Zazel and Raelith burn me with their stares and Del and Domina look at me like I told them they have an incurable disease. Even Pinky is fixated on me.

Raelith's hands ball into fists. "Enough stalling. We deserve to know."

I take a deep breath. "Fine. You know I had a girlfriend. Her name was Kris-"

Zazel interrupts. "Kris? Wait, is this the same creature you were pining over before?"

I put my hands up. "Chill, lady. Will you let me finish? I'm getting to it."

"Then get to it faster." Raelith says, her blue eye looking down on me.

"Yes, speak, fool!"

"Yeah, I'm trying to tell you!" The Elementals flinch and Pinky hides his head as my sound of my shout rips through the enclave. My core churns, as if threatening to act up again.

I let out a gravelly sigh. "Kris was my first and only girlfriend back on Earth. And, yes, Zazel, we were in love -at one point."

Zazel folds her arms and continues glare at me like I'm living horse shit.

"Things were going pretty good - she had my back and I had hers. But then she started hanging out with a bunch of activist types she met through some buddies at work. I thought they were just run-of-the-mill, wannabe rebels at first - there were lots of cats like that in the pits of Central.

"But shit just kept getting weirder and more extreme as time went on until she started talking about 'escaping the prisonworld' and 'equality with non-organic people' and shit like that." I scratch the back of my head and close my eyes. "I disagreed. I thought it was all crazy bullshit that wasn't gonna do shit 'cept give the State - our piece-of-shit 'government' - a quick and easy excuse to fuck us up - or worse."

Everyone continues to listen intently as I go on.

"Kris and I used to argue a lot about it. It drove us apart, but I let her do what she wanted because I didn't want to lose her."

Zazel rolls her eyes. "If you were so attached to her, why did you not join them? I've seen your temper and lack of restraint. You would have been quite at home with them, no?"

"I'm not a fucking activist, Zazel. That's not my style. And even if I was, there was something really wrong with them. Like, beyond the norm. They were changing her. They were..." I hesitate. "They were brainwashing her right in front of my eyes. And I couldn't do anything about it because it would have made her hate me, and blowing it up would have caused the State to come down on all of us."

"What happened next?" Del asks, stroking Pinky thoughtfully.

"Well, I don't know exactly what happened, but not long after those fuckers started using our apartment as a safehouse, they started calling themselves the Liberation Society. Dudes in weird fucking clothes popped in and out, taking and dropping off ancient-ass banned books and other illegal shit at all fucking hours."

I shake my head, remembering how stressful that shit was and how pathetic I felt. "One time, we even had to babysit a bot they had jacked from somewhere, and even the Limp Dicks were nervous as shit because we all thought there was no way the State wasn't going to trace it to us."

I can see the worry and suspicion on the Elementals' faces. It makes me a little nervous, but I gotta tell them everything if they're gonna trust me.

"And the whole time, Kris was completely sold on everything, hook, line and fuckin' sinker. They were controlling her mind, and she was happy to let 'em do it. But those assholes weren't satisfied with that."

Domina rubs her arm and frowns sadly. "Master, I don't like where this is going..."

"Yeah, well, imagine how I felt." I stare down at the dark jungle soil. "One day, after work, when I got home, and I find some creepy pencil dick balls deep in Kris, and that was enough to finally send me over the edge. We had a huge fucking argument and I finally worked up the nerve to draw the line. I made her choose: the Limp Dicks, or me."

I clench my fist and grit my teeth. "And she chose them. She threw some shit in a bag and left the life we had built together behind her like it was nothing." I slam my fist down on the table. A huge chunk of it cracks off and the goblets and wine bottle spill everywhere. "I thought we were in love, but all she cared about was that fuckin' cult!"

My core is stirring so much I can barely sit still. The Elementals continue to stare at me, but their eyes have softened and their faces are filled with a mixture of pity and concern. That is, except Zazel - if anything, she looks even more pissed.

I take another deep breath. "After she left, I thought that was that. My life was ruined. I stopped going to work, and I knew I wasn't gonna be able to pay for the apartment by myself, so I spent the rest of my time laying around drinking and smoking until the super Barney or some other asshole came to kick me out. Nobody showed up for a day or two, until a couple of random Limp Dicks came to scoop a bunch of their stupid crap they'd left there, but after that, didn't see or hear from nothin' from nobody. Almost a whole year of drama and living on the fucking razor's edge ended pretty much overnight, or at least that's what my dumb ass thought."

I look away and shake my head. "And then, late one night, my fucking door exploded, and some bots rushed my ass. Bots are strong, and I sure as hell wasn't no fuckin' Hero back then, so they pinned me down real fast, like I was made out of paper or some shit. Then, there was this purple light and Kris came in and said a bunch of crazy cult shit, then cuts my nuts off." I shake my head and rub my face. "And... She just stood there and watched me bleed out. The last thing I remember is her staring at me like I was pile of burning garbage."

Raelith shakes her head and looks away, Del and Domina exchange sad looks, and Pinky makes a little wining sound. Zazel just stares and stares.

"That's it," I say, "That's truth. I was with Kris, and yes, she was with the Limp Dicks and I stood around and did nothing while they fucked up-"

Then, Zazel stands up and slaps her hand on the remains of the table. "You imbecile!" Her voice is shrill and angry, her face red as hell. "This is absolutely unbelievable! I knew you were a fool, but you've really, really outdone yourself!"

I turn up my palms. "What the hell, Zazel? I tell you the truth and spill my guts to you, and you fuckin' insult me!?"

She steps forward and gets in my face, her hands balled into tiny white fists, her blue eyes wide. "You absolute, utter, blundering moron! If you knew that your ex-lover and her group were planning an invasion, and you knew they were likely going to be the ones to attack us, why did you not tell us this earlier?! And why did you not say anything before now?!"

I turn away. "Look, I'm sorry. I don't know why I didn't tell you. I was afraid, I guess. I was afraid you wouldn't trust me or something."

Zazel scowls and rounds the table, stomping toward me. "If it was just that, I might consider forgiving you! But you... you..."

Her face gets tighter and redder, and for a moment, I think I'm gonna get slapped. But then, her lips start to quiver, and a tear rolls down her cheek.

"You- You're still in love. You're still in love with that creature!"

"What? The fuck I am! Didn't you hear anything I just said? She murdered me! She cut off my balls! No way-"

"That's why you hesitated to make thralls with us! You're nothing but a wretched stack of muscles and lies! You can't even be honest with yourself!"

"So now you're calling me a liar? You're starting to sound like that 'tyrant' you hate so much."

"Don't even try to make this about me! You're in love with her, you wretched little creature!"

"Yeah fucking right! You think I'd simp for her after what she did?"

"I don't know what you would do! Maybe you'd obliterate her on sight, or maybe you'd start humping her leg like the animal you are!"

"Fuck that! What she did was totally unfuckingforgiveable!"

"Then why did you keep her a secret from us!?"

I throw my hands up. "I don't know! I just don't know, okay!?"

She turns her back to me, fists balled and shaking. "You lover your killer - our enemy - yet you can't... yet you can't..."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Zazel storms away, and Domina runs after her. The jungle becomes silent, save for a few birds and bugs. Everyone else is still watching me.

Then Raelith gets up and walks over to me very deliberately. I look up at the giant woman as she closes in, still reeking of the blood of the ugly animal she hunted down. She stares back down at me with that sharp blue eye of hers.

"What's your problem?"

"It is your problem that concerns me."

"Look, all that shit happened before I even knew Astraea was a thing. I'm not gonna-"

"I don't think you will betray us." she says, her voice dark and slow." But I do think you are soft."

"And what the hell makes you think I'm soft?"

"I don't think. I know. You are made of steel, but that steel is molten underneath the surface."

"Yeah, and it burns pretty damn hot."

"It does. It is one of the things I admire about you. But I'm no fool: it is a potential vulnerability - for you and the rest of us. So, I will ask you a question. And don't you dare lie to me."

I fold my arms. "Fine. What?"

"If you encounter this Kris person in the future, what will you do?"

"The fuck kind of question is that?"

"The kind you will answer. Now." She steps closer and bends over, putting her face just inches from mine. "What will you do if you see her? Will you strike her down? Or will tender emotions stay your hand?"

I stare into her flickering blue eye. "I ain't gonna hold back. Especially not against someone who cut me up and watch me die."

Raelith sneers. "I want to believe you, but talk comes cheap, so I will warn you now: if we encounter this 'Kris' individual, and you hesitate exact your vengeance for even a moment, I will cut her down myself."

"Whatever." I stand up, and walk a few paces away before turning back around. "Why are we even talking about this? We don't know if she's coming with them if she's even alive or not." I shrug. "Hell, she might have already been whacked by one of her precious 'allies'. I once heard one of those assholes say they clipped a guy just because he made a joke about a bot."

"Hmph." Raelith walks away and heads toward her kill, the ugly still laying in the dirt where she left it.

It's quiet for a moment, and the tension feels thicker in the air than the humidity.

Del runs her fingers through her hair, then breaks the silence. "Well, Leader, perhaps you should use the Blessing and find out if she's still alive. If she is, then maybe we can learn something. And if she's not, perhaps it will bring you a bit of closure."

I scratch my head. "Yeah... Maybe that's not a bad idea. No matter what, we'll know more than we do now, so might as well."

I close my eyes and ask the pendant how to use the Blessing. It's simple enough; I just need a reflective surface and a place to sit.

"Yo, guys." I say as I open my eyes and reach for one of the silvery wine goblets left on the table. "Help me put some more wood on the fire. I need some light for this."

Raelith and Del both get busy gathering up wood and throwing it on the fire while I sit in front of it. The flames get higher and brighter, and soon, I can see my face nice and clear on the surface of the shiny cup.

"Okay, I think we're ready to do this." I say as I take a seat with my back to the fire.

Pinky waddles to my lap, staring at me expectantly as if to say, "What's this? Something fun? Count me in!"

Del's scoops up the little scamp and carries him away. "Not now, little one."

Raelith says nothing as she begins to skin the ugly animal by the fire, but I get the impression she's paying some amount of attention.

"Okay, everybody. I'm about to do my thing." I focus on my reflection. I breath in and out with a slow rhythm as I stare deep into my left peeper.

"God's Eye."

Several moments pass, and nothing happens - not even a sparkle or a chime. But just when I begin to think I've fucked it up, I notice a little golden, star-like light begin twinkle inside my pupil. The golden star grows brighter, and my vision blurs and turns white.

For a few seconds, all I can see is a blurry white, rainbow-laced wall of waves. It's almost like someone is trying to drown me in glowing milk or something. It's kind of scary, but also beautiful. Then, the wall of white fades, and I'm looking at a big, narrow dark room.

The whole place looks like its made of iron or obsidian, and there isn't even a window. It's lit only by red and purple strip lighting, and the dim glow of an array of several large monitors. In front of the screens, there's some crazy tall person in a long black and purple hooded cloak standing and watching one of them like a hawk.

Who's this asshole? No way that's Kris - fucker is like eight feet tall...

"Soon, you will know the truth. But will you choose freedom?" Their voice is gentle and clear, but I can't tell if it's a chick or a dude talking. It sounds really neutral - and like nothing I've ever heard.

The hell is going on? Did I fuck up the blessing? That can't be Kris. Something is hella off here. Is this cat even a Limp Dick?

There's a short, weird buzz in the back of the room.

The figure turns around, revealing a featureless mask of black chrome. "You may enter."

A white light floods the room for a moment as the other person walks in, metal boots clanking on the floor.

The door closes behind her automatically, and when my eyes adjust, I see a beautiful woman. She's decked out in some kind of smooth steel armor that doesn't cover her joints - I guess to make her more agile - and she has a long flowing ponytail of shimmering silver hair. She's dripping with sex appeal - and determination.

Who the hell are these people?

She walks up to the cloaked figure and stands before them, but doesn't get too close. The cloaked figure is so much taller than her that she looks like a little kid standing in front of their dad.

She cuts down vertically in front of herself with her hand, "Liberation," then crosses both hands over her chest, "and Unity".

"Liberation," the tall figure returns her gestures, "and Unity."

Yeah, they're definitely Limp Dicks. The 'Unity' bit is new, though.

The woman draws a little closer. "We are nearly prepared, but-"

"It seems none of the Pioneers were compatible with the device."

"Yes, unfortunately. I am quite sure I instructed them properly, and did everything I could to account for error. They simply cannot use it."

"Disappointing, but it is not much of a setback. I will assign a member of CPC to assist the PLF unit. Ensure they are well protected - losing even one of them could set us back for months."

The woman takes a step forward. "I can use the device. Please allow me to-"

"No. I need you at my side. We cannot afford to take chances."

"Of course, Beloved. But surely even if they knew, they couldn't-"

The figure takes a couple of slow steps toward the woman, its smooth, shiny black mask reflecting the glowing red and purple trim on the walls. "We cannot take any risks. Billions upon billions of lives depend on our success. Or would you place your selfish desires ahead of their safety?"

She shakes her head. "No! I would never!"

"Then you will stay at my side, where I need you."

"Yes, Beloved." The woman stands totally still, almost as if she's afraid to move even an inch.

The figure is equally still as it looks down on her. "Hm. I am disappointed. You always forget your lessons, no matter how many times I give them to you. But I am patient, if nothing else, so I will remind you - yet again."

The tall figure presses a button, and all the monitors on the wall display a bunch of different scenes, all familiar as all hell.

I start to feel sick to my stomach and my mind begins to race as I realize what I'm seeing: images me and the Elementals.

One screen displays me walking through the fields with Althea and Zazel. One displays Raelith, fighting me on her mountain. Another shows us throwing down with the bugs and the anteater-dragon. There are a bunch of videos and still images of me, Althea, Zazel, and the others doing all kinds of shit from the past month, though it look like they were taken from really far away.

I feel a little panic setting in. Motherfuckers were watching us the whole time!

I try to think back to when they might have been watching and how they manged to do it without us knowing. But the Limp Dicks' conversation goes on whether or not I pay attention to it, so I force myself to snap back to reality and focus.

"....They have been very resourceful. We have no choice but to face them now, while they are still somewhat vulnerable. What unfolds on Astraea will determine whether life in this universe continues on in freedom or slavery. We cannot fail."

"This is such a... harrowing mission. I believe in our abilities, but that man..."

"I have no doubt in our ability to succeed. But that individual and his ability to draw out that bizarre power is indeed troubling. He is a far greater threat than we initially assumed, and his capabilities are growing still. Even so, we have several good options at our disposal - most of which are contingent upon you and your performance."

"I understand. I will do everything I can to ensure our victory, Beloved." The woman looks away for a second. "No matter what, I will-"

"You must reign in your sentimentality. I know you have suffered much already, but you have to endure and remember what is at stake."

"Yes, Beloved! Without Liberation, all else is meaningless!"

"Quite so." the figure stands in silence for a few more, staring at the woman for a few moments before gesturing toward the screens. "We have less than two hours before we launch the operation. We will not get another opportunity like this. Double check everything and return here immediately after."

The woman cuts her hand vertically, then crosses her hands over her chest again "Liberation and Unity!"

"Liberation and Unity."

She turns to leave, and the masked figure presses another button. All the screens go black except one, that same one the freak was staring when I first popped in.

I can't see what the hell is on there, so I try to 'move' my point of view, and it actually works. As I glide through air, my vision starts to become white again. But just before I go blind, I get a glimpse of what it is.

I feel a jolt of fear surge through my chest and gut as I see a red countdown timer - and a live feed of Althea's tower.

My vision goes totally white, and in an instant, I snap back into the jungle.

I bolt to my feet instantly. "Fuck! FUCK!"

Domina's eyes widen. "Master, what is it?"

Raelith stops dressing her kill and looks over. "What did you see?"

My breathing is rapid, and I try to calm down. I can't. "They're... They're coming. Now!"

Raelith's axe materializes in her hands, and she stands up, alert. "What?! When?! From where?!"

"I don't know! I have no fucking clue! But we need to get to Althea right now!"

"What? Why?" Del cradles a scared Pinky against her chest.

"'Cause those fuckers are gonna kill her!"