(Callie)
Despite her dread for the mission, Callie shouldn't have worried all that much. The prime minister of Etria didn't have time for some random Devali, and Dustin didn't let her attend the meetings, anyway. For once, Callie was pleased to be left out. However, she had no desire to run into the older woman repeatedly and risk being discovered.
Back home on Etria, Callie remembered Brianne walking through the compound and was uncertain if the woman recognised her as well. At the time, the woman was a part of the minority, a rival of the prime minister. Seeing the woman as prime minister got Callie to wondering about the story behind her rise to power.
Her closest contact with the prime minister was a random run in while walking in the cruiser's hallway. Callie avoided eye contact. Despite that, she saw a look of confusion cross Brianne's face. Luckily for Callie, the prime minister, Brianne was much too focused on her conversation with her Secretary of State Tony to give Callie more than a cursory glance.
Callie was bouncing with restrained energy, and knew she absolutely didn't want to risk having a conversation with Brianne. They were on route to Valia, the capital city of the empire. Anxious of news of Warren, and feeling left out of Dustin's meetings, Callie got up to some mischief. She smiled, remembering Dustin's promise of confinement if he caught her snooping on the ship.
She smiled, and knowing full well what might happen, she snuck into the gun bay of the cruiser, leaving a small trace of evidence someone had been there. To be fair, they didn't catch her sneaking about the ship. It was her boss's fault. When Dustin heard of someone breaking in to the gun bay to examine the pulse cannon, he told the navy she was the culprit.
And that was how Callie found herself restricted to her room for the rest of their trip. The trip was boring, but that was a lot better than being discovered by one of her own countrywomen.
Callie sighed, leaning back in her dingy little closet. The speakers blared, and the captain warned that the ship was pulling in to dock. She smiled. On the bright side, neither Dustin nor the navy guards outside her door could prove she was the burglar. That was little consolation, as she was still in her little cell for over seven hours.
The whole ship rocked as the docking clamps engaged. She waited in her room/cell, knowing Dustin would come shortly to get her. She checked her comm, verifying that yet again Villus hadn't sent a message.
Her mind wander as she waited, and a knock on the door startled her to awareness. She stood, adjusting her empty shoulder holster to a more comfortable position. The door hissed open, revealing Dustin, who was standing there, giving her a disapproving look.
"So, how did you enjoy the trip?" Dustin drawled, giving her a halfhearted scowl.
"It was pleasant, I got some excellent views, and a comfortable bed."Callie said, stretching, feigning boredom.
"Uh huh, and you still deny breaking into the gun bay?" Dustin asked, folding his arms, clutching her weapons.
Callie straightened her light blue suit coat and gave Dustin a shocked look of mock outrage. "What! Me? I have no idea what you are talking about."Callie said, giving him a disarming smile. Dustin's shoulders were tense, and he looked like his mind was elsewhere. He looked stressed, but that probably had to do with the Etrian prime minister and not Callie.
She approached her boss, noting the navy soldiers were already gone. Callie held out a hand for her weapons and waited, staring into his deep brown eyes. Dustin grumbled and passed a knife sheathed in a leather scabbard to her, as well as her pistol. The scabbard of the knife had a black spider on a green web with an inner lining of some sort of composite to stop the knife from cutting through the leather like it was paper.
She slipped her weapons into place, fidgeting to adjust her pesky leather knife sheath. "Can you help me with this?" Callie asked, giving Dustin a mischievous look. Dustin scowled, but reached over and adjusted the belt..
She could feel his hand through her shirt, noting he allowed his fingers to linger on her back. A shiver of delight ran up her spine, her skin tingling from his touch. Dustin looked up at her, his deep brown eyes boring into her.
His lips turned up slightly, showing off his perfectly straight teeth, making her heart race wildly. She rested a hand on his arm, enjoying his touch even through the fabric of her shirt. Her heart was thudding like a drum, and she couldn't resist any longer.
Callie leaned down, and despite her instincts screaming at her, she kissed him. He tensed at her abruptness. She revealed in his soft lips the taste of coffee on his breath and his stubble brushing on her upper lip.
Callie, noting someone walking down the hallway, ended the kiss, pulling back, her heart pounding harder than most training sessions. Dustin just stood there looking stunned, and a little confused..
"What was that for?" He asked, sounding a little breathless. Callie smiled slyly. "Well, I figured if you are already furious with me, I have little more to lose."Callie said, giving Dustin a cheeky smile.
"You are just the worst. Why do you do this to me?" Dustin asked, his lips turned up into a smile. Callie shrugged, giving him a soft smile. Her heart flutter in her chest, still racing from the sudden excitement.
His shoulders relaxed ever so slightly, and he gave her a weary smile, hinting that her kiss worked. His hand still rested on her back. She pulled away, noting the disappointment in his deep brown eyes.
Callie stepped into the hallway, their shoulders brushing as she passed. Her usual instincts to recoil at physical contact was faint around Dustin, and she hardly needed to suppress them at all. Once out into the well-lit hallway, she glanced back at Dustin, who was still just standing there like a stump.
"Are you coming? We still have an escort mission. It's our job to escort the prime minister."Callie said, amused. Dustin shook himself, looking a little flustered.
"Hey! I'm not done scolding you yet."Dustin said, attempting to look angry again.
She laughed and strode away, heading for the airlock. The naval port of Valia was a bustling mess of soldiers, enforcers, and civilians. Dustin walked with her, his face a calm mask, as they escorted the prime minister through the base.
Callie disliked keeping her back to anyone, but she made sure to always keep her back to the prime minister and her aids. They went through security, and much to Callie's pleasure, the Prime minister and all three of her aids were thoroughly searched for weapons.
Or at least until Dustin gestured her through the security checkpoint to be searched as well. Even Dustin subjected himself to the pat down. It's not that it actually mattered. The people running the security check didn't take either Callies or Dustins' weapons, as they were devali.
She was still frosty about it, and plotting her revenge. Or at least she was until the elevator opened. They were atop a tall rise, standing near the edge of a landing pad, with the city of Valia sprawling out below them. Buildings of composites and glinting metal towered into the sky, glinting in the barrier's light.
Far below, Callie could see shuttles rushing along the streets, and even air born drones large enough to transport people. Despite the chaos of traffic, the city wasn't as loud as she would have expected.
A spire, framed by the shimmering green light of Valias barrier, towered into the sky. Callie's jaw dropped as she took in the view. Painted in bright gold on the surface of the tower was a menacing image of a raven.
From the gasps of the others with her, this was their first time amidst one of the floating cities. The tallest tower, defying common sense, pressed against the outer curve of the green barrier. "Please tell me we are staying up in that tower? I can't speak for the prime minister, but that looks like a fitting hotel." Callie asked, speaking in Etrian for the benefit of their guests.
"I must agree with your comrade, Dustin. Would it be possible to stay in the Imperial tower?" Prime minister Brianne asked, speaking in fluent Zrixian.
Dustin turned, giving them a look of pride. "Sorry for the downer, but only the prime minister and her aids can stay in the tower."Dustin said. The soft thrumming of engines filled the air, and a large drone approached.
Rotor wash batter at the roof, making Callie's long black hair whip wildly around her. The sleek drone settle down on the landing beside them, and the rear hatch opened. The drone was a sleek grey ship with two sets of rotating fan blades bracketed in metal rings. Unlike most small ships, there were no windows for the cockpit, as they only needed cameras.
Callie didn't trust a remote operator flying her around, as she much preferred to operate the controls herself. When the group of diplomats and Dustin boarded the ship without prompting, Callie had to firm her resolve and trust in the drones pilot. A pilot that would be completely safe if he crashed the drone into the street fifty stories below.
Her instincts of self preservation screamed at her to not take this risk. It would be far too easy for the pilot to kill them either on purpose or through crappy flying. Dustin waved at her, his lips moving, his voice drowned out by the noise of the rotor wash.
She ascended the ramp, anxious about an unknown pilot. She strapped into her seat in the cargo bay of the ship, noting Dustin's tense posture. He didn't appear to like this anymore than she did, but then again, Dustin didn't like any form of travel.
She was anxious, watching the door rise and seal, followed by the ship's engines powering up.There was a gentle lurching as the drone rose into the air. She had to admit; the flight was smooth.
Even so, she let out a soft sigh of relief when they touched down gently. The rear of the large drone opened to an inner door of the massive spire. Putting on a facade of unconcern, Callie left the hanger into the emperor's spire.
She paused as the door leading inside closed, cutting off all sounds from outside. Mere moments before the rotor wash was loud enough they couldn't hear each other. Now it was absolutely quiet, the only sounds their breathing and their shoes on soft carpets.
Inside, two soldiers joined them, each in heavy armour, with five green stars on the chests of their sleek black armour, putting Callie on edge. The two soldiers had their face plates completely dark. One stepped forward to address the prime minister of Etria. "Madame prime minister, sorry for the delay, please come with us. The emperor has requested we show you to your rooms."One of them said.
The politicians left, escorted by the soldiers down the hallway. Callie turned to Dustin, giving him an inquisitive look. "Isn't that an overbearing statement to send two soldiers instead of a politician?" Callie asked.
Dustin waved her to follow him, and they strode down the hallway. "Thats the point, Prime minister Brianne is only in her position because she sided with Zrixia out of desperation. I'm willing to bet the emperor is testing her to see how far he can push her."Dustin reply, using his comm to open an elevator door.
"Why did the empire allow a native Etrian to be the prime minister? I would have thought you would put one of your own people in charge."Callie stated curiously.
Callie glanced up, noting the fifth camera so far. This place had a camera for almost every ten feet, giving no chance of a sneaky person to, well, sneak in.
"The emperor could do that, and he might if Brianne doesn't do what he wants. But so far she has done her best to uphold her end of the deal."Dustin said calmly.
"What deal?" Callie asked curiously. Dustin gave her a look that warned against any further questions on that topic. Callie's attention was drawn to a thin shimmer of energy on each of the doors as they walked past.
On her walk she was startled as her comm bussed twice. Once for a single message, and a more consistent thrumming on her arm signaling a live video. She tapped her reservoir and dismissed the annoying beeping with a faint trickle of power into the comm. This was no time to check her messages.
"Where are we going?" Callie asked, anxious to be in such a heavily fortified facility. "There is something I wanted to show you while we are in the emperor's spire."Dustin said vaguely. Her skin tingled as she entered the elevator. Callie shiver, noting the complexity of the ward as she passed it.
From her brief analysis of the barrier, it was designed to do something nasty. If she tried to force her way into the elevator, that ward would have either knocked her out or turned her brain into a puddle of mush. With that pleasant thought in mind, she waited as the elevator rose rapidly.
The polished grey doors opened with a soft chime, and Callie couldn't help but gape.
Infront of her was a large room made of a clear material that looked like glass. Her boots rang out on the clear glasslike material as she walked forwards. Despite common sense, the tower jutted through the city's barrier, giving her clear view of the massive planet below them. Unlike on the battle cruiser, she had a stunning view of the gas giant below her.
This was the part of the Emperor's tower touching the barrier, and apparently it was sticking out into space. As she watched, a ship, spanning almost five hundred feet, turned. In a spectacular display, the light reflecting off Proxima's purple and green gas glinted off its sleek hull. Burning its thrusters, the ship moved away from Proxima's gravity well into deep space.
The ship was a transport vessel, no doubt taking several jump gates to get to its destination. Her eyes followed the light of the ship's drive until it passed out of her field of view.
"What do you think of the view?" Dustin asked in heavily accented Etrian. The room they were in was only faintly lit by faint lights on the rear walls. In the light reflecting off Proxima, she could see his dirty blond hair combed to one side and intense brown eyes looking up at her.
"I wasn't expecting such a romantic gesture from you. I appreciate the gesture, it is truly a stunning view."Callie said in Etrian, grinning.
Dustin's face scrunched up as she talked, clearly not understanding all of her words. Callie smiled. He looked like a mouse in the headlights. Dustin jostled her with his shoulder. Her stomach did a flip from his closeness, and despite her instincts screaming at her, Callie didn't move away.
"Thats no fair, you know my Etrian is terrible."Dustin said, rolling his eyes. Callie twisted a strand of her own silky black hair between her fingers. "Oh sorry, when you banished me to my room, the rumbling of the ship's fusion reactor made me forget how to speak Zrixian."Callie said in Zrixian, smirking as she stare at the gas giant below.
Dustin gave her a gentle push, doing nothing more than jostling her slightly. "Why do you always make my life difficult?" Dustin asked.
Callie leaned against him, feeling his body heat where their shoulders touched. "Oh, come on, you love my mischief. Besides, without me, your life would be far too boring."Callie stated. The clouds of Proxima roiled, shifting like waves on the surface far below.
Dustin snorted, leaning closer against her shoulder, his warmth soothing. They stood there silently for several long minutes watching the gas giant below them." I thought about your question earlier. I think my answer is a yes."Dustin said, finally.
"Yes what? You think life would be far too boring without me?" Callie asked, curiously. "Well, no. Life is far too exiting whenever you're involved." Dustin retorted. "Then what? Have you finally realized how wrong you are about Vat grown meat?" Callie asked, cracking a smile.
Dustin laughed, his deep brown eyes twinkling in the faint light of Proxima. "Ok, maybe I'm having second thoughts. I'm thinking I find a much less frustrating woman to ask out."Dustin stated jokingly. Callie's stomach did a flip, and she couldn't help her excitement.
"There may be a slight issue. Members of the Devali aren't allowed to date our colleges."Dustin said, nervously.
"Ok, Dustin, I quit. How about now?" Callie said immediately. Dustin raised an eyebrow, his face scrunching in amusement.
"I figured you would say that. I Don't mean to put a dampen on your mood but Lady Veronica will probably have you arrested for fraud if you quit the organization."Dustin said with a smile. Callie sighed dejectedly.
"So you are saying no because the rules don't allow dating a college?" She asked dubiously. This man was a pain sometimes. Why was he such a stickler for the rules? Callie pulled away from him, looking away to the expansive gas giant below to mask her disappointment.
His hand rested on her arm, and she tensed, her heart thudding wildly."I didn't say no. I was just stating its not allowed to date a college, especially a partner."Dustin said calmly.
"If it's not allowed, then why didn't you just say no?" Callie asked, her heart racing. Well, this sucked, but maybe it was for the best? "Because if you haven't noticed, we are spies and assassins. It's our job to break the rules. So in this case, I have decided to ignore the rules."Dustin said.
Callie turned, hope welling up inside her. In the dim viewing room, Callie could see his soft smile staring up at her. He reached over slowly and wrapped his arms around her waist. He looked scared to touch her, like he was hugging a cactus.
"This is probably your fault. No, I'm certain I'm saying yes because you are such a bad influence on me. Before I met you i would have definitely adhered to the rules."Dustin said, pulling her against him. She leaned down and kissed his full lips, noting the taste of cherry biscuits.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and gestured with her chin to the camera hanging in the corner. Unable to stop smiling, Callie said," Aren't you worried about the imperial guard seeing us breaking the rules on camera?"
Reaching up, he cradled her chin in his hand and cocked his head. His hand was coarse and warm, sending spikes of desire through her.
"Well, Lady Veronica would find out, regardless. This is my way of showing her I'm not trying to hide my decision. She might be upset, but there isn't much she can do about it."Dustin said calmly.
"Okay, maybe my brashness has been wearing off on you."Callie stated, unrepentant.
Dustin pulled away from the embrace far too soon, and she shiver without his body heat. "I have some meetings I need to attend to tonight. Can we get together in the morning for breakfast? I can show you around the capitol."Dustin asked, his tone hopeful.
Callie nodded, and feeling emboldened, she kissed him again, uncaring of the camera. She left the massive skyscraper, escorted by the no nonsense guards. Stupid guards. They hadn't even allowed her a moment to sneak away and look around the Emperor's tower. Even so, she was jubilant, certain nothing could break her good mood.
Or at least she was certain nothing could break her good mood until she opened a blinking message on her comm. The message was at least an hour old, and she couldn't remember receiving it. The message was from Villus. Sitting in the back of a shuttle, Callie took in a deep breath, steadying her nerves.
She open the message and her good mood faded. The message contained a live video that she watched in horror. Warren rested in a laundry hamper in the video, dressed in nothing more than boxers. His chest slowly rose and fell, and the faint hum of an oxygen pump drifted from the comm.
His fingernails and toenails were wrapped in Bloodsoaked bandages and most disturbing was an oxygen tank and tube snaking to his face. The camera was focused in on the oxygen tank, showing the time remaining until the tank ran out.
Five hours, forty-four minutes and ten, nine, eight seconds. Callie moved from the live feed, looking at the second message tagged with it. It was an address that, with a simple search, made Callie's blood run cold.
Warren was in Berdant! Callie's stomach lurched. She needed to go now! Only five hours, that's all she had to steal a ship and fly back to Berdant. Five hours? Anxious, Callie poured over the file she sent Villus. Why only five hours? And there! After only about twenty minutes of searching, she found the information she needed. In five hours, the Slax ambassador would be held up in an out of the way mansion in the upper district of Valia.
The ambassador was lightly guarded, as they were clearly counting on subtlety over a more brute force approach. In Callie's mind, that was normally a good thing. If you couldn't find a target, you couldn't attack it. In this case, Villus knew exactly where and when his target would be vulnerable, and it was all Callie's fault.
She exited the shuttle, stepping to the side street and unconsciously weaving to avoid the packed streets. Callie chuckled mirthlessly. It was a stroke of genius. From the live video, she could see Warrens sitting there paralyzed, the oxygen tank resting on his chest.
She wanted to rush to his aid, but there wasn't anything she could do. It felt hopeless. Five hours wasn't enough. Even being optimistic, she couldn't steal a ship with such short notice. Could she contact Taniya and get her to go rescue Warren? Callie shook her head. That wouldn't work. Taniya was supposed to be in Valia today, and asking Dustin to save Warren would result in uncomfortable questions.
Peyton might be able to help, but she didn't have a way to contact him. Her last and only option for help was Nakita. She hit the call button on her comm. The Slax woman answered on the second ring.
"Hello, who iz Zhis?." Nakita asked.
"Its Callie, I need your help!" Callie said, feigning calm.