by A. R. Crebs
The light was blinding in the small lavatory. Her eyes were nearly slits as she turned on the freezing water. She glanced up at her weary reflection and gasped, seeing two blue eyes attached to an enormous black mass behind her. A short yelp sounded and she turned, dropping her glass in the sink. Nothing. There was nothing behind her. Aria sighed long and low. Turning her gaze back to the mirror, she stared through the reflection at the ugly painting of blue flowers on the wall above the towel rack. Clearly, her nightmares had left her imagination a little wild, playing games on her. Still, she didn’t hesitate to quickly yank at the shower curtain and peer inside before refilling her glass and leaving the room.
‘Can never be too safe….’
A sudden, soft knock frightened the woman again. After giving a short jump, water sloshed over the sides of her tumbler and down her front. Aria tightly clenched her teeth.
‘Damn it!’
Setting the glass down, she shuffled toward the entrance to her room, pulling the blanket tighter around herself. She opened the door and gave a small shudder as she was met with a tall, dark figure, sapphire eyes gleaming down at her.
“Damn it, Dovian. You scared me,” she huffed out.
He wasn’t wearing his typical robes; instead he donned only his skintight white undersuit. The light from the hall allowed no detailed view but gave him a sleek silhouette topped with an illuminating halo as it reflected against his pale hair. “My apologies. I thought I had heard some noises coming from your room and decided to check up on you ladies.” His bright eyes darted to the sleeping lump on the second bed in the room–Ivory.
“Yeah, yeah we’re fine. I just dropped a glass in the sink,” Aria stuttered.
Dovian stared at her a moment, his dark face showing no emotion as he deliberated with himself. “Very well; I’ll leave you to your slumbers,” he said after a minute.
“Okay,” Aria whispered, avoiding his scrutinizing stare.
Dovian turned to walk away but hesitated. Something reflected in the light, grabbing the woman’s attention. Lining Dovian’s spine was a long, thin back apparatus. It was silver, molded to the shape of a spinal cord with two wings–one angelic and one demonic–attached to his shoulder blades. A couple of colored lights lined the center between the wings, blinking at random intervals.
“Aria,” his deep voice droned, pulling her from her questioning thoughts.
“Hm?”
“…Sweet dreams.” It sounded more like a request than a statement.
She gave him a sideways smirk and a raised eyebrow. “Yeah, um, you too.” Giving a small wave, she closed the door to her room.
The area seemed so much larger in the dark. Her eyes adjusted quickly; moonlight flooded in from the cracks in the curtains as they swayed in the gentle breeze of the heater, casting white light against the two beds lining the wall. From the shadows that surrounded her, Aria watched between the moving, curtained gaps the snowflakes that dropped onto the streets and windowsill outside. Save for the moon, the sky was black, a stark contrast to the bright white and golden lights of the city. Ivory was right, it was beautiful. She turned her attention to the sleeping body as it twisted in the bed. Blonde hair framed Ivory’s pale face. The light that poured in from the window cast a beam across her sleeping features, reminding Aria of the sun. Surrounded by a vast amount of darkness, Ivory still shone brightly in the light. Aria scoffed to herself and shuffled her freezing butt back to her bed, drinking from the icy glass of water. She hoped it would somehow lull her back into a more peaceful slumber.
Morning came fast. Luckily, Aria had no more terrible nightmares. In fact, she didn’t have a single dream, at least from what she could remember. It wasn’t the most peaceful of sleep; the damn heater in the room seemed to flutter off as soon as it turned on, leaving her wrenching and fighting for warmth the whole rest of the night, but it was still better than long-ago memories she would rather forget.
She fidgeted, trying to muscle up some warmth as she sat on the rooftop of the building across from city hall where the Stock Talks were in session. The hardest part of covert missions wasn’t always keeping oneself from being spotted; it was usually sitting for hours on end in terrible weather conditions without any breaks, in this case, an icing blizzard. Setting down her electrically charged rail gun, ECRG-15, she rubbed her hands together. The weapon whined, momentarily materializing visually against the snow before she lifted it again, her optical camo suit merging with the gun, pulling it back into invisibility. It wouldn’t be so bad if she could wear her trench, but the dress coat wasn’t capable of optical changes like her suit was.
“Anything on your end?” Troy asked through his mental chip.
“Not a damn thing,” she replied.
Looking through her monocle camera, Aria zoomed in on Troy. Her thermal optics highlighted in yellow around Troy’s invisible form atop the roof on the opposite side of the building. She saw him give a nonchalant wave, which she returned.
“Nothing on my end either,” Dovian’s voice chimed in. He was, unsurprisingly, capable of mental communication as well. Aria assumed it had something to do with his back apparatus. She turned her sights to the building beside her. His heat signature was a bright red, matching his robes. There were no doubts in the woman’s mind that he somehow had his own built-in heater. He even was capable of cloaking himself with the use of his staff.
“How about Ivory?” she asked.
“She seems to be fine. I see her looking through her scope right now. She is waving at me. I did not realize her weapon had thermal imaging,” Dovian said.
“I didn’t think it did either,” Aria muttered curiously, turning her view over to the blonde far off in the distance waiting on top of the hotel they were staying at. The colorful blip, with a red center and nearly blue-green outline, waved excitedly at the woman. Aria frowned. She greatly hoped Ivory wouldn’t need to use her weapon. The 20mm, double-barreled sniper rifle was equipped with modified electromagnetic field disrupter ammo, EMFD, like Aria and Troy’s weapons. It shot in double bursts and was nearly the same height as the woman. The recoil of the gun itself could knock Ivory over, even when mounted securely. The thought made Aria cringe. If the blonde weren't careful, she could easily fire two shots in separate directions, despite the bursts being nearly simultaneous, with a kick like that. Still, it was better for Ivory to be in the fight as far away as possible rather than up close and personal with nothing more than a measly handgun with auto-aim capabilities.
“How much longer till the talks are over?” Troy whined. “I’m freezing my ass off.”
Checking the time on her DNAIS, Aria replied, “Seems we got half an hour.” Her eyes fell on the giant screen outside the city hall where the Stock Talks were being televised. Hundreds of citizens lined the streets, watching the debates as they tended to their everyday errands and visited Cherno’s convention center where a massive science exhibition was currently being held–leaving more civilians and possible future casualties on the streets. Surrounding the building were dozens of soldiers in thick, top-of-the-line body armor. At least the Cherno military was on alert. However, it only made Aria’s job much harder. If she and the others were to be caught, they’d be in some serious trouble if they weren’t killed on the spot first.
Thunderous applause sounded as Lebedev finally took the stage. He was a middle-aged man with grown-out dark hair and a graying beard. He wore his furry ushanka cap, his city-state’s emblem pinned to the front. The grey of the cap matched the color of his Cherno-style suit: trim-legged with a long dress coat.
“There he is. Everyone, be alert,” Aria warned the others.
“My fellow Cherno residents!” Lebedev saluted. “I come to you this day as not only an investor of our great city, but as a protector. As many of you have heard over these past few months, I have recently been in negotiations with Elixis Corporation, the mass contributor of electrostatic products. As a citizen born and raised in this great city, I want nothing more
than to protect it and its citizens the best I can from future military onslaughts. As history tells, our city was once uninhabitable, nothing more than a nuclear wasteland for thousands of years. That has all changed! Our home is thriving once again, the largest in all of Russite! That makes us an easy target. I’ve heard rumors that some militaries around the world have been planning a surprise attack, unhappy with my negotiations to buy out Elixis. As it was in the past, mass conglomerates wish to own all advances in technology and biomechanical warfare. Some elitists of the world want to take everything, own it all, own you! Corporations like in the United Americas. Corporations like Bio-Tech Military Corporation.”
‘Oh shit,’ Aria thought to herself.
“Well, enough is enough! I plan to buy out Elixis. Not out of greed, but out of safety for my people!” Cheers and shouts sounded from all around as Cherno seemed to support Lebedev’s actions. “So now, I tell you, today is the day Cherno will stand tall! Elixis, I make my bid to you.”
Lebedev walked off the stage and removed an envelope from his breast pocket. He graciously handed it over to a plump man wearing a very expensive navy-blue and pinstriped suit. Bowing, Lebedev quickly took his seat. The stout man, apparently the accountant for Elixis, whispered to the suits sitting with him at a round table. Lebedev smiled proudly; he seemed confident. After a few minutes of silent debate, the plump man handed Lebedev’s and another previously opened envelope to a tall, thin, well-dressed man of a later age, the owner of Elixis, Martin Russo. Martin was not only the owner of Elixis, but also owned and had partnerships with a high number of corporations in Athenia, a city that was nearly destroyed a few days ago. Obviously, in order to rebuild and flourish, a city-state needed money. Elixis must have been considered expendable to the small city.
“Now, if there aren’t any objections, I’d like to continue with the decision,” Martin spoke in his native accent–his ‘h’s silent and consonants mixed–with hesitation in his voice. Lebedev looked over his shoulders and grinned. No one made a sound. “I ‘ave ‘ere, in my hands, two bids to buy out Elixis.” At this, the crowd exploded into a noise of murmurs and whispers. Lebedev’s face fell, looking suddenly ill. “Upon much deliberation, I and my staff ‘ave concluded, based on bid amount, to trade ownership over to Mr. Walten, CEO and owner of Bio-Tech Military Corporation.”
“Oh shit!!” Aria mentally screamed.
“Holy shit, Aria!” Troy shouted through his mental chip, nearly giving the woman an instant headache.
The streets were exploding in noise, a complete uproar had started. On screen, Lebedev raised from his seat, pointing and shouting very angrily.
“You traitor! You sell out! You betray your own country, Russite!” he cursed.
Martin Russo simply pocketed the winning bid and handed Lebedev’s back. “My country was once something great until your people bombed it and reduced it to nearly nothing. We support our old allies, and as much as I was willing to help you because I do like you, Lebedev, in the end, the ‘ighest bidder wins.”
“H-how much? I’ll raise it! Double it!” Lebedev reached for his checkbook, paper that could only be authorized by fingerprint and literally a drop of blood. “Anything, name your price! Just not that scumbag, Walten!”
Russo patted Lebedev on the shoulder. “I am sorry, but all of Cherno wouldn’t even be a big enough trade.” And he walked away, leaving Lebedev to sulk in his chair, tugging at his necktie.
“Aria, we’re going to have a riot on our hands soon!” Troy shouted.
“Keep calm. If an attack is going to occur, now would be the time.”
The screen flickered, changing the scene from the outraged city hall of Cherno to the private office of Mr. Walten himself.
“Fellow people of Cherno, Martin Russo, and associates, I proudly accept the new ownership of Elixis Corporation and vow to take the utmost care in further developing and growing the company. Lebedev, I appreciate your understanding in this matter as it was nothing personal. As a business owner, you also understand the value in monopolizing what you can. But not for evil, as you apparently think I am, but for the chance to unite the globe and potentially put an end to all this endless war. Furthermore, money is money, and as I clearly have plenty of it, I would gladly allow you a share in this organization if you are willing to share your resources with my companies in return.” Walten gave a bright-toothed, insincere smile.
Mr. Walten was indeed monopolizing. Not only did he own nearly every corporation in the City of Fountains, he owned dozens more in all of the other city-states in the United Americas. Now, he was trying to get his hands on Russite. He was attempting to globalize his market, own as much as he could of what remained of the world. But for what reason? For what cause would a man want to own everything? Would it really be for a peaceful solution? Or would it be for terrorism and intimidation? Aria was willing to bet on the latter. Mr. Walten wasn’t exactly a warm and fuzzy type.
“You insult me by giving me an offer like that? For what? Nothing! You will eventually own anything I allow you share in. No, Mr. Walten. I will not play your games. You may think yourself swift, but I can see right through you! From this day on, we are no longer at peace with you. One more wrong step, Walten, and you may find yourself at war!” Lebedev screamed at the projection of Walten above the stage.
“You can bring as many soldiers as you want, Lebedev. My militaries alone outnumber your citizens. By the way, I think you have more important things to worry about in your current state of emergency.” Walten winked sardonically before signing out, the screens flickering to black.
A loud explosion sounded from behind Aria, followed by the screams of terrified citizens.
“What was that?” Troy asked.
“Definitely an attack,” Aria replied.
Turning around, Aria watched in awe as a massive grey cloud funneled from the top of the convention center only a couple blocks away from Ivory. A multitude of shrieks and screams sounded, echoing in the vastness of the city–not human sounds. The monsters were attacking.
“Convention center!” Aria shouted.
“We’re too far away! Damn it! Why would they attack there?” Troy was already roping down the side of his building, still cloaked from human eyes. Aria followed his actions, signaling to Dovian, who was already halfway down the block.
“I don’t know; why would they attack at all? I was so certain city hall would’ve been the perfect target. Damn it. It doesn’t make any sense!” Aria said.
“It makes perfect sense,” Dovian joined in.
“How?” Troy asked.
“Science convention. Wonder what kind of weapon and defense technologies they have here in Cherno today,” he responded sarcastically.
Okay, so maybe it was a little obvious now that the attack was taking place, but who would have seriously guessed a nerd convention would have been the site of a massive, violent attack when more important and worldly negotiations were taking place only a couple streets away?
The three hidden individuals were rushing side by side now, dodging the already broken and bloodied bodies on the ground. Gunfire was taking place, the Cherno military in action. Aria cocked her weapon and readied the first bullet in her chamber, the ECRG-15 humming an electrical tune. Rounding the corner, she quickly took aim and fired at one beast clambering on the outside wall of the giant, marble building.
Twisting inside the barrel of the ECRG, magnetizing parts carried and spun the projectiles as they fired from the chamber, electrical bursts wrapping around them. One, two, three shots fired at the beast. The first bullet crashed against its barrier, the second penetrated and the third blasted directly into the creature’s back, electrocuting its system and allowing for more rounds to pierce its flesh. Aria smiled, continuing her barrage of bullets from one creature to another. Civilians screamed and cried as they ran and leaped out of open fire. Some were gruesomely torn to pieces by the monsters, others taken down by the Cherno military’s own weapons.
/> ‘Bastards don’t even care if they kill civilians.’ Aria glared at the careless soldiers surrounding the infrastructure. They were all panicked, shooting aimlessly at the flurrying beasts, their bullets not making a single bit of difference.
“EMPS! Use your EMPS!” she shouted.
One soldier seemed to hear her cries, reaching into a side pocket and tossing an EMP grenade into the pack, the blast temporarily bringing down the beasts. The bullets finally tore through their flesh, giving the Chernos a much-needed sense of victory.
“Keep throwing the EMPS and don’t stop firing! Watch out for civilians!” Aria continued shouting orders, still unseen by the Cherno troops. She hopefully looked around. They may just win this battle.
Another massive explosion took place, sending Aria flying against a nearby wall, her Faze Shield clattering as bits of debris scattered through the air. Hot white seared her vision, and she was fading fast into unconsciousness.
“Aria!” Troy shook the woman’s shoulders, trying to wake her. “Aria!”
Everything was spinning. Her vision blurred as she tried to focus on the man before her. Finally recognizing his olive-green eyes, she sat up quickly, wincing at the sharp stabbing in her ribs.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice nearly drowned out by the atrocious screams and gunfire.
Turning her sights to the fallen men around them, she frowned. “Could be worse,” she muttered. “Troy, you’re bleeding.”
“Eh?” he looked at himself, dark-red smudged with the camo of his uniform. “Not mine,” he said after a moment, “at least not all of it.”
“Dovian?” she asked in a slightly worried tone. Her attention was then brought to a grouping of monsters, all attacking an invisible force. One by one, they were knocked back or disintegrating to ash.
“He’s fine,” Troy said. “Glad he’s still undercover.”
Aria then realized that she could see Troy. His optical camo was no longer cloaking him. She looked down at herself; her uniform was also out, probably caused by the tremendous blast that occurred only moments before. Her face twisted into a look of confusion. That wasn’t a typical mortar blast. Peering at the bodies by her feet, she realized they weren’t damaged by shrapnel but instead were annihilated by massive lacerations that cut deeply through the thick metal of their body armor. A nostril flared as she gaped at one filleted individual, taking the brunt of the force.