A month has gone by after the killing of the High Matron.
I open my eyes, surveying the surroundings of my cabin on Void Star from my bed. I roll off to the side to look at the chronometer on my nightstand. It blinked 04:00 at me. After some stretching and squirming around under my bedsheet I toss it aside to uncover my naked body to get up and get ready for another monotonous day aboard the ship.
We were currently on a short cruise back to Eridan III to inform Farsa of our success. As I walk onto the bridge, I look at our helmsman “what is our ETA?” The Helmsman replies briskly, his hands still at the controls. I found out he has a habit of flying the ship manually as he does not trust automation much. “Our ETA is about one hour, Skipper.”
I nod thoughtfully and sit in my spot at the bridge, contemplating my next move. With the high matron out of the way, I have fulfilled my end of the bargain. My best bet was to head somewhere to gather information and network with potential allies. If I was to finally confront this organization I had to gain allies who can get me information, weapons, resources. I need all three of these things, and in the criminal underworld? They are plentiful if but precious and expensive commodities.
***
After another hour, I walk down the cargo ramp to the landing pad at the main compound to House Reghyn. The pad was situated precariously over the side of a cliff, with a waterfall flowing underneath it into a valley ravine. Atop the cliffs was the main residence of House Reghyn with a large garden of exotic flowers and other flora. Aside this was a pair of guest houses and a dwelling for the servants and staff of the residence.
I walk down the main path towards the main house and knock on the tall double doors. After a moment, the doors creak open and I enter the main foyer where a servant guides me to the main hall to speak to Farsa, or the Matron of their house.
Farsa gave me a warm smile “Miss Kara, may I help you?”
“I Have done as you have asked, Farsa. I will be on my way.” I turn to leave, but Farsa replies “then I shall begin. You were very good at your job, Kara. we have some things to discuss before you depart.”
She stands from her seat, walking towards me “first of all, know you are always welcome in House Reghyn. Our doors will be open to you.” she smiles genuinely and then that smile grows “secondly, with the death of high-matron Kelle, I will likely be taking over as high matron after a council of several house leaders and matrons. If you need anything from me.. Know that you have one favor I can grant free of any strings attached. I owe you my position after all.”
The Iridian matron clears her throat “that said, Void Star is yours. I permit Galinae to be in your care, I believe I can trust you to that end. Besides, the life of noble court was never for her tastes.”
I smile slightly “thank you for those words, that means a lot to me, Matron.” I turn and face the Iridian woman.
“What will you do now I wonder?” Farsa thinks aloud. I smile coyly “that is my path to walk, but if I need your help then you are but a comm call away.” Farsa nods at my words “A wise move to keep your cards close to your chest, Kara. it seems I have nothing else to teach you.” she smiles warmly “then you may go, with my blessing. I await the day you require my assistance if that day ever comes.”
With that I nod and exit the main hall and wind throught the corridors of the residence, back outside to the main courtyard. I find a single table under a pagoda with another iridian sitting in a seat. Clad in blue and purple garments that leave little of her curves to the imagination, Beautiful even by iridian standards.
The woman beckons me to join her with a hand. I decide that if this is an ally then I should do so. If not I will kill her. As I sit, the woman smiles at me, making direct eye contact. It is then I realize that it is Matron Vanrea. “Matron Vanrea, you wish to speak with me?”
“That I do, Kara right?” she smiles “I remember you from the party many months ago, and from our encounter aboard your ship. My sisters speak highly of your skill and tenacity in battle.” she sips a cup of tea slowly as I raise one thin eyebrow. “I take it that this is not a social call, matron?” she giggles “of course not! See, I tire of the politics of the great Iridian houses and I wish for a change. You have my attention and respect for your deeds in disposing of high matron Kelle. Awful woman she was.” I nod along with her words as the Iridian woman sets her cup of tea down “that said, I would like to join you and Galinae on your travels. Do not worry about who will run the house in the meantime, I have left it in capable hands that I trust.”
She smiles at me “that said, will you let me?” I stare at the woman for a few moments, gauging her body language. Nothing indicated any reason to believe she was lying to me and she gave me a genuine smile. “Of course, Matron I-” they interrupt me. “Please, call me Vlondril, dear. I am not a matron anymore.” she smiles “I will see you on the ship then?”
I nod slightly “of course, Vlondril.” and after my response, I rise from my chair and turn “be at the ramp in 20 minutes for departure.” After our brief exchange, I walk away to take care of some small matters before our departure. Gathering supplies and spare parts from the city at a commodities trader before our journey to a destination that I had in mind.
******
About two days later, Void Star slipped silently through the vacuum of space on the edge of the Eta-Eridani system, it’s hull gleaning in the sunlight bathing it’s black and dark gray painted, Titanium-Iridium alloy hull as the ship rolls to starboard, aligning for the faster-than-light jump.
Aboard the ship, Galinae was at the comms station on the bridge awaiting Kara’s orders. She had grown to respect the woman, finding her to be a gruff and blunt person, but something about her character spoke to her yet she could not place it.
Kara spoke on the ship's Intercom. “All hands prepare for FTL jump. Spool the grav-drive for jump. Seal all bulkheads and shut down phizon engines 1 and 4. All personnel, secure yourselves to a guard rail if standing or fasten your restraints if seated. Jump in 10… 9… 8…”
As the countdown wore down, the two outer engines shut down, the blue glow from the exhaust nozzles dimming. A low hum reverberated in the ship as the two reactors diverted their turbines to generators to power the grav drive for the FTL jump.
Once the countdown hit zero, the ship elongated and disappeared in a blink of an eye. It will re-appear five days later in space beyond the Terran Federation or Systems Commonwealth’s influence…
Five days later, Void Star Drops out of FTL outside of the Kel-Firam system in the far reaches of the Orion arm of the Milky Way. The ship's two outboard phizon engines restart and the exhaust starts to glow as the ship starts to slip through the vacuum of space towards the innermost four planets of the Kel-Firam system. The twin stars of the Kel-Firam system were binary class-K stars with a tertiary class-M star orbiting them both. Their destination lay in orbit of that lone class-M star.
******
watching as the planet in front of the ship got larger and larger on the canopy viewer image on the main bridge, I stood to grab a few things from the armory. Firam-III was a lawless world and I needed to arm myself.
"B'Nan, Gali, stay with the ship, I will do some investigation." They both nod as the planet of Firam-III got larger and larger in their view. As we drew closer, it became more apparent the planet's side facing away from the star was in perpetual night. The result of an orbit that made one side in the perpetual night and one side in the perpetual day.
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I did not want to even begin to calculate the odds of such a thing happening, but here it was before my eyes. Numerous light sources of a vast cityscape dotted the surface of the planet on the dark side. Indicating a megalopolis below that spanned the entirety of the sole continent on that hemisphere of the planet.
Striding up behind me, Vlondril starts following. "I will go with you." I crinkle my nose in annoyance. I liked working alone in these types of environments. No liabilities. "Stay with the ship." Vlondril blinks and smirks coyly "You think me a liability?" I nod and the former matron sighs "Very well, but I still wish to accompany you."
Vlondril follows me in silence to the armory, where I grab a sidearm and an easily concealable submachine gun plus ammunition and a few pieces of kit. I head to the cargo bay right afterward, feeling the shudder of the ship landing on a landing platform. I approach the cargo ramp to exit the ship as it lowers, adjusting my jacket zipper so that it is not constricting my torso.
Vlondril smirks candidly at this. "Seems you need looser fitting jackets, Kara. I wouldn't blame you. What with your chest being that ample size? Maybe some clothes shopping is in order?" I turn my head to stare at her "No." is my single-worded reply. While yes it is likely because my chest is too large for the jacket, I do not want to waste time clothes shopping.
"That is too bad. I was wondering how you would look in something more loose-fitting." she lets the teasing smile on her lips fade as we walk down the ramp. 'I swear to the gods... I have only known this woman for a few days and I already want to put her head through a bulkhead wall.' I think to myself, half-lidding my eyes to hide my annoyance.
Walking off the platform and past all the bustling dockhands and wares traders towards the spaceport gate to enter the city, Vlondril Recounts "It has been a long time since I've been to midnight city!" she exclaims "Reminds me of the old days.." she sighs nostalgically as we walk along. I scan the rooftops and street corners. Noticing a few scantily clad women of different species on one corner and two heavily armed Gravidans on the other. Likely hired muscle in the case of the latter and a group of 'working girls' in the case of the former.
We stop in front of a bar. I contemplate my options. While it is true bars in Midnight City are seedy establishments, there are quite few other places where one can get information for free from drunk patrons. It seems that no matter if it is a Human, Gravidan, Iridian, Altherian, or another of the minor species, they all share a common love for booze.
After I step forward through the double doors into the bar and immediately feel all eyes turn on me, I quietly step up to the bar. Internally I am nervous but I put on a deadpanned face as I look around at the patrons' faces. Vlondril follows me in quietly and sits in a corner table while I grab drinks.
"One Iridian ale and a Jolly on Rocks, make it a double." I look at the Bartender in the eyes as I give them my order. The Altherian woman smiles "One Iridian ale and one double Jolly on the Rocks, coming up!"
"Have some troubles, do ye lassy?" A thick Scotsman accent hits my ears and I turn left toward the source. A man with a cybernetic bum leg and a gray beard smiles at me from the stool two seats down. "Me names' Jay, Jay Fossik. Bosun and Solar Hobbyist at yer service, lass!" he beams at me before taking a sip of his drink. Golden liquid, likely cheap scotch.
"Depends on who wants to know, old man." I sit. It could not hurt to entertain this old man for a few minutes, maybe get some information.
"Ach! That stings, lass! I am n'ae old just a bit rusty is'all!" he chuckles "so tell me, wha' brings you to Midnigh'City?"
I crinkle my nose in thought. "I am looking for work, know anyone who needs something done?"
He nod-nods "I dinnae' wha' yer into fer work, but judging by the look o' ya and yer Iridian friend, you both look like ya can handle yerselves." he takes a swig of his drink. "Tha' said, I do happen to know that one o' the crime families in Midnigh'City is lookin' for new muscle to fill their ranks."
I raise a brow. "Oh? And why is that?" Jay cackles "isn'it obvious, lass? They're gonna make a move!" I nod "I see. Can you put in a word?" Jay has a long swig of his scotch and chuckles "Can I? I can! And I will do that for the price of fifteen thousand creds!"
Sighing, I bring out my mGlass as he holds out a mWal. A form of digital currency storage. Most often used by less savory characters or businessmen who wish to carry large sums of money with them.
After waving my mGlass over his mWal he grins "Consider it done lass! Be back here in the 'morrow for introductions!" I nod. "Of course." Smiling, I grab our drinks and head to the booth Vlondril is sitting at.
"He seemed like a cheerful man!" Vlondril smiles at me candidly "Were you thinking of some fun?" she smirks teasingly and folds her legs.
I slide her glass over and harrumph "Just getting information and a possible job lead."
Vlondril pouts "Oh please, you're such a prude! Always serious. No room for some play!" she looks at me with that pouty face and I pinch the bridge of my nose in exasperation.
“We *should* be focusing on why we are here.” I give Vlondril a stern, annoyed tone.
To which she cackled “Oh please, a bit of fun is good once and a while. You are all too serious, Ahtswa! Live a little bit” She smiles at me toothily.
“Right. So about my findings and the job..” I sip my cocktail, the Jolly on the Rocks I had ordered from the bartender. After setting it down, I lean back in my seat and settle into the corner booth. We have a full view of all the patrons and no one can sneak up behind us. A perfect vantage.
watching the patrons mingle and converse, I speak to Vlondril. “...One of the syndicated families is about to make waves in Midnight City. They are hiring new muscle to this end and I am debating on if we should sign on or just work behind the scenes.”
Vlondril gives me a Cheshire smirk. “Ooooh.. I like the sound of the latter!” I rub my forehead as I feel a headache coming on. While being free to make our moves will be beneficial, we need allies and resources, not enemies.
I sip my drink and sigh “We really can not afford to make powerful enemies at the moment. What do you think we should do?” I look to Vlondril.
She hums thoughtfully and sits back in her seat, taking a long sip of her glass of ale. “Well, I was thinking of a hostile takeover.” she smiles at me devilishly. “After we come in as hired guns, we now have access, and more importantly, we have a cover. We find a route to take over the entire family.
blinking slowly, I turn to stare at Vlondril. Did she not know how insane this plan was?! And how many holes have to be filled? Let alone the fact we have zero places to go if we fail, on top of that we have no informants, no cleaners, no fixers! We’d be dead in the water and running away before we even started!
“I veto this proposal and table it for future discussion.” I deadpan at her before sipping my drink and setting the glass back down. “However, should the opportunity present itself? I will consider it.” I smile at Vlondril. “I like the way you think, but at the moment it is a risky move.”
Vlondril sighs “Too bad, I was hoping for some action..” she looks to the bar at Jay. “Do you think we can trust him?” She tilts her head to the side in interest. I refold my leg up over the opposite thigh tightly. Folding my arms and pursing my lips in thought.
“Who knows? ‘Trustworthy’ is relative around here. Most if not all of these people are criminals, smugglers, assassins and guns for hire, or members of a crime organization of various degrees. The better question you ought to ask is: is there honor among thieves?” I look to Vlondril.
She smiles candidly at my response “You are rather thoughtful in your decisions aren’t you? Farsa taught you well.” she sips her drink and sighs “You are likely right. We really should be careful and tread lightly. Wouldn't want to end up dead in a trash compactor now would we?” she smiles sheepishly at me.
I finish my cocktail and stand “I have some preparations to make at the ship. Be seeing you.” Vlondril smiles and looks after me as I walk away, I can feel her gaze on my back wandering down my figure, and my spine tingles at the thought. ‘Is she into women too?’ I wonder to myself. While flattering that she would consider it, I am not exactly looking to be romantically entangled. Perhaps in the far future, but not now.