The next morning Ylisaya and Tony were in cargo bay three, and I was on the bridge reading progress reports from the Huntresses. I stayed connected to the internal sensor, and saw that Ylisaya had just barely completed the armor upgrade to Tony’s skull mask. Ylisaya handed Tony the enhanced helmet, and Tony examined the helmet. Tony removed his enforcer helmet, placing the visor upward as the round enforcer helmet rested on to a tool bin. Tony placed the skull mask helmet onto his head and then began to look around the cargo bay. Then Tony removed the skull mask, handed it back to Ylisaya, and approved Ylisaya to keep working. Ylisaya then carried the helmet to her work space and resumed working on the armor upgrade, as Tony resumed instructing Ylisaya on methods for predicting the future.

“That’s just how most television shows go, a bunch of different plot lines are started in the beginning, which split up the cast. Then in the final act, all the plot lines converge and contribute to a conclusion.”, Tony said to Ylisaya.

“That’s unrealistic to expect everything is connected, and everything concludes at the same exact time. Even if the slower events start earlier, that’s still only possible if they actually all have the same solution.”, Ylisaya protested.

“The goal isn’t to be realistic, they just want it to be plausible enough to be entertaining. But it is the easiest way to sort possible conclusions when examining the future.”, Tony argued.

I then realized this was some sort of training, but I wasn’t certain what television show the two people who could look into the future might be talking about, and I decided I should watch the shows they watch to solve that mystery. The proximity alarm went off and I switched to external sensors and through the sensors I saw Calista approached and was waiting outside of the airlock. I used my cybernetics to unlock the door and she entered the ship. I logged out the pilot’s seat, left the bridge, and found Calista in the airlock’s corridor. Calista was dressed for appearing in court, and she was dressed in gray and beige, with her long hair down to her waist.

“I’ll take you to the Captain, he’s inspecting repairs.”, I said to Calista.

“Actually I’m here to see you.”, Calista replied.

“Should I be honored or concerned?”, I asked.

“Both. The Huntresses have exactly one report on the destruction of the Star of Hope. A detailed step-by-step list of all the ways the Star could have been destroyed by an Ambush Class Gunship and which methods succeed or fail with and without expensive technology. The Huntress who wrote it would have to be an expert in the capabilities of such a ship, there were exactly two gunships in range of Venus when the Star was destroyed, and the pilot of the Mermaid is unlikely to write a Huntress report. If I can figure it out this was you, so can another Huntress, including the Huntresses on board the Mermaid. And I have something you need to see.”, Calista said as she revealed a data stick.

“These are my files and all the evidence on the six murder victims. At least these two of them had at least one connection to the Mermaid, but all six of them had a connection to the Star. You’re the only Huntress I know who is investigating the Star’s destruction. I think these women were killed because of something knew about the Star and why it was destroyed. If the crew of the Mermaid know this and are not the killers, then they are in just as much danger as you. But if they are the killers, then I hope the Something Clever has a plan to protect Venus from the Mermaid. All Venus can do is pray for the Creator’s mercy, except that patriarchal religions are prohibited by law.”, Calista said, as she handed the data stick to me.

“I didn’t know you were religious.”, I replied, as I lifted the data stick.

“I’ve been listening to Juno Errysa’ad. I thought you knew. She married a Rylkonian after all. One of the five women from Earth who achieved the impossible, even though divorced, she was married at least once. Makes sense, since Rylkonians have no practice of marriage.”, Calista said.

I vaguely remembered attending two weddings. The first time was just one year after the the colony on Venus was established. I was invited but avoided bringing Tony. He believed such an event was a perfect opportunity for an ambush. The second time I just walked in and ate some food. I had no idea a wedding was such a complicated event.

“Thank you for the files, I’ll take a look. But I can’t automatically incorporate it into my investigation.”, I said, but I lied because my report wasn’t being challenged.

“Agreed. The Cooperative might also want the Something Clever to be ready to launch at a moment’s notice, especially with the potential threat from the Mermaid.”, Calista said.

I began thinking, “Now is a good time to resign as a Huntress, putting the Something Clever at risk in a fight against a rogue Gunship was never offered to the Cooperative.”

“The bigger question is, ‘Why did Rythizon allow the sale and purchase of Rylkonian genetic material?’ It’s less expensive and easier to re-write genetic material from Earth.”, I said.

“So you think there’s more to the Star’s destruction than just some kind of insurance fraud or an act of terror?”, Calista said.

“If it was insurance fraud, the culprit is the Protectorate, but there’s no motive, because if the Cooperative has a reliable future, they can actually pay back their debt to the Protectorate. If the cause was an act of terror, the culprit is the Patriarchy or one of the factions vying for power, putting them in a position to control the future of Venus, but there’s also no motive, because it’s easier to just hit a different target. I’ll need statements from crew of the Mermaid, in particular the Mermaid’s captain.”, I said.

“Well that I do not have, but you might get your chance. The Mermaid requested to land, and the Cooperative isn’t stopping them. Meiyo is taking a big risk.”, Calista said.

“The only thing that makes the crew of the Mermaid into suspects, is that there’s no record of their activity in the timeframe of the attack, but that doesn’t actually matter, because the Star could have been sabotaged at any point during or even before the it’s flight.”, I said.

“That wasn’t part of the report.”, Calista said.

“I’m pretty sure I wrote that. How long was the report you saw?”,” I asked.

“Six pages, and it only covered what a Gunship is capable of.”, Calista replied.

“I wrote twenty, including the more successful methods of sabotage. I think my report was censored. The only reason to do that is if the Mermaid is being framed.”, I said.

“I think it’s premature and dangerous to think that, especially if the Cooperative has decided to limit information being shared for safety reasons.”, Calista replied.

“You’re probably right, I have another lead to investigate. I should look into it.”, I said to Calista, but I was lying and I hoped she wouldn’t press a question.

“If it uncovers what happened to the Star, I hope this lead is worth it. I have to go to the prosecutor’s office. My case is going to trial today. Good luck Huntress.”, Calista said as she departed, and headed back towards the monorail.

I entered cargo bay three and found Ylisaya still working on Armor, Tony was combining two cloaking device to make a working one, and the widescreen was still displaying a data feed from the Patriarchy.

“I think we’ve seen enough from the Patriarchy.”, I said, and then switched the widescreen to a data feed from the Cooperative Senate.

“I have Calista’s, files… Everything about the Lady Killer case is right here. I’ll let you look at them if you stop watching the Patriarchy.”, I said to Ylisaya, as I revealed the data stick.

Ylisaya looked at me and the data stick at the tips of my fingers, and then she looked at Tony. All Tony did was shrug in the manner that his robotic body allowed.

“I don’t need to look at Calista’s personal files. I already assisted with her investigation. This trade isn’t relevant to me. But I agree, the Patriarchy will sacrifice you for it’s own agenda. The reports of a Huntress are better than the propaganda of a political movement.”, Tony said.

Ylisaya looked down at the battle armor, then towards me, she approached me, and presented a open hand with her palm facing upward. I dropped the data stick into Ylisaya’s hand and watched her close her fingers around it. Ylisaya returned to her work space, resumed working on the armor, and moved the data stick to a pocket inside her flight suit.

“Well I got a call from an old client. She needs some help, so I’m gonna check out what she needs.”, Tony said as he wrapped the altered cloak around himself.

Tony activated the cloak, vanished into a distortion, and then deactivated the cloak.

“I thought you didn’t need to do that if the Enforcer armor is the best disguise?”, I asked Tony, as he reappeared.

“If I was following a Huntress, it works perfectly. Without a Huntress, I’m limited to following the enforcer mechs’ patrol routes, until a Huntress calls the patrol for something. I should be back by early afternoon.”, Tony said, as he departed the cargo bay.

Ylisaya and I turned our focus to the widescreen, as we watched the current activities of the senate. A news correspondent in front of a court room was already halfway through her segment, and I increased the sound volume.

“In a dramatic unanimous ruling from the Senate, the public vote will now be used in selecting a jury for the rape trial. Half of the jury will be selected from the ninety-three percent of the population that voted to save the life of the suspect and allow the victim to keep her baby. The other half will come from the six percent that voted to uphold the law. If you remember the vote was opened last week, but only thirty percent of the population participated. After yesterday’s statement from Saressah, in a desperate plea to keep her baby and save the life of the suspect. However the suspect will remain in custody until the investigation into the murders of six women in concluded. Back to you Karen.”, the correspondent said, as the image changed to another correspondent in a presentation room with a camera viewing her from behind her desk.

“Thank you Karen. I’m just glad they’re choosing the right women to decide the future of justice for the Cooperative. It’s important to the women of Venus to know that the Cooperative is the most capable government.”, said the correspondent.

“Are all these women really named ‘Karen' or is it some sort of title?”, Ylisaya asked.

“Earthborn have a strange habit of thinking a child’s name can enhance their chances of a prosperous future. It’s superstition. No one can see the future…well besides you and the Captain, they don’t normally see the future.”, I said to Ylisaya.

Ylisaya glanced at me, then focused on the skull mask, and separated the helmet’s inner liner from the outer shell. Ylisaya set the helmet liner in a spare parts bin, turned the helmet upside down, and placed the magnification tool on top as she continued to rewire the armor.

“What’s your plan today?”, Ylisaya asked.

“Apparently an ex-wife of one of our cousins learned about the Laws of Rylkonis. I think it’s worth checking out. Want to tag along?”, I asked.

“No thanks, I got plenty to do here. But I’d like to know how that’s even possible. The Rylkonian Fleet doesn’t have the capability to properly grant one of us the Cleric Specialization, nor would we ever share our history with an Earthborn.”, Ylisaya replied.

“That would be expected. The first law, but there’s ways around every law.”, I sarcastically replied.

“Right…The eighty-eighth law… We are always encouraged to be creative, but I have enough to spend creativity on here, and I’m still going to be late on delivery time… still I hope you have fun.”, Ylisaya replied as she continued working on the armor.

I left the Something Clever and began my search for Juno. She had developed a reputation as a woman who proved it was possible for a woman from Earth to obtain a Rylkonian husband, and give birth to Rylkonian children. The real achievement was finding the five Rylkonian men who would be willing to explore the idea of marrying just one woman let alone a woman who was functionally from different universe, at least from another universe to our knowledge. I wondered if these five Rylkonians were trying to be brave, fair, or just reckless. But then again, I never expected a Rylkonian to become a dread pirate either.

Juno was easy to find, she was well known wherever I asked, did nothing questionable, and she both lived and worked in one place, at least that was what women were willing to tell a Huntress. Juno was lucky enough to have a successful music and dance studio, which I guessed she supplemented with a side business, but it also looked as though she lived there too. It made sense since she spent so much time there. The store front had a big sign that read “Juno’s Music Shop and Dance Hall, Schedule a Music Lesson.”

Juno wasn’t trying to hide. The store was open, but Juno was out of the store and expected to return soon. A hand written sign indicated that all lessons had been cancelled and all appointments would be delayed to the evening. The store looked to have some inactive holographic capability, and the floor was made of a material unknown to me. Whatever it was it made me want to move because it reacted pleasantly to my footsteps. I suspected the door far to the back was Juno’s living space, which was also was locked and inaccessible.

After a few micro-cycles and woman walked into the store, wearing a mesh tunic and sandals, appropriate for the tropical weather. She was a tiny woman that might be described a petite. Her long hair fell below her shoulders and was like a light wheat color, not quite as vibrant as some Rylkonians’ golden hair. Her face was round and soft, making her look quite young, and as I looked in her face, I saw her azure blue eyes. She almost had a Rylkonian appearance, except for a lack of surface level cybernetics. Juno’s strangest quality was how obvious it was that she was clearly Aurovean, but we were on a world whose government decided being a woman was more important than being the correct race for succeeding.

“Are you Juno?”, I asked the woman.

“Yes.”, said the woman as she looked at me as though she recognized me.

After a few moments, Juno’s expression changes from suspicious to astonished and her arms dropped to her sides. Then her expression changes again to a look as if she had just been rescued.

“Jhessyreen? Did Rydamo send you?”, Juno asked as she ran up to me and hugged me.

I patted her back with her arms restricting mine, from my shoulders. I felt her trust would be important to learn anything valuable. I didn’t want to lie, but I didn’t want to reject her either.

“Sort of. This is a check up. My cousin doesn’t know I’m here.”, I said to Juno.

Juno seemed disappointed, but seemed to want to leave a positive impression. I suspected she believed this interaction would get reported back to Rydamo. I had no reason to deceive her so I decided to make my intentions clear, but I realized she wanted to talk about Rydamo. I needed to link these two topics.

“One of your audience revealed to me that my cousin might have discussed the Laws of Rylkonis with you. We both know he wasn’t supposed to do that. So…How did this happen?”, I asked.

“He taught me that there are three parts of every Law of Rylkonis, the subject, the function, and the story. There are three laws that allowed him to do this. The first, the ninth, and the eighty-eighth. The first law is do not talk about Rylkonis, while I know that’s not entirely correct, this complies with the function of the first law. The ninth law, an indirect solution is still a solution, again I know its incomplete, but is also compliant. Lastly, the eighty-eighth law intentionally failing achieves something else.”, Juno said.

“I understand now. You couldn’t know exactly the Laws of Rylkonis, if he only provided an imperfect version, so by process of elimination, you understand the laws without precisely knowing them. But why?”, I asked.

“Our son, Ryan. Aurovean tradition is taught through song and story. I wanted him to know that he doesn’t have to choose to only be Rylkonian or Aurovean, since he is both, maybe only half, but still both. To know my child could hear me and talk to his father before he was even born made me accept that life as a Rylkonian might be the only life my son will ever know. I was Rydamo’s motive, I asked him to teach me the stories of your people, and this was his solution.”, Juno said.

“So what makes you think it’s okay for you to sell our stories, if it’s forbidden by our laws, and creates opportunities for those who might intend to harm us?”, I asked.

“Anyone who intends to harm you, will complain about your secrecy. And I’m not selling stories. If I was a story teller, I’d broadcast videos all over Venus. I’m just trying to pay my debts to the Cooperative, and get a ticket to Freya. After that, maybe I can figure out a way to reach Neptune, so I can see my son again. I married a Rylkonian and gave birth to a Rylkonian son. That’s my story. If all the Rylkonians leave to return to your home world, what is my son’s fate then? What if this is my last chance to see him?”, Juno asked.

“Then why did you divorce Rydamo?”, I asked.

“Because the Cooperative demanded that all husbands and sons become slaves. My son would never choose a life among the people of Earth, if we said this is acceptable. I wasn’t willing to say to him that he is not worthy of freedom just because my blood flows through his veins. Rydamo and Ryan had to leave, and I took on the debt of two slaves. But now I can afford to get to Freya station, and now is the time to leave.”, Juno said.

“Can I hear a story?”, I asked.

“Why? You know the real ones.”, Juno argued, and almost seemed to laugh.

“I’d like to compare. Name your price.”, I replied.

“No cost. Aurovean tradition is taught through song and story. Follow me.”, Juno said.

I followed Juno to the living area in the back of the store. Juno touched the door and as the system identified her, it unlocked the door to the living area. Through the door to the back rooms, all I found was a small kitchen, with metal panel cabinets, and a small table with two metal framed chairs. Juno sat down and gestured for me to sit on the opposite side of the table. I sat down and looked at the opposite wall, and saw two doors. I estimated the one door was probably a bedroom and the other door, which might be a bathroom and laundry room. The walls were covered with unfaded patches where pictures were once displayed. Only a few pictures remained of her with Rydamo and an infant Ryan. In the direction of the other two rooms I saw shipping boxes, most of which were packed and sealed. Two shipping boxes were still open and I could see one was filled with clothing and the other was filled with musical instruments. I wondered if she wanted me to see this, or if this area was better suited for the purpose of story telling. I focused on Juno as she prepared her self for a story. Juno closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled as she opened her eyes.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“This one is my favorite Rylkonian story. The story of how the three clans were named and the First Rylkonian War. The Rylkonians came from four beings. The first four were named Ayra, Urrysa, Nashal, and Rylkonis. Ayra had hair like silver and eyes like emeralds. Urrysa had hair like obsidian and eyes like gold. Nashal had hair like gold and eyes like sapphires. Ayra’s domain was the order of their existence. Urrysa’s domain was knowledge and exploration. Nashal’s domain was art of healing. Ayra named her sons and daughters, the Ayrada’an. Urrysa named her children the Errysa’ad. Nashal named her children the Nasha’af. When their progeny needed skills from their cousins, they were traded and they switched clans. The system to understand how each contributed to their clans became known as specialization. The Rylkonians could now explore entire galaxies and even see into other dimensions. After two hundred generations the Ayrada’an grew in power, they learned warfare by watching other dimensions and made warriors into a specialization. The Ayrada’an created a fleet and used the technology from the Errysa’ad to conquer the universe, but the Errysa’ad and the Nasha’af refused to join the Ayrada’an, as long as the only threat is in an entirely different Universe. The Errysa’ad believed they were safe as long as no one discovered a way to cross over into another universe. The Ayrada’an weren’t happy with waiting for an invasion from an enemy they can’t hit back, because that’s a huge disadvantage. But the Errysa’ad refused to create multiverse capable technology, that might cross into another universe, and become weapons which might be turned against their creators. The Ayrada’an then attempted to create such a weapon, and the Errysa’ad sabotaged them. That was the beginning of the first war. How’s that?”, Juno asked.

“Hmmm…My clan isn’t responsible for exploration, all Rylkonians can explore. If my clan’s domain is knowledge and exploration, we’d be thrilled with multiverse tech. And spying on another dimensions to steal their technology is technically an act of war, but if I only needed to explain the first war…then it’s perfect. How much of that story came from Rydamo and how much did you change?”, I asked.

“I don’t think I changed anything, but I’m not perfect.”, Juno said.

My cybernetics alerted me that I was being summoned to the Senate, and I suspected the Cooperative had concerns over the Mermaid gunship, but at least nobody was shooting. I regretted not submitting my resignation, if the affairs of the Cooperative do not need to be my problem.

“I know what it means when your eyes do that.”, Juno said.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to be rude. Thank you for your hospitality, but I must be going.”, I said to Juno.

“That’s fine. I need to prepare for tonight, it’s my last concert here before I sell this place. You’re welcome to drop by whenever, bring a friend, and…”, Juno said.

I watched Juno’s eyes rapidly shift side to side, and I sensed her mind through a cyber-link, but I couldn’t detect any other cybernetic enhancements.

“How is this possible?”, I asked.

“A gift from my son…carrying him…slightly altered me. Only Rylkonians know, but I’m not as powerful as you and I don’t think I can specialize. Although… keeping it secret provided some advantages.”, Juno said as she looked around her living space, and her focus returned towards me.

I departed Juno’s place and took the monorail towards the Senate. I wondered what situation the Senate might think required my attention. At each stop the monorail dropped off passengers but somehow didn’t pickup any. I then noticed that I was alone on the monorail. I explored the monorail cart by cart and only found inactive enforcer mechs in the cart behind the lead cart, and the last cart. At the stop just before the Senate the Monorail finally picked up a passenger. Coincidentally the other passenger to ride the monorail with me was Calista, and she was still dressed for court.

“This is a surprise. Are you also headed to the Senate?”, Calista asked.

“Actually yes. Aren’t you supposed to be in court?”, I replied ask asked,

“There was a situation with the jury, so we’re taking a mid-trial conference. Do you think this has something to do with the Mermaid?”, Calista asked.

“No clue…May I ask, what happened with the jury?”, I asked.

“The jury thinks it’s a waste of time to prosecute. Seems they all sided with Saressah’s unexpected broadcast. Now they seem to think due process is subject to a labor strike, the judges want to charge all the jurors with contempt of court, except there’s a high chance this will happen again to the next jury too. Well it’s probably all over the news, so I’ll just say it. The defense initially didn’t want Saressah to testify and just work the trial on evidence alone, and the prosecution didn’t object, which was unexpected…until the broadcast, then it all made sense. If Saressah isn’t a victim, what’s the prosecution’s case now? Saressah hijacked the legal process with her little stunt. I’m just trying to do my job, and I quickly realized why Saressah refused to talk to me, she knew I was looking for the suspect.”, Calista said.

“What if she demanded her own day in court? It’s a gamble. But it might bring in the jury that will see her side?”, I asked.

“A really big gamble, she’s carrying an unlicensed pregnancy.”, Calista said.

“It’s kind of obvious, Saressah wants to keep her baby. Ineligible for adoption, and on any other planet the Cooperative is basically kidnapping. I hate to say it, but she might get what she wants. I don’t see another way.”, I said.

“But that invalidates the entire point of licenses. Why should a society of women suffer for the wishes of one selfish women? That’s the same as letting in the wrong women who might hand over the planet to space pirates, that’s why we have to consider how this trial affects all women, and the system of laws we follow. To be honest, I think you’re right, but this could mean the end of the Cooperative.”, Calista said.

“The end of the Cooperative? Is that a bad thing?”, I asked.

“We can’t assume that the next government is better just because it’s newer, and we can’t say we deserve better, if we’re not willing to try. If I want a better life, the best direction for me is to get elected to a higher office, and the Cooperative is a democratic government. I’m not willing to risk the next government becoming another Patriarchy. If I wanted to live under a Patriarchy, I’d move to Mars.”, Calista said, and I sensed she was also unhappy with that fact.

“You’re talking about loyalty and trust. Do you realize that’s going to be a problem for the Protectorate because we’re a majority of Rylkonians. If you got elected, would you change the laws to provide any protection for men? Our men? Because I don’t think I’m exactly the type of Rylkonian the Cooperative is looking to attract. If I became a Cooperative citizen, and wasn’t a Huntress, I start off with tax debt up to my ears.”, I said, but I was lying, because really I don’t want to be involved with this planet.

“Wait. What did you just say?”, Calista asked, as she seemed to have an epiphany.

“Do you mean, the Cooperative can’t attract Rylkonian men?”, I replied and asked.

“No. Have you ever heard the story of Nilly Bailey?”, Calista asked.

“I recently heard her story. It seemed made up, so I didn’t really pay attention.”, I said.

“Her name was changed for protection, but her problem was massive debt. Her boyfriend tried to pay it off for her, but that was rejected because the debt would keep her working and contributing to the Venus economy. The Cooperative tried to copy the Protectorate’s tax system, but it would never work because we don’t have the same level of specialization, and it conflicts with our maternity job protection laws. But less than three percent of the population have licenses. Their tax system is designed for debt not wealth. All the victims in the Lady Killer case, their debt wasn’t cancelled like normal, it was paid by an insurance company. I need to look at my case files.”, Calista said.

“Well you’re the detective, and I’m gonna be honest, I haven’t looked at your files yet. But that’s not critical evidence for either of our investigations.”, I said.

The gates of the monorail carts made a clicking noise followed by the sound of metal slamming.

“What’s that sound?”, I asked.

“I think the monorail cart locked us in, that’s strange.”, Calista said.

“Why would it do that?”, I asked.

“It’s a safety mechanism, in case the monorail gets disconnected from the track, but we’re still on track.”, Calista said.

Something on the monorail exploded and the carts were all flipped over into onto one side. As soon as I felt my feet start to float, I grabbed onto Calista, activated my crash mode and curled up tucking knees under my chin and wrapping wrapping us in my deflectors. The roof and floor were now the sides and the shattered windows were now a sky light. We tumbled for a while but both Calista and I survived. I suspected the Monorail’s quantum drive had absorbed the majority of the impact. Otherwise, we would have been crushed to death under the speeds of the monorail alone. I released Calista as the emergency lights activated but I suspected they wouldn’t last long. My cybernetics informed me that I only suffered minor abrasions. I deactivated my deflector shields as I pulled my hair back and locked it onto the static patch.

“Jhessyreen? What happened?”, Calista asked.

“The monorail went off track…Are you injured?”, I asked.

“Luckily no, I think I’m fine.”, Calista said as she climbed over a collapsed monorail seat.

Calista’s silk suit was ruined but at least she was alive. I heard a machine moving around the outside of the monorail with the pattern of mechanical footsteps.

“I hear something moving. Are those rescue machines?”, I asked.

“Impossible, they don’t react that fast, and they don’t walk, they fly.” Calista said.

A metal slamming sound came the direction of the rear cart and the sound grew louder and louder. The gate broke and the door was forced open. Calista and I saw the gate was opened by an enforcer mech and it was followed by several other enforcer mechs.

“Did you call for them?”, Calista asked.

“No. Can they move without a Huntress’s instruction?”, I asked.

“Depends on the instruction.”, Calista said.

Calista stood up and displayed her badge to the enforcer mechs. I wondered why don’t I have a badge, and I watched the enforcer mechs focus on her and the badge, then towards each other.

“Establish a perimeter around the monorail, keep the public away from the danger of the crash site, and assist rescue and medical services.”, Calista instructed the enforcer mechs, but the mechs didn’t respond.

“Why aren’t they obeying me? Are they damaged?”, Calista asked.

The three closest enforcer mechs revealed their phase rifles and aimed at Calista. I activated my deflector shields, jumped towards Calista, threw my arms around her and pulled her with me towards the far side of the collapsed monorail seat, as the enforcer mechs began shooting. The volley of bullets impacted, and I could hear the enforcer mechs moving closer. While my defector shields should protect me from a few hits, they also increase my chances of being hit by enemies with targeting systems, but anyone near me has better dodge chances.

“Why did they fire?”, Calista asked, and the enforcer mechs fired another burst of gunfire in the sound of Calista’s voice.

I pressed my hand over Calista’s mouth and raised the pointer finger of my other hand over my lips gesturing for Calista to remain quiet. I revealed my revolver, and rotated the cylinder to the first of my two remaining Flash Pulse shots. I aimed at the space over the enforcer mechs and fired. I could hear the enforcer mechs start scanning, unable to see through the abundance of energy and light.

“Follow me, that won’t last long.”, As I said to Calista, and grabbed Calista’s arm lifting her up from the ground. I was lucky since I wasn’t sure if the Flash Pulse shot would affect the enforcer mechs’ hearing as well as their vision.

“Can you walk?”, I asked.

“I’ll manage, where do we go?”, Calista asked.

I could hear enforcer mechs moving around the outside of the monorail. I had no way to test if they were part of the group that fired phase rifles at us, or if they would start shooting if they saw us, and I didn’t want to find out.

“Towards the front of the monorail.”, I said.

“Let’s hope the enforcer mechs at the front will still obey us.”, Calista said.

Calista grabbed the door handle but it wouldn’t move. It seemed the locking mechanism would not respond. I never expected that the emergency release handle with a big red curved arrow and two pictures of where to stand and how to pull the lever would fail.

“Let me try something.”, I said.

I pressed my open hand against the door frame and linked my cybernetics to the door’s mechanism. The system accepted my commands and I instructed the door to open.

“Well at least that’s still working.”, Calista said.

A volley of bullets hit near Calista and she ducked below some debris. I ducked below the heights of the bullet impacts but kept my hand on the door.

“It’s wearing off, get through.”, I said to Calista.

Calista crawled through the door and I followed after. As I slipped my hand off the doorframe, the door slammed closed. I could hear the enforcer mechs attempting to navigate through the high energy field left behind by the Flash Pulse shot. The enforcer mechs outside the monorail, were moving faster and spreading out. I suspected they were taking positions to surround the Monorail. As we moved to the next monorail car the gate seemed to work fine. When we moved into the third monorail cart I could hear the sound of slamming metal as the enforcer mechs at the rear of the monorail tried to break through the door. I was thankful the enforcer mechs don’t know how to use doors, or at least not these doors, but doesn’t help the overall problem. We approached the middle of the monorail carts and we heard the sound of slamming metal as the enforcer mechs from the front of the monorail broke through doors as they moved towards the back. I also heard enforcer mechs moving outside of the crash site. Calista and I hide behind collapsed seats in the middle cart.

“Hand me your badge.”, I said to Callista.

Calista handed her badge to me and we waited for the enforcer mechs from the front of the monorail get closer. I started thinking of ways two Huntresses armed with handguns and limited ammo could test if this second group of enforcer mechs armed with phase rifles might be hostile, without getting both of us killed. The sound of slamming metal paused as the mechs moved down from the front of the cart towards the end and resumed breaking open the next door. Calista and I watched the door slowly collapse each time the metal arms of an enforcer mech slammed into the door. Each hit weakened the door and the door inevitably failed. The enforcer mechs forced the door open and I raised the badge above the top edge of the seat. I heard the enforcer mechs respond to the movement of the badge, and as I slowly stood up, and the Enforcer mechs just stared at me, but they didn’t aim their phase rifles.

“Return to the front cart.”, I instructed the mechs, but they didn’t respond.

“Combine with the perimeter.”, I gave a second instruction, but again they didn’t respond to my commands.

“This isn’t good.”, Calista said from behind the collapsed seat.

I saw the enforcer mechs respond, but they started aiming their phase rifles, but I wasn’t willing to wait around to find out what they were going to aim at. So I ducked down as the mechs took aim. A volley of bullets flew over and hit the wall of the monorail cart behind us. But I didn’t hear the mechs moving, and they even stopped shooting.

“Why did they stop shooting?”, Calista asked.

That’s when we heard the sound of slamming metal from the first group of mechs moving towards the front. The mechs had us surrounded and the mechs were closing in. Calista seemed calm and gripped her handgun with both hands. I reached out through my cybernetics to Tony, and he accepted my cyber-link connection.

“Hey I heard a monorail crash and gunfire. Where are you?”, Tony’s thoughts asked his question.

“Calista and I survived the crash, now we’re surrounded by Enforcer mechs, and they’re trying to kill us.”, I sent my thoughts.

“I’ll be there as soon.”, Tony sent his response through the cyber-link.

“You’ll never get here in time. I need you to take control and make me fight.”, I sent my thoughts through the cyberlink.

I released control of my body and I felt my hands start to move as I sensed Tony test his control over my movements. My hand pulled out my spare ammo and my eyes examined the ammo as my hand flipped the ammo over. My other hand pressed the open lever on my revolver and my eyes saw the empty chamber, as my hand holding my spare ammo removed the Flash Pulse shot, and then loaded the empty chambers with stun ammo. My hand returned my spare ammo to my ammo pocket on my holster, but held onto the Flash Pulse shot as it quietly closed the revolver. My hand tossed the Flash Pulse shot towards the mechs, and the Flash Pulse shot rolled and bounced along the side of the monorail cart, which was now the ground. Calista gave me a puzzled look. I could almost hear Tony’s mind counting backwards. I could hear the enforcer mechs attempt to aim at the bouncing bullet, as it moved closer and closer.

“Shut your eyes.”, my mouth said to Calista, and I’m pretty sure I was the one talking.

My body turned and leaned around the collapsed seat, and my hand aimed the revolver at the Flash Pulse shot bullet. My eyes shut and my finger pulled the trigger. Even through my closed eyes I could see the intense bright light, as the stun bullet hit the Flash Pulse shot. I could hear Tony’s mind counting backwards again. My body moved behind the collapsed seat and my eyes opened. I could see the intensity of the light reflecting the shadows from the mechs on the opposite wall. My eyes looked upwards and I could almost see the gaps in the mech’s enforcer armor. My body turned and leaned, slowly stood up, and took aim at the impeded mechs. My hand aimed at the closest mech, my finger pulled the trigger, and I watched the bullet impact in the neck of the mech. The mech twitched and seemed to convulse as it dropped it’s phase rifle. I suspected that since Tony wore that armor for two days, he could identify it’s potential flaws and weaknesses. My hand aimed at another mech and the finger pulled the trigger again, hitting another mech in it’s weak point, and my hands fired a third time.

“What are you waiting for? Open fire!”, my mouth yelled to Calista, and I’m pretty sure that was Tony who was the one talking.

Calista slowly stood up and began firing her handgun at the enforcer mechs, but she seemed to not understand aiming at weak points. Most of her bullets barely dented the enforcer armor, but at least she hit her target. My hands fired three more bullets and the first bullet hit, the second bullet missed, and the third bullet hit. My body ducked back down and my hand reached for my spare ammo. My shooting hand opened my revolver, my other hand loaded six stun bullets, and held onto a seventh bullet. My shooting hand flicked and the revolver swung closed. Calista fired until her handgun was empty and she ducked down to reload. The effect from the Flash Pulse shot wore off and the remaining mechs began taking aim at Calista. I suspected they determined she was the greater threat since she was the last location they took fire from. My hand tossed the stun bullet and again I heard Tony’s mind count backwards. From behind the collapsed seat I could hear at least a few mechs respond to the rolling bullet. My body leaned out, took aim, and fired at the bullet lying on the ground. A shockwave exploded from the bullet and knocked over the closest rows of mechs. My legs began moving and running towards the closest knocked over mechs, and my hand fired twice. My other hand reached down and picked up a phase rifle. My shooting hand returned the the revolver to my holster and my hands aimed the phase rifle at the remaining mechs. My finger pulled the trigger, then the phase rifle roared to life and sprayed bullets at the mechs that sliced through their enforcer armor. My hands shifted my aim in an arc as the phase rifle cut down an entire wave of enforcer mechs. My hands stopped shooting shifted the phase rifle to one hand, my free hand reached for the phase rifle ammo from the remaining mechs, and tucked the ammo into my spare ammo pocket.

“Move up.”, my mouth said to Calista, and that was definitely Tony talking.

“How did you do that?”, Calista asked, as she approached.

I sensed that Tony thought about Calista’s question but he didn’t have a response.

“Huntresses are recruited for their talents.”, I said, as Calista picked up a phase rifle and ammo.

My body turned towards the sound of slamming metal from the rear of the monorail cart. I sensed Tony estimate that the mechs outside the monorail might abandon their locations to enter the crashed monorail. My hand gestured for Calista to aim at the rear door, as the enforcer mechs approached. My body moved to a crossfire attack angle with Calista aimed at the door. I could hear the enforcer mechs move through the monorail cart and start slamming against the door. As the door failed, Calista opened fire. I didn’t even notice my hands start shooting too, until there were no more enforcer mechs in the monorail. We could only hear more outside.

My hands stacked some collapsed seats against the floor and my legs managed to climb up to the shattered windows. My hand grabbed a piece of window and held it just outside the monorail. I could see through the reflection around the crash site as my hand twisted the reflective surface to see in more directions. My hand dropped the piece of shattered window, my other hand placed the phase rifle outside, and my body climbed out of the monorail. My hand gestured for Calista to follow and she began climbing up the stacked debris. I heard the movement of enforcer mechs, my hands reached for the phase rifle, and my body aimed the rifle in the direction of the sound to the front of the monorail. The stack of collapsed seats fell over and Calista fell back into the wreckage.

“What now?”, Calista asked.

“Try for the rear exit. I’ll meet you on the other side. If you run into mechs, just don’t shoot in wide angles, you might hit me.”, my mouth said.

Calista moved back through the wreck and my eyes looked for a place to climb down. My eyes found some debris that the monorail crashed through which allowed me to climb down, and my body began moving towards the rear of the wreck. I heard some mechs and my body hid behind some debris. My body turned and leaned enough for me to see a few of the mechs, then the debris fell over and the crashing sound drew the attention of all nearby mechs. More than a dozen mechs could see me and my hands aimed to shoot, but they didn’t fire. They ignored me and resumed their movements towards the rear of the monorail. My body started moving away from the wreck and I resisted.

“What are you doing? You’re not their target. Now’s your chance to escape. I won’t risk you, if I don’t need to.”, Tony’s thoughts reached me through the cyberlink.

I felt my legs carrying me away from the wreck, but I thought about Ylisaya’s vision of the future when she saw Calista and if her role in the future of the Cooperative was too great of a risk to lose. I focused on the promise we made to Ylisaya that she would be safe on this world. Failing to protect a woman on a planet that relies on Huntresses for order and for justice, and then being compelled to ignore that request from the one who asked me to be a Huntress, condoned the hypocrisy that Ylisaya accused me of, everyday we remained on this planet. Those thoughts filled me with anger, and Tony’s grip on my mind loosened.

“Someone just tried to kill two Huntresses with a sabotaged monorail, and then sent enforcer mechs to finish off the target. I’m a witness to an attempted assassination, I’m already in danger.”, I sent my thoughts through the cyberlink.

I sensed my thoughts pass through Tony’s mind and we remembered we made a promise. I was offered as a Huntress to this planet for that reason. We took payment and entered the planet and we had to fulfill the contract. It was a surprising situation that any woman was no longer safe, and it was even more terrifying we still didn’t know the identity nor motive of the attacker. The worst aspect of this attack was realizing the planner has the capability to turn the Cooperative’s enforcer machines into assassins.