned from the news. There had been talk of an extremely serious terrorist attack on the PGI premises, with countless dead, and Kysaek had been named by the company as an insider to the attackers. According to PGI, she had manipulated the security systems and given the attackers access. What had she got herself into? That was the most pressing question on Kysaek¡¯s mind, but above all she needed a change of clothes and a warm and safe shelter to rest and think.


    What kind of research was this at PGI? How could the company hide it from the galaxy, from the many governments that were all so eager to pursue those who seized the forbidden technology of the First? What was the corporation up to? Was Skarg Peeks about to start the next Solaris-war?


    The opportunity was favourable, for not a vehicle or passer-by was in sight. Hastily, Kysaek crossed the road. Her improvised plan had led her here because a good acquaintance of hers, whose name was Daniela Oles, lived in the next tower block. Not that they were the very best of friends or that Kysaek hoped her acquaintance would give her shelter. They knew each other a little through Traffo¡¯s studio and had done things together from time to time. Rather, Kysaek chose this place because Daniela had been on a cross-country trip through the galaxy for a few months and would not be back as soon as. In the meantime, Kysaek was supposed to check on her flat from time to time to see if everything was in order or if the housebots were doing their work. For this reason, she had the security password for Daniela¡¯s house as well as her flat. When Kysaek was sure that no one was following her and there was silence on the other side of the door, she entered.


    Inside, Kysaek was overcome with relief as the rain finally stopped falling on her and the air became noticeably warmer, though certainly not heated. She could not let this feeling distract her, however, for even in the lower regions of some residential towers there were a handful of cameras and usually always a house guard. Moreover, Kysaek was aware that some of the residents of the building had already seen her here, and if that occurred to just one person and the thought that she might be seeking shelter here, then her plan would be ruined. Kysaek didn¡¯t believe that any of the residents had really noticed her face or taken an interest in her, but she didn¡¯t want to rely on that. After all, they were everywhere - the constantly peeping, nosy neighbours or those who immediately called the police at every little bit. A hint to the police about Kysaek would be enough for the law enforcers to be on the spot immediately. She had already seen how such things worked in comparable pursuits with the help of the media.


    In this tower, however, Kysaek was able to move freely through the corridors without encountering anyone, possibly due to the terrible weather or the dawning hours of the new day. In addition, the cameras were clearly visible; the dimly rotating electronic security eyes mostly hung in front of the lifts and stairs to the next floor. Combined with their inertia, it was easy for even the tired Kysaek to trick the cameras and reach the sixth level.


    Daniela¡¯s flat was no longer far away, but Kysaek held back because very loud music was coming from one of the other flats on the way there, and to make matters worse, a Palanese man was sitting on the floor in front of that door. His legs were wide apart and his upper body posture was a kind of half-sleep as he bobbed his head to the beat of the music. The man was probably blotto and muttering unintelligibly to himself.


    Kysaek judged the Palanian¡¯s state to be so out of it that he should not be aware of her presence, but she walked cautiously nonetheless.


    Nothing changed in the man¡¯s demeanour and the babbling became clearer. ¡°Ceshhhil, oh my Ceshhhil,¡± he slurred drunkenly, putting his hands over his face. ¡°It¡äs just a celebration for my friend before he gives his vows. I¡¯m faithful to you after all, shhoooo why are you shhho angry?¡±


    Kysaek loosened up a bit and made an approach to walk past the man normally, but she stopped short of him when he brought his hands down.


    The drunk man swung his head back, more out of mirth, and laughed to himself and yet he saw the stranger to him because of it. ¡°Well hey there!¡± he greeted. ¡°There¡¯s someone, isn¡¯t there?¡±


    Even though Kysaek was standing so close to him, the Palan¡¯s vision was apparently blurred, but she still couldn¡¯t pretend she wasn¡¯t there. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m here.¡±


    ¡°Who are you? I¡¯m Ha..., eh, Ha.... Hassshh... eh,¡± he kept starting over and could no longer pronounce his own name. ¡°Earlier it was ... Haschor!¡± he raised his arms. That was a real sense of achievement for him. ¡°I¡¯m Haschor!¡±


    ¡°Hello, Haschor!¡± nodded Kysaek back cautiously. To her, the Palanese was so intoxicated that he would surely forget her in a moment, but still she used a false name. ¡°My name is Daniela. I live here.¡±


    ¡°Yes? Will you come to the party then? It¡¯s for my best friend. He¡¯s going to bond in two days.¡±


    That expression meant nothing to Kysaek. ¡°Bond? Sounds like marriage,¡± she guessed. Not that she wanted to pry now, but a drunk like that was a fickle spirit, and if Kysaek just dumped him, he could become aggressive or otherwise attract attention.


    ¡°Marriage? Dohn¡¯t knowww. But you? No idea about the bond? You know. Two of my people who want to be together forever and testify to that in front of the spirits.¡±


    ¡°We humans call it marriage, but it¡¯s not quite as spiritual as it is with you. Our spirits, our gods were exposed as lies,¡± Kysaek said soberly, passing Hashor a little more each time. The longer she stayed with him, the greater the danger that someone else, much more sober, might join her.


    On being told, Haschor explained in drunken wisdom. ¡°Ah yes. When you give something to the opinion of others. But if your gods don¡¯t suit you, believe in the spirits. There are spirits for everything.¡±


    ¡°Really for everything?¡±


    ¡°Tzhehe, yeeees. Love, health, happiness, revenge, war, eh ...and a bunch more,¡± Haschor said, but he was tired of listing them.


    ¡°Also for getting drunk?¡±


    Haschor agreed and became more and more silent as he spoke. ¡°Certainly! Definitely even for all kinds of alcohol! Like beer, wine, liquor, shorts, nuraghe...¡± Finally he nodded away, exhausted, and the opportunity to pass him was given.


    Inside Daniela¡¯s flat it was quite a bit warmer, though still dark, which was why Kysaek had to turn on lights. The covered windows prevented the light from leaking out, and behind the closed door she could finally switch off properly.


    Security was not the only thing this flat offered, however, as it was more comfortable than Kysaek¡¯s, with separate rooms in a wide area, which was rather unusual for such low-lying conditions and correspondingly expensive. There was a large living room, a kitchen, a bathroom, a narrow balcony and a bedroom. Everything was clean and in the living room the blue potted plants, with the white dust on their leaves, were still in full sap, glowing dully under the overhead light. En¡¯Syl Netha was the name of the plant, and there were other species on the balcony and in the bedroom, because Daniela had a soft spot for exotic plants. It gave the flat more of a feeling of well-being, but Kysaek hastily pushed the thought away.


    Now the only thing tormenting her was the choice between falling over tired on the spot or taking a pleasant, hot bath. I can still manage the few metres! I¡¯ve earned it! she decided.


    Already walking, Kysaek peeled everything off her body and then didn¡¯t even want to wait until the water had completely run in. She immediately climbed into the tub, which was simple, but just like the flat was not standard. The water was a touch too hot for her hypothermic body, but Kysaek endured it and adapted within a short time. The warmth conquered the cold, and with her head half submerged, Kysaek was finally able to deal with what she had seen.


    Had that really been technology of the first? Had she not perhaps been mistaken and it was simply new, secret machinery from PGI? Kysaek wasn¡¯t as sure as she had been in the lab, because after all she only knew all that from stories, films and pictures. Besides, a lot of things looked like abstract and alien technology these days. Maybe she was just the victim of a fucking misunderstanding and could sort it out with PGI! The thought crossed Kysaek¡¯s mind, but the bitter reality shattered it immediately. No, that was wishful thinking. The pigs had deliberately hunted down survivors from the labs and tried to pick them off. And whatever those experiments on the people¡¯s tails were for, they were clearly illegal. Why else was there this super-secret lab underneath the complex? Companies had their secrets and of course you didn¡¯t tell everyone where you were researching your latest prototypes and what made them tick, Kysaek was aware of that. But attacks by terrorists that probably weren¡¯t terrorists at all, and the complete destruction of the complex and the consequent elimination of evidence - that definitely went beyond ordinary secret research.


    Kysaek thought about something then. Maybe the terrorists were her salvation! She wasn¡¯t sure if there were any remnants of the attackers and where they were, but if they still existed, the terrorists were certainly more sympathetic to her than PGI, the police or the public. At least the incursion was a start, only now another matter had priority. She desperately needed a break.


    Kysaek dried herself and strolled naked into the bedroom, where she fell onto the bed, dead tired, and wrapped herself up like a baby in the comfortingly soft blanket. It was a wonderful feeling where she no longer cared about anything and fell asleep from one second to the next.


    Whether it was due to massive exhaustion or that Kysaek was perhaps tougher than she thought, but her sleep was deep and dreamless and lasted for almost a whole day. She was suitably surprised at the sight of the date and time. ¡°Is the alarm clock broken?¡± she babbled sleepily to herself, and as the tiredness gave way when she got up, she realised it immediately. Kysaek¡¯s body was on fire. Her muscles were sore, the likes of which she had never experienced before, and no part of her was spared. ¡°Ahhh! What the?,¡± came a curse from her lips and she fell back on the bed. This was definitely not something that Estro Light or other ointments could alleviate in a hurry and compared to that, the beating from the night of the party was a joke. Even lying down hurt Kysaek like hell and her unintentional rolling back and forth caused her to slide off the bed. ¡°Nargh!¡± she gasped, and yet a pleasant thrust went through her body, due to the milder floor temperature. ¡°Ha, nice.¡±


    Kysaek was enjoying this position a lot more, but unlike her body, her brain was functioning properly, and pain or not, it was going to stay for some time, no matter what she did. So she brought herself up, even if even snails were more nimble, and supplied herself first with practical underwear, an odd but inconspicuous coloured shirt and a pair of comfortable blue trousers from Daniela, everything fitting her relatively well.


    Diligently, Kysaek scavenged the few long-lasting foods from the kitchen. Dry meat, a tin of vegetables and to her happy surprise, there was a six-pack of eggs from the cryogenic compartment.


    With her meal prepared, Kysaek took a seat in the living room and wanted to update herself on her tracking. She did so via Daniela¡¯s holoscreen.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Two technical bars produced an excellent quality digital image between them and brought Lisa Orton into the living room, who was obviously in the middle of a sentence.


    " ... No one had, the county administrator affirmed. The investigation into the corruption scandal is still in its early stages, so it¡¯s hard to gauge whether more officials aren¡¯t implicated. The police and Auranis¡¯ security forces have so far not given any other names and declined our request for them. They say they want to avoid media and public pressure on possibly innocent people so that the investigation can proceed as smoothly as possible.¡±


    A skilful pause by Orton occurred and a burning PGI logo shone beside her head.


    ¡°The renewed attack on PGI¡¯s headquarters is still keeping the people of Auranis on tenterhooks. The company itself, on the other hand, was very confident in the clean-up and resolution of the incident. Still, board members, and especially company owner Skarg Peeks, were shocked that their new face for security, Elaine Kysaek, has turned out to be a terrorist agitator and leader of the ruthless cell that has now attacked the company twice.¡±


    Kysaek choked and beat her chest repeatedly, coughing. She? Leader of a terrorist cell? In her life, after all, Kysaek had been given many a questionable title, but this was the crowning glory. It fed her suspicions. The bastards from PGI, they wanted to make her a scapegoat and divert attention from themselves!


    Lisa Orton further reported.


    ¡°In the context of the first attack and analysis of the second, the company¡¯s security experts now suspect that attack number one was intended to deliberately fail. It made Kysaek a hero and gave her increased clearance within the company. She used this to manipulate the systems and enable her cell to carry out this massive attack. PGI can only guess at the purpose so far, as all recording and research material was destroyed by the explosions of the A and B facilities. Only the capture of Elaine Kysaek and the final dismantling of her cell, which has certainly been badly damaged, could bring clarity to the events, which is why the city of Auranis has increased the bounty to 250,000 foreign currency. However, this is only for a live capture. PGI itself has also raised a sum, worth 1,000,000 foreign currency, dead or alive. A spokesperson for the company said that of course they prefer alive, for the sake of the investigation alone. But at the same time, he said, Kysaek posed an enormous threat to public safety, and since she would certainly resist arrest, killing her might be unavoidable. In addition, and at the request of the city¡¯s chief administrator, PGI is deploying its own units to ensure the safety of Auranis, crack down on the terrorist cell and arrest Kysaek. Should our esteemed viewers...¡±


    Angrily, Kysaek switched off the screen and kicked the table. ¡°Can PGI get away with anything? Their own troops? Are we in the maw here or what!¡± she cursed. ¡°And a million foreign exchange ... everyone is delivering me to the knife for that. That makes it extremely difficult for me to find the cell.¡± The foreign currency was one thing. Kysaek suspected that more nutters would now contact the police with any curious sightings or theories, which would be a plus for her as the search for her would be further dispersed. On the other hand, she was no longer so sure of her hiding place here and now the police, Auranis security and PGI looking for her - that was quite a lot. Questionable whether she could move around the city. Good, she was basically incapable of it at the moment anyway. She moved her arms a little, which was quite an act. How was she supposed to walk around? Her plan was cracked and she rubbed her forehead thoughtfully. How, indeed, was she going to do it? It might be easier with a source or help, but Kysaek had almost no real acquaintances or friends here whom she trusted completely.


    Jim was a good guy, but he wasn¡¯t an option. PGI was probably monitoring him and his knowledge of the underworld was more limited to crime shows. As a small-time crook, Xarus might be more likely to pull it off, except he¡¯d surely rat out Kysaek for 100,000 or even less in foreign currency by now. Ulun was more of an option, because he had enough in his account, except that Kysaek knew him even less than Xarus. Ulun ... now she was making a fool of herself. She probably had no other choice and had to do it herself, even if she had no clue where to start. If only she could call in a favour somewhere ...!


    In fact, there was one person from whom she could possibly expect help - Dil¨¦n. As absurd as that sounded to Kysaek, it made sense to her. The two of them hardly knew each other, but that was both an advantage and a disadvantage. Dil¨¦n was grateful for her rescue and in the conversation she seemed very reasonable, a woman who didn¡¯t prejudge you and made her own decisions. Of course, there was the risk that Dil¨¦n saw no reason to help a stranger, rescue or not, and Kysaek may have misjudged her. It was a quandary, but that was true of her whole situation and she remembered Dil¨¦n¡¯s words about chains and choice. Kysaek had a choice and she chose to put her trust in Dil¨¦n.


    Before doing so, however, she started searching Daniela¡¯s flat, whose opinion she did not care about now. Kysaek¡¯s first target was the bedroom, because she hoped that Daniela hid valuable things here, for example foreign currency badges. These were small, silver chip cards on which you could store credit. They were the forerunner of vortex-cuffs, which were used for many things nowadays, including the transfer of wealth. Yet most, and that included Kysaek, still liked the badges. Although the currency was equally digital and stored on the chips, people liked to have solid money in their hands and didn¡¯t want to constantly shuffle invisible currency back and forth between their cuffs. There was also the risk that Kysaek could be traced if she transferred foreign currency via her cuff, even if that didn¡¯t necessarily have to happen.


    Unfortunately, however, Kysaek couldn¡¯t find anything in the closet, the visible wall compartments or the two chests of drawers by the bed, and if there were hidden places, it didn¡¯t matter, as Kysaek lacked the skills to track down secret compartments. But there was one more place she could look - under the bed.


    The housebots did a great job as Kysaek did not find a single crumb of dust under the bed, but that was equally true for her things she was looking for. For the sake of order, however, she turned onto her back and felt along the bedposts and slatted frame, where she first felt either the soft mattress or solid metal. Suddenly, however, she reached into a hollow space and got hold of something. ¡°What have I got there?¡± she murmured curiously to herself.


    Kysaek came out from under the bed and pulled out a handy safe box. In her own home she owned just case his, a sturdy and password-protected box. With a little noise and force she could crack the thing, but she wanted to avoid that if possible. Was it possible? Kysaek entered the password of Daniela¡¯s flat and, lo and behold, the box was cracked. Unfortunately, she did not find any currency stickers inside. Instead, she was presented with a magnetic pistol. She inspected it carefully, and thanks to her military training, she was relatively well acquainted with this type of weapon and knew how much it was used. It was mainly due to the balance of destructive power, endurance and reliability. Bullets of Eldar-steel, barely larger than a fingertip, were accelerated to an abnormally high speed via an electrified rail in the weapon¡¯s barrel. That was more important than anything else, or as it had been drilled into Kysaek in training, ¡°More speed gives more power, and more power makes more hurt.¡± Size mattered only secondarily. It was only an amplifier, not a primary attribute. That¡¯s why many magnetic weapons had bulging magazines of tiny bullets, for prolonged firefights, and in Kysaek¡¯s case there were at least two full magazines. The pistol alone was not enough, however, for she needed above all to give her body a bit of a boost.


    To this end, Kysaek turned to the bathroom, but she was not concerned with normal products. Since Daniela was a very active and fit woman, Kysaek suspected that she was nurturing or even boosting her body accordingly, and her dedication was rewarded. ¡°This is great!¡± she marvelled when Kysaek found two ampoules of retroadrenaline in the cupboard above the sink.


    Originally, the drug had been developed by Hishek scientists for their soldiers and yet every known species tolerated it, who in turn gave it to their soldiers. However, retroadrenaline had long since found its way into normal hands as well and possessed various properties. Most importantly, it gave the body energy and temporarily healed minor injuries or made pain more bearable. In theory, it could also be used to stay awake at work or to achieve more. A coffee or a tablet, however, was much cheaper, as one ampoule of retroadrenalin could easily cost a thousand foreign currency.


    The rest of the search of the flat was unfortunately not so profitable, and after Kysaek had put on new and inconspicuous clothes, in the form of dark trousers and jacket with a high collar, plus a cap, it was time to use Daniela¡¯s kit. Some called such a thing a computer, laptop or terminal, but the regular term was kit: a stationary electronic keypad that, like the holoscreen, produced a digital image over itself.


    For a long time, Kysaek saw only a grey background while the kit tried to establish a connection. That Dil¨¦n did not answer the call was surely due to the unknown signature of Daniela¡¯s kit or because it was very early morning and she was still asleep. Eventually Kysaek¡¯s request was rejected, but she tried again straight away, only to be stalled again. That¡¯s when she started another attempt, because maybe Dil¨¦n would just pick up. Just to see who was bugging her or being so persistent.


    When contact was finally made, Dil¨¦n looked annoyed. ¡°So whoever is there, you are very ...¡± More words of displeasure caught in her throat and her face showed surprise.


    ¡°I know,¡± Kysaek greeted uncertainly. ¡°I really have a lot of nerve, don¡¯t I?¡±


    Dil¨¦n had to regain her composure and sat down, wrapped in a comfortable house robe. She was obviously alone and in a closed but well-lit room. Considering the early hour, she nevertheless appeared wide awake and wore no headdress. ¡°What have you done?¡±


    ¡°You are still direct,¡± Kysaek replied. She also took a seat and defended herself calmly. ¡°And I haven¡¯t done anything at all!¡±


    ¡°I find that very hard to believe,¡± Dil¨¦n admitted. If she had already labelled Kysaek a criminal, it didn¡¯t show on her face. ¡°So much death and destruction. You¡¯re in the middle of it, running away. Someone who is innocent doesn¡¯t run.¡±


    ¡°If they wanted to kill you despite your innocence, you would see it differently. ¡±


    Dil¨¦n¡¯s attitude was reserved, but not dismissive. ¡°I¡¯m sure you have a long story to tell, but I¡¯m more interested in one thing - why are you contacting me?¡±


    Kysaek played her cards close to her chest and followed the direct approach. ¡°The number of people I know on this planet is limited and you are a face no one knows I know. I need your help, please.¡±


    ¡°Are you counting on the fact that you¡äve helped me and expecting me to do the same in return?¡±


    ¡°I put enormous faith in you above all, Dil¨¦n,¡± Kysaek opined. She wanted to show Talin what a risk she was taking with this call. ¡°You could betray me at any time and collect an enormous sum. No matter who came to see me then, I would surely die.¡±


    This did not quite convince Dil¨¦n, but she accommodated Kysaek. ¡°If you are indeed innocent, why are so many after you?¡±


    ¡°I can only guess right now why they want to kill me, but I have seen shady things in the secret PGI labs: hideous creatures, disgusting experiments on people, and ... forbidden technology.¡±


    The mention of creatures and test subjects elicited only a stroking of Dil¨¦n¡¯s chin. However, when the words forbidden technology came up, she hesitantly checked. ¡°What technology?¡±


    ¡°The First¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°Is that true?¡±


    Kysaek was offended by the demand. ¡°Why else would I say that?¡±


    ¡°To shock me, and you succeeded easily,¡± Dil¨¦n said. Her doubts still hadn¡¯t disappeared. ¡°This could be a ruse, Kysaek. If you really are the mastermind behind this masterful plan of attack, you are certainly a brilliant manipulator.¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me!¡°, Kysaek snapped. It was certainly far from wise to lose her temper, but the whole situation was tugging at her nerves tremendously and at the same time it did her good to blow off steam. ¡°If I am the great terror leader, where are my people? Where are my resources? Would I really blow it all on an attack? No! I¡¯m way too smart for that after all!¡±


    ¡°You really need to ...¡±


    ¡°Really what?¡± raged Kysaek further. ¡°Be calm? Not be rude? In this town right now I have the most right to be pissed off!¡± She slapped the table and acted all too human. ¡°I¡¯ve slept a whole day and I¡¯m still devastated. I ran away from a huge, bloodthirsty monster and the PGIE tried to kill me! I waded through the waste of the city waters and nearly froze to death in the rain while they chased me on! And you want to tell me now what I must? ¡°Kysaek sank down in front of the kit and breathed quickly. Her pure desperation could not have been clearer.


    Dil¨¦n kept silent and her expression was iron. Talin¡¯s eyes showed discipline, whereas her expression was encouraging and belittling. ¡°You are a poor fighter.¡±


    Kysaek had not expected that. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The night we met,¡± Dil¨¦n recalled, her hesitation disappearing. ¡°You could barely handle those two drunks, which I¡¯m sure was due in part to your carelessness, and that absolutely does not befit a brilliant and calculating terrorist leader.¡±


    ¡°Would be nice if it did. Then I wouldn¡¯t be in so deep a mess right now and I¡¯m sure I¡¯d be richer. But that¡¯s not the case and right now I¡¯m sitting in a borrowed flat where I borrowed some more.¡±


    ¡°Your situation is really not the best,¡± Dil¨¦n nodded. It seemed she now believed Kysaek. ¡°My sister has always told me that PGI does crooked business, and I know the rumours and stories regarding the First¡¯s technology. There have been accusations often enough.¡±


    ¡°Your sister said PGI was criminal?¡± asked Kysaek. She ignored the rest, since it wasn¡¯t much of a secret.


    ¡°Yes ... she knows better in these milieus where you have to be careful, things can be tougher and not everything is completely legal.¡±


    ¡°And how does your sister know these things?¡±


    ¡°I guess you would call her a mercenary,¡± Dil¨¦n opined, discussing one more fact. ¡°And I work for her, but not in the way you must be thinking now, Kysaek.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t think of anything about mercenaries that doesn¡¯t involve violence or crime. So where does that leave you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a secretary.¡±


    ¡°Are you serious?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Dil¨¦n replied with the utmost matter-of-factness. ¡°Someone has to take the orders, negotiate them, act as a mouthpiece, handle the payments properly ...¡±


    ¡°I believe it,¡± Kysaek interrupted. Still, she pictured mercenaries as more of a dirty, disorganised and leg-humping bunch, but for the moment she didn¡¯t care what the details were. She wanted to know what was going on. ¡°So ... do you finally believe me now? Will you help me?¡±


    At her answer, Dil¨¦n rose. ¡°I am still not completely convinced, but I am clearly leaning towards helping you. Not only because I believe you more than PGI, but because I owe you something, because who knows what could have happened to me that night?¡±


    ¡°Dil¨¦n,¡± Kysaek breathed out in relief, ¡°if you knew what your words meant to me right now! Just thank you!¡±


    ¡°We shall see. I hope you understand, of course, that I make the rules for a meeting?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°Then we will come to you, Kysaek,¡± Dil¨¦n said. She was clearly friendly, but not na?ve enough to come alone. ¡°I¡¯ll consult my sister and explain the situation to her. If she gives me her consent, I¡¯ll send a message to this kit and we¡¯ll come to your whereabouts to pick you up.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s how we¡¯ll do it, but I hope it¡¯s quick. Who knows how long my hideout will be safe?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try to make it quick. So long!¡±


    ¡°Goodbye!¡°, Kysaek said goodbye. The kit¡¯s connection was cut off, and although she had finally received some good news, one fact pained her. Mercenary ... I hope Dil¨¦n keeps her word. I¡¯m totally stupid to get involved with mercenaries. People who will do almost anything for foreign currency, and I¡¯m worth quite a lot right now. But if they help me, at least I won¡¯t stand alone against PGI anymore ...

 Driven hunt - 1

    Act 2 -  The Disciples of Dealith


    Now it was just a matter of waiting for Kysaek. Half an hour ago, Dil¨¦n had given her feedback and Talin, her sister and some mercenaries were on their way to Daniela¡¯s flat. It would take about an hour, Dil¨¦n had estimated. While waiting, Kysaek noticed what she had repressed while running through the sewers and city and recovering in Daniela¡¯s flat - smoking. Oh how sweet a cigarette would be now, if only to calm her nerves! Unfortunately, however, Daniela was truly a healthy woman and Kysaek had not found one glow stick in her search. Although there were still sedative tablets in the bathroom, she didn¡¯t want to fill herself up with drugs. After all, she hadn¡¯t even used the retroadrenaline yet and that could be needed at any time. Fifteen minutes before the scheduled arrival, Kysaek was supposed to leave the flat anyway, and since it was almost time, she put the ampoule of retroadrenaline on the artery of her wrist. Basically, the drug could be injected anywhere, as it took effect after five minutes on average. However, it went through Kysaek¡¯s wrist in one breath, as the arteries distributed the oxygen-rich blood all over her body, delivering the drug right along with it. A lesson she had retained from the military, just like picking up the empty vial.


    Kysaek felt her overheated muscles relax and a freshness, a surge of energy flowed through her. Her mobility returned completely and she disappeared from her hiding place.


    As with her arrival in this residential tower, the early morning made everything easier and on Kysaek¡¯s way up through the building to an intermediate bridge, she walked normally. She relied on her discreet camouflage, the high collar and the cap, and didn¡¯t even avoid the cameras because she thought it was less conspicuous that way. Even when someone came towards her from time to time, they did not make an effort to look at Kysaek, nor did they appear to recognise the woman.


    It was only just before the exit that a Calanian approached her, an octopus on two legs, two mechanical legs, with six thick, floppy tentacles dangling down beside them, not touching the ground. ¡°Excuse me,¡± he addressed Kysaek.


    Kysaek almost forgot that these creatures could not walk themselves, since she had otherwise only seen the torso of Skarg Peeksin the advertisements and there were not that many Calanians in Auranis. ¡°What is it?¡± she replied, unconcerned.


    On top, the Calanian wore a light brown delivery uniform, which flattered his blue complexion. ¡°Can you tell me which ...¡± he interrupted himself and pulled a data log from his shirt pocket, ¡°which Mr Enosto here in the house ordered this package?¡± He showed his back where he was carrying a small box. ¡°You see, I have the name twice in this tower, with no exact floor or flat ID. One lives lower and one lives higher.¡±


    Kysaek played the role of the visitor. ¡°I¡¯d love to help you out, but I was just staying with a friend here and I don¡¯t know anyone else in this building.¡±


    ¡°But today I have no luck at all.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not alone there,¡± Kysaek said encouragingly as she passed the messenger. ¡°But why don¡¯t you look in the directory and just select the kit of both names. That way you¡¯ll save yourself unnecessary walking.¡±


    ¡°I hadn¡¯t even thought of that! Thank you!¡± the Calanian man rejoiced.


    Even outside, on the outer platform in front of the intermediate bridge, Kysaek had no problems with the people she encountered or stood around. Nevertheless, away from the hustle and bustle, between two parked hoverwheels, she sought out a spot at the edge of the area.


    The platform was one of many places in the higher reaches of this tower building or the others. At the building itself, the area was a little more spacious, which was also true of the opposite building, and there was a narrower connection between the two areas, a good twenty metres long. Hoverwheels flew over it and under it, but they were considerably fewer than on the route, which was some distance away.


    Kysaek was surprised that it was going so smoothly, camouflage or not. Perhaps she had merely let herself be overtaken by the initial panic and this proclaimed hunt did not affect the majority of the population at all. People were busy with themselves and went about their business - that¡¯s how it had to be. After all, there was a lot of riffraff in the galaxy and one constantly heard of names of people here and there who were desperately wanted to be caught, and yet they were still on the loose. At least Kysaek didn¡¯t know if some of them were dead or in custody, and all the criminals from the Maw were still there too, an army of crooks. The galaxy was simply huge and home to such an unimaginable number of faces that it was no wonder if you weren¡¯t recognised there, unless you were someone really well known. And despite the propaganda, Kysaek was perhaps still far from that - lucky her! The thought relieved her, but she said to herself: I haven¡¯t made it yet. Don¡¯t get cocky! Hopefully, when Dil¨¦n and her sister are here, I can breathe a sigh of relief.


    Time, however, was Kysaek¡¯s opponent in more ways than one. The longer she waited, the greater the danger of attracting attention. Besides, the aforementioned hour, estimation or not, had been reached and every minute over it drove the worry in Kysaek. Where are they? Are they stuck in traffic? Have they changed their minds? Those questions were soon joined by suspicion. Or are they preparing a trap here? Her apprehension grew stronger as her trust in Dil¨¦n shrank, and Kysaek remembered once more why she had left the military. She had never been able to cope with such pressure and delicate situations in the end, no matter how hard she tried.


    To make matters worse, a policewoman, a Galig, came out of the tower on the other side of the bridge. ¡°This is not good!¡± groaned Kysaek quietly. She leaned against one of the hoverwheels with her back to the bridge and pretended to be busy with her vortex cuff, but she still saw what was happening.


    The policewoman stayed on the other side for the time being and searched the sky, where the object of interest was quickly found. A police hoverwheel came towards her and landed at her feet before a tall, human policeman got out. He crossed the bridge with the Galig and stopped in front of the entrance to Kysaek¡¯s tower. ¡°Where did the tip come from?¡± the man asked.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    It sounded like the galig was talking about Dil¨¦n and Daniela¡¯s flat. ¡°I think from a woman, but who cares? Anyway, they want us to check out the flat. Two other units are coming too - one from the bottom and one from the top of the tower so there¡¯s no way out.¡±


    Flat and woman, that stuck in Kysaek¡¯s mind. She didn¡¯t like it, but the combination unfortunately suited her hideout and Dil¨¦n too well - her trust had been betrayed.


    Strangely, however, the policemen did not fixate on the platform but entered the building, and this despite the fact that Dil¨¦n explicitly wanted Kysaek on the platform.


    Did Kysaek have to row back? Was she wrong? She herself did not like how violently and rapidly her emotional world and opinion constantly fluctuated. It was wearing her down. I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t have time for long contemplations. So she told herself, and from now on she assumed that Dil¨¦n had ratted her out. That meant she had to leave, and she literally saw her chance coming.


    A jaunty hoverwheel headed for an empty space next to Kysaek and landed there. Out of the vehicle stepped a Davoc with greying fur, smaller than the average of his kind and slow in his gait. He was an elderly man.


    Kysaek approached the vehicle. ¡°That¡¯s a fancy model,¡± she said appreciatively.


    The Davoc wondered. ¡°Yes, it is. Can I help you?¡±


    ¡°You can!¡± nodded Kysaek, wanting to keep it short. She reluctantly took the attachment of her pistol from her jacket. ¡°The ignition key, please.¡±


    Quietly, but no less angrily, the Davoc¡¯s nostrils flared. ¡°How dare you!¡± he asked, showing his incomplete set of teeth.


    Kysaek had not the slightest intention of harming him, and was even surprised that the Davoc did not immediately give in. Nevertheless, she threatened him softly. ¡°One last time I say it, give me the ignition key or there will be trouble!¡±


    The Davoc took out the requested object, a flat, long stick that fit in his large palm. However, he did not hand it over. ¡°No!¡± he refused aloud.


    The sounds inevitably drew glances at Kysaek and she could already hear the whispering of observers. ¡°Then I am truly sorry,¡± she said, pointing the pistol at the old man. She saw his buckling defensive posture, exactly what Kysaek wanted. She would never have shot, but she had another, painless method of getting her way, and since the Davoc was on the defensive, that gave her enough time. She gathered her strength and with the help of her prismatics she froze the old man¡¯s body in an energy field.


    The Davoc stood there with his mouth wide open, still able to breathe, and was robbed of the stick without a chance to fight back. He couldn¡¯t even make a peep at that, but he was undoubtedly pissed.


    Kysaek took his leave, as a couple of passers-by hastily approached. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry!¡± she repeated her apology and got into the hoverwheel.


    ¡°Hey you there!¡± shouted a Talin among the passers-by. ¡°What are you doing there?¡±


    At the question, Kysaek remained silent and hammered the door shut from above. In addition, she immediately locked the vehicle while starting it and immediately after, several passers-by knocked indignantly on the bonnet and window. ¡°You¡¯re breaking the car!¡± said Kysaek exasperatedly and took off, which put an end to the people¡¯s attacks, but not to their shouts.


    ¡°What a rude thing to say!¡±


    ¡°Thief!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m calling the police!¡±


    ¡°She attacked the poor man!¡±


    For safety¡¯s sake and her guilty conscience, Kysaek looked out the window again. He¡äs doing splendidly. She quickly realised that and the crippling energy field disappeared as Kysaek¡¯s control was absent and the prismatic energy dissipated on its own because of it. She swung the hoverwheel into the so-called aero zone, the skyway for flying vehicles and smaller planes, and zoomed off.


    Kysaeks wanted to get into the busier city traffic, where she could blend in thanks to the abundance of hoverwheels, and even if her stolen vehicle had a tracking function, it would take time to spot her in the heavy traffic. She didn¡¯t think for a second about slowing down, as it might be necessary to react quickly for once, rather than slowly, according to events. Does this amount to a lone-wolf act? Me against everyone? Well, if it is, I need to get out of the trap. I need to get out of Auranis, or at least into the denser housing areas. Or straight off to the unsafe corners, to the outer space ports. Not exactly safe with all the scum around there, but there are certainly more ways....


    Suddenly, the PGI logo emblazoned on the bonnet of an approaching transport hoverwheel caught Kysaek¡¯s eye in the rearview mirror. ¡°Crap!¡±


    The doors of the transport opened at full speed and out of each side came the head of a soldier, complete with a barrel of weapons. The pursuers had quickly tracked down their target and attacked.


    Apparently Kysaek¡¯s hoverwheel actually had a tracking function, but even for that her captors had found her suspiciously quickly, and without police. ¡°As if you would catch up with me!¡±


    Kysaek¡¯s vehicle was truly a rocket compared to the pursuers¡¯ machines. However, the traffic made it very difficult for her to use her full speed, and PGI¡¯s plasma shots, which constantly missed her, sometimes hit other road users.


    It became clear that the soldiers had no regard for bystanders, and it was not long before the first accident happened when a vehicle swerved because of the gunfire and flew into an oncoming one.


    The explosion flung Kysaek¡¯s hoverwheel to the side and she had every effort not to crash herself. ¡°You bastards!¡± she growled, bringing the car back under control. The manoeuvre had slowed her down considerably, however, and one of the vans was catching up menacingly alongside.


    The pursuer was almost on the same line, with three driving gaps between them, and had an ideal shooting position. This allowed the soldiers to hit the side rear of Kysaek¡¯s vehicle and the hot plasma melted the bodywork in pieces.


    ¡°Come on!¡± shouted Kysaek, jerking the steering wheel around. Her hoverwheel spun around several times and flew close to the nose of the pursuer, causing it to brake hard. ¡°That was number one! Where¡¯s the other one?¡± asked Kysaek excitedly, seeing no sign of the second van in the rear-view mirror. There was only the one she had slowed down.


    To the left and right, Kysaek found no trace either. ¡°Where did they go?¡± she grumbled, just then her car was hit from above. Luckily for her, however, there was no serious damage apart from holes and Kysaek zigzagged out of the way. The missing transporter was an aero-zone above her and had a slight, shrinking lead. ¡°Eyes closed and through!¡± said Kysaek, steering her vehicle into oncoming traffic, which she avoided as best she could.


    The new location of its target meant that the transporter¡¯s attacks were no longer possible before it made the same trajectory change. However, it was less manoeuvrable and hard pressed not to crash into any hoverwheel. The manoeuvres gave the soldiers in the van a good shake and for them, aiming became a real art, as was pulling the trigger, and their few shots missed completely.


    On a sharper turn, however, Kysaek steered herself into a plasma charge and it ate into the engine. Instantly, the on-board systems of her hoverwheel sounded the alarm and a pitch-black cloud poured out of the right front of the car before the vehicle began to drift to the left and Kysaek could barely hold the flight line.


    It was a chance for the pursuers and they sank lower, right next to their target. They braced themselves for the killing blow, but what followed now was unexpected for them.


    Kysaek kept one hand on the steering wheel and used the second for her pistol. Her shots were poor and inaccurate, but the shooting alone was enough.


    The van flew away spooked, right into the side of a long truck, sending it into a spin until the van dragged the nearest hoverwheel and crashed.


    Kysaek didn¡¯t have time to cheer, however, because her van wouldn¡¯t take it anymore and began an unstoppable nosedive. She saw only one salvation and that was to jump as her hoverwheel flew a hair¡¯s breadth over the outside platform of a building.


    Desperate, Kysaek scrambled out of the car and landed very close to the precipice of the platform, where she rolled off more badly than good. Her body slammed into a glass parapet and a sickening crack spread, but the thick glass withstood the force.


    What was not spared was the driverless hoverwheel, which went up in a fireball at the nearest tower and became a shower of debris.


    Kysaek¡¯s landing was hard, but she was able to get up without any problems and from cover she saw the second, intact transporter rush to the accident site and remain there in limbo. Maybe they think I¡¯ve been hit, she thought. But it won¡¯t stay that way for long. I keep running.

 Driven hunt - 2

    A little later it turned out that the area of Kysaek¡¯s crash landing was not another residential area, but one of the many urban shopping malls.


    Most of the retail space was inside the tower building, a concatenation of corridors and squares. Some of them had air upwards, which is why you could glimpse the other floors or see people leaning on the railings. Shops abounded, but there was not nearly enough space for all of them. Traders who didn¡¯t have any of the spaces that were built into the fa?ade had their stalls in front of the shops or in the wider squares where there were small villages of vendors. Despite the diversity, however, there was a certain order and many of the stalls had a similar basic structure. Usually this was a table or two full of goods and above them shone holographic names or signs. Countless offerings filled the boxes and windows of all the vendors, but fashion and electronic goods in particular had the upper hand, while the number of customers was moderate in comparison.


    Kysaek stayed away from the public places, however, as the crowd was not large enough to slip through undetected. The narrower corridors were a possible trap, but there she had a better view and that was necessary as scattered PGI and police patrols were on the lookout for her in this and the surrounding areas. Kysaek knew that again thanks to the news that routinely flickered across the screens in such business areas. Her pursuers, however, were not yet entirely sure that she had not crashed somewhere else and was lying dead, but at least they knew that the hoverwheel did not contain a body, and so the pursuers searched the nearby areas of the wreckage, where there were many paths for Kysaek to take.


    One of them led upwards at a slowly rising angle, where there were only three shops, and they were all crates built into the wall, resembling a counter. Two were occupied by one customer each; the third counter was not manned. At the first counter it was quiet, a silent buying process, but at the next mini-shop it was different.


    A hishek stood in front of the shack. ¡°Have the police been to see you too?¡± he asked, casually scratching his skin with his sharp claws.


    ¡°Why would they come to me?¡± retorted a Palanian in the shop behind which stood a selection of kits.


    ¡°Did the ground swallow you up? Haven¡¯t heard about the fight at PGI?¡±


    The Palanian showed disinterest. ¡°No, I haven¡¯t and I don¡¯t care what was there,¡± he said, referring to his merchandise. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about the kits instead. You were deciding between the silver and the grey with extra upgrade ...¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, you¡¯re not interested?¡± the Hishek cooed in a throaty voice. Again, he seemed to have little interest in a deal right now. ¡°PGI soldiers and police are searching everywhere here for a dangerous terrorist. She might even raid your shop!¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± said the Palanian incredulously and without fear. ¡°And leave me alone with PGI! That corporation is making my life difficult enough as it is.¡±


    ¡°Is that why you prefer to remain ignorant? Because you don¡¯t like PGI?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but I thank you for the information,¡± said the Palanian gloatingly. ¡°What is the name of this terrorist? I¡¯ll send her a thank you email. Hope she demolished the factories properly!¡±


    The Hishek¡¯s next question did not sound accusatory. ¡°Don¡¯t you care about the death of innocent people? Only that your business is running?¡±


    ¡°Since when do Hishek care about more than their pack?¡±


    ¡°Knowledge is important and you are clearly a greedy businessman.¡±


    Salesy was probably not the next thing. ¡°Greedy? I fight for every currency! PGI dominates almost the entire planet in the technology industry and sells its kits considerably cheaper. It¡¯s hard to compete with that and that¡¯s why I say -the corporation can take a bit of damage.¡±


    ¡°So it¡¯s envy?¡± grinned the hishek. ¡°Maybe I¡¯d better buy my kit from PGI.¡±


    ¡°If you want to support slave drivers,¡± the Palanian said seriously.


    ¡°Why slave drivers?¡±


    ¡°Ah, you don¡¯t know? Yet knowledge is important.¡±


    Slowly, the Hishek leaned his neck and muzzle forward out of curiosity. ¡°Enlighten me.¡±


    Unimpressed, the Palanian showed his business acumen. ¡°Gladly, but first we¡¯ll settle the sale. Then I¡¯ll tell you what you don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Clever. All right. I¡¯ll take the grey kit, with upgrade.¡±


    The two men were far too preoccupied with themselves and didn¡¯t pay Kysaek a second¡¯s attention as they passed. While she would have liked to hear what the Palanian had to say, she couldn¡¯t afford to. Instead, Kysaek wanted to find a parking level and steal a new Hoverwheel there, only this time without any trouble. Her path was not very busy and the directions easily led her to a lift. It was near an intersection, but it was guarded by a light police security guard.


    It was a rickety figure, more arms and legs than a real body, and light was not just a reference to appearance, for light bots were quite limited in their programming. Still, this one was armed with a magnetic submachine gun and could quickly notify the police and thus PGI.


    The thought played through Kysaek¡¯s mind. I have to get past this thing, but unseen and without a fight. In her mind it sounded easy, but how was she going to do it? The corridor of the lift offered her no cover, no hiding place and no help for a distraction.Knock on the wall? No, that idea was too bad for her, for it would attract the machine, but then where would Kysaek go? Noises are good. She just had to improve the plan and grinned.Who would have thought that I would actually use the training? The stored empty vial of retroadrenaline was Kysaek¡¯s key. Actually, the military liked to use them as shell casings for improvised grenades, but the piece was also suitable as a throwing deflection.


    Silently, Kysaek turned the corner at the intersection and smashed the vial onto the floor of the corridor from which she had come.


    Immediately the police bot turned its head as the clang pierced the air. ¡°Suspicious sound was heard,¡± he beeped piecemeal. It was as if each word was a separate sentence. ¡°Source is fixed ... Source has been fixed. Unit 901Z reporting.¡± He apparently made contact with his commanders. ¡°Have heard suspicious noises coming from corridor C15. Recommend checking ... No check. Understood sir, increase alert and return to routine.¡±


    Kysaek¡¯s plan had not gone as desired and she clenched her fist. What a bummer! I can¡¯t get the ampoule back and go through this again or he¡¯ll get me. And I can¡¯t use up the second injection yet and I certainly won¡¯t throw it away while it¡¯s full! Apart from her pistol, the spare magazine or the vortex cuff, however, Kysaek had nothing else and none of the things were expendable for her. Must I flatten him after all? A fatal plan, Kysaek was aware of that. It didn¡¯t necessarily have to be the pistol, because she still had her prismatic. That¡¯s it! A ball of prismatic energy formed in her hand, but she didn¡¯t want to throw it at the bot.


    Instead, Kysaek chased the white ball over the machine¡¯s head and the energy slammed into a piece of wall at the other end of the corridor, doing no visible damage, but it was very loud on impact.


    Even more hastily, and with its weapon raised, the bot responded. ¡°Extremely dangerous sound detected,¡± he said angrily, his blue eyes turning red. ¡°Unit 901Z reporting again! Explosive sound heard from corridor D9! Combat mode active ... Command being carried out! Investigating incident!¡±


    Kysaek remained in place until the machine was gone and she could hurry to the lift, which she used to dial the parking level.


    The ride was accompanied by soft music and an advertising announcement. ¡°Are you dissatisfied? Are you tired of everyone always trampling on you? Do you want to give everyone a run for their money? Then this is your chance! Aereth and Ma¡¯bol, the lawyers you trust. Take out a legal protection insurance that becomes effective immediately and show it to your opponents! The choice of your means is of course up to you and we don¡¯t want to urge you to violence ... but here¡¯s our promise: We¡¯ll get you free, no matter what, and if not, you¡¯ll get your foreign currency back!¡±


    Kysaek smirked, but not because it sounded funny. Rather, she had rarely heard anything more stupid. Her smirk evaporated all the more quickly when the lift came to a halt.


    Five PGI soldiers were standing together on the parking deck. However, they were standing in such a way that they could not see the lift.


    Kysaek swallowed hard and selected the highest intermediate bridge at the counter while staring straight ahead as if frozen.


    ¡°We are to fire on sight immediately,¡± a Galig soldier said coolly.


    A human soldier as wide as a wardrobe replied, ¡°You know the bounty is paid to everyone, not just people outside PGI? Skarg really wants this Kysaek dead.¡±


    ¡°Early retirement,¡± another woman said. ¡°That¡¯s what I call it. Can¡¯t wait for her to cross our path. Then we divide by five.¡±


    The stout woman disagreed. ¡°If you want to be so generous - I won¡¯t be. Hehe!¡±


    Meanwhile, the lift at the back of the PGI troop shut down again and Kysaek¡¯s shoulders slumped. Whew!


    On the other side of the parking level, the highest intermediate bridge appeared deserted as far as Kysaek could see from the open cabin. She was now a few floors below the roof, which had just been passed by a romping air unit. Kysaek had been in such a craft herself once during her army training, but only as a passenger in the co-pilot¡¯s seat.


    Such fighters were extremely popular with mercenaries, private security forces or companies like PGI, but that didn¡¯t make them any less used by military personnel. The Toben was a steel, elegantly designed vehicle with four sleek wings and in each wing was a pivoting rotor. This ensured maximum manoeuvrability and flexibility. For longer distances, however, these qualities could be abandoned in favour of extraordinary speed by retracting the wings and extending thrusters at the tail. This allowed Toben to reach supersonic speeds several times over. For space combat, however, they were absolutely unsuitable.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    The aircraft overhead flew towards the city centre.It continues to fly. With this observation, Kysaek ventured onto the platform, at the edge of which were two hoverwheels, and she stopped at the retracted bridge. ¡®I can¡¯t get any further here, but I¡¯m not a hoverwheel cracker and backshould ...¡¯


    ¡°Hey you there!¡± a female voice called warningly from behind.


    Tension coursed through Kysaek, but she tried not to let it show and turned towards the lift, but it was empty.


    ¡°I¡¯m here!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± blinked Kysaek, aiming her gaze higher.


    Below the roof stood a Talin in police uniform. Her dark blue outfit was made of synthetic material and in key places, such as elbows or chest, there were custom-made protective plates. There was also a helmet, but it only covered the top of the head and a visor made the eye area barely visible. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°I was strolling and wanted to go home,¡± Kysaek lied smoothly, pretending ignorance. ¡°Is there a problem then?¡±


    ¡°You bet there is!¡± the policewoman said, coming down a wall staircase. ¡°No one is allowed to leave the area. That¡¯s what the bot at the lift should have told you, and anyway - how did you get past that?¡±


    ¡°Bot? There was no bot there.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense! May I ask you to remove your cap and lower your collar?¡± she demanded, putting a hand to her submachine gun.


    ¡°As you wish,¡± Kysaek nodded, for playing for time was of no use to her now and she saw no alternative. She didn¡¯t consider killing a policewoman for a second, partly because the Talin already had her gun ready and Kysaek didn¡¯t want to give her an excuse to pull the trigger.


    When the cap was gone, the law enforcement officer recognised her target immediately. ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± said the Talin, sighting in on the wanted woman. ¡°Hands up and don¡¯t move!¡±


    It was a dangerous situation for Kysaek. ¡°Easy,¡± she murmured, raising her arms slowly. At least there was one good thing about the situation - the policewoman spared Kysaek. That suggested the vigilante wasn¡¯t a PGI rabble-rouser and wasn¡¯t keen on the bounty, but still, Kysaek had to distract her and keep her from reporting. ¡°I also have another gun. I suppose you want me to put that down?¡±


    ¡°Then take it out slowly, but no tricks, and put it on the floor!¡±


    ¡°Sure thing,¡± Kysaek said and very carefully unloaded her gun.


    ¡°Now slide the gun over to me with your foot!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve done nothing wrong,¡± said Kysaek level-headedly, giving the gun a good shove with her foot. The distance was about five metres, but she wanted to risk an attack right away.


    ¡°You can discuss all that at the station,¡± the policewoman replied, completely fixated on her target. Only when the gun was almost at her did this observation subside and she crouched down to pick up the weapon.


    Now was Kysaek¡¯s chance! Using her prismatic, she threw the sliding pistol at the Talin, whose reaction was an immediate protective stance. Immediately Kysaek sprinted off and focused her prismatic energy on the submachine gun.


    The policewoman tryed to aim with her gun, just then it was snatched from her hand by the universal force. The gun flew far to the side and the Talin looked at the machine gun, puzzled.


    Kysaek came rushing up, head down, and rammed herself into her opponent¡¯s torso. Doggedly, she sought hand-to-hand combat, but the policewoman was a trained adversary. Every blow from Kysaek was blocked or countered. She was the offensive part, but she put up far more and out of nowhere the policewoman made it to Kysaek¡¯s back and wrapped both arms around her neck.


    ¡°Give it up!¡± the Talin demanded loudly. She applied an air-choking grip that forced her victim deeper to her knees with each passing second.


    Kysaek escaped the threat of fainting by throwing her elbow back repeatedly and forcefully. Her throat cleared again and she sucked in the air in one long gulp as she flailed dazedly and unknowingly.


    However, the policewoman deftly intercepted the attack and used her opponent¡¯s strength against her. ¡°Enough already!¡± she said, throwing her target away from her.


    Kysaek¡¯s landing was hard, but afterwards she spotted Daniela¡¯s pistol within reach and grabbed it in a hasty action. ¡°Yes, enough now!¡± retorted Kysaek angrily, her pistol loaded.


    Now the law enforcement officer raised her arms. ¡°Don¡¯t do anything stupid!¡± warned the Talin. ¡°You¡¯re already in deep anyway.¡±


    Bumpily, Kysaek straightened up without taking the gun away. ¡°I haven¡¯t done anything! And I¡¯m not putting myself in the hands of PGI or the police. I wouldn¡¯t survive that.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t survive it if the reinforcements behind you open fire right away.¡±


    Reinforcements? Hastily, Kysaek looked back, but there was nothing!


    The policewoman lunged forward and grabbed the gun, which was still tightly gripped by Kysaek¡¯s hands. Settling vigorously on her target, she tried to snatch the gun when suddenly a shot rang out!


    It was fired out of fear and pure reflex by Kysaek, straight through the Talin¡¯s neck. Shocked, she followed her unwilling victim as he fell on his back, purple blood pouring from the wound. The sight was made worse by the policewoman¡¯s painful gasping and bubbling from her throat before she reached her arm up and died. Stunned, Kysaek ruffled her hair. ¡°No, no, no, NO!¡± she gulped. Now she had killed a law enforcement officer, and intentional or not - that was a crime. No one had seen it, though, as Kysaek realised when she looked around. The sound of the gunshot had probably been lost in the hustle and bustle of the noisy city. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m sorry,¡± she stammered to the dead woman and took the Talin¡¯s ignition key, but not to steal her car. Kysaek didn¡¯t see it anyway, and she didn¡¯t need it at all, because a police ignition keywas a custom-made device. It could unlock and start any Hoverwheel. Kysaek then did the same with one of the nearby vehicles and disappeared from the scene.


    The outer industrial districts were Kysaek¡¯s new destination, making for a two-hour and uneventful flight. There were no pursuers, no posse of police in pursuit and the news on the radio brought nothing she hadn¡¯t heard before, and the day was drawing to a close. On Cipi, this planet, that meant night fell quickly, due to the rapid rotation of the world. A day was over in sixteen standard hours, and as it drew to a close, so did the effect of the retroadrenalin in Kysaek¡¯s body. There was something about the feeling of arms and legs falling asleep, a nauseating tingling. It was the reason Kysaek landed on the roof of a large warehouse where not a single light shone and which was part of a larger chain of facilities.


    However, the surroundings were far from flat, roof or no roof, and bristled with pipes and blocks of ventilation and transmission units. The place was good for hiding the hoverwheel.


    But Kysaek didn¡¯t want to sit in the car any longer, never mind that numb feeling. She desperately needed fresh air and left the vehicle and moved a good distance away from it. She saved the second ampoule of retroadrenalin and had a cigarette instead. Kysaek had discovered a whole pack in the hoverwheel and the glow stick was bitterly needed by her as she sat down on a ledge. The tip of her cigarette glowed clearly in the darkness as her eyes rested on the garish skyline of Auranis. The city seemed so peaceful, as if the place didn¡¯t care about terror, any problem, just anything.


    Unfortunately, Kysaek could not proceed like that and ignore what was happening. On Cipi, she saw no chance for herself. She desperately needed an inhabited place to which PGI¡¯s arm could only reach with difficulty, and there were not many of those, or possibly none at all. I guess I have to go to the maw, despite all my misgivings. There are no laws there and there are enough scum who like to collect a bounty there, but I can also hide more easily. So I...


    Suddenly the air was filled with the unpleasant whistling of a rocket and Kysaek only saw her hoverwheel become a fireball. The force of the explosion sent her spinning through the air and she tumbled over one of the roof shafts. What was that? Where did that come from? Crouching behind the shaft, she searched the night sky without finding anything. Nevertheless, she heard a rising rattle, beats of rotor blades and suspected bad things.


    Then, on the opposite side of the roof, it rose, a bluster whose hull was painted with a huge PGI logo, and it turned on a blinding light.


    ¡¯You¡¯ve got to be kidding me! How could he find me? And how could he get so close? At least the last question Kysaek solved fixedly, for she knew the answer and had only forgotten it: Blusters could switch to silent gliding flight at the expense of manoeuvrability. Unfortunately, the knowledge helped her very little right now and she stumbled backwards to the edge of the roof where lines of pipes led to the next camp.


    ¡°Where to in such a hurry?¡± resounded the bluster, and he unleashed a triple-barreled, rapid-fire on-board cannon. Its force mercilessly shredded everything in the path of the fire trail, but the shots missed the actual victim leaping to the side. The pilot looked arrogant. ¡°Oh, that was close!¡±


    Kysaek didn¡¯t have a suitable reply ready, as she had absolutely nothing to stand against this fighter, and her prismatic wasn¡¯t nearly strong enough even if it had been at full power. And just now the numbing muscular sensation really kicked in. ¡°Argh!¡± gasped Kysaek, reaching into her jacket. ¡¯Where is it?! Her retroadrenaline was gone, and instead of touching it, her fingers fumbled around in a hole in the jacket. It was damage that told Kysaek how narrowly she had escaped the initial attack before spotting the vial - it was close to the edge of the roof and could roll down at any moment.


    Running would have been the best thing for Kysaek, but unfortunately her weakening muscles meant that she could only move sluggishly towards the much-needed stimulant. The turbulence of the rage then also caused the vial to rotate ominously and the vessel tilted more towards the abyss. It fell straight and Kysaek tried to intercept it by leaping forward. Unfortunately, however, the impact of her body gave the ampoule the final jolt and it didn¡¯t catch the retroadrenaline. No!


    ¡°So you¡¯re quite the dangerous terrorist, huh?¡± the pilot sneered as he brought his bluster into position at his side, shining bright spotlights on his target. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you can do. Quickly! Run away over the lines!¡±


    What choice did Kysaek have? She was aware that the pilot was only toying with her, and despite all that, she crawled haltingly towards the pipelines. But as soon as she reached them, Kysaek heard the whistle of a rocket again.


    This one, however, did not come from the visible roar, but from the darkness of the night and struck in the middle of the pipe bridge, completely destroying the escape route.


    At this point, the strength finally left Kysaek¡¯s legs and she went down on her knees, only to see that there was a second PGI Bluster. ¡°Stop playing!¡± said the pilot of the second plane. ¡°Get the job done!¡±


    The first pilot didn¡¯t like this at all, but complied. ¡°Looks like you won¡¯t get another chance, Kysaek!¡±


    Just as her body was increasingly capitulating, so now did Kysaek. She dropped back against one of the pipes and looked at her tormentor as far as the light would allow her. So what? So that bitter thought was to be her last, but she wanted to at least meet the pilot with cynicism by taking out her pistol and firing at the machine. Such a weapon, however, was not even remotely strong enough and already failed against the protective shields of the Bluster.


    It made the pilot laugh. ¡°Hahahaha! That¡¯s what I call fighting spirit! Good riddance!¡±


    Kysaek¡¯s senses were now so focused on her approaching death that she almost went numb. A world where there was only her. Pull the trigger one more time, she wanted to, and squeezed it.


    All of a sudden the Bluster was hit by the burning hoverwheel wreckage! ¡°Shit!¡± the pilot yelled in fright. The wings on his right side were completely torn off and he whirled around uncontrollably before coming down.


    Was Kysaek dreaming? She perceived everything with increasing difficulty, which no longer included sounds anyway, and there, where she had landed her car, stood three figures. But she did not recognise them clearly. Were they women or men? The only thing that was clear to her was that there was a hishek with them and that they all wore uniform equipment, with absolutely concealing face helmets.


    The middle figure stretched his arms above his head and began to bristle with prismatics. It had something of a higher being about it, creating an imposing dome of prismatic energy around itself and enclosing Kysaek within it as well. The flames of the roof beat blazingly against the barrier, repeatedly, just as the missiles of the second PGI Bluster, but the protective wall did not give way.


    The Hishek carried something large under his belly, where he could easily reach with his short hands, and he would not be rushed. The object was a kind of thick cannon barrel and from it came two missiles. Meanwhile, the third being of the unknown group rushed to Kysaek, who succumbed to her faintness.

 The offer

    The heart monitor beat rhythmically and the ventilator hissed air through its tube, the end of which was attached to Kysaek¡¯s mouth. She lay in a soft hospital bed and the sun shone through half-closed blinds on a corner full of medicine cabinets.


    Until now, Kysaek had only awakened for a few moments and never perceived many impressions. Her strength was not enough for that in the beginning. She knew neither what had happened, nor where she was, nor how much time had passed. In the last few days, however, Kysaek had more waking minutes and memorised at least one face, if you could call it that with a galig. The woman was always with her and wore a white uniform, similar to an officer¡¯s jacket, but without insignia. She had always looked after Kysaek or the medical equipment, which allowed only one conclusion: The Galig was a doctor or at least an overqualified nurse. Kysaek had also wanted to talk to her helper all the time in the last few days, but no sound escaped her throat and the Galig stressed every time that she should take it easy. Today, however, things were going to be different, Kysaek resolved as she opened her eyes.


    The Galig entered the room. "Awake again?" she asked, puzzled. Her voice sounded mature. "A productive day for you," she commented as she approached the bedside and checked the supplies and equipment.


    Kysaek tried to make eye contact with the woman, but it wasn¡¯t so easy because the glass of the mask she wore was barely transparent, more so than usual anyway. A sound Kysaek brought out was more a groan than a word.


    "Productive doesn¡¯t mean you should overdo it," the Galig reprimanded kindly. She had a strangely thin flap of skin on the back of her head that only went into width at the top and looked kind of tattered and cut up. In return, the blue pattern on it, though the colour appeared pale, was very beautiful. "Your stats look very good. A few more days and you should be able to speak properly again."


    Waiting was not on Kysaek¡¯s agenda. Most of all, it bugged her not to even know her doctor¡¯s name, among all the other things. Right now, however, any attempt at speech failed, no matter how much strength Kysaek mustered. Her brain and arms worked perfectly for it, which gave her another option. She scanned her wrist, but the vortex-cuff she was looking for wasn¡¯t there, and there went her idea.


    "Don¡¯t worry," the doctor reassured her. "All your things will be well stored and you will get them back when you are fit." As she did so, she pulled the blanket off her patient.


    Kysaek was amazed at the enormous bandage on her stomach. Until now it had escaped her notice and she had no pain there. Suitably curious, she pointed at her stomach and the doctor.


    "A piece of scrap metal," the Galig replied. "It must have happened when the Bluster attacked you." During her explanation, the doctor removed the bandage and underneath was an almost healed wound. However, it still bore witness to how thick the scrap must have been. "Because of the retroadrenaline wearing off, I guess you didn¡¯t register it. You were lucky that I was on the scene and could treat you immediately, otherwise you would have died for sure."


    Almost died? The thought didn¡¯t really strike Kysaek and so she showed herself to the doctor.


    "You don¡¯t seem happy about your survival, or am I mistaken?"


    Perhaps it was the anger or the desperation of her situation, but at last very soft words came out of Kysaek¡¯s mouth instead of sounds. "The last few days have not been the best of my life."


    "You¡¯re not supposed to overdo it!" the doctor worried, feeling her patient¡¯s throat before inspecting her throat. "Resilient you are, I must say. The treatment is responding better than I thought." The Galig finished her check and gave the green light. "Unless you plan to sing songs, you should be able to talk with some caution."


    Since Kysaek didn¡¯t know if her voice might fail again, she wanted to know at least one thing first. "Who are you? Where am I?"


    "My name is Re¡¯Lis Askar," the Galig introduced herself. That was as far as it went, however, as she was only vague about the where. "I am a doctor and I am in the service of a group you may know, but I am not allowed to tell you more. All that matters right now is that you are safe, isn¡¯t it?"


    "Am I safe?"


    Re¡¯Lis was not displeased, but she showed scepticism in the face of scepticism. "You¡¯ve been rescued by us, treated by us, you¡¯re in a hospital bed and you¡¯re alive instead of in prison. So what makes you think you can be in danger here?"


    "Anything is possible," Kysaek opined, and not without reason. After all, they were accusing and hunting her, thanks to a background lied about and embellished by PGI. "I have even risen to be a leader, a masterful leader of a terror cell, and that without being one. This might as well be a PGI hospital bed and you are just making me well again to stage another farce."


    "I understand if you feel that way, but PGI doesn¡¯t need you. Their staging has been going on for a long time and you¡¯ve been merely worth a bullet to them all along."


    "Long?" gulped Kysaek, trying to push herself up straighter, to no avail. Her body just hadn¡¯t fully recovered yet "What do you mean long? How long have I been here?"


    The attempt to straighten up did not please Re¡¯Lis at all, which made her sterner. "You shouldn¡¯t overdo it!" she reprimanded. The phrase seemed to be her default, though it certainly applied to any caring doctor. "And as I said, I¡¯m not allowed to tell you any more."


    "Then who is allowed to?"


    "My commander."


    "And who is she? Where is she?"


    Re¡¯Lis was frank about that. "She¡¯s inside this base, just waiting for me to say you¡¯re healthy enough to talk."


    "I am," Kysaek said. Her plan for today had not changed and the prospect of new information gave her more strength. "If I¡¯ve been lying around here for half a year, I definitely want to know now! I want to know what¡¯s going on!"


    Re¡¯Lis replaced the empty medical bags by the bed, reassuring Kysaek at least in that regard. "You haven¡¯t been here even close to that long," she said, about to give in to the expressed wish. "I¡¯ve connected a light dose of retroadrenaline and several plasmids to your circulation. That should allow you to give the conversation your full attention."


    Kysaek was relieved at Re¡¯Lis words and the restorative feeling that just coursed through her veins. "Thank you, Doctor Askar."


    Not verbally, but in the form of her four lanky, elongated, webbed fingers, Re¡¯Lis gave her answer. She placed the limbs on her mask and slowly swung it away pointing at her patient.


    What this meant, Kysaek did not know, but she classified it as some kind of greeting, thanksgiving or gesture of respect. It seemed very nice to her at least, and when Re¡¯Lis disappeared from the room, Kysaek hoped that the commander was just as friendly, because she had met enough rotten and hostile characters lately. But what kind of people were they? That was Kysaek¡¯s burning question and her first guess was the terrorists. Maybe the cell still existed, or a small remnant of it.


    At least the next visitor, a real powerhouse of a Talin and taller than the average woman, wasted no time. "Hello, Kysaek! I hear you¡¯re very chipper by now."


    It prompted Kysaek to joke and she showed herself in all her prone glory. "Yes, and drugs are supposed to be a bad thing at that."


    "Dosage and measure are everything in this," the Talin replied, finding a seat opposite the end of the bed. She leaned against the wall, partly sitting on a mobile cabinet, and pulled her leg up.


    It was a good time for Kysaek to take a closer look at the woman, who she had initially thought was a male Talin because of her taut form. But Kysaek had never seen any of them before, so she wouldn¡¯t know if one was standing in front of her anyway, and although much of the stranger¡¯s body didn¡¯t correspond to the typical feminine image, a voluptuous bosom and the feminine face testified to the fact that this was a woman. "I take it you are the commander Doctor Askar spoke of?"


    "Outsiders call me that, I suppose."


    "What do you mean boutsiders?"


    "You are an outsider here, Kysaek," the Talin said gently, running her hand over her chin. Wavy, dark tattoos stretched along there, ending as peaks at the corners of her mouth. "I disregarded our rules a lot when I brought you here. Looked at another way, however, those very rules are why I was allowed to bring you here."


    "Perhaps I am a little befuddled because of the plasmids, but I do not understand a word."


    The Talin incessantly displayed a strong dominance, despite her casual demeanour. "I should probably introduce myself first. I think that might explain a lot to you in one fell swoop: My name is Thais, daughter of Ensa, from the city of Sapto."


    "But not Dil¨¦n¡¯s sister?," Kysaek combined. The idea, the mother¡¯s name and city - both fitted perfectly and then there was the term commander. Dil¨¦n mentioned that her sisters was a mercenary.


    "Yes, I am Dil¨¦n¡¯s elder sister," Thais introduced herself. She was far less exalted than Dil¨¦n, plain and honest." We arrived at the agreed meeting place too late, unfortunately. They had already left."


    "I had no choice," Kysaek agreed. Since it seemed she had not been deceived by Dil¨¦n after all, she humbled herself. "The police were there because of a tip-off and I thought Dil¨¦n had betrayed me."


    "You actually believed that?"


    Kysaek was mistaken and admitted as much. "Until just now, yes," she said, still defending her previous decision. "I was under enormous pressure and was an easy target out there. The fact that you then didn¡¯t show up at the agreed time only made things worse and then there were the policemen. They were talking something about a tip on a woman and a flat, and I mean, you¡¯re a mercenary .... correct?"


    "I am," Thais replied. She could hardly hide her disappointment that Kysaek distrusted Dil¨¦n, casting the situation in a new light. "I¡¯m sure it sounds trivial, but the traffic wasn¡¯t on our side and we wanted to attract as little attention as possible." Thais¡ä fingers slid thoughtfully over her headgear, a shadowy green bandana, the end of which was tied with two long loops, giving Talin an even rougher touch. "We weren¡¯t far from you when we got a tip that a certain Daniela had tipped off the police that you might be in her flat."


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Kysaek hadn¡¯t thought of that possibility at all, since Daniela was far away from Cipi right now, after all, and that meant one thing above all. "I know Daniela halfway, from a studio. She asked me to check on her flat while she was on a galactic travel tour. I didn¡¯t think she would notice what was going on at Cipi and consider that I could use her flat as a shelter. After all, we don¡¯t know each other that well."


    The suspicion that Kysaek¡¯s pursuit already extended beyond Cipi was reinforced by Thais. "Unfortunately, the hunt for you is no longer a regional event. PGI and a few channels have been working hard to spread it as far as possible, and at five million foreign currency for your dead head ... well, that you panicked there at the waiting point is no wonder, though I¡¯m not pleased about your distrust of Dil¨¦n."


    Kysaek must have misheard, because she couldn¡¯t explain it any other way. "Five million? PGI only offered one million as a reward ..."


    "It was the same three weeks ago."


    "Three weeks?" marvelled Kysaek. So that was how long she had been out of action. "I¡¯ve been here for three weeks? Three weeks and five million foreign currency? That¡¯s insane!"


    All this excitement was beyond Thais¡ä comprehension. "So apart from the Auranis Dark Blues¡ä quarter-final against the Northern Slicers and a major corruption scandal in the Eastern District, you haven¡¯t really missed anything. After all, what¡¯s three weeks? You¡¯ve been able to recover at your leisure and most people think you¡¯ve left Cipi anyway, which is a big plus."


    "And why do so many think I¡¯m no longer on the planet?"


    "Rumours, planted in the right environment. We¡¯ve turned PGI¡¯s propaganda around," Thais suggested sardonically, explaining the scattered rumours in exaggerated terms. "After all, you are the master planner and leader of the evil terror cell, aren¡¯t you, Kysaek? And clever as you are, you used your contacts to get away from Cipi."


    "If that¡¯s true, that¡¯s good news. Still, one thing puzzles me. Can you tell me why PGI increased the foreign exchange to five million? Or has the company not given any reason?"


    "To the public for two reasons, though both actually amount to one and the same thing - you are very dangerous. That night on the roof there when we rescued you. PGI attributed the two destroyed romps to you, marketed it as a proof of your strength. You also allegedly murdered a PGI employee named Jim Baker and his family with complete ruthlessness. But that¡¯s bullshit, since you were lying here unconscious at the time."


    "Jim is dead?" asked Kysaek incredulously and tensely. No, she couldn¡¯t believe that, and Jim¡¯s family to boot? What did he and his family have to do with it? Kysaek cautiously checked. "Are you quite sure?"


    Thais took notice. "Did you know him?"


    "Well know ... He was my watch partner ... a nice guy."


    "I¡¯m sorry. If I¡¯d known you knew him, I wouldn¡¯t have said it so directly."


    "Bad news stays bad no matter how you say it. I just don¡¯t understand why they killed Jim ...and then his family. Just to defame me? That¡¯s just..." That was all Kysaek could think of to say and she regretted the death of Jim and his family. It made no sense to her. Would PGI go this far just to make Kysaek look like a criminal? Or had the company taken precautions, afraid of a witness? But Jim knew nothing of what was going on below the plant. He hadn¡¯t seen it or had any contact with Kysaek when she had made the discovery. Or did he hear me and only I could not hear him? Such a consideration only made Jim¡¯s death worse for her.


    "That¡¯s the question of questions, that¡¯s what this is all about," Thais replied. She had been waiting for this all along and finally found a suitable segue. "I know you have a lot to process, but I¡¯d be interested to know what you¡¯ve experienced. Why is PGI hunting for you?"


    Kysaek was still groggy and just slightly beside herself, but she still possessed enough sense. "Didn¡¯t your sister tell you everything about my call?"


    "Yes, everything."


    "Then you have your answer," Kysaek said with conviction. For her, it was a foregone conclusion. "PGI is researching and experimenting with the technology of the First. They even do experiments on intelligent beings."


    "Are you quite sure?"


    Uncharitably, Kysaek made her position clear. "I¡¯m being hunted with a huge bounty on my head, I¡¯m supposed to be the leader of a terrorist cell, I murdered a man and his family, and I¡¯m lying injured in the sickbed of people I don¡¯t know. If PGI has nothing to hide, why this fucking effort?"


    Thais left her ajar seat. "Smart people might think that I have no reason to trust you, regardless of whether you saved Dil¨¦n," Talin opined, grabbing one of the medicine bottles to look at it. "However, since I already know better, I can trust you."


    Slowly, they headed in the direction Kysaek was aiming for. Still she didn¡¯t know exactly who she was looking at or what her hostess¡ä motives were. So much help, just because of Dil¨¦n? That conveyed uncertainty to Kysaek. "What do you know? What do you want? Who are you and wha..."


    "Not so much at once," Thais interrupted, putting the bottle back in its place. She moved closer to the bed, revealing herself despite her folded arms. "But I can already tell that it¡¯s time to explain not the past, but the present."


    "I would be grateful for that," Kysaek said as she was offered her hand by Thais and took it in a weak handshake without questioning the reason.


    Nor was it necessary, for Thais revealed the first motive for the rescue. "Indeed, you are here for the help you provided to my sister. However, there was another reason that was more important to me."


    "And what was that?"


    "Some time ago, people approached us and wanted to do business with us," Thais said. Her following narrative made Kysaek wonder, for why was she so generous with information? "The trade was nothing special: weapons, battle bots, retroadrenaline in large quantities. Just what you need for big actions and in this part of the galaxy it was rather a normal trade. Now, however, I like to be aware of who I¡¯m doing business with, and the public calls such people terrorists. Personally, though, I¡¯d rather call them freedom fighters, resisters or truthers."


    "We are talking about the attackers on the PGI compound, right?"


    "Exactly. We equipped them. Among other things, with equipment from an Auranis security magazine."


    Kysaek recalled darkly. "Yeah, I think there was something on the news about that break-in."


    "It was. Anyway, we equipped the cell, and when the news said you were the leader, we got curious before Dil¨¦n even contacted me."


    "And who is we? What is the name of your mercenary group?"


    Thais chose symbolism rather than language and turned her back on her guest. She rolled up her shirt quite a bit so that below and between her shoulder blades was the symbol of the Disciples of Dealith.


    An oval sign that had its thickly decorated foci at the top and bottom. Its interior was dark purple, but not completely so. Still, it looked as if someone had pressed a brush of paint once on the surface without painting it all and evenly. Into this surface a mirror-image T penetrated, from the lower left, stabbing into the centre with the point of a sword.


    If Kysaek had been glad to be in a safe haven at last until just now, she shuddered now that she had heard many a thing about the Disciples of Dealith. They were considered an extremely creepy group, like a cult that was particularly interested in murder contracts and consisted only of women. It had something to do with some gods or other, and Kysaek remained silent.


    Thais, on the other hand, was really chipper. "What¡¯s wrong?" she asked as she pulled her shirt back down. "Surprised?"


    Neither could Kysaek hide her trembling nor swallow the next sentence. "Are you going to kill me after all?"


    The question did nothing to change Thais¡ä cheerful attitude and more - She was having a mean joke. "Only if you are a virgin. Are you?"


    "Eh, no!"


    "Your lucky, then you will live."


    Kysaek realised that had been a joke and grumbled. "I don¡¯t find this as entertaining as you do."


    Gently, Thais patted her guest¡¯s arm. "I hear questions like that a lot, so I couldn¡¯t help it. But I can assure you that you are perfectly safe with us and we mean you no harm."


    Whether that was true or not, Kysaek had to distract herself. "And so you saved me because you thought I belonged to the cell?"


    "At the time, yes. Actually, we had done extensive reconnaissance and knew who was in charge there," Thais recalled. At the same time, she showed how insightful and deliberate she was. "However, anyone can be wrong, and because I thought that was the case, we wanted to nab you before PGI and prevent you from divulging possible details about our joint dealings. Of course, after we rescued you, we found out that you had nothing whatsoever to do with the cell."


    Precisely because it was the Disciples of Dealith, Kysaek did not want to know the following, but she questioned her aides. "Was there any question of killing when you were seized? Or did protecting your sister save me?"


    Thais remained sober, showing tolerance despite the lingering scepticism. "No, I am not that kind of leader. I prefer to think if possible and then kill. But when Dil¨¦n called me and told me about your call, it merely simplified everything."


    "Did it?"


    "And how!" replied Thais. She stood up and paced in front of the bed. The Talin explained a rule of the disciples. "Actually, outsiders are forbidden to come into our bases, just as they are forbidden to see our faces. That¡¯s why we all wear faceless helmets in the field or when we move outside our base in general."


    Kysaek had not forgotten what she was called at the beginning of the conversation. "That¡¯s why they called me an outsider, and that¡¯s why they called me Doctor Askar¡¯s opaque mask."


    "Doctor Askar is a Galig and they can¡¯t get anywhere without their masks and she has no other model. That¡¯s why she hides her face at the base where it shouldn¡¯t be."


    "That explains why you¡¯re not wearing one right now," Kysaek remarked, and of course she knew that Galigs found it difficult to survive without their masks. Why that was, however, she wasn¡¯t exactly versed in, but she believed it was related to humidity. "Only can we get to the end now? What do you want from me?"


    Now Thais laid her cards on the table and clutched her chest, "I want to make you an offer - join the Disciples of Dealith."


    The context for this offer escaped Kysaek. "Are you serious?"


    "Very much so!" affirmed Thais. Her desire was clear and she let her guest feel it. "I was able to accommodate you here so easily because you helped Dil¨¦n and so I owed you something. That made it easier for me to suspend the rules regarding outsiders, because the rules in turn say that you have to pay your debts, and I did with your rescue. Not to mention, I am the priestess here and my word is my bond."


    "And so you want me to become a mercenary?"


    The longer Thais spoke, the more unyielding and wistful she became. It made the thin slits of her throat quiver. "Leaving aside the Dil¨¦n thing and the fact that you have nothing whatsoever to do with the cell, there is still the most important fact for me, namely what you saw at PGI! Until now I only knew rumours, but rumours abound and about all kinds of things in the galaxy. They are different from actual truths. We as mercenaries do a lot of dubious things, however ... Technology of the First, that¡¯s a whole other thing, an unforgivable one. I saw what comes of it in war, and it was worse than anything I¡¯d seen in the centuries before. PGI shouldn¡¯t get away with it like that!"


    Now Kysaek understood that it was primarily about her patron¡¯s personal experiences. That was the only reason she was here. "Sounds to me like you want to continue the work of the terrorists."


    "It¡¯s not that simple," Thais began. She searched for the right words. "However, I want to offer you a chance for a fresh start. Under our protection, you could live a reasonably normal life again and maybe, someday, we¡¯ll get a chance to kick PGI¡¯s ass and clear your name."


    Kysaek didn¡¯t like what she was hearing. "Maybe? Do you think there¡¯s even a chance of this never ending?"


    "I just don¡¯t want to make you false promises and my priorities within the Disciples of Dealith bind me," Thais admitted. For a mercenary of such a notorious organisation, she was quite reasonable and not at all creepy. "The possibility exists that purely nothing will change and your old life will be gone forever."


    The Disciples¡ä rules seemed strict to Kysaek and raised a crucial question for her. "If I say yes and belong, isn¡¯t my old life over either way? I would know everyone¡¯s faces and everything that makes up the disciples. Should I ever be able to clear my name, would there even be the possibility of leaving this group again?"


    "You may be surprised, but everyone is free to go back to a life outside the Disciples after joining. Once in that circle, you simply belong and that is how you will be seen, Kysaek. That means, of course, that you will be expected to keep quiet about everything: the rites, the events. You understand?"


    "Yeah sure," Kysaek nodded, joking wickedly. "If I talk, you¡¯ll sink me in the river with concrete on my feet."


    "Something like that."


    "Can I refuse too, or will you guys kick my ass for being in here?"


    "I don¡¯t see why you would refuse such a good offer, even if there is a little compulsion," Thais opined. She made no secret of what would happen if she refused. "If it were up to me, you could just leave if you really wanted to. In the end, though, I have to abide by rules and that means there would be more hunters after you ..."


    "I suspected as much," Kysaek replied. The fact that the whole thing brought with it a certain compulsion did not particularly appeal to her, but seen in a different light, it brought her opportunities. She could get new allies and perhaps something much stronger than the terrorists could have offered. After all, the Disciples of Dealith were an experienced, well-known and large mercenary force that PGI could not or would not mess with so easily. At least that¡¯s how Kysaek saw it. Who would be crazy enough to mess with a galaxy-wide force? The advantages outweighed the disadvantages and Kysaek took up the offer. "I¡¯ll do it. I¡¯ll join the Disciples of Dealith."

 The Consecration of Dealith

    ¡°I have to admit that this is not going to be as easy as I thought,¡± Kysaek confessed as she sat out on a fold-out seat in the compact cargo area of the van.


    Thais was also there and raised her head. It was her only reaction. Just like Kysaek, Talin wore a helmet that prevented any view of her face. It was dark purple and had a mirror-smooth surface, as if someone had just polished it. ¡°Your first?¡± asked Thais, unnecessarily. Her newest aspirant had mentioned it before.


    Nevertheless, Kysaek answered gloomily. ¡°The galig in the tunnels and the policewoman were accidents or luck, depending on how you look at it. But if I leave out those two and various bots, then yes.¡± The fact that the walls of the van creaked so uneasily in the process didn¡¯t worry her. All evening the wind from Auranis had been rougher than usual, putting all the fliers to the test.


    ¡°Then this is truly your birth,¡± Thais said pensively. Already four weeks ago, after Kysaek had accepted her offer, the Talin had informed her soon-to-be fellow sister of the approaching rite of admission of the Disciples of Dealith. It involved a simple act, but one that could hardly be surpassed in its seriousness - murder.


    For Kysaek, this was sheer irony. She had to commit one crime to protect herself from another, and at first she didn¡¯t want to do that. Over time, however, she became convinced. ¡°I don¡¯t quite see the birth thing yet, but those two deserve it!¡± retorted Kysaek, for there were few guidelines for murder. Strictly exempt were only living beings whose age was below 16 standard years and whose death was difficult to achieve or could bring serious consequences, but that did not apply to their chosen targets.


    Thais tried to remain neutral. ¡°It is not for me to judge,¡± she opined. However, when Kysaek had first told her about the chosen victims, the Talin could not hide a tinge of satisfaction. After all, it indirectly affected her personally. ¡°Only your judgement counts.¡±


    Yes, so Kysaek gradually became convinced of the rite. It was all at her discretion. There had to be at least one target, but there was no definite limit upwards. She remembered how Thais had mentioned an aspirant who had passed through the Maw for a whole month and had made 187 kills. However, Kysaek, like her companion, found that extremely exaggerated and that it was going in a very fanatical direction. ¡°It¡¯s lucky I ended up with your group. When I think of your stories ...¡±


    ¡°The number of radical disciples is limited. It was different over six hundred years ago,¡± Thais said. She had told Kysaek that at the beginning of their founding, six hundred and twenty-one years ago, the Disciples had really been what outsiders imagined them to be today. Back then, they had been a small group of women who had chosen the goddess Dealith, the death goddess of an extinct species, as their guiding light. A murderous cult. ¡°But the larger the organisation became, the more it changed over the last three hundred years. Yet it remained true to its basic ideals.¡±


    Kysaek had not forgotten the disciples¡¯ mantra. ¡°Taking a life gives rise to a new one.¡±


    ¡°Death is an important aspect of the galaxy. It signifies balance,¡± said the Talin. The basic idea of the disciples of the time, no matter if they appeared sinister and murderous, was a guardian function. Dealith, a keeper of balance, stood for this. Nowadays, however, the rite aimed at one thing above all, and Thais had made that clear earlier too. ¡°Besides, death means loyalty.¡±


    That was what the disciples were primarily concerned with and what Kysaek was now about to prove - their loyalty. If one was willing to murder for someone, what limit would there be? That was the true purpose of any rite and Kysaek had to go through it. There was no way around that, although she would have preferred it there. ¡°I will be loyal,¡± she nodded, thinking of her two victims. Never would she have killed indiscriminately, without a rudiment of personal knowledge, no matter how desperate she was. But of those men she allowed herself to judge, thinking them scum - Dave Port and Dodol Miron. That was Kysaek¡¯s choice, the attackers of Dil¨¦n. Cowards who preyed on women at night. They had been tracked down by the disciples.


    ¡°And for that we will stand by you,¡± Thais countered before giving initial instructions. ¡°Dodol is our first target. He owns a small flat in the starry corner.¡±


    him,¡± Kysaek said. The Starry Corner was familiar to her and any sensible citizen of Auranis. The name suggested affluence, but the neighbourhood owed its name to the fact that five districts adjoined there. A confusing area that could quickly become dangerous if one entered the wrong areas. ¡°Is there anything else I need to be aware of?¡±


    ¡°You just have to make sure he dies,¡± Thais replied. Other than that, she had not informed Kysaek of anything before leaving, as it was also part of the exam. Aspirants were supposed to face pure death. The important details were entirely Thais¡¯ responsibility as priestess of the disciples. ¡°Does talking help? Is your nervousness fading away?¡±


    ¡°More and more. Especially when I consider the reason for my choice. You have broadened my vision in the last few weeks.¡±


    ¡°I wanted to see if you were more than an empty shell. I can¡¯t have will-less women who have no thoughts of their own.¡±


    Kysaek brushed the serious subject aside for a moment. ¡°So my big mouth helped me?¡±


    Thais followed suit. ¡°To some extent,¡± she replied. ¡°Is that an innate talent of yours?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say there have been a few alleys where I¡¯ve been beaten.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯ve always lost?¡±


    ¡°Half, half ... I think,¡± Kysaek said. She really didn¡¯t remember how many times she had won or lost in such situations.


    ¡°In our culture, it¡¯s also a constant struggle,¡± Thais mentioned as discontent resonated in her voice. ¡°But a different kind of struggle.¡±


    ¡°Of what kind?¡±


    ¡°Not that important. Don¡¯t worry your head about that now. We¡¯re almost there anyway.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    Deep in the starry corner, all concentration was needed even when no sane person was messing with the disciples of Dealith. Their colours were well known, the dark purple and the dull grey streaks at the intersections of the body, like the chest, wrists or neck. But sometimes there was at least one fool, even two, or in rare cases a bunch, who didn¡¯t care who was in front of them. Especially in the starry corner.


    It was an area where criminals called the shots and fought for entitlements. It wasn¡¯t dirty or seedy for that reason, however, but the few police on the scene stayed out of everything if they could. That¡¯s why Dodol was the easiest target, because no one here would care if there was trouble or smart people looked the other way for a pittance.


    However, the fact that Kysaek and Thais were running around in full gear and armed in the process achieved a similar effect. The galaxy was a place of loose gun laws anyway. In the Star Corner, however, it was a mandatory duty and in a cluttered area, an amalgamation of multiple levels and pathways, Kysaek assured herself, ¡°Section 39, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Aspirant Theron,¡± Thais replied. Outside the base and the transporter, she called her companion by her alias - Theron, Silvia Theron. ¡°Lead the way. ¡°I


    HER alias took some getting used to for Kysaek. ¡°Will do ... Priestess,¡± she said obediently. Thais¡¯ title was an added adjustment for her.


    In every group of Dealith there were aspirants, disciples and a priestess. The priestess was in charge on the spot. At her rank briefing, Kysaek had then guessed that the highest position would be called High Priestess because it seemed logical to her, but the title didn¡¯t even exist. Thais had even joked that this rank designation would, after all, be completely devoid of creativity. Instead, after the priestess, there was the guardian, who normally supervised all the groups of a planet, several systems or a complete cluster. However, they were not at the top, but the judges. These were the leaders of the disciples of Dealith and there were only twelve of them in the entire galaxy.


    ¡°Here we are,¡± Thais said outside Dodol¡¯s flat door. Apart from her and Kysaek, there was no one else around. ¡°If he¡¯s not there, we¡¯ll wait inside. Are you ready?¡±


    The preparation time was long, but Kysaek wondered if anyone was ever ready for something like this. She was still slightly uneasy, but she tried not to let on. ¡°Let¡¯s do it.¡±


    For her experience alone, Thais had probably noticed Kysaek¡¯s restlessness. ¡°I¡¯ll open the door,¡± she said. Such entrances, with a simple code lock, were no trouble if you were a skilled technician or a spendthrift buyer of information. In Thais¡¯ case, the principle of foreign exchange applied, because she had obtained the code from a Seeker, an information trader. Therefore, all she had to do was connect her vortex cuff to the door¡¯s input field and the gate was cracked. ¡°I¡¯ll keep watch out here. Take him out.¡±


    Silence and a reach for her pistol were Kysaek¡¯s response to the instruction. Her handy magnetic weapon was fitted with a long silencer, but instead of a round outer shape, it was more angular in design and littered with artificial notches.


    The barrel slid alertly but briskly into Dodol¡¯s darkened dwelling. The dwelling was an identical, if smaller, counterpart to Kysaek¡¯s former home, only without windows. A holoscreen was active on the ceiling, providing just enough light to make all the contours of the room visible. Dodol, however, was not one of them.


    Kysaek suspected that her target was waiting behind the only other flat door. She just wasn¡¯t sure whether she should lurk in front of it or take the initiative. If behind it was the suspected bathroom, she would most certainly catch Dodol with his trousers down. It was a thought that appealed to Kysaek, for that way her victim might experience the feeling of helplessness before death itself.Yes, I¡¯ll give that pig that!


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Her resolve stood and yet every muscle in her body trembled, a tingling Kysaek had never felt like this before. Was she not so averse to murder after all, or was it really just because of who her target was? Perhaps it was also a warning, a sign that her body didn¡¯t want to do what her head wanted, because wanting to pull the trigger and actually doing it were two different things, as with many plans in life.


    Quickly Kysaek¡¯s hand jerked forward to the knob of the door, but there was no one behind it. ¡°He¡¯s not here?¡± she fretted, puzzled because the bathroom light was on.


    Thais joined them. ¡°Take it easy. He probably left the holoscreen on to scare off burglars.¡±


    ¡°As if you could have heard that through the door outside! And does that do anything around here?¡±


    ¡°If some people think there¡¯s more than one occupant here, they¡¯ll certainly think twice about getting in.¡±


    ¡°And the bathroom light is on because ...?¡±


    ¡°Because he¡¯s probably an energy waster,¡± Thais opined. She locked the front door behind her and looked for the shadiest spot in the flat. It was in the corner, where there was a sideboard complete with fridge. ¡°Come here. Dodol shall have the full benefit of the fright.¡±


    Kysaek locked the bathroom door again, obscuring Thais¡¯s corner view. ¡°I like that idea,¡± she replied, taking her place beside the priestess.


    The two of them didn¡¯t have to wait long and, given their already surprising position, were able to anticipate Dodol¡¯s arrival. For the Davoc was rumbling grimly outside the door and cursing as he went in. ¡°Always these half-breeds. Thought they¡¯d really get a toll from me.¡±


    Patience, that was Kysaek¡¯s command now, although she swallowed quietly and heavily. She waited until Dodol was inside and the exit locked.


    ¡°Half lights on!¡± puffed Dodol, and centrally, around the holoscreen, a circle of lamps glowed. Even his unexpected guests came partly out of the shadows through this, at least with their upper bodies, but he did not see them. Only Kysaek stepped completely out of the dark corner anyway and made deliberately loud steps. With that she almost scared Dodol to death. ¡°What the ...!¡± he growled at her in panic and stumbled against the bathroom door.


    It was a soothing sight for Kysaek, who raised her pistol. ¡°And now, Dodol Miron? What do you do now?¡±


    The ape-being was no fool. ¡°Disciples of Dealith? What do you want from me? I have nothing to do with you!¡± said Dodol loudly, building himself up to his full height, a real hunk.


    ¡°You bet you have!¡± retorted Kysaek calmly, completely unimpressed by her target¡¯s rearing. There was no trembling now, no tingling in her muscles, and she let him know what was about to come. ¡°It all comes back to you. Do you still feel so superior now when there is no helpless woman in front of you?¡± she asked. Dodol wanted to answer her, but an impulse coursed through Kysaek¡¯s body, and before she knew it she was ice-coldly giving him two shots in the head, as quiet as a whisper. It took her a moment to realise that it had all happened so quickly, and as Dodol lay on his stomach in front of Kysaek, she went to him and gave him three more shots in the back of the head. ¡°He is ... Dead,¡± she murmured, as if that was not clear. Thais stepped up beside her, but Kysaek could not look at the priestess. The pressure in her body was rising too much and her heartbeat extremely fast as she only now realised what she had done. Her veins thickened and pressed against the armour from within. Kysaek¡¯s voice became brittle. ¡°This ...was it for him because I decided it should be so ...Who am I to do this?¡±


    Maternal love or warmth was not something Thais had to spare. Instead, however, she had a hand on her aspirant¡¯s shoulder and the knowledge of what was going on inside that one right now. ¡°It is your birth. The body throbs, it burns and you realise that there is more inside you. A being capable and strong enough to determine what may be.¡±


    ¡°How can I ... This isn¡¯t right ...¡±


    ¡°It will take time,¡± Thais noted, and her hand slipped from Kysaek¡¯s shoulder. ¡°But now you will begin to really understand it, what I told you weeks ago. Others are constantly deciding what is right or wrong, making their rules and laws and passing judgements. So why shouldn¡¯t you be allowed to do the same, Kysaek? What makes leaders, generals, judges, clergy or politicians so much more worthy? Compassion? Intelligence? Experience?¡±


    ¡°I would say experience ...¡±


    ¡°No, none of that,¡± Thais replied sternly. The world she was opening up to Kysaek was now clearly showing her aspirant again. ¡°Such people do it because they can, because they think they know better. In doing so, however, they often rely on power that is not their own, but which allows them to have their way.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s just the way it is.¡±


    Thais was about to leave the flat. ¡°That may be,¡± she agreed. ¡°But there is one more thing: we are all born into societies full of rules and morals, but it is up to us whether we simply bow to it or have the strength.¡±


    ¡°What strength?¡±


    ¡°The strength not only to shape our own world and make choices; that strength with which to endure and uphold your choices. That makes the difference between bending and not bending.¡±


    The words loosened Kysaek¡¯s rigidity slightly. If only weeks ago she thought she understood Thais, now it really got to her, in this moment full of life and death. ¡°Then ... Let¡¯s go to our base now.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not done yet, though.¡±


    Neither disrespectful nor arrogant, Kysaek followed the priestess out. ¡°I am. My duty is done,¡± she said confidently. The rite required only one death and Kysaek felt it unnecessary to kill Dave Port, for that was not the point. Making your own decisions didn¡¯t mean constantly questioning every order and breaking every law or causing chaos. ¡°A life passes, a new one arises. Dealith got her victim and I¡¯m sure when Dave hears about his friend¡¯s death, he may see it as a warning and change. He can start a new life, and if he doesn¡¯t, there¡¯s still the possibility that I or someone else will end his too.¡±


    Thais had nothing but praise for her aspirant¡¯s decision. ¡°Truly excellent,¡± she said. ¡°I accept your choice and consider the test accomplished, and not only that -it¡¯s been quite a long time since an aspirant grasped the meaning behind my words so well.¡±


    ¡°I can hardly believe myself that I am thinking like that just now.¡±


    ¡°Yes, and I thank you for that,¡± Thais said sincerely. ¡°I have risked a lot by taking you in and you have more than justified my trust.¡±


    ¡°I am just grateful and loyal when I am shown the same,¡± Kysaek replied. An attitude she felt everyone should have. If they did, the galaxy would certainly be a lot better, but it wasn¡¯t and Dodol was dead.


    Kysaek and Thais were able to return to the waiting transporter, a Bolt dropper, and begin the flight home.


    The hull of the machine was rather thin for a flyer used for interplanetary as well as planetary affairs. However, it had tremendous speed, powerful energy shields and three exit doors, which was related to the Bolt Dropper¡¯s original purpose. From space it was to land on planets at lightning speed, like a meteor, and against the resulting atmospheric friction it needed very good shields. Then, once a Bolt Dropper had broken through the atmosphere and made its landing, it had the ability to open the sides, the snout-like front, or all at once, so that infantrymen could rush out.


    Now, however, the Disciples¡¯ Bolt Dropper was only a better vehicle substitute, and since the rough evening wind from Auranis had died down, it briskly returned Thais and Kysaek to the base, which was high in one of the city¡¯s many tower buildings.


    There the transporter flew into the main hangar, an open landing bay without a gate and with a docking facility for a ship up to thirty metres long. This, however, fell under the category of very small by galactic standards and was mainly geared towards container tugs. For the compact Bolt-Dropper itself, there was a free landing space next to another transporter and two romps.


    The disciples who were working here were all wearing their masks. Their number was limited to a few; most of them were taking care of cargo loads, a handful were assembling one of the romps and a single female disciple was operating the hangar crane. That rode along a netted ceiling track and slid over Kysaek¡¯s landed transporter as she disembarked.


    Automatically, Kysaek looked out of the bay, something she had enjoyed doing since she had escaped the sickbed. The dark evening sun lent a unique image not only to the hangar, but to Auranis as a whole. Still hard to believe that the city is hostile territory for me. In the friendly base territory, however, it was rather quiet right now, although Kysaek had expected otherwise. None of the disciples present showed any interest in the return of their leader and soon-to-be sister.


    Thais acted just as unassuming as if the rite had been nothing. ¡°Go to your cabin. Freshen up a little and change your clothes. In an hour we will meet in the community mess for the consecration.¡±


    ¡°Is that all?¡± asked Kysaek indecisively. After all the preparation, persuasion and philosophical approaches, the community casino seemed so plain to her as a place for initiation.


    ¡°Are you saying you want another exam?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant, so no. All right. I¡¯ll meet you there.¡±


    Whether aspirant or full member, all members of the Disciples of Dealith had their own cabin. Kysaek just wasn¡¯t sure if the d¨¦cor and scale was the same everywhere, as she had yet to enter another cabin. This one, however, was perfectly adequate, even though it was less than half the size of Kysaek¡¯s old flat. A single bed, a washbasin, a metal cupboard and a desk with a kit: that was the complete room equipment.


    Kysaek helped herself to them and stowed her combat equipment in the cupboard, where she exchanged it for comfortable clothing. Like the armour, the fabric was in the colours of the disciples and resembled the casual dress of ordinary soldiers, only without tinsel or other embellishments.


    Later, all the female disciples in the community casino were dressed like this and were already waiting for Kysaek, who was the last to join them. If she left herself, Thais and Re¡¯Lis out, the group came to thirty-eight members, much of which was human or Talin.


    The mess hall served as a canteen and recreation room, though the food counter was completely empty right now and not a cooker was cooking. The electronic entertainment was silent and most of the lighting was focused on a stage.


    Thais stood there, and when she saw the aspirant, a wave of her arm was enough for the other disciples to form a clear road for the newcomer. ¡°Kysaek,¡± Thais said, striking a much more personal tone. ¡°Come to me.¡±


    Kysaek climbed composedly onto the stage, where she towered over the silent spectators by three heads. At first she looked through the small crowd before feeling Thais¡¯ hand on her shoulder.


    ¡°A while ago she was a stranger, an outsider who had no place among us,¡± Thais mentioned. Her speech was considered and without reproachful interpretation. ¡°But so were we all once, standing here, gazing into the eyes of a woman we will henceforth call sister.¡± She paused and withdrew her hand from the aspirant¡¯s shoulder .a moment at which the rest of the disciples nodded wordlessly and looked only at their new sister despite Thais¡¯ words. ¡°Kysaek has passed her test, as true as I stand here. As a faceless one, she set off, as we all did and do. In Dealith¡¯s name, she continued the cycle that defines all life in the galaxy - death - and was herself reborn.¡±


    So far, Kysaek was impressed by the speech and gave her priestess eye contact, as she did. She didn¡¯t want to interrupt the speech, even though there was so much going through her mind right now and she just wanted to show her appreciation, because without the Talin, Kysaek would probably not be standing here. Therefore, she at least smiled warmly.


    Thais mentioned that. ¡°You see for yourselves, my dear sisters. Kysaek has found her place here, and where weeks ago there was resignation, now there is a smile. A smile for you, for me, for all of us,¡± she said. With that, Kysaek quickly turned to the crowd and showed everyone her joy, which Thais shared. ¡°As your priestess and in the name of Dealith, I will now consecrate Kysaek!¡±


    What came next, Kysaek did not know. No one had said a word about the consecration, at least no details. She was only to stand, she knew that. She had expected a speech, but not what Thais did next. Kysaek felt queasy for a second as Talin bit her thumb, and yet she watched spellbound as the alien¡¯s crimson blood oozed from the thin crack and ran over her alabaster skin.


    Almost intimately, Thais pulled the new sister to her, leaving little space between the women. She pressed her bleeding thumb against Kysaek¡¯s forehead and kept it there until fine lines of her lifeblood flowed down around the aspirant¡¯s nose and eyes. When that was done, Thais kissed the forehead and announced. ¡°And now, give our new sister a proper welcome! Let¡¯s celebrate!¡±


    None of the onlookers remained silent any longer. They threw up their arms in joy, cheering and showing Kysaek that she had arrived and was wanted in their midst. Music filled the walls of the casino, and previously well-hidden boxes of food and drink were revealed by the women. Behind the bar, service bots rose, waiting to attend to their owners. They, however, first took care of her freshly-born sister as she stepped off the stage and was surrounded by them.


    After a long time, this was going to be a nice, cosy and promising evening for Kysaek, which she was now looking forward to.

 Carefree - 1

    The early midday sun of Auranis shone through a few shutters and the scattered sounds of city traffic drifted into the corridors of the base from outside, but many Disciples were not yet on their feet. The reason for the low activity was probably yesterday¡¯s mission, which had had its difficulties and from which many were surely trying to recover.In the communal mess hall there was nevertheless food provided, as the serving was run by the bots, and Kysaek saw a handful of sisters sitting at one of the long tables: Re¡¯Lis, Jor and Ela¡¯Riin. ¡°May I join you?¡± she asked around the table. The last few weeks had just slipped by for her and she couldn¡¯t believe she had been with the Disciples of Dealith for so long. It was definitely not a life she wanted for the rest of her days, but she wouldn¡¯t swear if it all took another few months or a year or two.


    ¡°Only if you don¡¯t eat too much,¡± Jor replied in a low voice. As a female Hishek, she not only sounded almost like the males of her species, but looked confusingly like them. Unlike the others at the table, however, she was not squatting on the bench but on her strong, flexible legs and tail.


    ¡°I¡¯ll hold back, I promise,¡± Kysaek smirked, watching as Jor took an entire roast that Kysaek couldn¡¯t even half manage, and certainly not that quickly, into her wide-open mouth and mangled it.


    Ela¡¯Riin ate completely differently. ¡°Jor must always overdo it,¡± she commented, taking in her food in pureed form through a straw. Galig just had a harder time because of their mask and so she drank her food by connecting the straw to a tiny hole in the mask. ¡°Luckily she is the only Hishek here, otherwise we would all starve. Her species are real eating machines.¡±


    While Kysaek took a seat, Jor grabbed a leg of meat as thick as a trained human arm and bit into it. ¡°This is just training so I can use my biters in an emergency,¡± the Hishek smacked her lips full.


    Kysaek would have believed that even without knowing their eating habits, for Jor¡¯s mouth was extremely fearsome. Supposedly, she had once used it to grab a davoc by the belly, complete with armour, and cut it in half.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Ela¡¯Riin said. Comparing her skin and Re¡¯Lis¡¯, it was briskly noticed that Ela¡¯Riin¡¯s was more clearly bursting with colour. Lush light green and a red, inviting flap of skin at the back of her head. Against so much colour, Re¡¯Lis¡¯ appeared almost grey and only the smooth glow on the skin of both Galig was the same.


    I wonder if that¡¯s due to age, Kysaek pondered. After all, she didn¡¯t know Re¡¯Lis¡¯ age and to her, the doctor¡¯s dull colour compared to Ela¡¯Riin¡¯s had something of a garment about it. The longer the colouring existed and was exposed to the sun, the weaker it apparently became. Kysaek was not quite sure of this, however, and thought it rude to ask about it now. ¡°Can I have some of the meat?¡±


    Jor had most of the plates right in front of her, so she could reach everything with her short arms. ¡°Sure, otherwise you¡¯ll be skin and bones soon. I just don¡¯t understand humans sometimes, how you can be like this: thin and weak.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m human and I don¡¯t understand a lot more things about my people,¡± Kysaek replied. ¡°But you need a lot too, don¡¯t you? I mean, after what you did to those idiots yesterday ...¡± With that she alluded to the last job, when Kysaek had helped to bring an arms deal across the stage. Unfortunately, the buyers had tried to rip off the disciples and there had been a lead-filled altercation.


    ¡°They really thought they could beat me up,¡± Jor commented, using one of her claws to cut a piece of flesh on Kysaek. ¡°Is that enough for you?¡±


    The slice of meat was plumper than Kysaek¡¯s hand. ¡°I can eat off that all day,¡± she said as Jor pushed the full plate up to in front of her with her shotgun.


    Among the Hishek, that was probably what they called a small portion, listening to Jor¡¯s words. ¡°It¡¯s just a nibble,¡± she said, tapping the table with her claws. You just had to have respect for them, because they went through food effortlessly, better than the sharpest knife.


    ¡°True, a morsel for in between ... again and again,¡± Kysaek replied delightedly as she began to taste of the meat, looking at Jor. Not only had the Hishek used her claws in yesterday¡¯s mission, her tail was an equally dangerous weapon and with it she had slapped three Calans right across a camp. That was the first time Kysaek had witnessed what a Hishek was capable of in close combat, and it had only made her respect the species even more.


    Ela¡¯Riin mocked her lizard sister. ¡°Don¡¯t feel bad, Kysaek. If Jor doesn¡¯t eat at least ten kilos of meat per meal, she¡¯s going to start losing her shiny hair.¡±


    ¡°I can eat you sometime!¡± said Jor, but whether that was a joke was not clear. Her aforementioned hairs sprouted as spiky hair combs from her head, over her neck and along the edges of her neck. They were yellow and between them individual feathers of varying lengths stuck out, incongruous with the leathery scaly skin. More feathers in white and blue completed the picture, but they were only accessories under the neck and did not grow out of Jor¡¯s body.


    Kysaek thought she needed to bring calm to the conversation. ¡°I like Jor¡¯s hair.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called plumage and at least there¡¯s a taste here,¡± Jor said with satisfaction. ¡°But how will the rest understand, Kysaek? Galig only have a scrap of skin on their heads, the Talin are all baldies and the rest of the women of your species just don¡¯t have a clue.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Kysaek retorted, but for that she earned a ¡°suck-up¡± from Ela¡¯Riin. She didn¡¯t dwell on it, however, and enjoyed the meal in the convivial company.


    At the end of it, however, only Re¡¯Lis and Kysaek were left at the table and the Galig asked for a favour. ¡°Could you please take this to Dios and Kuren for me?¡± she asked, holding a grey package of plain cardboard in her hands. ¡°They have been waiting for this order for some time and it arrived earlier. However, I have to take care of one of our sisters.¡±


    Hesitation was out of the question for Kysaek. ¡°Sure, no problem,¡± she nodded, thinking of the sister she had mentioned, whose name had slipped her mind. She had had half her leg blown off the day before and was supposed to get a synthetic prosthesis for it.


    ¡°That¡¯s nice of you,¡± Re¡¯Lis thanked her and went back to work.


    Dios and Kuren often stayed in the secondary hangar, their realm, and there was limited space there. The hangar offered just two landing zones, but it had a gate that sealed it off from the outside world. However, the small hangar was not used for loading and unloading or departures and arrivals; instead, it was a single, chaotic workshop.


    This is where Kysaek found Dios and Kuren now, while they were working on a Bolt-Dropper and just putting in a missing door. Unlike the rest of the disciples in the base, the title Sisters applied doubly to the two, for they were sisters in the flesh and belonged to the Sororan people.


    Generally they were also called the twin species because one birth always produced two new creatures, but this had a peculiarity. Sororan siblings were either both male or both female and joined at the back. Nevertheless, each side called a body its own, a soft structure of flesh on which sat a sinuous and long neck. Four wide stalk arms, each with two fingers, fitted it perfectly and, thanks to two insect-like legs, Sororans reached a respectable average height of about three metres, at the end of which one looked into a pair of pure black eyeballs.


    That Dios and Kuren, like many of their kind, wore only a few strips of cloth on their bodies didn¡¯t bother Kysaek. There was nothing obscene to be seen anyway that came close to a breast or other private parts.


    As one of the twins was tinkering with the bolt-dropper, the other saw who was standing there as the back. ¡°Kysaek!¡± she greeted. Since they both looked and sounded exactly the same, it was hard to tell who was talking now. Worse than with human twins.


    Kysaek guessed at it. ¡°Dios.¡±


    The fused sisters moved as if they were one, with no problems or faltering. ¡°Do you want to try again?¡±


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Kysaek cleared her throat sheepishly. ¡°Kuren, of course.¡±


    The Sororan, who was facing the Bolt dropper, debunked the spectacle. ¡°No, you were right the first time. Dios is just having her fun with you.¡±


    ¡°Just her?¡± doubted Kysaek. All the time the twins did that to her. She had never dealt with Sororans before. That was why she hoped this kind of humour was not a folk trait.


    ¡°Yes, I have more important things to do today,¡± Kuren said, continuing at the door. ¡°And I have Dios¡¯s work to do.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you listen to her, Kysaek,¡± Dios said, putting a different spin on it. ¡°In truth, I supervise Kuren and teach her necessary technical tricks.¡±


    ¡°That would be news to me.¡±


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡°Be honest, sister. You may be the better pilot of the two of us,¡± Dios admitted, but not without highlighting herself. ¡°But without me, the machines wouldn¡¯t even run and there would be no flying.¡±


    Kuren continued to be doubtful. ¡°Another thing that would be new to me.¡±


    ¡°Do you notice why I am joking, Kysaek?¡± asked Dios, accusing her sister. ¡°Kuren is fierce and mean.¡±


    She didn¡¯t feel like responding to the conversation, which made Kysaek shake the package. ¡°You better not be mean today, because I have something for you,¡± she said. The shaking made it jingle neatly. A sign that the contents were made up of tiny individual parts.


    It made Dios and Kuren sit up and take notice. ¡°Finally!¡± they spoke in sync, walking sideways so that neither sister was completely on thebackside. Dios started as the two took turns saying, ¡°We¡¯ve been waiting for this ...¡±


    ¡°... for ages!¡±


    ¡°Really a shame how ...¡±


    ¡°... it¡¯s taken so long, even though...


    ¡°... we paid so much foreign currency,¡± Dios said, taking the package.


    That was one more thing that could be unbearable, and although Kysaek was focused and standing in front of the two of them, the two-way sentence-completion was tugging at her nerves. ¡°You guys are impossible,¡± she sighed defeatedly. ¡°Tell me, have you actually seen Thais?¡±


    While Dios was busy with the package, Kuren took the lead and turned completely to Kysaek. ¡°She¡¯s staying at the command centre, isn¡¯t she?¡± she said exaggeratedly, for Thais was simply staying there most of the time, but the Talin certainly had her own private quarters at the base. ¡°Do you have a specific request? Perhaps we can help you.¡±


    Kysaek didn¡¯t think so, since Dios and Kuren weren¡¯t exactly the disciples¡¯ most eager or best fighters. ¡°It¡¯s just ...the PGI thing. I¡¯ve been here for some time and nothing has changed. I would like to talk about it.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re just flying, not making plans,¡± Kuren said, sinking a little lower. ¡°And your plan sounds like destruction and killing. We don¡¯t do that kind of thing either.¡±


    That¡¯s when Dios interfered. ¡°But when we fly, we do destroy sometimes, and I¡¯m sure we kill in the process ...¡±


    ¡°She knows what I mean,¡± Kuren replied.


    ¡°Yeah, I get that,¡± Kysaek said. ¡°I can fight a bit, but I can¡¯t fly as well as you for that.¡±


    As far as she could, Dios craned her neck around, and it went a good distance. ¡°There¡¯s a video of your first flight, in the Aero Zone,¡± she replied, but didn¡¯t dignify Kysaek. ¡°You put your hoverwheel against a wall of a house. ¡®Not as good a flyer as us¡¯ is really flattering about your flying skills.¡±


    Relaxed, Kysaek defended herself. ¡°I got shot at ...¡±


    Simultaneously it came back from the twins, ¡°We get that all the time too.¡±


    ¡°I got shot at by a lot of people!¡±


    Kuren was not satisfied with the argument. ¡°Trust us, Kysaek: we have the experience and we¡¯ll see it right away and tell you: you can¡¯t fly.¡±


    Kysaek grinned. ¡°Then I¡¯ll defer to the expert opinion - for now.¡± The casual conversation would have dragged on endlessly otherwise, but Kysaek preferred clarity now. ¡°I¡¯ll see if I can find Thais, and you leave everything here whole.¡±


    Kuren pulled her arms towards her. ¡°I¡¯m sure you will, but I¡¯m not giving any guarantees for Dios there.¡±


    ¡°Less talk, more work,¡± Dios reprimanded her sister before Kuren turned her attention back to the Bolt Dropper.


    Gradually, everyday life and with it the increased activity of the rest of the disciples took hold in the base as well as in the command centre. This was not difficult, however, as the command centre was clearly laid out and housed mainly surveillance monitors, but many of the dozen were also inactive or flickering. The rest of the equipment was used for communication.


    However, there was no trace of Thais, which astonished Kysaek. She was about to ask the nearest Galig, unknown to her, when she noticed a stressed Re¡¯Lis come into the room. ¡°Doctor Askar, have you finished your work yet?¡±


    ¡°Not by a long shot,¡± Re¡¯Lis sighed, moving anxiously to the core console. ¡°As the senior disciple, I¡¯m supposed to be filling in for Thais until she returns, but she¡¯s been overdue for two hours and I can¡¯t get a connection with her.¡±


    ¡°Represent? She¡¯s not here?¡±


    ¡°No, Kysaek. She has an important meeting with the Keeper of our group,¡± Re¡¯Lis elaborated, but she still had an issue on her mind and her eyes on the monitors. ¡°Have you still not found the problem?¡±


    Beside the monitors, a Talin came up from her knees and wiped her dusty face, including sweat. ¡°We¡¯ve been working on it for six hours and progress is slow, but it¡¯s not us. In fact, earlier I sent Elsa out and she says there¡¯s interference all over the district, has been since last night.¡±


    Re¡¯Lis tapped her mask and addressed Talin by name. ¡°Are there any hackers at work again, Inoie?¡±


    ¡°Could be,¡± Inoie replied, perplexed. ¡°But it¡¯s also been a few months since the last attack. So it¡¯s possible that hackers have been looting accounts again and circulating a virus or two. The district administration has simply been doing too little against it for years, and if someone notices that it¡¯s just i...¡±


    ¡°Have you backed up the servers?¡± interrupted Re¡¯Lis somewhat rudely.


    ¡°Even before I started checking. The interconnect cables are pulled and the wireless access points are without power. No one can get to them, but I can¡¯t very well take the cameras off the grid.¡±


    Kysaek found it strange that the cameras were not working properly. ¡°If they are hackers, what would they get out of disrupting our surveillance?¡± she asked nervously, since disrupted security systems had always been the harbingers of her misfortune so far, and in her anxiety she immediately constructed from this the idea that PGI had tracked her down.


    No one else in the room seemed distressed by this, and certainly not Inoie. ¡°Because we¡¯re on the public grid, whether it¡¯s with the electricity or the data connections,¡± she said. ¡°And if someone attacks the public infrastructure, especially with malware, it just sneaks into our systems. So the hackers are not specifically disrupting us and it¡¯s not the first time.¡±


    ¡°But that sounds very simple to me,¡± Kysaek said with conviction, not being a tech expert. ¡°So the police could just hack into your data and secure a lot of evidence of crimes?¡±


    ¡°Nonsense!¡°, Inoie dismissed the claim. ¡°Our servers have a strong level of protection and are not directly connected to the public network. We¡¯d know if someone wanted to get in there because they¡¯d have to go through our kits first, since they¡¯re the only ones connected to the servers.¡±


    That was a lot Kysaek didn¡¯t understand, but it reassured her. ¡°You¡¯ll know,¡± she said, raising her shoulders. ¡°Then I will wait until Thais returns.¡±


    Re¡¯Lis agreed. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s certainly better and I¡¯ll keep trying to reach her. Maybe the vortex cuff will work now.¡±


    ¡°Well that should definitely work. Vortex cuffs always work,¡± Kysaek said nonchalantly and headed for the door. However, her steps slowed rapidly as her own sentence flashed through her mind anew: vortex cuffs always work, unless ...She had to check again. ¡°Did you just say you can¡¯t reach Thais through the cuff either, Doctor Askar?¡± asked Kysaek. With Re¡¯Lis, she still used an impersonal form of address.


    ¡°Yes, no signal, nothing,¡± Re¡¯Lis replied in frustration. ¡°Inside the base it works splendidly, but no matter who I try to reach outside - no chance.¡±


    That was the end of Kysaek¡¯s calm and she wondered why Inoie hadn¡¯t noticed. ¡°That¡¯s hardly possible,¡± she said burdened, sharing what she remembered from her military days. ¡°Vortex cuffs work through a completely different system in transmitting data.¡±


    Now Inoie was getting suspicious too. ¡°With all the hustle and bustle, I didn¡¯t even pay attention ...¡± she explained, relaying the information as Kysaek knew it. ¡°Cuffs either connect directly locally if the range is right, or run through intergalactic communications. If the cuffs fail, there must be a widespread problem or ...¡±


    Re¡¯Lis didn¡¯t understand what this was getting at and looked irritatedly back and forth between everyone. ¡°Or what?¡±


    The eyes said it all as Kysaek looked into Inoie¡¯s. Both knew the answer that would tip the calm mood for the worse, and Kysaek took on the role of messenger. ¡°Or the signals of an area are specifically blocked and disrupted ...¡±


    An eerie silence fell over the command centre and everyone looked at each other as if expecting a reaction to Kysaek¡¯s statement, such as a huge thunder that was about to rumble.


    But when that failed to happen and nothing at all happened, Re¡¯Lis was even more stressed. ¡°I am already old, but I would like to live a few more years. Why don¡¯t you save me such moments when my two hearts might burst?¡±


    She had simply become too paranoid, Kysaek admitted to herself, and asked for forgiveness. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Doctor Askar, I didn¡¯t mean to...¡±


    Suddenly, a violent vibration rippled through the floor and walls, accompanied by a gruesome bang. It was deafening, and even though it was muffled by the solid walls.


    Not only Kysaek, but the rest in the room all struggled to keep their balance during the brief tremor before it stopped. After the jolt, the base¡¯s alarm signal shrilled on and Re¡¯Lis stumbled over to the cameras. ¡°What happened?¡± she asked angrily as Kysaek came up beside her.Even as Inoie answered, several such shocks followed immediately. ¡°That came from the hangar!¡± she reported, pointing to one of the few working images.


    The main hangar was completely devastated. Small fires blazed everywhere and traces of impacts were found scattered around the area. Flying machines lay criss-crossed and were now nothing more than useless wrecks, as were a large number of Disciples - clearly dead Disciples.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see anyone!¡± stated Re¡¯Lis, demanding clarity. ¡°Where did that come from?¡±


    Inoie had all the trouble in the world, only she found nothing with the scanners outside the base, but the Talin possessed a good eye for that. ¡°What¡¯s there?¡± she asked, using the camera to zoom far out of the hangar. ¡°A land cruiser!¡±


    A good three hundred metres away, hidden between the coves of houses and only visible with difficulty, hovered a ship a good hundred metres long. Land cruiser, that was what this type was called. It was assigned to the planetary ship class, which was not designed for space. On planets, the land cruiser served as a mobile base of operations, equipped with considerable attack power. However, it was more of a carrier and supporter than a true attacker.


    Nevertheless, the ship immediately made use of its arsenal and fired four guns on the right long side. At the same time, Bolt droppers launched from the land cruiser and followed the trail of the shells, which slammed into the already battered hangar bay.


    ¡°That¡¯s PGI!¡± said Kysaek, for the corporation¡¯s logo adorned the approaching transports and the colours also matched the company. ¡°Those cowards!¡±


    Re¡¯Lis responded immediately, speaking into the core console so that her voice could be heard throughout the base. ¡°Attention all - we are under attack by PGI! Arm yourselves, secure the path to the main hangar and occupy the base entrance!¡±


    Inoie cursed. ¡°Come on!¡± She tried to establish an image of the base entrance, but it didn¡¯t quite work. For that, the sensors there worked perfectly. ¡°I can¡¯t get a picture, but they¡¯re not at our door yet.¡±


    ¡°Unless the sensors are spinning - like so many things ...¡± opined Kysaek.


    ¡°Really uplifting!¡± retorted Inoie harshly. ¡°All the sooner we should secure the entrance.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go there and help,¡± said Kysaek.


    But before she could really rush off, Re¡¯Lis stopped her, ¡°You stay here!¡±


    Kysaek did not understand the order, as PGI had only come for her. ¡°Why? I can¡¯t let others fight my battle and hide!¡±


    Re¡¯Lis¡¯ reply was unexpected. ¡°You can help us best by keeping an eye on the situation with me and giving me advice, because I¡¯m not a soldier but you used to be one and so you have experience.¡±


    ¡°I know a little,¡± Kysaek replied. It made sense to her that Re¡¯Lis, as a doctor, would look to her for advice on combat, since the Galig knew no details of Kysaek¡¯s soldiering career and accordingly seemed to hope it would be enough. Moreover, Kysaek noticed how the rest looked at her in a wait-and-see, indecisive manner. She made the decision to comply with Re¡¯Li¡¯s request and mime the good soldier. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve been on enough missions and I can assess the situation.¡±


    ¡°Very good! The rest get into position! Only Inoie and Kysaek stay with me!¡±

 Carefree - 2

    The command centre was hastily cleared, taking everything tangible in weapons, while Inoie put the hangar image on the core console projector.


    ¡°Are many defences destroyed?¡± asked Kysaek, confronted with the approaching PGI transports and the devastated hangar.


    ¡°The unprotected ones almost all,¡± reported Inoie, but there were more defences. Unfortunately, they had a catch. ¡°The hidden ones all made it through, but because of the network interference, I may not be able to activate every weapon.¡±


    Re¡¯Lis examined the video footage shown. She didn¡¯t find what she was looking for, though, and instructed. ¡°Forget about the weapons for now! Everyone in the hangar is dead ... Seal it off from the base!¡±


    The wide bay entrance could not be closed, after all, but there were heavy gates at the two entrances leading from the hangar into the base and they were now slowly descending.


    Contrary to her claim to need Kysaek¡¯s help, Re¡¯Lis seemed to know what she was doing and used the console to make contact. ¡°Jor, Ela¡¯Riin, do you read me?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± Ela¡¯Riin replied in a heated voice. ¡°We¡¯re just putting on our gear and we¡¯re on our way to the hangar.¡±


    ¡°Let Jor handle it!¡± ordered Re¡¯Lis. For Ela¡¯Riin, she had a task of her own. ¡°You go to the base entrance! There¡¯s no activity there yet, but I hardly think we¡¯ll be attacked from only one side.¡±


    Ela¡¯Riin obeyed the order. ¡°Will do,¡± she replied, and Jor added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, no one can get beyond the hangar.¡±


    Just then, PGI¡¯s Bolt droppers reached the bay entrance and opened their front. Despite the daylight, it was dark inside the aircraft, but the two dozen or so combat-ready Stormbots per transport flashed their aggressive red eyes in the shadows and leapt out of the aircraft while still on approach. They swarmed into the hangar, while at least in the last of the three Bolt droppers the first PGI soldiers stood by and sought a safe position.


    ¡°Inoie, I think now wouldn¡¯t be a bad time for you to activate some weapons,¡± Kysaek commented.


    ¡°My turn,¡± Inoie replied curtly and did what she could. Unfortunately, she didn¡¯t even manage to unlock half of the crates from which magnetic machine guns drove and attacked their targets independently. Inoie controlled one of the guns manually.


    However, PGI¡¯s Stormbots had extra-strong armour on the front, making them robust opponents, and it was only when the Disciples¡¯ simple combat bots emerged from their guard stations in the walls that PGI suffered casualties. Still, the Stormbots were superior, and not only because they could withstand more, but were better programmed and more skilled despite their frontal armour. In line with their numerical superiority, they exploited these advantages and advanced far enough in the bay for new transporters to land and drop off PGI soldiers.


    It was only when three Guardian bots of the Disciples entered the fray that PGI¡¯s attack faltered significantly, and no wonder. Such bots were designed for defence and cover, sedate machines that could take a beating and even had energy shields, but there was more. They had two arms, but instead of two hands, they had a large shield made of Eldar steel, behind which they could hide while running, and a mini-gun, called a Gatling Gun, which they could place next to the shield and safely use to unleash a powerful barrage, as they were doing now.


    With this tactic, and because two of the Guardian bots could fire on the unprotected attackers from high positions, the heavy machines decimated the enemy enormously. They even shot the engines of a Bolt Dropper that was about to fly out of the hangar. The damage caused it to fly into a fully loaded transport that was just arriving, and their flaming explosion, along with the burning and smoking wreckage, blocked further reinforcements.


    Re¡¯Lis was relieved. ¡°That should slow them down.¡±


    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t just fixate on the hangar, though,¡± Kysaek said, for there was another theatre. ¡°What about at the base entrance?¡±


    Re¡¯Lis¡¯ initial, apparent routine evaporated a little. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± she agreed. ¡°Show us the entrance, Inoie.¡±


    ¡°If I can,¡± the Talin replied. She directed the camera to the projector, but the display still flickered, with no clear view. Every attempt to fix the error failed until Inoie had an idea. ¡°Maybe there is another way,¡± she said, before taking away the disturbing image and replacing it with blue outlines. It was a 3D map, which was constantly criss-crossed by rhythmic waves, as if something was sending out a signal to make everything visible, similar to a sonar.


    Detailed contours were not, but at least the surroundings, objects and moderate images of the defenders in front of the entrance were displayed. The door was closed and a long staircase, which grew wider towards the bottom and which every visitor had to climb, led down. Strips of surface interrupted the steps at regular intervals and on the highest strips, near the entrance, stood the women disciples.


    ¡°What about the semi barriers?¡± , Ela¡¯Riin rightly asked, for all the defenders were without cover.


    Inoie explained the current situation. ¡°The shafts are unlocked and the barriers have power, but you will have to open the crates by hand and pull out the barriers yourselves.¡±


    ¡°Great!¡± said Ela¡¯Riin wryly, and the disciples at the stairs dispersed.


    Using the sensors, however, Kysaek became aware of intruders entering the complex, only minutes away from the stairs. ¡°You¡¯d better set up a complete line of barriers, not just a few pieces on each intermediate strip,¡± she recommended, as Kysaek knew how difficult it was to pull out the pieces one by one. ¡°Otherwise the shields will be too weak to withstand a mass like that for long.¡±


    ¡°Should we?¡± it came back from Ela¡¯Riin.


    Re¡¯Lis looked increasingly overwhelmed. ¡°Should they?¡± she inquired. It wasn¡¯t clear whether it was the dangerous situation or the hurried pace, possibly even both factors, but even as the oldest disciple, Re¡¯Lis wasn¡¯t exactly the best commander.


    Kysaek was not much better, but she was certain of the instruction. ¡°Yes, they should. A closed line is stronger!¡±


    ¡°Okay - just pull the semi barriers out of the top area!¡± ordered Re¡¯Lis, earning an ¡°Understood¡± from Ela¡¯Riin.


    On the map, all the female disciples gathered at the top, exposing narrow crevices in the bottom. From these they pulled, with clear effort, flat slabs, about as thick as a clenched fist and about half the height of most of the local disciples. Once one slab was out, the next followed right next to it, and so a closed barrier gradually formed. It stretched along the stairs from right to left and small green energy fields appeared in front of the protective wall. Their shape was identical to honeycombs and together they built up into a large, slightly transparent force field that even extended beyond the panels, up to the ceiling and the sides of the wall.


    ¡°That looks good,¡± Kysaek remarked, watching the disciples move into position at the semibarrier. Their advantage was that the defenders could easily shoot through the barriers from their side, but as long as the energy field was maintained, not one shot from the front would get through.


    ¡°Here they come!¡± reported Ela¡¯Riin and, as in the hangar, PGI went for assault bots in the first wave. They couldn¡¯t be seen on the graphics, but the detection sensors relayed enough information. At the stairs, however, the machines had the long climb ahead of them, with no intermediate stop or protection, which made them vulnerable to the Disciples¡¯ considerable artillery, and even their improved frontal armour did not help. They did not gain a yard of ground for the PGI soldiers waiting around the corner.


    Meticulously, Kysaek, Re¡¯Lis and Inoie in the command centre kept track of the fighting, and whether it was in the hangar where Jor and her people were resisting, or at the base entry day gunfight, PGI¡¯s troops seemed endless. The Disciples were holding their own, suffering only scattered casualties in the hangar so far, but every death there was a setback and gave the enemy a boost.


    Things looked much better at the base entrance, even if the lower levels were now bristling with scrap. Above all, the shining spiders, those bots that walked on four metal spider legs and created an energy shield in a small radius around themselves, lined the way up. Dead soldiers were few, however, and the many living made use of the remains of their machinery as protection against the attacks from above.


    ¡°There¡¯s no end to it!¡± growled Jor grimly. ¡°What is the further plan?¡±


    Re¡¯Lis answered awkwardly. ¡°We must delay them as long as possible. Perhaps then they will retreat.¡±


    Jor liked that. ¡°Kill more of them? I can do something with that!¡±


    Kysaek had considerable doubts about the plan and muted the comms briefly to avoid unrest. ¡°Doctor Askar - this will never stop. PGI has a large private army. Do you seriously think the corporation wouldn¡¯t use it?¡±


    ¡°What else are we going to do?¡± asked Re¡¯Lis helplessly, but despite her difficulty in commanding a fight, she did not panic.


    Kysaek hated that this was the only plan she could think of again, but anything else was doomed to failure in her eyes. ¡°Make the retreat. We must flee.¡±


    ¡°And how are we going to do that? Every entrance is under siege.¡±


    ¡°Not the secondary hangar. There¡¯s just a few blusters flying around there. I think we¡¯d have a chance there.¡±


    ¡°You think or you know?¡± questioned Re¡¯Lis with mixed feelings.


    ¡°Right now everything is uncertain - all we have left is faith and to reinforce it with a little firepower.¡±


    Re¡¯Lis seemed at her wits¡¯ end and looked at Inoie, but she remained silent and attended to operating one of the last cannons in the hangar.


    Jor shouted, ¡°Attention!¡± and although PGI still had its own bots and soldiers in the hangar, new projectiles from the land cruiser flew into the bay. Once again they caused destructive damage, regardless of friend or foe.


    During the ensuing tremors from the explosions, Re¡¯Lis came to a staggering realisation. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m afraid we can¡¯t win this battle,¡± she said audibly only to Kysaek and Inoie before giving orders over the comm. ¡°Everyone, we¡¯re getting out of here! Gather in the hangar, we¡¯re escaping via the secondary hangar!¡±


    Jor was still alive, but there was a stricken rasp in her voice. ¡°And what¡¯s going to hold us up for long?¡±


    ¡°Another time,¡± Re¡¯Lis promised, contacting the secondary hangar. ¡°Dios, Kuren, get everything ready for our escape!¡±


    ¡°We only have one transporter,¡± Kuren replied. ¡°It¡¯s going to be very tight.¡±


    ¡°Never mind, get it ready!¡± repeated Re¡¯Lis, following the retreat everywhere.


    The defensive line at the entrance was still completely intact, and yet the enemy was making slow but steady progress, as they relied on a new manoeuvre: side by side, PGI sentinel bots formed an impenetrable wall with their steel shields, while their mini-nukes rotated non-stop, weakening the energy field of the semibarrier. You could see it very clearly because the more powerless the shield became, the more the honeycombs degraded from the outside in.


    ¡°You must come into the base immediately!¡± said Kysaek vehemently, but by then it was too late.


    From the back of the sentinel bots, PGI soldiers fired shell casings in a high arc, and although many of them landed in front of or struck the energy barrier, some made it across the diminishing energy field. A series of explosions took place in places right at the defenders¡¯ feet or behind them, ripping many of them apart.


    ¡°They¡¯ll pay for this!¡°, Ela¡¯Riin screeched. ¡°We¡¯ll leave them another parting gift!¡± She apparently placed explosive devices behind the barriers before she and the surviving defenders fled into the base.


    ¡°That will buy us time,¡± Kysaek agreed, weaving the idea further. ¡°We¡¯ll need some of that for the escape.¡±


    Inoie contributed. ¡°We still have our Little Lady and she works,¡± she said, and without waiting for a command to do so, she armed the weapon.


    Kysaek had only ever known her from sketches, and this was the first time she¡¯d seen the Little Lady in the flesh as it charged in its secret hiding place on the hangar ceiling.


    Its basic structure was characterised by a broad base, like a thick mushroom, except that the Little Lady had six heads, and they were all absolutely flat. These smooth surfaces were swiftly infused with enormous vibrations and a very deep bass note rumbled up from the Little Lady, which possessed a weapon that was difficult to ward off - sound.


    ¡°What is the status of the missile batteries?¡± inquired Kysaek.


    ¡°They¡¯re operational, but they won¡¯t be able to fire for long if I deploy them,¡± Inoie opined, considering the amount of enemy air units.


    ¡°We won¡¯t need them for long either. Once the hangar is cleared, you can use the batteries and shoot down the land cruiser. If Ela¡¯Riin¡¯s bombs go off outside and the cruiser crashes, the resulting chaos should give us the time we need to escape.¡±


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°I knew you¡¯d be a help,¡± Re¡¯Lis said gratefully. ¡°Turn off the camera sound and let the Little Lady scream, Inoie!¡±


    The fighting in the hangar had ground to a halt and PGI dominated the scene with its forces, at least fifty figures. None of the Disciples, on the other hand, were still on the scene and PGI began to work on the locked basistor. Transporters continued to bring in fresh troops despite the blockade, but even without sound on camera it was clear that the emerging noise of the Bolt droppers, the blazing fires and the black smoke were quite a distraction. Apparently so much so that no PGI soldier or bot noticed what was happening over their heads.


    The Little Lady appeared from her den and her six flat heads jerked uneasily as if they were about to burst open. Suddenly a violent blast went through the weapon, the sonic force of which was so tremendous that a visible shock wave emanated from all six heads. Mercilessly, the invisible force swept through space, ripping wreckage from the ground as well as enemy units and turning crates into deadly projectiles. Hovering and straight-approaching bolt-droppers were easily smashed out of the hangar or against the solid walls of the building, if they did not collide with each other.


    What fell down after the big bang of the Little Lady also stayed there - motionless, bleeding from the helmets, spraying with sparks and clearly over.


    But that was not all, for now the land cruiser came under fire. Nimble missiles flew from the previously hidden batteries in the front of the house, next to the bay, towards the ship, revealing its weaknesses. Manoeuvrability was the first, for the land cruiser was as sluggish as a snail in dodging, which is why the projectiles slammed unabated against its hull. The resulting explosions and flames cracked the ship open, revealing yet another disadvantage - it had no energy shields to speak of. A severe list was beginning to show on the land cruiser and it was no longer able to maintain a stable position, which degenerated into a sinking backward flight, at the end of which it smashed into a turret building, giving the building a distinct scar.


    ¡°Time to go!¡± said Re¡¯Lis seriously, leaving the command centre with Kysaek and Inoie.


    In the great hall, the connecting point of each base area, there were also active semibarriers with their green honeycomb-like energy fields and the remaining female disciples had gathered here. It was no longer quite half the original size of the organisation.


    The coming of Kysaek, Re¡¯Lis and Inoie was accompanied by a detonation that took place beyond the base entrance.


    ¡°Is that all of them?!¡± asked Re¡¯Lis, startled by the number of survivors.


    Jor made one thing grimly clear. ¡°There could be even fewer.¡±


    ¡°And there are still more than enough of us,¡± Ela¡¯Riin interjected belligerently. ¡°Why should we run away? We kill them and lead them before the face of Dealith! That¡¯s what we always do!¡± Her words were heard by some of the sisters.


    Re¡¯Lis, in turn, appealed to everyone¡¯s reason, but without stern authority. ¡°Right now, our lives matter more than more death. Enough people have died today.¡±


    It had no effect on Ela¡¯Riin. ¡°We are to let the deaths of our sisters go unpunished?¡±


    ¡°Ela¡¯Riin, this is not the place or time for a discussion!¡± sighed Re¡¯Lis in an attempt to get her way. But right now, the age order she was in command of hardly counted. The atmosphere was too heated for that and Re¡¯Lis was not convincing enough.


    Even Kysaek noticed that and was about to speak up, but who was she? She was the newcomer, the burden, the reason why all this was happening. In the end, the others might punish her for standing out now, and so she kept silent out of fear.


    Impassive, Ela¡¯Riin goaded everyone. ¡°What do you say? Let¡¯s show it to PG.... argh...!¡± Out of nowhere, the Galig was struck by a massive piece of steel that had fallen from the ceiling. Surprised, the rest backed away and looked up, terrified, at a hole. It was wide enough for someone to slip through, and more of them sprang up all over the ceiling, causing a veritable rain of falling debris.


    One of these fragments came down in close proximity to Re¡¯Li¡¯s, but Kysaek saw it in time and pushed the doctor from behind without consideration, landing with her coming up on her stomach at a safe distance before the steel hit the previous spot.


    ¡°Kysaek,¡± Re¡¯Lis bristled. ¡°I...¡±


    ¡°Later, Doctor!¡± interrupted Kysaek. She hastily picked herself up with Galig and tugged her towards a semibarrier.


    Meanwhile, untargeted plasma shots hailed from the holes, not offering much of an attack radius, but still the attacks hit a disciple. Grenades fell into the hall, explosive and blinding, enough anyway to scatter all the sisters on the floor.


    It was a preparation for the invading PGI soldiers, who did not jump out of holes and fall uncontrollably, but flew - an ability they owed to their aether packs - and stayed in the air to attack from there.


    Thanks to the semibarrier she was behind with Re¡¯Lis, Kysaek was spared the explosions and sight-stealing effects of the shells. ¡°Now we have no choice, Doctor,¡± she said firmly, ¡°we must fight!¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately yes,¡± agreed Re¡¯Lis and like Kysaek she picked up her pistol.


    A desperate struggle began, a struggle in the beginning of which half of all the surviving Disciples died again, for the element of surprise was too much on PGI¡¯s side, and on ropes foot soldiers lowered themselves into the hall.


    Jor was among those still alive and hissed animalistically. ¡°I can¡¯t see you, but I can smell you!¡± Her weapon resembled a bazooka, except she didn¡¯t carry it on her shoulders and there was no missile in the large launch tube. Instead, Jor held the cannon in one hand and discharged bright red bullets, almost like fire, from the lush barrel. Many of her attacks hit their target, but other than the bullets fizzling out in steaming clouds on impact and the PGI soldiers being knocked back or wincing violently, nothing happened - no enemy died.


    Still, the attacks were a help, distracting the enemy and allowing counterattacks by Kysaek, Re¡¯Lis and other survivors.


    Kysaek in particular, driven by anger, showed that she had improved her shooting technique, as well as her prismatics. She created lanky balls of white energy at the holes in the ceiling, but they grew in size in seconds and became small bombs.


    This further hindered PGI¡¯s entry, and just as no new units were following, Jor really cleaned up. Not only did the bullets from her weapon now have an effect, melting the armour of the enemies and partially their bodies - now the Hishek leaned forward from her reasonably straight posture and started to run. Her speed was high, something one would not have suspected at first for a creature of Jor¡¯s mass, and she ran over her targets effortlessly, trampling the soldiers, pushing them aside or lifting them high into the air and over her with her head bowed. Yet the Hishek had absolutely no problem in suddenly slowing down and using its tail to fatally bludgeon a number of enemies.


    One of the flying soldiers took aim at Jor. Kysaek spotted it and wanted to intervene, but there was no need.


    The soldier was not flying far from the ground and yet it was impressive when Jor leapt at him. What was remarkable was the distance of several metres and that her leap originated from a standing position, with which Jor took the soldier out of the sky. He lay buried under her predatory feet, which she used to slice open the armour like a tin can and disembowel the man. Painful screams escaped his mouth, but were silenced when Jor grabbed the soldier¡¯s head, ripping it from his body and shooting a bloody fountain from the open neck.


    This sent a shiver down Kysaek¡¯s spine and at the same time conveyed the maddening hope that she could win after all. On the other hand, she was confronted with reality. Around her, one sister after the other was dying and even Jor, that beastly fighting machine, was getting hit more and more often. That was why Kysaek could hardly believe that the Hishek could still stand, run and fight back. That was all over when a half-dead PGI soldier pressed his shotgun to Jor¡¯s eye, brutally ending her life.


    The last of the disciples were about to die and Kysaek¡¯s strength and courage left her in equal measure, even as she wished she were stronger and able to protect those who had given her refuge. ¡°Doctor! Come!¡± said Kysaek, dragging Re¡¯Lis with her. The Galig was the last sister Kysaek might be able to save; possibly Dios and Kuren were still alive. That was why she dared to try to escape to the hangar, the last straw.


    ¡°Not like that, bitches!¡± a flying soldier insulted the fugitives loudly and threw a grenade that landed some distance away from the targets.


    Still, the grenade was close enough and put an end to Kysaek and Re¡¯Lis¡¯ escape as the blast caught the women and knocked them down.


    Kysaek felt the pain, but she could still move and crawled along the ground. There was smoke around her, a saving smoke for the moment, for no one was firing at her or Re¡¯Lis, who was also still alive and rolling onto her back.


    Out of the smoke, the grenade launcher came towards Kysaek and Re¡¯Lis, standing on her feet, slow and appraising. She probably wasn¡¯t sure if her targets were dead.


    Time enough for Kysaek to stealthily slide her hand to her pistol, which had slipped from her hands in the blast. She pulled her gun close to her hip, ready to raise it at any second and put a bullet in the PGI soldier.


    She was close enough now to realise that her targets were not dead yet, but the soldier turned her head towards the ceiling.


    Kysaek did the same, as she perceived a scramble from one of the holes in the ceiling, and suddenly a PGI soldier without an ether pack tumbled through the opening.What was that!


    During the soldier¡¯s fall, there was clearly an exchange of gunfire in the upper rooms and a moderate glow filtered through the holes, masked by a familiar sound - the use of prismatics.


    One of the flying soldiers climbed up to a hole. Another on the ground asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on up there?¡± However, it went quiet again above before the former reached the hole, but that did not stop the latter. However, he only dipped his head marginally through the opening when a shot rang out and his blood splattered on the edge of the artificial entrance and he fell down.


    In their panic, the remaining eight soldiers fired at all the holes but achieved nothing.


    Seeing the commotion as an opportunity, Kysaek gathered her aching body and nodded at Re¡¯Lis.


    Stupidly, this attracted the attention of the grenade launcher, who had to change her magazine. ¡°YOU!¡± she said angrily, putting the gun on.


    ¡°Dammit!¡± Kysaek raised her pistol, fired - and could not believe her eyes, for the shot struck simultaneously with a powerful, unknown prismatic sphere!


    The concentrated energy pierced the soldier from behind and left a considerable hole in her chest.


    Thais was still alive and climbed through one of the holes in the ceiling, without her helmet, and her gaze was more than sinister. She dropped down and used her pistol during the free flight to kill some of the soldiers, but it was nothing. In the air, she assumed a posture like a sprinter taking off and surrounded her body with pulsating, prismatic energy. At her sole, the power of the universe gathered particularly conspicuously and suddenly she pushed off in the air as if there were no gravity. Thais shone so brightly with prismatic energy that she resembled a shooting star, and was almost too fast for a normal eye. She crashed mercilessly into one of the airborne soldiers and he was catapulted away so violently that he audibly broke every bone when he hit the wall.


    Then all PGI¡¯s firepower was directed at the new opponent, but she raced through the air again as a shooting star and finished off airman number two with one punch. That didn¡¯t stop the surviving enemies, who continued to shoot at Thais as she landed firmly on the ground. But it didn¡¯t matter how many hot plasma charges the soldiers fired at their target - none penetrated the prismatic energy that served as a shield for the enemy. ¡°There¡¯s no such thing! No one is that strong!¡±


    The words of bewilderment did not touch Thais as she stomped at walking pace towards her next victim, who lunged at her with a gun. However, the intercepted Talin as if it was the easiest thing in the world and turned the gun on the soldier. Having killed him with it, she prepared the end for the onrushing PGI troop, forming a whip of prismatic in her right hand. As she lunged, the white thread hummed before she cracked it forward with lightning speed. Throw one cut right through three soldiers and their bellies slid off their legs before the last enemy, still flying, became the target of the second blow, also sliced in half by Thais, from bottom to top, lengthwise through the body.


    There were no more screams, no noise of destruction or life - only the base¡¯s alarm system was still doing its work and Thais had her back to Kysaek and Re¡¯Lis.


    Kysaek helped the Galig to her feet and couldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°You¡¯re alive! I was beginning to think there...¡±


    ¡°Are you the only ones?¡± asked Thais almost too quietly. She didn¡¯t care about her own appearance.


    Feeling guilty, Kysaek didn¡¯t want to answer the question, but Re¡¯Lis did. ¡°Possibly still Dios and Kuren ... They should get a transport ready to escape.¡±


    If Thais had been unstoppable a moment ago, she now seemed completely introverted and simply walked past Kysaek and Re¡¯Lis. ¡°Then we should hope it is so, and not keep them waiting any longer.¡±


    Humbly, Re¡¯Lis looked down at the ground. She apparently blamed herself no less and now it was Kysaek who asked the question, ¡°How did all this happen? Why?¡±


    ¡°It is of no consequence now,¡± Thais replied calmly, but there was stern displeasure in her voice. It was just not clear who or what it was directed at.


    However, Kysaek accepted the answer, for the danger had not yet been averted and the hum of drills and the beeping of welding lasers could be heard outside the front door. It would be some time before the door was open and until then the base was clear of enemies.


    In the secondary hangar, the transporter was already waiting and Kuren¡¯s voice made it clear that the twins were sitting in the cockpit. ¡°We were beginning to think no one was coming!¡±


    It was a mystery to Kysaek how the tall, conjoined Sororan women fitted into the cramped pilot¡¯s seats above the small cargo bay, but it more than didn¡¯t matter now. She, Thais and Re¡¯Lis climbed into the Bolt dropper.


    ¡°We were listening in,¡± Dios said thoughtfully, still playing it safe. ¡°But is there really no one else coming?¡±


    Thais looked up at the ceiling of the Shuttle. ¡°There¡¯s no reason to wait any longer. Just get us out of here and far away from Cipi.¡±


    ¡°We will,¡± Dios said, and Kuren added, ¡°There¡¯s one last surprise for these butchers!¡±


    The Bolt Dropper began to levitate and shut down. Inside, everyone could follow via holo-images what was going on outside, such as just one flap of the hangar door opening with excessive difficulty and white clouds of steam pouring out of the perimeter of the steel. They fogged everything in record time, which must have been the surprise I mentioned.


    Outside, the clouds poured out as well, and although they obscured the gate, a lot of the gas dissipated rapidly.


    Blusters of PGI paused in silent glide near the hangar, just waiting for something to happen, but still they failed to stop the Bolt dropper as it suddenly thundered out of the fake clouds.


    ¡°We need to gain altitude fast!¡± said Kuren, but her steep flight into the sky was hampered by the onslaught of the chasing blusters and she had to dive down between the marble towers of the city. ¡°I can¡¯t go full power like this!¡±


    Even Kysaek, as an engineering laywoman, was aware that the Bolt Dropper could never go to full speed if it was constantly facing houses or other obstacles in a dense city. Unless, of course, one was keen on an imminent accident.


    At least there was no traffic, absolutely none, as PGI had probably cordoned off the district, and instead of Hoverwheels, a new PGI land cruiser slid into the Bolt-Dropper¡¯s route. It took the transporter under fire, but the twins lived up to their reputation as good pilots. They manoeuvred out the attacks so skilfully that one cruiser bullet blew a bluster away as they dived under the land cruiser and another of their pursuers crashed into it.


    ¡°That¡¯s really a lot!¡± commented Dios as a new pair of pursuers appeared and deployed homing missiles. She was prepared for this, however. ¡°Dud drop in three ... two ... one ... go!¡±


    Drones that would have fit on the palm of Kysaek¡¯s hand detached from the Bolt dropper and flew off on their own. The missiles veered away from the transporter and went after the duds, but they only had usable thrust for a few seconds before being destroyed by the missiles. Of the drones, however, one made its way to the pursuers and whizzed past them. The following missile caught a bluster only conditionally on the tail, however, and it was able to continue flying.


    Dios opined. ¡°They¡¯re not bad!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see about that!¡± retorted Kuren.


    Kysaek, like Thais and Re¡¯Lis, was shaken violently despite safety scaffolding on his body and complained, ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re going to ...!¡±


    The Bolt-Dropper reached a district where the aero-zones were flown normally by hoverwheels, and apart from the two romps at its tail, there were no PGI pursuers left. Nevertheless, the Bolt dropper hurtled between the flight zones and sank beyond them at a murderous angle into the abyss, straight towards a tower building.


    Daringly, the blusters replicated the action, only they had to fly closer together due to the tightening environment.


    Perhaps a hundred metres from the ground, the Bolt Dropper suddenly straightened and disappeared into a tunnel leading through the tower.


    New missiles were sent flying from the blusters and Kuren claimed, ¡°Right on schedule!¡± She blasted another wave of duds off the transporter, protecting it from destruction.


    The tunnel, however, got hit hard and the flames from the explosions spread rapidly through the narrow area.


    For the pursuers, however, this was no reason to stop and they headed straight into the fire without being destroyed. The flames were quickly passed, but then it happened! The machines were heading for a sharp right turn and came in too fast. They were too close together and could not manoeuvre sufficiently in this environment. The romps annihilated each other.Without those pesky pursuers and with a clear trajectory after the tunnel, Kuren was finally able to let the Bolt dropper climb steeply and a few breaths later the transporter was so fast that no one could catch it easily. The city became the cloudless sky and the blue planetary blanket gave way to the blackness of space and its sea of stars. Kysaek and the survivors left Cipi behind.

 The remnants

    For a long time Kysaek, now silent, exhausted and at a loss, sat in her seat, as did Re¡¯Lis and Thais, while Dios and Kuren flew the Bolt Dropper in the pilot seats above their heads. Almost two hours ago, the last survivors of the Disciples of Dealith had escaped from Cipi, but there was no new target and Kysaek, despite the dire events, had the urge for reconnaissance.


    However, Kuren beat her to it over the loudspeakers. ¡°Priestess ...¡± she began, as if she didn¡¯t want to ask any more questions. ¡°We¡¯ve been flying away from Cipi for over two hours now, but you haven¡¯t given us a new course yet, and flying haphazardly in space without a large ship is not very advisable.¡±


    It seemed Thais had only been waiting for this question. ¡°Set a course for Ohm II,¡± she said simply. It didn¡¯t sound like a real plan, though.


    That was why Kysaek frowned. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± she asked indignantly, but restrained herself. She just couldn¡¯t figure out how Thais could be so quiet all this time and only give orders when Kuren asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s more than enough for now,¡± the Talin replied feebly. Whether the weak demeanour came from the fierce fighting or the enormous losses, however, Thais hid it very well. At all, it was not quite clear whether the events touched her, for there was no emotion in her eyes and that was a good reason for excitement.


    ¡°More than enough?¡°, Kysaek snapped out of her skin and stood up. ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you? We¡¯ve been flying around here for hours in the void without you saying a word, and then ¡®Set a course for Ohm II¡¯ is more than enough?¡± Most definitely, she wasn¡¯t looking for a confrontation with her rescuer, but it wasn¡¯t on her mind, and Kysaek filled the tons of guilt on her shoulders.


    Whether it was experience or indifference, however, Thais displayed a boisterous calm. ¡°And what would your suggestion be?¡± she asked, but didn¡¯t wait for the answer. ¡°Should we turn around and kill a few PGI henchmen before the superior force destroys us? Or confront Skarg Peeks? Possibly even bury our fallen sisters?¡±


    Kysaek didn¡¯t want anything like that, of course, and she faltered. ¡°Yes, no, I don¡¯t mean that,¡± she said. There was so much anger in her, though, and it dominated her thoughts. ¡°But still, you must have more on your mind than flying somewhere?! And what happened anyway? How could it have come to this? Why don¡¯t we go to the next base of the disciples? Surely they won¡¯t put up with that?!¡±


    Thais freed herself from her seat restraint and crossed her hands in front of her lower face area so that her nose and mouth were hidden. ¡°Yes, they will,¡± Talin murmured. ¡°Because they sold us out!¡±


    Re¡¯Lis raised her hand. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Exactly as I say,¡± Thais sighed from between her held hands before pulling those apart. ¡°The Guardian betrayed us, as well as the rest of the disciples on Cipi. The meeting was a trap. They lured me away from the base and tried to kill me.¡±


    As Re¡¯Lis lowered her hand and her head, Kysaek began to pace up and down, stunned. ¡°Can¡¯t you rely on anyone in this fucking galaxy?¡± she huffed, slamming her fist into the wall, but it hurt like hell. ¡°Ah!¡±


    Thais couldn¡¯t keep it in her seat either, though her steps were without haste, and she turned her attention to Re¡¯Lis first. She put her hand on the Galig¡¯s head, whereupon she raised her head, and Thais¡¯ hand moved from her head to her sister¡¯s glass face mask.


    The whole thing seemed extremely familiar, even inward and intimate, like the love of two beings for each other. Still, the meaning was not clear, but Re¡¯Lis seemed nowhere near as excited as Kysaek and gently tapped her commander¡¯s wrist.


    After the tap, Thais took her hand away and she blocked half of Kysaek¡¯s up-and-down route. ¡°I would have to ask myself that question much sooner than you would.¡±


    Kysaek tried to catch up. ¡°How? What?¡± she blinked and stopped when she got in front of her commander.


    ¡°Whether you can¡¯t rely on anyone anymore,¡± Thais replied, minimising Kysaek¡¯s role because of the attack. ¡°I was quite na?ve and should know better after centuries, but you were not the reason for the attack, not at first.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean ¡®not at first¡¯?¡±


    ¡°The Guardian found out you were with us after making enquiries about our cell,¡± Thais explained intelligibly, but she had to fight herself, for every now and then a bitter note sprouted in her words. ¡°I made a mistake, Kysaek, but it wasn¡¯t letting you in with us. Supporting these terrorists, however, has taken its revenge and is the reason for this disaster.¡±


    Kysaek was certainly not keen on putting all the blame on herself, but she tried to follow the reasoning. ¡°The terrorists? But you had nothing to do with their attack.¡±


    ¡°Have you already forgotten who supplied them with the weapons?¡±


    ¡°The weapons?¡± asked Kysaek, still not getting through. It took her another moment to understand. ¡°Yes, you gave them the weapons, but you didn¡¯t .... Oh!¡±


    ¡°Yes, oh. I had thought that all traces about the deal had been removed, but in doing so I underestimated PGI¡¯s vindictiveness and overestimated the disciples¡¯ loyalty. When PGI got to know who had got the weapons for the terrorists, they immediately approached the judges and they didn¡¯t want a confrontation with Skarg Peeks. So they issued orders to the Guardian accordingly, and when she checked everything, it came out about you. However, the order to destroy us would have fallen either way.¡±


    It was hard not to show that, and Kysaek didn¡¯t want to be irreverent because she was still saddened and angered by it all, but the fact that she wasn¡¯t the direct source of the fighting gave her relief. ¡°So the leadership sacrificed us to avoid a war with PGI?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    The image settled in Kysaek¡¯s mind. If she had been so miserable a moment ago, thinking it had been her fault, she found it hard to appreciate how Thais must feel now.


    The Talin saw herself as responsible for everything, and as the commander and the one who had supported the terrorists, yes, she was. Still, Kysaek was not satisfied with the terse statement about Ohm II and wanted to know if there was more to it. ¡°Then do you have a plan for where else we could go, or why do you choose Ohm II?¡±


    Thais seemed taken aback and patted Kysaek on the shoulder. ¡°For one so young, and considering the circumstances, you are quite persistent and determined.¡±


    Was Kysaek? She found her question was one that any normal person would have asked at some point, and her ambition was more a mixture of uncertainty and annoyance than what Thais had mentioned. Kysaek, however, showed her appreciation for the words, for the Talin had plenty to worry about at the moment. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The gesture made Thais smile faintly before she turned serious and explained the plan to everyone. ¡°Dios and Kuren probably already know, but Ohm II is a small space station, in the second asteroid belt of this system.¡±


    Dios interjected. ¡°Doesn¡¯t that station lie on a smuggling route?¡±


    ¡°It does,¡± confirmed Thais, who was not using the station for the first time. ¡°I¡¯ve been there a few times when we¡¯ve received explosive drug shipments. Ohm II is not big, but the station will provide us with everything we will need for our immersion.¡±


    Going into hiding - Kysaek couldn¡¯t say she was happy that it meant just running and hiding again. That it had to be, however, was clear to her. ¡°You want to go into hiding there?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Thais shook her head. She expanded on the meaning of the station. ¡°On Ohm II, many kinds of smuggler ships pass by, but also more or less official refugee transports, and we¡¯ll get on one of them.¡±


    Kysaek had a hunch it was going to the Maw. ¡°Where are they going?¡± she asked, quite sure that she was now going to get to where she wanted to escape from being taken in by the disciples.


    ¡°In many directions,¡± Thais replied, not having a clear idea of which way it should be. ¡°Where we should go, though, I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t know.¡±


    Good sounded different, but that appeased Kysaek for now and she wanted to set Talin up. ¡°Well, I think the plan is good, and it will be a few hours before we get there, after all,¡± Kysaek said. Her Bolt dropper only got to a barely appreciable fraction of the speed of light at full power, but that was more than enough for a long flight within a solar system. A proper ship, designed for sustained space flight, would have been better, of course, but even with that the distances in solar systems would still be considerable and they could eat up an hour or half a day, depending on the target distance and available speed. Local space flight today was like air travel on planets then, before the time of stars. Flying in space was merely much more dangerous, but Kysaek trusted her pilots. ¡°When you say many directions, do you mean everywhere?¡±


    ¡°Pretty much, yes,¡± Thais nodded, exhaustion beginning to show on her face.


    Not being much fitter herself, Kysaek suggested, ¡°Then everyone can figure something out until we get there.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind,¡± Re¡¯Lis agreed.


    Thais also gave her consent. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡±


    Nothing came from Dios and Kuren, which was why Kysaek sat down again and closed her eyes to think quietly. The first thing that came to her mind was the maw to submerge, anew, but peace at Thais¡¯ idea worked too well and too quickly. Indeed, before Kysaek knew it, she nodded away and fell asleep.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Later, Kysaek¡¯s eyelids were pulled apart and she stared into the glare of a small lamp, not really realising whether this was a dream or reality.


    Behind the light was emblazoned the mask of Re¡¯Lis. ¡°She¡¯s fine so far,¡± the Galig said expertly. ¡°No permanent damage. It was probably just the stress.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see anything,¡± Kysaek murmured, realising this wasn¡¯t a dream and turning away from the blinding glow.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be over in a moment,¡± Re¡¯Lis replied, holding her patient¡¯s head fixed before she took the light away. ¡°No, she¡¯s perfectly fit.¡±


    Fit felt different to Kysaek, though, as her skull was humming and like a boiler under high pressure. ¡°My head is about to burst, Doctor Askar.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the stress,¡± Re¡¯Lis said, taking her patient by the hand. She uncrossed her wrist and held an injection vial filled with a bright red liquid between her fingers. ¡°You¡¯re just not used to situations like this, not to this extent, and the frequency doesn¡¯t make it any better.¡±


    She didn¡¯t distrust the doctor, but Kysaek pulled her wrist in a little. ¡°What are you going to give me?¡±


    ¡°A harmless plasmid. It will help.¡±


    That was enough for Kysaek, though she winced briefly as she was injected with the plasmid. ¡°You really are a good doctor, but I have been wondering all along why you are so good with humans.¡±


    Re¡¯Lis remained vague. ¡°It comes with the territory,¡± she said sadly. ¡°But it¡¯s the same reason Thais or I aren¡¯t as finished as you are - we¡¯ve been through worse.¡±


    Worse? Kysaek didn¡¯t even think to ask at first, but she at least stuck to asking what Re¡¯Lis knew. ¡°So what species do you know about in medical terms?¡±


    ¡°Besides mine? Humans, Talin, Palans, Hishek and Calans are well known to me. The rest only rudimentarily.¡±


    ¡°Impressive.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Re¡¯Lis is good and we¡¯ll need her,¡± Thais agreed, sitting opposite, herself an empty injection vial beside her. ¡°Which brings me to you - do you even want to stay by our side?¡±


    ¡°What else?¡± retorted Kysaek in reflex to the unexpected question. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I want to?¡±


    ¡°After I had some sleep and woke up again, I realised that a plan alone is not enough,¡± Thais said. She rubbed her hands together. ¡°I stand by my suggestion that we all stay together, but there is no longer any compulsion to do so. The disciples have betrayed us and we are everything but sisters anymore, and I don¡¯t want anyone here to think they have to come along. That¡¯s why I spoke to the others while you were asleep and they have already decided to come along. It stays...¡±


    Kysaek did not let Talin finish. ¡°No question about it!¡± she intervened. ¡°I¡¯m coming with you! You¡¯ve already saved me once, and I¡¯d be ungrateful if I abandoned you now ... Besides, I¡¯m certainly lost on my own.¡±


    ¡°Sincerely,¡± Thais nodded at first. However, she gave what followed a distinct note. ¡°If I didn¡¯t already know you a little, though, one could say you¡¯re shrewd and calculating, which could make one doubt your motives. You know you can¡¯t get through on your own, but I call it prudent because I trust you and believe you want to stay above all because you want to repay a debt and are grateful.¡±


    ¡°And she¡¯s entertaining,¡± Dios commented.


    ¡°And she brought us the special delivery. You can always use a good messenger,¡± Kuren added.


    Even in a situation like this, Dios and Kuren made their jokes, which Kysaek found funny, but possibly it was a defensive reaction or an attempt to cope with the setback. However, it could also be that it just didn¡¯t hit them. Kysaek didn¡¯t question it, but wanted to talk about the Ohm II destination. ¡°Now that that¡¯s settled, what exactly do we do?¡±


    Dios gave her opinion first. ¡°Our homeworld would actually be the ideal hiding place for us.¡±


    ¡°Would be?¡± asked Kysaek, looking up at the ceiling every time she spoke to one of the twins, though she couldn¡¯t see through the steel.


    ¡°The thing is,¡± Kuren murmured regretfully. ¡°If you were all Sororanians, this wouldn¡¯t be a problem. Our homeworld is like a vault - Sororanians very, very rarely betray their own people, no matter what you¡¯ve done. Family and blood are sacred to our people.¡±


    That sounded pretty social to Kysaek, a trait that didn¡¯t apply to most species, and that included humans. ¡°Yes, if we were Sororanians, that would be good.¡±


    ¡°Told you,¡± Dios sighed.


    Actually, Kysaek wanted to bring up her maw idea next, but Thais beat her to it. The Talin was nostalgic and pretended to be melancholy ¡°You know ... because of the attack, I had to think about the war again and I dreamed about it too. A cruel time.¡± Thais¡¯ memories, however, were not for comparison to the recent battle with PGI, but were the basis for her suggestion. ¡°But that also made me think of a place where we could hide.¡±


    A place that came to Thais¡¯ mind because of the war? Kysaek immediately thought of any bombed out ruins, abandoned cities, and again, the maw. Yes the maw made sense - it had always been the dark corner to crawl into, and always would be.


    The mention of Thais, however, was the complete opposite of Kysaek¡¯s reasoning, a dare and an unforeseen surprise that really had it all. ¡°There are many ships flying to Central from Ohm II.¡±


    Kysaek, Re¡¯Lis, Dios and Kuren asked simultaneously, ¡°Central?!¡±


    Thais remained serious. ¡°Yes, Central. That Central,¡± she said, and there was only one thing she could mean by Central - the city, the moon, the centre of the galaxy. At most, small children didn¡¯t know what Central was, but otherwise in this modern society there was no getting around it and even the most illiterate slave had at least heard of it.


    Kysaek couldn¡¯t believe it and assured herself, ¡°Do you really think it¡¯s wise for us to go to Central? Right under the noses of the leading species, the biggest governments and whoever else has something to say there?¡±


    Even Re¡¯Lis expressed misgivings. ¡°Kysaek has a point there. Why do you think that would be a good idea?¡±


    Although she was most certainly still burdened by the grave mistake and the destruction of her sisters, Thais stood behind her idea. ¡°It was just a spur-of-the-moment idea at first, because I couldn¡¯t help thinking of the conditions during the war and how countless living beings flocked to Central thinking they would be safe there. But it wasn¡¯t countless, it was endless streams of refugees and at that time a lot of problems came with them to the city. Enormous overpopulation, extreme scarcity of resources, and crime took on frightening proportions in the lower regions. That is why there is little order in the lower regions to this day. I¡¯ve been thinking about all this all the time now, and that¡¯s why I think Central is a wise choice.¡±


    How that could be the best option didn¡¯t enter Kysaek¡¯s skull and she drilled on, ¡°And you don¡¯t think we could give it some more thought and pick one of the millions of other places in the galaxy?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not saying that¡¯s not true,¡± Thais replied, leaving room for another suggestion. ¡°So what place did you have in mind?¡±


    Kysaek recapped the entire plan, questioning Central repeatedly. ¡°Sneaking into Ohm II as refugees is fine, but .... Central? Why Central? Why not the Maw, for example?¡±


    Re¡¯Lis again found the suggestion bad. ¡°That¡¯s what any fool in serious trouble does - run off to the Maw,¡± she opined, but the Galig was conflicted. ¡°Central, however, continues to elude me as well. It¡¯s too bad you¡¯re not amphibians, because I know some planets with good underwater hideouts.¡± In the end, Re¡¯Lis was convinced. ¡°No one would suspect that; no one will find us there, not so fast.¡±


    Thais followed up on Re¡¯Lis¡¯ last words. ¡°And so is my thought in relation to Central - who would suspect that?¡± she asked, but she didn¡¯t build solely on the fact that it was so unlikely, but reinforced her other argument. ¡°Central is a great place to go underground if you have the means for a flight, fake IDs and other necessities. The city may not be the maw with its many worlds and nooks and crannies and the ability to buy anything, but that kind of stands out too. My idea is based on the drastic mass of Central, which is a good place to disappear into, and in case you¡¯re worried, the surveillance in the lower regions is quite different from the government districts far above, where the rich, elites, politicians and guards have other things to do. They ignore the suffering among themselves anyway, as best they can, otherwise the problems would have been solved long ago and wouldn¡¯t have existed for decades.¡±


    At first Kysaek started to speak, but she swallowed the necessary air again. Curiously, her thoughts lingered on the statement. ¡°That ... makes sense,¡± she admitted, recognising the clever absurdity, especially while thinking of the lower regions of the city. ¡°Going to Central is really even more reckless than the obvious choice of the Maw, but then again, many do, and again, who would be stupid enough to go to the centre of the galaxy if they were wanted?¡±


    Re¡¯Lis was puzzled by the reason for choosing Central. ¡°So you want to go there because it would be so simple-minded? So obvious? Doesn¡¯t it work the same way with the maws?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but more people dive in the maw than on Central,¡± Thais said, but she wasn¡¯t finished comparing hiding places. ¡°In the maw you might get everything, but as I said it leaves a mark and pretty much everyone sells you there too. And the lawlessness only makes it easier to hunt us down. As fugitives to Central again, and maybe bribing an official in the process - that¡¯s a very different set of circumstances because the official advertises his corruption less than a crook in the maw would.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure it¡¯s just that it sounds funny,¡± Re¡¯Lis admitted, but she saw that the huge range of options was also the lack of same. ¡°However, nothing is certain. PGI certainly won¡¯t give up when they realise a few disciples have escaped and Kysaek is still alive. So it won¡¯t be easy either way, but maybe, yes maybe, Central¡¯s surroundings actually offer us more advantages. You may think what you like of the lower regions, but PGI will certainly not march there with an army. At least not without attracting attention. Public interest in Central is weakness and strength for us.¡±


    That yes, there were still clandestine assassins, Kysaek swallowed, though she figured that didn¡¯t need mentioning, and so she went along with the tendency towards Central. ¡°So it¡¯s decided?¡±


    Thais nodded and Re¡¯Lis said, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Kuren also agreed. ¡°We are definitely in, but there is one more thing,¡± she said, bringing up an important point which was unresolved and yet important to the plan. ¡°What do you have in your pockets and on your vortex cuffs? Because that¡¯s not going to be cheap on Ohm II.¡±


    ¡°Uh...¡°, Kysaek brought out. Her cuff was loaded with a few foreign currencies and she patted herself down. ¡°I have, I think, five hundred.¡±


    Re¡¯Lis had no digital currency at all. ¡°Nothing on the cuff,¡± she commented, reaching into her pockets. She ended up with two empty vials and a currency badge in her hands. ¡°I can add that.¡°¡±A badge, after all,¡± Kysaek said.


    ¡°Yes, but there are only two hundred saved and the residual value is only in the silver of the badge.¡±


    Kysaek sighed. ¡°Which is not enough for our needs.¡± She looked at Thais, but she had already raised her hands. There was nothing there except her pistol and Kysaek said, ¡°So unless Dios and Kuren have a small fortune with them now, we have a problem.¡±


    ¡°My sister spent our last foreign exchange on the package,¡± Kuren regretted.


    To which Dios added, ¡°And Kuren dropped that in the hangar too when the fighting started.¡±


    Thais, however, once again created calm as she had come up with a solution to this problem as well. ¡°We have plenty of foreign currency,¡± she claimed, subconsciously begging her pilots to forgive her. ¡°The Bolt Dropper is worth plenty.¡±


    ¡°You really want to sell our machine?¡± asked Dios, sounding as if she had already considered the option but kept quiet about it. ¡°We¡¯ve been building her for so long and she has some extras.¡±


    ¡°And because of that, she will earn us enough. We all have to make sacrifices so we can live.¡±


    Kuren grumbled. ¡°Yes, only our sacrifice is not empty pockets, ampoules or meagre foreign currency stores.¡±


    ¡°I know and we will be very grateful to you.¡±


    Like her sister, Dios was anything but happy. ¡°Us without a ship, it will be like a bird without wings - completely useless.¡±


    Kysaek noticed that the twins were nevertheless behind the proposal and cheered them up. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll get you a new ship as soon as possible.¡±


    Bright-eyed, Kuren replied. ¡°A ship? So not a fighter or small transporter, but a ship?¡±


    ¡°Well, I wasn¡¯t talking about a ship in the sense of big ships,¡± replied Kysaek, to whom everything was a ship, from small fighters to pompous battleships, but she meant a new bolt-dropper rather than a normal ship.


    ¡°Too late,¡± Dios agreed. ¡°You promised us a ship and we¡¯ll take you at your word.¡±


    Thais kept up the unintentionally comical mood. ¡°It looks like that¡¯s settled, and Kysaek¡¯s mouth has helped us a lot. I hope it stays that way in the future.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m always happy to help ...¡± gritted Kysaek¡¯s lips pressed together. She didn¡¯t take it so seriously now, of course, and yet she imagined in her head.Getting a ship - I couldn¡¯t even afford a hoverwheel until now.

 Ohm II

    At the beginning, Kysaek could do nothing, as could Thais and Re¡¯Lis. The three had stayed in the Bolt Dropper because they still wore the Disciples¡¯ colours and wanted to attract as little attention as possible on Ohm II. That was why they had sent Dios and Kuren off to buy clothes, as their few strips of cloth had nothing to do with the disciples.


    As soon as the new clothes were in, Kysaek and Thais were going to go out and organise fake identification numbers and seats on the next ship towards Central.


    ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll find clothes here?¡± asked Kysaek.


    ¡°Most definitely,¡± replied Thais. Her knowledge of Ohm II was good. ¡°Some people who come here literally sell their shirts if it will only get them somewhere. Others ...¡±


    ¡°Others what?¡±


    It was not something Thais liked to address, but she did not conceal it. ¡°I think I mentioned something about slaves, too. Not only do slave ships stop at Ohm II - slavers and hunters pick off the most desperate and defenceless travellers from the station. In the process, worthless clothes except for those people wear are often left behind and resold by third parties.¡±


    Honestly, Kysaek had never given much thought to such things, but she condemned it and now that she heard it, it struck her even more ill. ¡°Doesn¡¯t anyone here do anything about it?¡±


    ¡°Do something about it?¡± retorted Thais. She reminded Kysaek of what part of the galaxy they were in, the so-called lush expanses. There, laws were mainly focused on trade and corporations. ¡°We¡¯re on a lousy smuggling station here. Nobody cares about illegal slavery,¡± Thais opined, spreading her arms for emphasis. ¡°When people arrive here, penniless and with no chance of getting out of here, do you think those who have any say here want to feed such permanent residents through?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re more likely to call their slave-owning friends. Then there¡¯s a little reward for the call and they let their friends bag people.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, but some things can¡¯t be helped.¡±


    ¡°We could already ...¡±


    ¡°Cut the nonsense,¡± Thais said. Her priorities were quite clear, and dispensing justice was not part of them. ¡°This kind of thing can get us into trouble real quick, and we don¡¯t need any right now.¡±


    ¡°Just a thought,¡± Kysaek replied honestly. She had said that more out of guilty conscience than really wanting to, and she didn¡¯t like herself for that, because catching the poorest of the poor wasn¡¯t right and that didn¡¯t let Kysaek¡¯s conscience rest. However, she bowed to circumstances. ¡°Where are those two?¡±


    Re¡¯Lis spoke up. ¡°Knowing Dios and Kuren, they are having an ongoing conversation somewhere,¡± the Galig opined. Her task, after the change of clothes, was to get medical supplies and a bio-mask for Kysaek.


    Such a mask - or as it was also simply called, a mirror face - was made of lifelike skin and gave its wearer a different appearance. Re¡¯Lis wore a glass mask anyway, Thais could culturally cover her head, and Dios and Kuren were not really known. But that still left Kysaek, and merely hiding her behind a hood was not something anyone wanted to risk in the long run.


    It took a while, but eventually Dios and Kuren returned to the transport with handy boxes in tow. ¡°It¡¯s hard to believe what they charge for old clothes,¡± Kuren grumbled. Her sister was at the back and added, ¡°Besides, Thais¡¯ measurements weren¡¯t so easy to come by. Apparently not many stout figures come through this station.¡±


    Everyone was changing in the van and privacy was a foreign word, but that didn¡¯t bother any of the women. Only Kuren, who like her sister was wrapping herself in new layers of cloth, covering her neck area as well, was curiously and jokingly comparing the anatomy of Re¡¯Lis, Kysaek and Thais. ¡°After all, I¡¯ve often wondered how these foreign bodies don¡¯t bother you.¡±


    Kysaek was slipping on a pair of trousers and was still completely naked on top. ¡°What foreign bodies?¡± she asked irritably, looking down at herself. Had she picked up something from the fight and not noticed it yet?


    Kuren demonstrated on her own torso, drawing circles in the air above it. ¡°You and Thais, what¡¯s attached to you. Re¡¯Lis doesn¡¯t have that. What do you mammals call it? Breasts?¡±


    So that¡¯s what the Sororanian meant. As a member of an amphibian species, Re¡¯Lis had neither the beginnings of a bosom nor nipples - simply a smooth, slightly scaly surface, as men were known to have. ¡°Yes, breasts, and why should they bother?¡± asked Kysaek. To her, it was incomprehensible.


    ¡°I¡¯ve just always wondered how to get along with them,¡± Kuren replied ignorantly. She continued to do the twists in the air as if she had a bosom of her own. ¡°This jiggling, sagging, standing tight or weight ... I mean it¡¯s kind of different depending on the shape and size, isn¡¯t it?¡± Quite obviously she was alluding to the clear differences between Kysaek¡¯s taut but smaller bosom and Thais¡¯ magnificent curves.


    ¡°How long have you been working with Thais?¡±


    ¡°About five years.¡±


    ¡°And there¡¯s never been an opportunity to ask her?¡±


    ¡°It didn¡¯t seem appropriate,¡± Kuren talked herself out of it, exchanging glances with Thais, who only remained silent and smirked. There was a shake of the head from the Talin for good measure, but Kuren thought it was just fine. ¡°But now? I don¡¯t think there could be a more appropriate moment.¡±


    ¡°And looking into the Virtual system, that didn¡¯t occur to you?¡± asked Kysaek, and was at her tops. ¡°And as for jiggling - that¡¯s what bras are for,¡± she winked, popping back the straps of her cups.


    ¡°Just going into the Virtual system would have been boring, after all, and I only just remembered, looking at you, that I wanted to know,¡± Kuren asserted, finally stopping the airy imitations.


    Prudently, Re¡¯Lis ended the subject. ¡°Are you guys going to be done soon? We have some work to do and I¡¯d hate to stay in this dump any longer than necessary.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good to go, Doctor,¡± Kysaek said, ready to leave.


    Thais joined in. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s get to work. And Dios and Kuren - you make as much foreign currency as you can from the sale of the Bolt Dropper.¡±


    ¡°If we have to sacrifice him,¡± Dios sighed at the back, turning his head decisively, ¡°Let¡¯s do it at extortionate prices.¡±


    The tasks had been distributed and everyone was about to go their separate ways, but as they left the Bolt Dropper Re¡¯Lis remarked something to the twins with a little fun in her voice. ¡°Oh and as for foreign bodies or peculiarities, I bet Kysaek finds a lot more unusual about you than you do about her. After all, you are of an arthropod species.¡±


    Instead of them responding, Dios and Kuren immediately looked at Kysaek and she raised her hands innocently - she didn¡¯t even know what arthropods were. Before any new conversation could take place, however, Thais pulled her young partner along with her. ¡°Come on now!¡±


    Ohm II may have been a popular smuggling station and stopover, but no one had ever heard of cleanliness or order here, it seemed. Some of the corridors were littered with junk and rubbish, and the lights were completely missing in some areas, replaced only by a meagre emergency lighting. Not to mention, there was a strange haze below the ceilings, a fine mist of white, suggesting questionable and unreliable ventilation systems. On top of that, it was unusually warm in places, and in that heat lingered figures, creatures that simply sat there radiating misery or danger.


    ¡°That¡¯s not like Cipi, eh?¡± murmured Thais when she noticed Kysaek¡¯s tension. She was spot on with the question. Ohm II was a gloomier version of the starry corner and the Talin went further. ¡°But this is nothing. It¡¯s far worse in the heart of the maw.¡±


    Carefully, Kysaek brushed aside the face-covering hood of her poncho. ¡°And here I thought I knew what was going on after the Disciples¡¯ business, and now I feel really stupid.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re young, very young, and yet amazingly studious and self-critical,¡± Thais said, pulling the ugly green mouth scarf to fit in front of her lips. With the matching new head bandana, the Talin was well camouflaged. ¡°However, I sometimes get the impression this self-criticism is self-underestimation. It doesn¡¯t quite fit with your otherwise energetic nature.¡±


    ¡°Are you getting at something in particular?¡±


    Thais remained composed, but there was foreboding in her tone. ¡°I think you can do a lot.¡±


    ¡°... A lot of what?¡± inquired Kysaek. She couldn¡¯t follow Talin¡¯s thoughts and why she was suddenly talking about such things. Was this an attempt to build up after the bitter defeat? Or did it have another meaning? Kysaek didn¡¯t realise.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say I have a thought like that, but it¡¯s secondary now,¡± Thais replied and left it at that. She had possibly just said that to herself, for no reason, and suddenly she was talking about the subject that had come up while she was changing. ¡°Was Re¡¯Lis right? Have you been wondering more about Dios and Kuren than they have been about you?¡±


    ¡°You mean more like they were curious about us and our foreign bodies.¡±


    ¡°If you want to be so specific. My question remains, though.¡±


    Thoughtfully, Kysaek curled her lips. ¡°True,¡± she confessed, ¡°I never really used to be interested in other species. I mean, as a kid everything was wondrous and I spent most of the day with my mouth open, and later in school I learned names and some facts, but by then the interest had dwindled.¡±


    ¡°Regardless of background, however, it is the children who devour everything like a hungry negdrog.¡±


    Kysaek liked the comparison, as the fat and peaceful Negdrog were truly omnivores among animals, in the truest sense of the word. However, she had an explanation why she had not been so inquisitive at the time. ¡°You¡¯d really think it was, wouldn¡¯t you? But I think it was habit or mass. The galaxy holds more than a child could handle, after all.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s an understatement, even. Still, it doesn¡¯t suit you. I see a fresh mind just waiting to be unleashed, open to new things now. I see even more.¡±


    There it was again, and Kysaek pondered why Thais spoke of ¡°being able to do a lot¡± or ¡°seeing more¡±. However, since the Talin had strayed from the topic earlier, Kysaek remained relaxed. ¡°I thought you were a whole different breed of Talin, but now that I hear you talking like this - do all of your species have that mystical thing about them?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d say more philosophical, but I guess it runs in my family,¡± Thais mentioned, weighing carefully. ¡°Well, my biological family. It¡¯s very traditional. However, not all Talin are like that. Some take things more seriously than others and a whole bunch have developed their own lifestyle, but when you live around two thousand years, you might not get past some traits.¡±


    With the Eporanians, Kysaek already couldn¡¯t imagine what a five thousand year life must be like, and the same was true for two thousand, which is why she saw the merits of a short time span. ¡°When you live that long, don¡¯t you run more of a risk of becoming a smartass?¡±


    Thais delighted in the choice of words. ¡°Yes, arrogance is such a trait. What sounds wise is not necessarily intelligent. Long-lived species tend to think they know a lot of things better,¡± she admitted, speaking of the next person as if everything was fine. ¡°It just makes me think of what Dil¨¦n told me about your first meeting and how you ...¡±


    ¡°Dil¨¦n!¡± startled Kysaek aloud. She had forgotten all about Thais¡¯ younger sister. ¡°We have to get back to Cipi!¡±


    Hastily and gruffly, Thais pushed her companion into a corner. ¡°Shh!¡± she murmured warningly, looking around - luckily no one had noticed. Restless, Kysaek wriggled under her holding grip until Talin put an end to it. ¡°It¡¯s all right!¡± she said quietly, and managed to loosen up. ¡°Dil¨¦n is not on Cipi. She already flew to our home planet four days ago and is taking care of family matters. On my way to the base I sent her a warning. With my mother, I guarantee nothing will happen to her.¡±


    At first Kysaek had to catch her breath, as Thais had not exactly been gentle, before she sighed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. The shock ... I had completely forgotten about Dil¨¦n until just now.¡±


    ¡°She is not your family, nor is she a true member of the Disciples,¡± Thais opined. Her expression was a contradiction, as she appreciated the concern for Dil¨¦n while radiating that this was a private matter.


    ¡°If you say she¡¯s safe, that¡¯s good enough for me,¡± Kysaek nodded, but she was now electrified. ¡°Where is this bar now?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be right there,¡± Thais agreed.


    The destination was a nasty dive where ID traders ID traders and ticket sellers for the refugee ships could be found. How rough it could be in there was already suggested by the Hishek guard at the doorless entrance. While bass-heavy music boomed from the bar, the imposing lizard in heavy full gear stood almost motionless in front of it. Hardly a fibre of the lizard¡¯s body was unarmoured and two cannons were strapped around both arms, the appearance of which already announced a massacre. However, it did not give more than a cursory glance and bare fangs as Thais and Kysaek walked into the dive.


    There was nothing here that Kysaek didn¡¯t expect - an atmosphere dominated by shadows. The lights above the bar, the tables and the seating areas fluctuated between red, blue and normal white. There were not many guests, however, and those who were there sat by themselves or as a couple and rarely more. They were not refugees, however, of that Kysaek was aware. ¡°Do we search or wait?¡± she asked quietly, even as the music itself drowned out the normal conversations of the guests.


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    Thais gave a surprising instruction. ¡°I¡¯ll search and you wait.¡±


    ¡°I thought we were doing this together,¡± she said, driven by her eagerness. She didn¡¯t want to sit around again while Talin did the work and took responsibility, just like with the disciples.


    But in fact Thais had an important task for Kysaek and made that clear to her. ¡°We¡¯ll do it together and you¡¯ll be my insurance.¡±


    ¡°Insurance?¡±


    ¡°Yes. The characters here are not to be trusted and I need you to cover my back,¡± Thais explained, gesturing unobtrusively to the counter. ¡°Sit down, calm down and have a drink. I think you need it badly.¡±


    The task sounded important and it was, but Kysaek couldn¡¯t quite bring herself to see it as patronising. Calm down? Drink? As she thought of it, she pondered further. Why just me? Are you, Re¡¯Lis and the twins made of stone, or what? She definitely had to ask the others those questions, Kysaek resolved to do that later, but for now it was a matter of working as a team. ¡°I hope they have something decent here. After everything, that would be really good.¡±


    ¡°Just don¡¯t overdo it,¡± Thais said, choosing one of the empty, shadier seating areas.


    Don¡¯t overdo it - I hardly have any foreign currency anyway. This was not a new insight for Kysaek, but it did not need to be said aloud either. As she sat down at the modest counter, she checked her pistol again under her poncho. It was the only weapon she had left from the fighting, with only one magazine, and when Kysaek realised there was nothing wrong with it, she took her hand away from there.


    ¡°I hope you won¡¯t do anything stupid,¡± said a dismissive voice from the side.


    Despite her tension, Kysaek looked around leisurely. ¡°What makes you think that?¡± she asked, looking into the black eyeballs of a Sororanian. At least, Kysaek suspected it was a man, as the tone of voice was more virile, so compared to Dios and Kuren. On the body, in fact, she found no difference.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t be the first to think you could pull off a little heist,¡± said the Sororanian who was facing Kysaek.


    The Sororanian in the back gave a similar, and unkind, remark. ¡°But this is our shop and we¡¯ve seen it all before and it makes us nervous when someone hides their hands.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± rejoined the Sororanian in front. ¡°And when we¡¯re nervous, it¡¯s not good for our fingers and our plasma shotguns at all.¡±


    ¡°I just want a drink,¡± Kysaek replied tersely. She refused to be intimidated, thinking she would otherwise become the target of some hoodlums who preyed on the weak. ¡°If you have anything decent.¡±


    ¡°More than that,¡± the Sororan in front asserted. ¡°I¡¯m going behind the counter.¡±


    What followed was a cracking sound that gave goosebumps and with which Kysaek had been familiar since earlier. She found it unpleasant, but for Sororanians it was perfectly natural. The two beings detached from each other piecemeal and their backs were like a zip being pulled open. Previously intertwined, gristly cramps pushed outwards and a sticky secretion clung to them. But with the separation came more, in the form of growth, and that took place on the rear underside of the Sororanians. Perfectly timed, as their detaching process reached its end, each grew two extra insect legs, for without these and deprived of the support provided by the other¡¯s back, neither Sororanian could have stood alone and would have fallen backwards.


    Kysaek had seen exactly the same thing with Dios and Kuren after arriving on Ohm II, except that they had already been detached from each other and had instead joined back together. It was also the solution to her question of how Dios and Kuren had fitted into the seats of the Bolt Dropper - namely, separately from each other. However, simply separating was not enough. Dios and Kuren had even shrunk a little for the seats before growing back to their original size before reuniting.


    ¡°Before I ask what you want,¡± the Sororanian barman murmured, rubbing his fingers together. ¡°Can you even pay, or have I gone to all this trouble for nothing and you¡¯re one of the freeloading refugees hoping for a glass on the house?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not here to beg for anything.¡±


    ¡°Your mouth said one thing and your rag clothes said another, but let¡¯s call your bluff. What¡¯ll it be?¡±


    Kysaek didn¡¯t want to be picky and ordered a drink that was widely available. ¡°Give me a Gamma,¡± she ordered and was presented with a pint glass into which the barman poured a bright green, frothy liquid.


    After being paid, the barman showed himself more talkative all at once. ¡°So you¡¯re not a fugitive or a small-time anovin foolishly trying to rob our bar. What brings you here then? Someone walking around like that strikes me as a courier with hot merchandise.¡±


    ¡°Not more like an assassin?¡± retorted Kysaek. The taste of gamma flooded her mouth, a spicy and strong aroma.


    The barman was unmoved. ¡°If that were the case, do you think that would impress anyone here?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think anyone who¡¯s anyone would mouth off. That would be unserious. Wouldn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Serious criminals,¡± the Sororanian doubted. He stretched his long neck higher and showed a smirk. ¡°Either you have a sense of humour or no idea.¡± The barman just pretended that there was no such thing as serious and unserious when it came to criminals. Maybe the term was just wrong and ¡°reputation to lose¡± would have been more accurate.


    ¡°I tend to do both,¡± Kysaek replied. She wanted too much to look at Thais, but since the barman was talking to her, she avoided it. Apparently the Sororanian hadn¡¯t seen the two of them come in together and so Kysaek wanted to keep it that way. It even gave her an idea. ¡°But Ohm II is just a stopover for me. I have some things to do there in the maw.¡±


    The barman believed the false statement. ¡°You and half the people here. There¡¯s really nothing I haven¡¯t heard here,¡± the Sororanian asserted with conviction. On a station like this and with such clientele, however, it was no wonder and he tried to guess. ¡°What¡¯s in the maw? Someone who hasn¡¯t paid his gambling debts? A crime boss who will soon be dead? Maybe an important package that needs to be delivered after all?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯ve already heard everything, it wouldn¡¯t do any good for me to answer your question anyway. Therefore, I leave my intentions entirely to your imagination.¡±


    The Sororanian recognised enough of Kysaek¡¯s face to name her species. ¡°Quite clever, human,¡± he said, making a second glassful. ¡°This one¡¯s indeed on the house, but don¡¯t get cocky.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be careful,¡± Kysaek nodded and the barman left her alone. Still, she felt like she was being watched and she avoided looking any further in Thais¡¯ direction in any way, but there was one way she could.


    Instead of just looking out for her companion, Kysaek gave the whole establishment a glance. Indeed, some figures looked to her, wary or grim. It didn¡¯t last long, however, and everyone looked after themselves, and in between Kysaek swivelled to Thais, who at one point was no longer sitting alone and had company in the form of a calaner. While his mechanical legs and hips allowed him to sit upright, his tentacles hung loosely down or moved daintily along the seat and table leg. What he discussed with Thais, however, eluded Kysaek¡¯s hearing and the conversation went on for a very long time. Nothing like an ID or the like was exchanged, however, and after a while the Calanian relaxed and disappeared while Thais remained seated. Kysaek pondered whether that meant success or failure, but as her companion lingered in the seating area, she turned away and enjoyed the second gamma. This was also the most exciting thing for Kysaek, as soon Thais patted her on the shoulder and nodded silently towards the exit.


    Away from the bar, however, Thais said nothing, which was why Kysaek started. ¡°Have you had any success?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say it¡¯s all sorted,¡± Thais replied with reluctance, and although her face was well covered, you could see from her eyes and tightened skin around it that she wasn¡¯t in the mood for conversation right now.


    Kysaek therefore felt her way cautiously. ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± she said. Possibly the price was enormous or the Calanian had upset Thais, but Kysaek didn¡¯t let that get her down. ¡°I¡¯ve never been in a bar this bad before. Somehow I expected something to happen there any second, like a scuffle or a shooting.¡±


    ¡°Haven¡¯t we had enough bad luck today?¡± retorted Thais really unkindly. She had never been like this to Kysaek until now. ¡°You of all people, after the last few months - are you looking for trouble that badly?¡±


    ¡°Ehm, no, no,¡± Kysaek shook her head. What is wrong with her all of a sudden? She worried about that and wondered if it was because of her. Had Kysaek made a mistake in the bar? Looked too Thai too often and screwed up the deal? Or had she been too conspicuous in general? Whatever it was, Kysaek didn¡¯t want to irritate Thais further. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, it was just a comment.¡± She didn¡¯t hear another word from Thais and Talin noticeably picked up her pace, so that she was always a few steps in the lead, or as if she was even trying to outrun Kysaek. But she kept up and at the same time racked her brains. Is she in a hurry? Do we have to be quick? Why doesn¡¯t she say anything to me? Or could it be that ... Perhaps Thais¡¯ nerves were simply on edge and despite all her experience, her strength was failing her, for Kysaek was not so na?ve as to believe that her companion was made of stone. No one was.


    Whatever it was, it lasted until they reunited with the rest of the fugitive group. They met in an insignificant, empty side hall of Ohm II, something like a worse transit and business zone. Re¡¯Lis was fully loaded, with two handy suitcases in each hand and a seal unit, a better and bulkier backpack, on his back. Dios and Kuren were less loaded, but Dios still clutched a new code-secured cassette in her hands.


    ¡°I guess you got what you needed,¡± Thais said in reference to Re¡¯Li¡¯s belongings. She was still unkind and turned her attention to the twins. ¡°And you?¡±


    Kuren spoke softly as she named a large amount. ¡°Four hundred thousand foreign currency, which is not even close to half the actual value, before even a quarter ... But considering our situation, it¡¯s a lot.¡±


    ¡°Just about,¡± Thais agreed, since most of the foreign exchange had to go to one thing. ¡°Sixty thousand per ID card. I found a Seeker who doesn¡¯t ask questions and who I told I¡¯d rip his guts out if he did any research.¡± Three hundred thousand for all the ID cards was a lot and Kysaek enquired about the rest. ¡°And the places on the ship?¡±


    ¡°Ten thousand per head,¡± Thais replied. ¡°What¡¯s left we¡¯ll need for the bribe and our launch on Central, which means we¡¯ll be left with nothing, but alive and safe.¡± Her mood tilted all at once, for the Talin had more to say and her gruff manner suddenly turned into a quiet and discreet one. ¡°However, everything that happens from now on will not be my responsibility.¡±


    Everyone was confused, but Re¡¯Lis was the first to show verbal suspicion. ¡°What do you mean? Do you want to leave us?¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I meant.¡±


    ¡°Then please express yourself more clearly.¡±


    ¡°What I meant was this,¡± Thais began, but she looked at the row of women first and stepped through. A narrow viewport allowed her to see part of the asteroid belt between which Ohm II lay hidden, and the blackness of space in between. ¡°On our way here I was thinking, thinking a lot, and it was hardly about the further plans or the places where we could hide. It was only a tiny part of my thoughts, and the important thoughts didn¡¯t end until I was sitting alone in the bar after I¡¯d finished the business with the ID cards.¡± She was far from finished, and what was coming soon neither Kysaek nor the others could have guessed. However, Thais looked everyone in the eye, torn between firm conviction and depressed self-doubt, but no tears flowed from her. ¡°I will and will continue to be by your side, but after what happened on Cipi, after those grave mistakes that caused so much death, I will not and cannot lead you anymore,¡± Thais said, reminding Re¡¯Lis of something past. ¡°You know I never really could.¡± There was no retort from the Galig, however, and so the Talin continued, ¡°But I believe there is more to the horror and brutality of PGI. I have to believe it. It¡¯s my only consolation that so many have lost their lives, that there¡¯s more to it than a corrupt corporation and questionable experiments.¡±


    No, it definitely didn¡¯t faze Thais what had happened, Kysaek realised clearly now. It only worried her that Thais wanted to give special meaning to PGI¡¯s actions and that her sisters should have died for a greater cause than the profit of this shady corporation and that she now wanted to make a decision out of the wrong motives. Before Kysaek wanted to doubt those, however, she needed to know what exactly the Talin was thinking, and she inched her way towards honouring the dead. ¡°All our sisters have stood up to a powerful enemy, a hostile enemy, and as long as we live on, their sacrifice will not have been in vain. That is precisely why I wonder why you are doing this now, and how exactly you imagine it will continue when there is no one left to lead us.¡±


    Thais¡¯s answer was curt and yet weighty in its implications. ¡°We have you,¡± she opined, leaving more than just Kysaek speechless. ¡°You are not no one, are you? You belong to us.¡±


    More than a ¡°Me?¡± was all Kysaek could manage.


    ¡°Yes, you!¡±


    Re¡¯Lis objected diplomatically. ¡°Kysaek is far too young and inexperienced,¡± she opined, but she gave Thais a chance to explain herself. ¡°Could you please tell me what makes you think she would be suitable for this?¡±


    Thais steered against the question. ¡°I¡¯m more wondering what makes you think she couldn¡¯t,¡± she countered. Now it became apparent what had been behind the Talin¡¯s comical comments to Kysaek. It was her belief in potential, fed by observations and hopes. ¡°For her, this situation is not new. This is the second time she has escaped PGI¡¯s death trap and proved herself. You said yourself that Kysaek was a great help in defending our base.¡±


    This did not convince Re¡¯Lis. ¡°She really was, but that was just one fight. If it wasn¡¯t for us, she¡¯d be dead by now. Have you forgotten what happened to her at the warehouses?¡±


    ¡°At least she held out long enough for us to save her, and of course, you did your part to help her recover, but survival is also related to a strong will - you saw it often enough in the war.¡±


    ¡°A strong will does not make a good leader.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s a start, and what makes a good leader then? They don¡¯t just appear, they are formed. And how are they formed if not through experience and leadership? And neither of those things can Kysaek gain if she doesn¡¯t lead.¡±


    ¡°We could argue at length,¡± Re¡¯Lis sighed. Her contradiction wavered, but it was not broken. ¡°But why Kysaek? Why not someone else...¡± The Galig did not utter the rest, apparently realising that there was no one else left.


    Thais made that clear as well. ¡°She¡¯s the only one who can,¡± she said warmly and honestly. ¡°You¡¯re a good doctor, Re¡¯Lis, but I know you don¡¯t want to be a leader, and Dios and Kuren are the best pilots I know, but they¡¯re not fighters nor do they like to make hard decisions, but that¡¯s what will be needed.¡±


    Kuren came to terms with the remarks. ¡°And we have no interest in that, that¡¯s the main point. We don¡¯t want to lead anyone.¡±


    ¡°And maybe we need a new face, that is, now that the disciples thing is over,¡± Dios said, underlining that she was behind Kysaek. ¡°Someone with different ideas and a different way of looking at things.¡±


    ¡°And how would it be if in fact no one leads? If we decided everything together?¡± asked Re¡¯Lis.


    ¡°Diversity of opinion only creates disunity and not capable leadership,¡± Thais interjected firmly. However, she did not mean suppression of opinions. ¡°There are rankings for a reason, and when everyone speaks or commands, only chaos results. We are not a nation, a planet or a whole species. We are not backed by a safe society that allows us eternal discourse, and that is why there must be a leader, and I put my trust in Kysaek.¡±


    Dios and Kuren echoed the sentiment unconditionally, as if they had only been waiting for that to occur. ¡°So do we.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure where you get that confidence,¡± Re¡¯Lis admitted, still opposed. The fact that Kysaek had saved her life had not been forgotten by the Galig, however, and she found a way to live with the decision. ¡°But without Kysaek, I¡¯m sure I would be as dead as the rest of our poor sisters. She saved me, and since I owe her my life, I put it in her hands, and if she ever gets stuck, she can ask us for advice.¡±


    Everyone chatted about it, but Kysaek was silent until now, not understanding how everyone - or rather Thais - came up with the idea. You want me to take the lead? What have I missed, please, for it to come to this? These were two of several questions that just flashed through Kysaek¡¯s mind. Just because she was alive, should she be special? Have the strength and clue to lead? To be able to do more? And now everyone was still looking at her as if they were waiting for Kysaek¡¯s yes, and that didn¡¯t make it any better. ¡°Are you guys crazy? You can¡¯t be serious!¡±


    ¡°I know it¡¯s a lot to ask,¡± Thais replied. ¡°But I believe in you.¡±


    ¡°I certainly don¡¯t lack confidence. However, there is no question of you being a leader!¡±


    ¡°But you acted like one when it mattered,¡± Thais argued, seeing the defence of the base as evidence. ¡°Everyone relied on you and needed you, and you did your best.¡±


    Re¡¯Lis added her acknowledgement. ¡°That is true. It may have been just a fight, but I simply carried on what you said. I was completely overwhelmed with the situation.¡±


    ¡°And look where we are now!¡± retorted Kysaek, stunned. ¡°If I¡¯m supposed to be so good as a leader, why didn¡¯t we win?¡±


    ¡°A leader is not characterised by winning every battle,¡± Thais opined. She wanted from Kysaek what she herself could no longer do. ¡°A leader lives with the decisions he makes and holds everything together. He takes care of his people, keeps going and inspires others, and even if he doesn¡¯t always win, in the end he leads everyone to victory.¡±


    That Kysaek cared about everyone was true and she wanted to help and support everyone as much as she could. However, what was in the room now was beyond her scope and almost crushed her. On the other hand, she thought of Thais¡¯ statement that she was still alive and had a strong will. But whichever side Kysaek looked at, good or bad, she would not and could not give a final answer now. ¡°We have a long flight ahead of us, right?¡±


    Kuren nodded. ¡°Yes, a long and boring flight.¡±


    ¡°I ... Give me time,¡± Kysaek asked thoughtfully. ¡°I¡¯ll think about it on the flight to Central and give you an answer before we land.¡±


    ¡°I like that,¡± Dios said teasingly. ¡°A good first decision.¡±


    Kysaek gave the Sororan a look that was meant to show that she didn¡¯t like this slight side-blow at all, and yet she rang the trip resolutely. ¡°Then let¡¯s get out of here. Off to Central!¡±

 Central

    Act 3: Kysaek - In the centre


    ¡°I wonder how much longer it will take,¡± Kysaek murmured to herself as she opened her eyes. The journey had been going on for a long time and she would have loved to rest, but brooding kept her awake.


    The others slept and lay close together in the cramped quarters, as there were no beds or other lying options than the floor. Dios and Kuren took up most of that space and served as a cubby for Thais and Re¡¯Lis. This was definitely not a five-star trip, but at least Thais had used the tickets to get this separate cabin on the cargo ship, or rather an empty storeroom.


    However, the room here was already luxury. If, on the other hand, Kysaek thought of the cargo holds and corridors of the ship, where almost every inch was used as seating or storage space. A dense crowd that barely left room to walk, although she really wanted to go for a run to clear her head. Here, crammed in like this and in the presence of others, Kysaek just couldn¡¯t do it - I have no idea what to do, she mused.Up to here and after Central everything was planned and organised by Thais and suddenly she can¡¯t and doesn¡¯t want to anymore? And now I am supposed to carry on? I don¡¯t understand. Try as she might, she couldn¡¯t think straight in here.


    That¡¯s why she stretched her legs outside the chamber, confinement or not, but thinking quickly became easier and she again gave serious thought to the suggestion, no, the demand, that she should decide the fate of the group from now on. On the one hand, Kysaek¡¯s knees trembled at the responsibility and she was afraid of disappointing the expectations placed in her, which was probably tantamount to death. Strangely, though, it was also an incentive for her, the desire to make sure everyone was safe. Besides, Thais had encouraged her further before sleep, reminding her of the story at the PGI compound when Kysaek took the lead without any ifs or buts and did what she should and could, even saving innocents, even though it went against her primary order. Did she have what it took after all? Was she just not used to it? Did she underestimate herself? They were questions that drove Kysaek to a wider holoscreen that existed in place of a window, for windows of glass, no matter how thick, were rare on ships. They were too weak to stand up to the infinite darkness of space and its pitfalls. Energy shields and steel, on the other hand, were.


    There was nothing to see of the actual black space at the moment, however, because the transporter was currently travelling along a dark route and was thus surrounded by a tunnel of fast-moving, bright red energy, the so-called dark energy. Simply considered, one could call it the roads of the galaxy or compare it to the roots of a tree, but whatever one called it - the dark routes were the cornerstone of every interstellar civilisation and expanding and travelling over great distances, free of significant time loss, was impossible or an absurd expenditure of resources without them. The routes, their energies, were the ying to the yang, the opposite to gravity, allowing an exponentially faster pace than the speed of light, far from earlier believed science.


    Kysaek didn¡¯t care about these details, though, and she thought of the last thing Thais had said before she went to bed - true potential is only revealed in the face of the greatest adversity. You either grow from it or break. On the one hand, the thought scared her even more and yet it was uplifting. After all, the situation could not be greater in terms of hardship and life has never been easy and would not get easier. If we get caught, it¡¯s over either way! Hiding from it and falling is even worse than not trying. Yes, suddenly there was her impulsive nature, the ability to take things on and stand up for herself and others. Maybe it was also a bit of cockiness. And if I¡¯m already given the opportunity to try something, I don¡¯t want to hide!Kysaek grinned at herself, for she was wearing her bio-layer under which she hid her true face and hid in that sense. PGI can kiss my ass and we¡¯re going to make it really hard for them!For her, it was decided - Kysaek was going to take the lead and find out if she was going to break or grow. As soon as everyone was awake, she was going to tell them. Now, though, her eyes were so heavy that when she returned to the chamber, she fell asleep without a problem.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to wake up,¡± Thais murmured with a shake of her shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ll be there in ten minutes.¡±


    Kysaek wanted to sleep on. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve got five minutes then.¡±


    ¡°And miss the sight of Central? Please. The rest are already out.¡±


    She didn¡¯t want to get up, but Kysaek knew there was something to Thai¡¯s words. She knew Central and remembered how overwhelmed she had been on her first visit, but the images in her mind desperately needed refreshing. ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay.¡±


    Kysaek and Thais weren¡¯t the only ones on their feet, though, as there was a dense crowd outside the cabin. This made it hard to get a good look at any of the holoscreens, but Thais had considered that. ¡°This way Nora.¡± she said, slowly leading Kysaek through the crowd, much of which was besieging the still-closed ship exits.


    For this reason, even though it was a diversion, the holoscreens inside the transporter were largely clear and at one of them stood Re¡¯Lis, Dios and Kuren.


    ¡°How much further is it?¡± asked Thais.


    Re¡¯Lis replied. ¡°Central is still a dot, but it¡¯s getting bigger and bigger and the ship traffic is already much heavier.¡±


    ¡°There aren¡¯t that many so far,¡± Kysaek interjected, taking a closer look.


    The transporter was just passing under a massive space station bristling with weapons, an effigy marked by edges and spikes. The Hishek preferred to use such elements in their works and this included an often imposing scale, creating a style that combined features of fortresses, monuments and pyramids. However, this space station was not the destination, although hangar after hangar was still used here in large numbers. Most of the ships, however, were heading for a white dot, the only planet in this solar system, which stood out more and more clearly in space and was growing in size. On their way there, many ships used different routes and although it was absolutely not to be compared with a dense city traffic like on Auranis, sometimes longconvoysformed in the vacuum of space. In between, however, there were other machines travelling in orderly formation. Thousands of militarily equipped frigates and cruisers, even a battleship of a good three kilometres in length, were making their orbits around Central and represented the fleet portion of the Rangers, the planet¡¯s protective force, solely committed to the spectrum. Every major power that wanted to be part of the spectrum had to contribute its share to the defence, in the form of assets, resources and ships. That¡¯s why there was no uniformity in the construction of warships.


    But whether space stations, ship roads and fleets - they all paled in the face of the gigantic Central, a city on the white planet whose dimensions were more reminiscent of a small country and it was currently located at a vertex of planetary rotation. The day and night sides collided above the city, dividing it exactly in half. In the shadows, the lights of Central shone clearly and traced their contours meticulously, but only the day side was able to show an explicit representation. One of the greatest eye-catchers was the huge dome in the centre, surrounded by sectors of the city separated by strips of steel wall, enclosing everything all around. Central was like a flower of steel, shining brightly in the darkness.


    It had been ten years since Kysaek¡¯s last visit, but to her the mega-city seemed even more vast and impressive. ¡°Simply incredible.¡±


    ¡°Now I¡¯m finally convinced, it¡¯s a good place to hide,¡± Re¡¯Lis said, fascinated. She had mentioned that she had never been here before and Central¡¯s spell had not only caught her.


    ¡°So many possibilities,¡± Kuren said and Dios followed. ¡°So if you can¡¯t organise something new for us to fly there Nora, then nowhere.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll sort it out,¡± Kysaek replied, but a new toy for the twins was not on her mind now or any time soon. That it was all much more formal and less direct now didn¡¯t bother her, because that was what everyone had agreed on and it was meant to protect the group. What was more important was that she made her role as leader official. ¡°At Central, I¡¯m sure it won¡¯t be easy, but I¡¯ll do my best not to betray your trust in me and I hope you¡¯ll support me whenever I need help.¡±


    ¡°So you will take the lead?¡± assured Thais.Kysaek put all the will in her voice. ¡°I am.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect anything else either,¡± Talin smiled, immediately putting her new leader to the test. ¡°What¡¯s the plan once we land?¡±


    ¡°Get in and find as good a place to stay as possible,¡± Kysaek replied, for none of them had made it through the controls yet and finding a sheltered retreat was her top priority. But you didn¡¯t have to be a super-light to do that, Kysaek believed. ¡°You have the most experience Th-,¡± she cleared her throat. ¡°Pashalia.¡± She almost called Thais by her real name. ¡°I¡¯m sure you know where to find a more accessible controller and where there are safe places.¡±


    ¡°The control part shouldn¡¯t be a problem. Just the second one I think we need to react to the situation on the ground.¡±


    Re¡¯Lis also wanted something to do. ¡°Do you also have a task for us or are we not allowed to do anything?¡±


    ¡°You stay with us,¡± Kysaek replied. She didn¡¯t want the group to split up. ¡°I have never been to the lower regions, but we should not split up right away. We¡¯ll take things one step at a time and in a few days I¡¯m sure everyone will have more than enough to do.¡±


    ¡°There might be something to that,¡± Re¡¯Lis nodded with satisfaction. ¡°We¡¯ll have enough to do now if we have to keep our eyes open.¡±


    Stolen story; please report.


    There was nothing more for Kysaek to say and arrival was imminent as Central¡¯s foundations rose into the air and the transporter had to fly a good kilometre above the ground to even reach an outer landing platform on the lower side of the city.


    It was not far to one of the many checkpoints, although it was a good distance inside the massive architecture and was dominated by an oppressive atmosphere: closed rooms, without a spark of sky or an unobstructed view, the extremely high density of new arrivals and their desperation. That was the prevailing image.


    Before the checkpoints, Kysaek still noticed that the amount of makeshift camps or that some had reserved a place on the floor was increasing. There was a lot of begging and this did not leave her unscathed. The oppressive atmosphere gripped her a little.


    ¡°By now it¡¯s really bad,¡± Thais said when she noticed Kysaek¡¯s expression. ¡°That¡¯s what happens when you just postpone problems and don¡¯t solve them, and then people suffer.¡±


    If it was already this bad here, Kysaek could hardly guess what awaited her beyond the controls. ¡°As you said Pashalia - it¡¯s good and bad for us.¡±


    ¡°More good than bad if we do it right, but take a good look around.¡°


    ¡±Look for what?¡±


    ¡°A checkpoint where clearance is quick and there are few or no guards. The fewer the better.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± asked Kysaek ignorantly. ¡°Should we sneak through?¡±


    ¡°No, we wouldn¡¯t be able to do that anyway,¡± Thais agreed. Her plan relied on another fact. ¡°We¡¯ll buy our way in there.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re talking about bribery?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± nodded Thais, who was very familiar with such things. ¡°There has always been corruption here on Central, but since the war and its end it has risen badly. Especially down here and in Central.¡±


    Kysaek had to think for a moment when she heard the word Central before it came back to her. Central was divided into three zones: The lower regions, the middle levels and the high layers. ¡°And at a weakly guarded post you can find venal people?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. I know that trick from smugglers who have done something here and there for the disciples. The fewer eyes, the higher the probability of an open bag.¡±


    Kysaek smirked and asked. ¡°You said probability. Could it go wrong?¡±


    ¡°Could,¡± Thais admitted, but she didn¡¯t pull a face. ¡°Here, however, it won¡¯t be a problem because, as I said, all they have to do is look around.¡±


    ¡°When I look around, I see a lot of suffering.¡±


    ¡°And few security forces,¡± Re¡¯Lis noted, and it was true. At certain intervals there were small patrols and clusters of well-armed police forces, looking more like army soldiers, supported by bots. Occasionally there was even a ranger, but against the overwhelming masses of refugees, one could hardly speak of enough security forces.


    ¡°Far too few,¡± Kysaek realised.


    Re¡¯Lis was no less experienced than Thais. ¡°A placebo for the masses and public. I saw it more often outside hospitals during the war. It¡¯s supposed to create a sense of control and show people that someone is keeping an eye on them. Most people don¡¯t realise that it doesn¡¯t do much good.¡±


    ¡°As long as the guards don¡¯t have their eyes on our access,¡± Kysaek said as she selected one of the posts based on the above criteria.


    While the rest of the controls were heavily guarded or completely closed, there was one where the guards were merely machines and logins were done in no time. At least a lot quicker than everywhere else. Sometimes people even came back out of the post, which meant they were denied access to Central.


    Thais was not deterred by this when it was her group¡¯s turn and she spoke to the Palanian controller in charge on everyone¡¯s behalf. ¡°We are requesting sanctuary in Central,¡± she said.


    ¡°Of course, or you wouldn¡¯t be here,¡± the Palanian said dryly. He was alone in the intransigent post and not arrogant or dismissive. He was simply acting like a bureaucrat. ¡°How many applications may I note?¡±


    ¡°Five¡±; reported Thais, since Dios and Kuren counted as two personalities despite their special connection.


    Leisurely, the controller noted everything down on his kit. ¡°Five applications. Are they a family or not?¡±


    ¡°Not a family.¡±


    ¡°So a purpose group. Does the same reason for flight apply to all of them or are there different backgrounds?¡±


    ¡°The same reason.¡±


    ¡°Good, good,¡± comments the Palanian. ¡°That fulfils the first condition on refuge. Now I need your ID cards so we can start the procedure.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Thais nodded. Instead of the requested ID cards, however, she pulled a foreign currency badge from her pocket and placed it on the table. Her hand covered the credit memory rather symbolically.


    ¡°These are not ID cards,¡± the inspector remarked. ¡°Do you know the difference between ID cards and foreign currency badges?¡±


    ¡°Very well, actually, because I¡¯d rather we didn¡¯t have to show the IDs and get a temporary refugee ID from you instead,¡± Thais said. If she could manage that, the group would still have the fake ID cards, but they wouldn¡¯t be registered with those on Central and consequently wouldn¡¯t be there.


    The Palanian sighed. ¡°Do you still have your IDs?¡±


    ¡°We do.¡±


    ¡°Then it seems I have to explain the laws to you, don¡¯t I?¡± the Palanian asked rhetorically. ¡°Temporary IDs are only available if you lose your ID cards, with a three to six week waiting period, and if you also meet specific conditions - and since you still have your cards and are unaccompanied by children, for example, you don¡¯t meet the conditions.¡±


    ¡°That is why I am offering you and Central appropriate compensation ...¡± said Thais, slowly pushing the foreign currency badge towards the controller. ¡°For the circumstances that we are in breach of so many conditions .... a problem that costs, say, two thousand per head?¡±


    Appraisingly, the Palanian¡¯s eyes fell on the approaching hand before he placed his over it and stopped this advance. ¡°I must advise you very strongly to rethink your priorities and how you behave here!¡± the controller rebuked louder as he deftly bagged the badge. ¡°Take care of your children and find them a good place to live!¡±


    Kysaek smirked. There was no one the Palan had to convince, and total surveillance, such as by cameras or audio recordings, did not exist in such proceedings, as it would have violated galactic rights. Data protection lived on in the present day.


    ¡°We¡¯ll do our best,¡± Thais replied as she got the temporary identifiers and handed them out to everyone - the fivewere now on Central not names but long numbers.


    In a lift and surrounded by two dozen strangers, they went down what felt like hundreds of metres and Kysaek was quite amazed that it had worked out so well at the control. Thais had said before the lift ride that not everything had to be difficult and that the worst was yet to come.


    A foretaste of this was provided by a friendly, electronic female voice over the cabin loudspeakers.


    ¡°Dear travellers, we welcome you to Central and would like to help you find a safe haven. For your own good, you should therefore avoid going into the side corridors at the end of the journey if possible and march strictly straight ahead to your sector. Once there, preferably travel in larger groups and seek out well-populated sections. We strongly caution you not to travel alone or through deserted areas. As a shelter seeker, you should generally avoid unnecessary danger and even though resources are limited, everyone is entitled to basic items and appropriate ration stations are located throughout the sector and are easy to find. I hope this little introduction will be of great help to you and wish you a good day ahead. Welcome to Central.¡±


    The announcement was not exaggerated, as Kysaek could see. At last she faced her destination - the nether regions of Sector Seven.


    It was a vast country that could not be completely grasped with the naked eye because of its area and enormous expanses. The only certainty was that somewhere in the far distance there was at least the next partition wall, just as in the two remaining cardinal directions. That and the continuous steel ceiling at a height of almost a kilometre, created the feeling of a galactic giant can, in which a tendency towards moderate darkness prevailed. Sufficient light, however, abounded as there was enough coming from everywhere. Buildings and connecting tracts on the ceiling shone it down, as did the wall sections, the settlements in the sector itself, and then there were the inhabited mega-columns. The colossal behemoths stood everywhere, were as wide as a village and the weight of the sky was on their shoulders.


    ¡°Nora, do you have any idea where we are going yet?¡± asked Dios curiously as she pointed rather ostentatiously towards the mountains of scrap metal


    Kysaek took the hint from the eager tinkerer, but she objected. ¡°No, we¡¯re not going there. That positively screams ambush and ambush.¡±


    Still, in Dios the tinkerer was aroused. ¡°But it also screams parts, many, many parts.¡±


    ¡°No, we stick to the plan,¡± Kysaek agreed. Once the first impression was burned into her mind and she no longer cared about the distinct features, she struggled to make a local assessment. Whether it was the shallow darkness, the rubbish or the feeling of being trapped and in danger, but to Kysaek the nether regions were a kind of technological wasteland. That was all she could see in it at the moment.


    ¡°Just wondering where it would be wise to go,¡± Re¡¯Lis commented indecisively.


    She was equally unclear, but Kysaek had to make a decision and think of her own experiences. Twice she had escaped and each time thought she had chosen good accommodation. However, when both went to pieces, she only narrowly escaped and wanted to choose her new base so that it offered safety and good escape facilities at the same time. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t be too far from the wall.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we?¡± inquired Thais, joking. ¡°You do realise that this isn¡¯t a fortress where the wall at our backs protects us from raids?¡±


    ¡°No it doesn¡¯t. But it is a good landmark and provides opportunities, like when planning escape routes¡±; Kysaek opined and even though it had been so long since her last visit to Central, she still had many things on her mind. ¡°A lot of maglev tracks run through the wall sections and go in every direction. It also has aero zones for hover wheels and landing pads and flight tunnels for ships, which means we¡¯d be on the public transport network.¡±


    ¡°That exists far away from the wall too Nora. Don¡¯t be completely fooled by the gloom.¡±


    ¡°Good to know, but still I think it¡¯s better if we don¡¯t go too deep into the sector.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to question your decision,¡± Thais replied, actually liking Kysaek¡¯s decision. ¡°I like your plan with the wall ... yet you are already planning our escape?¡±


    ¡°Purely precaution. We have everything in our hands now and should use what we are given.¡±


    ¡°Precaution, as a doctor would,¡± Re¡¯Lis said. She was often direct, yet not stubborn in her convictions. ¡°Now the only question is, where exactly should we go along the wall?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± came from the side. A Calanian in rags and on rusty, mechanical legs approached. ¡°You are looking for a good place to settle that is close to the Wall?¡±


    Settling was not the plan, but Kysaek guessed that was how the man understood it. ¡°Right. We heard it was better not to go too far into the sector,¡± she asserted, noticing that the Calanian was crippled. Two of its six tentacles were bisected.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s none of my business, but I just got here myself and I¡¯m on my way to Capon,¡± he told her, stretching his arm in one direction. ¡°It¡¯s about thirty kilometres from here and only a few miles from the Wall. There¡¯s even supposed to be a half-fresh lake and some usable farmland there.¡±


    Clean water and fertile soil were not at all what Kysaek could imagine here and she was wary. ¡°Why do you want to go there of all places?¡±


    ¡°A friend of mine came here two months ago and lives there,¡± the Calanian smiled. At least it was a smile when this species opened its few fangs so wide you couldn¡¯t see into its maw. ¡°Most of the newcomers are on their way to the city, which is quite manageable.¡±


    The stranger seemed sincere and Kysaek saw no reason why he should lie. Apart from that, there were dozens of people heading in the direction indicated and travelling in large groups was safer. ¡°Thank you for the information.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± the Calanian replied and set off.


    Kysaek was in the lead, but she wanted to hear the others¡¯ opinions. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Dios nodded, while Kuren was verbally in favour. ¡°It¡¯s worth a try.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of Capon,¡± Thais mentioned. It didn¡¯t faze her, though. ¡°Central is just too gigantic and growing steadily just down here, which is hardly surprising with all the refugees.¡°In Re¡¯Lis even the doctor was aroused. ¡°Did you see the Calaner¡¯s injuries? And those of the rest who are on their way to Capon? I would have plenty to do there.¡±


    ¡°There and all over Sector Seven,¡± Thais said. ¡°What do you think, Nora?¡±


    ¡°I say watching won¡¯t hurt,¡± Kysaek decided. After all, there were more than enough other places she could choose if Capon turned out to be a mistake, and there was one place she had to start with, after all. ¡°Let¡¯s get going.¡±

 Sector Seven - 1

    ¡°On the go again, Doctor?¡± asked Kysaek as she stepped out onto the balcony of her new accommodation and stretched. It was morning, at least by standard time.


    Re¡¯Lis was packing one of her medical cases. She was in high demand as doctors were a real rarity in the area and she was adept at treating multiple species, which made her even rarer. ¡°Yes Nora, I have to go to Capocapo in a minute,¡± she said. Capocapo was one of many outskirts of Capon, a village like the one Re¡¯Lis and the rest had lived in for some time. ¡°It will probably take me all day. If there¡¯s anything, contact me.¡±


    ¡°Will do,¡± Kysaek replied in farewell before lighting a cigarette and looking over her village, which was called Capona. This and the name from before, made her smile. Creative place names they weren¡¯t exactly, and sometimes confusing. Capona hadn¡¯t even existed until five months ago, but by now Kysaek knew some stories of the people.


    Already during the war, the lower regions had been declared refugee areas and this status still remained. It was one of the reasons why the existing infrastructures were simply no longer sufficient and such settlements sprang up out of nowhere. However, the resources were very much exhausted and so Capona consisted of only a few, normal buildings, while the rest of the houses were built from the recycling of the scrap metal that was abundant in the sector. This did not make the area fundamentally ugly or run-down, however, and produced highly creative properties in places, including Kysaek¡¯s. Half a house by normal standards, fused with the belly section of a container ship. She had to pay a lot for it when she arrived here, but in return it was one of the better dwellings.


    Others, however, were not so lucky or had enough means to afford a good house and got little or no help, which is why, despite the most modern technology, they were only able to convert the scrap into cheap corrugated iron huts as if they were still in the time before space travel.


    ¡°Nora?¡± called Thais through the house.


    ¡°Yes?¡°, Kysaek echoed back.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to the merchant on the north road now to take his package to Capon.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll see you later, after I¡¯ve taken care of the greengrocer.¡±


    ¡°See you later,¡± Thais was the last to say goodbye in the house, as Dios and Kuren were already long gone, pursuing the group¡¯s new task. A courier service, or as it sounded more serious, a shipping company.


    Kysaek could hardly believe how well her idea was going and she reluctantly left the abundant work to Thais, Dios and Kuren alone. But today it had to be, as Kysaek had an important and not cheap meeting at the market. She finished her smoke before getting ready, carrying most of the group¡¯s assets with her as she walked through the busy streets.


    Many were on their feet, but that was always the case. With no real sun and a constant dawning darkness overhead, there were no real days and nights in Sector Seven and everyone had their own rhythm. Work, however, did not necessarily mean that, as a good half lived from bartering and there was too much competition.


    So beggars were not a rare sight for Kysaek and she knew that people simply had no choice but to hope for the gifts of others. There were equally few of the rationing stations that had been praised on arrival in the area. One group of four homeless people in particular, a Palan, a Davoc, a Galig and a human, Kysaek had seen more often in the last few days, as she did again now.


    They were all huddled together on a blanket, dishevelled and dirty, with only a sign in front of them. One sentence in several species languages was written repeatedly on it, at least that¡¯s what Kysaek thought from the rest of thescribblesand read in her own language -¡¯We¡¯ve been stripped of everything, repeatedly, and all we want is a roof over our heads and food. Please help us.


    Kysaek felt sorry for her, but Thais had warned her to be on her guard, as there were enough desperados and scammers, and they were even the better kind of criminals. Crime had always been rampant in the lower regions, but thanks to the never-ending growth of new residents, the underworld had finally taken over the reins in all sectors decades ago, although the authorities were still officially in charge. However, Kysaek had not yet encountered any real criminals in Capona, and she only knew some of the rumours, reports and stories that were happening in this respect all over Sector Seven. Perhaps the village was the lucky exception.


    Capona was certainly a place that offered a lot and the market was no exception if you knew where to look. Kysaek had managed that since her arrival, when she met the Hishek greengrocer Prax, and it struck her as odd that a member of that sharp-toothed species in particular did not offer meat as a commodity.


    ¡°Nora! There you are!¡± greeted Prax, raising his neck in the air. He was quite small in stature, for one of his kind.... ¡°Back to buy Capona¡¯s best vegetables?¡±


    ¡°But only the very best,¡± Kysaek replied. The exchange of theBest was only a farce to foreign eyes and ears, a Code Phrase. ¡°What do you have on offer?¡±


    ¡°Oh, oh, you¡¯ll love this,¡± Prax asserted, selecting acrate. ¡°Freshly delivered from the neighbouring district, Agua.¡±


    Agua was a dark blue salad crop and this one looked very good, crisp and fresh, but Kysaek didn¡¯t think that was good enough. ¡°Is this really the best or are we back to the point where the really good stuff is hidden away until the richer customers come?¡±


    ¡°Ha, nasty talk!¡± murmured Prax. He didn¡¯t like the assertion. ¡°I treat all customers the same!¡± He showed his teeth more clearly and as if on order, his two henchmen joined him. Like Prax, they were also Hishek, but they clearly towered over him and appeared grimmer.


    It was no deterrent to Kysaek, however. ¡°In that case, after all, you¡¯ll have no problem convincing me otherwise and showing me the goods on your truck.¡±


    The demand was reason enough for the henchmen to step forward, but Prax held them back. ¡°If I didn¡¯t know you had some foreign currency in your pocket, I¡¯d bite your head off.¡±


    ¡°So richer customers do get preferential treatment,¡± Kysaek grinned before Prax led her to a small truck, a ground vehicle.


    It was quiet at the back of it. ¡°Rich people always get better treatment, a law of the universe,¡± Prax intoned, away from the hubbub. The lizard¡¯s farce was half fulfilled. ¡°Anyone who believes otherwise and complains is living in the wrong galaxy.¡±


    ¡°Mostly true,¡± Kysaek nodded, watching the second henchman stand lookout while the merchant picked out new crates of agua vegetables for them under cover of the truck walls. ¡°But I¡¯m not that rich either, and in Sector Seven I guess everyone is considered wealthy if they don¡¯t go hungry in the evening.¡±


    Instead of his short hands, Prax used his powerful runners to heave the boxes forward one by one. ¡°Matter of opinion, but it¡¯s true. They¡¯re not that rich either.¡±


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Maybe that will change soon,¡± Kysaek commented after she had one of the crates in front of her and a fresh, spicy scent was wafting towards her. The goods were clearly superior to those from the market stall and more deadly. ¡°Used?¡± asked Kysaek pushing away the vegetable leaves and exposing a glistening magnetic pistol barrel, wetted by the water of the Agua.


    ¡°Just as we agreed. The good weapons are unfortunately snatched up by the big gangs and criminal clans and syndicates,¡± Prax grumbled. You couldn¡¯t tell the Magnet weapons were second-hand, not many of which were intended for direct use anyway.


    Kysaek and her people only wanted part of the small arsenal of pistols, shotguns, assault and combat rifles. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± she asked in wonder. One of the rifles had a shape which she did not know. The frame was made of plastic and you had to put something in the bottom.


    ¡°Never seen that before, have you? I got two dozen of these for free. It¡¯s called an M16, a weapon from the early space age of humans.¡±


    ¡°Ancient firearms? Are you serious?¡±


    Prax was a trader, through and through. ¡°Old yes, but free for that.¡±


    ¡°But what good does that do us?¡± retorted Kysaek, disgruntled. She had made a deal with Prax to pay for the cartload of weapons and receive most of the profit from the sale. In return, Prax had to organise and sell the weapons for her, with no risk of his own on the pre-purchase, and he got a share of the earnings, although of course that would only be a fraction of Kysaek¡¯s income. ¡°Who buys these things?¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t anyone buy it?¡±


    ¡°Because with these weapons you could hardly kill a Hishek,¡± Kysaek opined. It was not because Prax and his men were lizards themselves, but she knew here. ¡°Even if they dont have shields and armour, the bullet wouldn¡¯t get through his leathery skin and certainly not through the iron parts. At best there would be scratches and I bet if you hit them with that, the gun would break.¡±


    This was not an argument against the old guns for Prax. ¡°There is a wide clientele. Against other species, even such primitive weapons are effective ... if they don¡¯t have shields and similar defences,¡± he admitted, but the merchant saw nothing further wrong with it. ¡°We don¡¯t make a loss with them, and perhaps the farmers need inexpensive weapons, against wild animals and all sorts of vermin. Leave the worry of the sale to me.¡±


    ¡°I just wanted to share my concerns,¡± Kysaek replied. There was nothing more to say on the subject, as she was aware that it was Prax¡¯s business. ¡°Here are the foreign currency for the supplier:¡±


    Prax received the plaque Kysaek had brought with her, where just under thirty thousand foreign currency was stored. ¡°Perfect. My partners rarely see it paid on time,¡± he said, amused. ¡°They¡¯ll really take you to their hearts.¡±


    ¡°Sell well and it won¡¯t be my last purchase.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t have much better in the lower regions,¡± Prax said, jumping off the truck. Without the stretch of his neck, he was as tall as his new partner. ¡°If all goes smoothly Nora, I¡¯ll double your invested foreign currency and if it develops into anything more, I could imagine getting better merchandise and I¡¯m not just talking mint. I mean possibly plasma, laser, or pressure weapons.¡±


    The words sounded tempting, but Kysaek wanted to keep to her mantra - one step at a time. Things were going too well for her to act rashly. ¡°For now, get rid of this load and bring me my share,¡± she clarified resolutely. ¡°Then we¡¯ll see what else turns up.¡±


    Prax was in high spirits and yet he uttered a reminder. ¡°I like the way you think Nora, but for your own good you should not tell anyone about our business.¡±


    ¡°That ... I wasn¡¯t going to. Why should I talk to strangers about it?¡±


    ¡°Curious characters are always around and when some hear about. that there is a lot of foreign currency somewhere, they come like parasites and suck in,¡± Prax snorted. He was not afraid to repeat himself. ¡°So keep our deal to yourself, just as your people should.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll remind everyone, and speaking of which, I need to get back. Work is waiting.¡±


    ¡°For me too and as far as I know today is harvest day,¡± groaned Prax. That sounded like a task that was reluctantly done, although so far everything indicated that the Hishek was only selling his goods and not growing them himself. ¡°That means I still have preparations to make.¡±


    Harvesting, fields, farming. The galaxy¡¯s temptations and opportunities were simply too great for Kysaek to want to earn his living by growing food. Opportunities abounded, in the form of public and private colonisation ventures, but the thought of being a farmer, in 2317, was backward to Kysaek, as if there were no galactic civilisation and no travel through space. Boring, in fact.


    ¡°Please, give us something,¡± pleaded a voice from the left.


    Because Kysaek was playing through her thoughts, she had not noticed that she had once again passed by the beggars from whom everything had been stolen. ¡°How?¡± it escaped her off guard and she looked into the eyes of the only Talin and woman among the beggars.


    ¡°Can they help us? With food? Water? Or perhaps some foreign currency?¡± the bedraggled Talin asked, trembling.


    That the situation made her uncomfortable, Kysaek could not deny. So far she had looked but done nothing and that remained in her thoughts. ¡°Yes, I mean no, so ehm ... yes, yes we have some food and water at our house.¡±


    ¡°Would you give us some of that?¡±


    She thought about saying no, but Kysaek couldn¡¯t. It felt wrong to refuse such a direct request when she had only cared about herself so far. ¡°We could certainly spare food and drink,¡± she replied, and although the situation was not a rosy one, she felt it was an opportunity. She wanted to know what had happened to the people to avoid a similar fate. ¡°I¡¯ve seen you sitting here reading the sign before,¡± she cleared her throat sheepishly. ¡°What happened to you, if you don¡¯t mind me asking?¡±


    ¡°The thing that always happens - you have some stuff and then others come and take it away from you,¡± the Talin said with resentment in her voice. ¡°The first time, it was in a colony on the border of Davoc territory. We lived there but there wasn¡¯t much protection because it was an autonomous settlement and one day pirates came. I¡¯m sure they can guess the rest.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, yes. What happened then?¡±


    ¡°We picked up remains in the destroyed colony and came to Central and were attacked by raiders on our way to Capon.¡±


    Kysaek could probably only call that bad luck and reenacted the situation. After all, she also had to start over for the umpteenth time, only things went better for her. ¡°And what are you going to do now?¡±


    ¡°Hope that things will finally get better. That¡¯s all we have left and that¡¯s all we can do. We are tired of building up and losing everything.¡±


    The beggars had already given up, or were on the verge of doing so, and Kysaek was not about to accept that. ¡°I have a suggestion for you all,¡± she said. It fitted into her current plans anyway and at the same time Kysaek could and wanted to do good. ¡°Soon we will be expanding our courier service and we desperately need messengers. The work is already too much and with the expansion it will surely be even more.¡±


    Astonishment was written all over the Talin¡¯s face and she glanced at her people who were no less surprised. ¡°You ... Are offering us work?¡± she asked cautiously.


    ¡°Sure. Surely you can all use it?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, but when would that be? Will it take long?¡±


    First she needed the profits from the weapons sale. Before that, Kysaek couldn¡¯t put her plans into action. ¡°A certain amount of time, yes.¡±


    ¡°And what are we to do until then? Will we still get food and water now?¡± the Talin enquired slightly officiously before making a counter-offer. ¡°Or perhaps you could help us in some other way.¡±


    ¡°Different? What do you have in mind?¡±


    ¡°I know it¡¯s presumptuous,¡± the Talin apologised in advance, looking uncertain. It took her a while to get through to her question. ¡°Could you give us foreign currency? Then we could stock up on our own and buy a cheap flat, and if you expand your business and hire us, we could pay back our debt in instalments.¡±


    Kysaek hadn¡¯t thought of such a thing and she liked the idea because there were only winners in the situation. ¡°I don¡¯t have much left, but just under four thousand I could lend you all.¡±


    ¡°R-really?¡± the beggar woman marvelled. You could tell that nothing good had happened to her for a long time because she doubted the offer. ¡°But that¡¯s too much and you need it as well ... why would you do such a thing?¡±


    ¡°Because I know what it¡¯s like to be on the ground and a helping hand is rare. The galaxy sucks enough as it is and I¡¯m not in the mood for this song, so I¡¯ll play a different tune.¡±


    ¡°Song?¡±


    ¡°Not that important,¡± Kysaek agreed, transmitting the four thousand over her vortex cuff. Since she had a temporary identifier and new cuff, there was no danger of her being traced. What she transferred was almost the last of the group¡¯s assets, but she considered it an investment that was also help. ¡°I¡¯ll be in touch when there¡¯s work to be done. I have the data on her Vortex cuff now, after all.¡±


    If at the beginning of the conversation Kysaek was at a loss for words, now the beggar woman was at a loss for words with joy. ¡°This is ... I can hardly ... You¡¯re ...¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right. Just use it wisely. That¡¯s thanks enough,¡± Kysaek said contentedly, and continued on her way home, while the four beggars gathered together, speechless as if they had just recovered a treasure of gold.

 Sector Seven - 2

    Later at dinner, Kysaek couldn¡¯t help but think that she would say no to such treasure just as little, for financial resources were an important part of her plans on the road to freedom. Foreign currency to buy equipment and other resources was important, but it could not prove her innocence or that of the others. She had to expose PGI, but she knew absolutely nothing and where to start was a real mystery. A very good Seeker should be able to help, perhaps even the legendary Seeker Zero, the most resourceful and cunning information trader in the galaxy. Contacting him, however, was very difficult and his prices were in other dimensions, so Kysaek dismissed this nonsensical idea. All good Seekers were expensive, but most were easier to find as official businessmen and the prices of some were at least remotely within Kysaek¡¯s means if business continued to flourish like this.


    ¡°How did it go at the market?¡± asked Thais as she ate, and not in short supply. The Talin had an amazing appetite at all hours.


    ¡°Everything is settled,¡± Kysaek replied with satisfaction. ¡°Prax said he might be able to get double the investment from the sale.¡±


    ¡°I believe him. After all, the more he earns from it, the bigger his little share.¡±


    A lot of foreign currency meant one thing to Kuren. ¡°It means Kysaek can get us something to fly soon.¡±


    Fake names were not necessary among themselves or in the house. ¡°Kuren, you know we have other plans for the profit,¡± Kysaek said. ¡°Besides, flying is always expensive somewhere.¡±


    ¡°I was talking about soon,¡± Kuren said. Her dreams already went much further than the arms trade or the expansion of the forwarding agency. ¡°But when we¡¯re making really big money soon, and you¡¯re the queen of the underworld, a ship will be a small thing.¡±


    Ruling the underworld was by no means Kysaek¡¯s goal and completely far from reality. She was not a criminal and did not want to be one, especially not an unconscionable one. She had firmly resolved to keep boundaries and use certain activities only as a means to an end. ¡°Are we talking about the variety of crime again? Drugs? Protection money? Contract killings?¡± she asked dismissively, and that was just a short list.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t question it with the disciples,¡± Re¡¯Lis opined, which was true.


    Kysaek had come to terms with certain things and some she didn¡¯t find so bad, but at the time she wasn¡¯t in charge herself. ¡°The disciples gave me protection and I showed loyalty in return. But this loyalty was not mutual in the end. It did not apply to me or any of you when we were sold.¡±


    ¡°I like it when Kysaek talks like that,¡± Dios remarked gleefully. ¡°There¡¯s something blazing in her every time. She has such a talent for speeches.¡±


    Re¡¯Lis shared the sentiment, but not without making a comment. ¡°A crude skill, because sometimes she speaks when silence would be better.¡±


    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s a matter of taste.¡±


    ¡°May be Dios,¡± Re¡¯Lis nodded, returning to the previous topic. ¡°I am not one to advocate crime or so-called illegal activity Kysaek, you can take my word for that. In fact, I am strongly against it.¡±


    It didn¡¯t really add up for Kysaek. ¡°If that is true, Doctor Askar - then why were you with the disciples in the first place?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Re¡¯Lis replied wanly. She was not avoiding the question, that was clear. Her tone, however, betrayed that it was none of Kysaek¡¯s business. ¡°What is more important is that we have a plan. However, we need resources and cannot waste lifetimes gathering them through normal channels. That¡¯s why I wonder why you make a business out of weapons but shy away from other things?


    ¡°Guns are the cleanest and smuggling I could imagine. Drugs though, destroy lives, protection money is oppression and extortion and don¡¯t even get me started on slavery.¡±


    Re¡¯Lis was of the same opinion on the last. ¡°Yes, making and selling slaves is something I would never support and would leave immediately if it came to that,¡± she mentioned seriously, rebuking Kysaek slightly dramatically. ¡°Guns are the cleanest? You do realise that guns kill and therefore not only destroy life, but wipe it off the face of the galaxy?¡±


    ¡°But we control the sale,¡± Kysaek said sincerely. ¡°We don¡¯t have to give them to just anyone, like looters or robbers.¡±


    ¡°After what happened to you, I can hardly believe how na?ve you are,¡± Re¡¯Lis said angrily. Memories from her war days must have surfaced there. ¡°Frankly, I have bigger problems with weapons and saw enough of their devastating effect in the Solaris War. Still, I tolerate them ... but don¡¯t tell me they are clean or that their sale is controllable. You rarely see someone for who they are or do you think all robbers are thuggish, scarred characters who scream their cruelty in your face?¡±


    Caught cold was still a nice way of putting it, but that was what had happened to Kysaek. She was caught cold. In fact, the weapons thing sounded much better in her head before when she had moreover decided to trade. ¡°I suppose ... No.¡±


    ¡°Quite right, you can¡¯t tell, and you have the least control over weapons,¡± Re¡¯Lis said, regaining her composure. ¡°Drugs, protection money, contract killing, even slavery, you know what will happen.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not entirely comfortable with the thoughts though,¡± Kysaek admitted, thinking. Would she go that far? Take advantage of people¡¯s addiction? Blackmail them into paying her foreign currency? Hire looters to commit robberies? Or possibly form a thieves¡¯ guild and steal? It was a varied list when looked at in detail and Kysaek wondered why Thais had been silent all this time. ¡°What do you say?¡±


    The Talin finished her cup in silence and held back. ¡°I¡¯m still thinking, but Re¡¯Li¡¯s approaches are plausible and I¡¯m sure she has more to say.¡±


    Either Thais was in a bad mood or she really was still thinking and Kysaek followed her advice. ¡°Do you have that, Doctor Askar?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a combination of questions and answers,¡± Re¡¯Lis agreed. Today it was she who gave the teacher, shared the wisdom of a long life and spoke as a doctor. ¡°Are drugs fundamentally a bad thing? Definitely no. Everything in medicine that is taken as a pill or injected is a drug. It heals bodies in all sorts of ways, strengthens and calms.¡± There was no disagreeing with this and the Galig continued. ¡°Some substances are declared illegal and dangerous, which is justified, and yet it doesn¡¯t matter. People decide for themselves what they want and if they want to snort some dust, what¡¯s so bad about it if we sell it? You don¡¯t force anyone and if someone is addicted to such things ... he has chosen his own path,¡± she said, folding her hands over each other in what looked like a tent because of the skins between the limbs. ¡°And it¡¯s also everyone¡¯s choice if they want to get help for these things and come to doctors like me.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t force people, that¡¯s true,¡± Kysaek mused aloud. But a guilty conscience still remained, the morality of society. ¡°Still, you build on the weakness of others with that. I don¡¯t quite like it that way.¡±


    Dios had something to say as well. ¡°Then be an honourable crook.¡±


    ¡°Honourable crook?¡±


    ¡°Sure. Take protection money. Offer it to people and give them a choice.¡±


    ¡°Since when do you give someone a choice in protection money? You want it because you¡¯re stronger and you can oppress people.¡±


    ¡°A variation,¡± Dios opined, turning it into a real business idea. ¡°Imagine you offer people security. All those who accept it, you protect and offer them special services.¡±


    ¡°Special services?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Get them denied farmer¡¯s permits, intimidate the competition, or collect debts.¡±


    ¡°Threaten people and break their fingers? You call that respectable crook?¡±


    ¡°Who talks about such things? You can intimidate with words without doing anything and you don¡¯t have to use violence to collect debts.¡±


    Dios¡¯ exposition was no less false than Re¡¯Lis¡¯ previous one, Kysaek realised, and had to grin. ¡°Have a code as criminals, respectable criminals, respectability. Recently I was told there was no such thing. We¡¯d probably be the first and it would be the only way I could think of certain things. Rules or nothing.¡±


    ¡°Then set some, but enough of that,¡± Thais said. Her approach was abrupt, but she wanted to bring normality to the round and talk about everyday life. ¡°Because I¡¯ve been wanting to tell you all about what I experienced today¡± It was a change from the work and stress.


    ¡°Is it exciting?¡± asked Kuren. ¡°Is it fun?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t see the slimiest and most disgusting smelling nyrnka I¡¯ve ever seen as exciting and funny¡± Thais weighed in. Her fun was yet to come. ¡°Funny was what I brought him.¡±


    ¡°What was it? Bath foam? Soap?¡±


    ¡°Close. It was various scent capsules,¡± Thais said. What she was describing were cylinders that were normally used in hover wheels or rooms to fill the environment with pleasant scents.Kysaek didn¡¯t think that was wrong at all. ¡°I don¡¯t think nyrnka like to stink. At least to other species. What¡¯s wrong with him wanting to make his house at least a little more bearable?¡±


    ¡°Not his house,¡± Thais smirked, holding a piece of bread between her fingers. ¡°For himself¡± Demonstratively, she ate the bread.


    ¡°He ate it? Really? Why? And can you even eat it?¡±


    ¡°Nyrnka can gulp down a lot without any problem,¡± Thais said.


    Biologically, the wolverine trait was the most useful and enjoyable of the short-lived hermaphroditic worm creatures, but it was also the only good one. The negatives weighed higher and were more obvious, which is why the Nyrnka were not particularly popular. It was not their direct fault, but they constantly emitted a foul and uncontrollable stench that was a by-product of their glands. They constantly produced a secretion and this slimed the whole body of the worms. Only through this liquid film were they able to move on solid ground, leaving behind a sticky trail of slime. Like the Calanians, Nyrnka could also resort to racks and mechanical means of locomotion, but at least they did, because their stench and the fact that the secretion dripped from their bodies did not change anything.


    In Thais story, however, the nyrnka had undergone a transformation. ¡°So he swallowed a capsule and you know what? He suddenly smelled like citrus and the unpleasant odour was gone.¡±


    ¡°Now you¡¯re joking,¡± Kysaek commented as she watched Thais smile in amusement. ¡°After all, if it could be done, other nyrnka would do it too.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it just never occurred to anyone?¡±


    ¡°In the whole history of nyrnka? You want your client to be the first? Never.¡±


    Re¡¯Lis indulged herself in the fun. ¡°I have to agree with Kysaek. I¡¯ve never met a nyrnka that smelled like juicy roast meat or fresh salad dressing just because it had eaten something like that.¡±


    Thais laughed and conceded defeat. ¡°I can see you can¡¯t be fooled,¡± she said, amending the narrative. ¡°The truth is, he made a chain out of the capsule and strapped it on himself.¡±


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    ¡°And did it do anything?¡± asked Kysaek.


    ¡°I could swear there was a rosy tinge in the air, but maybe that came from myself.¡±


    That was plausible to Kysaek. ¡°I believe that story immediately,¡± she replied, wanting to tell what she had done with the beggars. ¡°And apart from the deal with Prax, I also experienced a little something today.¡±


    ¡°As long as it has nothing to do with any form of work, it¡¯s fine with me.¡±


    ¡°Indirectly,¡± Kysaek noted. ¡°You see, I came from the market an-.¡°


    Suddenly an unmistakable shout from outside interrupted her narrative, and loud, raspy voices called out between them. ¡°Harvest time! It¡¯s harvest time! All the inhabitants of this section had better come out or we will come to you!¡±


    Thais rose quickly and her chair fell over. ¡°Bella¡¯Sa - what¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Harvest time sounds like farmers,¡± Kysaek said. ¡°Pretty grim farmers.¡± She didn¡¯t mean it, but she hoped it was the case anyway, and looked to see what was happening outside the house.


    From the vortex-cuff of a scyth, that call signal regularly boomed, beckoning the occupants to appear, as the greyed-out creature strolled lazily across the forecourt and along the street.


    Two parasitic species existed in interstellar space travel and the Scyth were one of them. They rivalled the Davoc in stout bodies, but theirs were completely devoid of hair and nothing more than tools artificially created to serve as hosts. Controlled by the real Scyth, these fleshy avatars were barely bigger than a clenched fist and hid under a mostly opaque dome. Their hidden throne was where species such as humans had their heads, except that instead of a head, the Scyth had a pointed collar and the dome was incorporated into it.


    It didn¡¯t stop at one scyth in front of Kysaek¡¯s house, however. ¡°Look at that,¡± she called calmly but alarmingly into the house, and in the meantime more of the parasitic figures appeared. Each bristled with considerable musculature and yet a sallow note surrounded them as bony forms rose from beneath the skin on their arms, legs and torso.


    ¡°Well great, Scyth,¡± Thais gritted. It was apparently not her first encounter with the unexpected guests. ¡°Where they show up in groups, trouble is never far.¡±


    The Scyth¡¯s armament spoke to that and Kysaek issued orders. ¡°Let¡¯s wait and see what happens. There are bound to be more.¡±


    The Scyth drove some of the villagers before them, striking them with shock lances. ¡°Go!¡± one of them said in a raspy slimy voice. Every movement of the parasites was lame, as if their reaction was impaired and therefore appeared wooden.


    ¡°I think we¡¯ve got them all now!¡± a male voice called out. It came from the forecourt where the call signal had died away and belonged to a human standing among the Scyth. ¡°Ah, I love harvest time!¡± the young lad grinned grimly. He wore an old, worn business suit and swung a plasma shotgun around as if it were an umbrella.


    Among the assembled residents, Kysaek also made out Prax, who looked at her and shook his head silently. What was he trying to tell her? Was Kysaek supposed to stay hidden? Or just complete silence? And why hadn¡¯t he warned her!!!


    ¡°What do we do now, Kysaek?¡± whispered Re¡¯Lis softly.


    ¡°We stay quiet,¡± Kysaek replied in the same tone. ¡°Only if we have to, do we fight back.¡±


    ¡°Good citizens of Capona,¡± the young suit spoke, raising his hands in the air quite politically. ¡°My name is Jason and as an emissary from my boss, Vincent Luan, I would like to extend a warm and official welcome to you all to our community.¡±


    The names Jason and Vincent meant nothing to Kysaek. ¡°Have you ever heard of them, Thais?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± the Talin shook her head. ¡°There are millions of small-time crooks.¡±


    Jason¡¯s overly friendly facade couldn¡¯t hide the looming situation, and it certainly shouldn¡¯t. ¡°I¡¯m sure you all know how tough it can be in Sector Seven and how dangerous. That¡¯s where we come in,¡± he announced as Jason turned his attention mostly to the new faces. He was still a long way from Kysaek, however. ¡°Unfortunately, the authorities of Central are not the quickest and quite stingy, which is why there is little or no security in villages and towns like Capon or Capona. Generously, we are taking over this part and have directed you all here.¡±


    A mutilated Calanian stepped next to Jason, a Calanian missing two of his six tentacles and instantly recognised by Kysaek. That fugitive had drawn her attention to Capon. Now, however, the cripple no longer looked so impoverished. Instead, he was armed and more neatly dressed, though the mechanical legs were still rusty.


    ¡°That¡¯s Arkat, who some also call Nimble Leg, but I wouldn¡¯t advise that to anyone here,¡± Jason admonished. ¡°I think you¡¯ll all recognise him, since Arkat sent you to our little community quite anxiously so we could protect you, and we don¡¯t ask for much in return. Just a fair, equitable compensation that is individualised to each situation.¡± Jason¡¯s laugh was inane, as if he were drunk.


    Dios leaned down. ¡°You see Kysaek? This is protection money like you don¡¯t want. They¡¯re obviously luring people here, waiting and then cashing in.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for pointing that out,¡± Kysaek replied sarcastically. ¡°I hadn¡¯t noticed that before.¡±


    ¡°Some of you think you have nothing, but that is a lie and I don¡¯t blame you. Some don¡¯t know any better¡±; Jason said, going through the ranks of newcomers. Like meat to choose from, he looked at the occupants and grabbed at times, especially those who were clearly female and possessed respectable curves. ¡°You have currency or valuables, muscle or are nice to look at. Each can serve a purpose and that is what we find, or to sum it up even for the most simple-minded - you are all our property now!¡°, Jason spoke out intimidatingly, bringing a faint yet rising unease among the newcomers while the old-timers remained silent.


    The Scyth suppressed the rebellion, pushing and striking at the people or using the electric end of their shock lances, while the sharp points of the lances were extended only as a deterrent.


    She was tempted to intervene, but Kysaek felt Thais¡¯ firm hand on her shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± the Talin murmured to her and she held still, although her body was very tense and that seemed to be getting worse.


    ¡°Speaking of which,¡± Jason hinted ¡°We have a rich harvest today! Too rich! And so you all understand how valuable and expendable you are at the same time and who is in charge here!¡± He snapped his fingers.


    One of the Scyth rammed the spearhead of his shock lance into the eye of a strapping, rebellious Palanian, and another of his kind grabbed a Galig from the pack. He grabbed her by the head and squeezed with his bare hand until not only the glass of her mask cracked loudly. The woman¡¯s skull cracked and the shards of glass and blood flooded her face as she went down.


    ¡°I think we understand each other! Now me and my men go see the rest,¡± Jason announced, spreading his arms in the air. ¡°Hope some here are good for more than slaves. We won¡¯t need many more of them for this harvest!¡±


    The commotion grew more sedate despite the situation and Kysaek guessed what the reaction would be, but she had to put the question to her group. ¡°How many foreign currency do you all have left?¡±


    ¡°A little over a thousand,¡± Thais replied.


    Re¡¯Lis had less. ¡°Seven hundred and twenty. I had to buy extra medicine because some couldn¡¯t afford it.¡±


    Kuren spoke for herself and her sister. ¡°We have just under one thousand five hundred.¡±


    ¡°Why the question?¡± inquired Thais. ¡°There¡¯s not much left of the big pot after the deal, but we should have more than enough for them to leave us alone.¡±


    ¡°Yes, after the deal with Prax it was still the same,¡± Kysaek said, mentioning what she had done with the rest of the foreign currency. ¡°And I know it¡¯s not a good time to mention it, but there was this group of beggars and I felt sorry for them ...¡±


    Thais couldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°Please don¡¯t say ... I warned you.¡±


    ¡°You felt sorry for them?¡± asked Re¡¯Lis. She was all for good deeds, but one thing she knew. ¡°We are surrounded by misery. You can¡¯t save them all, and if you try, it could destroy us right now.¡±


    ¡°All of them?¡± grumbled Kysaek. It wasn¡¯t a good time, but she justified herself. ¡°Because I helped one time now, in this rotten sector? And it¡¯s not like I was pretending. I offered them to work for us if we expanded and they wanted to pay back their debts through this offer.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I exaggerated,¡± Re¡¯Lis admitted. The situation had tempted her. ¡°The impending looting is not exactly conducive to health and sanity.¡±


    Kysaek stood by what she had done. ¡°Then you¡¯d all better be quiet - I¡¯ll sort it out!¡± she said quietly when it was her turn.


    ¡°Well hello, hello,¡± Jason marvelled when he saw what awaited him. ¡°I sense a big-¡± He swallowed the next word and checked with Dios and Kuren. ¡°They¡¯re women, aren¡¯t they?¡± The twins nodded mutely at him and Jason tapped them against the hull. ¡°Wow, so much feminine energy bundled in one spot. You five clearly lack male companionship, a concentrated load of testosterone. Otherwise people will get the wrong idea.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve managed quite well without men so far,¡± Kysaek countered. To her, Jason was a talker who let the goons do the dirty work. So she didn¡¯t want to give him any reason to use that tactic. ¡°And we¡¯ve been on the road for a while.¡±


    ¡°Who hasn¡¯t? A bunch of people looking for a place somewhere in the galaxy every day,¡± Jason opined. He agreed with the counter, however. ¡°But if you¡¯ve made it so far without men, respect¡± He briskly eyed the hooded Thais and her gorgeous curves. ¡°Mind you, they must have been the wrong guys then¡± he said, using his shotgun as an extension to press the barrel against the Talin¡¯s breasts.


    Thais remained silent and motionless, but her eyes spoke a clear language of denial and Kysaek at least opened her mouth. ¡°We¡¯d rather continue with our tried and tested plan and that can only benefit you, Jason.¡±


    ¡°I know, I¡¯ve heard of you,¡± Jason asserted, refraining from further innuendo towards Thais. The young criminal seemed to be using this behaviour as a test rather than actually making a move on the women. ¡°Nora, Pashalia, Alra¡¯Ta, and ...¡°, Jason agonised when he had to call Dios and Kuren by their false names. ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t care. I¡¯ll just call you number one and number two and since you look the same, it doesn¡¯t matter at all who is who.¡±


    Kysaek raised an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯ve heard of us?¡±


    ¡°At least I¡¯ve heard that you don¡¯t earn badly. Unusual for someone to make it so far so fast down here,¡± Jason winked. ¡°But maybe there¡¯s something to this -no dick in our ranks- thing and that¡¯s why you¡¯re so successful.¡±


    ¡°Does it matter why we¡¯re doing well? In the end, isn¡¯t it about us being able to make our ... Protection contribution?¡±


    ¡°We get along, I like that! Then show me what you have to offer.¡±


    ¡°You heard,¡± Kysaek murmured, being the first to reveal her credit on the Vortex cuff. ¡°Let¡¯s show you what we have.¡± Dios and Kuren did so without argument, but Thais and Re¡¯Lis were not so eager.


    At last, however, everything was exposed and Jason¡¯s expression was crumpled. ¡°Mhh, that¡¯s more than many here have, but is that all?¡± he questioned, because it didn¡¯t seem high enough to him. ¡°Your business is good, isn¡¯t it, and that¡¯s all you have? Do I have to go to your house and get the valuable stuff that you must have bought with our foreign currency?¡±


    About three thousand three hundred foreign currencies were owned by all of them together and Kysaek was careful not to tell Jason about the weapons. She had to satisfy him and she decided to speak a different truth. ¡°You won¡¯t find anything in the house, although you¡¯re right. There would have to be a few thousand more, but we don¡¯t have them anymore.¡±


    ¡°And what have you done with it?¡±


    ¡°Gave it to those who don¡¯t have it as good as we do.¡±


    Jason turned his head around strained. ¡°So we find your fortune with the pitiful lot?¡±


    ¡°With some, at least. We can¡¯t help them all,¡± she replied. The newcomers Kysaek had helped, however, were not to be seen in the crowd. Possibly they had been swallowed up in the crowd or had hidden themselves well aware of the harvest.


    ¡°Some are lucky you were foolish enough to help them,¡± Jason said disgruntled. He was against charity. ¡°That means the poor buggers survive this harvest and I honestly don¡¯t care which one of them it is: foreign currency is foreign currency and we always get people in the end¡± His displeasure remained nonetheless and Jason made one thing clear. ¡°Three thousand three hundred is too little for people who are doing well and I don¡¯t give a shit that your foreign currency is now elsewhere. That doesn¡¯t count as a protection contribution from you to me!¡±


    ¡°So what does that mean?¡± asked Kysaek with a sinking feeling in her stomach. She had somehow hoped that it might apply after all, but now she had to save the situation by convincing herself. ¡°We are making sufficient profits and can pay off the shortfall in the next harvest and bring enough foreign currency in the future! But if you drag us along now, who knows what¡¯s in it for you.¡±


    Jason¡¯s thoughts were similar and he looked strangely amused. ¡°I¡¯m sure you think I¡¯m a cheap thug with no brains, but that¡¯s what I¡¯ve got the scum for here,¡± he admitted, alluding to the Scyth. ¡°No, we will not take you and make slaves of you.¡±


    Relaxation spread through Kysaek, as it did through her companions. ¡°Thank you. We¡¯ll-¡± she said as Jason gave her a heavy blow to the pit of her stomach and Kysaek went down. Thais immediately wanted to help her, but one of the Scyth grabbed the Talin by the neck and lifted her up as if she were a flyweight and Dios and Kuren didn¡¯t know what to do.


    ¡°She¡¯s with us,¡± Jason instructed his goons and they grabbed Re¡¯Lis as he crouched down beside Kysaek. ¡°You see, I¡¯ve heard that your friend is a doctor, and that¡¯s more valuable in the uncertain regions of Sector Seven than a gravitational anomaly or ten sunstones. Consider her a pawn.¡±


    Kysaek could barely breathe. ¡°P-Pawn?¡± she coughed.


    For a rather unimpressive guy, Jason¡¯s punch had had a lot of force. ¡°Yes, because I¡¯m taking half your foreign currency now, but that¡¯s too little from you and that¡¯s why I¡¯m taking Alra¡¯Ta as a pledge!¡± he said slyly. ¡°We are here for two more days now and then we will be busy with the rest of the villages for about two weeks. When we¡¯re done harvesting, we¡¯ll come back here again and I want to see another four thousand foreign currency.¡±


    The air was slowly getting better in Kysaek¡¯s lungs. ¡°And then we get Alra¡¯Ta back?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± laughed Jason. ¡°We keep her anyway and if you can¡¯t pay your arrears in a fortnight, the little hit here was nothing because then I know your business is rubbish and those who don¡¯t bring a profit pay in other ways.¡±


    Thais managed to angrily chuckle despite his throat being packed. ¡°But if we don¡¯t get Alra¡¯Ta back, then she¡¯s not a pawn and you would have taken her anyway even if we had had enough!¡±


    Jason replied, taking another swing at Kysaek. ¡°Tell your girlfriend I don¡¯t give a shit about exact wording!¡±


    Her hands were tied, even though Kysaek would have loved to contradict with her smart-mouthed mouth now, or much more retaliate. But she couldn¡¯t and had to keep her anger in check. ¡°We ... will pay,¡± she took a deep breath and received first a pat on the cheek and finally a friendly slap from Jason. The harvest collector said no more and Kysaek could only watch Jason as he and his gang went with the now calmer Re¡¯Lis to the next new arrivals.

 From the bottom to the top

    Jason and the other robbers had left Capona and packed more than half of the newcomers onto trucks as slaves and sent them somewhere. After the gang disappeared, it became clear that harvest time was a regular occurrence and those who knew about it were not allowed to say anything to the newcomers. Those who did were at best new slaves themselves, but death was the most common consequence and often the inhabitants betrayed each other.


    It showed Kysaek that pure fear prevailed, in a well-woven web of Vincent Luan. People were lured towards Capon with false hope, settled there and integrated into the system with harvest time before it started all over again. A good tactic, Kysaek had to admit, and she had fallen into the trap unsuspectingly, but was still alive and had her work cut out for her. Not only did she want to free Re¡¯Lis as quickly as possible - she wanted to smash Luan and his gang so that the people would finally get their peace.


    ¡°I thought he wanted to come?!¡± asked Thais, upset. She¡¯d been irritated since Re¡¯Li¡¯s abduction, and she wasn¡¯t just taking it out on Kysaek. Dios and Kuren were also getting the obnoxious side of the Talin, which reflected more than her anger at Re¡¯Li¡¯s disappearance. Thai¡¯s body suffered equally in agony and she often trembled and sweat stood on her face as if the most important thing she possessed had been taken away from her.


    Kysaek could not find words for this deep attachment, as the Talin¡¯s body and mind were affected when she otherwise seemed so strong. ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be here in a moment.¡±


    ¡°In a moment is not now!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome to explain that to Prax when he gets here.¡±


    ¡°I will!¡± said Thais, folding her arms behind her head in perplexity. She couldn¡¯t stop blurting out accusations ¡°No one here warned us! Such a cowardly lot and I didn¡¯t see it coming, like I¡¯m only forty years old!¡±


    Among the long-lived Talin, people under the age of a hundred were not always taken in their stride, as Kysaek had heard. ¡°I think it¡¯s really bad too and I¡¯d like to punch some of them here,¡± she said in frustration. However, she could at least understand the villagers¡¯ actions. ¡°But what makes us so different? We are on the run, hiding and keeping quiet about many things out of fear. The people in and around Capon are no different.¡±


    ¡°Well, our situation is entirely different!¡± retorted Thais bitingly. ¡°Everyone here is oppressed by a small bunch of criminals, but they don¡¯t have to hide from half the galaxy! They could just go somewhere else or fight, but I guess they like to be comfortable and crawl!¡±


    ¡°Comfortable? But when we arrived on Central, you said something different. Do you really think many like to live like that?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, I couldn¡¯t care less right now! All I care about is how we get Re¡¯Lis back!¡±


    She was preparing to reply when Kysaek heard the door buzzer. ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡äs him,¡± she said, anticipating her guest. ¡°Come.¡±


    Together Thais and Kysaek opened the door where Prax was waiting. ¡°You¡¯re still here,¡± the Hishek grinned. He was accompanied by his two henchmen. ¡°That you haven¡¯t run away speaks well for you.¡±


    Prax too was about to become a target of Thai¡¯s pent-up feelings, but Kysaek did the talking. ¡°And that you came says a lot, though I don¡¯t know what to make of you ...you could have warned us.¡±


    ¡°Calm down,¡± Prax replied on a much more personal level of language. ¡°Let¡¯s discuss what¡¯s going on inside. There¡¯s too many miserable bastards and traitors on the streets to rat you out for a handful of foreign currency.¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, that¡¯s right!¡± nodded Thais, who was glad of Prax¡¯s attitude and at least relaxed a little. ¡°Come in.¡±


    One of Prax¡¯s henchmen murmured. ¡°I hope you have something decent to eat here. Having vegetables in front of me all day is upsetting my stomach.¡±


    ¡°We have something,¡± Kysaek replied. At the dining table, she and Thais had made provisions and dished up plenty of meat. The inviting feast, however, was no reason for Kysaek to hold back as her guests ate. ¡°I would love to know what sets you apart from the rest of the villagers - you three have been just as silent.¡±


    ¡°I have helped you,¡± Prax asserted. He gulped the least of the three Hishek. ¡°I told you not to tell anyone about our business, and since Jason only wanted me to do the usual, I guess you took my advice.¡±


    ¡°I did. The bastard already punched me in the face just because, in his opinion, we didn¡¯t have enough by our standards.¡±


    ¡°If you hadn¡¯t given them away, Nora ...¡± interjected Thais.


    Prax shook his head. ¡°Jason would have taken your Galig friend either way and found another reason to bully you. Even in the old towns of Sector Seven, there aren¡¯t many doctors or hospitals. The Galig is pure gold.¡±


    Thais seemed aware of the fact and she threw herself onto an armchair. ¡°I know, but I¡¯m still angry that Nora gave away our finances and that despite me warning her strongly about scammers.¡±


    ¡°It was an investment and how do you know they are fraudsters?¡± asked Kysaek. ¡°They might as well be the best workers we hired.¡±


    Thais rolled her eyes. ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°Investment? Workers?¡± inquired Prax brightly. He pushed the food aside with his muzzle and there was the businessman in him again. ¡°What are you planning to do and how can I get involved?¡±


    The complete and true situation Kysaek didn¡¯t want to explain and after the appearance of Jason and his gang, she wasn¡¯t sure about Prax anyway. ¡°Whether you can participate, we don¡¯t know yet,¡± she said. However, she had invited Prax precisely to get information about Vincent Luan and she had told him that before. Therefore, it was essential for her to know where the Hishek¡¯s loyalties lay. ¡°You talk of bastards and traitors and I and Pashalia are honestly anything but happy with the way people are behaving. You may have told me to keep quiet about our arms business, but still, what exactly sets you apart from the rest of the villagers?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sitting here, aren¡¯t I?¡± replied Prax harshly. ¡°Many wouldn¡¯t have even listened to you or dared to come. However, I am here because you wanted to know about Luan.¡±


    That Prax was sitting here spoke for him in a way, but it was no guarantee for Kysaek, because after all, every good trader checked his options and she could only guess what else the Hishek was up to. ¡°Tell me about Luan.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s in charge in Capon and the surrounding area, but I¡¯m sure you already know that much,¡± Prax said. He reported nothing that sounded extraordinary. ¡°Luan doesn¡¯t command more than that, though. There is too much competition for that and hardly any organisation can hold a large territory down here. Only a few can do it, and they¡¯re far away from us.¡±


    ¡°And you pay protection to him?¡±


    ¡°What else? He earns well from me and I do not live in poverty, but it could be much better,¡± Prax growled and he pressed his sharp claws into the wooden table so hard that the surface curled like paper under the claws. ¡°That¡¯s why you should keep quiet about our gun business, like I did to Jason, because if you hadn¡¯t, they would have beaten us up.¡±


    ¡°Or killed you,¡± Kysaek agreed. She considered Prax¡¯s point of view, who had really taken a risk and risked the wrath of Jason or Luan with the clandestine arms deal.


    ¡°I find this conversation too one-sided,¡± Prax complained. ¡°Why do you want to know about Luan? Are you planning to kill him?¡±


    ¡°First and foremost, I intend to free our friend Alra¡¯Ta,¡± Kysaek said. If she wanted to move forward, and not just in terms of freeing Re¡¯Lis, she had to take certain risks. ¡°But apart from that? No one has fought back yet and people are living in fear. They are being blackmailed, enslaved, assaulted or killed and it has to stop!¡±


    ¡°How heroic. You do realise though that even if Luan was gone, the next scum would just take his place?¡±


    ¡°Someone has to make a start and when people see that it doesn¡¯t have to be that way ...¡±


    Prax was surprised, but at the same time it was not new to him. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t be the first to want to clean up down here, Nora. In some places it even works, but most of the time it either ends in disasters or the liberators become the oppressors.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t want to oppress anyone,¡± Thais agreed, following her leader¡¯s risky example. ¡°And we need to take out Luan in any case because he stands in the way of our plans.¡±


    ¡°Plans mh?¡± murmured Prax. ¡°So nothing heroic after all, but pure self-interest?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like that!¡°, Kysaek shook her head. Her first intention had really been without ulterior motive, even if she realised now that Thais was right. Luan and his gang - they had to go. ¡°It¡¯s true that we¡¯re up to something important and if we get fleeced, it could take forever or never happen. But until just now I hadn¡¯t even considered that and it doesn¡¯t change the fact that I¡¯m all about taking out some crooks! It¡¯s the right thing to do!¡±


    ¡°I believe you,¡± Prax replied with amusement, since he didn¡¯t care why anyway. ¡°I honestly don¡¯t care. I want to trade and you are a good way for something to come of it.¡±


    ¡°And Luan?¡± questioned Thais. ¡°Who¡¯s to say he won¡¯t become a better option for you?¡±


    ¡°Believe me, I tried to do good business with him in the past, but to him I am nothing more than a negdrog ready for slaughter and I don¡¯t want to be that anymore.¡±


    Kysaek was now convinced that Prax wanted to help her and it was worth a try. ¡°The way you talk, you¡¯ve thought of Luan¡¯s elimination before,¡± she said directly. ¡°How big is his gang?¡±


    He didn¡¯t know exactly either, but Prax had a good idea. ¡°In terms of numbers, the Scyth make up the bulk of Luan¡¯s people. I counted about thirty at the harvest, but I think in Capon Luan has as many again.¡±


    ¡°That would be quite a few.¡±


    ¡°And add to that a dozen people who aren¡¯t Scyth.¡±


    ¡°How do you know how many there are?¡±


    ¡°I was in Luan¡¯s betting shop a long time ago and saw the bunch,¡± Prax replied. He knew more about the dozen. ¡°They do the important business in and around Capon.¡±


    Thais asked an important interposed question. ¡°What does he make the most profit on?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that clear?¡± retorted Prax, pointing with his short arms first at himself and then at Kysaek and Thais. ¡°With us, with the harvest. When Jason¡¯s done, he¡¯ll be carrying a fortune.¡±


    ¡°Mhpf ... If we could grab the profits.¡±


    Kysaek guessed what Thais was getting at. ¡°So we can move our plan along faster?¡±


    ¡°That too, but I thought you must have learned such in your time as a soldier, Nora.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t a model soldier. What should I have learned?¡±


    The war and the years with the disciples had burned it into Thai¡¯s brain. ¡°If you want to defeat an enemy, you have to destroy their resources. The Harvest is Luan¡¯s big business and the Scyth are his authority. If we take out both, the criminal can¡¯t hold on or threaten us.¡±


    Numbers were not the only thing Prax was good with. He demonstrated cunning and good powers of observation. ¡°A former soldier and a battle-hardened Talin, yes? Do you also have any idea yet how you will take out the mass of Scyth?¡±


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Thais shook her head and Kysaek didn¡¯t know either. ¡°It won¡¯t be easy, but if we decimate the Scyth and have Luan¡¯s fortune at the same time, it will be hard for him to replace the losses any time soon. And if he can¡¯t pay the rest of the thugs .... ¡±


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re right, Nora,¡± Prax nodded with conviction. Even cheap cannon fodder, as some Scyth were, did not work for free. ¡°If you two can fight, you have a good opportunity right now.¡±


    Harvest time was a repetitive cycle that always followed the same sequence of events, so Kysaek was good at planning for it. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± she asked, wanting to know why now would be a good time to attack.


    Prax looked at his henchmen, who were not only his thugs but apparently his family. ¡°Before Jason and the gang left, my brothers overheard that Nimble Leg and half of the Scyth were to head east to the only lake in the Angles.¡±


    One of the brothers puffed with his mouth full and spat out chunks of meat as he spoke. ¡°They raid travel groups trying to get to Capon from somewhere else. They do that a lot.¡±


    Immediately Kysaek spoke her thoughts. ¡°We have to stop this!¡± she said. If the gang was attacking innocent people, that was reason enough to go. Plus, it made the criminals an easier target and their fighting strength was halved by Jason¡¯s split. ¡°We¡¯ll use their tactics against them and ambush and wear down Nimble Leg¡¯s group,¡± Kysaek said. A little of her time as a soldier was paying off after all. ¡°And when Jason comes back in a fortnight, we¡¯ll take care of him. That way we would have damaged Luan several times over. His right hand would be dead, his foreign currency gone, and he¡¯d have lost a lot of minions.¡±


    ¡°If we¡¯re lucky, Jason will still have Alra¡¯Ta with him and we¡¯ll get her back,¡± Thais said, because unlike all the slaves, Re¡¯Lis hadn¡¯t been shipped off on one of the trucks and had stayed by Jason¡¯s side.


    ¡°You just have to make sure that no one knows who killed Nimble Leg,¡± Prax advised. He knew how things worked in Sector Seven. ¡°Attacks happen all the time, especially by other gangs, and if Nimble Leg dies without anyone knowing who did it, Jason will fall into the trap unsuspecting. But it could also be that Luan sends reinforcements to Jason if he thinks there is danger. On the other hand, Luan is an arrogant guy. I suspect he¡¯ll be more likely to send his minions to the Angles to find the attackers.¡±


    ¡°And if he reinforces Jason¡¯s group?¡± asked Kysaek.


    ¡°Then you must pay him and hold still for the time being. If your attack on Nimble Leg goes undetected, the advantage is that we could continue to plan in peace, but at least we would have dealt Luan a first blow.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I wanted to know anyway,¡± Kysaek said, because although Prax was passing on information, most of the work was left to her and Thais. ¡°Will the three of you be involved if it comes to a fight?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°No? Then what exactly are you contributing, other than what you told us about Luan? We do the work and you benefit from it? That¡¯s not how it works.¡±


    The calculated Prax grew grimmer and his brothers reacted equally as he did. ¡°And how will it go?¡±


    ¡°Fair!¡± clarified Kysaek. She reminded Prax of the arms deal. ¡°You said you wished for more, good business with us, but if that is to happen, you will do your part to fight Luan!¡±


    Thais backed up her leader. ¡°Unless behind your pointed teeth are only empty words and you are no better than the other villagers who prefer to submit,¡± she said, lifting one corner of her mouth. ¡°Tame Hishek, that one may see such a thing.¡±


    Prax¡¯s brothers were less interested in talking and fully conformed to the image of blunt problem solvers as they tossed the chairs and covered table aside. The threatening stance remained, however, as Prax intervened. ¡°Calm down you two!¡± he restrained his brothers and compromised. ¡°Tell you what, Nora and Pashalia - if you manage to take out Nimble Leg and his marauders, we will help you when Jason returns to Capona with his smaller force. Then you will see that my brothers are anything but tame when I dont stop them.¡±


    Cursorily, Kysaek looked to Thais and she received a curt nod from the Talin. She probably couldn¡¯t get a better agreement and accepted Prax¡¯s offer. ¡°Deal. Bring us some of the weapons and we¡¯ll take care of Nimble Leg.¡±


    ¡°Excellent!¡± replied Prax with satisfaction. He immediately set to work, taking his brothers with him. ¡°We¡¯ll be back soon!¡±


    The return of the lizards took longer than expected, however, which was surely due to the fact that the brothers could not simply walk through the streets with a few weapons without attracting attention. The long wait at least gave Kysaek more than enough time to prepare for action and that meant, above all, disguising themselves well with cloth, leather and synthetic material. Combat gear in the form of armour, suits or shields would have been more clearly preferable, but she made do with what she had and wanted to see how far along Thais was.


    The Talin had gone to her own room to change and was taking her time, which at one point made Kysaek wonder. Since Re¡¯Li¡¯s abduction, Thais had been off the rails and perhaps that was the famous straw that broke the camel¡¯s back. It hadn¡¯t been that long since Cipi¡¯s disaster and now Re¡¯Lis was in danger, whom Thais had known since the war or even longer. Kysaek didn¡¯t know that for sure until today, but what she did know was that the Talin and the Galig shared a deep connection. She didn¡¯t think Thais would harm herself because of it, not intentionally, but emotional stress was a sharp, invisible weapon and it could bring anyone down. Now, however, Kysaek needed Thais¡¯ full strength by all means and knocked on her door. ¡°Are you done?¡± she asked, getting no answer, and knocked again. When silence continued and Kysaek realised that the electronic door was unlocked, she cautiously peered into the room. Thais, however, did not find her here. Is she downstairs already? I didn¡¯t notice that she had left her room. On the ground floor, however, Kysaek found Talin just as absent and wondered even more. ¡°Thais?! Where are you?!¡± she called out from within the safe walls. Actually, Kysaek could have just tried via the vortex cuff, but the house hadn¡¯t been that big. Besides, that still left the small warehouse for customers¡¯ goods, though she wondered what Thais would want there right now. ¡°Are you here?¡± murmured Kysaek just before she was in the warehouse, where there were many, open metal shelves, which were preferably stocked with small packages and boxes.


    There, Thais stood leaning against a shelf. The Talin had a stiff posture and seemed rather tense. Her pain seemed considerable, as Thais clenched her fists and bent her arms as if she had to divert her agony somewhere.


    Kysaek wondered what was wrong, not to mention her concern. What¡¯s wrong with her? Should I talk to her? A thought that seemed more than necessary, but at the same time she realised that Thais was certainly hiding for a reason and didn¡¯t want to be seen that way. However, Kysaek didn¡¯t want to leave her companion to her complaining and retreated to the door of the camp where she pretended to come in first, only this time she announced herself more clearly. ¡°Thais?! Are you here?¡± ,she called out, certain that the Talin had overheard her earlier because of her suffering.


    Thais jolted her body and a metallic tinkling sound came. ¡°Y-yes, yes I¡¯m here!¡±


    ¡°Are you ready?¡± asked Kysaek, walking slowly between the shelves. On her way to Thais, she heard a rolling sound, but then it abruptly stopped. ¡°Because I think our weapons should be here soon.¡±


    Thais had her arms wrapped tightly around her torso, hiding the previous pain as if it had never existed. ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± she replied. That she had bent her knee and pressed her foot firmly against the wall, however, was impossible to miss.


    Kysaek, however, pretended not to notice. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Nothing in particular. I just needed to rest for a while and you should get the same.¡±


    ¡°Pretty hard to give yourself rest right now,¡± Kysaek admitted. That Thais was deflecting directly from herself to her reinforced her feeling that Talin was in a bad way. ¡°All I can think about is getting one over on those rotten bastards and having Doctor Askar back with us as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°Re¡¯Lis has been through worse. Don¡¯t worry about that.¡±


    ¡°You know her better than that. How long have you two known each other, exactly?¡±


    ¡°We met in the middle of the war - over forty-seven years ago.¡±


    Kysaek knew that the Solaris War had ended in 2270, but the exact duration was no longer ingrained in her mind. ¡°The war went on for three standard years, right?¡±


    ¡°A little more than three, yes,¡± Thais recalled. ¡°Re¡¯Lis treated me then and we¡¯ve known each other ever since.¡±


    ¡°Treated? Were you injured?¡±


    ¡°It was war, of course. Apart from that, what does the reason matter?¡±


    ¡°Not a big one, I don¡¯t think. I think when you hear something about treatment, you usually ask why,¡± Kysaek opined, quickly realising that war was a hot potato for Thais, if that¡¯s what it was about. Friendship with Re¡¯Lis seemed to her to be the better approach to the just-closed Talin, though Kysaek still wasn¡¯t sure if it wasjustfriendship. ¡°Has she accompanied you since then?¡±


    Thais smiled wanly. ¡°Almost constantly, even when I joined the Disciples and she wasn¡¯t too pleased about it.¡±


    ¡°Amazing really.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Well, you two,¡± Kysaek affirmed. ¡°Forty-seven years you¡¯ve been making your way through the galaxy together now. Even with modern medicine, that¡¯s almost half a human lifetime.¡± Perhaps her thoughts on this were too romantic, but Kysaek smirked. ¡°Is there more?¡±


    The memory of her friendship with Re¡¯Lis gave Thais a little joy, although she sounded dry. ¡°I won¡¯t say there weren¡¯t certain, crackling tensions at the beginning .... .¡±


    ¡°Would you want that, then?¡±


    ¡°Under no circumstances. My friendship with Re¡¯Lis is more like my love for my sisters.¡±


    Thais was talking about her biological sisters, not the disciples, Kysaek realised. ¡°That sounds like a unique bond and I would understand if you are concerned about it.¡±


    ¡°Of course I¡¯m concerned. What are you getting at?¡±


    ¡°What I meant was that you don¡¯t have to hide it if the situation creates you.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate that very much, Kysaek,¡± Thais replied gratefully. She pushed herself firmly away from the wall and walked abruptly towards the exit. ¡°That¡¯s unnecessary though ... I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°You sure?¡±


    Thais persisted. ¡°Yes, and now let¡¯s go. I¡¯m sure our Hishek friends will be here soon.¡±


    Kysaek thought the Talin¡¯s sudden abandonment strange and she looked after the disappearance before kicking one of the shelves in frustration and a small package fell to the floor as a result. The contents must have been sturdy because there was no breaking, cracking or anything like that from damage and Kysaek picked up the box again. Meanwhile, she glanced naturally at Thais previous stand and took note of an empty injection vial. It lay poorly hidden under the shelf, behind one of the support legs, and was definitely not part of the stock. The twins had tidied up too thoroughly for that when they moved in. Since the ampoule was empty, however, Kysaek could only guess what had once been in it. She looked at the vial and pondered until a thought occurred to her. Now the jingling from before made sense to her and considering that the Talin¡¯s body had suffered agony before and those were gone now, and that such injectors were used for either medicine or drugs, Kysaek pondered. Is Thais ill and in need of Doctor Askar? ... or is she perhaps a drug addict and in need of her source? Whatever was the matter with the Talin, Kysaek could not force her to talk and hoped that Thais was now fully in the loop.


    The journey to the Angles would normally have been a march of many hours on foot, but the three Hishek brothers had not only delivered weapons for the raid. Well sheltered,, among junked machinery and outside Capona, was a hover wheel they had provided. It wasn¡¯t exactly new and of high quality, but the flying vehicle saved Kysaek and Thais a lot of time. The price was that they were easier to spot, because hover wheels were not exactly common in the airspace around Capon and its environs, and even Luan¡¯s gang only used ground vehicles. According to Prax, this was because flying machines in those areas were readily shot down by scavengers, and since almost no one flew there, it was easier to track down potential targets.


    With a little skill in the moderate darkness of the sector, lights off and Thais at the helm, however, Kysaek was confident it would go well. ¡°There, that¡¯s the lake,¡± she commented as the large and only lake of the Angles appeared. It was wide enough that one could not quite see the distant shores. The water was murky and didn¡¯t look very drinkable, not uncooked, and at the same time it was amazing that the liquid wasn¡¯t completely filthy. Endless piles of rubbish sprouted up around the artificial lake. The rubbish was the main focus of the angular moves and the decisive name-giver in this confusing landscape. Path after path stretched through the mountains of dirt and not losing one¡¯s bearings there was a feat.


    ¡°Do you have any idea where we should look yet?¡± asked Thais aside as she flew lower.


    Kysaek had thought of SOMETHING. The idea had come to her during the flight when she saw the lights of the major cities of Sector Seven on the horizon, so beautiful and clear, like a streak of hope in the darkness. ¡°A camp,¡± she replied. ¡°I¡¯m sure we can spot a lighted camp from the air. I¡¯m sure there aren¡¯t too many in this miserable area and we¡¯ll either find travellers to warn or Nimble Leg¡¯s camp.¡±


    ¡°I like that, but I think Nimble Leg and his people are unlikely to be there if they are on the prowl.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but they won¡¯t be that far away either. That narrows our search radius considerably.¡±


    If Thais had been less happy before, now she at least lifted a corner of her mouth. ¡°Why did you never make it to anything more at PGI?¡±


    ¡°Convenience. If I want to, I can. I¡¯m sure that¡¯s true of a lot of people. Amusingly, when I wanted to, they declared me a supervillain.¡±


    The Talin preferred that. ¡°Better for us, or you¡¯d probably be on the wrong side now.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that,¡± Kysaek huffed. If that were really the case, she would have had to serve under a certain man. ¡°Under Douglas Phonor, I¡¯m sure I would have deserted pretty quickly. He¡¯s a thuggish curmudgeon.¡± As she had learned on the news, her former security chief had been elevated to command a special PGI unit tasked with tracking down Kysaek and her allies. ¡°Besides, he has something against aliens.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, a xenophobe?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say that ... but I once heard him call a Talin at PGI a white snowflake who surely hasn¡¯t seen a drop of blood in her life, even if she was bleeding between her legs.¡±


    ¡°Creative man. Insulting, but creative. I haven¡¯t heard anything like that in centuries.¡±


    ¡°And how about the following: He once told a Davoc that he was a walking fur and even if he shaved his whole body, Douglas would still be prettier.¡±


    ¡°Many of Davoc are not known for their patience and strike quickly.¡±


    ¡°Yeah ... he tried that too, but Douglas finished him off.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like an unpleasant contemporary we should avoid meeting if possible.¡±


    ¡°Better not,¡± Kysaek nodded. However, outside the lush expanse, it was merely a side note, one of many, and almost lost among other reports. I wonder if this was due to the reach and thus the dwindling influence of Skarg Peeks.


    For example, it was reported that there was just a great deal of seething among the great powers and that meant that it was primarily about the original governments, the pure species, and not powers that had broken away from their peoples and gone their own ways. Since the war, there had been a galaxy-spanning treaty by which almost all were allied and that treaty was now in danger of collapsing as each had demands on the other and few were willing to make concessions.


    It was galactic politics at its best, but this was not Kysaek¡¯s world and she never wanted to enter it. Her world was dangerous. Her world was full of shadows and lies. Her world was decision upon decision and that made her grumble. I am closer to politics than I care to be. Against that statement, the sheer violence that would soon follow seemed like a gift, though Kysaek never enjoyed cruelty. The thought of taking out Nimble Leg and his criminals, however, set her heart aflutter, only she didn¡¯t know how to interpret it. Why do I feel so good? Have I tasted blood?

 Liberation

    What Kysaek wouldn¡¯t have given for real protective gear, or more precisely: a helmet with a filter. All the layers of her hooded equipment were powerless against the unpleasant smells of the angles. Most of the waste consisted of construction, machinery and metal scrap, but that didn¡¯t change the stench and when it was once the smell of oil or rust that rose to her nose, Kysaek was really happy. She was less happy about what she had learned from Nimble Leg¡¯s henchman when she had found the gang¡¯s weakly guarded camp and killed the few Scyth guards with Thais, except for one. From him, Kysaek knew the approximate whereabouts of Nimble Leg and had gotten a taste of what the gang had already done from the possessions collected at the camp and testimony from the Scyth. Out of anger at what she had heard, she had killed her prisoner afterwards, despite the promise she had made earlier that she would let him go if he would talk. Her anger had gotten the better of her and the Scyth deserved no mercy in her eyes.


    Because the zone, despite information, was still large and the paths between the mountains of rubbish so convoluted, Thais and Kysaek had split up and kept in touch through the connections of their vortex cuffs. The hover wheel was no longer an option for either of them, however, as the reduced radius was too risky for a scouting flight even in the moderate light conditions.¡°Can you hear me?¡± rang out Thai¡¯s voice.


    The Talin penetrated a virtual line directly into Kysaek¡¯s ear. ¡°Yes, have you found a lead?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately,¡± Thais sighed. ¡°A dozen bodies. Some of the bullet holes in their bodies are still steaming, so it can¡¯t have been long and I¡¯m following a lot of footprints. I¡¯m guessing there are twelve to fifteen.¡±


    ¡°The sooner we find them, the sooner we can stop this,¡± Kysaek replied. She was about to climb one of the rubbish piles, but the unsteady ground did not make it easy for her. ¡°I¡¯m trying to get a better view. Maybe I¡¯ll see something conspicuous.¡±


    ¡°Just watch out, I saw Genra earlier. This rubbish is ideal for their nests,¡± Thais said.


    Genra were slender enough to be trampled by a foot, but the bipedal, spherical pests normally appeared in their hundreds and when they did, they attacked anything and everything with remarkable speed.


    Kysaek joked. ¡°I was wondering why I haven¡¯t seen any of these critters in Sector Seven yet. I guess that speaks for the exterminators.¡±


    ¡°More like people are hungry.¡±


    ¡°People can eat genra? Is that healthy?¡±


    ¡°If you do it right, a lot of things are healthy. Even genra.¡±


    The idea sent a shudder through Kysaek¡¯s body. ¡°Hopefully I¡¯ll never have to find out,¡± she opined, and had reached thetopof the mountain.


    The pile of rubbish was one of the larger ones, revealing new paths in the tangle. Not far from the top, part of the angled paths even ended, bringing the flat terrain of Sector Seven into play, but there was nothing of interest there. From one of the new paths, on the other hand, a fresh, grey-black cloud rose.


    ¡°I¡¯ve spotted SOMETHING,¡± Kysaek reported to Thais. ¡°Apparently there has also been fighting here recently.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re getting closer to the gang.¡±


    ¡°Looks like it. I¡¯ll see if I can find anything at the site,¡± said Kysaek, who descended on the opposite side of the rubbish heap, soon wishing she had arrived earlier.


    Death reigned at a ravaged rest camp and the cloud of smoke sighted earlier came from a fire burning corpses piled on top of each other. Moreover, the robbers had half gutted a slain negdrog, a rather voluptuous specimen of the massive animals.


    Externally, they certainly looked like lizards, covered with colourless, almost scaly skin, and the three long tails at the rear and the angular giant mouth completed the picture. Despite this appearance, however, the peaceful Negdrog were mammals that produced good meat yields as slaughter cattle or made excellent beasts of burden when modern machines were not available or the terrain was difficult to negotiate. However, their special and most utilised characteristic was their omnivorousness: soil, plants, wood, stones, metal or meat, even toxic or radioactive waste - they could devour everything safely and thus became organic, environmentally friendly waste destroyers.


    Suddenly Thais spoke up. ¡°I found them!¡± she whispered. ¡°Nimble Leg and five of his men have set up a roadblock and are talking about a large train of walkers approaching!¡±


    Kysaek¡¯s brewing disgust was replaced by drive. ¡°Give me your location! I¡¯m on my way!¡± she replied, setting off eagerly. She wanted to prevent the robbers from murdering any more people at all costs.


    ¡°You¡¯ll come out right on the other side, but watch out! Apart from the group at the roadblock and two Scyth at higher positions along the road, I don¡¯t see anyone. Nimble Leg said the rest will cut off the remaining paths and you¡¯ll come along one of them.¡±


    ¡°So I¡¯ll fall in behind them if I¡¯m smart about it.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but we have to wait until their trap snaps shut.¡±


    ¡°Why?! Haven¡¯t they killed enough already?!¡±


    ¡°They have. But if we attack too soon now, the hidden Scyth might be warned and then our rescue plan will be a disaster. Besides, you¡¯ll probably make it just in time for the attack to begin, so let¡¯s save as many as we can and put an end to this.¡±


    Kysaek sighed, but she knew that was the best option. ¡°I¡¯ll stumble to you!¡±


    Time was short and the way usually a good bit too far to make it early, but Kysaek¡¯s legs carried her more hastily than usual and even the obstructive landscape did not stop her. She didn¡¯t stay on the route that led directly to the blocked junction to the end, however, but climbed the back of an obsolete container ship a good one hundred metres long and it was as high as a four-storey house.


    Thais murmured softly. ¡°I¡¯ve got you on the map, but watch out: one of the Scyth is on the front of the old ship, just ahead of you! A good firing position!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that one!¡± decided Kysaek quietly as she stalked up.


    Cunningly, one of the Scyth sat in a recessed hollow of the ship, just waiting to attack the approaching convoy with his scope-equipped magnetic rifle. There were about forty of them, storing their belongings on homemade wagons pulled by Negdrog or themselves. Only a single repulsorlift, a hovering long stretcher, was the technological exception to the otherwise primitive means of transport.


    To help the travellers, a start had to be made, and Kysaek made it as she drew a sharp, long knife of Eldar steel. With the blade she crept up to the unsuspecting Scyth, but she had to be careful, for the ground beneath her feet tended to creak and was not exactly tread-proof in places. Kysaek¡¯s target remained unaware of her presence, however, and her caution paid off when she drove the knife into the Scyth¡¯s neck of the collar, the weak point of the biomechanical suit. She remembered this from her military training and Thais had told her as well. Important strands of the parasite¡¯s nerves trailed under the skin of the neck and when Kysaek violated them, the Avatar jerked around convulsively. From inside the shrouding dome of its head came a dull, gooey burst that was too quiet for anyone but her to hear and instantly the Scyth¡¯s body slumped - it was dead. ¡°I¡¯m in position,¡± Kysaek reported calmly, pulling the knife from her neck, its steel coated in a black liquid, before seizing the dead man¡¯s rifle.


    ¡°My position is higher,¡± Thais replied. ¡°I have a good view and will endeavour to take out the Scyth not far from you and take the roads under fire.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯ll take the roadblock,¡± Kysaek agreed. From where she stood, Nimble Leg¡¯s roadblock was around a bend and the long road at the edge of the lake was the only thing she could see clearly. Step by step the convoy made progress along the main road and for Kysaek the air was thin to the breaking point. She did not feel well because she could not warn the people and saw only a few criminals. Where were the rest? Were they really all in the street next to the container ship and behind the travellers? It was the latter that should have caught the convoy¡¯s attention when it became apparent where most of the criminals were hiding.


    Waves made the still lake tremble and the pointed collars of Scyth slowly rose out of the murky water. None of the travellers noticed, but not three, four or five: No less than eight of the parasitic predators rose from the lake with their shock lances and fixed the pointed steel side on the convoy. Without warning and mercilessly, the parasites fired the spikes, whose perfidy lay not only in their force. Tiny barbs adorned the steel and sank painfully into the flesh of their victims, a bestial affair.


    Blood spurted from the hits on the unharmed and cries of fear echoed through the crowd, who were only aware of the looming water attackers and fled in panic to the three ways or sought shelter behind their transport, with what they thought was a safe mountain of rubbish at their backs.


    However, the trap now snapped fully shut and from all angles came the criminals. Especially at the end of the convoy, although there were not many of them, robbers burst out from under rubbish and with their light magnet machine guns, they opened fire. By contrast, the travellers could hardly stop, as only a handful had more than their fists or a blunt impact weapon. Few wielded magnet pistols, and not masterfully at that. They did hit the Scyth a few times, but only their bodies and not their heads, so the powerful shots fizzled out.


    However, the loud run-up and the crashing noise of battle were more than perfect. As Thais had announced, she shot down the Scyth with a rifle, which stood not far from their leader and fell into the scrap in front.


    Kysaek also went on the attack and targeted the Scyth around Nimble Leg, who were far away.


    It took too long for Nimble Leg to realise how the henchmen around him were dying one by one, from precise shots against which the resistant domes were powerless. In no time, only Nimble Leg and not quite half of the gang were left standing, and most of those still alive had come out of the water earlier and were engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the travellers, making it difficult to take a safe shot at the criminals. Nevertheless, the situation reversed and the robbers became the victims.


    A Davoc among the travellers single-handedly engaged one of the Scyth and matched him in strength, while several people surrounded and held one of the attackers before he had a pistol pressed to his head and was shot.


    The situation soon became hopeless for Nimble Leg and he and his remaining hoodlums made their escape to the roadblock.


    Thais interrupted the retreat, however, when she used her powerful prismatics and unleashed an avalanche of rubbish, making the road completely impassable and burying almost all the fleeing criminals under it.


    Only Nimble Leg narrowly escaped the avalanche and ran straight back towards the stopped convoy, but it was not that convoy or the other roads that were his goal - the Calanian wanted to get to the lake! If he made it in, Nimble Leg, as a member of a marine species and thanks to his powerful tentacles, would have disappeared in the blink of an eye, and that was not to be allowed to happen! But as the Calanian ran along the stricken convoy, smoking clouds and the survivors there gave him protection.


    Thais therefore did not dare fire her rifle, but again she was too far away for direct intervention.


    Kysaek, however, was close enough and reacted immediately, leaping daringly from heel to heel until she finally landed ungently on the ground. Nevertheless, she hastily picked herself up and hurriedly followed her target. Nimble Leg¡¯s mechanical runners were her point of attack, only Kysaek either didn¡¯t hit the Calanese or didn¡¯t hit it well enough and eventually the big octopus leapt into the water like a professional athlete.No! You won¡¯t! Kysaek was so sick of it and not going to lose, not again! She threw her weapon carelessly away and driven by adrenaline and anger, she channelled a lot of prismatic energy, an enormous expenditure of power and concentration. This power unleashed Kysaek in the water, far from the edge of the lake, and beneath the surface a voluminous prismatic bubble inflated, sweeping everything up with it - including Nimble Leg, and as the energy exploded, it hurled everything off her.


    The Calanian flew on edge, in a flood of water, back to the mainland, losing one of its mechanical runners on hard impact, while the remaining leg was damaged. Nimble Leg¡¯s land mobility was gone and he was left beaten and motionless in the mud, which suited his surroundings as the fight came to an end.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    The water continued to ripple for a while and Kysaek looked up at Thais, who came to her and clenched a victorious fist. She returned the gesture weakly because she was exhausted and made sure that all the robbers had been dealt with. Her attention, however, was more on the travellers who had out-thought the fight, and there were more of them than Kysaek had noticed in the heat of battle.


    Those who had survived were cowering, which especially affected the children, or tending to the injured and a few were trying to extinguish the burning carts. Even one of the negdrog was still alive, but it shrieked because of the hot flames on its back and first of all the travellers removed any luggage to be saved before helping the animal.


    That Kysaek and Thais were standing there somehow did not interest the people, while the two approached Nimble Leg. The Calanian was still alive and wanted to steal away and tried to crawl back to the water, but he was too far away, too slow and dark blue blood was coming out of a severe wound in his arm.


    But that wasn¡¯t enough for her and Kysaek picked up one of the shock lances, which was missing its tip but the steel would be more than enough for her purpose and it could still shock. The first thing she did was to stamp a foot on Nimble Leg¡¯s tentacles, eliciting a sensitive gasp from him. Even as he turned to face her, Kysaek lashed out and jabbed the blunt shocklance end through the criminal¡¯s stomach. ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere!¡± she promised him, releasing the lance.


    The wounded Nimble Leg was so weak he couldn¡¯t even make the lance wobble. ¡°Wh-who are you?¡± he asked, blood gurgling with every breath he took.


    ¡°Just shut your mouth and die!¡± retorted Kysaek, picking up her pistol. She knelt down and pressed the gun against Flinkbein¡¯s chin. ¡°And there¡¯s an end to the raids now!¡±


    ¡°No! Wait! I ca-¡± the Nimble Leg begged, to no avail, and was shot.


    Kysaek was done for and felt Thais¡¯ hand on her shoulder. ¡°Let us go.¡± the Talin said, stricken and unconcerned. ¡°It is done.¡±


    Leaving, however, was not yet on her agenda. ¡°In a moment,¡± Kysaek replied. Just as she turned to the travellers, some of them gathered around her.


    ¡°You saved us!¡± said a young Talin full of happiness. But the mummery of Kysaek and Thais made it impossible for her to memorise her rescuers. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Calmly and matter-of-factly, Kysaek gave her answer and advice. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter - more importantly, you should turn back. Capon and its surroundings are not safe. You will see this sort of thing happen more often there.¡± She did want to defeat Luan and end the crimes to ensure a peaceful life, but if Kysaek failed, she would lead the travellers to their doom. She did not want to take on that responsibility, not without having warned the people. ¡°You should go elsewhere.¡±


    The Davoc, who had vanquished a Scyth in battle all by himself, spoke with quivering nostrils. ¡°And go where?! The good areas in the sector are overcrowded and everywhere else is unsafe and we¡¯ve just escaped from an even worse region!¡±


    Thais repeated the advice. ¡°But it¡¯s no better in and around Capon. Take our word for it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to believe anyone down here,¡± the Davoc grumbled. Still, he knew what the two had done for him and the convoy. ¡°But the people who rescued us surely mean us no harm. Only, what are we to do? If there is no place for us, everything we do is pointless.¡±


    The only thing Kysaek could think of was what she herself had done in Capona. ¡°Build something of your own,¡± she advised the travellers. ¡°There is space enough in the sector and you could build something better if you wanted to.¡±


    ¡°Something better? How are we going to do that? With what? And how are we going to defend it?¡±


    ¡°Look around you. Everything you need is there. Even after the battle, a lot of your belongings are intact and you can take the weapons of the fallen to better protect yourselves. You should also have some foreign currency with you or you can loot their camps. We have already helped ourselves there and taken out the guards. But I would still be on my guard. You never know what¡¯s lurking in the angles.¡±


    ¡°So you want us to start our own settlement?¡±


    ¡°If that is what you want your new beginning to look like, then yes,¡± Kysaek nodded affirmatively. To her, the best solution was for the travellers to take their fate into their own hands, and they had to do it alone. ¡°Make haste, however, whatever you decide. The robbers had friends and they will probably come and search the area.¡±


    Their helpers, unknown to them, left, but the people wanted to know who to thank. ¡°Wait! Who are you?!¡± everyone asked. Kysaek and Thais gave the travellers one last look, but they shrouded themselves in silence and sought their salvation in flight, which did not go uncommented by the crowd. ¡°Where are you going! Why have you done this! We thank you!¡±


    It was not for thanks that Kysaek had done this, but it made her feel good that people were honouring it and showing how glad they were for her help. But she would not talk about it, neither to Prax and his brothers, nor to the people of Capona. Instead, Kysaek¡¯s return to her village was unadorned, colourless and without fuss. Exactly what was in her mind. She even avoided paying Prax a visit and went about her work with Thais, Dios and Kuren for the next fortnight as if nothing at all had happened and so that her next plan could plausibly go ahead.


    ¡°Prax sent me a text message today,¡± Thais mentioned as she and Kysaek restocked the well emptied shelves in the warehouse. ¡°Jason will be there in a few hours and I hear he¡¯s very, very angry and has fewer men than the last time I saw him.¡±


    ¡°So Luan reacted as Prax suspected he would?¡±


    ¡°He did. Luan is said to have sent two dozen of his men into the Angles.¡±


    It had been some time, but Kysaek had not forgotten the rescued. ¡°Hopefully the travelling party has moved far away.¡±


    Thais¡¯ demeanour had changed after the fight against Nimble Leg. She was a little more composed ¡°You warned them about Capona,¡± she reassured them, ¡°And you told them what they could do. That¡¯s certainly more than many others have ever done for these people.¡±


    Kysaek wasn¡¯t proud of it, but she had been spying on Thais wherever she could since returning to the village. She had not, however, found a clue as to what was going on with her Talin friend. ¡°And that¡¯s sad, isn¡¯t it?¡± she asked rhetorically. ¡°If we have to do things like that for people and tell them what they¡¯d best do, then the galaxy really is fucked.¡± The good feeling of helping had lingered long after the fight, but it soon disappeared and Kysaek had stayed grounded. She remembered even now that it was primarily for her own interest. Whether that was wrong? She wondered.


    ¡°The galaxy has never been a friendly place, but since the war it¡¯s as bad as it¡¯s ever been - even my mother said that, and she¡¯s lived in it for nearly A THOUSAND years,¡± Thais told her, smirking. ¡°But she also said that no suffering is eternal.¡±


    ¡°I hope she¡¯s right about that,¡± Kysaek said, but somehow she finally wanted to get away from that particular topic. ¡°At least here it will soon be less suffering, and all without the scrutinising, male society ¡±


    ¡°With the disciples we got along without men too, but why do you say that? Do you miss them?¡°, Thais inquired and not without a certain dirty undertone. She liked the change from the same talking point all the time. ¡°Would you like to have one around?¡±


    ¡°If he suits me, I wouldn¡¯t say no,¡± Kysaek winked. She could play that game too. ¡°And clearly you¡¯ve been doing without for ages. You Talin are used to it, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°What makes you think that?¡±


    ¡°Because there are no men among your people?¡±


    ¡°What nonsense. Of course there are men among us,¡± Thais asserted cheerfully . She had far less trouble talking about it than Dil¨¦n had back in the caf¨¦. ¡°How else would we reproduce? Do you think our children grow like flowers from the earth or fall as drops from the three moons lit sky of our homeworld?¡±


    ¡°That would explain why I¡¯ve only ever seen beautiful, female Talin, but honestly I have no idea about your species. It could be the same with you as with the Nyrnka. They can be male or female as they need to be.¡±


    ¡°Ugh, no,¡± Thais replied with a shudder and briskly corrected this view. ¡°It¡¯s the same with us as it is with humans, and to put it less philosophically: We women are the bed and the men are the fertiliser.¡±


    After this unequivocal explanation, which burned a certain image into Kysaek¡¯s head, she finally wanted to know. ¡°If they exist - where are your men? On Cipi I¡¯ve seen women upon women and everywhere else I¡¯ve been in the galaxy. Are the guys of your species so feminine that you can¡¯t tell them from the women?¡±


    Thais took it for granted. ¡°They tend to get lost between us,¡± she said, revealing thesecret. ¡°A little reading would have sufficed and you would know that there are simply not many men in our country. Only about one in ten thousand births produces a male Talin.¡±


    Imagining dimensions wasn¡¯t exactly Kysaek¡¯s forte, but at the number she exhaled in amazement. ¡°Phew. So you¡¯re telling me there are ten thousand females for every male?¡±


    ¡°Something like that.¡±


    Kysaek inevitably deduced from men to the Talin. ¡°That must be an absolute dream for your men, but how¡¯s that? Do Talin women fight each other for the bit that¡¯s there? And what about children? If a Talin has a husband, does she lend him out?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t like to talk about that with outsiders,¡± Thais agreed. At this point her candour was at an end, but she made no secret of it. ¡°Please don¡¯t ask any more questions.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Kysaek replied deftly, trying to block out her inquisitiveness. ¡°I now know the great mystery of the missing Talin men and am fully satisfied with that. The rest, I¡¯ll figure out in the Virtual System.¡±


    Thais left the last words uncommented and waved them off. ¡°If you are satisfied, so am I, and if Re¡¯Lis is free afterwards, I will be more than that.¡±


    ¡°There will be many,¡± Kysaek mentioned when it inevitably came to that point again. If she got Jason out of the way, it would probably fundamentally change conditions in the area. Even before that, word of Nimble Leg¡¯s death had spread quickly throughout Capona and Luan¡¯s territory, and even in her village Kysaek heard some talk of fighting back. But she also knew of isolated voices who saw their own selfish advantages in Luan¡¯s demise and thought they could take over his domain - not with me!


    To even get this far, however, Jason¡¯s end was required and he announced himself very punctually and ill-temperedly as the call signal of the harvest sounded outside Kysaek¡¯s house and an impatient hammering pounded on her steel door.


    A shotgun, right at the opening of the entrance, would have been the appropriate response. But as long as Re¡¯Lis was not free, Kysaek could not do that and stepped to the front door alone, submissive and without a firearm. ¡°You¡¯re here early. We¡¯ve been waiting for you.¡±


    Jason was outside the house with three of his Skyth and the rest were in the square, close to the house ¡°I¡¯m not interested in chit-chat,¡± he said threateningly. ¡°Either you have my foreign currency now or I¡¯ll finish you and your girlfriends off by first beating the shit out of them, then raping them and finally slashing them!¡±


    Kysaek had expected him to be less than enthusiastic, but the threat was not lost on her and it was not an act. ¡°It¡¯s all right, it¡¯s all right. We have what you want,¡± she said, handing him a foreign currency badge.


    ¡°The whole four thousand?!¡± asked Jason, amazed when he saw the amount stored in the badge. ¡°Even five thousand? What¡¯s that? Are you trying to suck up?¡±


    Unnoticed, Kysaek squinted at the plaza out of the corner of her eye. She did not notice any villagers, who were certainly hiding for fear of the collectors, and saw only a truck on which Re¡¯Lis was, following the handover. ¡°No, that¡¯s an excuse for the stress of our first encounter.¡±


    " ... And?¡±


    Kysaek wanted to make the crook feel that he had properly intimidated her in the last action and so she asked hesitantly. ¡°We ... were hoping to say goodbye to our friend Alra¡¯Ta, properly, before she goes with you.¡±


    ¡°The game never changes,¡± Jason commented, his mood not improving. However, the apology had surprised him and he granted the wish ¡°No one in the galaxy does anything without wanting something in return and because you have grasped that principle, I am in a giving mood. You have five minutes and not a second longer or I¡¯ll break a few bones.¡±


    ¡°Thank you...,¡± Kysaek sighed in relief as she watched Jason give instructions and Re¡¯Lis was allowed to step off the truck. The Galig joined her, which again was Thais¡¯ cue. Everything was going as planned. Kysaek lulled her opponents into a deceptive sense of security who, despite what had happened in the dodges, were careless and thought it was all a maudlin goodbye.


    ¡°Come here,¡± Thais sighed, immediately wrapping her Galig friend tightly in her arms. ¡°We¡¯ll work this out somehow.¡±


    Re¡¯Lis, after all, didn¡¯t know what was coming and accordingly her grief was absolutely genuine and convincing. ¡°You better take care of yourselves. I¡¯ll manage.¡±


    ¡°You say that so easily. We were hardly apart for many years.¡±


    " ... I know,¡± Re¡¯Lis sighed before Thais whispered to her.


    Kysaek remained aloof, making a pout, while the Scyth turned away from the proceedings, disinterested, with only Jason half paying attention. However, everything takes a little time and the parting tugged at his patience while Kysaek gave her improvised play as a desperate friend. ¡°Is there .... nothing we can do to make Alra¡¯Ta stay with us after all, perhaps?¡±


    No, there was nothing that could be done and Jason literally spat that out. ¡°If you miss your friend so much, buy a new one. There¡¯s plenty of them in Sector Seven and I don¡¯t care about your whining! Honestly, I¡¯d smack you right now if I didn¡¯t know you were bringing in decent foreign currency!¡±


    Shocked, Kysaek turned her face and front away from the criminal. ¡°I was just hoping ...¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about that! This is over now!¡± said Jason. He extended his arm towards Re¡¯Lis, leaving his defence completely open.


    Stealthily, Kysaek drew her knife, which she had hidden under her jacket, and in a hasty twist, jabbed it into the distracted criminal¡¯s eye. Streams of his blood erupted from between the edges of the knife as Jason silently sucked in his breath and fell into disbelieving rigor mortis. With a kick, Kysaek moved him away from her and her knife slid out of his eye socket.


    Everything happened so fast, much faster than in the angles, and everyone carried out their part in the plan. Thais pushed Re¡¯Lis into the house and had two pistols handy on her back. Both weapons were her tools as she shot bullet after bullet into the heads of the perplexed criminals around Jason¡¯s body, shattering the glass domes of many Scyth.


    Out of nowhere, Prax¡¯s brothers leapt at the truck¡¯s bed and pounced on their victims like predators. They tore the burly Scyth apart like paper thanks to their claws and teeth, but their massive tails and carried shotguns were also of great use as Kysaek and Thais joined the brothers¡¯ brief fight. Together they grated the last remnant of Luan¡¯s gang between them and no matter how desperately some Scyth tried to escape - each side became a death trap and as suddenly as it had begun, it was over.


    There was no turning back. Luan was certainly weakened, but the criminal would take revenge on Kysaek and she had to face that. The only question was whether she stood alone with Thais, Re¡¯Lis, the twins and the three Hishek brothers or whether she could shake the villagers awake. The voices of opposition had been quiet and few before, but Kysaek saw the opportunity and appealed freely. ¡°Did you see that?!¡°,she asked, amplifying her voice through her vortex cuff. She was not stern or angry, just straightforward. ¡°We don¡¯t have to live in fear and under the yoke of pigs like that! They bleed and die just like we who have let them take advantage of us and worse!¡±


    The fear of the residents had not yet disappeared and yet some ventured out into the streets. However, they mostly surveyed the downed criminals than looked to the speaker.


    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± said Kysaek as Thais, Re¡¯Lis and the twins stood by her side, radiating unity together. ¡°You have seen what few could do and this was not the first strike! We have already done the same in the angle moves! We have shown Luan what we think of his methods! Now imagine what it could be like if we formed a community, side by side! All it takes is a little courage from you and the will to stand up for each other!¡± The longer Kysaek spoke, the more she was heard and the more crowded the square and narrow streets became. The burgeoning flame of hope in the eyes of the villagers was impossible to miss and the more who ventured out, the bigger the flame grew. It was a real victory, the very first for Kysaek.

 The list

    ¡°You can load them up!¡± a Palanian man in soiled work clothes shouted as he placed the loading area of his heavy van appropriately.


    A human in a yellow civilian void body, easily lifted one hundred kilogram crate after another up onto the loading platform. ¡°That¡¯s the last of them for today!¡± he said, rested, as the Void Body did the strenuous work. Still, it didn¡¯t work without the man, as he stood in the control chamber of the bipedal robot, which was as big as the entire cab of the van and had to move so that the Void Body could imitate his actions.


    After the loading work was finished, the Palanian still took care of securing the cargo. ¡°Then we¡¯ll see each other again tomorrow!¡± he said goodbye and drove away from the storage area, where things were bustling.


    The operation was humming and was a real market niche. In the insecure regions of Sector Seven, there were not many companies that dared to transport goods and were able to guarantee their integrity. However, this was only one of the positive changes that had occurred after Kysaek¡¯s blow against Luan¡¯s gang. She had not fully defeated the criminal, but the small-time crime boss was no longer in control, and this went so far that she was able to safely acquire the camp compound in Capon. So Kysaek provided a lot of work in the surrounding villages and with work came financial security which did not mean excessive wealth for the people but it was better times now. It gave the residents self-confidence and they fought for their new lives by forming protection militias.


    However, Kysaek just kept his distance from the militias and did not want to be too much in the public eye. People should fight for themselves, although in retrospect she realised that it was not that easy. That¡¯s why, among other things, she had recruited a straw man, or rather a straw squid, a Calanian called Leroq Darath, for the company. Officially, the company belonged to him and the general public perceived it as such. At the same time, he did not know about Kysaek, but merely that she wanted to follow certain paths and protect her rightful fortune with this feint in case something went wrong. Apart from that, running a more complex company required certain knowledge and time that she could not spare. And perhaps she was a little too lazy for that. She actually had some business to attend to, but just then she was still at one of the company¡¯s loading docks and smirked. ¡°As I promised you¡±


    Dios and Kuren had received their ship, a good hover wheel truck, but the two disagreed completely. ¡°That doesn¡¯t count, you realise?!¡± grumbled Kuren at the wheel.


    ¡°It flies, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    For Dios, it was certain. ¡°You promised us a ship. Flying is not flying.¡±


    ¡°I told you then that I wasn¡¯t talking about a big shi-¡±


    ¡°A ship is a ship, not a hover wheel!¡±


    No, Kysaek couldn¡¯t get out of that, so she made a suggestion. ¡°Then think of it as a ... Temporary solution.¡±


    Reluctantly, Kuren gave her consent. ¡°But only temporarily!¡±


    ¡°My word on it,¡± Kysaek sighed placatingly as the twins flew off. I have no idea where to get a proper ship and then pay for it. It really was no easy task and Kysaek wondered if she could board one of PGI¡¯s in the near future. It would coincide with her task anyway, but someone would probably give her a ship before she would take one with so few people and the gifting was already extremely unlikely. In the end, however, these were only secondary considerations with which she passed the wait. ¡°Do you have her?¡± asked Kysaek when she saw Thais coming into the side backyard of the company¡¯s main building.


    The Talin had been the same since Re¡¯Li¡¯s return. ¡°What do you think?¡± replied Thais. She was to get two clearances for the middle levels, which she presented. ¡°You can really say what you want about Central, but foreign currency opens almost every way.¡±


    ¡°And I thought in the city you were allowed to move freely.¡±


    ¡°You would think so, yes,¡± Thais nodded and walked with Kysaek to a waiting hover wheel. ¡°However, the authorities don¡¯t like to see residents from the lowerregions going where they please. Especially when it goes higher up. If patrols catch you without clearance, they¡¯ll hassle you and send you back on flimsy reasons.¡±


    ¡°Flimsy reasons? What are those?¡±


    ¡°Well as a fugitive you are supposed to stay at your location so you are available for any concerns, ha! As if anyone from up there knows where even one person lives in the lower regions.¡±


    ¡°Hardly, they have little control.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, and anything that happens down below nobody cares about as long as it stays down below.¡±


    ¡°Great problem solving by the government, but now I understand why you insisted on the release. We don¡¯t need the hassle.¡±


    Before entering the Hover Wheel, Thais checked her weapons again. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll probably have that anyway.¡±


    ¡°Gunfire like I¡¯ve missed,¡± Kysaek replied. She did the same to the Talin and went through her weapons under her jacket. She carried no heavy arsenal and only a few hidden pieces of armour on her body, like her knees and arms. Anything else might have been too conspicuous and at that she smirked. ¡°Which I find amusing.¡±


    ¡°Amusing? What¡¯s amusing?¡±


    Kysaek raised her plasma pistol beside her head and waved it about. ¡°We¡¯re keeping trouble at bay, looking for trouble. Does that mean we have licence to cause trouble?¡±


    ¡°Licence,¡± Thais murmured after. The corners of her mouth seemed undecided whether to raise or lower before they arched up to finish. ¡°Let¡¯s fly.¡±


    A little humour to lighten the mood didn¡¯t seem amiss for Kysaek and she climbed aboard as well. With the flight path ahead, she had less to worry about than usual. Not only was the area safer than before, the route through the lawless land was shorter.


    It was towards the nearby great wall at Capon, into one of the many flight tunnels that functioned as links between the lower regions and the middle levels. Even the tunnel, however, was so very different from Sector Seven, brightly lit by bright colours, without a dark veil, and the volume of traffic in this narrow space was considerable. Pedestrians filled the pavement zones around the tunnel, in a dense daisy chain of shops and crossings.


    The wind pulled through the rolled down window on Kysaek¡¯s side and she enjoyed the flight as she thought about how close and at the same time long apart these two facets of Central were. One minute she was in a slum and a little later in an area where there was at least some semblance of order. A really crazy place, a difference like day to night.


    ¡°Are you actually comfortable, with all this business?¡± asked Thais, not taking her eyes off the track.


    ¡°We¡¯re not doing anything bad,¡± Kysaek replied, and yet a residue of doubt remained in her because of the illegal dealings. That was why she kept telling herself that:we are not doing anything bad. ¡°They are all right. We don¡¯t force anyone to buy certain things and we even create weapons for defence.¡±


    ¡°Which people have to pay for, though.¡±


    ¡°So? Is that wrong?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t take out Luan¡¯s henchmen to help the people, but I know that was your main intention - you wanted to make things better.¡±


    ¡°I wanted to, but that doesn¡¯t mean I can and will solve all the problems around me or give it all away. We have enough problems of our own and that¡¯s why I¡¯m okay with selling the weapons, for example, instead of just giving them away.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m one of the last people you¡¯ll have to justify yourself to about that,¡± Thais said. After all that had happened, however, she knew better and that pleased her. ¡°However, you intervene when bullies harass helpless women or give almost our last foreign currency to impoverished strangers. Then you save others from being robbed and finish off the criminals who oppress everyone, and our journey is bound to be a good while yet. I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll have a few more things for you to do. You sure you don¡¯t want to reconsider your answer?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve done most of it together and no, I¡¯m sticking to it. I want my old life back and I¡¯m sure you do too. That¡¯s what this is all about and if we solve one or two things in the process, so be it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s just the way it is,¡± Thais grinned to herself. It was clear she wasn¡¯t convinced by what she had just heard, but she didn¡¯t push her opinion on her leader. ¡°We have to go from here.¡±


    The Hover Wheel was parked in a long strip mall. Kysaek and Thai¡¯s destination was not far from there, on Central¡¯s edge, which was mostly spaceports and ensured a constant influx of cargo and new arrivals. Unlike their arrival at that time, however, this area was significantly higher up in Central¡¯s powerful frontage and was nevertheless readily used for shady operations. Among these was allegedly the slave trade of criminals to work for PGI. At least that was the information Kysaek¡¯s group had bought from a respected Seeker. Whether this was true and for what purpose the suspected slaves were rounded up, Kysaek and Thais now had to find out, but it seemed conclusive to them: If PGI was doing experiments like on Cipi or wanted to build something with the forbidden technology, they needed a massive supply of test objects and controllable workers.


    ¡°You know, I thought this was an ascent,¡± Kysaek said as she stood on guard. The lower regions were far away and yet she felt anything but safe in this dock area, possibly because of the way it was built. It was to her as if she were walking with Thais along the bottom of a disreputable and tangled ravine and above them there must have been a hundred metres of air to the top, where several air tunnels and connecting bridges linked the two sides at different levels, while lights of flats and shops shone in between ¡°But further up doesn¡¯t seem to me to make any difference to down.¡±


    ¡°Where else would slavers do business?¡± retorted Thais, far less surprised. ¡°There are thousands and thousands of moorings in Central¡¯s outer ring. But one like ours doesn¡¯t even show up with the bureaucrats. A bit of bribery and sponte this dock is officially out of service, under reconstruction or no longer a dock at all. That¡¯s why they don¡¯t really keep an eye on the situation here.¡±


    ¡°Personal experience?¡±


    ¡°No, but stories from other priestesses at the Disciples back then and don¡¯t even get me started on the private docks.¡±


    ¡°And all this right under the noses of the greatest authorities? Unbelievable.¡±


    Thais couldn¡¯t help smiling bitterly. ¡°Just a fraction of much more. Wait and see what else you will think is inconceivable.¡±


    ¡°You might as well tell me about it,¡± Kysaek replied briskly, always with one hand close to her concealed pistol. ¡°You are decades ahead of me, or even centuries? Or have you already arrived at the wise millennium?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m further away from it than you probably realise,¡± Thais smirked. She was not uncomfortable with the subtle question about her age. ¡°Five hundred and forty-one years I¡¯ve only been roaming this galaxy and I¡¯m still learning new things.¡±


    ¡°Only a few hundred years old? Oh, still almost a baby,¡± Kysaek laughed softly. ¡°Is that how it works? Am I the more experienced by human standards, considering our shorter lifespans?¡±


    Thais teased a little. ¡°Are you? So you don¡¯t want another report, of my rich experiences?¡±


    ¡°Tough call ... no, you¡¯d better tell. I¡¯d rather have an edge.¡±


    ¡°Then here¡¯s a word of advice from experience: do it yourself, or it won¡¯t shape you.¡±


    That this had to come, Kysaek had guessed. ¡°Why was I aware of that? Well, I¡¯ll have a chance to gain experience in a moment,¡± she nodded and stopped. The dock she was looking for was close and she looked around.


    The most conspicuous thing was the large, open entrance gate, through which a truck was just driving out, and above it was a flight tunnel. A rustic Davoc, with no discernible security uniform, stood guard at the entrance while a few dock workers chatted in the street and were briefly frisked the old-fashioned way by the monkey creature as they entered the dock and then scanned.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± asked Kysaek quietly. ¡°Doesn¡¯t look heavily guarded.¡±


    ¡°No, not that, but the masses will,¡± Thais surmised, looking up the walls. ¡°There must be two or three dozen of their kind inside.¡±


    ¡°What do you suggest?¡±


    The Talin¡¯s eyes continued searchingly around the entrance. ¡°We should find separate ways in, and by doing so we can cover a larger area inside to find the loading directories.¡±


    ¡°I wonder if there is an intermediary who knows about this too?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so, but maybe we¡¯ll get lucky,¡± Thais replied, walking off unobtrusively. ¡°I¡¯ll try a maintenance walkway. I¡¯ll see you inside.¡±


    ¡°Just be careful,¡± Kysaek said with conviction, tapping against her pistol. ¡°Maintenance walkways can be smelly and treacherous.¡±


    ¡°After Sector Seven, I¡¯m a lot more pain-free about that,¡± Thais smirked perkily and disappeared from view.


    Now Kysaek had to figure out how to get into the dock. Even via a maintenance route? No way! One of the incoming trucks seemed like a good option, or maybe mingle with the workers. The latter rather less so, she thought to herself. All were searched and scanned. A distraction might help, however, but what was it? A questionable Palanian wearing a mixture of flexible clothing and body armour caught her eye and struck up a conversation with the Davoc guard. After a few exchanged sentences, he surreptitiously slipped her something and after a quick look around, she let him pass without searching. So easy? she marvelled. Bribery was actually a good plan, but she couldn¡¯t do that so soon after. It was too conspicuous, so she decided to wait for a van and she didn¡¯t have to for too long. As soon as the vehicle came to a stop at the gate, its control began and Kysaek walked normally along the side of the road. When she was out of sight of the guard, she looked towards a group of dock workers. ¡°This is going to hurt,¡± she murmured softly to herself, moving her left hand. She used a touch of prismatics and focused those on a passing passerby to give him a shove.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The unsuspecting Skyth victim was thundered against the dock workers. ¡°Hey! Watch it!¡± growled a Palanian worker.


    ¡°Someone pushed me!¡± the Skyth defended himself. He looked behind him and accused when he first caught sight. ¡°What are you doing?!¡±


    Taken off guard, a talin blinked. ¡°What?¡± came from her and everything took its course.


    A scuffle ensued, which quickly became bigger, and as if by itself, more people nearby were drawn into it. It could hardly be called a brawl, but enough was enough.


    ¡°Brainless Iknis!¡± the Davoc guard snorted, leaving her post with her plasma pistol drawn to walk between the mob. ¡°Knock it off!¡±


    All eyes were on the little spectacle and Kysaek had a clear path. She walked normally past the rear of the transport and entered the dock. She concealed her weapon as a precaution, but instead of sneaking, she acted like she was a part of everything. It worked well with the dock workers, as they paid little attention to her. ¡°One question,¡± she addressed a Galig worker. ¡°I¡¯m supposed to report to the boss of the dock- where can I find him?¡±


    ¡°Probably in his office, above the hangar.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Kysaek nodded curtly. What worked for the workers, however, she didn¡¯t want to test out on the stooges. So she grabbed a dockworker¡¯s ownerless safety waistcoat at the earliest opportunity and tried to avoid anyone who looked like trouble or carried weapons. She didn¡¯t see many of those, though.


    Most of the walkways were unguarded, security cameras were non-existent and in some rooms office workers were doing normal day jobs. It seemed that even criminals had to document everything they did. The bulk of the gang, however, found themselves not at work but at play. In a dusty canteen, a pack of obvious thugs contented themselves with digital as well as old-fashioned games of chance. They were more of a sloppy intervention force than a guarantor of security.


    ¡°Ah, a map,¡± Kysaek muttered to herself in satisfaction. She studied the holographic layout of the dock displayed on one wall and made contact with her partner. ¡°Thais, where are you?¡±


    ¡°Just above the cargo bay, in the hangar,¡± The Talin replied over the radio. ¡°There¡¯s probably a new transporter coming soon and everyone will be distracted.¡±


    ¡°The guards are already distracted. Dutiful looks different,¡± Kysaek assured her as she tapped the site plan for herself and aimed at Thai¡¯s position. ¡°I know where we can probably find the boss. You should see a longer row of windows by you. That¡¯s where the control centre and foreman¡¯s office is.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I thought. I see it.¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯m reading the plan in front of me correctly, just stay on your catwalk,¡± Kysaek suggested, looking around. ¡°It¡¯ll take you down the other side, past the control centre. I¡¯ll sort of come from the bottom and we¡¯ll meet in the middle.¡±


    ¡°Sounds good. Thais out.¡±


    Her target was close, which is why Kysaek reached for the plasma pistol and now wielded it with the barrel pointing skywards, for the boss of the dock would certainly not let her convince him to divulge information with lies or voluntarily hand over possible records.


    Before that, however, the walls began to vibrate and, despite the thick walls, the sounds of engines echoed through the corridors of the dock. The announced ship brought movement to the facility.


    Out of nowhere a group of henchmen appeared, which Kysaek narrowly avoided. ¡°That one¡¯s empty, isn¡¯t it?¡± murmured a Talin among the criminals.


    ¡°This one yes,¡± a Calanian replied. ¡°He¡¯s been nowhere before and he¡¯s coming for our new merchandise.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s herd you out, then.¡±


    Kysaek gritted her teeth. The goods, they were slaves and the way these hoodlums spoke of people made Kysaek angry. She would have liked to shoot off at once, but she realised there was nothing she could do now and Thais had drummed it into her just as repeatedly - no heroics. That was the way it had to be, for now. A few minutes later, however, Kysaek was surprised when she cast a cautious glance towards the rising stairs. Huh, it occurred to her. A human henchwoman was leaning half-sitting and motionless beside the stairs, and Kysaek approached her slowly. Astonished, she checked the pulse of the woman who was still alive. Was Thais so quick and had cleared the way for her?and if so, why did the Talin leave the guard lying around so obviously, now that there was so much activity? I can¡¯t worry about that now, Kysaek thought, and went up the stairs with her gun pointed. To be on the safe side, she took aim at Thais to avoid an accidental exchange of fire.


    Unusually, the Talin¡¯s signal came from further up the stairs and, as discussed, the meeting of the two took place in the middle. ¡°Neat work,¡± Thais said, with regard to the next victim.There was another unconscious guard outside the control room, which made Kysaek more puzzled. ¡°I thought that was you, same as downstairs.¡±


    Thais listened up. ¡°Downstairs?¡±


    ¡°Yes, there is another guard lying there.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not my doing, I wasn¡¯t there at all.¡±


    ¡°You weren¡¯t?¡± retorted Kysaek, with an uneasy feeling in her stomach: was there a third party here? ¡°I don¡¯t like this! We should pull this off quickly!¡±


    ¡°Absolutely,¡± Thais agreed, aiming her pistol at the door.


    Kysaek took the lead and in the control room she was met with a similar sight.


    The row of windows to the hangar was sealed opaque, but the workers present were writhing in conscious pain.


    A shattering of glass, however, immediately drew Kysaek¡¯s attention to the foreman¡¯s office, followed by flashing red lights and a wailing alarm.


    ¡°We were so close!¡± said Thais, taking the lead to the office, which was a little battered. ¡°Hands up!¡±


    A wild-maned Hishek hissed, stretching her short arms more to her sides than up. ¡°More thieves?! You will all die!¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t care about gang wars!¡± surmised Kysaek, aiming at the Hishek¡¯s head as she glanced fleetingly at the open, shattered office window. ¡°We just want all the data regarding the slave transports! Give it to us or I¡¯ll put a bullet in your skull!¡±


    ¡°Your Palanian friend was quicker! I have nothing more to give!¡±


    ¡°Our friend?!¡±


    Thais shakes her head. ¡°She¡¯s trying to string us along and she¡¯s lying!¡±


    ¡°But someone is apparently here too!¡± said Kysaek impulsively, climbing through the window.


    ¡°Are you sure?!¡± asked Thais distractedly. Just then the hishek snapped its mouth forward, but the Talin¡¯s reflexes were more nimble. She dodged and knocked the lizard out with her pistol.


    ¡°Very safe!¡± nodded Kysaek. She saw a hurried Palanian disappear at the end of the docking bay just then and ran. ¡°There! Come on!¡± Along with her exclamation, Kysaek¡¯s fast-paced footsteps made a lot of noise on the catwalk below her, so that as soon plasma shots were fired upwards from the dock. The energy charges flew past the walkway and through the narrow metal, just ahead and behind Kysaek but she did not stop, nor did she pay attention at that moment to whether Thais could keep up. The fugitive had a large lead on her and his path would have been difficult to follow, but once Kysaek was out of the ship¡¯s bay, she could hear scattered firefights in the corridors of the premises. Shot guards were also a good indication of the fleeing Palan¡¯s route, which she was steadily closing in on, despite being pinned down briefly at a cloister. Kysaek, despite being outnumbered, fought very aggressively and often broke cover in this confined space. The skirmish also gave Thais the opportunity to catch up with her and together the two sent their adversaries to the ground with a clenched, prismatic shockwave. Kysaek then pointed to the left. ¡°That way!¡±


    ¡°Impressive!¡± remarked Thais, following in second. ¡°Your prismatics are getting better.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to start catching up with you,¡± Kysaek retorted in a boosted tone.


    Thais grinned. ¡°You¡¯ve got a few decades left, after all.¡±


    Despite this delay, the fugitive remained within reach.At least as long as he stayed within the area, for a last,dead guard marked the stranger¡¯s exit.


    An airlock to the maintenance tunnels was just closing again, which Kysaek activated again. ¡°Faster! He¡¯s getting away!¡± she said, running ahead, past a dead guard. As she did so, she saw out of the corner of her eye her companion still dragging the dead guard into the tunnel, but Kysaek couldn¡¯t wait for that. Here in these narrow, confusing tunnels, the danger was simply too great that she could quickly lose the Palanian and so she followed his footsteps, deeper and deeper into the remote but illuminated supply routes. All at once, however, everything in front of her fell silent and Kysaek stopped dead in her tracks. Where did he go?!, it went through her mind, with a hasty searching look. She was in some kind of small central chamber, an intersection of many paths. It was the perfect place for an ambush and she was sure the fugitive was lurking here. Her tension rose as she moved as quietly and carefully as possible. Apart from the subliminal hum and rumble of pipes and conduits, only the approaching sounds of Thais reached Kysaek¡¯s ears, but she did not wait for the Talin, for she could be mistaken and the Palanian was no longer here and she needed to know that now. Where are you hiding?, she asked herself inwardly and concentrated her mind to put a prismatic shield over her entire body. Suddenly there was a bang between some pipes and Kysaek rolled sideways. She saw the Palanian with his short plasma shotgun drawn and fired at him several times. ¡°Gotcha!¡± she murmured, but the man was completely unharmed and stood rigid in his stance, at which Kysaek tried to fire again. Only at the last moment, however, did she realise that the Palanian was flickering -a hologram! Only at the last moment, she could see a rearing shadow on the wall next to the image! Immediately she dived behind a thick switch box as a plasma weapon was fired and the stray charge narrowly missed Kysaek or was intercepted by the box.


    ¡°You¡¯d better stay there!¡± the stranger warned, firing again at the cover. ¡°This has nothing to do with you and is not worth dying for!¡±


    ¡°Someone¡¯s sure of themselves!¡± countered Kysaek, only raising her pistol over the edge of her cover to fire. There was no falling or gasping. ¡°The question is: are you willing to die for the data! I am!¡±


    ¡°Blind loyalty!¡± came back from the Palanian, and his quick footsteps sounded. ¡°Or is it stupidity?!¡°Kysaek came out of her cover and fired at the fugitive, but he disappeared under a parapet. ¡°Very bad idea!¡± said Kysaek, using her prismatic powers, filled with adrenaline. It made her rip out the thin supports of the parapet and the frame collapsed.


    The Palanian came out the other end, where a grating fell on him and half buried him. He lost his double-barreled, sawed-off plasma shotgun in the process and remained motionless with his stomach on the floor.


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry,¡± Kysaek said as she cautiously approached the Palanese with her pistol drawn. She picked up the stranger¡¯s shotgun as she went and threw it a good distance away, because safe was safe, even if the man didn¡¯t move again. ¡°I guess that was a -in the wrong place at the wrong time-.¡± Using her prismatics, she pushed the grate off the motionless man and turned him over on his back with one hand to search him.


    Suddenly a blade shot out of the Palanian¡¯s sleeve! He was not unconscious and lunged to attack, hitting the pistol pointed at him.


    Kysaek lost her weapon, but her prismatic shield was still there and she reinforced it. This caused the blade tip to break off on the next swing against her arm and she converted the shield energy for a counterattack.


    It didn¡¯t come to that, however, as the Palanian fired small, paralysing shock spikes from her other sleeve.


    Without her shield, Kysaek felt the full effect of the electric shocks and in seconds, she doubled over, wincing, as if thousands of ants were biting her all over or someone was trying to bend her arms and legs.


    That gave the Palanian enough time to search for his shotgun, which he put on the shocked woman. ¡°Tough, but not tough enough,¡± he said, but the hot scatter charges from his plasma shotgun bounced off another prismatic shield far ahead of Kysaek.


    Thais had caught up and used the barrier as a wall, hurling the stranger across the room. ¡°That was close!¡± the Talin commented, glancing only briefly at Kysaek before continuing her attack. A shootout ensued between her and the Palanian, neither of them landing a sore hit, but one thing was clear from it. The stranger knew how to fight back and was tricky. He tried to harness the environment, destroying lights and pipes, creating obstacles. He was even more wary of Thais strong prismatics and used smoke bombs so as not to give the Talin a target.


    At the same time, the effect of the shock spikes diminished and Kysaek crawled across the floor, weakened but as swiftly as possible, with a steady gaze on her pistol. Suddenly a bright light shone at her back. ¡°Ah!¡± she heard Thais cry out and a dull thud to the ground. It must have been a stun grenade and Kysaek spat. The stranger¡¯s footsteps clattered across the ground and she grabbed her pistol. ¡°Stop!¡± she demanded as she shakily rose to her feet.


    The only problem was that the Palanian had his shotgun equally aimed at her. ¡°I have more firepower!¡± the stranger opined. ¡°If you don¡¯t want me to use it, you will let me go now!¡±


    ¡°You do that, I¡¯ll do it too and we¡¯ll die together,¡± Kysaek retorted in focus, pulling the trigger back already slightly as Thais agonised with the effects of the flash of light.


    ¡°You really want to die for this?¡± the Palanian asked calculatedly. This was no plain ruffian, like the many in recent weeks. ¡°How much do you get paid for defending the data so vigorously?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t get paid anything.¡±


    The Palanian found that hard to believe. ¡°Of course. You¡¯re more than a paid thug or mercenary, and they work for the sheer joy of doing it.¡±


    ¡°If you hope to confuse me with that talk, you are mistaken,¡± Kysaek returned, moving sideways without ever taking her barrel off her target.


    ¡°Fine, keep it to yourself. It doesn¡¯t change anything anyway. Your doggedness merely confirms that I¡¯m on the right track.¡±


    ¡°This is our trail and I¡¯m not going to leave it to some crook. Find another target to rake in foreign currency!¡± advised Kysaek, squinting at Thais. The Talin would not be out of action for much longer and she made that clear to the man with a wave of her pistol. ¡°Give me the list and we¡¯ll let you go. If not, we have no qualms - this is too important for us!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been in worse situations,¡± the Palanian replied hardenedly, and a handy pistol came shooting out of his boot-high all at once, right into his free claws and aimed at Talin on the ground. ¡°Compensation.¡±


    Kysaek gritted. ¡°What¡¯s next? Blow yourself up?¡±


    ¡°Unhappily.¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t a yes or no,¡± Kysaek took a deep breath, trying to see through the stranger. ¡°I¡¯ll pay you whatever you want for the data.¡±


    ¡°My dear, not everyone is after fortune,¡± the Palanian shook his head. ¡°At least not in this case.¡±


    ¡°Then what is it? What do you want with it?¡±


    ¡°I think manners dictate that I ask another question: What do you want with it?¡±


    ¡°The truth,¡± Kysaek said frankly, after the stranger might not have been what she suspected.


    ¡°Pretty vague answer.¡±


    ¡°Better than none at all,¡± Thais groaned, rubbing her eyes as she stood up. ¡°But you can do better than that for us. What do you intend to do with the data?¡±


    ¡°Something personal that¡¯s none of either of your business.¡±


    ¡°And he¡¯s talking vaguely,¡± Kysaek said, after the stranger had closed himself off. It was clear to her, however, that this was no ordinary robbery. It wasn¡¯t about foreign currency or a contract, of that she was certain. It was about a lead, just like Kysaek¡¯s, ¡°I think you¡¯re smart enough and you¡¯ve realised that we¡¯re not one of them.¡±


    The Palanian mistrusted the words. ¡°Possible, or a good ruse. One wrong moment from me and I¡¯m down.¡±


    ¡°Or all of us,¡± Thais nodded towards a passage. ¡°Who knows if they won¡¯t still pick up our trail. Then it doesn¡¯t matter if we shoot each other or they shoot us.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s right,¡± Kysaek agreed. No one here seemed interested in death, but they were even more interested in the data and where it led. So she took a gamble and slowly lowered her weapon. ¡°We can come to some other agreement, can¡¯t we?¡±


    The Palanian didn¡¯t lower any of his weapons, nor did Thais, but at least his curiosity was piqued. ¡°And you imagine that how?¡±


    ¡°Keep the data and give us a copy of it. Then everyone will have what they came for: a lead.¡±


    ¡°Interesting suggestion,¡± the stranger admitted. His defensiveness, however, remained. ¡°I¡¯m afraid of overlap, though, because this is about routes, numbers and names that presumably lead to a point. If you want me to agree to this deal, I want to know what you intend to do with it.¡±


    ¡°As you told us, it is none of your business,¡± Thais denied. After all, she had already been rather suspicious of Cipi when dealing with criminals. ¡°Don¡¯t tell him.¡±


    ¡°Either she does or no deal,¡± the Palanian affirmed. He would not be swayed.


    The risk was gigantic, Kysaek was aware of that. If she betrayed her plan, even without revealing her real identity, in the worst case it could alert the target of the data and who knows what would happen then. On the other hand, she didn¡¯t have to come out with the complete truth and the stranger wasn¡¯t that wrong. An overlap would mean even more trouble and she had to minimise that. ¡°We are following up on the purchase of slaves, for a certain company. We need to know who exactly is behind it so we can get closer to the truth.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know? I do. For me, it¡¯s more a question of where. Where did certain slaves end up. That¡¯s what I need to know.¡±


    ¡°You know who has a hand in this?¡±


    ¡°I do.¡±


    Now Kysaek was suspicious. Who was the Palanian? ¡°We paid a Seeker who didn¡¯t even know. Then how can you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been following my trail for a little longer and I¡¯m also familiar with my realms,¡± the stranger replied frankly. His calculus diminished as the parties¡¯ objectives were revealed. ¡°Possibly I have misjudged you.¡±


    ¡°The feeling is mutual,¡± Kysaek nodded. Here, no one had to be anyone else¡¯s enemy, for there were Others announcing themselves. Still distant, unintelligible voices and footsteps echoed through the tunnels, many of them. ¡°Apparently our time is up - are you sharing now?¡±


    ¡°Not yet,¡± the Palanian replied, but at least he put down his weapons. ¡°You want the who, I want the where. I suggest we go somewhere quiet and look at the lists. If we don¡¯t get in each other¡¯s way, you get your copy and the who from me.¡±


    Thais grinned as her gun remained holstered. ¡°Do the sounds in the tunnel make you nervous? We could still trap you.¡±


    The unnecessary teasing did nothing for the stranger. ¡°I find that hard to believe now, but even if it does, so be it and I¡¯ll wriggle out of it.¡±


    ¡°Very confident,¡± Thais marvelled, finally putting her gun away. ¡°How come?¡±


    ¡°If I die, you die.¡±


    Kysaek raised an eyebrow. ¡°Are we talking about blowing up again? That was a bluff after all.¡±


    ¡°You can test it, but first we should leave.¡±


    ¡°We should,¡± Kysaek agreed and set off with Thais and the stranger. Who was he? What did he know? Could he even be a potential ally? That remained out of the question until the three were safe.

 Another thug?

    Act 4: The Bblack Hole


    ¡°This is really nice,¡± said the Palanian as he walked around the delivery company¡¯s office and looked out through the only window. ¡°What you¡¯ve raised here in such a short time.¡±


    Dios and Kuren raised their voices together, slightly sceptical. ¡°What do you mean by really nice?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it? Nice?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s more than nice, and if you say otherwise you won¡¯t make any friends here, especially after the shooting,¡± Kuren retorted.


    The stranger was not put off by this and walked across the office. ¡°I¡¯m not here to make friends either,¡± he said charmingly, looking at a shelf full of data logs. ¡°And you shouldn¡¯t take this little skirmish too seriously, rather the opposite. Formidable partnerships have come out of situations like this, or at least they¡¯re seen as a show of respect in some circles.¡±


    ¡°With whom? Who would find such a thing good with you?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve only had the pleasure once so far, unfortunately, but I know all the more stories,¡± the Palanian replied, raising a hand. ¡°Although I must admit that some of them seem rather exaggerated. But they are all exciting to listen to.¡±


    The Palanian and the Sororan women were not alone, but Thais and Re¡¯Lis remained silent.


    Kysaek, however, broke her own silence. ¡°Glad we could establish that,¡± she said, taking a deep drag from her cigarette, the smoke of which she exhaled in a long, relaxed manner. ¡°But wouldn¡¯t it be about time we introduced ourselves?¡± she asked, now taking a closer look at the Palanian. She had sat in the back seat on the way back because she didn¡¯t want an armed stranger sitting behind her and Thais.


    The Palanian¡¯s scaly skin was turning a fresh russet colour and its bone ridges ran for the majority of the way down the sides of its head, but only as far as next to and below its mouth. They were like arrows pointing at a target and the pointed ends of the ridges were painted over with white paint. Clothing-wise, the stranger wore mostly synthetic material and fabrics, but elastic, light phase armour covered his torso and knees. Besides, from the fight before, yes, it was known that he still had some things hidden in his sleeves and certainly in his shoulder bag.¡°Yes, it would be time,¡± the man said. ¡°Not that this whole thing is going to get weird.¡±


    ¡°I call it rather awkward.¡±


    ¡°Oh please, don¡¯t be so pessimistic,¡± the Palanian replied nonchalantly, but always with one hand near the holster holding the short shotgun. ¡°Allow me, Tavis Ciran, honest Thug, avid collector of antique coins and I rarely say no to a good card game.¡±


    Thais could barely suppress her smirk. ¡°Who calls himself an honest Thug? There is no such thing.¡±


    ¡°There are rules and those who follow the rules can be trusted. You may or may not live to see it. That depends entirely on you, dear ...?¡±


    ¡°Pashalia,¡± Thais introduced herself succinctly. ¡°Everything else is none of your business.¡±


    ¡°Sounds fair enough, but perhaps the rest is more open. There is no need for total secrecy.¡±


    ¡°Everyone has reasons for certain things,¡± Kysaek agreed, taking over the rest of the introductions. ¡°Nora Faith, Alra¡¯Ta and the twins are Vola and Meru.¡± She looked to the Sororan women, of whom Kuren, aka Mera, had been going through the captured list for a while. ¡°Found anything yet?¡±


    ¡°Quite detailed,¡± Kuren murmured intently. ¡°The loading directories marked PGI all go to Themis all the time. Presumably as a staging area for further shipments to new destinations.¡±


    ¡°PGI?¡± asked Tavis, but he didn¡¯t come across as too curious. ¡°What do you ladies have to do with the megacorporation?¡±


    Keeping a low profile was important, but Kysaek was clear that the group¡¯s objective could not be hidden and tried to dissuade the Palanian. ¡°This is our business or do you want to be dragged into a dirty game? We are always looking for volunteers.¡±


    ¡°Dirty game? Volunteers? Don¡¯t tell me this is a Network operation?¡± surmised Tavis, now seeming less relaxed. ¡°In that case, let me take a look at the list and we¡¯ll part ways in a moment.¡±


    ¡°No, we¡¯re not part of the Network,¡± Kysaek shook her head, though her scare tactics seemed to have worked. She could understand the man¡¯s caution, though, for the Network was a radical, self-described group of fighters for freedom and justice that never shied away from extreme measures. ¡°But you¡¯d better not keep asking. It¡¯s healthier.¡±


    ¡°PGI is rarely healthy and that¡¯s enough for me to know,¡± Tavis nodded, leaning against the nearest wall with an outstretched hand. ¡°Still, do you mind if I take a look at the list now?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Kysaek said, taking a drag on her cigarette. ¡°Mera, be so kind.¡±


    The twins moved and Kuren became the front as she handed over the data log. ¡°Don¡¯t be silly, because you and I used to be on the Network.¡±


    The assertion made Tavis reach for the log more hesitantly. ¡°Former members of the Network were either too soft or too hard, and hard means something with extremists.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good you realise that, otherwise we¡¯ll have to use harsh methods...¡± put Kuren conspiratorially. ¡°Understand?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want any trouble.¡±


    ¡°Better for you.¡±


    ¡°Mera,¡± Thais shook her head and smirked. ¡°You two have never been to the Network, so don¡¯t say that to Him. Not that he¡¯ll blow us up with him after all.¡±


    Kuren was disappointed. ¡°Why did you reveal that? It would have made him much more compliant and it was amusing.¡±


    ¡°Not exactly my sense of humour,¡± Tavis agreed, but he relaxed again and began to rummage through the data log. ¡°But at least you can be persuasive. I like that.¡±


    Kysaek regarded the searching Palanian. ¡°Do you like us enough to reveal more about your part in the list?¡± she asked, but not too intrusively. ¡°After all, you fought pretty doggedly and you said not everyone was out for fortune and especially not in this case.¡±


    ¡°A word for word quote,¡± Tavis replied. He didn¡¯t look up from the log, but he didn¡¯t seem disrespectful. He was simply absorbed in hiswork. ¡°But like you, I don¡¯t want to say anything about my exact motives. I¡¯m just trying to fulfil a promise.¡±


    ¡°To whom?¡±


    ¡°Someone I know much better than you.¡±


    ¡°Message received,¡± Kysaek nodded, stubbing out the stub of her cigarette in an ashtray. ¡°But we¡¯re not in each other¡¯s way, are we?¡±


    ¡°Not by all accounts,¡± Tavis replied as he studied a section of the data log much more intently. ¡°No, no, rather the opposite. Unless I¡¯m mistaken, my target has been shipped to Themis under the same identifier as whatever it is you¡¯re looking for.¡±


    ¡°PGI?¡±


    ¡°PGI.¡±


    ¡°Hardly surprising,¡± Thais commented, stepping up to Kysaek so that the two formed a united front. ¡°According to our Seeker¡¯s information, this spaceport is probably exclusively responsible for shipping slaves for PGI. We just didn¡¯t know where the cargoes were going or who exactly was behind it. That it¡¯s PGI itself, I can¡¯t imagine.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re certainly right about that, it would be far too risky,¡± Tavis agreed, pointing to the paragraph he had just read. ¡°Every PGI identifier goes to Themis and everyone knows that on Themis neither Spectrum, nor governments, nor a company like PGI is in charge. However, whoever is organising these transports is on top of things on Themis.¡±


    Knowingly, Thais echoed. ¡°Because of the amount of slaves?¡±


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    ¡°You seem to know your stuff, yes,¡± Tavis said, putting the log away. For the first time, both his hands were away from the shotgun. ¡°We¡¯re talking hundreds of slaves per cargo and within a standard month that must make several thousand. To ensure that constantly takes a lot of resources and power.¡±


    The Palanian¡¯s statement made the rest of the room wonder. More resources and power? Wasn¡¯t an enemy like PGI enough already? At least that was what was going through Kysaek¡¯s mind. ¡°And you wouldn¡¯t happen to know who exactly that might be?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not clear from the data,¡± Tavis said, amused. ¡°¡±Once on Themis, though, that¡¯s certainly the easiest part to figure out. The question is what comes after that. I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re going to die.¡±


    ¡°So? Will we?¡± retorted Kysaek with defiance and folded arms. ¡°We¡¯ve already survived a lot. What makes you so sure?¡±


    ¡°Unknown territory, or have any of you ever been on Themis, or even close, anywhere in the Maw?¡±


    With certainty, Kysaek looked to Thais. The Talin raised her hand, however, making it clear that Kysaek¡¯s thought was wrong. ¡°You haven¡¯t? Never in your life?¡±


    ¡°One of the few places I¡¯ve never wanted to visit by choice.¡±


    ¡°Is it that bad? Worse than Sector Seven?¡±


    ¡°Even better in terms of living conditions, I would argue, but a lot more dangerous,¡± Thais quibbled. Was there more to her timidity about this place or was it mere respect for Themis? She spoke of it a little too certainly. ¡°You only go there if you want to do business, belong to one of the groups there or want to hide, the gathering place of the Maw, that is. Loners or independents who want to live there permanently don¡¯t keep to themselves for long, unless they have a death wish. Makes submission sound sweeter, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see the difference with Sector Seven,¡± Kysaek said. To her, Themis sounded like another rat hole where the criminals were in charge. ¡°Keep trying.¡±


    Tavis returned his expertise. ¡°Themis doesn¡¯t make false promises. The place is what it is. Central, lures you in with promises and safety, and even if there¡¯s at least a chance of that, it¡¯s a huge sham, the dirtiest lie in the galaxy,¡± he noted, clenching his claws as if he were crushing something. ¡°On Themis, you either perform some kind of service or you¡¯re gone fast. Begging, free housing and free rations or an open welcome, no, you won¡¯t see that there. People need some strength to make it there, or at least some brains.¡±


    ¡°And you don¡¯t think we have any of that?¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s talking about you? That was just a brief introduction for tourists.¡±


    ¡°It will be hard indeed,¡± Thais agreed, looking to Tavis. ¡°He¡¯s already right. We¡¯re going into this blind and that¡¯s a huge risk, but we have little choice.¡±


    ¡°Shit,¡± Kysaek sighed, looking from side to side with her arms on her hips. ¡°That it can¡¯t even be a little easier.¡±


    ¡°At least you have sense and know problems when you see them coming,¡± Tavis said, setting the data log down on the table. For a moment he mused to himself as he paced. ¡°And I have to confess that even I might have a hard time with what I¡¯m trying to do. PGI is involved somehow, and someone big on Themis to boot. You and my path, on the other hand, seem to be following the same trail.¡±


    ¡°It would seem so,¡± Kysaek nodded. Following the Palanian¡¯s words, she guessed what he was about to say. ¡°And I suppose you have a suggestion for us?¡±


    ¡°Less that,¡± Tavis hesitated. His thought was clearly buzzing in the air, but the Palanian did not simply rush forward. ¡°Much more that I recognise a possibility. The only question is, should I take advantage of it?¡±


    ¡°Use it, eh? Everybody wants something. What is it with you?¡±


    ¡°You clearly need help on Themis,¡± Tavis said. He seemed frank and calculated, but he didn¡¯t speak out of arrogance. ¡°I know my way around there and I have a reputation. If you came there with me, there would be fewer questions and believe me - someone, somewhere, will be interested in your arrival. Probably they wouldn¡¯t even have anything to do with what you¡¯re doing, but they would cause you problems.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?!¡± echoed Thais, averse. ¡°You want us to join forces with you? Just because you know your way around there? We don¡¯t know you and we might as well stick a knife in our own backs.¡±


    ¡°No, we don¡¯t know each other,¡± Tavis admitted, confronting the Talin. The Thug made no bones about securing an advantage for himself and putting it across convincingly at the same time. ¡°But you know me better than anyone else on Themis. You know that our quest seems to be following the same path and I¡¯d love to have your back. So why should I betray you?¡±


    ¡°At the latest, if it turns out that our search is going in different directions. At the very least, you¡¯ll drop us and then we¡¯ll be alone in uncharted waters.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not my style,¡± the Palanian made strictly clear. He even looked offended at the statement. ¡°I have a reputation to lose and believe it or not, but many a criminal cares for their reputation. Ask around. I generally keep my agreements unless someone gives me reason not to.¡±


    Thais waved her hand in front of her. ¡°Who should I ask? Your name means nothing to me. Yet you act as if you are widely known.¡±


    ¡°That was more of an exaggerated phrase,¡± Tavis admitted, but it didn¡¯t change his conviction. ¡°Still, there are enough who know my work and on Themis I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll pick up on that.¡±


    Thais wasn¡¯t the only one who remained sceptical. Kysaek did not immediately jump on the bandwagon either. ¡°You¡¯re suggesting cooperation because, in your opinion, we wouldn¡¯t make it on our own on Themis and you want a few more weapons on your side?¡±


    ¡°Broadly speaking, that¡¯s my thought,¡± Tavis replied. Besides, he wasn¡¯t going to let the matter stand so one-sidedly. ¡°And who tells me that you would not betray me? My risk is no less than yours.¡±


    ¡°Those who keep their bargain are not threatened by us.¡±


    ¡°You see?¡± the Palanian murmured, slightly amused. Tavis code reflected itself as pure normality. ¡°My talking and it almost sounds like we have a deal?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that. What exactly would the deal be? You¡¯re looking for something, we¡¯re looking for something. Whose goal is more important? And where does our eventual partnership end?¡±


    ¡°Details. I like that, my dear Nora,¡± Tavis pretended to be charming and put his money where his mouth was. ¡°We¡¯ll go to Themis and if any questions are asked there, I¡¯ll simply say you¡¯d help me with a deal. That will be enough for most and that¡¯s all anyone needs to know. We will find out where the slaves from this list have been taken. After that, we¡¯ll see how our further journey together goes or if it splits. If you ask me, that sounds fair.¡±


    ¡°Too fair,¡± Kysaek returned blankly. ¡°What if our priorities, for whatever reason, change? Yours, ours. What then?¡±


    ¡°As I said, I¡¯m in the habit of keeping agreements and so are you, apparently. We¡¯ll find out where the slaves are. That after that, is another worry. I can¡¯t be any clearer than that.¡±


    ¡°Pretty clear,¡± Kysaek admitted, seeking Thai¡¯s gaze. The Talin¡¯s scepticism had faded into indecision and it was hardly different with the rest of Kysaek¡¯s group. She wanted to hear the others¡¯ opinions, though, on her own. ¡°We will discuss this among ourselves. In the meantime, please go down to our canteen and have something to eat. It¡¯s on us.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the offer, but I¡¯ll head back to my hotel for now then.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure we won¡¯t be too long though. Won¡¯t you wait for that?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all right, I¡¯d rather keep moving for now. After actions like that, you never know who might be following you,¡± Tavis said, trying to connect his vortex cuff. ¡°Let¡¯s exchange our data. Then you can contact me if you agree. Otherwise, don¡¯t bother.¡±


    ¡°Even if you don¡¯t,¡± Kysaek raised her arm with her vortex cuff. ¡°I will let you know in due course. So much time must be or do manners not fall into your thugs code?¡±


    ¡°Hehe, quite the opposite,¡± Tavis laughed slyly. ¡°I leave nothing undone. Even cancellations, I deliver. That leaves less scope for any surprises if I can see in advance whether anyone would be angry with me for it.¡±


    ¡°I do it simply out of politeness.¡±


    ¡°Also a good reason. I look forward to your reply,¡± the Palanian said and took his leave with a raised hand, leaving the data log untouched. ¡°Perhaps, see you soon.¡±


    Kysaek nodded and silently raised her hand, as did Thais.


    Re¡¯Li¡¯s, Dios¡¯ and Kuren¡¯s eyes merely followed the stranger as he left the room. After the twins checked to see if he was really gone, Dios said. ¡°I kind of like him.¡±


    ¡°I think he¡¯s a bit cheeky, but I agree,¡± Kuren agreed. ¡°I think he¡¯s someone to work with.¡±


    ¡°Easy for you to say,¡± Thais said as she took the captured data log and placed it safely in a safe box. ¡°Kysaek and I need to go with him to Themis, not you.¡±


    That hadn¡¯t even been discussed. Not even before the spaceport raid. Still, it was clear that the next task was just as unlikely for the twins or Re¡¯Lis. ¡°Possibly, but in the end it¡¯s about all of us,¡± Kuren said thoughtfully. ¡°If something goes wrong there, who¡¯s going to help us here?¡±


    Thais agreed. ¡°That¡¯s why we have to think it through all the more. Maybe we should also just kill him and try it ourselves.¡±


    ¡°Think well yes, kill no,¡± Kysaek decided clearly. ¡°I don¡¯t think he¡¯s a threat to us.¡±


    ¡°Until he gets caught and then tells us about another group looking for the slaves.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that make it more of a case for joining forces with him?¡±


    ¡°It is and always will be a weighing,¡± Re¡¯Lis corrected calmly. ¡°I mean, it is true what this Tavis said. Themis is wild and unknown to us. It¡¯s a question of which is the greater risk: Yourselves alone or with a stranger who knows his way around there and has a comparable goal.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like a coin toss,¡± Kysaek said, tapping his forehead slightly in frustration. ¡°If we pick the wrong side, we¡¯ve probably lost.¡±


    Re¡¯Lis couldn¡¯t help a harsh laugh. ¡°Haha, that¡¯s the motto of our journey after all. Our chances are slim, but there¡¯s always a chance of success, no matter how small. Thais is right, though. Both of you have to go to Themis with Tavis, so you should decide that alone. We can only give our opinion and I say the Palanian¡¯s offer is the lesser of two evils.¡±


    ¡°Of course the offer sounds reasonable,¡± Kysaek agreed. If only she knew what exactly Tavis was looking for, she would feel better. ¡°Has anyone observed what or who exactly Tavis was looking for on the list?¡± There was no yes to her question and she went to the safe box. ¡°Or we could look at where he stopped last.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s no good,¡± Kuren said, clacking her little mandibles. ¡°There are no names of people on the list. It¡¯s all abbreviations and numbers. All that¡¯s clear is that whatever he¡¯s looking for is on Themis.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d rather we knew what or who he¡¯s looking for,¡± Kysaek sighed, easing away from the box. She kicked the air once. ¡°Then we would know when he could possibly become dangerous to us.¡±


    ¡°Unless he keeps his word, like he said he would,¡± Thais mused, rubbing her chin.


    ¡°If, yes if, he does.¡±


    ¡°Well, we can find out.¡±


    ¡°Can we?¡± asked Kysaek, irritated. ¡°We don¡¯t know anyone who knows him.¡±


    ¡°Not here,¡± Thais shook her head. Once again, it was evident why Talin had been a leader before. ¡°We could go with him to Themis. There, after all, we¡¯ll see what there is to his talk. If there is even a whiff of a lie in the air, we can always part with him there or kill him after all.¡±


    That sounded reasonable to her, but Kysaek had one, not quite so serious, concern. ¡°We could do that, only wouldn¡¯t we be breaking our agreement?¡±


    ¡°What are agreements anyway, vis-¨¤-vis a possible liar?¡°, Thais raised her shoulders, taking the Palanese as an example. ¡°As he said, if someone gives you a reason ...¡±


    ¡°Therewould be no reason for us to continue working with him,¡± Kysaek said, glancing briefly at Dios, Kuren and Re¡¯Lis. They seemed to share this view and Kysaek nodded. ¡°All right then. We will work with him for now and go to Themis. If he is an impostor, we will have to venture on our own. I will contact him right away.¡±

 Hoard of criminals

    Act 4: The black hole


    ¡°Eight million, that¡¯s my price!¡± a Davoc merchant bellowed loudly, and it had to be him. A crowd of interested and confused buyers were milling about in front of his cheap, wooden stage, but that wasn¡¯t why the customers were standing in line. They were there for the impressive rocket launcher that the merchant offered for sale and praised for its versatility . ¡°This weapon is not just for attacking or defense, oh no! A weapon like this gives you authority and can decide a fight without having to fight it!¡±


    None of them were ordinary buyers or nice neighbors from next door. Almost everyone¡¯s attire alone made them look like robbers, mercenaries or warmongers. ¡°I¡¯ll give you four million!¡± shouted a Talin from the crowd.


    The merchant wanted to haggle over that. ¡°Only if you become my personal slave afterwards and bring at least three other charming ladies with you!¡±


    ¡°Never, you hairy beast!¡±


    ¡°Then we have no deal!¡± the Davoc said, waving his hand wildly. Batteries like this were normally found on cruisers or battleships, and he knew how to play that card. ¡±We¡¯re talking about a CT 32 here! That means thirty-two warheads ready to fire, with enough firepower to devastate an entire city, and that¡¯s not all! Thanks to the integrated energy converter, the missiles are coated with a regulating particle bubble, which means that they are not only partially protected against attacks, but can easily slip through most protective shields!¡±


    That spurred the auction on. ¡°Six million!¡± a one-eyed Hishek bid, surrounded by a dozen of his kind, all clearly under his command.


    ¡°Six million?!¡± the Davoc pretended to be shocked. ¡±Six million is what Scarface wants to give me! A good start, but I want no less than 7.5 million! Who will bid me that?¡±


    A Galig raised the previous bidder¡¯s price. ¡°6.4!¡±


    ¡°Bid 6.4 and I¡¯ll go for 7.4!¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯ll go up to 6.7!¡± a visibly aged human bid, triggering an avalanche of prices.


    ¡°6.8!¡±


    ¡°6.9!¡±


    ¡°7.1!¡±


    ¡°7.25!¡± a Calan man blurted out. ¡®The battery is mine!¡¯ That was just what was needed to heat up the atmosphere even more, and a wild tumult arose among the bidders. The dealer on the stage was more pleased than frightened, though, and he literally rubbed his hands together.


    However, he was not the only one to feel this way, because the market was not limited to the rocket battery and extended over an enormous distance, surrounded by narrow canyon walls. Everything your heart desired was for sale here, and currency flowed in streams. In particular, goods that you wouldn¡¯t find in any normal store, such as drugs, slaves, or heavy war machines, were the focus of customers, and those with the currency could shop without restraint. There were hardly any rules or laws.


    That¡¯s why even a lethargic Eporan could sell his sentry bots in the middle of the street, for which you normally needed a license¡ªboth for selling and owning. ¡°They¡¯re used, but they¡¯re almost like new!¡± he promised grandly. ¡°A brand-new sentry costs 100,000 foreign exchange, but with me you only pay 90,000! Buy five at a stroke and you get another 10,000 foreign exchange discount for each machine, which means you would only spend 400,000! Get them from me individually and you pay 450,000 for the same number, or 500,000 fresh from the factory, but why would you do that? Better take it and get my quantity discount!¡±


    Trade, trade and more trade! That was the sleepless Counting Office, as they called it, and as her alter ego Nora Faith, Kysaek was standing in the middle of it. She looked down from a high curve into a lane where a dozen crooks were facing each other and all had their fingers or other extremities on their weapon belts, ready to attack at any moment, but she knew that this was normal here. She had heard enough stories and Tavis had confirmed most of them. It was always hot, but not only because of such things, because the heat in the canyons was quite intense. Thirty degrees was the norm and made Kysaek uncomfortable and exhausted. Now she wished she were a Hishek or a Palanerin. Then these temperatures would be mild for them and even at double that, it would only slowly get nicely warm.


    ¡°Seen anything interesting yet?¡± the Palanian asked, appearing next to Kysaek and looking down as well. He still didn¡¯t know who Kysaek, Thais and the others really were.


    ¡°This is my first visit here. Apart from the heat, I¡¯d have to look for uninteresting things, but I don¡¯t see them.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d be better off not looking for it. In this place, the uninteresting can quickly become a trap.¡±


    Kysaek¡¯s mouth twitched. ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind. Has Pashalia reported in yet?¡±


    ¡°She rented the room,¡± Tavis replied. Thai¡¯s task was to get a room in a small but centrally located hotel in the area that the Palan had deemed trustworthy ¨C if you paid hush money.


    ¡°And do you have any ideas yet?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still thinking. We know what we¡¯re looking for. Only the where remains unclear.¡±


    ¡°They had plenty of time on the flight here,¡± Kysaek said. Caution was still required of them, which is why Thais was supposed to ask Tavis about Kysaek during their hotel assignment. It was a good opportunity for the Talin, without the Palaner, whom Kysaek was probing. ¡±Is that so hard?¡±


    ¡°One yes, the other no,¡± Tavis replied, looking out over the sleepless square and grasping the railing in front of him. ¡±Finding out who is organizing these transports should be easy. But with the list, we have no clue where the masses of slaves are being distributed here before they are transported on.¡±


    ¡°If we know who¡¯s doing the whole thing, couldn¡¯t we just grab another list?¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t some cheap port on Central where the only thing we have to worry about is a few thugs,¡± Tavis warned, tensing the handle on the railing. ¡®If we do the same thing here, someone is bound to get suspicious and hunt us down.¡¯ We have to be extremely careful about our next steps.¡±


    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s a good point,¡± Kysaek reluctantly admitted. A quick solution might not present itself, but after all the running and hiding, she was eager for a real success. ¡±Let¡¯s meet with Pashalia. If we¡¯re going to find out who¡¯s behind the shipments, we should do it together.¡±


    ¡°We should definitely do that.¡±


    Even in disguise and with an expert like Tavis at her side, Kysaek had a healthy respect for Themis. Threats were not uncommon, nor were isolated shots, and from what felt like every other bar, she heard the sounds of a brawl or saw visitors leaving in front of the entrance, beating each other up, when a bouncer wasn¡¯t kicking out a drunk or unwanted guest. However, that was certainly only one side of what this world had to offer and despite the rough surroundings, Kysaek enjoyed the atmosphere in places. If you ignored the flourishing trade and the pronounced gambling in the narrow alleys, alcohol also flowed freely, there was laughter in the crowd and the light girls bewitched the people, often very openly and liberally.


    ¡°And this is everyday life?¡± Kysaek asked, still looking around in awe. ¡¯Every day? Every hour?¡±


    ¡°The market is called the Sleepless Kontor for a reason,¡¯ Tavis emphasized with a claw in the air. ¡±It never sleeps and the lights are always shining brightly.¡±


    For Kysaek, ¡®shine¡¯ was almost the wrong word, because she had seen the shining lights of the canyons clearly from space. Like rivers of gold, the fine, animated scars stretched across a large area of this barren world. ¡®It¡¯s hard to believe what has been created here,¡¯ Kysaek said, since the many canyons were not natural.


    Over a thousand years ago, Themis had been discovered and it didn¡¯t take long to find out that the planet was a chamber full to bursting with minerals ¨C a real goldmine, the likes of which were not often found in the galaxy. These were resources, especially the rare ones, in masses that were in high demand in modern space travel and among interstellar civilizations, and so the term resource depletion took on a whole new meaning with Themis. The irony was that no consideration had to be given to the environment, since the planet offered a hostile environment. It was a lifeless desert of rusty stone, without the slightest sign of water, plants or air to breathe, and the local sun did the rest. It was in the final stages of its existence and on its way to becoming a red giant, which meant that the surface temperatures on Themis were hellishly hot and the night phase lasted only three hours because the sun was almost continuously in the sky due to its incredible volume. Governments and especially private companies had taken these adversities into account, however, in view of the indecent profits and amounts of resources, until the most productive areas of Themis had been completely plundered after two hundred and fifty years and further mining was no longer worthwhile for most, compared to their immense costs. Only a few insignificant mining companies remained on Themis, until today, when there were still enough small deposits, but the important names disappeared immediately and left behind more than just the dug gorges. An unused, heavy industry lay idle and within the scars of the mines, the infrastructure, such as apartments and all kinds of facilities for consumers, which the companies had originally built for the needs of their workers, as well as a veritable network of underground tunnels, chambers and maglev tracks, were abandoned. Nobody wanted to live there anymore or had any use for Themis, with one exception: pirates and smugglers. They took over the neglected world and its legacies in a few years and although today no one knew how and who exactly had started it all, it was the cornerstone for the present Themis and the emergence of the so-called Maw, the most extensive spot on the galactic map where the criminals ruled.


    What were the chances of meeting someone like Tavis, who knew his way around here? Who was in his element? Or maybe it was just time for a little luck, or it was due to the paths Kysaek and her group had taken. An unavoidable encounter? ¡°Pay attention here,¡± Tavis remarked as they left the sleepless office and entered one of the well-developed underground tunnels, where the Palan was careful to lower his voice. ¡°Taking a wrong turn here can quickly prove fatal.¡±


    ¡°Come on,¡± Kysaek said, slightly arrogantly. She wasn¡¯t any more or any less afraid than before, but she adjusted to the tone level. ¡±You¡¯d have to tell me what I can do here safely, rather than constantly pointing out this and that threat. It¡¯s a bit annoying.¡±


    ¡°I take my work very seriously and safety... mh, safety... no, I¡¯m sorry. That doesn¡¯t exist on Themis.¡±


    ¡°And what about the tunnels?¡± Kysaek asked, ignoring the fact that apartments were carved into the stone. ¡±Is it because someone could rob us here anytime?¡±


    ¡°That could be.¡±


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    ¡°Great,¡± Kysaek sighed sarcastically and dared to harbor the doubtful hope that she would not be doomed to live in such a hole all the time. ¡±How can such a chaotic place be held together?¡±


    ¡°Many areas on Themis are divided and controlled by different groups, and they all bow to an Eporan woman - Ilia Volon.¡±


    ¡°She is well known,¡± Kysaek nodded. ¡±And who does she have under her? Who bows to her here?¡±


    ¡°Take the Disciples of Dealith, for example.¡±


    This mention came as a surprise to Kysaek and almost made her lose her composure.


    ¡°The Disciples operate throughout the galaxy, and you¡¯re surprised they¡¯re on Themis? There are plenty of jobs here.¡±


    ¡°And do we have to worry about the Disciples?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to annoy you again, but we should-¡±


    ¡°I got it,¡± Kysaek smirked. ¡±You just love repeating that, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°What can I say?¡± Tavis replied contentedly. ¡±It¡¯s my trade, and I¡¯m good at it. Besides, I want to hold on to this little thing called life, which, right now, includes me getting you and Pashalia through here, so I guess I¡¯ll be endlessly annoying.¡±


    ¡°At least you¡¯re getting it across without coming across as a smartass.¡±


    ¡°How flattering.¡±


    ¡°My specialty, but tell me, what makes Ilia so powerful that she has Themis under control?¡±


    Tavis answered as a matter of course. ¡°If you know one or two stories about Ilia, you know what she can do, and that¡¯s only half the story. No one knows for sure, but rumor has it that Ilia is almost four thousand years old and she made a name for herself before the Maw was created, and a name alone can be powerful. It doesn¡¯t take hordes of thugs or weapons to do that.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s not useless either and I don¡¯t think Ilia can do without henchmen.¡±


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t. She doesn¡¯t depend on the loyalty of foreign groups because she controls two of the largest mercenary organizations in the galaxy, in addition to her own minions.¡±


    That was new information for Kysaek and made the whole thing more plausible for her. ¡°A proper mercenary army, that would be something for us,¡± she joked when Thais appeared.


    ¡°How did it go?¡± the Talin asked, because she wasn¡¯t the only one who was supposed to get something done.


    Kysaek hadn¡¯t just been strolling with Tavis, but had run a few errands at the sleepless Counting Office and they had gotten everything. ?Great. The equipment will be stored not far from our hotel.?


    ?And all that technology is really necessary?? Thais asked. ?A bit more firepower seems more appropriate to me here.?


    Tavis was firmly convinced. ¡°We¡¯re not here to start a war, and force will only help us to a limited extent and then probably attract unnecessary attention. Help with decoding code locks and kits is more important than weapons. We should only use those and the explosives if absolutely necessary.¡±


    Kysaek saw it the same way. This was not a brute force mission, but a secret one. ¡°We have enough to defend ourselves if it comes to the worst.¡±


    ¡°We do,¡± Thais nodded. A wrapped cloth covered her mouth for camouflage, but it lifted. A sign that she was grinning. ¡°But more firepower is never a bad thing.¡±


    ¡°Is that the wisdom of a Hishek or a Davoc?¡± Tavis doubted and tried to gain an assessment. ¡±Since when have Talin been so fixated on fighting?¡±


    ¡°Since I fought in the greatest of all wars.¡±


    ¡°Ah yes, the old days,¡± Tavis understood with a certain humor. ¡°Back then it was certainly a wise philosophy, but be open to new ideas and do it like the young Palaian in front of you, who did not experience that tim.¡±


    Thais patted her pistol holster. ¡¯As long as the young Palanian in front of me can show results, I might be willing to discard my old way of thinking.¡±


    Kysaek shook his head in amusement, but this was no place for small talk. ¡°We¡¯d better talk about everything else at the hotel.¡±


    ¡°We probably should,¡± Thais agreed. ¡°And there are nice, soft beds there.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Tavis said, raising a claw. ¡°Let¡¯s say beds.¡±


    Thais led the way, since she already knew the way to the hotel, but the further they went through the tunnels and smaller and larger chambers, the more caution was required. It was confusing in places and a dangerous atmosphere took the place where the glistening and lively atmosphere of the sleepless office had been before. Obviously, gangs or mercenaries were present here and there, keeping an eye on who was walking around or entering their territory. Drug dealers conducted their business as usual, passing on their goods to a wide range of customers, from respectable consumers to down-and-out addicts.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at anyone,¡± Tavis said. ¡¯Look straight ahead and keep walking.¡±


    Kysaek didn¡¯t need to hear that twice. ¡¯I¡¯m not interested in looking at anyone here.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡±


    At the end of a living chamber, a desperate and shaky Davoc found himself surrounded by shady individuals, to whom he held out a cheap magnet pistol. ¡°You won¡¯t get a single coin out of me!¡± he squeaked, swallowing helplessly. ¡°Your boss has tricked me and I¡¯m tired of paying his excessive interest rates! I can¡¯t make ends meet anymore and I¡¯ve paid back all my debts twice over! Enough!¡±


    None of the figures around the Davoc flinched from him or his drawn weapon. They even found it amusing and held their own, much better magnet and plasma rifles loosely and with their muzzles down. ¡°Are you trying to scare us?¡± asked the only Galig in the group.


    ¡°No! I just want this to stop!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll have to disappoint you ¨C it won¡¯t, and we¡¯ll get our currency.¡±


    Another case of extortion, and it stirred up fresh feelings in Kysaek, feelings she still had from Vincent Luan¡¯s gang. She didn¡¯t want to just stand idly by and watch these crooks attack the Davoc.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look!¡± Tavis whispered, grabbing Kysaek¡¯s arm like a child you couldn¡¯t let out of your sight in the big, wide world. ¡®Don¡¯t interfere!¡¯ The Palan was about a head taller than Kysaek when he was standing normally, but he wasn¡¯t an overly powerful representative of his kind, and yet his grip was enough to subdue her without being too conspicuous. Besides, Tavis pushed himself up next to Kysaek, blocking her view of the action.


    ¡°I¡¯ll say it again!¡± the Davoc gulped, pointing his pistol around randomly and shakily. ¡±You¡¯re not getting anything more from me! I¡¯d rather die than let you exploit me any longer! Leave me alone, you cheap stra--¡± Suddenly, a bullet pierced the side of the man¡¯s head.


    A Calanian criminal had shot him from an blind angle, and after the debtor lay on the ground, the Galig sneered. ¡±We can make do with that. We¡¯ll get the currency from your family later.¡± She only had to wave her hand and the group retreated, while the extremely dark red blood of the Davoc quickly lined the path and no local cared that the man was lying there like a pile of garbage, let alone that he had been killed.


    ¡°You can let go of me, Papa!¡± Kysaek said testily, tearing her arm from the handle.


    Tavis hadn¡¯t seemed like a cold-hearted man so far, but that just suggested it or he was simply used to it. ¡°I know what you were going to do,¡± the Palan replied dryly. ¡°However, we have enough to do, so put your principles aside.¡±


    ¡°Listen to him,¡° Thais added. ¡¯We¡¯re not here to help people, but to help ourselves.¡±


    Kysaek couldn¡¯t change anything anyway and tried to catch herself. ¡¯For now...¡± she ground. However, it was unclear to her whether she could constantly look away from Themis when things like this happened.


    ¡°You seem to me to be instinct-driven and impulsive,¡± Tavis said openly. That didn¡¯t make him happy. ¡¯Does it happen all the time? This urge for heroic deeds?¡±


    ¡°What does that have to do with heroic?¡¯ Kysaek replied, offended. ¡±In what normal galaxy do you just watch something like that?¡±


    ¡°They clearly need to relearn their definition of normal,¡± Tavis said, suddenly sounding like Thais did back then. He was just less philosophical. ¡±There are no hard and fast rules, no absolute morals. I abhor gratuitous violence and ruthless depravity, but you have to think of your own life, as this Davoc just did. He may be dead now, but he thought of himself and defended himself. It wasn¡¯t for us to save him. It wasn¡¯t our place, nor would we have been able to do it.¡±


    ¡°Sounds a bit like an excuse to me,¡± Kysaek replied, looking around. One thing puzzled her. ¡±How was he supposed to survive at all? Surely a non-criminal doesn¡¯t have any currency here?¡±


    ¡°On the contrary,¡± Tavis remarked elegantly. ¡±Criminals can live quite well here, but ordinary people and honest work have their place even on Themis.¡±


    ¡°There is honest work here? Apart from the mountain farmers, that is?¡±


    ¡°Seekers, transporters, technicians, food vendors, and whatever else a world needs. I won¡¯t claim that normal work makes up the majority and that it¡¯s the best infrastructure, but a maglev train doesn¡¯t run on goodwill and rotten rails, any more than sewage flows through leaky pipes and electricity doesn¡¯t just bubble out of a generator.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess,¡± Kysaek surmised, rubbing her thumb on her index and middle fingers. ¡±Even though these people keep everything running, they still have to give a share to the criminals?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter how you make your money here ¨C everyone has to pay someone, somehow, somewhere, and that especially applies to the common people. Often, they have to give a good half of their income to several sources.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s quite a mess.¡±


    ¡°Why do you say that? What¡¯s so bad about it?¡±


    As much as Kysaek appreciated Tavis¡¯ knowledge and talents and kept in mind that he was a criminal, she didn¡¯t like the Palan¡¯s trivialization of the situation. ?Are you kidding me?! People keep everything running and get robbed for it?! What do you call something like that?!?


    Tavis¡¯s answer was short and to the point. ¡°Taxes,¡± he said curtly. ¡°On Themis, there are probably many words for it, but elsewhere you pay taxes. Taxes, taxes and more taxes.¡± With this statement, he managed to do what only a few had managed before ¨C he rendered Kysaek speechless for the time being.


    Private guards, armed security bots, automatic defense systems and the obligation to hand in all weapons upon entering: that was the hotel they had booked. Contrary to appearances, it even looked reasonably acceptable from the outside. It was not a resort, but there was no sign of trouble here. Handing in their weapons at the entrance was an additional guarantee of some peace and quiet, but also a risk.


    Kysaek, in particular, felt at the mercy of the scanner after all that time on the run with her empty weapon belt, but there was no way to get around the scanner at the front desk, and she took comfort in the fact that she could still fall back on her prismatics in an emergency. Otherwise, she was still amazed by the solid condition of the hotel, which she, in the face of Themis, had expected to be more of a flophouse for drug addicts.


    ¡°I need to sit down,¡± Thais sighed wearily as they finally went to the room, where she collapsed on the sofa there.


    Talin¡¯s condition reminded Kysaek of the situation in the package warehouse, only it was less extreme now and she wasn¡¯t worried. ¡°So how exactly do we proceed now? We¡¯re constantly racking our brains and coming up with no solution.¡±


    ¡°Maybe a break would do us good,¡± Thais suggested, rubbing her now uncovered face. ¡±All this stress and pressure. A little more rest might free our minds and give us fresh ideas. Besides, I¡¯m really thirsty. This heat is drying me out and it¡¯s not good for my skin.¡±


    Tavis put his bag down on a metal chest of drawers. ¡°A strong woman like you is worried about such trivial things?¡±


    ¡°Sure, to keep everything nice and smooth,¡± Thais smirked slyly. She stretched out her arms and fingers and the following went to the Palaner. ¡°I like to feel everything when I beat someone up.¡±


    ¡°I forgot,¡± Tavis said and went to a small refrigerator that was even stocked with drinks. A blast of cold air streamed out of the container and he took out a clear, misted bottle of water, which he brought to the thirsty Talin. ¡±Mammals have other problems. For us Palans, our shell is more of a tool and of a practical nature.¡±


    ¡°Saved by the bell,¡° Thais replied, accepting the misted-up bottle with a grateful nod.


    ¡°What would you have understood better?¡± Kysaek asked bluntly and sat down on one of the two beds in the room. ¡°Teeth?¡±


    ¡°Claws,¡± Tavis replied.


    ¡°Claws?¡±


    ¡°Oh yes. The claws of Palanian women can never be thin or long enough. Men should have thick ones, of course, but above all, cleanliness is very important,¡± Tavis noted, showing his claws: pointed, rough and strong, but sparkling clean.


    Kysaek considered and went more for fetishes than aesthetics. ¡°Some people also have it with fingers, but I don¡¯t understand the attraction.¡±


    ¡°No? The nice feeling when a woman¡¯s long, delicate claws wrap around your broad fingers like tendrils around hard stone,¡± Tavis said, as if he was picturing it in his mind. ¡±Well, I don¡¯t think you can understand that. Nevertheless, I¡¯ll give you the Palanian view of beauty: claws, bony ridges, and eyes.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be sure to internalize that,¡± Kysaek joked, rubbing her slightly wet face as well. Fortunately, the bio-layer over her true appearance was of good quality and defied the heat by letting the sweat out from the inside out, like a normal face.


    ¡°Well, we¡¯re all exhausted and it¡¯s been a long journey,¡± Tavis stated, folding his claws. ¡¯And as the minority of our group, I¡¯ll be the first to use the bathroom.¡±


    ¡°No one¡¯s stopping you,¡¯ Kysaek waved him off and buried her face in her hands. Her tiredness was genuine, but she was using it as an excuse to get the Palan out of the room.


    ¡°After that, it¡¯s my turn,¡± Thais announced, letting a refreshing gulp of water gurgle down her throat. It looked wonderful, as did pressing the cold bottle against her cheek.


    After Tavis had disappeared in the bathroom and the electronic door to the room had been red-locked, Kysaek pushed to the bottom of the bed.


    Thais closed her eyes and spoke more haltingly, just because of her tiredness.


    ¡°Only if you don¡¯t mind a shotgun at your back.¡±


    ¡°Just don¡¯t ask for details,¡± Thais groaned. She kept her eyes closed and drank from her water bottle from time to time. ¡±If there was any reason to worry, I certainly wouldn¡¯t have walked here with him.¡±


    ¡°So it¡¯s all true? Is he what he claims to be?¡±


    ¡°Not that he¡¯s the most well-known outlaw in the Maw, but if anyone knew him or had heard of him, they all spoke rather similarly about him,¡± Thais reported, grinning as she relaxed her legs over the back of the sofa. ¡±Some aren¡¯t exactly thrilled about Tavis and his rules, but that speaks more for than against him. I think we¡¯ve made a good catch.¡±


    ¡°That would be something,¡± Kysaek agreed and struck a thoughtful pose. ¡±However, that doesn¡¯t mean that it¡¯s good in the long run with him. We still have to be careful.¡±


    ¡°Above all, we need to rest,¡± Thais waved it off. Only the steamed-up glass with the Talin fingerprints still testified to the cold water from the bottle. ¡±At least we won¡¯t experience a situation with him in the next few hours that¡¯s safe for or against us, so shake off those thoughts and relax.¡±


    ¡°Mhh, that might even work,¡± Kysaek nodded and ran her hand over the bedclothes with a smirk. ¡¯It¡¯s comfortable and looks so enticing... but only after my shower.¡±


    ¡°Sure, after me,¡¯ Thais sighed contentedly and calmed down. It was questionable whether she would be awake for her shower

 A day on Themis

    Looking around and getting acquainted on Themis¡¯ streets, looking around and getting acquainted - those were most of the highlights in the last three days, as far as Kysaek and Thais were concerned. The source of the slave transports had been pinpointed after just one day, but that had taken the situation to a new level, as Tavis had described it. Roskor Reed was the target, one of the bigger heads in the Maw and for some time now on his way to becoming one of the strongest. As a connoisseur, Tavis had wondered what had given the crime boss such a huge boost in the last year. In the context of PGI, however, it made sense to him. If Reed was doing business with Peeks, it was doubtful that there wasn¡¯t more to it and that the company was supporting him in other ways. It was, however, an explanation for Reed¡¯s rapid rise. The extent to which this was true, however, was secondary for the time being. Tracking the slaves himself was a priority and Tavis devised a plan to do so.


    Stealing information about the business again, or following that trail directly in a similar fashion, was a huge risk. Instead, the Palanian¡¯s idea envisaged a raid on a soon-to-be drug deal, with one of Reed¡¯s smarter heads in attendance: an accountant, named Arolac, who, though not ruling right next to the crime boss, was still far enough up the ladder to possibly have information, if only because he had an insight into Reed¡¯s figures, and figures could tell a lot. Besides, no one would probably suspect that the raid was anything more than it would be - a daily raid on Themis where one gang steals or sabotages the fruits of another. The constant struggle for power in the underworld, a plan that had the group¡¯s approval and was still being refined.


    ¡°That went pretty well,¡± Thais commented as she returned to the hotel room with her leader. The Talin had found an ambitious group of petty criminals in her tours of a few bars, absolutely fitting for the boss¡¯s kidnapping. ¡°Though I didn¡¯t think they¡¯d be satisfied with so little until you mentioned the drugs thing.¡±


    ¡°It was pure greed,¡± Kysaek replied calculatingly, taking off her helmet. Here in their hotel room, and without Tavis, she and Talin were themselves, but outside, the two of them always moved about hooded: Kysaek in a full helmet that wasn¡¯t exactly battle-hardened. ¡°And they were literally shouting it out, with their constant questioning of how much we were going to pay them. So I thought to myself, ¡®Put them on notice that they can grab the drugs after the robbery.¡¯ If Reed¡¯s people are dead, the goods will just sit around anyway until someone finds them and steals them, and on Themis that won¡¯t take two minutes.¡± Not that she was suddenly the expert par excellence, but looking around had done some good for her too, and she¡¯d realised that a lot of people on Themis were always looking for the biggest, most profitable advantage for themselves and for opportunities.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you actually worried about Tavis?¡±


    ¡°Worried? In what way?¡± retorted Kysaek with gallows humour. ¡°Didn¡¯t you tell me the other day to shake off those thoughts?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant,¡± Thais said, though her body language suggested uncertainty. ¡°Or I do. I¡¯m talking about the fact that he¡¯s backed off and we¡¯re in the firing line. Actually, he¡¯s the expert, isn¡¯t he, and he should be guiding us through Themis?¡±


    Kysaek understood the Talin¡¯s doubts, but she trusted the Palanian¡¯s plan. ¡°That¡¯s what he does, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°If we do the dirty work and take the risk? No, I don¡¯t quite think so.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s true what he said: if we go about the raid together, we could be blown quickly, despite stealth and even if we succeed, simply because we arrived together as a group and have been together for the last few days,¡± Kysaek repeated that explanation of the Palanian, in her words. ¡°As he said - all it takes is a stupid coincidence, a drunkard who remembers us and may hear of the approaching raid and then tell the story of the Palanian and the two women. Now, however, Tavis is collecting debts for someone in another corner and who would link him to this robbery?¡±


    ¡°Mhh,¡± Thais murmured, circling her finger in the air. ¡°That¡¯s why you extended the plan?¡±


    ¡°I like making plans, doesn¡¯t everyone?¡°, Kysaek lifted her shoulders innocently, but she smirked. ¡°There¡¯s always a tweak in there and I found that the two of us on our own were just as conspicuous. With our eager raiders though, we can attack undisturbed from the background and get what we need in the fog of chaos.¡± Despite the smirk, Kysaek was serious. There would be many deaths again in this fight, but she felt no sympathy or doubt. She literally looked down on the hoodlums and felt morally superior. ¡°Each side will attack each and I¡¯m sure there won¡¯t be many to tell. As it is, we are on the safest side.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t imagine this is too easy,¡± Thais cautioned, striding over to the mirror that hung above the metal dresser. She looked at herself in the reflecting glass and seemed to predict what was coming. ¡°So far, it¡¯s been pretty easy. PGI butchers and criminals don¡¯t make it hard to choose when they threaten, attack or hunt you and yet such characters have their faces and their stories too. So when we grab the accountant in the robbery, be prepared to hear his story, his evasions and his pleas and whether he is telling the truth or lying doesn¡¯t matter - he will make it difficult for you.¡±


    To this Kysaek strongly objected, for she did not want to let any possible qualms get to her and to be a strong role model. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in what this guy has to say if it has nothing to do with the slaves.¡±


    ¡°Wait and see,¡± Thais merely said and disappeared into the bathroom.


    That gave Kysaek food for thought as she grabbed a cool bottle of water from the small fridge and drank from it. Was this harder than she thought after all? Was she on the way to becoming jaded, after a few months on the run? And why did Thais necessarily have to talk about such things now? That was no help to Kysaek. I can¡¯t let myself get flustered before the raid. Instead, she tried to take her mind off Themis and wondered how things were going at Central, since she had given Re¡¯Lis a few things to do before leaving. First and foremost was a possible escape from the main world, as it was uncertain how it would all turn out on Themis and there might not be a new pursuit.


    There were also the beggars, whom Kysaek had not forgotten and to whom she had advanced a not exactly small sum. After all, that had almost broken her and the group¡¯s necks and since the elimination of Jason, the beggars had disappeared from the face of the earth. It would have been a lie if Kysaek had said that she was only interested in the well-being of these people and that that was why she wanted to track them down. She felt that she owed the beggars a debt because of the trouble they had caused her and that it was no longer just about the deal she had made with them. Hopefully they were not cheats. That would not be at all palatable to Kysaek, but there was a worse problem she had entrusted Re¡¯Lis with.


    At first, it had only been fleeting rumours in and around Capon, but before Kysaek had started her journey to Themis, it had become more. For some time now, children of all kinds had been disappearing, and not in short supply and despite the protection of the new militia. This hurt Kysaek, although she still did not want to interfere in the affairs of the inhabitants. She had enough trouble of her own. But when a Palanian mother appeared before her in person and told her heartbreakingly about her missing daughter and begged her to help her, Kysaek could no longer ignore it. She promised the mother to send out her people and to take care of it herself as soon as she returned from her short journey, the destination of which she concealed. She didn¡¯t really have people to send, but it would bring the Mother some peace and until then Re¡¯Lis should at least ask around and see what she could find out or perhaps enlist the help of Prax and his brothers if the situation of the Galig did not allow her to wait for Kysaek¡¯s return journey.


    The signs, however, indicated that the action on Themis was not going to be done with a snap of her fingers and time was not exactly on Kysaek¡¯s side. At least that¡¯s what she originally thought. For some time now she had been wondering and outside the hotel, Kysaek broached the subject. ¡°Every now and then, everything seems a bit strange to me.¡±


    ¡°Everything? Everything what?¡± asked Thais, looking up at the sky in passing. She and Kysaek were incognito on their way to the raid, walking in an undeveloped crevice that was just below the surface.


    Only a translucent, shimmering blue atmospheric shield separated the women from the deadly flora and fauna, in the form of the gigantic, hellish sun and a raging sandstorm.


    Kysaek, however, was more focused on Thais because of the conversation and because all the colours were playing a colourful game with Talin¡¯s fair skin. ¡°We are refugees from PGI, right?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re living as refugees on Central and walking through the dust of Themis right now. Still feels like escape to me, yes.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but it¡¯s an escape from PGI, one of the most powerful corporations in the galaxy. Skarg Peeks even has a small private fleet of warships and thousands, oh what am I saying, tens of thousands of soldiers.¡±


    Thai¡¯s throat slits widened and suddenly she expelled a not inconsiderable amount of dust from them, like a sneeze. ¡°Argh, the damn dirt gets into every gap.¡±


    Kysaek smirked in surprise. ¡°You all right? Are you clogging up right now?¡±


    ¡°Not funny,¡± Thais replied, holding her nose and blowing another load of dirt out of the crooks of her throat. ¡°Ah, much better.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not getting sick, though?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just the environment. Dry worlds with lots of sand or dusty earth are not places for the Talin.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯m reassured.¡±


    ¡°But not as far as PGI is concerned. What are you getting at?¡±


    ¡°Skarg Peeks has quasi-unlimited resources, no matter what it¡¯s about - why can¡¯t he get on our trail?¡± asked Kysaek. This seemed illogical to her. ¡°He could probably hire the best Seekers, bounty hunters, assassins, or start yet another smear campaign to make us look even worse, and that¡¯s nothing to a man like him.¡±


    Thais screwed up her face indecisively. ¡°So you¡¯re basically complaining that we¡¯re doing reasonably well and we don¡¯t have half the galaxy right behind our backs?¡±


    ¡°Well, when you say that, it sounds crazy ... I¡¯m not crazy, am I?¡±


    ¡°Let me look at that,¡± Talin said, deliberately exaggerating at first. ¡°Trusting a complete stranger Palanian? That¡¯s a risky game and comes close to crazy. But to consider the situation and realise that one of the biggest corporations with all its power can¡¯t get to us? That¡¯s rational and has justification, but there are possible explanations.¡±


    ¡°You have explanations? Then you have already thought of that as well.¡±


    ¡°Actually, it was Re¡¯Lis,¡± Thais asserted. ¡°A few weeks ago she came up with it too, only she didn¡¯t ask me if she was crazy. In fact, she told me not to be so careless.¡±


    ¡°And what conclusion did you come to?¡±


    ¡°Underestimating and overestimating was the first. Either Skarg is underestimating us or we are assessing the situation worse than it actually is.¡±


    ¡°Underestimate?¡± repeated Kysaek, slightly horrified. ¡°PGI cut us off from everyone and sent an army into Auranis, murdered dozens of your sisters and reduced the Disciples¡¯ base to rubble. From my point of view, that was playing it safe.¡±


    Thais was sober in her assessment and had apparently continued to process her losses. ¡°This was more like a good fighting force and not an army. We were right on Peek¡¯s doorstep and of all his resources he is no longer without? No, I¡¯ll stick with underestimating.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like it,¡± Kysaek replied equally soberly. Was her little troupe really that good? Was it luck so far? Or were they all vermin in the end, not worth it to Skarg? No, that didn¡¯t make sense to Kysaek, she considered the smear campaign in the public news, the attack on Cipi, and the appointment of Phonor and his hunting party. ¡°Whatever all this is, I think we could kick up a lot of dust here on Themis.¡±


    Again Thais knocked some of the actual dust off her clothes. ¡°¡¯Humans and their figurative proverbs,¡¯¡± the Talin said with amusement. ¡°In any case, we seem to be on the trail of something big, and who¡¯s to say it won¡¯t raise more questions than answers.¡±


    ¡°A lot of things don¡¯t make sense right now. I mean, why would a successful mega-corporation like PGI be researching with banned technology? Profit motive?¡±


    ¡°Profit, power, superiority: sounds like the Solaris dream to me,¡± Thais recalled of the war. ¡°Nothing else was at stake then. A company that saw itself at the top and wanted to conquer the galaxy with found, far superior technology. Not every motive is complex and full of grey areas. Often such desires are simple.¡±


    ¡°I would find that ... unsatisfactory,¡± Kysaek weighed the interjection and saw another snag. ¡°And the many slaves, of Roskor Reed. Why the expense? Slaves are allowed in the lush expanses, with contracts signed voluntarily. So why does PGI need to resort to such means?¡±


    ¡°These slave contracts are the last option for some, with high debts and other problems¡± Thais explains knowingly, as if she had once had such a contract herself, or because she saw it as a more extreme form of insolvency. ¡°You cede a lot of your rights and commit to someone for a certain number of years. In return, they take over your problems and at the end you are completely free. In my eyes, that¡¯s fair and not entirely comparable to the theft of freedom from real slavery and apparently PGI has greater need, of real indentured labour.¡±


    ¡°There are really only more questions coming,¡± Kysaek sighed in frustration, kicking a stone away in front of her. ¡°I want to know why we¡¯re having this trouble.¡±


    With her next step, Thais paused and looked first to her companion. ¡°Let me give you some advice, from someone who has lived a long time,¡± she said, and having Kysaek¡¯s attention, the Talin stared up at the blue shield. The sandstorm swept across the barrier and the hellish sun blazed in the sky as Thais shared life wisdom. ¡°Don¡¯t look too hard for the why. Time is on the universe¡¯s side and infinite, yours is not.¡±


    ¡°Is that just your view or of all Talin?¡± asked Kysaek. After talking to Thais, her sister Dil¨¦n, and scattered alien Talin, she was sure that was more folk wisdom. ¡°Your people can live close to two thousand years, after all, so you have plenty of time to search for whatever.¡±


    ¡°And even we don¡¯t find all the answers. It reminds me of a story from the Temple Lesson that fits the theme. Would you like to hear it?¡±


    Was Thais a priestess, that is, a real one? Temple Lesson sounded very religious to Kysaek, but she preferred to let her comrade-in-arms tell her story. ¡°Let¡¯s hear it.¡±


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°An old legend says that long, long ago there were as many male Talin as female Talin and we didn¡¯t have to guard our men like treasures, but they were sadly tormented by the lust for blood and waged war after war. This slaughter and waste of life enraged the Nubius to the utmost and in their rage they called every temple servant to them, no matter how insignificant their rank and name, and for the first and only time in the history of my people, the Nubius spoke personally to the Talin.¡±


    ¡°And what did they say? Put your guys in shackles or castrate them?¡±


    Unmoved, Thais continued. ¡°They put the fate of our people in the hands of all the temple servants. Whatever they decided, the Nubius would do, and so the servants all consulted, for years, centuries even, and this while their world was going up in flames more and more and there was less and less to preserve all the time.¡±


    ¡°Centuries, the Talin really have too much time on their hands ... but since you are travelling around in space now, I assume the servants came to an answer?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and it reshaped our society from the ground up. The servants found that the men were guilty and would lead our people to ruin, but they still granted them a chance to escape their curse. The servants appealed to the men¡¯s reason to lay down their arms and live in harmony. The men refused and so they continued to slaughter each other until there were only a few left and so it remained for all time - the Nubius had cursed them at the behest of the servants, that they might not multiply too much and so be no danger.¡±


    ¡°As i said, castrate.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not so much about the punishment in this story,¡± Thais admonished politely. ¡°Because to this day there is no answer to whether it was just, whether it was good, and whether it ensures our eternal existence. Henceforth, we women took over not only the spiritual leadership of our people, but also the all-encompassing one. Many scholars claim to know the answer and say it was right because the Talin still exist today. For them, it is proof that this is the answer.¡±


    ¡°So I don¡¯t misunderstand,¡± Kysaek murmured. She tried to follow. ¡°The servants spent ages looking for an answer to the man problem and when they thought they found one, they found it wasn¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°Partly true. The lesson is that you can spend your life looking or waiting for an answer, but it may never come and you can only try to make the best of what you are given.¡±


    This legend and Kysaek¡¯s current situation were not comparable for her. ¡°But the difference with the servants is that they knew the reason,¡± she said with conviction. ¡°They knew the why. They knew why they judged the men, while we have a hint of nothing. The fact that you Talin still wonder today if it was such a good thing is another story altogether.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t quite grasp the lesson that way,¡± Thais noted, but she was not disappointed. ¡°It¡¯s not about how, where or why. It¡¯s about living with the circumstances and drawing potential from them.¡± Following this, The Talin raised the prospect of an uncomfortable fact. ¡°Have you considered the possibility that we may never know the reason for our pursuit? What Skarg Peeks is up to? Or that it may be years before we learn the truth and that we must now simply accept many things as they come to us? Who knows what else is coming that we don¡¯t have an immediate answer to.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case and we don¡¯t find out, ever, we¡¯ll have to live underground forever,¡± Kysaek gritted out. That was definitely not on her five-year plan. ¡°That means we would have failed and I don¡¯t feel like that at all. Our goal is clear and we¡¯ll make the best of it.¡±


    Resolutely, Thais nodded. ¡°Apparently you do understand the story a little, but I suggest we deal with the accountant and finding the slaves now. After that we can go back to puzzling over the situation.¡±


    ¡°What else can we do?¡± winked Kysaek. Serious and a little fun, that was how it could go on for her. For a long time she had grown accustomed to Thais and the rest, but still there was the feeling of being a stranger and that there was a chasm between them, the chasm of expediency. However, Kysaek knew that this did not diminish the strength of the group and did not change the care and loyalty to each other, because if something happened to one, it would weaken and endanger the rest.


    Kysaek did not suspect such qualities in criminals, certainly not in those in the upcoming deal. Two gangs who stood by each other for the moment for the sake of currency and power alone, and each saw his neighbour as expendable just so that the cake could turn out bigger for him at some point.


    At an old, unkempt and abandoned mine platform, the respective parties met and Reed¡¯s followers were not only better armed, but outnumbered the vendors two to one. However, this did not bother the outnumbered and they appeared quite relaxed as they waited at a tunnel on the tracks.


    ¡°How long are we supposed to stand here?!¡± asked Arolac. He was a small Davoc, with shaggy orange fur and a broad nature, characterised by more meat on his ribs than muscle. ¡°If there¡¯s one thing I hate, it¡¯s waiting.¡±


    ¡°A break between meals is good for you,¡± said a Talin whose voice was as young as her defiant appearance. She apparently knew the monkey business and didn¡¯t hold back. ¡°You are fat enough.¡±


    Both the Talin¡¯s companions and parts of Arolac¡¯s own people laughed dirtily and it annoyed the Davoc ¡°And you¡¯re a little whore, like many Talin! Just because you have good drugs and we made some deals doesn¡¯t mean I won¡¯t put holes in your face if you don¡¯t have respect!¡± he incensed, looking sharply at his henchmen. ¡°And you shut up!¡±


    ¡°Keep quiet, Arolac,¡± a Galig thug of the Davoc retorted. ¡°We all know how smart you are, but you¡¯ll have to admit she¡¯s not wrong. When we¡¯re not on business, you sit a lot, crunch numbers and eat and drink like a greedy negdrog.¡±


    ¡°So I¡¯m a fat, stupid negdrog? You¡¯d better not be, or I¡¯ll be rolling the numbers later and all of a sudden your share has mysteriously been halved.¡±


    ¡°You are and will always be a dry-skin,¡± the Galig opined. Dry skin was his species¡¯ way of saying someone was a whiny whiner.


    ¡°So far, everything is true,¡± Kysaek said quietly. Her place further up, in a deserted office, gave her a good overview of the cramped area. ¡°But the drugs should be there by now.¡±


    Thais patted her leader on the shoulder. ¡°Well then, let¡¯s hope your eager friends understood the meaning of -don¡¯t attack until the drugs are handed over- and thgat they dont get tempted with their highly praised greed.¡±


    ¡°How likely are they to be that stupid?¡±


    ¡°If we are dead, the probability was high,¡± Thais said sarcastically, shifting her position as she cut Arolac off. ¡°I¡¯ll go around to the other side, then we can heckle him.¡±


    Kysaek nodded silently as it grew increasingly noisy in the vendors¡¯ tunnel and she briefly feared her aides were arriving too soon. She noticed, however, how calmly the criminals remained on the platform and realised that the goods she had hoped for were finally arriving.


    A row of five narrow goods wagons was being pulled in by a train wagon on the tracks and on each wagon were metal suitcases and boxes, locked and of various standard sizes, which seemed a bit like a waste of space, given the volume of the wagons.


    ¡°The number is right,¡± Arolac commented as he walked off the load and had a synthetic protective glove handed to him. ¡°Let¡¯s see what the contents are like.¡± He did not bother to open one of the thicker and radiation-marked containers himself. One of the vendors did that for him, and out of the box shimmered a soft aquamarine glow to Arolac. ¡°I like the colour.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s from a clean compression,¡± the Talin saleswoman mentioned, grinning roguishly. ¡°At least that¡¯s what the ones we took it from said.¡±


    Arolac was more than indifferent to the fact that the goods had been stolen. ¡°Almost looks like industrial processing to me,¡± he said, covering his fingers with the protective glove. It was the only way he could safely retrieve a glowing square from the box. ¡°This really deserves the name Pure Cube.¡±


    Kysaek was fascinated by the colour. She had never seen Pure Cube or also called Drug C up close and in real life. She read once about how the drug was extremely expensive and you were never allowed to touch it without safety gloves, as you could suffer very painful or fatal damage if it came into contact with your skin. However, if you brought it into a gaseous state, you could smoke Drug C without any problem and experience an extreme high.


    ¡°Do I need to check on the rest?¡± asked Arolac suspiciously, putting the cube back into the container.


    ¡°Do it or don¡¯t. I¡¯m not your nanny,¡± the Talin saleswoman replied sternly. She knew how this went. ¡°I know for myself that I¡¯m not stupid enough to fuck with Reed or give him shit. Because I like living a lot and I deliver what I promised.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad we understand each other,¡± Arolac nodded and climbed heavily onto the Loren¡¯s train wagon. ¡°Give her the foreign currency badges.¡± While he recovered from the few steps and took a breath, two of his men handed some safe boxes, whose codes they visibly entered, to the sellers and, unlike Arolac, they checked each badge for its value.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get more at the next deal, though, or this will be our last transaction,¡± the Talin saleswoman warned.


    ¡°The price is right as it is. If you can¡¯t do math and don¡¯t know the principle of supply and demand, that¡¯s your bad luck.¡±


    ¡°Explain it to me ... Why does some of the merchandise not fetch me what it is actually worth?¡±


    Arolac was not inclined to justify the prices, but he did so anyway. ¡°I¡¯ll explain in simple terms, sweetheart: since the Echo Cartel was broken up, there is no one on Themis to control the flow of certain drugs. It¡¯s a free market now and it¡¯s flooded with loads and that lowers the value, even of high quality - get it now?¡±


    ¡°Is that any way to treat good business partners?!¡±


    Now it was up to Arolac¡¯s henchmen and him to laugh amusedly at the Talin. ¡°I hope you¡¯re not screaming for fairness like a little girl, because then I doubt your sanity.¡±


    ¡°Oh, fuck you!¡± replied the Talin bad-temperedly, waving him off contemptuously. ¡°Take your goods and get ou-¡± Suddenly a shot rang out and pierced her back, causing Arolac to wince and fall out of the tractor.


    Even Kysaek was startled, but she caught herself immediately and remained mistress of the quickly turning heated situation. She could not say the same for the gathering on the platform, however, where everyone was frantically searching for the source of the incipient attacks and only found it when more than half of the vendors were already on the ground. Finally, Kysaek¡¯s reinforcements had arrived and they had really approached silently, and from a very narrow side shaft to which neither she nor anyone else had given any importance up to that point.


    But now Reed¡¯s people and the last vendors did, but in the chaos they did not find each other - they turned on each other. ¡°You betrayed us, you bastards!¡± one of the vendors shouted indignantly, firing wildly. His sense of betrayal was understandable, for after all, many of his companions were dead or injured, and there were almost no casualties among Reed¡¯s people before they were attacked by the raiders and the vendors.


    ¡°Filthy parasites!¡± countered Arolac, crouching in the shelter of the tractor, protected by a couple of his henchmen. ¡°I¡¯ll stuff your Pure Cubes down your throats!¡± In terms of numbers, his men easily outnumbered even the attackers who had appeared, but the ongoing unrest didn¡¯t exactly play into their hands, driving a breach between Reed¡¯s pack.


    Nevertheless, Kysaek was still looking for a way to get to Arolac without anyone noticing or getting in her way. Besides, with every passing second, the likelihood that the Davoc could be killed by the hired force increased, and even if Kysaek had explicitly forbidden it - in the heat of battle, anything was possible. ¡°The fight is still too dangerous,¡± she murmured to herself. ¡°And I¡¯ll never get the hunk away fast enough. They¡¯ll shoot me before that.¡±


    Finally, Thais made contact over the Frequenzy. ¡°What¡¯s taking you so long?!¡± the Talin asked. She had found herself a safe corner and secretly stopped some of Reed¡¯s men cold. ¡°The longer we wait, the worse things are for us!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for the right moment, after all!¡± replied Kysaek, having to duck away from some ricochets. ¡°There are still too many guards and Arolac isn¡¯t moving, but I¡¯m open to ideas!¡°¡±If there¡¯s nothing else, we¡¯ll have to get right into the fight!¡± suggested Thais, but there was little more inside for her. Despite hiding, bullets and plasma charges were hitting close to her and this was also driving new crooks from Reed towards her. A situation in which she could not possibly continue to maintain contact.


    Kysaek¡¯s hands were also tied, however. The plan did not call for her or Thais to interfere and it was far too risky to actively intervene in the shooting that was becoming more intense, but the turmoil showed her one thing. Arolac was a coward, through and through. Every bang made him fidget restlessly back and forth and that gave Kysaek an idea. She didn¡¯t have to take action, but threw one of her incendiary grenades into the confusion and the soundless toss didn¡¯t give away her position. The fierce stabbing flame decimated Reed¡¯s men at one point and Arolac was startled by it, like a wild animal. ¡°Yes, yes!¡± grinned Kysaek to himself.


    At first the Davoc ran away from the lorries at a snail¡¯s pace, but he would never make it across the open space and hastily turned back. He climbed onto the tractor. ¡°You come with me!¡± he ordered a few hoodlums, and to the rest he gave other instructions. ¡°And you finish off those sneaky traitors!¡±


    The lorries slowly started rolling away and Kysaek¡¯s face wrinkled as she was really smeared. ¡°No, no, no!¡± , she shook her head and stormed out of the office. It was impossible for her to stop the mini-train, so she unceremoniously decided to sprint to the railway tunnel overpass. ¡°This can only go wrong!¡± she said to herself and took the plunge.


    Just barely and very ungently, the stowaway landed on the last trolley, between the boxes and both Arolac and his few goons looked back perplexed. ¡°What branch crashed?!¡± the Davoc asked, upset. ¡°Go see what it was!¡±


    The Train wagon was not exactly a maglev and its speed was moderate, but it still shook vigorously. It was not so easy for the three crooks to climb over the trolleys and all their loads in the process. ¡°Slow down or I¡¯ll fly off this thing!¡± shouted the galig who was close to the third wagon.


    His wish for less speed did not come true, however, but when Kysaek emerged from the crates and fired, the Galig¡¯s fears came true and he fell wounded from the lorry. ¡°Who¡¯s next?!¡± she asked, full of adrenaline, swaying with the sway of the ride.


    Her other counterparts, however, were not as careless as the Galig and were forewarned. Besides, they quickly drove the cheekiness out of their fellow passenger by bringing their considerable plasma rifle armament to bear and it melted everything it hit, which included the drug charges.


    Filled injectors, green dust and Pure Cubes were torn out of their holes by the rough ride and Kysaek was glad to be wearing a full helmet. The dust alone would have rendered her completely useless from one moment to the next.


    ¡°Are you stupid?¡°, Arolac was annoyed. ¡°Stop destroying the goods now! Do it the old fashioned way and beat the shit out of the bitch!¡±


    Reluctantly, his henchman gave in to the Davoc¡¯s urging and they fired only to protect themselves from counter-attacks and succeeded.


    Kysaek¡¯s pistol was hit and she had to drop the melting, glowing hot piece immediately. However, she possessed a similar, burning substitute and it was called Pure Cube! Gloves she didn¡¯t have, but Kysaek didn¡¯t have to touch the glowing solid herself thanks to her prismatic powers and hurled some of the drug cubes at the opponents. Concentrating her powers was difficult in the jerky ride, though, and the narrow objects made it a real feat. However, Kysaek managed quite passably and managed hits, just not good ones. They were either on synthetic material or parts of protective armour - until a Calanian henchman struck at one of the Pure Cubes and caught him with a bare backhand. Instantly he doubled over screaming like hell, like someone burning alive, and Kysaek was able to ignore the hit man as she began to grapple with the last thug on the second lore.


    He was human and her physical equal, but the man knew some tricks and gave Kysaek real trouble. ¡°I¡¯m gonna fuck you up, you piece of shit!¡± he railed at her, knocking her to the ground.


    This, however, was a welcome position for Kysaek. ¡°Not today!¡± she sneered back before kicking the guy between the legs and knocking the almost paralysed criminal off the lore.


    Now there wasn¡¯t much standing between Arolac and his pursuer, who picked up one of the plasma rifles. Only a lorry and a brawny Talin in the tractor were the last protection for him. ¡°That¡¯s it, Arolac!¡± he heard the stowaway shout. ¡°Stop or I¡¯ll shoot!¡± The Davoc even thought of something similar. ¡°I¡¯d better throw you out!¡± he retorted, and made a proper full stop.


    Because she was caught off guard and unable to cope with the resulting force, Kysaek thundered into the first lore and sailed off the transporter. Her body screamed with every fibre and she writhed on the dirty track bed in physical agony. Getting up was out of the question for her just then, even though she stretched out her arm as the drug train also picked up speed again.


    ¡°Tough luck, bitch! You¡¯ll have to get up earlier! Ha haha!¡± laughed Arolac spitefully. He was out of reach of his pursuer and kept giving her victorious looks. There was no chance now that she would catch up with him. ¡°All over these blowhards,¡± he snorted to his stalwart Talin protector. ¡°Who are you anyway?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m with the bitch!¡± the hooded Thais replied, delivering a knockout blow to Arolac. After that, it was easy for her to stop the Mine Train and back up.


    Kysaek was still on the ground, stunned by the Talin. ¡°Where did you come from now?¡± she asked strickenly, squinting her eyes. Had this been a dream? Had she hit her head when she fell?


    ¡°I was there the whole time,¡± Thais claimed as if it was nothing. ¡°When things got really hot, I snuck in between the ranks of Reed¡¯s people. It¡¯s really an advantage that criminals don¡¯t wear such clearly recognisable signs as PGI.¡±


    ¡°What if I had shot you in the heat of the moment?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t die so easily Kysaek. After all, I¡¯m standing here, aren¡¯t I?¡±


    A little snivelling with bitter humour, Kysaek pushed herself to her feet.... ¡°And it never occurred to you to help me?¡±


    ¡°You did quite well, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    Her fall was the opposite for Kysaek and she only recovered from it step by step. ¡°Doesn¡¯t feel like it though.¡±


    ¡°I was about to when you put him down, but his full stop was unexpected.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing,¡± Kysaek smirked wanly, but she didn¡¯t hold it against the Talin. ¡°Next time you do anything, I¡¯ll take the comfy seat and you can fall off the wagon.¡±


    ¡°Fine by me. Wouldn¡¯t be the first time I¡¯ve fallen off a vehicle,¡± Thais said, and though the henchman with the Pure Cube wound on the trolley didn¡¯t budge, The Talin played it safe with a shot to the head.


    Kysaek was not amused by the brutality. ¡°Couldn¡¯t get any deader, could you?¡±


    ¡°Do I hear pity there? I thought those who were a danger to us were something else when it came to killing.¡±


    ¡°He was no longer a danger,¡± Kysaek clarified. However, she did not forget that this was neither the time nor the place for discussion and accepted it for the time being. ¡°But we have other things to do now.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Let¡¯s get the fat ass out of here or we won¡¯t get anywhere,¡± Thais agreed. She ripped Arolac¡¯s vortex cuff off his arm and smashed it.


    Nothing spoke against it for Kysaek, but she did one more thing. ¡°Wait,¡± she said, destroying the coupling of the second lore. ¡°More loot for our robbers, or they¡¯ll resent us.¡± She was going to park the train wagon, including trolley number one, far away from here. ¡°Full speed ahead.¡±

 Deep Down - The Accountant

    ¡°Do you realise that you¡¯re a dead man?¡°, Arolac yelped loudly and wildly. He was tied to a pillar, the old-fashioned way, with chains and ropes, and they were enough to keep little Davoc¡¯s portly body inside the fence. ¡°What¡¯s the point of this anyway! Why do you steal the drugs if you¡¯re going to leave them behind?! These are millions worth of goods!¡±


    ¡°What can I say?¡± retorted Kysaek unconcernedly. ¡°We are quite wasteful.¡± She hadn¡¯t got to the actual topic yet and she had only heard hostility so far because her guest had only recently regained consciousness and she had to find this place where she could talk to him undisturbed beforehand.


    It was a former and looted material store belonging to an insignificant railway station along the track on which the train had travelled. However, its users had not parked the transport there, but had let it travel a little further by automatic setting before they had chosen their interrogation room in the confusion of the mined tunnels.


    Being discovered here, however, was the least of Kysaek¡¯s worries, despite the loud organ of her prisoner. The camp was well insulated and she wanted to make another attempt at questioning. ¡°Will you hold the edge for once?!¡±


    ¡°Untie me and I¡¯ll think it over!¡± grumbled Arolac wearily. It was becoming apparent that he was not going to keep up this babbling charade for much longer.


    ¡°And then you¡¯ll roll me flat? I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    ¡°You can think?! I hardly think so, you filthy Iknis!¡±


    Thais sat on an old table top. ¡°Very diplomatic, Nora,¡± she said. Her instructions and the plan called for Arolac to be threatened and at worst beaten, but excessive force or torture was not on the cards and the Talin didn¡¯t like that. ¡°Although I imagine it would be real torture for him if we let him run free for a bit.¡±


    ¡°Or I¡¯ll grab you with my hands and squeeze every bit of life out of you,¡± Arolac replied as his physical resistance came to a halt. He was corpulent and not the fittest, but it was quite conceivable that he could put his threat into action. ¡°What did you hope to gain here from! Foreign currency?! Information about our business?! Or were you recruited to assassinate me?!¡±


    ¡°Assassination,¡± Kysaek snorted. ¡°Someone thinks he is that important and if we had been, you¡¯d be dead by now, wouldn¡¯t you? You¡¯re not so wrong about the info, though, even if it¡¯s not the kind of knowledge you must suspect.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not telling you anything because then I¡¯ll be dead and next it¡¯ll be you! Your best chance is to release me and get the hell away from Themis right now and hole up in some dirty hole somewhere!¡±


    None of the women had shown their faces yet. ¡°We¡¯ve been through the hole thing. We¡¯re even underground now,¡± Kysaek mentioned, looking up at the ceiling. ¡°But speaking of chances - your best bet is to tell us what we want to know. So spare us this nonsense! You¡¯ll run into walls with us with that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m smart! I¡¯m not so sure about you or do you have the slightest idea who I work for!¡±


    ¡°This is going to take a while Nora,¡± Thais sighed, picking up a rusty iron bar and slamming it into her hand again and again.


    ¡°Nora?! Nora who?!¡± inquired Arolac, though his eyes were more on the Talin and her iron bar.


    ¡°For being so smart, you don¡¯t understand the rules,¡± Kysaek admonished, supporting her partner¡¯s game. ¡°But maybe you need a push: what do you know about the slaves Roskor Reed is organising for PGI!¡±


    ¡°Slaves?! What slaves?! On Themis, slaves are nothing, a business on the side! And even that is none of your business!¡±


    ¡°Tell us, what¡¯s it all about?!¡±


    ¡°Furless piece of meat! I¡¯m not in any slave business! I have other duties!¡±


    Suddenly Thais struck the Arolacs porter with the bar and he startled in panic, but he was unhurt.


    Kysaek also faintly jerked up, but she was sure she had more of his attention now. ¡°I heard a rumour, something about a big deal. The question is, where is Roskor Reed shipping all the slaves for PGI?¡±


    ¡°Well, ask the boss yourself!¡± said Arolac, defiant anew, but the mere raising of Thais hand was enough for him to lower his tone. ¡°You want to do business?! Good, good, let¡¯s talk business! How much do you want?! Ten thousand?! A hundred thousand?! I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll come to an agreement and then you¡¯ll let me go!¡±


    ¡°He still doesn¡¯t understand the rules,¡± Thais observed, annoyed. But instead of swinging the bar again, she clenched her fist and let concentrated, prismatic energy flow through it, like a fire just waiting to spread. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s our language and we should try another.¡±


    Kysaek played the inclined and drew her knife. ¡°That would definitely get us somewhere. I¡¯m just wavering between sharp and fuzzy right now.¡±


    Arolac¡¯s exasperation rose. ¡°A million?!¡± he gulped, taking the hint. Either he would be cut with the sharp knife or beaten with the rod. ¡°Or I¡¯ll get you a good job in our organisation! How does that sound!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s stick to your organisation,¡± Kysaek opined. She wielded the knife less threateningly, but kept it in her hand. ¡°You mean to tell us that you know nothing at all about doing business with PGI?¡±


    ¡°We do a lot of business with Peeks, but I don¡¯t know about all of them! I¡¯m not that far up the ladder!¡±


    ¡°I even believe you and yet I¡¯m sure you do hear things, even if it¡¯s just a rumour and I bet a deal as big as the one with the slaves can¡¯t remain a secret forever.¡±


    Arolac¡¯s nostrils flared permanently, a sign of great stress, and he pressed his lips tightly together. When Thais pressed her bar against the Davoc¡¯s cheek, he narrowed all three eyes fearfully ¡°W-what do you care about slave business anyway? If you tell me, it will definitely help me think!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t reverse the roles,¡± Kysaek retorted. ¡°We ask, you answer. Are the slaves for work? For experiments? I have seen with my own eyes the vile things PGI can do.¡±


    ¡°You see! I have no idea what PGI is doing or where!¡±


    ¡°We are not moving forward here,¡± Kysaek said, physically applying more pressure. She used the flat side of the knife and pushed the steel under the bacon-like wrinkles of Arolac¡¯s face, but her tone remained hauntingly calm. ¡°Or have we got it wrong? Are you useless to us?¡±


    ¡°Nrgh, I have no idea,¡± Arolac asserted shakily. ¡°You should have kidnapped my boss instead! He¡¯s guaranteed to know!¡±


    ¡°Too much trouble, for our few resources. However, you have good ideas. Keep trying.¡±


    Arolac quoted a common Davoc saying ¡°Oh third eye, give me clarity,¡± he said, which was tantamount to pleading with a greater power. ¡°Let me contact my boss and talk to him about this!¡±


    ¡°And ten minutes later we¡¯re dead? Next try, my big furry friend,¡± Kysaek opined. She pulled the knife away, not letting her prisoner notice, but feeling a tiny bit sorry for him. This was no fighter, but she was convinced he had already ordered enough atrocities and possessed a sly tongue - someone who probably didn¡¯t deserve to be spared after all. ¡°And if I don¡¯t like what you¡¯re saying, my partner will soon take the fuzzy approach.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t say what I don¡¯t know!¡± complained Arolac in exasperation, again testing the chains on his body, which held up. ¡°I am an accountant! I¡¯m good at arithmetic, getting and passing on mundane orders, but I¡¯m not deep enough in the inner circle, for the most important business!¡±


    ¡°You really want to put us to the test,¡± Kysaek said appraisingly, nodding at Thais. ¡°Give him a taste. Go all out on his belly, that¡¯s where he¡¯ll feel the least and still notice enough to see we¡¯re not joking.¡±


    ¡°No! Wha-!¡°, Arolac was still half spitting when the Talin slammed the side of the bar into his stomach with full force and he gasped, coughing.


    It was a blow even Kysaek felt as he watched. ¡°Ouch. I hope for your sake we don¡¯t have to do that again,¡± she said, allowing the Davoc a few minutes of recovery. ¡°Let¡¯s forget about the great slave trade. It¡¯s really an enormous mass where you can lose track. Has there been any particular thing lately, say the LAST two months, that you¡¯ve heard related to a PGI deal? ... I would also be inclined not to let that be a detriment to you.¡±


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Each sentence from Arolac amounted to an airy hiccup, and it took him considerably longer to put the blow away. ¡°Not my disadvantage? What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You just said it yourself,¡± Kysaek noted sympathetically. She wondered if it would be better to rely on the Davoc¡¯s business acumen rather than his fear, and she preferred that to the dirty methods anyway. ¡°You¡¯re an accountant and you¡¯re good at maths and if we¡¯re honest - this is the gathering place of all the criminals in the galaxy. So why shouldn¡¯t you sell me the information and we¡¯ll never see each other again?¡±


    Thais eyes immediately met Kysaek¡¯s and the Talin could not believe that her leader had made such an offer, but she remained silent as Arolac brightened. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re going to do with the information and if it harms Roskor Reed and he finds out I helped you ...¡±


    ¡°What we do with your knowledge is our business and risk is part of any deal or am I wrong?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re smart, you minimise or eliminate the risk.¡±


    ¡°For us, the risk is much greater,¡± Thais interjected. She was playing the new game. ¡°You could lie to us, and even if you tell us the truth, you could immediately betray us to Reed, tell him some lie to save yourself and ruin our plan.¡±


    Kysaek tapped the tip of the knife against her helmet temple. ¡°There is only one way for us and that is to go after the slaves,¡± she said harshly, but softened towards the Davoc. ¡°We¡¯ll find out from someone one way or another, and it¡¯s your turn now. All you have to do is tell us how this ends: Are you going to keep quiet and die so that we find someone else? Will you be brutally beaten up by us, talk and then die? Or will you choose the least evil for yourself by talking, accepting our foreign currency and coming out of this hole unharmed?¡±


    Arolac¡¯s eyes sparkled. He¡¯d only tasted a fraction of the violence so far and was clearly unwilling to endure more of it, though it was doubtful his fear of the current situation could be that much stronger than Reed¡¯s and he wouldn¡¯t try a ruse. ¡°I don¡¯t want to die yet,¡± the Davoc opined. He was probably seriously considering the offer and did some soul-searching.


    ¡°It¡¯s only normal,¡± Kysaek agreed. ¡°And I can¡¯t shake the feeling that you¡¯ve thought of something after all.¡±


    ¡°Quite possibly.¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯ll just have to tell us. Mind you, I hope for your sake that this isn¡¯t a hoax.¡±


    ¡°As you said - your risk is greater,¡± Arolac ventured. It was more a comment than a testing of his interrogators¡¯ patience, however. ¡°But what you have managed to do here can happen to me again. I never push my luck.¡±


    Thais became indignant. ¡°Get to the point!¡±


    The little shock was finally enough for Arolac. ¡°Okay, okay!¡± he replied defeatedly. ¡°I¡¯m sticking to it! I have little insight into the PGI slave trade, but a couple of my enforcers told me about a bit of trouble about two months ago that mentioned PGI and it involved a bot.¡±


    ¡°A bot?¡± echoed Kysaek. ¡°Trouble?¡±


    ¡°Yes, a bot,¡± Arolac replied seriously. ¡°And what exactly was going on, I don¡¯t know. But it seemed that some kind of special bot carried out an attack on PGI or Reed. At the very least, it involved PGI¡¯s slaves in some way.¡±


    ¡°How does that help us if you don¡¯t know any details about the trade or what happened?¡°¡±Because I know where the bot is.¡±


    The machine isn¡¯t destroyed? That¡¯s weird. The thought came to Kysaek immediately and she saw the same doubt in Thai¡¯s body language before she asked. ¡°The bot was captured and not disposed of?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and there was a fight over where to keep the thing,¡± Arolac nodded. ¡°Must be a dangerous fighting machine, because I can¡¯t explain the fuss any other way.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t make sense of it either. Isn¡¯t there any research being done on the special bot? And what does a bot have to do with slaves? Are you testing its combat capabilities on people? Is he just standing in a storage closet?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯ve heard, and to the best of my knowledge, he¡¯s located in Warehouse Three, in the Deep Down Cargo Port.¡±


    Kysaek did not take her prisoner¡¯s accuracy for granted. ¡°You know that for a fact? Why Warehouse Three of all places?¡±


    ¡°It is the least important warehouse at this transshipment point,¡± Arolac explained. That he, as an accountant, knew about the importance of such places was more understandable. ¡°It was a matter of stowing the bot in the farthest corner and locking it up, inconspicuously. Others wanted to lock it away far more securely, which led to infighting among the underbosses.¡±


    "Warehouse Three is not well guarded?¡± asked Thais, lurking in the back of the pillar. ¡°Do I understand that correctly?¡±


    Arolac by now had a composed demeanour, despite the danger behind him. ¡°It`s definitely not a fortress. That would cause too much of a stir.¡±


    ¡°Mh, come here?¡± murmured Kysaek thoughtfully to her companion. She wanted to consult with the Talin and use her for shielding before her prisoners eyes at the same time. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Thais gave good cover, against Arolac¡¯s field of vision, and she was quiet. ¡°A special machine that has something to do with PGI? That sounds plausible enough, but what would does it have to do with slaves?¡±


    ¡°I guess we¡¯d have to find out. I don¡¯t think he made it up,¡± Kysaek said hopefully. ¡°We should definitely check with our other companion. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll know if there¡¯s anything to Deep Down.¡± She deliberately avoided mentioning Tavis name, even though she spoke softly. Kysaek got the silent assentv on Thais and she sent a text message to the Palanian via her vortex cuff.


    We have learned from Arolac that there is a special bot in the Deep Down Cargo Port that was involved in an attack on PGI and it is said to be housed in Warehouse Three. Do you know this hall?


    Tavis did not answer for a good while, but that was not surprising. After all, he was busy in other realms and could not respond from one moment to the next. However, Tavis¡¯ response did not take forever either. I know Deep Down, at least. A lot of nasty villains have their fingers in the pie there and it¡¯s an important port of call for their supplies and Reed is no exception - I know for a fact that he controls several halls and at least one large docking bay there.


    So it¡¯s worth following up the lead?


    It¡¯s better to have a lead than no lead at all. If you don¡¯t find anything there, we¡¯ll just have to come up with a new plan. I can try to get some information on Warehouse Three, but don¡¯t count on it. If that¡¯s really our target, it might look suspicious if I showed an interest.


    You¡¯re right about that. Is everything else all right with you?


    I¡¯m doing my day¡¯s work. Nothing exciting, but it serves our cause.


    Good, then get on with it. I¡¯ll get back to you later.


    ¡°What did he say?¡± asked Thais curiously.


    ¡°Reed has warehouses there,¡± Kysaek replied calmly. ¡°Arolac wasn¡¯t lying about that.¡± She walked up to Arolac and held out the prospect of his reward and release. ¡°We believe your story and you leave here with a fuller bag. Wasn¡¯t hard at all, was it?¡±


    Relieved, Arolac regained his confidence. ¡°About time,¡± he said erectly. ¡°And I hope I never have to wi-¡± Suddenly the Davoc¡¯s face was shredded by a shot Thais had fired behind her back and over her leader¡¯s shoulder.


    Stunned, Kysaek charged Talin. ¡°What are you doing?!¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t need him anymore and he could talk,¡± Thais replied tersely, questioning the offer. ¡°You weren¡¯t really going to let him go and pay?¡±


    ¡°Yes I was, that was my approximate plan!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe it!¡± gritted Thais grimly. She went at Kysaek verbally. ¡°How can you be so stupid! I thought you were smarter than that!¡±


    ¡°And I thought you were true to your word and trusted me?! We agreed not to use unnecessary force.¡±


    ¡°Unnecessary?- that was short and sweet. He would have betrayed us immediately and we wouldn¡¯t have got within a hundred yards of the warehouse.¡±


    Actually, Kysaek felt that Arolac was more than anxious enough and would rather have pocketed the forex in silence. ¡°How would you know?!¡± she questioned, upset. ¡°We do not murder ruthlessly!¡±


    ¡°It was necessary,¡± Thais said coldly. ¡°And we don¡¯t murder? I think you have forgotten what you have already done. Cipi seems quickly forgotten? Or your test, for the Disciples.¡±


    Was it the stress? The continuing, threatening situation? Or was Kysaek pained by the possible truth? She didn¡¯t know, but she didn¡¯t care right now. Her indignation at Thais was real and before Kysaek knew it, she was punching her partner in the face. ¡°That¡¯s not how it works Thais! Now you listen to me!¡± she cursed and tugged at the Talin¡¯s collar.


    However, neither the blow nor the tugging were a problem for the strong woman and the Thais, who was a good head taller, reversed the game in an instant. ¡°No, you listen to me well now,¡± she countered, bracing her leader before pressing her against the nearest wall. ¡°Sometimes I think I made a mistake in leaving you in command and that I did it in a moment of weakness because yougot my people killed!¡±


    Kysaek kicked, but it was impossible for her to extricate herself. ¡°What was that about choices?!¡± she retorted strained. ¡°It was your choice both to take me in and to supply terrorists with weapons so that they could piss on PGI¡äs leg and yet now I am to blame for all of the dead?!¡±


    ¡°Complicit!¡± opined Thais, slapping her leader repeatedly against the wall. ¡°And I¡¯m not going to lose the last of my sisters too, just because you¡¯re getting too reckless!¡±


    ¡°And I will not become what I detest, even if our lives are in the greatest danger!¡± retorted Kysaek, and she did the only thing she knew and could. She thrust her thumbs into the Talin¡¯s highly sensitive neck slits with lightning speed.


    Thais body immediately began to spasm and she could no longer maintain her grip. ¡°Where from?!¡± she just panted.


    ¡°Military basic course, alien weak points,¡± Kysaek replied as she sank into a sitting pose, knowing that the small attack was extremely nasty for her companion, as if she had just caught a man in his most sensitive spot and even that was only a vague comparison to the Talin¡¯s pain level.


    But at least it brought calm to the situation and Thais sighed agonisingly. ¡°A bull¡¯s eye.¡±


    ¡°You hit it just as neatly.¡±


    ¡°Only gently, only gently.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad of that,¡± Kysaek agreed, growing calmer. Perhaps it was quite good that she had made her point and reached out her hand to her comrade-in-arms. ¡°I trust you and I know you meant well, but I think when we get back to Central we need to talk and until we get back, you will do as I say and not decide over my head - understand?¡±


    Thais took the offered hand directly and allowed herself to be helped to her feet. ¡°I can¡¯t promise anything,¡± the Talin admitted, holding no grudge against her partner. ¡°But I trust you just as much and will try to respect your path.¡±


    ¡°The sooner we get it done, the less likely it is to happen again.¡±


    ¡°How overly optimistic of you,¡± Thais smirked bitterly, still stricken. ¡°Do we better go or do we want to take it slow?¡±


    ¡°A little time in between won¡¯t hurt. If this tin can is just gathering dust, I think you can handle a little more time.¡±


    ¡°I hope so,¡± Thais asked in a hint of amusement. ¡°Otherwise we¡¯ve hauled the fat one for nothing.¡±


    ¡°At least this will keep you in training.¡±