(Interlude)
Colonel Herbert MacNair stood beside his desk, clasping his hands together behind his back. He toggled his street-facing wall on his comm, changing the glass from opaque to clear. Herbert squinted from the bright green light entering the window, peering out at the majestic barrier.
The green-tinged light was comforting, helping him think. His eyes flicked to the street below, as lieutenant Ferra and Callie entered the bar several blocks down the street. What an interesting young woman.
The way Callie stood, the way she scanned the room, spoke of years of rough conditioning.
For colonel Herbert, who had spent over thirty years as a naval soldier, it was second nature to spot a fellow predator. Soldiers similar to her passed through his office nearly every day.
Between the low-ranking ensigns and the majors, there was a difference. It was the hardness behind their eyes that spoke to the death they had dealt. For someone so young, Callie had a hardness behind her eyes one would see in a veteran.
It was a shame that people so young had to endure such strife. But still, that was the cost of war. Colonel Herbert sighed. He pulled up Callie's information once again. He searched through the navy's database, verifying each section.
Callie, Mairia. Age 18, height six foot three. Home planet Saleia. The young woman's age meant she was just out of training. But if that was so, why did she radiate that feeling?
The empire controlled three planets now: Proxima, Saleia, and Etria. Callie could have chosen any with her language skills, and yet she had chosen Proxima. Herbert Continued reading until he came to one specific part.
Instructor, KIA, year 501. September 30. Planet of death, Etria. Herbert sighed, so this Callie was here to get revenge for her instructor. Herbert inputted the instructor's name into the database. Cause of death for captain Hirensk, killed by an Etrian artist.
Herbert recoiled as a horrific image appeared on his screen. He shuddered. The corpse looked like it had gone through a blender. That was no bullet or bomb. It was a horrific death Herbert had only recently had to see.
This is what happened when one of those Sacari assassins used their illegal art on someone. No wonder the girl was seeking revenge. Herberts' temper flared. He clenched his fists. Another good soldier, horribly mangled by those damned Etrian's.
Herbert sat back down, calming his anger. One would think he would be used to death by now. But he was not. How could he be after the heavy casualties on Etria? Not to mention the rising tension between the empire and the Slax.
Thousands hadn't returned home. The battle had been one-sided, yes, but the Zrixians had still lost a lot of good men and women to take back the planet. Even though they had inside help, there was still a large faction in Etria that had fought back.
He tapped his comm and sent Callie's information to his contact. Young ones like Callie were always so hot-headed. Maybe his friend in the Devali could direct and hone her anger to something useful?
(Callie)
Entering the noisy bar, Callie headed for a table near the back. Most people she passed were in dark black navy uniforms or flight suits with a gold raven stitched onto the chest. Chatter filled the bar as the patrons ate and drank, talking animatedly.
Callie scanned the room, her nerves on edge. Soo many enemies in one place. To make it worse, most had their side arms and a belt knife. Callie took a seat at a table near the employee side room. Now she could easily escape out the back if she came under attack.
Callie focused and created a layer of energy around herself. Her body tingled as the invisible energy encased her like a second skin.. She couldn't risk a full-strength barrier as her art would create Spider Webb cracks in the air, but this small use of power should at least deflect one bullet.
Ferra reclined in her chair, completely relaxed, with her back facing the bar. The smooth material of the cushion creaked. Callie smiled at the server as the well-dressed man approached to take their order.
" My name is Ryan. I will be your server this evening. What can I get for you?" Ryan asked.
" I would like the kiss of death please," Ferra said
" I think I will just get an orange juice please."Callie said. Farra raised an eyebrow at her.
" She would like one as well." Ferra said. Callie opened her mouth to protest but saw Ferras pleading expression.
"Alright, get me one as well," Callie said, knowing she needed to fit in.
"Would you like still like that orange juice?" Ryan asked, giving her a winning smile.
"Yes, please," Callie said, her eyes flitting around the room, looking for threats.
" Of course, I will be back shortly. Please check the menus while you wait," Ryan said as he strode towards the bar.
Callie brought up her comm, and a menu appeared, floating in front of her. The three d menu looked like a brown book with silver-leafed pages. All she needed to do was swipe her finger through the air to flip pages. She watched the server through the process, verifying each step as he made her drink.
Ryan returned with two tall glasses filled with a fruity blue, red, and orange slushy drink. Callie took the frosted glass and watched Ferra for a moment. Ferra took a big drink, sighing in contentment.
" Go on, try it. "Ferra said, eying her curiously. Callie had been watching Ryan carefully as the man prepared her drink behind the bar. She was near certain the man hadn't poisoned her drink.
Callie took a sip. Her eyes widened as she was assaulted with a host of sweet flavors. She swallowed, her mouth watering as she eyed her nearly full glass. She smiled at Ferra and hefted her glass again, draining half in one go.
" Wait, not so fast." said Ferra.
Callie set down her half empty drink, sighing at the wide variety of flavour. Then her head throbbed. It burned for several seconds, and Callie thought she might have been poisoned.
" Easy. I told you to slow down. Thats what happens when you drink cold drinks fast." Ferra said apologetically. The pain in her head slowly cleared, and Callie scowled at Ferra.
" Hey, I tried to warn you. It is not my fault you attacked that glass like a rabid marine." Ferra said.
"Don't you mean a rabid marmot?" Callie asked, taking another tentative sip of the delicious drink.
" Nope, I meant a marine, not sure what a marmot is," Ferra said, swiping at the air, examining her own menu.
" I keep forgetting you guys don't have any animals here on Proxima," Callie said.
" Well we do, they are just set up in ecologies. You wouldn't see them unless you go to the places where the animals are raised. Even so, we can't raise all of our meat here. We receive a vast portion of our meat from importation." Ferra said.
" Like from Saleia, and Etria?" Callie asked, sipping on her drink.
" Yes, now that Etria is a part of the empire again, the meat will be cheaper. With more competition, the Salians will need to lower their prices." Ferra said, not seeming to notice Callie's momentary anger.
Callie's attention was drawn to a screen hanging over the bar. The screen didn't have sound, but it had subtitles instead. When they had entered, it was of some emissary of the Slax visiting the emperor. And now it was an aerial video of the city of Ascalon.
A reporter came on, smiling widely. "In one fell swoop, we have eradicated the terrorists. We have freed Ascalon, and our efforts to rebuild have been largely successful. With new leadership on the planet, we can now expect good trade and a healthy relationship with the Etrians." Said an overly enthusiastic news reporter.
It showed an image of cheering Etrian's holding up signs, welcoming the Zrixians in poorly written attempts at Zrixian. Callie wanted to groan at the grammar on the signs. It was like a ten-year-old had written them.
The reporter continued with a stupidly wide smile. "As you can see, they are relieved, we sent our forces. With time, we will be able to fully rebuild their city better than ever and even help them advance their own technology."The reporter said.
Callie clenched her glass tightly in a white-knuckled grip, her drink sloshing around dangerously. Ferra noticing glanced at the screen over the bar.
"Don't worry about that. The skirmish is over. You should be more worried about that Slax ambassador that visited the emperor after the liberation of Etria." Ferra said.
" Why would that matter?" Callie asked, sipping her drink to disguise her racing emotions. Even Ferra thought the Etrians had been saved. They weren't saved, they were conquered! She took a deep breath. Calm down, Callie. Just like Ferra, most of the Zrixians don't know the truth. They only see what the media wants them to see.
Ferra swirled her finger in her slushy drink, pulling out a yellow fruit, and sucking on it.
"This is just rumors, but the Slax threatened reprisals if we retook Etria. The Etrians were on the border of Slax, and they had a claim on the planet because of its proximity to their own system." Ferra said, nibbling on the sour fruit.
" So now the Slax might attack the empire for breaking an agreement?" Callie asked.
" Yes, the Slax was the reason the Etrians stayed separate for so long. Without the Slax and their threats, the empire would have liberated the Etrians much sooner. I'm not sure what changed, but now we have retaken the planet." Ferra said.
"I am more interested in who gave the go ahead to liberate Etria? If the Slax attack, surely, they will be to blame." Callie asked, hoping Ferra knew something.
"That's far beyond my knowledge. I'm just a lowly lieutenant," Ferra said, waving a hand dismissively. Callie pulled up the time. It was eight pm, and Callie was already exhausted. It had been a long day, and she was aching for some rest after they ate.
Ryan approached and took both Callie's and Ferras' orders. Callie did not know what would taste good, so she once again just got what Ferra was getting.
Callie relaxed a little, letting the light buzz from the alcohol relax her. Being so stressed was not healthy. The last few days of running and fighting were a heavy weight she needed to remove from her shoulders..
On the screen, they showed an image of four people. Callie forced herself to remain impassive. It read captured Etrian Artists. Trial will commence in one month. On the screen was Peyton, his face battered instructor Mareth looking half dead, and two other Cadets Callie only knew in passing.
They were Meris, who was a short fifteen-year-old girl, and Jerry, who was a slightly taller sixteen-year-old boy. The two young cadets' faces ranged from anger to something like fear. Most people would mistake their young age for weakness.
That Zrixian wouldn't recognize their mistake until Jerry or Meris stuck a knife in their back. Callie cracked a half smile at the fact Peyton was wearing pajamas. He looked like they dragged him from his bed.
" Did you fight any of the Etrian artists?" Callie asked casually. She focused on Ferra's bright green eyes to distract her from her friend's bruised face.
" No, but if this thing with the Slax blows up, they will pull me from working with the private company to active duty. As far as I'm aware, the Slax doesn't practice the negative art." Ferra said.
" I wonder what it's like?" Callie asked.
" I have seen videos, and it's not pleasant. There are several recordings of those dark lines of energy shielding fighter ships or turning a ship into slag. The power is surprisingly beautiful and deadly." Ferra said, wistfully.
Ryan cut them off as he brought two steaming plates and set them in front of Callie and Ferra. Callie's mouth water as she stares down at the fried rice with minced vegetables. She poked at the food, searching for the meat within.
Taking a tentative bite, Callie smiled. It was just like the cooks used to make back in the compound. Well, besides the lack of meat. " Why is there no meat?" asked Callie.
" Because the odds are you would get meat grown in a vat. I figured you would be disgusted, it's trash compared to the real deal," Ferra said, drizzling a sweet smelling sauce over her own steaming plate.
Callie copied her and took a bite of lettuce, rice, and veggies, sprinkled with the sweet sauce. She moaned in pleasure and wolfed it down, attacking it like a hungry animal.
" Woah! Your food will not run away," Ferra said, snickering as Callie licked her plate. Callie waved down the server at Ryan.
" That is some good sauce. What is it called?" Callie asked.
" It's called Mayen. It's our chef's personal recipe. I can ask him for a copy of the ingredients if you would like?" Ryan said.
" That would be amazing. Your sauce is un bear ably good." Callie said. She grinned to herself as Ryan walked away.
Ferra burst out laughing.
" What does a bear have to do with sauce?" Ferra asked, grinning like an idiot.
" It's a pun," Callie said defensively.
" Well, no one here will get it. And what does this ball of fur and teeth have to do with sauce?" Ferra asked, tapping the air in front of her. Her hologram became visible to Callie and the three d images of a large white-furred bear came on screen.
" Nevermind. What is the point of a joke if I have to explain it?" Callie grumbled.
The news flipped to that woman again, the news anchor, titled Breaking news, in red and yellow.
" This is just in, the Zrixian Artists have arrived in Berdant. Somehow, only three are remaining. The authorities are giving us no reason for the disappearance of the other four. Did they escape? Stay tuned and we will be back with more later." Said the newscaster.
Callie's heart skipped a beat. Wait, only three? Where were the others? And more exciting, the prisoners were here in Berdant? She needed to move. If she found where they were being taken, then just maybe she could free Peyton.
Callie typed a quick message to Warren and then Villus, informing them of what she had just learned. Callie was going to make some excuse to Ferra and leave until Villus replied.
" Stay put, do not move in to observe. The risk is too high. That is an order Cadet." Villus replied..
Callie took a sip, grimacing at the reply.
" I know right, it is quite disturbing," Ferra said, glancing at the screen.
"What is disturbing?" Callie asked cautiously.
"That an organization would train kids from childhood to be assassins," Ferra said. Callie nodded her head. She had to remember these people were the enemy. She couldn't get lulled into a false sense of complacency. They would kill her just because of her art, and who she was.
Callie's comm vibrated. She pulled up a private message from Warren.
" I am headed to watch the docking station now. When they leave, I will follow them." Warren said.
" What about Villuse's orders?" Callie asked, nervously.
" What orders? My comm isn't working properly :)." Warren said.
Callie grinned at the message.
" Keep me updated. And Warren, be careful, I don't know what I would do if you get captured." Callie replied, grinning.
" Well, that's obvious. You will come to save me, too." Warren said.
Callie shook her head and closed her private messages, feeling lighter for the first time in days. Of course, Warren would be the one to disobey orders.
Callie smiled at Ferra and relaxed, taking another sip of her colorful drink.
" So who is the special someone?" Ferra asked, grinning mischievously.
Callie smiled back at Ferra.
" He is a long-time friend of mine." Callie said.
" Is he cute?" Ferra asked.
" I guess he is handsome. But he is brash and is always getting into trouble. He is more of a little brother I need to keep alive." Callie said, smiling fondly.
"What about you, Ferra? Seeing anyone?" Callie asked.
"Not really. I travel a lot with my job, so it's hard to maintain a relationship," Ferra said.
Callie zoned out as the woman talked about her past relationships, her mind wandering. Callie's back tingled as she thought of Warren spying on well-trained soldiers from a distance. She was confident in his skills, but after seeing Peyton's bruised face, she had her doubts.
Callie listened to Ferra, occasionally nodding or responding. She wasn't really that interested in the woman's past relationships, so instead she plotted her next moves forwards while Ferra talked.
She needed to learn more about this conflict with the Slax. If she could uncover the key players, she could discover who had orchestrated the fall of her home planet. The emperor was an obvious perpetrator, but he was just the figurehead.
She needed to remove the problem from the root before killing the head. Like the politicians that were backing the emperor.
Callie's comm bussed, and she raised a hand, pausing Ferra's rant that had somehow turned into talking about her estranged sister. "Give me a minute, got a message," Callie said.
Sipping on a mostly melted drink, Callie pulled up the message.
Unknown caller id. "Callie Mairia, meet at the naval base, on October second 8 am." Well, that was vague as hell. Not to mention an odd way of setting up a meeting. How would she even get in? Callie was a civilian, and that was a military base.
"Are you back at the base tomorrow?" Callie asked, turning back to Ferra.
" I'm still on shore leave. I have nowhere to be, fore at least a week." Ferra said, shrugging.
" I just got a request to meet at the naval base at 8 am tomorrow," Callie said.
" That was fast. I didn't expect you to get a reply so soon. Do you know who you are meeting with?" Ferra asked. Callie shrugged, finishing her drink.
"Not sure, they didn't say. It's probably some branch of the navy."Callie said.
"That's exciting," Ferra said, grinning.
" Would you like to spar for a couple of hours tomorrow morning? I want to test my skills against a skilled Zrixian fighter," Callie said fiddling nervously..
Ferra laughed.
" Well, I was planning on sleeping in, but that sounds like fun," Ferra said. Callie stood, smiling a wide, excited smile at Ferra. The sparring would be fun, but that was not the real reason behind her request. Callie would blend in a lot more if she had a lieutenant with her showing her around. Plus, it would make getting in a lot smoother.