《The Second Journey》


 Tales Of Freedom And Solitude

    How things work:


    -¡± Dialogues, things spoken aloud. ¡°


    -¡¯ Thoughts of the MC. ¡®


    *Quotes*


    I awoke to an unfamiliar sensation. There was something¡­ liquid like, surrounding me. I tried to open my eyes, but a soft, green light permeated my vision and prevented me from seeing anything. I tried to extended my arms, but it only made me realize that I was helplessly floating in some sort of substance.


    A panicked breath made me aware that I can breath the strange liquid. A liquid which seemed strangely familiar¡­ I couldn¡¯t place it, but it somehow sent a tingling sensation all over my body, like an electric current that came in waves. It did make feel calm, safe¡­ and cared for¡­


    -¡¯ Like a warm embrace of someone¡­ ¡® My mind was slowly coming out of drowsiness. -¡¯ What was I¡­ ¡®


    A calming, tingling sensation was washing over my body in waves, just like a beat of a heart. -¡¯ My heart. ¡® I realized.


    -¡¯ Ah, that¡¯s my Mana Vat ¡® My memories were slowly coming back to me. I was confused, but it was to be expected, I remade myself.


    A merry feeling arose within my heart. -¡± I am finally free! ¡° I tried to exclaim my joy, but it turned into strange thudding sounds. -¡¯ Oh, right. I am still in spelled water. ¡® I thought and quickly channeled my power to break Mana Vat¡¯s barrier, which kept the liquid suspended in its egg-like form.


    Water was splashing in all directions and I suddenly found myself falling down. Before I hit the floor, made of dark metal, my reflexes kicked in.


    Flow of power, usually calm and dull within my soul, twisted and formed into a myriad of knots, sigils that shaped itself into a familiar pattern of the levitation spell. A weightless feeling descended on my body suddenly, which suddenly started floating in midair. The feeling was both similar and alien to the feeling of being in zero G.


    I took a look around - I was inside a circular, bare room of dark metal. There were arrays of glyphs that slowly faded into oblivion, same as the Manawater, which normally could not exist in this reality¡­


    Despite bare and dark surroundings I was barely able to keep my excitement in check. I willed myself to float to the doorway, which was not barred by any door. Behind it there was a dark, long corridor without any light, but my eyes were easily able to pierce the darkness.


    As I moved through the corridors I was reaching around with tendrils of mana, I needed to check how well the ship had fared during my sleep.


    Mana Core, the heart of my ship, was still full of energy. It seemed bright like a thousand suns and I could feel even through all of the spelled metal between us. I turned my attention to the Wards, a magical array of shields that protected my ship., and found out that they were weakened slightly. -¡¯ Hmm seems like a meteor impact¡­ ¡® I brushed the issue for later, as I could always reinforce them with my power if need arose.


    Air reserves were untouched, for obvious reasons¡­ there was not a soul apart from me present on the ship. I quickly brushed the unsettling thought aside and concentrated on the Danger Sigil, which was a sort of a magical sentry that was created to look for any threats to my ship¡­ I sighed, scrying magic was one with which I always struggled with and was punished for it often. I shook my head to banish the bad memory and concentrated on the task.


    -¡¯ It¡¯s green. Everything seems to be in order. ¡® I clasped my hands with joy and laughed merrily - a lovely sound, that sounded like a crystal bells. The new sound only elevated my mood further my ship was well, I was free and the transmogrification spell seemed to work just as I wanted¡­ I was still anxious to examine the changes to my body.


    I floated down the corridor, enjoying the new sensations. -¡¯ I can even float freely now! ¡® Weightless feeling was a sign of true freedom to me, slaves were prohibited from using such spells.


    -¡± But I am a Master now! ¡° I twirled in the air as I exclaimed. -¡¯ Well, technically speaking,  I am an Exile. ¡® I corrected myself and drowned myself in recollections of the past.


    The world I was born on - Shaar. Its vast cities and grand palaces, all constructed only for one purpose, to fulfill Master¡¯s willful wishes. Millions upon millions of slaves, traversing the plazas in endless quest to further the Master¡¯s agenda...


    My mood plummeted as hatred and sadness overcame me.


    My memories reached back to the test to become Master. A pompous event organized to placate the Republic, which claims to be a bastion of civil rights and equality, but it''s only an empty banter. A military alliance with my Homeworld was all it took to convince them otherwise.


    I remembered clean and white clad visitors that came from outer space to witness the event, all turning a blind eye to the blatant slavery happening in front of their eyes.


    -¡¯ On my world there is no freedom, there are only slaves and Masters¡­ and there''s the test,  a gate to a dreamlike existence, but it¡¯s almost like a hoax. ¡®


    I remembered the stark eyed Master, who stood on the other side of the circle, and his confident smile. He was jovial and welcoming, but it was only an illusion - for him it was just a game, to give a sliver of hope and then crush it mercilessly.


    As to pass the test one had to do the unthinkable, defeat a Master. Even to me it was a night impossible task, and it almost killed me. Though I won, only because my opponent didn¡¯t want to risk as much as I did.


    After everything was done I was faced with a choice: become one of the Ruling Masters, or become Exiled¡­  For me there was only one choice, I wanted to break all ties with my previous life.


    -¡¯ It was only a choice of convenience for the Masters anyway  - join them, becoming a gear in their machinations, or leave, ridding them of a dangerous rival. ¡®


    I took a deep breath to calm myself and to take my mind off of the aggravating past. In my absentmindedness I arrived at my destination.


    I concentrated and shaped the tendrils of mana to yank open a heavy metal plate that blocked the entry to the Main Room. The plate gave way and I floated into spherical room made of dark metal.


    It was illuminated by thousands of moving runes that floated around the room. I was enchanted by iridescent displays created by the runes, they assembled into geometrical shapes, flowing waterfalls of light or just chaotically spread around in an almost playful manner.


    Behind the flowing lights, a Great Expanse opened, a gaping maw of empty space and distant stars, held at bay only by the Ward. Distant lights were blinking and calling to me, to come and see what mysteries they hold¡­


    Unable to control my impulses, I extended my arms and plunged them into stream of runes. They assembled into shining chains that clasped my forearms and melded my consciousness with the Spell Ship¡¯s metal form.


    I explored the shape of my vessel - forty meters wide inverted triangle of dark metal, with spherical bridge located in the midst of it. From the sides the curved wings extended forward, giving out a predatory feeling. I could feel two pairs of empty egg shaped rooms located in them and joined by convex corridor running across the ship.  Mana Core was located at the tip of the triangle, in the back. On my back I could feel its humming energy trapped in the giant crystal.


    I concentrated on the distant stars and instinctively called on a Seeking Rune, an almost prophetic piece of magic technology that could glimpse reality with odd precision. Strands of chance were unveiled by the questing magic and I could feel a pull coming from one of the stars before me.


    -¡¯ Hm, maybe I should have decided what I wanted to find...oh well, it¡¯s bound to be something! ¡® I quickly dispelled doubts about my course of action.


    I felt sharp excitement at my first true journey, finally free for the first time in my life. An astounding Spell Ship being both the tool and the proof of my liberation.


    My hands moved, they were surrounded by thickening runic strands that tried to strengthen my grasp on the Spell Ship. I reached for the Mana Core and tapped the power, willing it into me, it felt like a surging, molten lightning raging across my body, but ready at my beck and call.


    I pushed the mana into complicated patterns that caused titanic lightnings to surge across hull of my ship, a sign of unfathomable power capable of warping the very fabric of Universe. My ship was wrenched away, plunged into madness between planes. I steeled my mind to enforce my Will upon the World Which Is Not, an all encompassing place of endless possibility but no reality to it. I felt the unfamiliar reality gnawing at me, wanting to consume me, to join me with the flow of aether, the possibility without substance.


    But I held strong, willing my own reality to remain intact and whole. It felt strange, my strength of Will was slowly being eroded, but at the same time, I was energized by endless flow of mana permeating this plane of being.


    Once again, I exerted my power and broke the chains of reality, this time to return whence I came from. I held Seeking Rune in my mind and willed it to guide my descent.


    Energy surged and suddenly I was plunged into empty darkness. Remains of aether still coursing through Spell Ship and myself.


    I was exhausted mentally, but simultaneously, I was bustling with raw energy. My magic, Spell Ship''s Mana Core and Wards were full of power, energized to the limit. I could see remains of indescribable substance still lingering on my ship, though aether was quickly evaporating in the harsh reality of this Universe.


    -¡¯ Hmm, I need to name it¡­ ¡®, I thought lovingly about my vessel, but I was interrupted abruptly.


    Danger Rune blazed with threatening crimson light. I called the Scrying Runes, that would allow me to see what was happening.


    Fluttering runes assembled into a shape of oval disc and turned into mirror. My gaze focused on the surprising sight. Inside the mirror I could see several ships locked in heated combat.


    -¡¯ This thing must be over two thousand meters long and seven hundred meters wide.. ¡® I was astounded by the size of the Vessel shown by the runes. Spell Ships were rarely bigger than one hundred meters and mine was no exception...


    And before my eyes was the biggest ship that I had ever seen. I took in its bulky shape covered by extremely thick metal plates. Elaborate ornaments were carved into brass-looking metal of its armor. They made it  look majestic and dignified, instead of blocky and crude. Though the Leviathan¡¯s glory was stained, a multitude of smoldering wounds marred the exterior of the giant.


    My gaze traveled to the image of a six small vessels, that were around three hundred meters in length, but I quickly turned my attention to the seventh ship¡­


    An elongated black vessel, that had a pointed prow. It was almost half the size of the Leviathan, with shark like appearance and rows upon rows of weapons on its sides. It gave out distinctly commanding and threatening feeling.


    -¡¯ One of the leader...¡¯ I thought as I witnessed wave of shining projectiles leaving side of the Black Ship. Perfect rectangle of orange lights struck unmoving Leviathan and painted it with array of blinding explosions.


    In comparison, the response from the Leviathan seemed nonexistent, outmatched by the blinking onslaughts of the Black Vessel and its peers.


    I wanted to understand what was driving the events happening before my eyes.


    I concentrated on the magic mirror before me and shaped my mana into insubstantial tendrils of seeking intent. I sent them across the mirror to the scene of battle, I hoped that the spell will be able to penetrate combat weakened Wards of the fighting ships.


    To my surprise, the spell to detect emotions yielded results almost immediately. I could feel greed, confidence and wicked joy coming from black vessels. On the other hand, Leviathan exuded stony determination and fear riddled with specks of courage.


    I felt my eyes water,  feelings of Leviathan¡¯s desperate struggle hit me and stirried the memories of my own past struggles.


    Through teary eyes I saw Runes Of Communion that blinked dutifully, left forgotten behind Crimson of Danger and Mirrors of Seeing.


    I beckoned and they came forth forming their own mirrors. Replaying events which still permeated emptiness of space, recounts of the past still locked in a cage of distance.


    Image of a short and extremely sturdy person appeared. Rich, red beard woven into small braids and clasped with gold covered most of his face and chest. Deep set eyes were shaded by bushy eyebrows, that were giving him a disapproving look. He wore red uniform, riddled with buttons and golden chains.


    -¡± Yii, you Bastards! How dare you blind side revered Merchant of the Brackenrock Clan! ¡° He exclaimed with intensity. I could feel his character - dignified, determined and direct.


    Mean looking person appeared on the other mirror. Bald, with sharp features and condescending attitude. I could feel his greed and disregard for others...Emotions of the Intent Spell interweaving with images of the past.


    -¡± Give up Dwarf, I have you stranded. Surrender your goods and I will let you fly with your ship ¡°  He smirked to show his confidence.


    I blinked at his words, realizing that bearded person was a dwarf.


    -¡¯ So that¡¯s how dwarves look like ¡® I thought excitedly, I only heard stories about other races and always wanted to meet them.


    -¡± Ha, I would see you try me, Baldy. There¡¯s a great many of you, so you must be really weak. As expected of pirate scum! ¡° Dwarf responded boldly.


    -¡± We shall see about that. All forces attack! ¡° Pirate smiled confidently as he gave a signal, at that moment runes showed brief image of the first barrage unleashed by the Black Ship.


    -¡¯ Hmm, so they are Pirates! Just like in the stories. ¡® I twirled excitedly in the air, elated by the possibility of taking part in something so exotic.


    My happiness was short lived though, I was abruptly aware of the grief appearing here and there across the Leviathan. Only few had died, but the realization of real death, which I could feel from the distance, shocked me and brought swift end to my elatedness.


    Suddenly image of the dwarf returned, he looked angry and confident, though my spell informed me about his doubts and sadness for the losses he was encountering.


    -¡± Very well, Pirate. I will give you some of my cargo¡­ ¡° Dwarf said in calmly.


    -¡± I am glad that we have come to mutually benef¡­ ¡° Pirate started responding haughtily, but the Dwarf was not finished.


    -¡± For maring my precious ship! I will gladly gift you with fifty, top of the line, Hellfire Cruise Missiles! Enjoy my hard earned money scum! ¡° Dwarf screamed vengefully and notified his crew. -¡± Ai! Send them out boys! ¡°.


    Pirate¡¯s expression turned sour.


    -¡± I will get you for that, midget! Dark Vestigar¡¯s shields won¡¯t go down so easily! ¡° Pirate said vehemently.


    -¡± Ha, as expected of cowardly human, to hide behind the Shield! What else are you hiding in there? Is an elven boy your top? ¡° Dwarf said in a taunting manner, but I could not understand what he meant even with the help of Translation runes.


    Pirate bursted in anger, but before  he could respond his attention seemed to be called elsewhere. Then the feed was cut.


    I saw an image of the Leviathan, in real time, opening a hundred meters wide metal plate on its side. I could see neat rows of round holes revealed beneath. Smooth shapes flew out of those holes leaving trails of white smoke. Ten meters long missiles split in all directions making flower-looking cloud bloom on the side of the Leviathan.


    Small black ships tried to shoot down the incoming barrage, but even the destroyed missiles exploded into clouds of liquid fire, which traveled further on its path. Four small vessels were hit directly and melted away in an instant, I sharply felt their demise.


    Two ships managed to destroy preying missiles, but were enveloped by the melting mists. One exploded soon after, while other... did something strange - it suddenly accelerated and disappeared far away in the distance.


    -¡¯ Er? Is this how others travel? ¡® I was surprised by the speed, which couldn¡¯t be matched by mere light.


    My attention was brought back to the image of the Black Ship. Dozens of missiles exploded near it, fiery payloads unleashed their molten fury clouding the Black Ship in a blazing mist...


    I was astounded when white hot shape suddenly broke out of that fiery hell. Some sort of barrier saved it, but it was severely damaged nonetheless. Left side melted away into steely mess, most of its extremities disappeared, though the ship persisted. It looked like a flaming demon of molten metal escaping depths of burning abyss.


    Pale and enraged figure appeared on the mirror.


    -¡± You fuckin¡¯ dwarves, I will shit on your face as you die when I gut you... ¡° Pirate was raging and spewing curses left and right, so I tuned out his voice¡­


    On the other hand the dwarf looked calm, but I could feel his doubts and anxiousness. It seemed that it was his final play.


    The Black ship turned its prow in the direction of a Leviathan and tried to purge superheated plate on its front. My mirror moved the view and showed a big cannon that was slowly being exposed. Danger rune turned purple and I was assaulted by the terror coming from Leviathan¡¯s direction.


    Communication Mirror awakened to pale faced and terrified dwarf.


    -¡± Oi! This is madness! You must be insane to think that you will get away after using this! You will be hunted even to the outer rim! Republic won¡¯t let it slide! ¡° Dwarf exclaimed and turned to the side. -¡± Tuli! I don¡¯t care how, open the ANSIL broadcast channel asap! ¡°


    A new mirror appeared soon after, showing emboldened letters.


    -¡± This is Merchant Ship Dernaldhur, we are being assailed with use of forbidden weapon. I repeat, Atomic weapons will be used¡­ ¡° The message continued, but I could not ignore the plight of the Leviathan any longer. Danger rune was purple, which happened only during death spell activations...


    Even if I didn¡¯t have to take part in the titanic struggle before me, I was not going to shy away.


    -¡± I am not a slave anymore ¡° I stated shakily to myself. Tears flowed wildly from my eyes at the thought of what I am about to do and at the feelings of lives which were already lost in the struggle before me.


    One of the mirrors dutifully showed the Black ship as it readied its deadly attack. Metal plate still blocked the canon, but it was slowly moved away by tiny figures.


    I extended my arm and used the waves of magic, which served for propulsion, to turn my ship. The bridge was set in the direction where combat took place.


    Runes escaped from my right arm, it was frail, pale and slim...but it bore terrible intent.


    My voice, crystal clear, began chanting terrible words. Ones, which I thought I will never have to use.


    -¡±  I will offer innocence - the sacrifice - the key to true light... ¡° I chanted accepting my deadly will.


    Energy flowed around my forearm, concentrating before the palm of my hand.


    -¡±  I extend my prayers to you, doomed by my purifying song... ¡° I sang out my resolve and intent.


    Force intensified and energy turned into fire and lightning that melded together, forging a small shining sun.


    Black ship¡¯s cannon was almost free of its metal prison.


    -¡± I call now, at this monstrous feast, even if it is deep inside my heart... ¡° I continued chanting, feeling the gravity of my sin, as I was about to kill.


    Sun shook and started wavering, but still pulled more and more strands of power...


    -¡± The Time is Coming, I Overlap, Initialize, Execute, Convert, Convert, Convert¡­ ¡° I chanted frantically trying to finish before it is too late.


    Suddenly the sun stabilized and shrunk, turning its gentle yellow glow into sharp and cerulean one.


    -¡±  Light! Resonate and Fly into the darkness, Overlapping with my Will!  ¡° My calling voice reverberated with the beat of power before me.


    Ray of cerulean light shot into the darkness, moments later I could see it striking the Black Ship. I could feel some sort of barrier vanishing before the concentrated blow, the blazing light perforated prow of the enemy ship.


    Backlash of several deaths lashed through me.


    I could see several meters wide hole running through the hull, but, to my surprise, the ship seemed to still be in a working order.


    -¡± How is that possible...this spell should have pierced their Wards and left them to die in darkness¡­ ¡° I said in shock and suddenly realized how stupid I was.


    -¡¯ Those ships...they don¡¯t rely on Wards and are just too big! ¡® I thought with astonishment and chastised myself for my mindlessness. I was so focused on using deadly magic that I forgot that this spell was created to fight against small sized Spell Ships and their Mana Cores¡­


    I looked back at the mirror and expected to see Black Ship using weapon that caused the Dwarf to panic.


    What I saw instead, was a Black ship getting away from the Leviathan.


    I blinked at sudden realization on what had happened.


    -¡¯ I have destroyed their weapon! ¡® I twirled in the air, but stopped abruptly, my happiness destroyed by the fact that people died from my spell...


    I was ready to accept that burden, after all, they were going to kill the dwarves without reason¡­


    Still, rampant deaths gnawed at me, dashing all of the joy that I could have had from the adventure. I was still vaguely aware of all the lives lost, but the emptiness of space drained the remaining memories of their life. Leaving only nothingness...


    -¡¯ It¡¯s just too sad, dying and turning into nothingness... Robbed of even the aetheric communion by the emptiness of space¡­ ¡® I shed my tears anew and my mana driven sorrow perforated into aether. I reached out and sent images of the fallen, those whose memory not yet disappeared, on their final journey into The World Which Is Not...


    -¡± May you join with The Flow and find it whole... ¡° I said as I disconnected from the aetheric flow. Painful daggers of desolation stabbing at my heart...


    I could not stop crying, but some tenacious runes finally made me aware of them.


    Communication runes urged me to see them, at my gesture they turned into the mirror and showed the Dwarf. He looked worried and insistent, as he tried again and again to get my attention¡­


    I cleared my nose, then opened the connection.


    -¡± Unidentified vessel please respond¡­ ¡° Dwarf suddenly paused as the connection was opened and my image appeared before him...


    At that moment I yelped and turned the mirror away. I totally forgot that I was naked!


    I could vaguely still hear his surprised voice.


    -¡± What was that? Was it really a teary, naked girl that I seen¡­ I must be going senile, Tuli did you see it? ¡° Dwarf spoke to someone, but that someone¡¯s answer could not be heard.


    -¡± What? You say that you wasn¡¯t watching...Damn at what Nuclear Implements can do to simple dwarven mind¡­ Call me a shrink after we are done, I certainly earned a visit... ¡° I could feel worry coming from agitated Dwarf.


    I took a deep breath to calm myself and used my mana to create flowing dress out of light. Though I was still embarrassed and painfully aware that I was still naked under the insubstantial light¡­


    -¡± Oi, is there someone out there? Tuli, the channel¡¯s still open, right? ¡° The Dwarf anxiously inquired.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.I cleared my eyes, then motioned the mirror. My image was back on Dwarf¡¯s screen.


    -¡± Hai! I knew it! Turli cancel my appointment! It would look bad on my record anyway. ¡° Dwarf exclaimed lively and I could feel his relief.


    I tilted my head slightly, I was puzzled why seeking a counsel would be considered bad.


    Suddenly Dwarf looked at my image intently. I could feel inner struggle between gratitude and aversion from within him.  As the feeling of gratitude emerged victorious, he coughed to cover his sudden embarrassment.


    He bowed and barraged me with words.


    -¡± Aii, thousand excuses Miss. I am sorry for making you wait, please do tell your Commander that I will gladly speak with him now. Even if he¡¯s an elf. ¡°


    I blinked in surprise.


    -¡¯ I am the only one here... and what did he meant about an elf? ¡® I was puzzled by his antics.


    Dwarf looked anxious since I haven¡¯t responded yet.


    -¡± Umm...you understand me, right? ¡° He asked hesitantly.


    -¡± I do not know the Commander you are speaking of... ¡° I said doubtfully, then i corrected myself. -¡± I am alone and answer to no one ¡°.


    Dwarf yanked on his beard in surprise and I could feel strange warm feeling rising within him.


    -¡± Ayy...then perchance are you the one that stopped that vile scu...er pardon my words, that vile vermin from destroying my ship? ¡° He asked cautiously.


    -¡± That I did. ¡° I affirmed calmly, I found Dwarf¡¯s exotic behaviour amusing.


    Suddenly Dwarf let go of his beard, straightened his uniform and cleared his throat loudly.


    -¡± Khem, pleased to meet you. Algan Fardelver, a venerable Merchant of the Brackenrock Clan and Captain of a fine ship Dernaldhur. At your Service! ¡° He exclaimed officially and bowed.


    I was unsure how to answer him, so I did the best I could.


    -¡± Um, Greetings Venerable Merchant...Pleased to meet you? ¡° I said nervously.


    -¡± Ha, the pleasure¡¯s all mine. Would you grace my ship with your presence? I assure you that Brackenrock merchants, despite vile rumors, are generous and forthcoming in their gratitude! ¡° Algan looked at me openly. I felt his feelings, which befuddled me - gratitude, sympathy, doubt, aversion, pity and a cold calculation. I could not understand how one person could contain such conflicting emotions at the same time. I could vaguely still hear his surprised voice.


    He caught up to my hesitation and further barraged me with his speech.


    -¡± Do not worry. I guarantee, with my good name on the line, that I bear you no ill will - elf or not. On the contrary, I would wish to present you with clothes and other things that you might be in need of. I will not let saviour of my ship run away naked and spread the word of my avarice! ¡° I was surpirsed by his insight and sharply reminded about my current situation.


    -¡¯ I must get some clothes...and food ¡® I realized that Masters of my Homeworld, banished me without any material possessions apart from the Spell Ship. I could sustain myself with mana, but in the long run it would make my visits to other Planes more difficult to return from.


    What convinced me to accept were the feelings that I felt from the dwarf. I was surprised by his sincerity and care. I still could feel a bit of an mistrust from him, but it was overshadowed by gratitude.


    Thought of total stranger thinking about me with care and pity shocked me greatly.


    It was something so foreign when compared to rampant betrayals of my previous life that I felt my heart breaking.


    -¡± Oi, what did I do? Please say something, whatever I did I apologize. I meant no disrespect! No need to cry! ¡° Algar panicked and his distressed feelings of care brought me some light.


    I sniffled and said softly. -¡± I am sorry. It¡¯s not your fault, I will gladly accept your invitation ¡°.


    -¡¯ It was supposed to be my first real day of freedom...and I keep crying ¡® I smiled weakly and laughed through tears.


    I could feel Algar¡¯s worry for me mingling with concern and I basked in the warm feeling.


    -¡± That¡¯s much better. Now come, I will prepare you a welcome befitting the Ship Saviour! ¡° He exclaimed merrily and then addressed his crew. -¡± Oy, you heard me! Lazy asses! Get your backs working, we have a feast today! ¡°.


    I channeled my mana into crystals located at the back of the ship. I felt exhilarating feeling of acceleration as the crystals exploded with power, propelling the ship at astonishing speed.


    I took one last look at a Danger rune - it shone with pale green light.


    Soon the Leviathan appeared before my eyes. As I got closer, I turned my vessel backwards and made Propelling Crystals blaze with power to stop me bare hundred meters from the giant ship. Sudden deceleration barely affected my mana-augmented body.


    I saw plate opening on the side of the Leviathan, revealing docking bay hidden behind it. I switched focus and grasped my ship¡¯s Mana Core. I made it reverberate with the invisible matter abundant in this plane¡¯s void, then used it as an anchor to push my ship around. It was very precise way of travel.


    In a blink of an eye my ship swung in complicated n-turn and settled perfectly on the floor of the offered landing space. I twirled happily in the air and wondered about my sudden urge to show off.


    Leviathan started closing its doors and I let the runes fall back from my arms. My connection to the Spellship dimmed down and I felt it becoming vague shadow at the back of my mind. No longer merged with my metal vessel I distinctly felt my exposed body.


    I slowly let go of my levitation spell and descended to the floor. I turned and walked out of the Main Room, leaving its lights to flutter idly behind me.


    With a foreboding clang, heavy plates returned to their resting place and barred entry to the Spell Ship¡¯s bridge.


    With deliberate, willowy steps I slowly walked through the dark corridor.


    I traced flowing, irregular wall with my hand.


    I could almost lose myself in a solemn emptiness of the ship.


    -¡¯ Alone. ¡®


    Haunting solitude of my past threatened to smother me in this dark and cold space.


    Each step of my life taken on my own, in fear of being betrayed and hurt, leaving only familiar loneliness¡­


    Suddenly spear of alien feeling pierced my heart.


    I hastened my sylphlike steps and watched intently, with my large eyes, as metal before me split under wave of force. My mana opened the doorway, and I could see the light coming from between cold metal plates.


    I walked into shining opening and found myself in a big hangar basked in sharp white light. Brass ornaments and white metal-like substance of the walls contrasted sharply with darkness of my Spell Ship.


    Several meters away, I could see three figures engaged in a silent quarrel. My sharp senses allowed me to hear their conversation.


    -¡± Oi, I don¡¯t care! Even if it¡¯s an elf I am going to make an exception! ¡°, Algan¡¯s voice was raised in heated whisper. Mix of goodwill and distress, which I felt from him, brought smile to my face.


    -¡± I was only saying that I do not think it¡¯s an elf. Also, you are the one that keeps saying that you won¡¯t ever deal with elves again. ¡° I could hear deep and rough female voice.


    -¡± But the ears! I tell you, the ears! It¡¯s an elf! ¡° Algan continued agitated.


    -¡± So which one is it! Make up your mind, or I will really get you an appointment with the psychologist! ¡° Female dwarf seemed annoyed by Algan¡¯s antics.


    -¡± Oi! You are my assistant. How dare you order me around! ¡° Algan¡¯s voice seemed confident, but I could feel that the doubt was creeping into his emotions.


    -¡± I am your First Officer you silly dwarf! I am going to kick your butt if you once again treat me like assistant! ¡° Female dwarf exclaimed threateningly and I could see her fist raised in front of Algan¡¯s face.


    Algan looked around in desperation and saw me. Relief showed on his face at my arrival.


    -¡± Ah, our guest is here! Perfect timing! ¡° Hhe said openly, though his emotions showed inner battle of gratitude and fondness with aversion and distrust.


    Female dwarf was annoyed by Algan¡¯s obvious ploy to change the topic, but she only sighed at his sly behaviour.


    -¡± Welcome to my ship, the Dernaldhur, honorable guest. Let me introduce my Assi...argh...First Officer Tuli Deephammer and my Chief of Security Rayvic Badun. ¡° Algan¡¯s voice faltered when he received mean looking kick to his shin, but he managed to maintain official and dignified air about him.


    I looked at Algan¡¯s companions.


    Tuli was a bit taller than Algan and had no beard. She seemed slender for a dwarf, though she was still stockily built and much more muscular than Algan himself. Her features were sharp and square, with wide lips and perky nose.


    Rayvic was tall and athletic. He was middle aged, with dark deep set eyes and dark hair. His gaze was wary and I could feel his readiness to reach for a weapon at his waist.


    Both of them inclined their heads toward me.


    Tuli¡¯s emotions, when she spoke to me, were like a calm wave - both analyzing and curious, bearing a hint of gratitude.


    -¡± Greetings, traveler. Thank you for your help during the attack. Could you explain to the Captain about your race? He¡¯s going to rip out his beard otherwise, thinking that you are an elf ¡° She looked at Algan pointedly and he exuded embarrassment as he let go of his beard.


    -¡± Please don¡¯t worry I am human¡­ ¡° I told them the truth and was surprised by the wave of disbelief that suddenly assaulted me.


    -¡± I knew it! Its an elf - they all lie! ¡° Algan exclaimed in exasperation. Tuli hit him in the shoulder and I could see him wincing under the impact.


    -¡± Um, you look rather...unusual... for a human ¡° Tuli said hesitantly.


    I realized that it was true, my body was far from normal - human or otherwise.


    -¡± I guess that is true, probably Manaborn would be more accurate description now. ¡° I responded in agreement, but blank and stupefied looks were all I got from my explanation.


    Silence fallen between us and I felt their feelings of awkwardness and curiosity.


    Finally Rayvic broke the silence.


    -¡± Could you explain what being a Manaborn means? ¡° He said and I could feel that he was thinking really hard about something.


    -¡¯ Ah, they probably never met anyone using High Magic. Still, it is strange that they haven¡¯t heard about it... ¡® I wondered, remembering that on my Homeworld it was common for Masters to meld their and their slaves flesh to their liking.


    -¡± For others it''s a proof of slavery, but for me it¡¯s a sign that I broke my chains. I melded my being with magic and this form was born to match my freedom. ¡° I explained.


    -¡± Hmm, so you are saying that, you were born anew or something? ¡° Algan asked directly.


    -¡± That seems correct. ¡° I answered simply.


    Algan scratched his head in wonder and shrugged.


    -¡± Well no matter, whether to a toddler, to an elf or to a man, I still have a debt to pay! Let us go, I prepared a decently sized party! ¡°Algan exclaimed loudly and moved, motioning for me to follow.


    Algan and his companions led me through white corridors decorated with ornaments made of brass-like metal. As we walked, I basked in the ship''s aura, feeling its dignity and liveliness of its crew. I could not compare it to the majestic halls of Masters, which, apart from grandeur, radiated only greed and despair.


    I closed my eyes and moved in flowing steps, intertwined with fluid twirls.


    I thrown my head back and took steps to the invisible beat of the ship''s heart, melody sprung by lives of sturdy, earnest and hardworking dwarves...


    Finally baffled feelings of my companions brought my attention back, and I looked at them while tilting my head. Algan, Tuli and Rayvic looked back at me, indecisiveness and wonder painted vividly on their faces.


    -¡± Is something the matter? ¡° I asked, curious about source of their uneasiness.


    -¡± Erm, No. I mean, are you alright...you seemed distant. ¡° Algan said, but I could feel that he was hiding something. Algan¡¯s companions also bore dumbfounded looks.


    -¡± I am sorry, I could not stop myself from admiring your ship. The place I came from... could not compare¡­ ¡° I said, sadness of old pains gripping my throat.


    -¡± Ha! If it was similar to that dark ship of yours, I would drink myself blind if I were you! Tell me what were you d¡­ ouch ¡°, Algan¡¯s lively speech was interrupted by Tuli¡¯s elbow.


    -¡± Excuse that big oaf. We are almost at our destination, let us enjoy the festivities. There¡¯s no need to dwell on the past. ¡° Tuli said apologetically and gave Algan chastening look.


    Their barter and ship¡¯s aura felt like fresh rain on my parched soul. I moved without thinking and hugged Tuli happily. Her sudden grunt of pain made me back away just as fast.


    -¡± Ahh, I am sorry! I did not want to hurt you, I am still not used to my strength! Are you alright? ¡° I bowed down apologetically, beating myself for my thoughtlessness. I have forgotten that I made sure that this body is on par with a Combat Adept, specially modified soldier-mage specializing in combat.


    -¡± I am good. We dwarves are a sturdy lot. Though if you ever want a hug, let me respectfully decline in advance. ¡° Tuli said and smiled weakly throguh pain.


    I sent questing wisp of force and confirmed that she was unhurt. I poured some of my mana to help her recover her bruises.


    Algan relaxed, but I still felt shock and fear coming from Rayvic. He must have realized how dangerous this body is. I didn¡¯t know how to soothe him, so I let it be.


    -¡± Anyway, we have arrived ¡°, Algan stopped before the door and made an encompassing gesture as it opened. Behind him I could see a big room, illuminated by dimmed lights. Multitude of wooden tables, chairs, barrels and a counter took most of the space. No less than hundred dwarves rose and cheered loudly.


    -¡± Oi! YOU ROWDY BUNCH! ¡° Algan¡¯s amplified voice silenced everyone.


    -¡± Let us celebrated rightful buttkicking of the pirate scum¡­ ¡°, he was interrupted by a resounding cheer. -¡± ...and precious few who did not make through it. But they need not worry, we will drink their share alright! ¡°, another round of applause erupted.


    -¡± Also! The last but not the least thing! Let us welcome our guest of honor! One which caused even hardened pirate¡¯s cock to go limp and run away in fear! Let the celebrations begin! ¡° Algan finished his embarrassing praise and total chaos erupted.


    Rough voices cheered, barrels were opened and dwarves raised their drinks in toasts. Tuli led me to an empty table, which was raised on a dais. As soon as we sat, big mugs were placed before me and my companions. I was drowned in overwhelming liveliness and cheerfulness.


    Algan, raised his mug in a toast and others followed. I did too.


    -¡± First toast, as always, to elven demise! ¡° Algan intoned loudly and drank his mug dry.


    I tried to follow, but the brew was not to my liking.


    -¡± Would you want anything else? ¡° Tuli asked and was immediately interrupted by Algan.


    -¡± Whaa? Can¡¯t stomach fine dwarven beer? Almost like a human! ¡° Algan exclaimed and looked pointedly at Rayvic.


    -¡± I prefer my brew weaker than my blaster cleaner, thank you very much. ¡° Rayvic responded calmly.


    -¡± But we can¡¯t leave our guest wanting! Oi, boys! Bring me some wine! ¡° Algan yelled and dwarves at surrounding tables applauded for some reason.


    -¡± I do not think that¡¯s sane idea, by any stretc¡­ ¡°, Rayvic¡¯s protest drowned in resounding applause as dwarves returned with a small barrel.


    Soon large metal goblet was placed before me. I sniffed the drink, light fruity smell was overshadowed by something really sharp. Expectant looks of surrounding dwarves were focused on me, so I shrugged and drank.


    Liquid was sharp and lightly burning, with slight fruity afterthought. It was warming and the taste did not bear raw and muggy attributes of the previous drink. I smiled and nodded in approval. Resounding applause erupted from surrounding tables.


    -¡± Ha, so you are not an elf after all! ¡° Algan exclaimed happily, while Rayvic gave me inquisitive and dubious look.


    -¡± Anyway, another one! Second one for our gracious guest! Whom shown that not all of the sharp eared folk are not to be trusted! ¡° Algan raised his newly filled mug and my goblet was not left emptied either.


    After draining the liquid I asked to stave my curiosity.


    -¡± Why do you hate elves so much? ¡°.


    -¡± Bha¡­ they are not to be trusted, is all! ¡° Algan said quickly, but I could tell that there was more to the story.


    Tuli chimed in and I could feel that she wanted to exact some sort of vengeance on the dwarf. -¡± He betted his regular trading route in a drinking contest¡­ and lost to an elf! ¡° Tuli said smugly and looked at distressed Algan.


    -¡± He was cheating. I tell you! There¡¯s no way someone so skinny could beat a honorable dwarf without resolving to underhanded methods! ¡° Algan tried to maintain his dignity while surrounding dwarves booed at him.


    -¡± So you are saying that you would surely win a drinking match with our lithe guest? ¡° Tuli asked mischievously after giving me the evaluating look. Algan looked at me too, and swallowed hard, his panicked gaze wandered around and settled on Rayvic.


    -¡± Ah, Rayvic! I almost forgot! You were saying something about important improvements for the ship. ¡° Algan said forcefully in seemingly casual voice, but I could see and feel Tuli¡¯s amused expression at his awkward retreat.


    Rayvic rolled his eyes, but answered dutifully.


    -¡± Yes, as I was saying over and over, you need to finally fit normal force field onto this ship. It will raise effectiveness of that ridiculously thick armor several fold! ¡°


    -¡± What do you take me for! I am not some cowardly human or worse - a pantsy elf! ¡° Algar denied vehemently.


    -¡± But your father is using one! ¡° Rayvic insisted, though he was not really into it.


    -¡± It was a gift! I won¡¯t be found dead or alive behind such a cowardly implement! ¡° Algan denied again and I could tell that it was an ongoing argument.


    Then Tuli chimed in.


    -¡± Just admit that you don¡¯t want to splurge for a new generator and two engineers ¡° Tuli said, obviously tired of the old argument.


    -¡± I am a proper dwarf! I will not hide behind some invisible wall like some weak elf! I will take it like a real man should! ¡° Algan kept his ground and hit his chest with the fist.


    Rayvic rolled his eyes again and reclined on his chair. Then continued the argument. I could tell that he was doing it only for sake of appearances.


    -¡± What about another two batches of missiles and a Fusion Inhibitor? ¡° Rayvic said dispiritedly.


    Algan furrowed his eyebrows and said. -¡± Hmm, yes lets do that ¡°.


    Rayvic suddenly sprung to his feet in disbelief.


    -¡± Wait, what did you just said?! ¡° He exclaimed loudly.


    -¡± I said - lets do that. ¡° Algan responded calmly.


    -¡± I mean what did you meant! Did he just agree to buy not one, but Two batches of missiles And a Fusion Inhibitor? ¡° Rayvic said in shock, accenting strongly.


    -¡± Hmm, seems so to me. ¡° Tuli answered calmly.


    Rayvic mumbled in shock.


    -¡± I need a drink! ¡°


    -¡± Give me that! ¡°, Rayvic exclaimed and took Algan¡¯s mug, then he downed it in one gulp.


    Rayvic coughed and grabbed his throat in pained expression. After a moment I could feel his consciousness slipping and his body sprawled under the chair.


    -¡± Hmm, humans... there¡¯s that ¡° Algan said absentmindedly and took his mug back.


    I drank another goblet while Tuli went to arrange ¡®something¡¯, as she called it.


    I saw a commotion and a group of dwarves that were bearing strange wooden and metal implements entered. They assembled at a nearby dais, which was empty before.


    Tuli returned and sat next to me.


    -¡± Are you ready for some classics? ¡° She asked.


    -¡± What do you mean? ¡° I asked back puzzled.


    -¡± Don¡¯t tell me you haven¡¯t heard music before. ¡° Tuli said in disbelief.


    -¡± Um, I heard that some Masters were really fond of it, but I never heard it. ¡° I said hesitantly.


    -¡± Hah, you are in for a treat then. ¡° She said and smiled widely at me.


    A black clad dwarf, without a small wooden wand, went before the dais and started doing some strange gestures before the performers. Most of the dwarves in the room became quieter.


    Suddenly a lone piercing sound reverberated in the air. Curious of what was happening I have sent a seeking spell around, getting to know some of the things that the musicians were holding.


    Deep springy sound of the violin enchanted me, telling me its cheerful tale of lone discovery.


    Soon other violins followed creating convoluted lead of springy adventure, their brisk tales intertwined in an uplifting tale that seemed almost like flying.


    Sudden booming joined in, like a clash of danger. Drums struck a deep rhythm, that immediately accelerated to tell the tale of conquest. The feeling of incoming, unavoidable plight intensified...


    Abruptly metal clang shook me to the core. Sharp clamor of cymbals resounded, intense sounds, like swords struck in violent combat, presented a tale of duelers locked in deadly strife.


    High pitched sound of bagpipe joined in, adding another danger on the horizon - an army on the march...


    I felt the music, each note striking a chord deep within me. Melody meandered and I followed, heedless of time and place. And when music slowly thinned and died down, I continued moving, heeding another chord. One which resounded deep within my heart.


    Eventually I found myself alone in the room. Dwarves sprawled about in their sleep. And my tireless, graceful dance moving me about the room. Mana flared through my body letting me move as my heart wished.


    I smiled as I twirled about, for the first time in my life feeling calm and safe.


    And I cried again, but this time those were the tears of joy¡­


    I felt like I belonged¡­


    I felt like I become whole...


    ...but I could not stay with the dwarves.


    I was too curious, too anxious, too starved for freedom...


    ...and too keen to see what other precious things The Great Expanse was hiding from me¡­


    ...and, after the farewells, I departed...but that¡¯s the story for another time¡­


    =============================


    Hey~, Author''s here~


    I brought the story true to my name,


    I caught the glimpse of that life''s tale,


    It kindled my heart¡¯s dreamy flame,


    It lulled my senses with innocent gale,


    and then I wept glistening tears,


    without hardships or any fears.


    That said, I wish to give special thanks to ¡® mataneloro ¡® whose keen eye and honest feedback helped me improve both my novel and this short story ( which had gripped my hardened Overlord¡¯s heart ). Thank you!


    Cheers,


    Mea, The Overlord of Dreams and Nightmares


    [ and Narrator whom had nothing to narrate this time around...damn! ]


    PS1 Poetry''s mine Tongue


    PS2 Feel free to comment, I am really keen on feedback...


    PS3 ...as always.


    NEXT ON: A tale of lawless worlds, military equipment and TV program in Western setting?! Stay tuned, its great [ If Overlord says so...]


    http://www.royalroadl.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=25190</a>

 Shy鈥檚 Burnout Essentials

    How things work:


    -¡± Dialogues, things spoken aloud. ¡°


    -¡¯ Thoughts of the MC. ¡®


    *Quotes*


    * * *


    I leaned on a recliner and connected to Arcology¡¯s Net. My AR, augmented reality, implants began displaying troves of information on my retina. I brought up info on a Verberus, a backwater Imperial planet, to which Lark brought us today.


    -¡± A recently claimed world, currently undergoing structural and environmental development¡­ ¡° Lector¡¯s impassive voice glossed out the details of this hellhole.


    -¡¯ Yhea, right. ¡® I thought to myself. -¡¯ What a nice way to say that this desert world was barely habitable, as ninety percent of it was covered by scorched earth, while the rest was claimed by a neat, Imperial arcologies. ¡®


    I grabbed a soycaffee to get the bitter aftertaste out of my mouth. -¡¯ Imperial¡¯s are not the only ones who fight poison with poison... ¡® I skimmed over the recent history. -¡¯ Natives have a tough luck. First, Imperial outlaws and pirates made a base here and now the mighty Empire came to grab the resources, hiring the very same pirates and outlaws to resolve the *native problem*. Unofficially of course. ¡®


    I shook my head and concentrated on the work.


    I brought up schematics and specifications of a Bullfire CM-40 rifle. -¡¯ Hmm, it seems like they resolved the chambering problem from a CM-30 model¡­ ¡® I took a sip of a soycaffee. -¡¯ Question remains if they have adapted it to desert environment. The previous Bullfire was notoriously bad with dirt and sand¡­ ¡®


    -¡± Shyael! ¡° A deep voice resounded from behind the curtain. -¡± Get your shapely elven butt over here, we don¡¯t have all day! Skorfus, leave that freaking crate, we can leave the clean up for later. ¡°


    I sighed at the orc¡¯s usual nagging, still, nice or not, he was my manager. -¡± Coming. You don¡¯t need to be such a hardbass Lark. ¡° I put the soycaffee on the ground and left coolness of the tent.


    Outside, I was welcomed by a blindingly white sky and an expanse of parched earth that stretched to the horizon. Skorfus was still hauling a grand metal crate while ignoring Lark¡¯s venomous looks. The troll¡¯s eight feet tall frame was clad in a desert khaki combat uniform, making a strikingly plain counterpoint to his neon orange mohawk. Two sleek, black horns curled to the sides of his face, there could be no doubt that they were artificial replacements, extensively fitted with cyberware.


    -¡± Am I mute or something? It¡¯s almost time for the broadcast and you are still hauling that damn crate. Throw it away! ¡° Lark nagged.


    -¡± As you wish¡­ ¡° The troll responded blankly and thrown down the crate. Objects inside made loud rumbling sounds. -¡± ...it¡¯s not like there¡¯s over fifty types of grenades inside, I do wonder if one could have gotten armed... ¡°


    -¡± Yieks! ¡° The orc yelped and retreated briskly. -¡± ...and just get here asap, we start in five and I don¡¯t take late for an answer! ¡° He yelled in a vain effort to maintain control.


    -¡± Pfgh. ¡° The troll spat on the ground. -¡± Amateour, he doesn¡¯t know jack squat about arms and thinks he can order us around. Damn. ¡°


    -¡± Still, he is right, we need to hurry. ¡° I summoned my accessory drone and sighed at the image that was transmitted to me from the drone¡¯s camera. -¡± Damned desert. I need a new make-up. ¡°


    -¡± Hmm¡­ ¡° Skorfus bent down and looked critically at my face. -¡± That you do. Hold right there. ¡° The troll quickly took out a cleaner and other accessories from the drone and started to redo my make-up. Despite the time that I had spent with him I was still amazed by the precise movement of his hands, as well as his artistic sense.


    Mere moments later I examined my face. I have a heart shaped face, accented by small and pouty lips. My sharp cheekbones create a perfect harmony with my straight nose and sharply angled eyebrows. Like all elves, I have almond shaped eyes, though mine have an unusual grey color that actually has a metallic hue.


    I inspected my appearance and sighed. I had a glistening pink lipstick that matched my long hair and numerous small, tattoos grafted into my skin. The tattoos were elegantly disributed around my whole body depicting interconnected, circuit themed patterns shining with neon pink light. I kept them despite Lark¡¯s nagging to have them removed, as they were *not fitting the image*.


    -¡± Are you two flirting, or what? ¡° Lark¡¯s nagging voice could be heard again. -¡± We start in thirty seconds! For dregs sake! ¡°


    -¡± Thanks Skor, let¡¯s get this show going. ¡° We smiled at eachother and headed to the nearby plasteel tables. Military grade equipment was laid in neat rows on the tables and camera drones were already hard at work, filming.


    I took a deep breath, as I hated that part, and leaned against a table. I connected to feeds from camera drones and focused on the one that came from the drone floating in front of me. I made sure that my cleavage was *appropriately* depicted, I didn¡¯t have to check to know that Lark was paying his undivided attention to that feed as well.


    -¡± Hey, boys. ¡° I smiled profusely. -¡± Shy and Skor are here for you. " I stretched provocatively. -" Today we bring you up to speed on the combat essentials from Verberuss¡¯ steaming hot deserts. ¡° I fanned myself with a hand.


    -¡± Yo, bast¡¯ads! ¡° Skorfus¡¯s rumbling voice, distorted by slang, could be heard clearly even from several meters away. -¡± I hope ya ready for somme buttkickin¡¯, cos I have some real heavy equip for ya. ¡° He casually adjusted his crotch.


    -¡± While Skor is busy with his heavy equipment I have something much more manageable for you. ¡° I grabbed some metal pieces from the table and started to assemble them. -¡± What we¡¯ve got here, boys, is the Bullfire CM-40; just like its predecessor it¡¯s a blast. ¡° I smiled while I connected the barrel to the stock and then slid in the action into place.


    -¡± Assembly is dead easy, even most retarded punk should do it. Five seconds isn¡¯t bad at all. ¡° With one quick movement I secured the parts and inserted a cartridge, then I aimed at some distant targets prepared beforehand. -¡± Do you still remember CM-30? Well that one was a boner with a silver lining, though it had its problems. Anyway, apart from the chambering, I see no difference between the two. ¡°


    I started shooting. -¡± Same bullet velocity, penetration and rate of fire, and if you forgot, you can look it up on the screen right now. " I transmitted the specifications to the feed. -¡± As before, they are not bad at all. ¡°


    -¡± Though is it any good in a desert, you ask? ¡° I said between the shots. -¡± Whooops! ¡° Suddenly, i theatrically fumbled with the weapon, which spun out of my grip into the air while still shooting bullets. I made sure that the gun didn¡¯t hit anything important, though, accidentally, Lark had to hug the ground. I smiled vindictively. -¡± Such a grave accident, I wonder if it¡¯s still working¡­ ¡° I conspicuously looked at the weapon that was on the ground, pretending to be amazed and clueless by what just happened. I began to pick up the weapon, fumbling in every way possible. I hated the comedy act of trying to look like a clueless hussy... Anyway, I made sure to get dirt in every crevice of the weapon.


    -¡± Khem, while Shy is playin¡¯ dirty let¡¯s get da look at tis¡¯ big boy. ¡° Skor lifted an ATM Blaster Cannon, which was designed as a mounted weapon. -¡± Ya can install it on anythin¡¯, be it a speeder or da troll... ¡° He smiled profusely while he rested the weapon on his shoulder. -¡± ...and then bam. ¡° Loud zapping sound was accompanied by an explosion, which disintegrated a nearby stone pillar. -¡± Just like that you take care of business. ¡°


    I lifted the gun and the show continued. For the next hour we covered surveillance equipment, tanks, implants and other stuff that was released recently.


    -¡± ...and that¡¯s all in today¡¯s Shy¡¯s and Skor¡¯s Burnout Essentials. See ya next time. ¡° The moment the feed was cut I fell back on the table and looked at the milky white sky above me. -¡± I. Hate. Deserts. ¡° I said firmly. After an hour of frolicking in forty something degrees I felt sweaty and dirty, for both I blamed Lark. At least Verberuss¡¯ surface wasn¡¯t in direct sunlight, which was blocked by the dust in the higher parts of the atmosphere. -¡± Could you tell me why we couldn¡¯t just rent a studio and do this in Virtual Reality? ¡°


    -¡± Our princess'' so delicate that she can¡¯t get a bit hot and dirty? ¡° Lark¡¯s snide comment was the last straw for me. I liked my comforts and I was taking the pains of looking like half brained hussy to enjoy them to the fullest. I was not going to take dreg from a punk like Lark.


    Wordlessly I reached to the side and grabbed a BloodSilver Flechette Caster pistol from the table. -¡± Give me one good reason not to decorate your face with silver confetti¡­ ¡° I threatened as I aimed at his face. From ten meters away silver cloud would disintegrate his head.


    -¡± Wait. ¡° Suddenly pale, he put his hands up. -¡± I was joking, just joking! You don¡¯t need to be so serious about this¡­¡±


    -¡± I am still waiting for an explanation¡­ ¡° I cocked off the safety and he gulped visibly, his gaze locked on the muzzle of my gun.


    -¡± It¡¯s an Imperial contract. ¡° He looked at me nervously. -¡± They paid us, real¡¯ well, for doing a special here. ¡°


    I pulled the trigger and a barrage of silver shrapnel whized over his head. -¡¯ Seventeen shots, automatic, almost no recoil, silent¡­ that one¡¯s a keeper. ¡® I thought absentmindedly.


    I looked back at Lark, who was sprawled on the ground. -¡± I really hope, for your sake, that this trip is worth it. ¡°


    -¡± Totally. ¡° He nodded fervently. -¡± This is a steal, we come in, do a special and we are out. Eeezjob. ¡°


    I looked at him inquisitively trying to find out whether he was just trying to get off a hook. He didn¡¯t look trustworthy at all. -¡¯ Well, that¡¯s what you get if you try to look like a demon or something. ¡® He had a red skin, which was not his natural color for sure, prominent fangs and glowing yellow eyes with slit pupils. Considering his muscular frame and the face, which must have undergone some major surgeries, he didn¡¯t look half bad, especially for an orc.


    I remembered that I had no chance of catching him on a bluff, his poker face was just that good. -¡± That better be true. ¡° I rose and jumped from the table. -¡± Anyhow, I know who¡¯s doing the cleanup today. ¡° I silenced Lark¡¯s protests by waving the gun that I was still holding. -¡± Dust¡¯s bad for my skin. ¡°


    I moved inside our armored lorry, lured by its cool interior and comfortable chairs. I cleaned all of my exposed skin with a lotion and applied a cream, all for the sake of preserving my flawless skin. Vigilance was much better than a skin regeneration treatment, which required a week of stay in a Gene Vat.


    I sighed at the memory of past days when, as a simple mercenary, I didn¡¯t have to keep my appearance in mind at all times. One look through a window, at a sweaty Lark who was hauling a stack of folded plasteel tables, immediately reminded me about the downs of my previous occupation. -¡¯ I just like my comforts too much. ¡® I purred and stretched on a recliner chair.


    * * *


    It took them almost two hours to pack all of our stuff onto the lorry. I was rosed from my comfortable nap by a sudden burst of hot air and the smell of a sweating troll. Skorfus sat in the driver''s seat, which was next to the one I was using. His gaze wandered casually over my body that was sprawled on the recliner.


    -¡± It¡¯s a wonder that scumbag haven¡¯t thought about selling that look out. ¡° He said as he turned away and started the engine.


    -¡± Oh, I am sure that he did, but his survival instinct must still be working. ¡° I patted my new gun suggestively.


    Skorfus gave out a noncommittal grunt and floored the pedal. I snickered at the thud and the curses that came from the back. Looks like someone wasn¡¯t ready for a sudden acceleration.


    I turned on the music in my headphones and began watching the scenery. I quickly found out that there wasn¡¯t much to look at. Just an expanse of desolate terrain and milky white sky, which dispersed the sunlight so much that you couldn¡¯t tell where the sun was. At least I didn¡¯t have to worry about sunburn. I sneaked a look at Skorfus who was still driving manually despite the fact that he could easily leave it to an autopilot.


    Listening to the music and watching the empty horizon bored me to death quickly, so I turned on the AR overlay and started fiddling with our Netpage, which would later be transmitted to the Galactic Net. -¡¯ BloodSilver definitely gets the featured item award. ¡® I thought and made necessary alterations. I continued working on the Netpage, then I browsed through newest military catalogs and then I idly listened to the music.


    At some point I was ready to bang my head on the floor in boredom. I figured out why Skorfus decided to drive and I thought, briefly, about some alone time with my hoverbike, which was packed in the back. One look at dust outside and on a thermosensor made me drop the idea.


    I was disheartened by the prospect of traveling through this dull world. -¡¯ Argh, how much longer¡­ ¡® Struck by a sudden thought I opened the connection and checked.


    I felt despair swelling in my chest as the unchanging terrain before me began to grow and grow in my mind. The planet was huge and all of it was covered with nothing distinct. I wondered briefly if there was something green somewhere. -¡¯ Surely the oxygen must be coming from somewhere¡­ ¡® As it turned out, the oxygen was indeed coming from somewhere. Unfortunately, that somewhere was the dust in the atmosphere that made some strange things with carbon, oxygen, ozone and sunlight to make the planet breathable.


    One thing that I loved and hated about my life was constant travel. Currently, I hated the part of getting stranded in some boring, dreg forgotten place. -¡± I am going to sleep it out, wake me when we are... somewhere. ¡° I hesitated and finished in disheartened voice.


    I looked at the back of the room and Lark looked like he wanted to say something, probably something about a sleeping beauty, but under my gaze he quickly broke eye contact. -¡¯ Must have remembered about the beast. ¡® I snickered and set the chair into a sleeping position.


    * * *


    Exactly four hours later I woke up, fully awake, and I groaned in frustration. My body was heavily altered by top of the line genetic alterations, collectively called *cosmetic calibration*, which was not readily available to anyone. Only politicians, nobles and celebrities could get one, and my silly show was actually popular enough to get me on that exclusive list.


    Anyway, what that meant was that my more *problematic* bodily functions were almost non existent or heavily controlled. My sweat was, supposedly, turned into a natural deodorant with weak but nice aroma, though it was tuned in a way that I couldn¡¯t smell it. More importantly, I could and needed to sleep for only four hours every two days, no more no less, which made me really unhappy at the moment, especially when I considered how much of the ground we still had to cover. There were many more improvements, but that was unimportant at the moment.


    -'' All for a price sufficient to supply a full mercenary company for a month of heavy fighting... And they would still have sapre supplies to last another half a month. ¡® I sighed, my try at distracting myself failing miserably. All of that didn¡¯t change the fact that we didn¡¯t have a bath in our truck, and that I felt sweaty and caked in dirt.


    I stood up and looked around. Skorfus was sleeping and autopilot was driving the truck. Lark was laying on a recliner, I could tell that he was playing some VR game due to the cables that were hanging from behind his ear.


    -¡¯ I could practice some. ¡® I thought and moved to a door in the back of the room. The door led to a trailer where most of our stuff was stored, weapons included. The trailer was fully loaded with racks and crates, and what little space was left was taken up by the hoverbike and by what I deemed my holy place, as I called it, and I solemnly swore an oath to break both arms of anyone who touched them. So far it worked well in keeping Skorfus and Lark away.


    I had gotten out of the formfitting bodysuit, that I had to wear during the shoot, and then I provisionally cleaned myself by spraying a special chemical cleaner over my body, it wasn¡¯t a bath but it had to suffice. -¡¯ Why all of that bastard ideas are either lewd or make me an idiot or both. I swear that he¡¯s doing it on purpose. ¡® I vexed over the outfit and things that I had to do during the show.


    I went to my locker and gotten myself into boots, camo patterned pants and hoodie combat jacket, all of them in white. I secured the belts, that were affixed to the gear, and I closed the locker. I was again struck by a thought on why I just couldn¡¯t buy a regular stuff and had to have a designer one.


    I went to my holy space and activated AR overlay. Suddenly a vision of infinite, white space replaced my sight.


    -¡± Sensei. ¡° I said respectfully and bowed.


    An aged and pale, slit eyed individual, clad in a karate gi, appeared in front of me.


    -¡± Konichiwa, Shyael-san. Are you ready to begin your training? ¡°


    -¡± Yes, Sensei. ¡° I bowed again and started my practice. I found using my body refreshing and I wanted to keep my reflexes honed. -¡¯ A decade of not being a merc and I still have my old habits. ¡® I smiled and followed increasingly difficult katas that were assigned and graded by the program. I set it out to ninety percent accuracy long ago and I would have to redo any part that didn¡¯t reach the quota.


    I was happy with the Augmented Reality because I could move my physical body. Somehow, despite claimed ninety nine point nine percent accuracy, I just couldn¡¯t feel the same when I used the Virtual Reality, I always felt like I was missing something when I was using it.


    I continued my training for many hours, finally graduating to a free training, that had phantom opponents. All within the confines of my, two meter big, holy square.


    * * *


    I was laying on my chair, with my eyes closed, and listened to the deafening music on my headphones, when I felt somebody¡¯s hand on my shoulder.


    -¡± What? ¡° I said without deigning to remove the headphones.


    Lark came into my field of view and said something. -¡± ¡­ ¡° But it was nowhere near loud enough to be heard over the music.


    I tilted my head and raised my eyebrow questioningly.


    He raised a hand to press behind his ear, annoyance evident on his face. -¡± We are almost at the town. ¡° He sent his message over a communication channel, then added patiently. -¡± What kind of soycaffee do you want? ¡°


    -¡± Fast, just like my music. ¡° I said with a smile and toned down the headphones.


    Lark thrown me my soycaffee and went to the back. I looked at the view before me and I could see small buildings slowly appearing on the horizon.


    -¡± Let me guess Lark, you¡¯ve got another outfit prepared. ¡° I said in a resigned tone.


    -¡± No, what you have should suffice. ¡° He said calmly and I almost fell from the chair.


    -¡± What did he have when I wasn¡¯t watching? ¡° I asked Skorfus in shock. -¡± I want some too. ¡°


    -¡± Ha. Ha. Very funny. ¡° Lark responded in a deadpan voice. -¡± Now, get ready to go outside. We are going to rest some before the shoot¡­ and then I will have a new outfit for you. ¡° He added with a nasty smile.


    -¡± Jackbass, get dregt. ¡° I flipped him one, annoyed by his and Skorfus¡¯s chuckle. I stood up and opened a small locker hidden in the wall. I strapped a holster with the BloodSilver on the small of my back and removed a CGR-43 Manhunter pistol from the stash. It was big, black and loud as nine hells¡­ and my bet was that it was designed to kill with a heart attack, because it sure as hell couldn¡¯t hit a barn. I strapped it to my upper thigh, that way it was very visible. I carried it solely for its fear factor after all.


    I looked at the dilapidated buildings that were getting closer with every passing moment and I added a fingerless pair of combat gloves, they had Newtonian liquid inside which hardened under the impact. I was really fond of them for all of the slappy goodness that they offered. It was the access to all of the cool stuff that made me love my job.


    Skrofus drove our truck near the entrance to the main street. The town barely deserved its title as it didn¡¯t have anything more than that one street.


    I slid open the door and jumped down, onto the packed earth. I was soon followed by Lark and Skorfus. Quick look around was enough to encompass the whole situation - a saloon like building, a group of punks on their bikes, and a recently deceased someone. Pale faced inhabitants that looked from behind windows made me assume that the recently deceased was the city''s lawman.


    Leather clad punk with a green mohawk came closer and spoke with such a heavy accent that I barely understood him. -¡±Wacha¡¯ wanna wi¡¯h o¡¯r city. Yer ge¡¯tim geld? ¡° Though considering the content of his speech he might as well been speaking in universal.


    I rolled my eyes and sent a message to Skorfus. -¡± He¡¯s got a mohawk, your chummer? ¡°


    Skorfus scowled in response and exposed a stash of grenades that hung inside his jacket. -¡± Your mouth better not be writing checks that your ass ain¡¯t gonna cover, chum. ¡° He reached for a particularly big grenade. -¡± Wanna one? ¡°


    Pale faced punk shook his head and backed away to discuss something intensely with his companions. -¡¯ Well, it¡¯s their problem. ¡® I thought and put the punks out of my mind.


    We headed for the saloon and entered the building like there was nothing undue taking place outside. Lark went straight to the counter that was manned by a fat, moustached guy.


    The orc smiled widely and it made him look like a devil that just came to offer a particularly good deal. -¡± Greetings, you seem like an owner of this fine establishment and I would like to discuss a golden business opportunity with you¡­ ¡°


    -¡± I will keep the punks outside from making too much trouble. ¡° Without a word Skorfus understood Lark¡¯s angle and went back outside.


    I headed for the counter, where the owner was already prepared to lick Lark¡¯s shoes on command. -¡± Hardest liquor you have and a bath... The. Bath. ¡° I added firmly seeing his blank expression. -¡± The gentleman over there will explain and cover the bill. ¡° Lark started to protest, so I added. -¡± Consider it a price to pay for getting me into that outfit of yours¡­ Terms and conditions apply. ¡° I added as I wanted to make sure that I won¡¯t have to perform buttnaked.


    Lark scowled, but in the end, I had my bath and a brandy, which actually wasn¡¯t half bad.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    * * *


    I relaxed into a tub and purred in satisfaction. -¡± Warm bath, brandy and music¡­ ¡° I purred to myself and turned on my headphones, setting them to something soft and classical. -¡± ...best super powers of all - money and influence. ¡°


    I lounged in water, humming to the tune and taking a sip of brandy from time to time, then some insistent noises become loud enough for me to hear them over the soft music. With a thought command, I turned off the sound dampening of my headphones.


    -¡± Tis¡¯ dude doin¡¯ som¡¯ slick dancin¡¯. ¡° Some loud punk¡¯s voice came from an alley below the window of my room. -¡± Comon¡¯, oldman. Dancin¡¯ ain¡¯t over. ¡° Sound of gunshots followed the nasty laughter of the punks.


    -¡± Dude¡¯s da man¡¯. ¡° Other punk chimed in. -¡± Ya thinkin¡¯ he can be movin¡¯ da two? ¡° Another gun joined the shootout and punks laughed even louder.


    -¡± What¡¯s tis¡¯, sum¡¯ trash. ¡° I barely heard a distant punk¡¯s voice, which was followed by sounds of breaking glass and falling furniture.


    -¡± Man¡¯, tis¡¯ dude¡¯s cool. Are ya¡¯ thinkin¡¯ whacham¡¯ thinkin¡¯? ¡° Yet another punk, which seemed stoned, had an idea.


    All of the commotion was slowly wearing my patience thin and I couldn¡¯t just turn off the sound when there was a bunch of unpredictable, gun wielding punks outside.


    Punks seemed like they had gotten some retarded idea.


    -¡± Oldman, yer lucked out. ¡° Stoned one¡¯s voice was met with approval of his companions. -¡± Try dencin¡¯ dat off! ¡°


    -¡± Ya da man.¡±


    -¡± Wickin¡¯ slick! ¡°


    I looked at a ceiling in annoyance and decided that I would better check what those retards had in mind. I set my hardware to a combat mode, then I stood up and grabbed the BloodSilver, which I placed next to the tub earlier.


    As I was getting close to the window, my augmented hearing picked up a sound of a safety being cocked of. Moments later a submachine gunfire resounded from the alley, followed by the cheering of punks.


    -¡± Lookcha¡¯! I knew¡¯ his da man¡¯ ¡°


    -¡± Dregs yhea! Slickin¡¯ cool man. ¡°


    I looked through the window to confirm my expectations. The group of leathered punks surrounded some old, white bearded guy in a brown, leather trench coat. One of the punks had D&K NF-7 submachine gun, which to those guys was just an uzi. -¡¯ All of the sub automatic''s are just an uzi to the punks like them. ¡® I scowled at the thought.


    -¡± Uyeeeaa. Camon¡¯. ¡° Stoned punk was really agitated and was shooting at the ground below old man¡¯s feet, making him jump around to avoid the bullets.


    I had to admit that the punks were right. Old man was really something. An augmented something. -¡± Was he a merc in his previous life. ¡° I wondered.


    The party suddenly came to a close due to NF running out of bullets. Winded up old man stopped moving and grabbed a nearby wooden pillar to support himself. Punks started jeering while the stoned one tried to reload.


    -¡± Lookcha¡¯! A poochi! ¡° The other punk, one that was looting the old man¡¯s house, spoke out; if not for my enhancements I wouldn''t be able to hear him. -¡± Come to dadi¡¯. ¡°


    -¡± Woof. ¡° A friendly bark answered the punk.


    I noticed old man¡¯s hand clamping on the wooden pillar and actually crushing into the wood. Though none of the punks paid any attention to the sound of straining wood.


    -¡± Come pooch. Come. ¡° Punk cooed. -¡± Here yi¡¯ are! ¡° Suddenly there was a gunshot and a whimper.


    -¡± You can break a man¡¯s home¡­ ¡° Old man¡¯s voice was barely louder than a whisper.


    -¡± Wha¡¯? ¡° Stoned punk looked up with dumbfounded expression.


    -¡± You can take a man¡¯s possessions¡­ ¡° Old man''s silhouette seemed to shake.


    -¡± He snappin¡¯ or yappin¡¯ or wha¡¯? ¡° Loud punk scratched his head, confused by the ineligible monologue.


    -¡± But!... ¡° Old man¡¯s voice suddenly become loud and punks looked at him in surprise. -¡± You can¡¯t kill a man¡¯s dog! ¡° He exclaimed loudly.


    Old man flexed his muscles and yanked on the pillar, breaking it in half. Stoned punk was fast, he already had his NF-7 going up, but not fast enough. Old man was already swinging his club and before the punk had a chance to fire, his weapon was already knocked out of his grasp. Old man rushed past the disarmed punk and pushed the splintered tip of his improvised club into loud punk''s face.


    Third punk raised his gun and shot at the old man, but the man¡¯s reflexes were wired[1]. He suddenly accelerated and moved like a blur to get out of the shot''s way. Before the punk had a chance to press the trigger again he was already sent flying by the man¡¯s swing.


    It turns out that stoned punk was also wired and he already was grabbing the NF-7 from the ground, using his good hand as the other one was broken. Old man noticed it too and rolled to the side, with a hailstorm of bullets following his every move. Stoned punk was already smiling victoriously when a three foot long piece of wood smashed into his face.


    I had to admit, the old man had some slick moves, but they weren¡¯t enough because the punk from the house was already at the door, aiming his gun. Out in the open, with nowhere to run, the man was as good as dead.


    I never was much of a watching sort. Without breaking the glass a cloud of glistening, razor sharp triangles easily glided through the window and soon met the thugs hand. Just like magic, the hand vanished in a spectacle true to the gun''s name.


    When the old man looked up, I motioned with a finger in front of the neat hole in the glass, I was sure that he will get the message. Then I went to get dressed, leaving the cleanup to the old man.


    -¡¯ Why a girl just can¡¯t have a relaxing bath¡­ ¡® I complained silently.


    * * *


    We sat at a saloon¡¯s table and I raised the hood of my jacket to dodge the looks of the locals, who kept ogling my face. -¡¯ Well, I bet it¡¯s the first time they had seen someone like me away from a TV screen. ¡® I smiled to myself.


    -¡± We are talking here. Could you, please, pay attention for once? ¡° Lark chastised me in an annoyed tone.


    -¡± I heard you. We are to do a glamorous special on the Imperial Peacekeeper equipment. ¡° I yawned suggestively. -¡± Anyway, why do I care? ¡°


    -¡± Argh. ¡° Lark clamped his teeth in exasperation. -¡± Because they pay us handsomely¡­ ¡°


    -¡± Wait. ¡° I interrupted Lark. -¡± If they think that I am going to do a positive review if they pay us off, then they are in for a big surprise. I do not do a dreg job. ¡°


    -¡± Ok, ok. ¡° Lark put his hands up. -¡± They are aware of that and what they want is the stuff to look Nova hot for the ads. Imperials know the Imperial quality, as you well know. ¡°


    I already knew where this was going and I didn¡¯t like it one bit. Nova hot, in Lark¡¯s mouth, always felt like it came from a devil that came to collect the dues.


    -¡± Can¡¯t we just do an extensive combat testing¡­ ¡° I pleaded.


    -¡± Stop your whining, you know full well that it ain¡¯t gonna cut it. ¡° Lark dashed my hopes for any semblance of a decent appearance during the show.


    I looked around and saw the old man entering the room. I waved the man in, ignoring Lark¡¯s furrowing eyebrows. The man had ruffled grey hair and a beard. I took a closer look at his face, but a square jaw, a wide nose and deep blue eyes didn¡¯t fit anyone that I knew. -¡¯ Nothing out of the ordinary in the big, wide galaxy. ¡®


    -¡± Hey. ¡° I made a welcoming gesture and pointed him to an empty chair. -¡± This is Skor and Lark. ¡° I pointed at my companions.


    -¡± Greetings, Shy. ¡° He gave me a respectful nod. -¡± Thank you for your help back there. ¡° He turned to my companions before sitting down. -¡± Gentlemen. ¡°


    -¡± Yo. ¡° Skor waved the man off.


    -¡± What have you gotten yourself into already¡­ ¡° Lark¡¯s gave me a blaming look.


    -¡± That¡¯s entirely my fault. ¡° The man interrupted. -¡± I am Callum Burton. Cal for short. ¡° He nodded in my direction. -¡± And that fine lady had helped me during a spat with local punks. ¡°


    -¡± You just had to get involved¡­ ¡° Lark wasn¡¯t someone who got over things easily and he kept his venomous look on me. Finally, he sighed heavily and turned to Cal. -¡± Ok, where we stand? You look like someone who knows his way around. ¡°


    -¡± The punks belong to a guy called Loco, and he is rumored to be quite mad. He runs his gang around and Imperials subsidize him. ¡° Cal¡¯s seemed awfully calm considering the situation.


    -¡± Something doesn¡¯t add up. ¡° Lark interrupted. -¡± Why would our, oh so efficient, Empire be doing something as inefficient and stupid as outfitting some gang. This doesn¡¯t make any sense. ¡°


    -¡± It makes perfect sense to me. ¡° Skor suddenly joined the conversation. -¡± If you consider the natives that is. ¡°


    -¡± What do they have to do with the whole picture? ¡° Lark was understandably surprised.


    -¡± I think I know. ¡° I said smugly. -¡± Imperial Inquisition. ¡°


    -¡± Ok, now I know that both of you are just making that stuff up. ¡° Lark shook his head in annoyance.


    -¡± Think about this. ¡° Skor continued. -¡± This is an Imperial colony, so they had to gain it somehow and you know how much of the red tape the Empire is using. ¡° Skor made an all encompassing gesture. -¡± This whole world was just annexed to the Empire, as is, and they called the Inquisition because natives seemed really spiritual and magical at the time. ¡°


    Lark¡¯s face contorted in concentration and then a look of astonishment appeared on his face. -¡± The Dark Ones came, found no traces of magic and went away, leaving Imperial bureaucracy with a world filled with unwanted citizens, that have actual rights. ¡° Lark laughed. -¡± Now they can¡¯t just kill them off, so they are grasping at straws, using the status of an underdeveloped world as a cover to finance the outlaws to do the killing for them. How stupid and inefficient, I bet the governor is sweating buckets daily. ¡° Lark continued to laugh in a very nasty manner, quickly becoming the centre of locals attention. Suddenly he turned to me and my heart skipped a beat. I really, really didn¡¯t like the predatory look that appeared on his face. -¡± If you don''t want to do a Nova hot special, I can make you a deal¡­ ¡°


    -¡± That¡¯s what I am afraid of. ¡° I shook my head firmly. -¡± So, thank you, but no! ¡°


    -¡± Very well, no problem. ¡° He smiled and nodded with the look of an understanding. -¡± Let me just get the costume for today¡¯s special. ¡° He turned to Skorfus. -¡± Do you remember where the costume that we used for the shoot on Yeunides is stored? ¡°


    -¡± But it was a paradise world, with beaches, sand and ocean! ¡° I interrupted.


    -¡± Yes, it was really nice. ¡° Lark smiled a winning smile. -¡± Both of them were. ¡°


    -¡± Wait, wait, wait. ¡° I looked for an escape route, but he had me good. -¡± Let¡¯s hear your offer first! ¡°


    * * *


    I stood under the white sky and wondered if I made a good choice. I had a Peacekeeper combat suit, a HKM-300 assault rifle, an Imperial GlassReiter pistol and a Pacifier shock lance, but I still wondered if the Yeunides option wasn¡¯t the lesser evil. -¡± That¡¯s what you get for dealing with the devil. ¡° I murmured to myself.


    -¡± What did you say? ¡° Lark¡¯s voice came via the radio.


    -¡± I asked how long until they get here. ¡° I said to the microphone. -¡± I don¡¯t fancy sweating in the combat uniform. ¡°


    -¡± You know, you can do this in the costume. We can always do the armor testing separately and the viewership would also get better... ¡° Lark¡¯s mocking voice annoyed the hell out of me.


    -¡± Go dreg yourself. ¡° I said and shut the connection.


    I looked around, gazing over the locals that were outfitted in random parts of the Peacekeeper equipment as well. Skorfus just finished the preparations on his end, a neat circle of barely discolored earth marked the places where our guarantees has been planted.


    Finally I noticed a great cloud of dust in the distance. Guests of today¡¯s special were arriving in droves. Bikes, speeders, cars and trucks soon become visible on the horizon. My augmented vision allowed me to examine even the minute details from far away without use of binoculars.


    The motorcade was led by a single individual. He was riding on a Thunderbolt OVR-9000 three wheeled motorbike that had the grand speaker columns affixed above rear wheels. I could see that the columns were shaking with a wickedly loud music. Whole bike was heavily altered with skulls and flames casted straight out of metal.


    I still liked my customized Nemesis ANTRAX hoverbike more, but I had to hand some thumbs up to a guy that rode such an awesome vehicle.


    I looked back to the driver. He was dark skinned and creased, with a wave of long black hair swinging behind his head. He wore a studded, black leather outfit and at least seven knives underneath it, if my indications were any good.


    He was tall and rather on a slim side, but he more than made up for it with his stern and mean expression.


    While I was taking in the sights, the motorcade stopped some distance from us and my quick overview confirmed my suspicion that punks from earlier were just that, punks. Most of the gang before us consisted of seasoned criminals.


    One of them, a big and bulky one, that was clad in a leather vest adorned by chains, came closer. His condescending gaze traveled over me and locals to finally stop on Skrofus, who noncommittally was leaning against the building behind me. -¡± You runnin¡¯ this show? ¡° He asked the troll, disregarding my presence before himself.


    Before he had a chance to react I had drawn the GlassReiter and kneecapped him. In the very same moment I sheathed the gun back into the holster. -¡± I run the show, punk. ¡° I said in conversational tone to his surprised face. He still did not understand why he was suddenly falling down.


    It was mean, but I had learned long ago that men just couldn''t take a girl seriously and it just wouldn¡¯t work if I was doing the intimidating without mean. Sometimes I wished for Skorfus¡¯s physique, but then I remembered how I looked in a mirror and I always arrived at a conclusion that kneecapping someone to get the attention wasn¡¯t actually that bad of an option.


    -¡± Aargh! ¡° The guy finally hit the ground while grabbing his knee and screemed in pain. -¡± Bi¡­ ¡° He collected himself surprisingly fast and started cursing me, but suddenly stopped when our looks met. He froze and I slowly shook my head, with equal slowness he nodded.


    Satisfied I raised my gaze and focused on the leader. His taxing gaze was focused on me and I was happy that he was taking me seriously. If he wasn¡¯t, after me showing him a bit of my ability, I would need to reclassify him as a mere thug.


    -¡± We need to talk. ¡° I said casually.


    -¡± That we do. ¡° He affirmed in the same manner. -¡± I heard you downed some of my boys. ¡°


    -¡± They were in a way and there wasn¡¯t much to them anyway. ¡° I stated and ignored a group of punks that started a ruckus near a truck.


    -¡± You know that I can¡¯t let it slide and I know that you have a proposition. I am listening. ¡° Despite his looks he seemed like a really reasonable guy.


    -¡± I propose a duel. No shooting until the coin hits the ground. ¡° I showed him my open hands.


    -¡± Why should I accept? I have plenty enough to off you and this bunch. ¡° He took out a knife and made a wide gesture, that encompassed us and the locals.


    In that moment Skorfus must have pressed the activation button as several OTX Mk III Ghosthunter turrets sprang from the ground. Their spherical heads whirred idly, ready to unleash a hail of precision fire on the targets in front of them. The punks yelled in surprise, while their seasoned companions paled and went completely still. The turrets were designed to react to sudden movements and everyone must have seen my show from Xatruna, where the very same turrets decimated plenty of vicious wildlife.


    -¡± I pack my toys and leave you to duke it out with the locals, or are you scared of getting owned by a girl on a camera? ¡° I smiled coldly. -¡± Otherwise, I have plenty enough to off this bunch. ¡° I pointed at the surprised ruffians.


    -¡± No strings attached? Even if you get hurt? ¡° He said and looked at me questioningly.


    -¡± None whatsoever. Just you and me, as long as there¡¯s no shooting before the coin hits the ground. ¡° I affirmed. -¡¯ This is definitely better than the Nova hot special¡­ '' I thought in satisfaction.


    -¡± Very well. Call off your stuff. ¡° He nodded. -¡± And get your prayers straight. ¡° He rose from the bike, exposing knives, guns and machetes that he had on him. Meanwhile, the turrets retracted, reacting to Skorfus''s signal.


    -¡¯ ...or not. ¡® Suddenly the duel wasn¡¯t as promising as it was before. From his movements I could tell that he was augmented, but until he stood up I couldn¡¯t tell how heavily. My estimation was at least at alpha grade level, if not better. He didn¡¯t seem like a former black ops commando, but his ware said otherwise. -'' Maybe he''s undercover? '' I mused.


    He casually adjusted his jacket and checked the knives. -¡± Who¡¯s throwing? The troll? ¡°


    I nodded, suddenly not trusting my parched throat.


    Meanwhile Skrofus walked to a spot between us and readied the coin. -¡± You sure about this? He¡¯s not your regular joe. Maybe you should pass just this once? ¡° He sent me a message.


    I felt my heart beating hard. -¡± No way in hell I am going to pass this one up. ¡° I responded and gave him a predatory smile. Despite the danger I appreciated the challenge, it set my blood boiling, also I already knew that I wouldn''t like Lark''s idea of today''s Nova hot special.


    Skorfus shook his head and let out a sigh, probably inwardly commenting about my supidity. Neverthless, he obediently thrown the coin upwards.


    Suddenly I felt all of my anxiety draining away, giving way to a familiar thrill of combat. I looked at the coin which had barely left Skor¡¯s hand and the time seemed to slow down to a crawl. I felt like I was flexing a nonexistent muscle that was slowing down the time, or more accurately, my bio alterations were kicking in, elevating my nervous structure onto new level of speeds. Where merest blink was akin to a blackout.


    I casually stepped to the left, letting an incoming knife past my face. With a move that felt like skidding through a molasse I reached up and grabbed the knife that moved at a crawl. With a flip of a wrist I sent it back whence it came, but faster. But not fast enough, my opponent easily spun on a ball of his feet, letting the knife pass him harmlessly.


    He was three steps away from me, so I reached to my side and retrieved the handle of the shock lance. Two steps away and I pressed the activator. At one step¡¯s distance metal, telescopic parts shot from both sides of the handle, creating a five feet long pole.


    Barely in time to parry his machete, though that was only the beginning as successive blow from his other machete came immediately after and I had to give ground in order to let it past me. I spun the pole, blowing back both of the machetes. Using the moment, I activated the shocker.


    When his machetes came back I was ready and intercepted them on purpose, but unfortunately they were isolated and did not shock him. Not fazed by that I spun to the left, barely avoiding his kick, using the opening to grazed his chest with the pole.


    Sudden discharge of electricity thrown him back, but before I had a chance for a follow up the AR overlay highlighted a monofilament thread cast from the guy¡¯s weapon. I ducked to avoid the cutting wire, simultaneously swinging the pole parallel to the ground, aiming at his feet. Unfortunately he didn¡¯t try jumping over it, giving me thus the opportunity to finish him off in mid air, instead he gave ground and thrown a machete at me.


    That one had the monofilament wire attached to it and I had to cartwheel out of it¡¯s way, if I didn''t, I risked being sliced apart by the unpredictable thread. He used that moment to close the distance and to swing at me. I was already prepared for that and stabbed the pole into his hand. Explosion of electrically thrown the weapon out of his grasp, but that didn¡¯t stop him from trying to kick me in the mid air.


    I abandoned my weapon and twisted my body to suddenly change my position in the air. My muscles were highly augmented for flexibility and agility, which he didn¡¯t expect, he also didn¡¯t expect that I would be able to grasp his feet from the position I was in and that I would attempt to twist his ankle using the momentum of my body. The move has forced him to jump and twist in the air in a desperate try to avoid the critical, in this situation, fracture.


    I released him and jumped back, using the moment to draw HKM-300 from the holster on my back. It proved to be a good idea as a parting grenade, released by my opponent, suddenly appeared in the air between us.


    Two things happened simultaneously. The coin hit the ground and the grenade exploded, spreading deadly shrapnel around. I withstood the shockwave while easily finding a safe spot between the projectiles, I trusted my armor to withstand few smaller pieces that were too problematic to dodge, and started shooting into a dust roused by the explosion.


    Soon the opponent returned the favour and I had to execute a frantic roll in order to avoid a hail of gunfire released by his automatic pistols. As I dodged, I zeroed on the twin blazes released by his guns and responded with a short burst fire.


    Suddenly the hail of gunfire stopped. I looked intensely into thinning mist and saw my opponent''s body sprawled on the ground, gaping wounds evident on his chest. I kept my guard, pointing the rifle at him. He lifted an empty hand into the air, but then his strength waned and it hit the ground. -¡± Your win. ¡° He croaked and coughed up blood.


    For a moment I stood in shock, same as everyone else, then a sudden explosion covered everything with heavy smoke. I remembered that it was Skor¡¯s diversion to allow me to escape, because the thugs weren¡¯t going to just pass over their leader¡¯s loss. Sound of gunfire blazed from everywhere and I ducked to the ground as I wasn¡¯t too fond of the stray bullets.


    The battle between the locals and bandits erupted, but we weren¡¯t going to participate. -¡¯ We gave them a fighting chance, without enemy leader and with that equip¡­ ¡® I patted the HKM-300. -'' They should manage¡­ '' I thought in satisfaction as I crawled out of the battlefield.


    Skor already waited to pick me up at the edge of the smoke, he lifted me into our truck and we left the city behind us.


    I sighed, suddenly exhausted and I fell on my chair. Using my full capabilities was taxing and I could feel pains slowly appearing all over my overstressed body. -¡± Tell me what I want to hear. ¡° I said into the air.


    -¡± We got our special and the money''s already on our account. ¡° Lark responded with a satisfied voice.


    -¡± Not that. ¡° I mumbled in exasperation.


    -¡± How about this then: with all the information we inadvertently collected the governor is going down. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if the Peacekeepers were already storming his mansion. ¡° He spoke like some goody two shoes.


    -¡± ¡­ ¡° I remained silent, scowlig.


    -¡± We are getting out of this hellhole.¡± Skorfeus said and I smiled in satisfaction.


    -¡± I hate deserts. ¡° I stated passionatelly and expectantly looked over the desolate terrain that I was soon going to leave behind...


    * * * THE END? * * *


    1 - [augmented with cyberware enhancements/replacements]