***
Kai walked up the stairs to Artemis' chambers. The past few months, it took great effort to get Artemis Vega to go anywhere or do anything. Kai had gotten in the habit of reporting to her Majesty's chamber very early to better prepare her for whatever event required her attendance. Not that Artemis Vega's attendance was required at much these days. She'd turned over much of her daily responsibilities to her Regent, the woman known only as Four. Kai snarled. She didn't trust that woman. There was something unnatural about her, the way light seemed to both pass through her and reflect off her, never illuminating her. How one began to forget what the Regent even looked like within moments of parting company. No, Kai felt no love for Artemis' confidant. The Captain knew that Four must have been behind the more unusual policies enacted over the past ten years by the High Queen, not to mention her declining faculties, for all that Kai couldn't prove it. That was why she made a point of putting her soldiers on alert. Perhaps they would spot something she couldn't while... Kai entered the High Queen's bedchamber to see Four leaning over her, tracing the triple moon symbol around Artemis' eyes. Artemis herself seemed half-asleep, a dull smile on her face. She nodded, agreeing with whatever Four had just said. "Excuse me," Kai said, one hand on her shock baton, "but just what in the Broken Hells are you doing?" Four looked up, momentarily surprised before settling into her usual patronizing smile. "Ah," she said, "Captain Moxen. So good to see you again. Can I help you with something?" "You can start by stepping away from the High Queen," Kai ordered, "then telling me what you were doing." "Captain," Four walked toward her with arms outstretched, "calm yourself. Her Majesty has fallen ill. I was... treating her." "I'm not familiar with that particular treatment," Kai said, her skepticism evident. "I wouldn't expect you to be." Four's smile became tight. "Now, if there's nothing else, Artemis must be made ready for the debate." "Yes," Kai said, "but I'll stay and watch." "I don't think so," Four said, all pretense of a smile gone. Kai felt the other woman's mind forcing its way into hers. Suddenly, Four was sailing backward through the air, the force of Kai's blow sending her sprawling out onto the balcony. The Captain had placed herself between Four and Artemis, baton at the ready. Energy crackled along its length. "No one gets into my head," she growled. Four pushed herself up off the ground, wiping a bit of blackened ooze from the corner of her mouth where Kai had hit her. "Oh, I'll get inside your head, ape," she spat, "if I have to crack it open with my own hands!" She leaped for the young Pacifica officer, a terrible howl coming from her throat. Kai set her feet and hefted her shock baton, bracing herself for battle. "Well," she muttered to herself, "I've certainly had better ideas."
Fight and Flight
Kai swung her shock baton again, smashing it into the side of Four's head. The grey woman reeled, stumbling into a wall. She slid down to the floor, charred flesh and that thick black blood matting her hair. Her eyes rolled up in her head and it looked like she was down. Kai shook her head, spitting blood and gripping her side, where she was certain Four had broken some ribs. One eye was swollen shut and her nose bled freely. And she knew Four wasn't down. Immediately, Four's eyes snapped open, razor-sharp teeth bared in a malicious grin. She leaped to her feet. "Surely you see you are beaten," she said, circling around Kai, who was so tired and winded she could barely move. "Actually," Four said, mocking, "if not for your vaunted strength, you would be dead already." She laughed. "I have to commend you, however. You've given me my first good fight in a long time, and you're really the only monkey who's ever given me any kind of fight at all." "Well then," Kai growled, "you're in for a treat. Because there's one 'monkey' you haven't fought yet, and he is much stronger than I am." Four mimed being frightened, eyes wide. "Oooohhhh," she said, "are you talking about the 'legendary' Kel Vega?" She laughed maniacally. "He is long gone from this place, my dear, and soon to join his beloved father, if my agents have done their work." Howling with rage, Kai drew her gun, emptying the clip into her opponent, then leaped across the room, smashing her baton into Four's face again and again, all the while roaring her anger. Four's hand shot up and latched on to Kai's neck like a vise, choking the life out of her. "Do not be sad, Captain," Four whispered, "you will see your man again. In fact, I'm sending you to him right nowWAAAAAAGGGHH!" She fell to her knees, gripping her head. Kai stumbled back and fell down, clutching her throat and gasping. She looked over and saw Artemis standing, her triple-moon tattoo glowing white. DON'T YOU TOUCH HER!!! The thought ripped through the grey woman's mind, and even Kai was able to hear it. The High Queen of Amorlia stood over her agonized Regent, her face a mask of fury, and Kai saw the legend made real. More thoughts came crashing into Four's mind. WHO ARE YOU? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME? WHERE IS MY SON?!! Though still in agony, Four shot her leg out and kicked Artemis across the room. Despite being beaten and exhausted, Kai jumped and caught her before she could hit the stone wall. Four stood slowly, her hand to her head. "Your son is dead, you stupid cow! Just as you will be. You, and everyone on this wretched world! Once we've scrubbed it clean of all your kind, we'll rule it as we should have eons ago! Your days are few, 'High Queen'! Use them well!" With that she turned and stepped away, vanishing from their sight. Artemis and Kai slumped against one another. Kai looked at Artemis with great concern. "Majesty?" she asked. Artemis moaned and sat up, rubbing her stomach where she was kicked. "I am horribly out of shape," she said. Then she touched her head. "How did she manage to-" "It doesn't matter," Kai said, sitting up with a grunt. "You've broken her hold, and just in time, from the sound of it." "Aye," Artemis muttered, getting slowly to her feet and staring out the balcony window. "But I won't be enough. If she told the truth, and my son is truly dead," he voice caught a moment, "then we will need as many friends as we can find."
***
Mar Dagnae pushed her aircar to its limits, racing to the field where she launched her new ship. She'd been forced to hide most of the day, after fleeing her office the previous night. If she could get to the ship, and then to the University building... A man's voice came from her broadnet receiver, telling the evening's news. "...debates have been canceled tonight, due to the mysterious disappearance of Mar Dagnae, and tonight's assault on the High Queen by Captain Kai Moxen of the Pacifica. The sole remaining candidate, Professor Jat Loren of the Church of the Divine Spark, who's ever-growing band of followers have occupied the city of Baern for days now, said the canceled debate shows 'a lack of commitment to the democratic process by his opponents, and has taken it upon himself to seize the throne by force. The forces of the Pacifica are being mobilized, though the Council of Mayors has declined to authorize their deployment. More on this story as it-" Mar switched off the receiver with a curse. Moxen was being framed, of that she was certain. Perhaps she should make for Vega City and see what she could do to help. Kai Moxen would be a valuable ally in the fight that lay ahead. She grit her teeth, reminding herself she wouldn't be going anywhere or helping anyone without her ship. Her knuckles white on the steering wheel of the aircar, Mar forced a bit more speed from its engine. She would be there soon, though she feared it was already too late.
At the Queen's Leisure
Kel lay back on the pile of thick soft pillows, his mind light and his body heavy. He and Mandhe had enjoyed a sumptuous meal with Queen Sa'raa and her ministers, followed by a retreat to her private chambers. A haze of sweet-smelling smoke hung over the round sitting area. An ornate hookah sat in the middle of the circle, with sufficient tubes for those gathered. Liveried servants walked about the circle, keeping every one's wine goblets filled. Kel looked to his left and saw that Mandhe had fallen asleep with her head on Bors' shoulder. Kit was half-asleep, while Tia and Al had recently stumbled off arm-in-arm to Tia's room. Quin lay comfortably, his hat pulled low over his eyes. It was only his random contributions to the conversation that belied his appearance of slumber. The Queen herself reclined on a plush sofa, her black fur shining in the warm light of many lamps. She inhaled through her tube, smoke curling out the corner of her mouth. "So
," she purred softly, "you are welcome no more in your mother's city. I am saddened by this, and confused. The Artemis Vega I knew so long ago would not behave thus." Kel nodded. He should be upset by this, but he wasn't. His cares floated away with his thoughts, though he could follow the conversation easily enough. "Much has changed since the time you knew her, Majesty," he said. "Please," the Queen laughed quietly, "you must call me Sar'aa. You of all people must not stand on ceremony with me. But you are right," she paused for another smoke, "much has changed. It has been many generations since I first mated with one of the great cats and my offspring have been fruitful. Though none share my immortality, and none of my first litter still live, I am surrounded by family, and can still produce more." "That's right," Kel said, as though the thought had just occurred to him, "you're a were-cat. You can change shape between cat and human." Sa'raa nodded, "Though it has been over a century since I was last human, and I only assume my fully feline form to mate these days. I have chosen this middle form so that I might effectively rule my people. When the time is right," she stretched, making herself more comfortable in the sofa. Her eyes were mere slits as she sank further into the cushions, "I will lead my descendants out into the human wold, so we might take our place among the people of Amorlia, and bring the wisdom of the great cats to all." Kel sat up as much as his languor would allow, "When will that be?" he asked hopefully. Sa'raa chuckled. "Soon," she said, "though not soon enough to be of any aid to you. It will be centuries yet before my people are ready to join yours." Kel nodded and lay back, "Not that I'd know what to do with everyone even if you did join me." He sighed, a subtle melancholy stirring in his heart. "I don't even know what to do with myself," he muttered. Sa'raa smiled at him, "Did you have a destination in mind when you left," she asked, "or do you intend simply to wander the lands of Amorlia in search of adventure?" Kel laughed. Though she meant it as a joke, the idea held some appeal. "No. I was on my way to the Valley of Mystery when I was waylaid by that odd group of my mother's admirers. I thought I would seek counsel from the Three As One." Sa'raa regarded him a moment, then nodded. "Wise," she said. Then, "It is a shame you haven't taken up the mantle of the wandering hero," she admitted, "for then I might appeal to you for aid." "Aye," Kel said, "your people are going missing. Mysterious folk in the woods are stealing them away during hunts." "Humans're taking them," Kit said in an angry murmur, a bit of a slur to her speech. " 's humans," she repeated. "Ain't denying that, sweetheart," Quin said, hat still over his eyes, "but lets not paint us all with the same brush. That got you and yours in a bit of trouble earlier, as I recall." "Could it be the same people who took me?" Kel asked. "They seemed an odd bunch, and not above grabbing your people for some twisted purpose." "...wanna be gozz..." Mandhe mumbled into Bors' shoulder. Bors grunted and continued snoring. "Mandhe?" Kel looked over at his young friend, grinning. "Still with us? What are you talking about?" Mandhe didn't move, still talking into Bors' fur. "...guy who put thing on my head... an' wossname -fanna- said they wannabe gozz... or makem..." she muttered unintelligibly for a bit, then her own soft snores joined those of her furry companion. "That makes sense," Kel said, "Fanna Otaku was going on about how wonderful things used to be, when gods walked among men and that sort of thing. It's not hard to believe they would try to use your people, who are very unique, it must be said, to start some new race of demigods." He waved a hand in the Queen's direction. "'course we'll help. Start looking for them..." he yawned, "...tomorrow." "Thank you Kel," Sa'raa said, smiling, "and when you have helped us with our problem, perhaps I might find a way to aid you with yours. The great cats know much of destiny, and would surely share their insights with you." There was no answer. Kel had already joined the others in slumber. Even Quin and Kit had finally succumbed, and the snoring of her guests created a strange symphony around her circle. Sa'raa smiled and closed her eyes. It would hardly be the first time she'd spent the night on this couch.
A Quest Begins
Kel stepped out of his room in the guest wing of the Queen's palace and walked along one of many large halls, taking special interest in the hanging tapestries. They depicted scenes of armored cat people in battle with what looked like giant insects. He stopped to study one prominent tapestry in greater detail. In it, a mighty black-furred feline in ornate armor did battle with a mantis twice her size. "Ah," Sa'raa spoke from behind him, "my moment of glory." Kel turned to see Sa'raa standing there. Her tail swished about her ankles and a ripple ran through her fur. If cats could blush, Kel was certain she would do so. "Did you actually battle such creatures?" he asked, gesturing to the scene before him. "Oh yes," she said, indicating they should walk as they talked, "it was fifty years ago now when the bugs invaded. They swarmed over our city without warning. Many died. Many more were injured terribly." She scowled, hissing, "and everywhere we looked, they'd laid their damned eggs, producing more warriors than we could possibly kill." "How did you prevail?" Kel asked after a moment's pause. "Ferocity," Sa'raa replied, smiling. "They had the numbers, but ours was the greater will. The battle was long and hard, but in the end, with many lives lost, we drove them out." She closed her eyes and sighed, whispering, "We won." As they emerged from the hallway into the Great Hall of the palace, an idea occurred to Kel. "Could the insects be-" Sa'raa shook her head. "No. The insects were of a single mind, an overriding instinct with few commands: spread out, find food, breed, continue. They fought only so long as they were winning. When we killed too many of them, they pulled out and left. We're a dangerous place now, not worth the trouble." Kel nodded. They approached Mandhe, Bors, Kit and Quin. All were provisioned for traveling rough, and the cats had already shed their clothes, though they wore thick leather armor and metal helmets. Mandhe was idly rummaging through her pack as Bors tried desperately to catch her eye. Later, after brief farewells from the Queen, they walked beneath the branches of the massive trees in the wilderness outside the hidden city. The cats had gone on ahead to scout and Quin walked slowly behind, looking about him, hands resting on his pistols. Kel and Mandhe walked together, and he teased his young friend. "So," he said casually, "you and Bors..." "No," she waved his suggestion away. "There could have been, but he was too much with his hands. He's nice enough, but a bit too... intimate for someone I just met." "Mm," Kel said, "I suppose it's their way." "So I've gathered," Mandhe said dryly. "Where are we going?" she asked, changing the subject. "To where most of the abductions happened," he answered. "We're going to see if there might be some clues missed by the others." He puffed out his chest, smiling proudly, "I am something of an investigator, you know." "Yes," Mandhe sighed, "so you've said. All I know is it's been two years and my flux reversal engine still isn't-" "I told you," Kel said peevishly, "you knocked the damned thing out of this universe altogether. I looked everywh-" "I know, I know," Mandhe laughed, "You're just very easy to tease." "Oh, really?" Kel raised an eyebrow, smirked and pushed Mandhe into the bushes next to the path. She shrieked, then grunted as she hit the ground, then immediately launched the most vicious stream of profanity at him before launching herself. She landed on his shoulders and began pounding his head, which of course he barely felt, all the while still swearing like an airship crewman as Kel began to laugh. A few paces behind them, Quin chuckled and shook his head. "Now there's a few I haven't heard in a while," he muttered. Mandhe kept pounding on Kel's head. "Just wait until I get my glove out of my pack, 'Champion'!" she warned him, "You'll be laughing out the other side of your-" A sudden sound cut her off. It was the modulating whine of an aircraft about to crash. Kel looked up to try to find it, and saw an oddly- shaped airship coming directly toward them. He grabbed Mandhe under one arm and Quin under the other and raced away from what he determined to be the thing's path. Finally, he pushed his two companions to the ground and shielded them with his body as the strange airship shot over him and crashed into the trees with an echoing boom. A huge swath of the forest was flattened, and the airship came to rest against a pile of broken timber. Smoke rose from the ship, and it
gave off considerable heat. For all the violence of its landing, the ship itself did not appear too heavily damaged. An enclosed pilot area opened up, and a woman crawled out, falling to the ground. Kel and Mandhe raced to her side, the young inventor already pulling a medical kit from her pack. "Ma'am?" Kel said, kneeling next to the battered pilot, "are you injured? Do you need-" Kel's eyes widened as he recognized the pilot. Mar Dagnae looked up and saw Vega City's Champion looking down at her. She was scratched and bruised and bleeding, with severe burns at her shoulder and upper arm. She smiled when she saw him. "I found you," she gasped. "The tracker was..." Her eyes glazed over and she started to slip into unconsciousness. Then she snapped alert, gripping his tunic. "They've taken Baern! They live at the University! Vega is next! The City will fall! Kel!" her voice was a ragged whisper, "They have your mother! Soon they'll take everyone! Come back with me and help me stop them!" And then her eyes rolled back in her head, and she slumped in his arms. She still breathed, but would need tending. Kel handed her off to Mandhe and stood, staring off in the direction he thought was home. "So," Quin came and stood next to him, placing a hand on the Champion's shoulder. "What now, lad?"
Amorlia: Age of Wonder Page 5