The river's and canal's of the outer city were particularly ugly to look at. Even worse to have to smell.
Shena walked along the polluted city street's in the dead of night. Hearing the sound's of rustling withered paper being blown at her feet. The sad coughing of sick refugee's all around her sleeping in the dirty street's and quick footsteps of questionable individual's out late, stumbling to stay clear her path as she walked past, not wanting any trouble from a professional soldier. She wouldn't bother them. That wasn't her job to tell them how to live their lives. Only to meet with someone who could possibly help her save them. That was of course, if she was even interested with the offer to begin with.
It's not likely this person cared about anything anymore. But Shena cared about her. And she had promised to see her again after so long. And who knows. She could be very persuasive.
Shena turned the corner of a dark alley to find herself standing in the middle of a rusted arched bridge allowing her to cross and see the canal river beneath her. She managed a quick glance downward as she passed by. If any proof was needed to demonstrate that her home city had turned to shambles while she was away. This was it.
While the canal's Shena had crossed earlier were just mile's away, shinning and clear as a the pride and joy of the monarchy's extensive city transportation, the same could not be same for everywhere. The city was too large for everywhere to be in top pristine condition and not nearly enough funding. And this particular part of the neighborhood was among the worst.
Nobody swam or even bothered to use the canal's in this part of the city. These water way's had long since become contaminated and stained brown with sludge and possibly other unpleasant things based on the sheer number of sewage pipe's sticking off to the side of the walls below. Although Shena tried not to think of it. She couldn't. The smell. It was disgusting. She plugged her sensitive nose and kept walking. It was a disgrace to leave people living like this. But she had a mission to do. And besides. It would take a lifetime to return this area to the pride it once knew. At best, it might not even last that long if she delayed in her new mission.
Shena climbed a set of stairs, trying to avoiding running her hand along the rusted grime covered railing as she arrived at the top to stand and gaze in silence dumbfounded from what she saw.
It was gone.
Shena began to look around. Spotting an old man sleeping on a bench under piles of paper trying to stay warm. Shena approached calmly, coming face to face with the starving Goblin Shark whose degraded teeth had become broken and unbrushed. Seeing another shark take so little care of their teeth was unnerving to Shena, but she wouldn't bring it up.
Excuse me.? She asked. Gently rubbing his shoulder to wake him.
Yea? The man asked rather bluntly. "What do you want?! I do something wrong? Can't an old man a good night's sleep in this city anymore?! He snarled.
Shena gestured for him to sit back down and not get agitated. She didn't want to cause trouble. "Calm down. I'm just looking for someone." Shena then pointed to an empty lot filled to the brim with trash and rubble. There used to be a building here. Know what happened to it?"
The goblin shark rubbed his pointed forehead and scratched his narrow chin trying to think hard. "Got any money? he asked confidently before grinning. My memory ain't so good no more."
"A little Said Shena. You tell me what I need and I'll help you in return. We have a deal?
The man grinned eagerly. "Deal."
Shena nodded in agreement and reached behind for a few Oros. As she reached over to place them into his cupped hand. She hesitated for just a second as his eye's watched them enviously. She sniffed the air.
"This is for food. No wine. Got it?" She said sternly. Trying to convince him. to take better care of himself. "I can smell it on you. And it's too much. Ease back. There's still a lot you could do in the future."
"What the fuck are you going on a bout.!!? Giving me a lecture like me bloody mum?!!" He grunted impatient. "You don't wan't me to talk? Fine I got better thing's to do tonight than to be bothered, so give me the blasted coin or get lost!"
Shena sighed. Handed him the money not knowing how he would use it.
"That building over there? He said counting the coins in his palm. "Yea I seen it. Torn down a few years ago. Belonged to some hotshot knight. Lost it all.
Do you know what happened to her? Shena asked saddened. The old withered shark bit his lip trying to think hard for a bit. Wanting to get his facts right or risk getting beaten up again.
Yea...I hear she lives on 29th street now. Pretty bad place, mostly keep's to herself and avoids others. Good riddance I say. She always thought she was better than us. HA! Now she's in the gutter with the rest of us where she belongs!! If there ain't any justice in this world, at least there's that I suppose.
Shena scowled. He gulped and shut up at seeing her fresh strong teeth baring right before his eyes.
"She.., She a friend of yours? He quivered. "Sorry I said that. I didn't mean it really! Shena stood and handed him one last coin for his troubles before walking away, wanting to leave his presence as quickly as possible
"Thanks' for the money lady! The old man said angrily while holding the coin up to the moon. Nice to know you rich type's care enough to spare a single bloody coin more!
After about thirty minutes of walking as far away from the coughing swindler as she could get. Shena at last arrived at the base of a cramped apartment complex packed to the brim and overstuffed with poor families and criminals right next door. She approached toward the lowest window seeing a clearly overwhelmed mother hanging clothing from the base of her lit window to dry.
Excuse me miss? Shena asked a little more relaxed as she stared up at her. This 29th street?
The pufferfish managed to form a small smile before responding. "Of course this is the place ma'am. Ain't the smell obvious? She then shook a fabric of dirt in the opposite direction. Trying to remove the last of the water without splashing it on the soldier below. She supported the military despite what others thought of them.
"I'm looking for someone. Said Shena. An old friend. I need her help with something but I haven't seen her in a while."
What's her name? The woman asked. A name would help."
"Rani..." Shena replied a bit hesitant. " She's a stingray. Barbed tail. Pale skin. Black tribal tattoos. Like's to wear a hood.
"Rani..Raniiii.. The woman tapped her fingers on the window still. Her weary eye's suddenly widened at the sudden realization.
"Oh no.. You don't mean that bionic living down the street!? I've heard about her. She's nothing but trouble!! You best be careful around her. Last week some poor bloke broke into her house trying to rob her. His body turned up in the river in four pieces the next morning. She's dangerous.
"That's why I need her." Shena replied calmly.
The woman sighed and shrugged her shoulders.
"You're funeral. She live's in an alley building two blocks down that way. Room.... six I belive. Be careful. She doesn't look like much, but she's crazy and a killer.
"Thank you for you're help ma'am. Shena smiled graciously before tossing a great deal of coin up to the woman. Shena found some relief in Knowing the mother would put it to good use for her and her family based on the principled determined smile she gave in return.
Shena walked along the polluted streets before turning the corner. Sensing the heat from old rusted pipes dripping right above her head from scaffolding high above, and emitting boiling steam in loud puffs. She climbed up and over an old wooden fence blocking her path out of a ditch to at last stand under the light of a flickering street lamp that badly needed replacing. A cavernous ally right in front of her.
Shena sniffed the air. She was here. Although she smelled a bit different than she remembered. And not in a good way.
Shena entered and walked down the cramped alley steps until she reached the bottom. Coming face to face with a withered door that clearly needed repairs. She sensed someone behind slumped over. Awake and anxious.
Shena breathed slowly and knocked cautiously.
"No one's home. A cold gravely voice muttered. It sounded slurred and hazy.
Shena knocked again. This time louder.
"I'm not here." The distorted monotone voice responded again from behind the door. It was somehow familiar and yet....not a voice Shena recognized.
As Shena's began to raise her fist to knock again. A loud crack filled the air.
The end of a blue glowing cutlass suddenly punctured a massive hole right through the door. Coming to a halt halfway right through inches in front of Shena's face. It was a last warning to scram. There wouldn't be another. Shena didn't flinch. Shena didn't run. She had put this for for too long.
"You want to be dead? Finish that knock." The voice growled before being followed by a slight hiccup.
"Rani It's me."
There was silence.
The blue tip of the stretched sword was then abruptly pulled back to it's normal length from the door and deactivated on the other side.
"Come on in." The voice said coldly. Another hiccup followed.
Shena pushed and creaked the door open slowly, letting light in for the first time in days. It wasn't locked. It wasn't even broken. Anyone could have just walked in if they wanted to. But given her reputation. No one did anymore.
Shena looked around the small dark room covered in trash and dirty clothes. The smell was awful. Shena grew disheartened at seeing her friend sitting at the counter of the kitchen stacked to the brim with dirty dishes in the sink. All alone. She sighed. This was long overdue.
"Mind if I join you? Shena asked.
Rani hesitated. "Pull up a seat."
Shena grabbed an old stool in the corner and sat beside her friend sweeping away the trash at the table to give Shena a place to sit.
"Wan't a beer? Rani asked calmly. Taking another sip of her drink through the mask attached to her scarred face. The former menacing knight looked rather silly drinking beer through a straw. But it was the only way she could eat now.
"Sure. Shena responded as she sat at the counter. Trying not to stare. Rani however..
Nice scar. Rani joked as she saw Shena's face. Although I think I've got you beat. You still got a bit of thrashing to get through to end up like me. But give it time. She laughed before hiccupping again.
Shena remained silent as Rani got up and opened the mini fridge at the opposite end of the room. Shena turned and saw a sight that made her heart sank.
Rani's golden armor. Tucked away forgotten in the dark corner collecting dust. The helmet..
Turned upside down to use as a trash bin.
That royal guard armor was something Rani had fought for all her life to earn. And now, seeing it like this...
Shena suddenly heard the ignition of a saber. Rani didn't even bother finding a bottle opener. She always liked the more direct approach. Slicing off the edge in a clean perfect slice with one of her two saber's still on her belt. At least she still kept those. Shena was gratefull. She was always good with swords just like Fereen. Perhaps even better. It would have been a waste to let such talent go to waste.
"Here...It's "Hic!" Ugh sorry. It's still cold. Mumbled Rani. Handing the drink to Shena and sitting down beside her at the counter.
"It's good to see you again halfey." Rani smiled faintly. "You're looking good."
You too Rani. It's been too long. I'm sorry I didn't keep in touch.
Ehh..Don't beat yourself up about it. War is war. You were busy. And...so was I." Rani trailed off.
How...how was the latest contract? Shena asked trying to help her friend find some pride in her new work as a government sanctioned assassin.
"Well..I tracked down some scumbag last week. Real piece of shit. Some good lookin fellow though. A Sword fish. Was taking in orphaned kids and using them to beg on the streets for him. He kept all the money they earned for him. And all they got was bashed skull if they didn't got out of line or didn't get enough. Rani suddenly chuckled.
Wasn't so good lookin after I found him. I hardly did any of the work. I just tied him up and let the kid's have at it. Was a pretty good night overall I'd say.
Rani's blue weary eye's then stared down toward the counter. Becoming lost in the clear glass of her drink for a brief second. Letting out a faint heavy sigh.
"Good job." Shena smiled at her friend's successes. What happened after? Are they doing ok?
Rani let out a faint "humff" and shrug of her shoulders.
"As ok as you can be when you have nothing. Kid's got takin in by protective services. They're in an orphanage somewhere on the east side waiting for adoption. Hope they do alright. But knowing this environment. I wouldn't count on it. Kid's come and go. And most get lost in the cracks. I should know.
Rani started rubbing her metal shoulder in unease. Shena could sense it still hurt. The stump underneath had never healed properly since she lost her right arm. Shena looked in closer and saw that the bronze prosthetic had not been taken care off properly. It was dirty, oxidized and even had a few cigarette burns littering across the forearm.
Rani took notice of her prying and shifted her arm under her cloak to hide it.
"You should get that looked at. Said Shena concerned. You could get metal poisoning."
Rani chuckled. "Yea, like I don't have enough problems now." You being one of them."
Shena looked away. She was right. She should have called first.
Rani then punched her in the shoulder and snorted aloud. "Kidding. Geez you always take everything so serious. Hah..ach ech!! Rani then started a series of painful cough's through her mask. Shena tried to help but Rani stopped her with a wave of her hand.
"NO! I got it..Just..eckh. Just give me a sec. "Ugh Stupid thing!"
Shena listened and kept silent out of respect. Hearing her friend angrily adjusting the speaker and hitting the side of her face plate to stop the frequent ringing from causing any more rude interruptions. "There we go!" Rani said victorious aloud. Slamming the underside of her titanium jaw. Her altered voice returning to some semblance of normal. "Sorry about that! she coughed embarrassed. Now where were we?
You're job?
OH yea! That... well. Killed the shit. Saved the little shit's. Came back to and bought some new shit. Same old shit as always. Money's Decent. Got a great place. Five star dining. What more could I ask for? But this isn't about me. Rani raised her glass.
"Here's to five years of war! And your promotion!! And to...
Rani Hesitated growing more serious and sincere. Which was rare.
Here's to Fereen.
Shena clinked.
"To Fereen."
Both soldiers then took a swig of their drinks. Only Shena gasped from the overwhelming tatse running down her throat. Rani managed it well. But Shena had never been a fan of drinking like her or Fereen, the two had grown quite accustomed to the habit when the would both sneak out of the base at night and bring back bottles for all the recruits to enjoy during basic training while Shena mostly focused on studying alone. She had a few out of curiosity but never tried it again. But after so long away from the stuff. The alcohol now burned in her throat with a taste of sweet fire. As clear evident by her eye's now watering.
"Been a while huh?" Rani Smiled. "You'll get back into the hang of it. I thought we'd start with the strong stuff first and work your way back. Work's every time.
"For..Shena coughed. For you maybe!"
Yea. But I gotta ask though out of curiosity. Since when do you drink? Feeling nostalgic?
I figured I try living a little for once. A family I knew taught me that while I was away. But It's just one drink. I'm not making a habit of it. Sorry.
Ryana chuckled at her friend. "I got you. It's a slippery slope. One drink is usually all it take's. Especially from the fucked up places we come from.
"And Shena..." said Rani.
Yea?
I't aint too bad seeing you again. But I'm not stupid. I know this visit isn't just out of the goodness of your heart or for old time's sake. Why are you really here?
Shena gently laid her half finished glass atop the table and turned to face her fierce friend.
This does not leave this room.
Rani nodded and took another confident drink. "What do you take me for!? A squealer?!!"
Shena breathed and leaned in closer. "Alright. I trust you."
I've been assigned a new mission. I said no at first. But this could turn the tide of the war. I mean really change things for the better. But It's a suicide mission.
"Ohhh the fun kind." Rani smirked."
"This is serious." Shena rolled her eyes and continued.
I'm putting together a team. I've already got two others. But I need an infiltration expert. And you're the best I know. They said I could pick anyone if they were qualified. And you're the perfect choice. Perhaps the only who can do what I need you to do. Please Rani. I need you on this if not for the higherups, than for me and Fereen."