The Price of Defeat
Lightning shines throughout the Haze, promising a tumultuous dream. We see a wall of stone, pocketed by three very different windows, each looking into a separate world. Our camera begins from the left, panning in order, showing us a glimpse into the recent past...
We see the loading bay of Ezorod, and the coffin-sized, silver starship resting alongside the Sun Diver. For a moment, all is still. But then the metal of the coffin shivers, and the camera zooms in through the hull. Shalema rests inside, sweat forming at her brow, eyes closed tightly as she focuses on a form far from the host. Silver threads of metal connect to her neck and face, pulsing with the neon light of a swarm of nanites, which grow sharper as the agent gasps, her eyes thrust open with a snarl. An even, mechanical voice emanates from inside the coffin, gauging the emotions running through Shalema's mind.
???: "Shalema. Was mission -- success?"
Shalema looks for a moment as if she is going to shout, but then slides a hand up to pinch the bridge of her nose. Two quick breaths, and then a barking laugh.
Shalema: "No, Ololot. It was a failure. Set a course for the Archipelago, before she takes control and locks us in."
Ololot: "Certainly. Shalema. I am sorry. Failure. But -- I detect. Happiness?"
Shalema: "Ha! I suppose so. She's everything I always wanted her to be. I wish you could have seen her."
Ololot: "Offspring. Strong. Tesin? Strong. This is -- good. Survival. But -- offspring. Upset you?"
Shalema: "Quit reading my emotions, Ololot. You know it annoys me."
There is a soft chirp from the starship as it exits the dark bubble city of Ezorod, followed by hours of silence. Shalema doesn't sleep, but instead stares up at the mercurial walls, glaring at her own reflection.
Shalema: "I don't know what to say to her, Ololot. I don't know if I did the right thing. And to lose to her twice in one week... I feel..."
Ololot: "Like -- prey?"
Shalema: "Bah. No. I feel... Lame?"
Ololot: "No shame. Offspring is -- Destiny. Will defeat. All. Strong."
Shalema: "She is strong. But she's good, too. She's helping people. While I..."
Ololot: "Offspring. Provide. Will make -- good -- mother. More offspring."
Shalema doesn't move a muscle, but the Haze roils with anger and regret. Ololot senses this as well, and falls quiet. The lights inside the starship go dark, and Shalema lets her body fade into sleep.
We find ourselves back at the wall, pulling way from the first window, and panning into the second. We see another ship, one very similar to the Sun Diver, but marked by a different company logo. On board are two of Altraeza's riders, manning the engineering and pilot stations, and Dominic. His arm is bandaged from a recent wound, and the blood has begun to pour through. The scowl on his face is legendary, indicating that the captain is one step away from deadly violence, and thus the ship is silent of any conversation. That is, until a Barathu wades onto the bridge, one that we have seen with Dominic before. The Confluence Agent. But when the creature speaks, its voice sounds deep and disembodied, as if coming from another creature entirely.
Confluence: "You failed."
Dominic's knuckles go white as his fingers tense on the arms of his chair, and the two Riders exchange glances. But even the great Altraeza fears the creature behind him, and thus his response is tempered and swift.
Dominic: "A minor setback. I wasn't expecting additional interference. Was the Skittermander one of yours?"
Confluence: "A pawn of my ally, acting on their orders. He was to absorb the Colour and flee, but alas -- he has a personal squabble with the Lashunta. I expected that you could handle it."
Dominic: "I could have! But we weren't equipped for all that. I lost a lot of men down-"
Confluence: "An occupational hazard, Dominic. Fix it. Now that the Lashunta is bonded to the Numen, you have no business on Mataras. Strike them elsewhere. Our intelligence suggests that they will soon be aboard the Idari. If that is not suitable, wait for their return on Absalom Station."
Dominic: "Fine. But I don't have a contact on either. I'm going to need more supplies."
Confluence: "It is being arranged as we speak. Before you leave the Archipelago, reach out to the patron of the gaming complex, Hush. He will provide all that you need. But that means you lack further excuses, Dominic. Do you understand?"
The mercenary grunts, giving an acknowledging wave, and the connection ends. As the Barathu floats away, Dominic glares daggers at the creature's back, his main hand tapping on the holster of his sidearm. He thinks for a moment, and then reconsiders, turning to his Riders.
Dominic: "You heard the big balloon. Plot a course for the Archipelago. And put out a message to the main ship -- we're going to need everyone on this."
The camera view fades to black, and we return to the stone wall. The last vision takes us to the other side of the system, as far as one can go from Mataras and still be in the Pact Worlds. A portal opens, and Skittles comes tumbling out, followed by a female Forge Warden. She moans in agony as the portal closes, and then collapses to the floor, with barely the strength to stand. Skittles seethes, staring at the spot where the portal closed, but then turns his head. The camera pans with his line of sight, ending at a corner enshrouded by shadow. The outline of Alexander Marcus glares at the Skittermander from the darkness, his frown apparent even in the low light.
Alexander: "You got distracted."
Skittles grinds his teeth, his tiny fists still clenched around his dual Solarion blades.
Skittles: "Take! Take! Mama Take!"
Alexander: "I told you to ignore her. To give them Ezorod. Your mission was the Colour. And nothing-"
Skittles: "Mama Take!"
The shadows in the room expand, and the yellow in Marcus' eyes build to a forge-like glow. The Skittermander takes a step forward in challenge, but something in him falters, and Skittles moves no further.
Alexander: "Do not interrupt me, whelp. I have little patience for failure. With the Colour gone, we must make alternate plans."
Skittles says nothing, preferring silence, and gives a slight nod of the head. While the gesture tells us little, the Haze screams of a defiant obedience, seasoned with a pinch of utter madness.
Skittles: "M-m-mission?"
Alexander: "Nakira's operation on Castrovel is going well, and the Forge is all but in Deku's hands. They do not require your assistance. You would only disrupt Poppy's work -- House Terris is well-aware of your name and face. Go to Aballon, and assist Sarge. See that his deadline is expedited accordingly."
Skittles: "Mission."
Alexander: "Get it done."
Marcus gives the Skittermander a parting glance, and then the darkness warps around him, and the shadowmancer is gone. Coils release in Skittles muscles, and he howls into the black, as if raging against the shadows themselves. He takes two steps towards the corner, and the jangling of chains echoes about the chamber. Skittles turns, his eyes glistening with fury, reflecting the terrified face of his Android prisoner. The Haze recedes as Skittles leaps upon the woman, howling incoherent words as his blades rip her limb from limb...
Shalema looks for a moment as if she is going to shout, but then slides a hand up to pinch the bridge of her nose. Two quick breaths, and then a barking laugh.
Shalema: "No, Ololot. It was a failure. Set a course for the Archipelago, before she takes control and locks us in."
Ololot: "Certainly. Shalema. I am sorry. Failure. But -- I detect. Happiness?"
Shalema: "Ha! I suppose so. She's everything I always wanted her to be. I wish you could have seen her."
Ololot: "Offspring. Strong. Tesin? Strong. This is -- good. Survival. But -- offspring. Upset you?"
Shalema: "Quit reading my emotions, Ololot. You know it annoys me."
There is a soft chirp from the starship as it exits the dark bubble city of Ezorod, followed by hours of silence. Shalema doesn't sleep, but instead stares up at the mercurial walls, glaring at her own reflection.
Shalema: "I don't know what to say to her, Ololot. I don't know if I did the right thing. And to lose to her twice in one week... I feel..."
Ololot: "Like -- prey?"
Shalema: "Bah. No. I feel... Lame?"
Ololot: "No shame. Offspring is -- Destiny. Will defeat. All. Strong."
Shalema: "She is strong. But she's good, too. She's helping people. While I..."
Ololot: "Offspring. Provide. Will make -- good -- mother. More offspring."
Shalema doesn't move a muscle, but the Haze roils with anger and regret. Ololot senses this as well, and falls quiet. The lights inside the starship go dark, and Shalema lets her body fade into sleep.
We find ourselves back at the wall, pulling way from the first window, and panning into the second. We see another ship, one very similar to the Sun Diver, but marked by a different company logo. On board are two of Altraeza's riders, manning the engineering and pilot stations, and Dominic. His arm is bandaged from a recent wound, and the blood has begun to pour through. The scowl on his face is legendary, indicating that the captain is one step away from deadly violence, and thus the ship is silent of any conversation. That is, until a Barathu wades onto the bridge, one that we have seen with Dominic before. The Confluence Agent. But when the creature speaks, its voice sounds deep and disembodied, as if coming from another creature entirely.
Confluence: "You failed."
Dominic's knuckles go white as his fingers tense on the arms of his chair, and the two Riders exchange glances. But even the great Altraeza fears the creature behind him, and thus his response is tempered and swift.
Dominic: "A minor setback. I wasn't expecting additional interference. Was the Skittermander one of yours?"
Confluence: "A pawn of my ally, acting on their orders. He was to absorb the Colour and flee, but alas -- he has a personal squabble with the Lashunta. I expected that you could handle it."
Dominic: "I could have! But we weren't equipped for all that. I lost a lot of men down-"
Confluence: "An occupational hazard, Dominic. Fix it. Now that the Lashunta is bonded to the Numen, you have no business on Mataras. Strike them elsewhere. Our intelligence suggests that they will soon be aboard the Idari. If that is not suitable, wait for their return on Absalom Station."
Dominic: "Fine. But I don't have a contact on either. I'm going to need more supplies."
Confluence: "It is being arranged as we speak. Before you leave the Archipelago, reach out to the patron of the gaming complex, Hush. He will provide all that you need. But that means you lack further excuses, Dominic. Do you understand?"
The mercenary grunts, giving an acknowledging wave, and the connection ends. As the Barathu floats away, Dominic glares daggers at the creature's back, his main hand tapping on the holster of his sidearm. He thinks for a moment, and then reconsiders, turning to his Riders.
Dominic: "You heard the big balloon. Plot a course for the Archipelago. And put out a message to the main ship -- we're going to need everyone on this."
The camera view fades to black, and we return to the stone wall. The last vision takes us to the other side of the system, as far as one can go from Mataras and still be in the Pact Worlds. A portal opens, and Skittles comes tumbling out, followed by a female Forge Warden. She moans in agony as the portal closes, and then collapses to the floor, with barely the strength to stand. Skittles seethes, staring at the spot where the portal closed, but then turns his head. The camera pans with his line of sight, ending at a corner enshrouded by shadow. The outline of Alexander Marcus glares at the Skittermander from the darkness, his frown apparent even in the low light.
Alexander: "You got distracted."
Skittles grinds his teeth, his tiny fists still clenched around his dual Solarion blades.
Skittles: "Take! Take! Mama Take!"
Alexander: "I told you to ignore her. To give them Ezorod. Your mission was the Colour. And nothing-"
Skittles: "Mama Take!"
The shadows in the room expand, and the yellow in Marcus' eyes build to a forge-like glow. The Skittermander takes a step forward in challenge, but something in him falters, and Skittles moves no further.
Alexander: "Do not interrupt me, whelp. I have little patience for failure. With the Colour gone, we must make alternate plans."
Skittles says nothing, preferring silence, and gives a slight nod of the head. While the gesture tells us little, the Haze screams of a defiant obedience, seasoned with a pinch of utter madness.
Skittles: "M-m-mission?"
Alexander: "Nakira's operation on Castrovel is going well, and the Forge is all but in Deku's hands. They do not require your assistance. You would only disrupt Poppy's work -- House Terris is well-aware of your name and face. Go to Aballon, and assist Sarge. See that his deadline is expedited accordingly."
Skittles: "Mission."
Alexander: "Get it done."
Marcus gives the Skittermander a parting glance, and then the darkness warps around him, and the shadowmancer is gone. Coils release in Skittles muscles, and he howls into the black, as if raging against the shadows themselves. He takes two steps towards the corner, and the jangling of chains echoes about the chamber. Skittles turns, his eyes glistening with fury, reflecting the terrified face of his Android prisoner. The Haze recedes as Skittles leaps upon the woman, howling incoherent words as his blades rip her limb from limb...
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