Chapter 8: The call

“Mikah” I sighed, contented, as he ran his fingers along my body, tracing all the old scars that he could find. “I know where you got these ones” he whispered as he traced a set of large scratch marks along my stomach, “We were ten, and that wolf was a bitch to take down!”

The cool night breeze swept along my naked back, I just lay content. Mikah had left my room in the dark hours of the morning, leaving the four posters curtains in shambles, but I didn’t want to move to fix. Breakfast had come, with dull sunlight filtering through the forest canopy and seeping in my window. Lunch had come with a few muffled voices from bellow, Mikah had knocked reminding me of the hour, and I just lay in bed listening to the wildlife outside. As the sun began to fade outside noises of the wildlife seemed to trickle into the house below my room. 

Music started playing downstairs and I knew the inn’s kitchen would be up and running for dinner. I rapped the pillow around my head, squashed my eyelids together; I just wanted to ignore the world around me. My eyes suddenly opened wide as I heard a horrible laugh and some intense rapping, I froze…But my inner door remained locked. 

“Fine!” I yelled at the deaf walls of my room, and kicked the blankets to the floor. 

“Oh yeah” I sighed as a cool chill quickly engulfed my body. I had rapidly realised I was still naked. 

I dragged on my clothes, while music pounded, and the occasional sounds of clattering of glasses were heard from downstairs. I stared at the large mirror on the wall across from the four poster and watched as each scar and bruise were covered, layer by layer, beneath the fabrics of my clothes. I quickly stared into my own eyes, reflected back at me, drowning out last night’s memories. Finally I pulled on my knee high combat boots and buckled them up, keen to get in front of the open fire. I headed downstairs towards the bar. 

It was loud, way too loud and my head started to swim as I arrived at the bar. I sat down quickly, hopefully everyone thought that was sitting, and Mikah caught my arrival. Before I knew it I had a scotch in my hand and sculled it trying to drown out the voices. Voices loud and powerful began bellowing and screaming and glasses, furniture and other items started crashing behind me, my back stayed turned.  Suddenly all of those voice began to fade into silence, a silence that was only breached by the “incessant ring of that fucking phone!” Glancing to my right I saw it on the bar. So I answered it. This was my mistake.

“Dug is that you? Shit!” he yelled at someone away from the phone “Hey Jeff keep her under control!” after some muffled noise he was back “Hey Dug we got her! We finally got her! We need to leave now!” Behind this high pitched male voice I could hear noise in the back ground, a girls screaming and cursing and then, what was that? Was she was she flirting with them too?

"LET GO OF ME YOU FUCKING PRICKS! What is this? Your place? Really?! How about we all go back to mine for a little 3 way? double penetration?! I'm sure I can handle both of you big boys ahaha. Come on..? My place has satin sheets and enough room in the bed for even you Mr Blimp! hahah I hope you don’t mind if I take Mr Muscles first, to help me get the juices flowing if you know what I mean. Come on…!! I am far more fun in bed than I look! You can even tie me up and take turns!!” I quickly slammed down the phone.

Instantly I heard a bellow from behind me “Hey you!” I turned my head, just enough too see this guy, the seating area was in chaos; I guess he was guilty of the disturbance earlier.

“Yes! You! What the fuck are you doing with my phone!?” 

“Dug I take it?” He froze at my response; I took that as a yes. “Well Dug, you naughty boy, I was answering it. You really shouldn’t leave it lying around like that.” He dove from me.

I quickly shifted in my seat slightly and he hit the bar, forehead first, and that was the end of that, he lay unconscious on the floor. I threw back my scotch and stood up, head swimming only a little, picked up the phone and headed upstairs to pack my stuff. I guess I had better get out of here. Five minutes later my pack was on my back and I jumped out my window onto the porch cover below, and then onto the ground. I will forget them, this, everything. That door will never open.

“Bye” Mikah uttered from a dark corner of the Inn.

“Bye” I answered guiltily. 

“Until next time”

“Yeah” I replied, knowing there may not be a next time.

Chapter 7 "Just bang that door ONE more time!"

Barret stretched his broad and mountainous back and shoulders, moving his hands to run through the unkempt black curls of bed hair. He was rudely awakened, not from the resurfacing of a classic hit from the now seemingly ancient 20th century music video on his wall monitor, but from the aggravated assault his front door currently is enduring and has for the possibly past 10 minutes, only now it's quite emphatic and demanding of his attention.

"OPEN THE FUCKIN DOOR YOU THICK THUG!" The muffled but audible voice shouted through the walls and titanium covered door. "OPEN THE FUCKIN DOOR OR WE'RE BLASTING A HOLE IN IT!" The sound of repeater carbines arming was more than enough to shake him from his waking routine of fixing himself his morning scotch and toast.

"Be right with you." He muttered under his breath as he strode from the cramped kitchen to the wide chest he kept at the base of his sleeping pile. Flicking the latches up and lifting the heavy lid, his eyes locked onto his broad blade, heavy repeating pistol and tri-barrel blaster rifle, which he engraved "Punisher" on the side for good humor, that rested on top of his personal body armor from his hay days of military service.
More banging and shouting permeating the wall before him as he strapped and suited up and stretched his solid 6 and a half foot frame one last time before bellowing "JUST BANG THAT DOOR ONE!! MORE TIME!" The shouting and banging stopped, the corridors knew silence. He breathed deeply, steadying himself. Then came a mighty thud on the other side of the door. "THAT'S IT!" He armed "Punisher" and aimed it at the direction the last pound came from and unleashed the harrowing hail fire from the tri-barrel rifle.

Large blast holes penetrated the door and sent the remains of the disturber into the wall with a splat and a thud. The ringing settled down shortly to hear a shocked assailant scream "HOLY SHIT!" Another series of blasts came forth to pelt into the man who gave away his position and leave him in a similar state as his colleague.
"YOU GONNA FUCK OFF ALREADY?!" Barret threateningly implored "OR DO I HAVE TO SEVER SOME LIMBS BEFORE YOU GET THE MESSAGE?!"

The sound of rushed footsteps leaving in two directions gave him a fair idea of the outcome. Toast cooking and scotch in hand, he was finally enjoying his morning, or early afternoon, he never did check enough to care. A few bites in and his Voice Contact System in his right ear starts annoying him. "What?!" he grudgingly answers the call. "Alright today huh? Well give me te...give me ten and I'll be out the building and on my way to meet you at Zhars' for a quick stock up and we'll hit it. Rations I'm good for, you? Okay I'll bring a bit extra, yep see you then."
Pulling a large bag out of the dilapidated wardrobe and with the remainder of his toast hanging in his mouth, Barret packed it with the medium amount of food stores he had, slung it over his shoulder and headed for the abused door, only to pull himself up and head back to the bench in the kitchen to swill down the last 3/4 of his scotch. With that, he kicked the sorry looking door off it's hinges and headed down the corridor towards the buildings exit.

Slightly overcast outside, Barret rubbed his stubble and pointed himself in the direction of Zhars' Disposals.
He passed the Market court and quickly had a glance at the wares on display. Few would get in Barrets path, the man was a mountain and not clumsy in size either.
The local district enforcers unit know well enough not to tangle with him, only mob bosses and their lackeys are ever so open about taking him on, their men are expendable after all.

A few more blocks and he finally has Zhars' in sight.
"Barret!" a familiar voice called out to him from the shadows of an alley. Stepping forward the young knave strides confidently towards the large man, hand on his slender swords pommel.

"Hello Wi.." he gets rudely cut off
"Hey Barret! Keeping well I see."
"Hello William, causing trouble I hear."
Williams face turns sad suddenly "They killed her Barret, Taz...she..she's dead, nothing pretty left of her face anymore."
Barret taken aback by the sudden mood change and news of a good friends existence departure. "Wha..when? Where? Who?!"
"Last night, bar, doesn't matter he's dead." came Williams cold reply and swift trudge past Barret towards Zhars Disposals.

His long strides catching up to William, they enter the well known Military Disposal shop.
"Ahh about time I saw those faces again, so what mischief is afoot today lads?" Zhar cheekily croaked at the two familiar faces in front of him. A man of considerable years but still of rather good shape, Zhar had been in numerous amounts of skirmishes in his day, plenty of scars to go with stories and stories to go with the wounds no one ever sees on his flesh. His life was war and war became his business and being quite well known for his stock of both arms and stories, war was good.

"Oh just the usual scrapes you'd find yourself in." William cheerily perked up at the seasoned man.
With a chuckle Zhar slid his hand under the counter to press a small red button. Two walls rotated to reveal "the good stuff" as Barret referred to the selection of heavy and light firearms and melee weapons expertly fashioned.
"What'll it be?" Zhar quizzically smirked
"I need to trade this in." William draws out his light repeating pistol and places it on the counter.
"Ah it's seen better days, and you Barret m'boy?"
"Sharpen the blade, military rations and surprise me."
"Oohhhoohoo. Surprise you I will." Zhar says with a wink.

Chapter 6. Waiting.

 Waiting was never a favorite past time for me. I hated how the more things you did; the longer time seemed to go by. I glanced at my bracelet, the one he gave me for my birthday last September, no messages, no calls, nothing. Sitting with my back pressed firmly against the cool concrete of the building I used to call home, I continued to stare at my bracelet. 4.00AM it obnoxiously glared up at me. Exactly 4 hours since I started sitting here, in the cold, in the wind, in the dark, alone, waiting for him to come as he promised he would.

How DARE he be so fucking late! I will SKIN his puny ass! I can’t believe I am so fucking naïve! Why would he want me? ME?! I’m just here to stroke his ego and to look good on his arm. I made him feel good, feel wanted. I’m so fucking stupid! He is like 8 years older than me! Why on earth would he be interested? He can have any girl he wants with just a smile and the right words. Right! No more stupid naïve Erianna. Fuck him, fuck them, fuck this cold, fuck my family and fuck EVERYTHING!

I stood up, tears streaming down my face and walked aimlessly down the dimly lit alleyway.

Regardless of the hour, the city was always active, people shopping, eating, drinking and falling in love throughout the streets. Market stall owners harassed me, drunkards shouted obscene comments as I passed them by, and people stopped me to offer me their services. I didn’t have any fight in me; I just kept walking.

My path brought me to a grubby little salon, with flashing neon lights in the window and pictures of near naked women with obscene hair styles plastered all over the door. Curious, I walked in. The overpowering odour of peroxide and cheap perfume filled my non-consenting nostrils causing a violent, involuntary coughing fit. I had never smelled anything quite as assaulting as that. 

“’allo lovey, what’s a pre’y little plum like you wandering ‘round at this hour?”

An ancient looking lady with black and yellow teeth and colour changing hair teased into a giant quiff said from behind a shabby little serving desk. I could have sworn that even her wrinkles had wrinkles. Her baby pink lipstick made her lips look diseased especially combined with her bloodshot eyes. Quite frankly, I have never encountered anything more terrifying than this woman.

“Oh, excuse me madam, I… I just needed a walk is all.” I bowed my head like I was taught to by the Creed, whenever addressing a superior. The woman walked up to me, she quickly clasped my jaw with talon like hands, her long plastic nails pressing hard into my cheeks, forcing me to look up into her eyes.  Her pale brown and bloodshot eyes stared into mine with such ferocity; I swear she was staring hard enough to read my very soul. I pulled away and stared at her in disbelief.

“Hun, you ‘ave so much more t’ fight for, forget that cock sucker, there are many more ‘andsome men on their way. Trust this old bitty.” She winked and grabbed hold of my hand, and led me through the beaded curtain next to the serving desk.

The room was walled with floor to ceiling mirrors. I saw myself reflected from the back of the room. I was still wearing my uniform with my plain grey knee length skirt, knee high white socks, my favourite black boots and my white collared shirt with my sleeves rolled up past my elbows. My shoulder length dark brown hair was all messy and teased from the wind. I went to neaten it up by running my free hand through it but it got caught. I winced, and decided it would be better to leave it. I hated this uniform that the Creed made me wear, it looked like some form of contraceptive torture wear from the early 2000’s… so gross.

There were reclined chairs positioned around the room with white curtains around them, as if to indicate separate cubicles. The chairs were all bright red and well worn, some had the stuffing exposed due to the rips in the perished plastic.  The woman led me to the closest of the recliners.

“’’ere love, let’s see what Ol’ Mariah can do to make you a little less… lost little puppy and a little more… meow yah know?” Old Mariah winked again and gestured to the chair.

Sitting comfortably I saw myself lying down from the mirror on the roof.  The curtain was pulled around the chair. Ol’ Mariah pushed a button underneath the armrest, the chair wirred and a extended a metal arm around my feet. A screen popped up in front of my face.

“Jus’ say your full name ‘un, clearly please”

“Er.. My name is Erianna Rane of Ciran… thanks” The screen changed, showing a list of different styles, most I hadn’t even heard of.

“I reckon you would look hot as wi’ this look” She tapped the screen and it disappeared.

The arm around my feet began to whirr and clunk then began to slowly move up my body, leaving behind a warm feeling. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the sensation.  The arm reached over my head then stopped and retracted back to its beginning point. I opened my eyes and saw a completely different me staring back.

My hair was so blonde it was white, cut in a short A-symmetrical bob, one side reaching my shoulder and the other stopped at my jaw with a thick chunk of my original brown framing one side my face. I had new glittering jewels in my body, one in my nose and one in my, now exposed, navel. The tight black halter neck top stopped at my navel, stretched tight around my breasts. A red leather jacket hung open, covered in zips with intricate tailoring, I zipped it up, the jacket made me appear to have a smaller waist and larger breasts than I actually possessed. My legs were covered with a pair of tight black pants, topped with a chunky, silver belt. My beloved boots still remained. I stared at my reflection for quite some time. I hated it. I looked so mature so… bikie lesbian... not me at all. I made a face.

“Not for you love? Alrigh’, whatd’ya like about this little number?”

“I like the colours of my hair. I think they suit my eyes but the cut is far too dramatic.”

“ahh yes those pre’y little sapphire eyes o’ yours d’ pop ‘ey? What else?”

“My boots… and my belly piercing. That’s all.”

“’orrite. Fair enough” Old Mariah hit the little screen time, after time. Changing outfit to outfit until eventually I found something I simply adored.

I felt hot. Not sweaty-gross-workout hot but sexy, sophisticated and damn desirable by most at this joint I had stumbled upon. ‘Azure Allure’ was a sharp little bar filled with respectable people, I blended in just wonderfully. I was sitting at a table sipping at a chilled beverage called an ‘acquiesce lover’ it was white with pink little swirls. I picked this off of the menu purely because it sounded fancy.

Watching the people around me cruelly reminded me of Caeg. I wondered dully about what would have made him forget our promises like that...my thoughts were quickly eradicated due to the sight of a very handsome man swaggering up to the bar. He was rugged, sexy, well built and had the firmest bum I had ever had the privilege of perving on. I caught myself staring when he glanced around the room. I quickly stared down at my drink hoping to all hell he didn’t catch me ogling his butt. I resumed my watch soon after. A girl, I instantly took a large disliking to, slinked up to Mr Rouge-butt causing him to smile. Ew I looked away feeling my ‘acquiesce lover’ crawl up my throat. I had had enough of this place. I skulled the rest of my drink and went to stand up when another man walked into the bar. It was Caeg.

I sunk down into my seat, hoping he wouldn’t recognise me. I doubted he would. I had long white-blonde hair now, with the sides pinned back and dark coloured side fringe now obscuring my eyes from him. My chunky red plastic vest, spattered with buckles covering my plain black tee was nothing like I had ever worn. And this poor excuse for a pair of shorts showed enough thigh that, back home, I could be executed on the grounds of suspected inter-species prostitution. My boots would be the only give away. I tucked them under my chair as he walked past. I dared to watch. He sat down next to a dark skinned lady with bright pink dreadlocks and engaged in a sweet, loving kiss. My stomach dropped. My heart sank with it. I could feel my drink fighting to jump out of my mouth. I got up and swiftly left.

I threw up down the first ally I could find. People were running past the entrance, I barely registered the sounds of guns being fired and terrified screams. I honestly didn’t care. It was someone else’s problem. I heard a man roar “WHERE ARE YOU SHITEATER?!?” I vaguely felt sorry for the so-called shit-eater. I collapsed in the ally upon bags of garbage tears streaming down my face, my body shaking with every sob. I tore off the bracelet he had given me and threw it as hard as I could. I curled myself into a ball and cried. My body hollow, my heart aching, my mind racing through all of the things that Caeg and I shared, the kisses, the embraces, his cheeky winks over Sammit’s shoulder. All of it was never to be repeated, all of it meaningless now. 

Chapter 5 - E.C.H.O

Sinking slowly, the water rose up to my navel, rising higher and it caressed my breast, leaving no part of me unexplored, it had the hard task of removing the accumulated forest floor from my skin. It had been days since I had bathed, but it felt like weeks, and I was lucky enough to finally find this place. the bath felt amazing, forest straight out the window, and my mind started to drift and swirl within the warm water, memories were threatening to come loose, so I quickly change my chain of thought.

The year is 2287, 200 years since the techno boom, and the slide of humanity began. My great-grandmother had told me the horror story of the first robot she had ever seen when she was only 7 years old and sue to the nature if her life, she had never experianced technology to this extent. The year was 2173, and they had no flesh, just faceless bare metal, she had came face-to-face with ECHO.

It had taken almost 80 years to perfect a safe, conscious android, there were just too many issues concerning their consciousness programming and self-awareness capabilities. It all started in 2091 with the AlphaDroid. They were released with limited capabilities, clunky and completely programmed, no self-awareness and had shown no future prospects for its design, the design was scrapped. Redesigned, here entered Bravo, released in 2099. This android design had shown the first signs of interactive possibilities; obtaining the ability to question its owner on tasks and then safely perform them, but sadly had a short lifespan due to its consciousness design.  There was to be a third droid design, but it was completely scrapped in 2117 following “irreparable faults” during testing.

Then in 2130 the DeltaDroid became the first ever acceptable design, becoming mass produced and released to society, this was until it started attacking its owners. The droids were scrapped. Parts were recommissioned, the design reconstructed, new consciousness programing installed, and then in 2133, when fully rebuilt, they were released and subsequently started ‘killing’ themselves. I smile at myself, ‘It would have been entertaining to watch robots pull themselves apart’. This is when society gained some respect, as far as my history reflection is concerned, as they placed the self-aware robotic design on hiatus, for almost 30 years and put all the effort into research and not profit. 

This is when entered E.C.H.O, in 2170, the droid designed to Emulates Consciousness via Human Observation.

The ECHO programing was actually simple in design; to imitate. In order to control and limit the droid’s; personality functions, physical abilities and social interaction skills, regulations were put into place to allow only certain people, and certain types of people, to purchase them. This was all done to forestall or, in the best case scenario, remove the likelihood of a droid going ape-shit and potentially forcefully removing someone’s spine. The amazing thing about this was that by the time ECHO was designed and released, humanity had already attained viable space travel in 2131, and interplanetary re-colonization to Cerian in 2165. Who would have ever guessed that a conscious robot would have been so hard to create, you see? This is my job, to know the history of technology and yet, this is also what has destroyed my life.  

Earth’s population was severely diminished after the re-colonization, and the majority of the remaining population migrated to the cities and revelled in all the scientific advancements. This resulted in the remaining landscape becoming wild, forest regaining control of the land and only scatterings of the population remaining as its residents. This is where my family line began, at the cusp of human re-colonization, we moved to the outskirts of the city and avoided interaction with technology. This was the view held by those whom removed themselves from the cities; to remain on earth, to remain untouched, we all receded.

So there you have it, the earth became divided, massive technologically advanced cities, completely surrounded entirely by overgrown wilderness. This is the world I grew up in, entirely devoid of technology, living entirely reliant on nature. But this was not how I wanted to grow up, completely ignorant of the world around me, I wanted to know and this was where everything went wrong. My mind was rounding on those thoughts again and I wasn’t ready to deal with them yet.

In the 80 years since ECHO’s completion you wouldn’t be able to clearly identify them out in public anymore. The outfitting of the droid no longer just consisted of imitating the human mind, but to imitate our entire being.  What is that? The echo’s faded from my mind and there was another knock at the bathroom door, opening my eyes slowly, I watch as he entered the room. Smiling I question “Hey Mikah, care to join me?” only a chuckle in return.

Chapter 4: Goodbyes Are Such Sweet Escapes

Late morning, cool breeze blowing her free flowing raven hair about her face, obstructing her view of the marketplace marks. The stalls lined the base of the high buildings that create the walls of the corridor. Everything from mundane auto and magnet-hover systems to fruit, some of which really should have been discarded a day or so ago, was out for the sods. Tazarra, or just Taz to her more closer circle of fellows, was watching and waiting to pick an easy score. You could maintain a straight job but you'd be just another test of skill and intimidation to pickpockets and ruffians, and when you looked as seductive as Taz or worked purses and pockets as well as she does, you really have little need when you get what you want most of the time.



She fixed her hair so her vision was clear, a good looking man of middle age and appreciative fashion came to view. Perfect. Charm was the hand to be played. Strolling up to the same stall but not right next to him was the start of the ploy. Coy glances his way, giving him a vibe of attraction. He could tell she wasn't interested in the wares in front of her, he could honestly say his interest diminished as well the moment she came into view. They both secretively threw glances each others way until Taz timed the look in his eyes perfectly, raised and eyebrow and bit her lip, even blushed a little. This man had found his lucky day. Her eyes suggesting they both leave to somewhere more lush with furniture and less populated.

She did find him appealing, he wasn't a half bad lover either, but that didn't diminish the fact she was here for business and the pleasure was a bonus. Drugged wine kept him sleeping soundly after some long wrestles in the sheets of his well furnished abode, she went to work. She fleeced the joint for all that she deemed valuable, she snickered at the picture the man had of himself and his absent spouse, looks like a valuable empty house won't be the only thing that man will wake up to, he'll have to deal with the woman inquiring as to why the place is robbed and why he's naked and taken care of as well and as the old saying goes, Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Tazarra slipped back into the main bedroom, the betrothed man still content and asleep. She proceeded to swap the used condom that held her DNA, and ability to be found easier, with another used one she gets for these such jobs from her friend Garru. A quite, well known homosexual stripper, that works at 'Hard Up'. A place she frequents often, to visit the well kept man, have a relaxing drink and have a laugh at each others weekly exploits. With her current location clean of her trace within twenty minutes she exited the back, locking it behind her, and scaling the garden wall.

Late afternoon, sun waning and getting cooler as the early night approaches. A warming drink at a near establishment seems to be in order after such success. Two blocks later and Taz is surrounded by fashionable patrons of the 'Azure Allure'. She could try to find another mark here, but she collected quite a bounty at that poor fellows expense, who by now should be getting somewhat of the third degree, and a talk of divorce, and felt no need to. She recognized a familiar face waiting attentively at the bar. He was handsome, definitely roguish, and he struck some cords within her as you would when you share each others side in a few scrapes and cold night sheet, sharing frequenting several bouts of sex. Drink in hand, she slinked towards the back of him.

"Evening Taz." She took a small step back realizing that he couldn't have possibly seen her yet. "You must start wearing a new perfume, you're getting easy to tell when you're behind me these days." His back still to her, Taz reached out a hand and stroked his black leather vest and ran her finger down his spine.

"Old habits I guess." She appreciatively spoke, every word was like a whisper into his ear. She pulled herself up to his right hand side, looked into his brown eyes, smiled.

"You look satisfied, how much collateral did you leave behind?" He smirked at her knowingly.

"Enough for the wife to take everything I didn't." She broke into a little laugh.

"I heard you had another brush with Harris."

"How is it these things surface so damned quickly?!"

"At least you came out on top again, and yes the bounty is higher. I heard about that last remark you flipped to him. Can't believe he slipped in Davs' blood pool." She giggled that last remark in spite of his unamused expression.

"I can, for all of Harris' tracking abilities he seems to almost have two right feet when it comes to scrapes. Do you know what it feels like to be pursued by a man who cannot attain a proper stance in a duel? It's insulting!" Taz couldn't help but laugh at his tone and seriousness and neither could he after hearing her break into it. Bringing the laughter down she looked at him affectionately.

"How are you Wi..." a splatter of her blood rushed at my face. It all went slow. The ringing of a not too distant shot fills the air with it's silence. I'm falling to the floor, her body is draped over the bar. Patrons are wrestling with the shooter but in places like this you never come alone to kill someone. Taz always keeps a few daggers on her in case there's trouble, bless her for showing me where she hides them. I slipped my hand up under her tight black turtleneck sweater, her blood flowing over the well hidden bandoleer of small throwing knives. She would appreciate the severity in my ripping them off her and not seductively unstrapping them as we have done in our now past and never future.

"WHERE ARE YOU SHITEATER!?" I hear booming from the doorway. Speak of the devil. My eyes close and open whilst I draw a razor from its sheathe. He's standing, his friend's beside him, additional backup unseen. He hasn't moved. His tracking is good, his stance is still terrible. I wipe the once beautiful Tazarras' blood out of my eyes, roll onto my left side, cock my arm and throw her well balanced knife at Harris' skull. Another shot blasts the bar just above my head as soon as I moved and I see he's only got the one goon like our last encounter. Harris' head jerks backwards under the weight of the throw, it strikes just above his left eye but plunges to the hilt. Gooney man is shocked and fires another less accurate shot that hits the rafters and draws another scream from frightened patrons. Time to run.

I slip another throwing knife into place in my fingers and release a little less accurately this time but still on target and the blade slips into the shooters right shoulder. By this time I'm on my feet and rushing to the nearest exit. A window. I tuck my head in and brace as I crash through the glass, eyes closed to avoid blinding myself with the shower of shards around me. I hit the concrete with a roll that takes me into an industrial bin in the alleyway, with a thud I stop movement then scramble to gain my footing. Tears run down my face for the friend and lover I lost back there. Tears that dilute the blood still staining my skin. I run for my safe house. Sweat aiding the now gone tears in removing the crimson reminder.

I hit the straight run for the front door, jumping to the railing and launching myself over it. No time. I kick the door in. I'll fix it later or move locales, yes get out of here. Too long in one place is death now. I pack a backpack with the essentials - food supplies, spare clothes and survival equipment. Strap on my sword, belt on my light repeating pistol and head out the door now hanging by the lowest hinge. I run to a place I've rarely gone. I run to the forest.

Chapter 3. One Drop.

As I rolled over onto my back and looked up at the cloudy sky, I caught my breath and pushed myself up looked at my exposed legs. It took longer than it should have before I realised that my knee length skirt was, in fact, gathered around my waist, exposing my violently pink lacy briefs. With a squeal, I stood straight up and looked around, red faced and heart beating. Good! No-one had overheard my girly squeal nor seen my pink undies. I can’t believe I fell over again! My legs are all scuffed and bruised and I blame him entirely! A throat was cleared behind me followed by a blissfully smooth voice.

“Erianna we were supposed to be starting, like 5 minutes ago…hurry up please” I swivelled on the spot, eyes bulging. He saw! That smirky grin of his, that look in his eyes, just screams ' I saw everything', and he thought it was quite amusing indeed.

“Caeg, you stop that smirking right now or I will have you-”

“Inside your guts in about an hour if you get a move on” He chuckled and continued past me, his grey cloak billowing out behind him as he crossed the paved courtyard. The breath was gone from my lungs; standing there, stunned with my mouth gaping at the shock of what he just dared to say. I let out a defiant sigh, bent over and picked up my books, trotting on over to the boastful tower which overlooked the city.

“We will start today’s lesson, as always, with your medication, Saamit will be joining us soon. Erianna if you would please?” Caeg gestured to the luxurious bed at the back of the room, underneath a blinded window. I sat on the end of the bed and started unlacing my mid-calf length boots. I adored these boots; Mother would have had me killed on the spot if she ever saw me wearing such shoes. Caeg walked over and sat next to me. My heart was thundering so loud I swear he could hear it. I did my best to ignore him and my disobedient heart, and took off my shoe. I swapped my legs over which forced me to turn my body in his general direction, I kicked him in the process.

“Sorry…” I muttered instinctually. His hand rose up and brushed against my jaw, forcing me to look up at him. His pale blue eyes were examining my face and my hand instantly shot up to hide the large pimple growing on my forehead.  His pink lips smiled, showing his immaculate teeth. I smiled back at him as my belly filling up with little butterflies. He closed his eyes and slowly went in as he gently kissed my lips. KNOCK KNOCK

We both jumped. He stood up immediately, straightened his black shirt and crossed the room. He pressed the green button on the wall next to the door. I looked down and resumed the unlacing of my shoes. Saamit bowed as he walked into the room. 

“Maven Caeg, M’lady Erianna”

“Saamit, nice for you to arrive 15 minutes late” Caeg replied, I almost cutting him off. 

“Maven, there was a problem with th-“

“Enough. If you could please get to it and stop wasting my precious time with such trivial problems, that would be most appreciated”

Caeg finished off with a very over enthusiastic smile, and gestured to the desk running along the wall adjacent to the bed.  I shuffled along the bed and laid down, eager for the proceedings to follow. Saamit opened the leather case he had brought with him, and delicately placed a small porcelain bowl onto the desk with a clink. In the bowl he placed a tiny square of pristine white paper. He brought it over to Caeg who had taken his position on the bed, to my left. Standing next to Caeg, Saamit pulled out a small glass bottle containing dark red liquid. I watched it as it moved within its glass prison, thicker than any liquid should be. He then emptied a single drop onto the paper square.

It hit the white paper. The red suddenly bursting with energy as it was absorbed by the fibres. I closed my eyes, opened my mouth with my tongue out. Using a pair of tweezers, Caeg placed the precious square of paper on my tongue. I closed my mouth and felt as the numbness swept from the square on my tongue, down my throat and into my belly where the it quickly reached out to the rest of my eagerly awaiting body.

I distantly overheard Saamit muttering apologies for being late as he left the room. Saamit was a slender man, with balding grey hair and sunken eyes. He always wore hideous mustard-yellow shoes which violently clashed with the red cloak he was made to wear by the Creed.  The Creed ran the establishment which was specialised in . . . Um, I honestly didn’t have a clue what they specialised in, except for the fact that they are governed by the Cerian monarchy; my family. 

My Mother, the Cerian Empress, sent me to Earth to study, which included the taking of my medication and spending some one-on-one time with my tutor, learning the history of Earth and Cerian. My tutor, Caeg with his smooth pale skin, striking blue eyes, short brown hair, and the voice of temptation made learning anything quite impossible, but I really didn’t mind at all. My secret hopes and dreams include him, a ring, and a life lived in each other’s pockets.

I must have smiled because his soft lips met mine, tearing away the numbness in my body, replacing it with the ravenous fire that always follows. My eyes fluttered open, he was leaning over me, and my mouth locked onto his and received an eager response. Wasting no time, I unbuttoned his shirt, before unbuckling his belt and unzipping his pants. I pushed him to the side and scrambled on top, ripping off my shirt and began to tempt the growing bulge pressing against my drenched panties.

I leaned over his exposed chest and nibbled his ear; hearing him moan quietly fed the fire. His hands reached around and unhooked my simple bra. I was embarrassed, if I knew this was going to happen I would have worn a lacy number, and not this plain old thing.  He threw my bra aside and squeezed my breasts, not enough to hurt. I unzipped my skirt and pulled it over my head, throwing it aside. He sat up, pressing his chest against mine; our lips locking, hearts throbbing. His hands grabbed at my rear as I bit his neck and scratched my fingernails down his back. He then took my weight with his hands under my thighs and flung me onto the bed, I squealed again and he chuckled as he pulled at my panties.

I became aware of the sweat on my motionless body, I didn’t understand. I opened my eyes and looked to my left, Caeg was reading a book. Caeg was the only person I knew who still bothered with books. Everyone else just gets direct download into their visualization chip but he saw something in them that I will never understand. I sighed, disappointed and horny as hell; it was just a dream.  Suddenly Caeg was smirking. My stomach dropped… no.

“Maybe next time” he said, his eyes still glued to his pages.

Oh dear god, no.

Chapter 2: Fractures

Emotions are running rampant while I watch in horror at the unveiling scene. I can barely open my eyes and the darkness sits there, threatening to engulf me. The room is vague, but I stare as she lifts the sledge hammer and swings for the one hundredth time. She won’t listen to anyone’s reason, and this time the pillar comes down.

“This has to be done! This is your fault, she is dead and it’s your fault!” she screams in the direction of a young man standing in the doorway. Then I slip into darkness once again.

……..      

I wake to loud voices, urgently uttered words and forceful thuds.

 “No Anna, don’t do this, you don’t understand!” I can see the vibration rain through her arms as the hammer collides with the wall, leaving a hole where he had been standing moments ago.

“Dammit, definitely not my choice of weapon” she remarks, as she throws it to the ground. Reaching into her pocket she pulls out her blade. “Now that’s more like it” she grins.

“Anna! Calm the fuck down!” He screams desperately, trying to gain some control. Slowly the rest of the building starts to crumble, and smiling, she basks in her delight. For a moment she stands frozen, as the building rains around them, this is the last true smile I will see upon her face. Suddenly, you can see it her eyes, the happiness turns to rage and she loses all control, she lunges with her knife.  

“I can’t take it anymore. I told you to leave us alone! Look at what you’ve done!”  I watch in horror as they fight. They dodge the collapsing building, as he dodges her; Anna wielding her knife with extreme precision. I want to calm her down, I scream at them to stop, but they don’t hear me, she never listens to me anyway. Then I’m devoured by a sea of black.

I sat bolt upright, disorientated, I could still hear them fighting as I watched the forest fade into sight. Slowly the sounds faded and all grogginess was washed from my eyes by the rain, “more rain?” I sighed. The ground was soft, the wrong kind of soft, verging on mushy. I was mud covered, drenched, and my hair sat matted on my head. I searched for my pack, it was a few meters away, and I plunged my hands inside, eager for what I wanted.

“Where is it?” Fear ran through me, just before my hand brushed its hilt, all fear subsiding instantly. Her blade…..  My blade, was in my hand and I quickly put it to work. Mud-matted blonde hair started falling to the ground and I felt slightly relieved. I had been walking for days; no food, no rest, I must have collapsed from exhaustion. I had no idea of the time; some moonlight was filtering in through a grey fog, which constantly hung above the trees. I was also at a loss for my location and wasn’t sure if I wanted to find a city anytime soon…. The idea of other people scared me.

The last lock of my golden hair fell to the ground. I couldn’t help it; I just started laughing, hysterically, and then crying uncontrollably. The rain continued to wash my clothes clean, while my eyes washed away the rest of their memories. I lay back with my head on my pack; I had no energy to move. Just before I slipped back into sleep I heard engines, an indeterminable distance away. Barely visible through the fog, were the lights of the rapidly rising frigate.  

 

Chapter 1: The Scoundrels Code

Heavy breathing. Sweaty brows. Twitching muscles awaiting the command of movement. These things the three men had in common.

A spiked club. A slender sword. A machete. Besides their statures, these things defined them individually, kept distance between them. Mutual respect for these tools' wielders becomes the reason to end it quickly. Five minutes seems pretty short a time to a lot of people but when you are parrying the advances of two fellow scoundrels looking for the value of your blood, well it feels an age.

The club dips, muscles tense and cock the arm back for a heavy swing. A guttural roar bellows from the massive man, patience not his virtue. It's a hay maker of a blow for anyone not quick enough to react. The outnumbered man instinctively lunging forward, left hand aimed to stop the swings momentum, the right plunging the wicked point deep into the heart of rage. Get in close to this poor sod. The machete glances off the club of the soon to be silent ally with a thwack. Quick steps turn the two survivors to face each other with the same respective distance before the scuffle that just played out one mans last breath.

"Well that leaves a larger sum to you, should you succeed. Harris you really should thank me." Steadier breaths become the slender bladed knave, a well spoken accent exuding confidence in light of the last victory, a taunt more than cockiness, words do have such a wonderful effect on the mind. "Perhaps I shall. You don't mind spit on your cooling corpse instead of those exact words though do you?" "My friend nothing would please me more."
The light blade points at the man, like looking down the barrel of a gun it seems to the machete wielding Harris. Thankfully it's not the barrel of a gun or such sweet sentences wouldn't be exchanged between the two, only a cracking of light and thunder of certainty.
Harris bringing his well toned arm up to touch steel upon steel. He pushes the rapier to the left and steps forward slipping in a puddle of his fallen comrades flowing life. Falling face first to the hard concrete floor, Harris fully expected to feel the intrusion of a killing stroke through his prone body, but it never came. Rather the touch of a cold wet blade rested on the back of his sweat covered neck and a mocking fit of laughter erupted from the victor.

"My dear fellow, if you think I am to end your life after that 'brilliant' display of footwork haha! oh! I am afraid you are mistaken. NO! I shall leave you intact with a scrape of pride left with which to build yourself back up on and maybe we'll get together again and exchange steel once more, til then mind your surroundings." The blade lifts off his flesh but leaves the red mark of a dead man. Foot falls carry off into the dark alleyway "OH! Do see that the bounty gets raised, wouldn't want vengeance to be the only motive to continue the chase."

I sighed relief once out of earshot of Harris, back to the wall of a few corners from the encounter. Time to clean the blade, collect my thoughts, listen to the shadows for any further reinforcements. None, good. Harris had been dogging my movements for far too long now so maybe it was time to get lost. My eyes drift upwards to the stars, barely visible by the lights that cover the tops of these sheer faced buildings, but there enough to see the potential in the plan formulating within my mind "Just need a ship out of here." I whisper to myself, agreeing with the plan, confirming it.

More footsteps. "Shit!" I hiss, unsure of who those feet are attached to and in no mood to find out, I slink off as quiet as can be as to not alarm the patrons of the night that they share it with me.
I round the bend that brings me out to bustling streets, public, open, dangerous if someone is looking for you. The vast majority of the populace carrying some form of protection, these are rough streets in rough times fail to see that fact and you, well let's say your further contribution to the future gene pool is forfeit.

A few hundred feet away from the apartment currently acting as a roof over my head, I turn to hear the sound of Atmos Engines blasting a medium sized armed frigate over head and turning upwards to exit the exosphere and enter the great potential of space.
I rush up the stairs to the front door, pick the lock, and slip inside re locking the door behind me.
Unbuckling my sword belt and removing my other articles of clothing to lay over a drawn rope inside so the sweat will begone by the inevitable morning. I run a cold bath, the heating having gone I suspect some months ago. With deep breaths while lowering myself into the bathtub I come to lay finally motionless save my steadying breaths as my body acclimatises finally to the watery world around me. An hour slips by and it's about time I rested in warmth. Muscles carrying my dry form to the small pile of covered mattresses and liberated pillows, I fall for the first time that night, I fall into sweet sleep.