Mister I got everyone drive through burgers on the way back from checking out the crashed UFO. It helped at least stop Wick from grumbling for five minutes about not taking any photos. When they got back she barely said goodbye before storming out of the garage to her apartment building.

Mister I sighed. “She is very hard on herself when she makes mistakes. I wish she would look at the good of such an outing.”

Mosh laughed. “Yeah, I got some fresh air finally.” The goblin went over to a bench in the garage that was littered with what looked like art projects. “Were we going to go back to the Tower again tomorrow?”

Corvayne shrugged. “Wick had some ideas... she wanted to do something with the paintings we found in there.”

He waved goodbye to the two then Hari and him walked back to the warehouse. The second shift guards waved at them as they walked in. As long as she wore a hat with her ears hidden, she was a human. Figuring out how to get Mosh out and about would be more difficult for sure.

While Corvayne was considered off work that night, it seemed silly to not keep Hari company during her shift. She was asking questions that explored the edges of what Corvayne knew about how things functioned on Cascadia, namely what one had to do to get and drive their own car. Corvayne had asked the same questions and thankfully his computer had the answer.

They had settled in for a break in the middle of their shift when there was a knock on the door. Three rapid raps on the metal door. Corvayne looked at Hari, who looked at him.

He walked down the stairs and opened the door to see a trio. He knew the man in front was Brines. After all, Brines was technically his boss. Emphasis on technically as Corvayne only had seen him at the town meetings, never actually at the warehouse. Brines was flanked by two hooded figures. Corvayne might not have the nuances of what a road test to obtain a license in Cascadia would entail, but he was pretty sure his boss showing up at 2 AM was slightly odd, as was his boss hanging out with two people clearly trying to disguise themselves.

Brines spoke before he could. “Uhh... hey! I'm here to pick something up. Is Grunt in?” Brines usually somewhat forced smile was really forced. “If Grunt's in I could REALLY use his help to find where something delivered a few weeks ago is.”

Corvayne could hear the edge of panic that crept into Brines voice, and gently eased into his poker face. “Grunt isn't in right now, but I think I might be able to help you.” Corvayne stepped aside to let them in. The two cloaked figures looked about. The taller one walked with extremely good balance which Corvayne assumed meant they were a warrior. The other strode in and pulled his hood off. He looked well kept and was wearing what looked like a parade uniform, a red suit with gold epaulettes. He'd have cut a pretty heroic figure if not for the haughty look on his face. When he put an arm around Brine's shoulder Corvayne could see his boss flinch a little.

The confident figure spoke in a confident commanding tone. “Well, I think we can say we found the right place if we are looking for a box, eh Brines?”

“Just like I said! If uh, Grunt were here, he'd certainly welcome us and shout out exactly where this crate was stashed. It's so quiet without him here hahahah!”

Corvayne nodded. “I can't tell you how many times I've thought how quiet it is when he isn't around to shoot the shit, or sing sailor's songs.”

“It should be fine though!” Brines laughed. “We'd only need him here if there was trouble, with him not here we won't have to hear him yammering on while we look for the crate.”

The figure beside him brought Brines closer. “What a shame. It sounds like you were really desperately hoping we could meet this Grunt fellow.”

They had started walking down the main isle of the warehouse. The tall one now kept herself positioned in a way that they could quickly put Corvayne in a flank. Yeah, this was one of those situations where it was going to devolve into violence sooner or later.

“It's a little strange to do material transfer orders late at night boss. Let's grab a form then we'll see if we can find that crate.”

The tall one walked up to a smaller stack of crates, then a gloved hand reached from the cloak to lift the lid off the small monthly 'rock shop' box full of Cascadia Jade. Corvayne was a little suprised when the voice that came out of the hood was female.

“Not this one. But I feel something is odd here.”

Her companion gestured at Corvayne. “Besides that the security guard has a spear and has on chain mail? Wait, it's not even chains. Hahaha. Is that wood?”

Corvayne gave him a cold smile. “I don't know what it's made out of. But it's not wood.”

“I'd offer to test it, but as a man of my word I want to help Brines find that crate!”

Hari arrived then, wearing a sun hat and her hippy clothes. Her hand was on the hilt to her freezing cutlass.

“Hello!” She waved. “I am Hari! Nice to meet you.”

The tall hooded figure turned to Brines. “Grunt's the heavy in this trio, I take it?” Her voice was dripping with amusement.

Corvayne could see the sheen of sweat on Brines. “I uh... trust his... judgment of character.”

The woman hummed. “A pity then he's not here. I'm always up for a good judging.”

Hari switched to her own language but spoke in an inflection that made it sound like was asking a question. “Corvayne, the tall one has magic on her? Be careful?”

Corvayne nodded, said “Yes.” then added some gibberish. Hari nodded, then walked out of sight on the catwalk. He turned to the uncloaked man who had his arms folded. “Let me go get that form. Actually, I'll be honest, I'm still iffy on which drawer it's in. Mister Brines, can you come help me find it?”

Brines started to move but the arrogant looking man had a hand on his shoulder. “Oh I think it will be fine. It's mine, after all.”

Corvayne folded his arms. “Well, I wouldn't want you to tell me you didn't get what you so rightfully deserve after the fact.” He kept his tone casual but he was mentally getting ready to fight.

The man let Brines go with a small shove. “Perish the thought, the contents of the crate are not worth the effort you wish to put in. Right Brines? Perhaps inform your man to take the night off. He seems to be working perhaps a little too hard.”

“Uh, Mister spear guard... If you want to run and take the night off...”

“Brines, we never really met, but I'm not type of person to look away when there's paperwork right in front of me.” His eyes drifted to the tall figure who he could see was cracking her neck under the hood.

The man laughed. “Is everyone on this backwater planet itching for a fight?”

“Why don't you let Brines go and then we can have a civilized discussion about Cascadian hospitality.”

“Civilized, says the man with a spear and chain mail. Don't you have a dragon to go kill?”

“I'm two for two on killing dragons.” He thought about it. Would the zombie count for half of a kill?

“Not many dragons around here, I imagine.” The man said as he undid his cloak the rest of the way. Corvayne saw he had a shield belt and force gauntlets. Ah. Wick would be disappointed as her alien was just a jerk with fancy toys.

“Easier to find a place to park a spaceship.” Corvayne nodded at his enemy and pulled his spear off his back with a twirl.

His enemy gestured at Corvayne. “Lady, if you would be so kind to entertain our host. Try not to kill him: he's just doing his job.”

Corvayne turned slightly so the woman and man were both in view. Brines had run off. He wasn't sure were Hari was, but he shrugged.

The woman took her cloak off, revealing a tall figure with wine-purple colored skin that then changed to a caramel shade as she drew a sword length vibro-blade. Her hair was a silvery bun pulled back behind her head. Hmm. Little bone spikes along her arms. Another non-human. He reclassified her weapon as a heat-sheer when the humming noise was followed by the curve of the katana turning red hot.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Nice sword.” Corvayne said, eyes tracking the glowing orange arc of her sword.

She weaved a lazy loop with it. “I'd say the same but you have a spear. Let's see if you know how to use it.”

“Wait, that's all you have to say about her?” The arrogant man held up a hand.

“I like how her skin changes color? It'd probably be useful for stealth operations. I have a cloak that does something similar.”

The woman's skin turned to a pleasant shade of grape purple. The arrogant man looked insulted. “That's it?”

“She has a good stance, excellent balance. It's clear from her grip she's not aiming to do anything flashy, just try to get some cuts and tire me out.” He left out that with her sword, a few cuts would cook him and possibly knock a limb off.

The man gestured to his companion. “Your non-reaction is... impressive.” he looked disappointed. Was he really proud of her? Oh!

“Yes. I think she's pretty. But I already have two women...” He stopped himself. Why did he say that? There was a happy squeak from somewhere on the catwalk. His opponent had turned blueberry. Why did her skin keep making him think about food?

“Whatever! Lady, teach him a lesson, I'll go find the crate.”

“You dare mock me?!” Lady shouted.

“I meant what I said.” He shrugged. “I'm a little worried about the magic you have on you. If you want to brag or shout, do it before we fight. I haven't had a good fair fight in a while.”

“Save calling it fair until you see what I can do.” The woman curled her fingers and snapped, then in a blur closed to attack, aiming to clearly nick him across the chest. Probably not enough damage and heat to kill someone, but a trip to the hospital if they didn't move out of the way. Corvayne moved out of the way then prodded with the butt of his spear near her. There was a glass sounding chime as he felt it connect with a shield.

“Ah. Fine.” He lept back out of the way of a backswing, and activated [Juxtapose] as he stepped in. The shields might stop him from stabbing her or getting close, but the skill worked through the shield, letting him slide into the bubble and back out. He didn't stop, moving for his new goal: A small metal box of rocks sitting on a larger container. The thing was extremely heavy, but he grabbed it and activated [Expert Toss] as he threw it. The box hit the shield then dropping as the shield shattered with a buzzing pop.

The woman, to her credit, immediately started attacking, her sword swinging in lethal looking glowing red arcs. Corvayne's biggest problem, now that her shield was gone, was that there was no way he could parry that weapon with his own. It went through the metal shipping containers like hot butter, and she attacked with relentless certainty. The smell of burning metal filled the air, as did smoke from sliced containers. He had to wait for her to get frustrated or try an attack that he could use his force shield to push past. He feinted being a little slow to move after a rising slash, and he activated his shield and used it to parry the downward attack to the side. Huh, she had actually used the back of her sword that time. He used her opening to [Flow Like Water] and hit her in the gut with the back of his spear rather then disembowling her. Fairs fair.

He spun and saw her get back up, wince, and then look at him. There was a weird moment where they were just staring at each-other, then she snapped out of it and attacked. Each swing looked furious but she kept her spacing beautifully. She favored attacks where his shield wouldn't help him, both strikes from his left and thrusts where he couldn't count on the force construct to keep him safe. His shield and her style made it a little easier to keep his distance, but attacking into her would be a Pyrrhic victory. He could kill her with a jab but not fast enough to lose his arms or get burned to death as whatever blow he took seared him. Meanwhile, there were giant dents and holes appearing all over the warehouse. He heard the window of the loft shatter and forced himself not to wince or look up as the woman's blade passed close enough to feel the intense heat it carried. If he didn't end this fight soon, the other guy was going to bring the entire warehouse down on them.

His opponent maybe had a similar idea as she stepped back and gestured at him, then attacked with even faster strikes. Corvayne was on the back foot now, giving lots of ground. Strangely, she looked frustrated even though he couldn't keep up toe to toe anymore. Against her shifting skin he could see the gleam of sweat. If he could create more space he could back up and barrage her with [Whirling Blade]. He had his shadow pass him his fire-breathing knife as he took a one handed grip on his spear. He waited for a moment after she swept a burning hot blade at his face, an lunching attack that she'd need a short moment to recover from. He responded by sweeping his own burning dagger across the space between them. A torrent of red fire forced her to step back, and he followed it by bringing his spear across with his other hand and activating [Cross Skill: Whirling Blade].

The spinning spear caught her across the shoulder, cutting her. She responded by snarling something out and flinging her hand forward, a series of sparks hitting Corvayne all at once. They hurt like crazy but he was able to stand and deflect the next pair of sword attacks with his buckler. If he didn't know better, he'd have said she had also wanted to win without using any tricks. He used [Cross-Skill: Crecent Blade] and jabbed out a line of images in the middle of the row they were in. She swung through one and kept stepping forward, and suddenly was covered in slashes as the afterimage exploded.

He was thinking up the next attack when he got the sense of an attacker behind him, and quickly used [Flow Like Water] to dive forward past the sweeping fire blades. Two force beams blew open a crater on the floor where he was standing before.

“Elbyscee! Enough! He threw the crate we needed at you!”

The arrogant man was floating, arms folded. Corvayne saw that Hari was on the ground near a rock filled container that looked like it had been blasted open. He dove for her when the man lifted up his arms and blew another crater by his feet, causing a container to fall over. He saw him blow a hole in the wall and the woman picked up the crate.

“I intend to finish our fight!” She yelled, pointing her sword at him.

One of those battle maniacs. He saw her spring through the hole out into the night, then he ran over to Hari. He was revealed she was alive but saw her leg had a shard of rock sticking out of it, slicing her jeans and staining them with blood.

She reached out and he took her hand. “Hari, you okay?”

“Yes... or I should say I'm alive.” She winced. “I think the spell he hit me with broke a rib.”

Brines took that moment to peek around the corner, looking both ways. “Did they... are they gone?”

Corvayne nodded. “They got what they wanted. Sorry, I couldn't stop them.”

The man just shook his head. “You thought you could stop them? I want to know how you didn't die, I saw her take out a cop car in one swing.”

“Oh? It's the secret to winning any fight: don't get hit.”

He helped Hari up, and then noticed her ears were showing. Brines did too.

He pointed. “Wait... she's not human!”

“Her parents had elf ear genes. That's why she has them.” Corvayne didn't like lying but telling half truths was always considered okay. Elves of course had elf genes.

“Oh. I see.” Brines wobbled a little as he tried to stand.

Hari helped Brines up. “Who is this guy?”

“Our boss.”

She bowed. “Thank you deeply for your patronage.”

“She's definitely an elf. The 'Lady' was an alien. The crate? The crate had something they pulled out of the mines in it. What the hell is going on?”

Corvayne looked over at the giant hole in the warehouse. “Well, now that's my question too.”