Fan Fiction ❯ Aether Psychoses: Tales from the Planet Solstice ❯ Phase 1, Episode 3: Parallel - Heart - Family ( Chapter 3 )

===> C M A <===

RATING: This story is rated "R" for mature subject matter, violence, and language.

DISCLAIMER: This story, its settings, its characters, and all its distinctive likenesses are Copyright 2004-2005 Carlos Alexandre. This is an original work and may not be published without Carlos Alexandre's written consent. Characters, settings, personas, etc. may not be used without, again, Carlos Alexandre's written consent. Any relation to this story and any real-life events, past or present, is entirely coincidental. And all that other crap.

If you're reading this anywhere but at www.triplepeeps.com, I recommend you go there instead; some places this fic is posted in might not be formatted or italicized/bolded/underlined correctly.

Author notes are further down.
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HSD 232 - 05 - 28 - 0122
En route to Sky Current
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Nighttime. The bridge is quiet and dim, save a few beeps here and there and the faint, mesmerizing glow of the consoles and terminals lighting up the cabin in their eerie, beautiful aura.

As I sit in the so-called captain's chair, gazing out into the dark night sky, my mind wanders the turbulent sea of my memory, bringing to light both good memories and bad.

Sky Current, a neutral trade city sandwiched in-between the three warring powers, is the place where the Essex was built for me. I met the famous Richard Corsair there, and through a series of coincidences, ended up saving both his life and that of his daughter's, Amy. I stayed with the two for a while as the Essex, Richard's official "thank you" present, was put together.

I accepted it, of course, reaching a point in my "career" as a bounty hunter where a ship would really be of use. And it was free, too.

The fact that the attractive and easy-to-tease Amy Corsair came along with me was just icing on the cake.

"Reminiscing?" a familiar voice asks, sitting in the chair beside me.

"Something like that," I answer. "I was also devising a method to get the sexy seventeen-year-old girl sitting next to me to sleep with me."

"Keep dreaming, pervert," Amy says, crushing my hopes of getting any tonight. "Besides, I'm sure you'll find some gullible bar bunny to screw our first night there."

"That I will," I assure her. "But it'd be a lot more fun, for me, if you were the one seeking attractive female companionship. In the sixty-nine position. While I man the camera."

"Disgusting," she says.

"On the contrary, my dear Amy; it's art."

"If you insist, but you're still dirty."

"Always, babe. So, you looking forward to seeing your father again?"

She sighs heavily. "Yes and no. The last time we visited him, he and I had a fight. I haven't really talked to him since."

"That's no good. If I might ask, what was the fuss about?"

She's quiet for a few moments, then... "My mom."

That's a memory I try to ignore whenever possible. A memory I can never bury completely.

Tensing up a bit, I think of Rheana Corsair, Amy's mother.

Beautiful woman. Attractive, loving, polite; the works. Even in the short time I knew her, she came across as an impeccable mother and wife. And she even put up with my somewhat naughty advances with tact and grace!

I saved Amy and Richard that fateful day, but...

I... I couldn't save Rheana.

I... I wasn't strong enough.

"Please don't feel bad, Sieg," Amy says gently, putting her hand on my shoulder. "I know you did your best--"

"Forget it, kid," I return, standing as I take her hand into my own and give it a kiss. "Listen, and listen well. Whatever things your father may say or do to upset you, remember that he's your father. I've seen, firsthand, just how much he loves you, and I know he worries about you, even though you're in my very capable care."

Uh-oh... lips quavering, eyes glossy, then forced shut...

I'm hoping she won't cry--nope, no good. Here comes the waterworks.

Alright, Amy, come here, come here. Sieg will make it better.

I take off her glasses and hold them in my hand, wrapping my arms around her as she cries, her face pressed against my chest. I kind of wish it was the other way around, with my mouth licking her naked breasts, but this is nice too.

"I miss her so much," she whispers, still sobbing.

"I know, Amy," I say softly. "I know."
________

Shining, lengthy silver hair falls down behind Meander's legs as she leans against the wall.

"You leaving so soon, baby?" Sonny says, kissing her again.

"Indeed," she answers, her tone still cool and calm despite her flushed face.

Her irises are red, a rather unusual eye color, even in this universe of aether and mystery.

Sonny knows, though, that there is much about this girl that is... unusual. It's one of the reasons he loves her so much.

"There is much to do at Sky Current tomorrow," Meander explains. "You should turn in as well; I will need your help to carry a few things."

He smiles wide, flashing white teeth. "For you, lover, anything."

"Before I leave," she says, straightening her blue dress's long sleeves and knee-length skirt while moving some silver strands away from her face, "may I ask you something?"

"Anytime, baby!" he answers. "What's on your mind?"

"You are the third person to call the Essex your home, correct?"

"Yep," Sonny boasts, all proud. "Right after Sieg and Amy."

"Do you think that they--Sieg and Amy, that is--are, um, well..."

Sonny cocks an eyebrow, thinking it strange for Meander to stumble over her own words. "What, you mean, like us? Involved? "

She nods, confirming.

He laughs. "Well, that's interesting. You see, Meander, when it comes to those two, it's... complicated."

"Complicated?" she repeats, puzzled.

"Yeah. I know, for a fact, that they've never done the deed or even kissed, but there's a spark, a little gleam in their eyes when one looks at the other. Like us!"

She smiles. "I have noticed this about you, Sonny!" she exclaims happily. "I will look for it in them."

He laughs. "I wouldn't worry about it too much, baby. If they're meant to be together, they'll find a way. And if not, well, tough."

"I understand. Thank you as always, Sonny."

He gives her one last kiss. "Love you."

"I love you too, Sonny," she says sincerely. "Please sleep well!"
________

HSD 232 - 05 - 28 - 0537
Sky Current
________

A tall, voluptuous woman smiles confidently as she watches the Essex dock. Long purple hair, ending about the middle of her back, dances in the morning wind. She is clad in a black bikini top barely concealing her large, shapely breasts and a matching black bikini bottom that is, simply put, borderline indecent. Black boots and blue armored shoulder, shin, and forearm guards garnish the skimpy ensemble. Despite her rather liberal attire, the woman is not at all bothered by the chilly early morning air. A belt around her waist holds two sheathes; what can be seen of the two swords' handles are golden and elaborately decorated.

"At last, Sieg Hyrem!" she announces to no one in particular, scaring a few birds away from a nearby tree. "You will face my blade!"

"Is there some special reason we had to come out here to watch them dock, Lemires?" a boy asks, yawning, wearing a comparatively more conservative long trench coat, unbuttoned and revealing a black shirt, and pair of brown khakis. "Tealla only sent us here to gather information about the Chrysalis Syndicate, not for you to get petty revenge for the last time you lost to Sieg."

"Nonsense, Tommy!" the woman, Lemires, shouts, making the boy cringe. "I have trained diligently with Tealla and am now ready to make her brother taste defeat!"

"Look, Lemires," Tommy, the young man, attempts to explain, "Sieg and Tealla are on another level, one that neither you nor I could hope to match. Also, the two of them are more or less an even match for each other. If you cannot beat Tealla, who, by the way, only ever gives you about thirty-five percent--at the MOST--of her true ability any time you two spar, what makes you think you'll ever beat Sieg?"

Lemires turns, hands on her hips, and bends forward, meeting Tommy eye-to-eye. The deep navy blue-haired boy blushes, now having a clean view of the woman's rather impressive cleavage.

"You see, my young, handsome friend," she says, making the boy's face turn a few more different shades of red, "I have a strategy in mind! And seeing as how you're Tealla's second-in-command, I'm sure you can appreciate strategy!"

"And what 'strategy' is that?" he asks, not once tearing his eyes away from the attractive mounds of flesh.

She stands upright, much to Tommy's disappointment, and crosses her arms. "My strategy is so beautiful in its seeming simplicity that it is better seen than explained. Come! We must prepare!"

And, just like that, the strange and unusual display of confidence ends, with Lemires dragging Tommy away by the arm.
________

"My lord?" Her voice in my head again.

"Speak, my student."

"The Essex has reached Sky Current," she informs me. "Shall I begin--"

"Patience, my lovely pupil, patience. There is no need to disturb my old friend so early in the morning. Let Mr. Corsair enjoy the Hyrem child's company, and send Sledge out only when they part. Remember, though the Hyrem child is the primary objective, anything you can get from his crew will further our cause tremendously. Understood?"

"Yes, my lord." She leaves.
________

HSD 232 - 05 - 28 - 0600
Sky Current Airship Port
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Even at this hour, the docks are bustling with activity.

Shunning the more modern mid-air docks that other locales like Phoenix Station use, Sky Current runs a water-based dock, where airships descend and touch down at the surface of the ocean before actually docking.

Cruz Foundation wasn't too terribly pleased when its new line of air-dock-only battleships didn't force Sky Current to change its docking methods. Which is fine by me, not being Cruz's biggest fan and whatnot. Plus, Sky Current simply attracts too much business to care.

Place hasn't changed much in the last year. Tall impressive metal buildings litter the distant view in Sky Current's always busy city centre. The port, sticking out like a sore thumb when compared to the surrounding greenery, was built well away from the "main" city. The huge complex extends out a ways over the ocean; the whole place smells of both the sea and machinery.

"Sieg!" I hear a man calling. I see him in the distance and wave.

Well, looks like he finally shaved his head! He was balding last I saw him, and he promised me he'd shave it all off rather than try a crappy-looking comb-over. Good thing, too, though I'm not quite accustomed to the look.

"Well, look at all of you!" Richard greets my still-yawning crew. "Y'all go on these amazing adventures and you still can't handle getting up early!?"

"Hello, Uncle Ricky!" Meander returns, giving the man a hug. "It is good to see you again!"

"And you as well, dear Meander! It seems that every time I see you, you are more beautiful and ravishing than before!"

Meander blushes at the compliment. "Please, Uncle Ricky, that's embarrassing!"

"Sonny," Richard asks, smiling mischievously, "you're taking care of her, right?"

Sonny laughs nervously. "Of course, Uncle Ricky, man, of course! What kind of man would I be if I didn't?"

"That is good to hear, my young friend," the man says, shaking Sonny's hand.

Richard approaches Amy next.

He smiles genuinely... yet I can feel the tension between the two.

"Hello, Amy," he says, simply, not knowing what to expect.

I eye her, hoping she'll remember what I told her earlier.

I envy people who still have their parents, and hate to see dispute and dissent between fathers, mothers, and their children.

A few more silent moments pass. She hasn't met Richard's gaze this whole time.

C'mon, Amy...

A couple more seconds, then...

"Hello, daddy!" she says happily, lifting her head, smiling as the two share a long hug.

"How have you been, dearest?" he asks as they part. "They been treating you well?"

She nods. "Of course."

He kisses his daughter on the forehead. "Good," he says, putting his hand to her cheek. "I love you, my beautiful daughter. Don't you ever think otherwise, okay?"

"I love you too, daddy!" she whimpers, near tears again.
________

"Young Willis! You still insist on wearing that ugly headpiece, I see."

"It helps," Willis defends, smiling and laughing. "How are things, Uncle Ricky?"

"Not bad, not bad--" he stops, suddenly looking at Asha, who's been hiding behind me this whole time.

"My word!" Richard exclaims. "Sieg, who is this pretty young lady?"

Oh, that's right! Richard's never met Asha before! I almost forgot!

"Well, go on!" I nudge the girl. "Introduce yourself! He won't bite!"

"Um, yes, hello!" an uncharacteristically nervous Asha introduces herself, holding out her hand. "My name's Asha Hendrik. Pleased to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine, young lady! I am Richard Corsair, Amy's father. But, please, call me Uncle Ricky!"

"Oh, um, okay--"

Richard laughs loudly, picking up Asha and hugging her tightly. "So adorable, this one!"

"HEY, YA OLD BASTARD! PUT ME DOWN!" Asha snarls.

I can't believe she said that! I laugh out loud. Too awesome!

"Asha, language!" Amy scolds, embarrassed. "That's my dad you're talking to! SIEG, STOP LAUGHING, DAMMIT!!!"

"And she has teeth, too!" Richard observes, laughing even more as he sets the girl down. "Where did you find this one, Sieg?"

"It's a long story, my friend," I explain, shaking the man's hand and patting his shoulder. "How have you been?"

"Never better! Business is booming, and rumors of an end to the Trinity War have people in high spirits! I heard, my brave and foolish Mr. Hyrem, that you played a hand in averting disaster during the peace conference at Phoenix Station!"

News travels to Sky Current as fast as ever, I see. "Yeah, something like that."

"Well, come along then!" he fusses, picking up some of our bags. "Let's go home and get some breakfast into you hungry kids!"
________

"We have to walk, Sieg!?" Asha whines.

"Quit your bitching," I tell her, enjoying the brisk air in the fields between the docks and the main city. "It's only about thirty minutes away. Enjoy the scenery; it's going to be all big city-like soon enough--"

"NOT SO FAST!" a proud female voice announces.

Oh, no. Not her again.

I look up at a nearby rock. Yep. It's her.

Lemires.

"How's it going, Tommy?" I call to the boy standing beside her.

"Not bad, Sieg!" he hollers back. "You?"

"Can't complain--"

"HEY!" Lemires roars. "DON'T IGNORE ME!"

She jumps off the boulder, lands, and unsheathes-- hey, she's got two swords this time. Interesting.

"Today, Mr. Sieg Hyrem!" she challenges, pointing one of the blades in my direction. "Today is the day you fall in combat to the beautiful and mighty blade master, Lemires Rouchette!"
________

AETHER PSYCHOSES
Tales from the Planet Solstice

An original fic by Carlos Alexandre (CMA)
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This episode was originally released on February 15, 2005.
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AUTHOR NOTES

This episode focuses more on the Essex's crew, but no worries. Tealla and her friends will get their own chapter soon enough. In fact, they'll get it next!

I accept, welcome, and encourage criticism. Send it to cma@triplepeeps.com or visit www.triplepeeps.com and post in the forum.
________

Strong hearts clash, while weak hearts cower.
Strong hearts seek conflict, while weak hearts seek power.
The differences between the two forever remain relative to everything and nothing.

-= PHASE 1
--== EPISODE 3
---=== Parallel - Heart - Family
________

HSD 232 - 05 - 28 - 0607
Sky Current, The Fields Outside the Main City
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"I really don't like her," I say, watching the scantily clad swordswoman laugh maniacally. She was really mean to me last time we met, making fun of my chest size compared to hers. I'm only twelve, for cripes sake!

"Yeah, Lemires is quite a handful," Sonny replies. "Not too sure how Tealla puts up with her."

"And her outfit is disgusting!" I continue, hoping the jealously in my voice isn't too apparent. "She has no shame."

Sonny smiles and nods. "It is easy on the eyes, though."

"Would you care to repeat that, Sonny?" Meander asks, suddenly appearing from behind him.

"Oh, man, c'mon baby!" he stammers nervously. "I didn't mean anything! Honest!"

Watching Sonny writhe and struggle as an uncharacteristically angry Meander holds him in a crushing headlock, I wonder if all a man thinks about is sex.

"Alright, then, Lemires!" Sieg announces, putting down a couple of bags and crossing his arms. "We duel, but only if we make the match a little more... interesting."

Uh-oh. I know that tone. Hopefully, Lemires realizes what's good for her and backs down--

"Name your terms, Sieg Hyrem!" she accepts. "I will have my vengeance for the last time you humiliated me."

Last time?

"I'll fill you in," Willis offers, apparently sensing my confusion.
________

Two years ago...

HSD 230 - 01 - 07 - 1440
Base of the Prism Mountains
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"Hey, you!"

Sieg and his entourage turn around. "Heya, cutie!" he compliments, smiling at the rather striking woman. "What's your name?"

"I am Lemires Rouchette!" the woman announces. "Sieg Hyrem, brother of my commander and new trainer Tealla Hyrem, today you meet your match!"

"Ooooooooooooh... kay," Sieg replies, uncertain of what to make of this. "So you're a new crew member of the Centauri, then?"

"I am!" the woman starts explaining, speaking much louder than she has to. "Many moons ago I challenged the deadly Tealla Hyrem to a duel! She bested me without so much as moving! I swung my blade at her with fierce conviction, but she just grabbed it with two fingers, tore it out of my hand, and told me to stop being stupid before she gets mad! So I begged and pleaded for her to train me! Which just made her angry! She hit me really hard!"

"Is she for real?" Willis asks, leaning against a tree as Lemires continues.

"I think she is, man," Sonny comments, watching the woman flail her arms up and down wildly as she continues her story.

"... threw me into the water and ordered her ship to fire! But then I caught a cold and she felt bad, so she invited me to join her crew and train with her!" Lemires finishes. "And now, I will prove to Tealla that I have grown stronger, faster, and even more incredible than before! Sieg Hyrem, prepare yourself!"

Lemires leaps high into the air and unsheathes her blade, preparing to slash into Sieg with a downward strike.

"Lemires, was it?" Sieg asks, watching the body approach as he stands his ground. "Did Tealla do this?"

Using his index and middle fingers, he catches the swung sword perfectly. Using the woman's own mass against her, Sieg holds the sword in place as Lemires falls with a mighty thud.

She stands quickly, then freezes as she feels the tip of her own sword at her neck.

"Hold very still, hot stuff," Sieg taunts, "or you might get cut."

"Sieg, you better not do what I think you're going to do!" Amy screams.

"Yes, Sieg, please don't!" Meander yells in agreement.

Too late. With a series of fast, masterful slices, Sieg cuts Lemires's not-so-modest outfit to pieces, leaving the woman's skin untouched. Before she reacts, he reveals his pocket camera and snaps a photo of her naked shame.
________

The present...

HSD 232 - 05 - 28 - 0612
Sky Current
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"And that's how it happened," Willis finishes. "She's apparently held a grudge ever since."

I shake my head. I really shouldn't be surprised that Sieg, of all people, did such a thing, but still...

"Listen up!" he begins. "The winner of our little duel gets to 'enslave' the other during our next vacation!"

Vacation?

"It's an annual outing we make with the crew of the Centauri," Willis explains. Is he, like, reading my mind or something? "We put aside our differences for a couple of days and go to some resort together. It's quite fun. "

"Really!?" I say, somewhat shocked. "That's so cool!"

"So the loser must do whatever the winner wants during the next vacation, no matter what?" Lemires confirms.

As I think of the implications of Sieg enslaving a woman of Lemires's... figure, I feel my blood boiling. I know full well what that pervert will do.

He'll do to her what I want him to do to me!

"DON'T DO IT, LEMIRES!" I scream. "You know what he's like! Think of your body!"

She laughs. "What's this? Getting your crew to mock me, Sieg?" she accuses, readying herself. "Now you will certainly lose! I accept your terms! Prepare yourself!"

"YOU IDIOT!" I yell, but it's too late.

Lemires jumps high into the air, totally choreographing her attack.

Sieg stands his ground. Man, he isn't even going to try. In fact, I'm pretty sure he's going to do the same thing he did last time.

And, yup, here we go. She swings both blades. He catches them between his index, middle, and ring fingers.

Way to go, Lemires. You use one extra sword, he counters with one extra fucking finger.

With a flick of his wrist, and using her continuing downward momentum, Sieg effortlessly disarms Lemires. Who didn't see that one coming?

And here he goes: he quickly takes the blades himself, and makes several precision slices. Not a single one cuts her. However, all her clothes fall off in pieces.

Before she can cover up her now nude form, Sieg pulls out his miniature camera and takes another picture.

I shake my head in shame as poor Tommy, who I'm pretty sure got dragged into this against his will, covers up the beet-red Lemires with his trench coat.

"Next vacation, babe!" Sieg shouts, victorious. "We're gettin' it ON!!!"

Oh, I don't feel so good...

"Hey, Asha, are you alright?" Willis asks.

"No I am NOT ALRIGHT!!!" I scream back. Picking up my bag, I march forward ahead of everyone. As I walk by the blushing and crying Lemires, I turn to her and give her a glare that would scare away a full-grown grizzly.
________

"Well, Lemires, you deserve it you know," I scold, wiping some tears from her face with my handkerchief.

"HE DID IT AGAIN!!!" she screams.

"Well, what do you expect!?" I return, suddenly upset for reasons I don't quite understand. "You've been practicing for so long, getting better and better, and then when you finally fight him you leave yourself open like that?"

"But... but Tommy--"

"Shut up! The next time you fight him, fight to win, not to show off! I seriously think you're retarded sometimes!"

Oh, man, I shouldn't have said that. I reeeeeeaaaaally shouldn't have said that. Now her eyes are getting even bigger and more watery.

"Oh, god, Lemires, c'mon," I say apologetically, "you know that I'm just--"

"YOU'RE MEAN, TOMMY!!!" she screams again, standing up and running off.

... Well, that certainly didn't go well.

Now she's going to fuck Sieg next vacation AND she hates me.

Real good work there, Tommy. Way to woo the woman you're in love with.

Hoo boy. I better just head back to town and see if my sources have come up with anything. I better buy another trench coat, too.

I think I'll find Sieg and see if I can hitch a ride with him to the Centauri; no doubt Lemires is going to be hell to travel with now.
________

"My lord?" Her voice. "Sledge wishes to speak with you."

"Put him through," I command. What does that mound of muscle want now? "Speak, Sledge."

"I'm sick of waiting, freak!" a gruff, throaty, sinister male voice spits. "I want my shot at Sieg Hyrem! My hammer thirsts for his blood!"

"Are you in position?" I ask. Such an uncouth fellow. It is truly unfortunate that he will prove to be so... useful.

"Yeah, I'm watching them now. After I pound Sieg into the ground, I get his crew bunnies all to myself, right?"

"Yes, yes, you may molest the underage female trio to your heart's content. AFTER you deliver me Sieg Hyrem ALIVE. But if he dies, so do you. Don't forget."

"Yeah, yeah, I hear you, freak."

"You will not attack yet. Wait until the afternoon."

He snorts. "I'm getting seriously sick of you, Bart--"

I hear him screaming in agony. Of course, having enough electrical aether to power a small city suddenly coursing through one's body, even one machine-augmented and enhanced like the once broken Sledge, will undoubtedly induce a scream of pain or two.

"Now, barbarian," I reprimand, taking my finger off the button, "what have I told you about referring to me by that name?"

I hear him coughing, then laughing. "Tell me, freak; you ever get sick of sticking that dildo up your ass--"

And more screaming. This time, I don't intend to let go of this button for a good, long while. Some people just do not learn...
________

HSD 232 - 05 - 28 - 0811
Sky Current, Richard Corsair's Home
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"Hey, old man, that wasn't half bad!" Asha comments, lazing back in the chair after having filled up on scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, hash browns, and all manner of the usual urban breakfast fare.

I seriously wish she didn't keep calling my father "old man." But he laughs at it, as he does at everything that defies politeness and tact in general.

"You're welcome, young lady!" he says, always happy at a positive review of his cooking. "How's the fish, Sieg?"

"Delicious as always!" Sieg mumbles, mouth full of food, as he gives a greasy thumbs-up.

No manners. None at all.

"Alright, Asha, now that your energy's been replenished, you can join me in the living room," I instruct. "We have history to study."

"What!?" she bellows. "No damn way, lady! This is, like, a break! I ain't doing no fucking studying!"

Dad laughs again.

Thanks, dad. Way to help. I glare at him, and he slowly stops.

"You'll study and you'll like it," I speak through gritted teeth.

"Aw, c'mon!" she whines, realizing that she isn't going to escape me. "Sieg, do I have to!?"

Sieg mutters something while chewing.

"Pardon?" Asha and I say simultaneously.

He takes a drink then continues. "Ah, much better. Asha, don't be retarded. Do what Amy says."

She narrows her eyes, still looking at him. "I hate you."

"Alright, ladies, go join the others outside," dad suddenly says. "I have to talk to Sieg privately."

"Is anything wrong?" I ask. What's this all of a sudden?

"Nothing really. Man stuff."

I hate it when dad gets serious like this. Now I know something's wrong.

"You heard the man, Asha. Let's scram," I order.

"I hate history!" she complains as we leave.
________

"What's up, my friend?" I ask, a little worried at Richard's sudden change of expression.

He closes the sliding dining room doors. "I've some rather unfortunate news, dear Sieg."

The hell? "Go on."

"I can't be certain," he begins, sighing heavily, "but the word on the street is that Chrysalis is planning something big."

I frown immediately.

Chrysalis. They're a powerful criminal syndicate in league with Cruz, helping to sustain and manipulate the Trinity War from behind the scenes.

If that isn't bad enough, they're the reason why Amy lost her mother.

I... I wasn't strong enough...

I put down my last fish, stand, and clean my hands. My appetite suddenly escapes me.

"Chrysalis Syndicate cells have been busy here in Sky Current, Sieg," he continues. "Word is that there's been a shift in leadership and priority, and that the new head honcho is looking at manipulating the Rifts."

My eyes widen. "The Rifts!?" I say in disbelief. "They're insane!"

Scars visited upon this planet by sources unknown, the Rifts are dimensional tears in time and space, flowing in set paths like shadowy rivers, dark veins on Solstice's surface. Left untouched, they are generally harmless, unless, of course, one is foolish enough to approach.

However, the Rifts produce huge quantities of raw aether energy, enough energy to attract the attention of those in power.

That ended, however, when a Cruz Foundation energy-harvesting planet stationed at the Rift's edge malfunctioned. The Rift's trajectory changed, affecting Solstice's planetary axis and taking out the entire island nation of Pathos. Even the corrupt and amoral Cruz Foundation would not take such insane risks ever again.

Though, I must admit, it's amazing that they covered up the incident so well.

"Hang on, this doesn't add up," I realize. "Cruz vowed never to touch upon Rift-manipulation--"

"Chrysalis and Cruz are no longer one and the same, Sieg," he tells me.

"Are you certain?"

"The new Cruz CEO, Armen Stratos, dissolved the relationship, according to my sources."

"You trust these 'sources'?"

"Well, why don't you ask one of them."

Richard points to the window, where I see none other than Tommy's face plastered against the glass, knocking.

"Hello?" he calls. "Sieg, I need to talk to you! And can I have some food?"
________

"I must say, I didn't know he was one of the Centauri's crew!" Richard Corsair exclaims, surprised. "You managed to keep that from me quite well, young man!"

"Yup. So spill it, Tommy," Sieg questions. "Why's Tealla so interested in Chrysalis? Was she contracted to investigate them?"

"If I tell you," the boy, Tommy, tries, "will you give me a ride back to the Centauri?"

"Deal, but don't tell sister dearest that we had this conversation."

"You got it, Sieg." Tommy takes a deep breath before starting. "Tealla was approached by an unusual young lady in a rather extravagant airship not too long after we left Phoenix Station. The girl couldn't have been older than my sister, Vigor. At least, she didn't look it. Anyway, she said her name was Circular, and she told us, quite openly, that Chrysalis plans to 'change the course of the planet's fate by weaving the Rifts into the new fabric of the world'."

"Why didn't Tealla tell me this?" Sieg asks, his voice low and deadly. "She knows I'll easily help stop anything as crazy as what this new cult-like Chrysalis brass is planning."

"Calm down, Sieg," Tommy advises tactfully but firmly. "You know her better than anyone. Tealla doesn't just buy into things; she made a contract with the girl to discover more information but remains cynical. You know, full well, that if you weren't finding all this out now, she'd have told you the moment she confirmed it true."

"You're right, kid, you're right. Tell you what; I'll help you find out as much as you can, but I won't tell Tealla that I did. In return, both you and Richard here are going to send all the files concerning this directly to my ship and TPC." Sieg turns to Richard. "Neither of you tells anyone of my crew about this except Willis; he, I, and Tommy are going to go out on a few 'errands' today and see what we can come up with."

Richard nods. "Very well, my young friend. But do be careful. This city is torn when it comes to the infamous Sieg Hyrem; some of us love you, but others wouldn't mind seeing you dead."

"Yeah, I know, I know. C'mon, kid."
________

"Let's start with the Trinity War," Amy begins. Stupid slut, making me study all the fucking time...

"Hey, how come Sonny, Willis, and Meander are all excused from this?" I demand, seeing them all, except Willis who like suddenly disappeared, watching TV.

"Because we all know that stuff already!" Sonny brags. "Passed all of Amy's courses and tests with flying colors!"

"As did I," Meander adds. "Sonny, shall we go now? I'd like to get my shopping done."

"Sure thing, babe."

"I OFFICIALLY HATE EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM!" I scream as the two leave, crossing my arms and leaning further back into the couch's cushions.

"Cute," Amy mocks. Bitch. "Now, first question; name the three major powers involved in the Trinity War."

"Alright, alright," I concede, knowing there's no way out. "Rhegos, Sothis, and that shit-hole Sklabos."

"Okay, good. Next--"

"So how come you didn't bark at me for swearing just now?" I ask, genuinely curious.

She looks at me sympathetically. "All things considered, I think it's more than alright for you to think about Sklabos that way. You'll get no argument from me."

Good. Because I hate that place so very much.

If this war just completely wipes out Sklabos, I'll be a very happy girl...
________

Ten months ago...

HSD 231 - 07 - 08 - 2336
Sklabos Slums
________

"Keep running, Asha!!!" Natalya screams. "I'm right behind you!!!"

The two girls, Natalya and Asha, race through the wet alleys, heaving and panting and frightened.

But fate delights in claiming victims and scarring the souls of the living.

Their pursuers gain ground, and Natalya trips and falls.

"NATALYA!"

"ASHA, RUN!"

"BUT--"

"RUN! NOW!!!"
________

They'll kill her.

They'll kill her.

Why am I running away? Why am I not running back to help my friend?

I know what they'll do to her! I have to stop them!

But I'm afraid! They're faster and stronger than me! They'll do the same thing to me!

I have to keep running.

I have to keep running. They'll kill her.

I have to keep running. They'll kill me.

Oh no! A dead end!

What do I do?

What do I do?
________

The girl, Asha, sits against the grimy brick wall, her face buried between her knees and her hands on top of her head, pulling at her hair.

She barely moves for hours and hours on end, too afraid to leave the false safety of her little corner.

One would hear soft sobs if one were to approach the girl now.

And one does.

"Found the bitch!" the skinny but muscular man shouts. "This time I get first crack at 'er!"

Asha looks up, wide-eyed and frightened beyond reason. He was one of the men chasing her and Natalya earlier.

His companions, a fat man with a mohawk and a broad, well-built man wearing a bandana and sunglasses, soon appear from the alley. They slowly encroach on Asha's little corner, cackling, licking their tongues, and eyeing the girl with hungry stares.

"Alrighty, bitch," the skinny one slurs, "we can do this the easy way... or the fun way. What's the difference, you may ask? The easy way involves you taking off your clothes willingly, and letting me do whatever the fuck I please."

Asha, eyes still wide, squirms further back into her little corner.

"The fun way, of course," the creep continues, kneeling before the trembling girl, "is for you to struggle, my boys behind me to hold you down, and me to rip your clothes from your sexy little body!"

"Please no," Asha near-whispers. "I'm only a kid..."

"That you are, bitch," he says, "but here in our streets, you're a piece of meat. Easy or fun? Now's the time to choose."

"I'm only a kid," she repeats. "I'm only a kid. I'm only a kid."

He smiles an evil smile. "The fun way it is! Grab 'er, boys!"
________

She screams against the thick hand pressed against her mouth to no avail, struggling and kicking and firing what little aether attacks she had learned back at the orphanage.

"This one's feisty!" the skinny one cackles, using one hand to rip the frail shirt off of Asha's torso and another to tear away at the child's pants.

Though she is clearly overpowered, she still fights, now clad only in her undergarments.

Her eyes widen as the man begins pulling at the elastic of her panties, threatening to expose and abuse her most private of body parts.

Suddenly, the man stops.

Asha looks at his face.

He's... in pain?

No... he's dead!

Without warning, the creep is thrown back into a dumpster, revealing a fourth man.

"So, what, you cretins can't find a grown woman to fuck?" he taunts.
________

This man...

Natalya and Sister Katrina told me about him.

They showed me his pictures and spoke so highly of him.

Sieg Hyrem. Commander of the renegade airship, Essex.

The other two attack him but he's too fast for them, weaving around their attacks with ease and grace. He fells them with a single kick each.

"You," he points to the buff man with the now shattered shades. "Run. Tell Sledge that this won't be forgiven. He'll pay for what he did to these children. His days are numbered."

Sledge?

Is this "Sledge" the one responsible for destroying my home? My life!?

Sledge... I will never forget the name.

The henchman runs away, as quickly and pathetically as I ran not too long ago.

"You," Sieg says, pulling out one of his guns and pointing it at the fat one. "Answer to my satisfaction and you'll die quickly. Otherwise, I'll shoot you in the abdomen, the kneecaps, and the groin, and let your sorry intestine-less, knee-less, and dick-less ass bleed to death slowly and painfully here in the alley. Do you understand?"

The fat punk doesn't answer, but nods hastily.

He doesn't even try to fight his fate.

Incredible...

Does this man, Sieg, truly command such fear, such power, that when he tells someone that his life will end, they don't even fight it, knowing they can do nothing about it?

"Where's Sledge?" Sieg asks, his tone deadly serious.

"Steel Corridor, east side."

Sieg... Sister Katrina said that he helped build and fund the orphanage here, and came often to visit. I never saw him in the short time I was there, but Natalya told me stories of how strong he is. She also--

OH GOD!

NATALYA!!!
________

Sieg watches as the nearly naked girl runs into the darkness.

"Oh god, please spare me!" the fat goon begs.

Without hesitation, Sieg aims at the thug's head and fires, splattering blood on the wall behind. He falls, eyes wide but lifeless.

"Only one survivor," Sieg thinks aloud, going after the girl. "Am I always doomed to fail when someone needs me?"
________

He catches up to her eventually.

She stands, tears running down her face, before the nude body of her friend floating in a puddle of water and blood.

"Why!?" the crying girl yells. "WHY!?"

He lowers his head, whispering a silent prayer for the fallen child.

Then, he walks over to the other girl, kneels, and slowly embraces her, letting her cry into his chest.

"Why!?" she moans. "Why!?"

"Amy, this is Sieg," he speaks solemnly. "Get as close to my position as you can; I'm coming up. Have towels, a warm bath, and some clothes ready. ... No. Sister Katrina's already dead. The orphanage is in ruins. Only one survivor; a girl, early teens I think. She's in shock, but uninjured. Tell the others to stop their searches and meet at Steel Corridor."

"Why!?" the girl continues, still weeping, still nuzzling his chest. "What did I do wrong?"

Sieg holds her a little tighter. "You didn't do anything wrong, kid," he says softly. "And neither did your friend. There are good people and bad people in the world, and, unfortunately, the bad ones tend to prey on the good. That's all that happened here."

"But I did do something wrong!" the girl exclaims, lifting her head up, meeting Sieg's gaze. "When they caught her, I ran away! I was afraid! I wanted to help, but I couldn't!"

"Is it because you feel weak?"

Shutting her eyes tight, tears still flowing freely, she nods.

"Come with me."

Her eyes open again. "Wh-- What!?"

"You're like me, kid. You've lost your home and the people you love, probably more than once. I'm offering you a new one--"

"Can you make me strong, like you?" she practically begs.

"No. But I can train you. I can help you focus your body and mind so that YOU can help yourself become strong."

She sniffles a little, then nods again.
________

The present...

HSD 232 - 05 - 28 - 1413
Sky Current, Main City
________

"Anything, you two?" Sieg asks us as he approaches.

"Yes, as a matter of fact," Tommy answers before I can speak. "No real new information, but my sources have all confirmed that Chrysalis severed its ties with Cruz and that the Rifts are their prime target."

"Our old friend Supafly is in town," I add. "Said he has some choice information about Chrysalis and the Rifts that he'll part with... for a price. Told me to tell you to call him later; his shop-ship takes off soon but we know his number."

"Good work, Willis," he says to me. "You too, Tommy."

"But we've also discovered something disturbing," I tell Sieg.

"What is it?" he questions.

I hesitate, not sure if I want to tell him just yet.

"What's wrong, Willis?" Tommy asks me.

"Just say it," Sieg insists.

Alright, here goes.

"Sledge, or someone claiming to be Sledge, is supposedly here in Sky Current," I say, hoping Sieg retains his composure.

"I see," he replies, still calm. So far, so good. "Any idea where, exactly?"

Before I can answer, I see something large coming our way.

"LOOK OUT!" I scream.

The three of us manage to avoid the impact, dashing in separate directions.

The dust is settling. I squint, trying to make out what or who just tried to kill us.

"Well, well, well!" an evil, rough voice mocks. "If it isn't my ol' pal Sieg Hyrem!"

I know that voice all too well.

"I see I didn't finish things properly last time!" Sieg shouts at the half-man, half-robotic monster before me.

"Something you will live to regret," he answers.
________

Draped in heavy cloaks, the monster before me holds a huge hammer. A hood hides his face but not well enough to mask the fact that half of it--the half I ripped off with my bare hands ten months ago--is missing and replaced with machinery.

"Well, well, well! If it isn't my ol' pal Sieg Hyrem!"

"I see I didn't finish things properly last time!" I yell.

"Something you will live to regret."

"You see, slime, that's where you're wrong," I correct.

"Oh? And how's that?"

"Simple. I promised you death. That promise extends until the end of time. Clearly you're still alive. You won't be for too much longer."

People are running. Good. I have to keep talking to him. Things are about to get hectic, especially if the aether signature I'm sensing from him is correct. It feels like the Deathshell that Tealla and I fought back on Phoenix Station.

If he's been augmented with Deathshell parts, I'll be in for a rough fight. I won't lose, of course, but I may have to hold back just a little less than usual. And that can mean trouble for Sky Current.

Willis and Tommy are running around, telling people to scram. Good work, you two.

"I won't be alive much longer, eh?" Sledge speaks again, his mechanical eye glowing red. "Listen well, Sieg. This new body of mine, made from the new Deathshell combat bots, carries with it an estimated power level of over twelve thousand. I know, full well, that you're somewhere around eight thousand. What do you think of that?"

I laugh. "Is that so, motherfucker!? I've taken out Rift Wraiths stronger than what you supposedly boast to be!" Looks like everyone's cleared out. I better finish this before the local authorities arrive.

"Enough of this shit," he spits. "Take THIS!!!"

He pounces at me, much faster than I anticipated. I feel the force of his hammer striking my aether shield, and am unable to keep myself from flying into a nearby building, breaking through its walls. No one around; good. Whoever lives here picked a good day to go out.

Wow, he really is much more powerful than before.

As much as I'd like to show him just how futile his fight is, I don't owe him that.

I'll finish this quickly, using as little energy as possible.
________

"What's the matter, Sieg!?" the brute bellows. "Too much for you!?"

A thin mist slowly forms on the streets, slowly but surely growing thicker.

"These tricks won't work, Sieg!" Sledge shouts. "I've got a Deathshell's eye, and it'll track you even through this fog--what!? WHAT THE HELL!?"

The man, Sledge, falls to his knees and drops his giant hammer.

"I couldn't help but notice, Sledge," Sieg's voice yells, out of sight, "that you've been trickling electric aether for the last little bit. Someone keeping you on a leash?"

Sledge struggles to speak, but cannot find his voice.

"If I intended to let you live, I'd have you tell your employer that the electric aether safeguards he installed into your new and improved body are defective."

Again, the huge man-robot tries to say something, but cannot.

"Oh, and just so we're clear, no, you're not going to get the chance to tell him that. The statically charged fog that's seeping into your systems and short-circuiting your body will see to that."

Sledge falls to his side, unable to move.

"Neat, eh? Of course, if you spent less time comparing your supposedly impressive 'power level' to mine and more time reading about the tactics and strategies I tend to employ in battle, you'd realize that mixing different aether types in creative ways is one of my specialties. You never had a chance, Sledge."

Finally, Sieg appears from the fog, standing above the trembling, sparking Sledge, pointing a gun down at the monster's head.

"Now die."

He fires. The fog lifts.

Sledge... is gone!

Sieg turns around quickly, trying to draw a bead on any unusual aether signatures. He finds nothing.

"Sieg, are you okay?" Willis calls, followed closely by Tommy. "What happened to Sledge?"

"Someone rescued him," Sieg answers disappointedly.

"Did you see who?" Tommy asks.

"Nope. Let's get out of here before it gets crowded. We've got all the information we're possibly going to get here."
________

HSD 232 - 05 - 28 - 1633
Sky Current, Richard Corsair's Home
________

"Good work," I tell Asha. "Now that we're done, let's go out for dinner somewhere! My treat!"

"Really, Amy!?" Asha responds excitedly. "I heard there's a great steakhouse in the north side of Sky Current! You'll take me?"

I smile and ruffle her hair. "You got it. Get ready; we'll leave right away!"

"Hey, Amy?"

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"If... If you ever found out anything about, I mean, well--"

"Out with it, Asha."

"The orphanage."

Oh, dear...

I'm not surprised. It hasn't even been a year.

"If you ever found out anything about the people behind the 'Sledge' that destroyed the orphanage in Sklabos," she asks, a little shaky, "you'd tell me, right?"

I look into her pained eyes and put a hand to her cheek, remembering that beyond her strengths and bravado, she is still very much a scared young girl.

"Sledge is dead, Asha," I tell her. "Sieg and the others saw to that."

"But Sieg himself said that Sledge and his group were just a front for something else. You'd tell me if you found anything out, right?"

I see where she's coming from. "Of course. I promise."

She smiles, her eyes just a little glossy. "Thanks, Amy!"

"Alright, alright, enough of the sad face!" I blurt. "Let's go eat!"

"Yeah! I'm going to have a HUGE steak, with potatoes and gravy and shrimp and--"

She stops abruptly as we see Sieg come in the front door, flanked by Willis and... Tommy?

"Greetings, freaks!" Sieg hails. "Where're y'all headed?"

"Out for dinner," I tell him. He's hiding something; I can feel it. "You want to come?"

"Another time," he answers. "Me and the boys here have some work to do."

"Oh, yeah?" Asha questions, not hiding her suspicions quite as well as I am. "What kind of 'work'?"

"Oh, um," Sieg stammers.

Bastard. Why does he think he can keep secrets from me?

"Tealla has some stuff she wants me to run by Sieg," Tommy chimes in.

"Yeah, that's right!" Willis adds. "And Tommy and I are helping him out!"

I can't tell if it's a fib or not. I'll have to... convince Willis to tell me about it later.

I look at Asha, who narrows her eyes. "Bullshit!" she accuses. "Tell me what you're really doing, or I'll call Tealla myself just to prove--"

"Knock it off, Asha," I warn. "Let's go; I don't want to have to wait for seats."

"But, Amy--"

"Now!" I order.
________

Ah. Walking through the city with this gentle breeze blowing sure is nice.

"So if you think they're hiding something, Amy," Asha questions, continuing our conversation, "why let them off the hook so easy?"

"Have some faith in your crewmates," I answer. "Anything Sieg and Willis are involved in is surely for the Essex's benefit. At the very least, you can agree with that, right?"

"Well--"

"Besides, I have my methods of... extraction. By the time I'm done with Willis, he'll tell me everything and then some."

She stares at me blankly. "What methods?"

I laugh. "We attractive women always have the advantage, Asha. Don't ever forget that!"

"That's sick!" she exclaims, but then her tone suddenly changes. "So, what, you going to hit on him or something?"

"Actually, I find that if I start taking off my clothes, he freaks out and, being the gentleman that he is, starts begging me to dress up again. At that point I can more or less make him agree to anything."

"Whoa, you've done this before!?"

"Yep! And not just to Willis."

Asha seems to be getting more and more interested. Too bad she doesn't put this much passion into her studies. "You ever tried it on Sieg?"

"Once, before I knew the depths of his... perversion. Heh, bastard just looked at me and said 'keep going'." I shake my head.

"Figures. Sonny?"

"Nope, but it worked like a charm once on Meander. She's extremely shy about female nudity, even around other women."

"Wow, I never knew you could be so seductively evil!" Asha compliments. At least, I think it's a compliment. "So, wait, what exactly was Meander keeping from you that you just had to know about?"

"Oh, that she and Sonny were having sex--"

"WHAT!?" she bellows, attracting a few stares.

I punch her arm. "Hey, keep it down!" I tell her. "You never knew?"

"NO!"

"Well, don't tell Sieg, okay?"

"Why not? Why would he care?"

"Sieg doesn't always act it, but he's extremely protective of all of us. If he knew that Sonny and Meander were doing the deed on his ship, he'd lecture them to death about protection, pregnancy, and all manner of things that they both already know about and have considered."

She laughs. "Ah, I see. That'd be too funny!"

"I mean it!" I warn.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I know."
________

"My lord?" Her voice. "I've retrieved Sledge. He is in shock, so to speak, but uninjured."

"I'll kill him," I hear Sledge mutter weakly. "I'll kill him."

I laugh out loud. "You fool!" I mock. "Are you truly so blind?"

"He... cheap trick..."

"That's right, brute," I explain. "That was his way of telling you that you simply aren't worth his time. Had you fought for real, you would've still lost, I guarantee."

"But... you told me... I'm more powerful..."

"No," I correct. "I told you that your power level is greater than his. That's all. The Hyrem child is particularly skilled at defeating opponents stronger than he is. Estimated power level is something measured by computers, nothing more. You cannot take it at face value."

"You... bastard..."

"Now, now, don't be cross, my dear Sledge," I urge. "I promised you your revenge, didn't I? You just rest; you will avenge your pride and your body, I assure you."

I don't hear him anymore.

"He's out," her voice tells me. "He didn't last long, but long enough to get the readings I needed from Sieg Hyrem without detection."

"Good, good!" I praise my pupil. "Did you get anyone else's?"

"Indeed, my lord. I've obtained readings from Thomas Wittegar of the Centauri and Sieg's crewmate Willis Cornell."

"Willis? Really? Ah, excellent. Good work, my dear. Make sure Sledge is secure, then go meet with our 'friends'. I have more readings for you to get."

"Yes, my lord."
________

HSD 232 - 05 - 30 - 1901
Sky Current Airship Port
________

"My, how time flies," Richard tells me. "Go on, go on. Your crew's waiting for you."

I shake the man's hand. "You take care, my friend. We'll visit again!"

"Sieg," he calls suddenly, just as I enter the Essex.

I turn to him. He's quiet for a few moments.

"If you ever need help, or even just someone to talk to, you know you can count on me, right?"

I smile. "Don't patronize me, old man!" I mock-threaten.

"That's what I thought," he says. "Get out of here, and good luck. I have this silly feeling you're going to need it very soon..."
________

--== EPISODE 3... END.
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