Staging Area 8, like all the other staging areas, had a room set up to handle the press.

It consisted of a row of extravagant tables on a large stage, and a viewing area for reporters.

Rick waited just offstage alongside one of the show runners. The interview had already begun in earnest, but it appeared that they wanted him to make a dramatic appearance.

Rick watched the interview via a small screen in the waiting room, looking for his queue.

On stage, there were only two people. The interviewer, and then, of course, there was Bonnie.

...

Rick strode onto the stage and took his sit beside his beloved sister. She played her part well, showering him with affection while not upstaging anyone. It was an immaculate performance.

Rick took his seat.

Stepping in front of the hoard of quiet reporters, Rick's interviewer, a graying man who exuded class, began his questioning in earnest, after introducing Rick with charismatic flair.

"Rick, what drove you to become a kaiju researcher?"

"I wanted to outshine my parents... and I always found kaiju to be fascinating creatures."

"You study blood, is that right?"

"Quite right."

"What about is it so fascinating?"

"We know it is the key to the kaiju's power, yet we know almost nothing about it."

"It seems like many scientists take it for granted."

Rick nodded. "I'm afraid my research is confined to ancient tomes. I've spent more time in archives than laboratories."

"Core is a special woman, isn't she? Wasn't it her blood that called to you?"

"It was. How could I say no to such a golden opportunity?"

Rick's eyes turned to Bonnie. She was going to cut in. "But that wasn't the only reason, was it, dear brother? I know I was captivated by her beauty, even as a woman."

"As was I." the interviewer said. "One couldn't help but be pulled in by it."

"Perhaps it was my beauty that pulled her in?" Rick said.

Both Bonnie and the interviewer laughed good-naturedly, before the subject was abruptly changed.

"Dr. Sanctum, you were the one who discovered that she was the Ever-Virginal, in your own words, why do you think she was sent to us?"

"To conquer the surface. It is our destiny to rule the planet, and she'll be the one who leads us." Bonnie said.

"Beautiful." The interviewer said. He turned to the sea of reporters with a flourish. "I have some footage I would like to show. Danny, could you get the lights?" The lights dimmed and a projection display appeared on an empty wall.

Rick narrowed his eyes as the footage began playing.

Images of forests and woods and desolate buildings came one of the other and Rick's fists began to clench.

He couldn't pull his eyes away from the projection, until it became his entire world.

As fleeting glimpses of Core danced before his eyes, they became a bitter dance that grew more bitter as realizations flew into his mind.

In the darkness, Rick rose from his seat, his face hidden behind his hair.

At that precise moment, the lights came on and the outside flooded back in.

The reporters were standing in awe and Bonnie wiped away tears as she held a hand to her chest.

Rick's voice rang out. "Is this being livestreamed?"

The interview looked shocked at the interruption, but he recovered gracefully.

"Yes, Dr. Sanctum."

Rick jumped onto the top of the table. "You're just a boring girl! She's just a boring girl!" Not waiting for anyone, Rick continued at the top of his voice. "She's a just a boring girl!" His eyes wildly scanned the crowd, looking for reporters to target with his words.

Rick didn't know how long he raved and as he felt himself being seized by security, his eyes frantically looked for Bonnie.

Her aghast expression of perfect horror was the last thing Rick remembered.

...

Two golden orbs hung below a blur of white.

It streaked through a forest lit by a low-hanging moon.

The feminine form beneath took great strides as it passed bright streams and hooded glens. kaiju avoided its wake as it bounded, its sleek form momentarily blocking the moon.

The blur of white kept its pace all through the moonlit night until it stepped into a glen bathed in daybreak. In the distance a lone kaiju grazed on tender shoots of grass.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"You remember me, don't you?" Core said.

Core ascended a gentle hill and approached the other kaiju until she could rest her hand on its back.

The kaiju's skin plates felt smooth to the touch and Core idly stroked them as she stood thoughtfully. After making up her mind, she gave the animal's chin a good scratch. As she did, she slipped her hand around one of its scales and with a decisive yank pulled it free. The animal whipped around, tearing itself out of her gentle grip.

Core watched it trot off before she studied the skin plate she held. Its edges were jagged and wickedly sharp, like a weapon made of obsidian.

She turned over the plate in her palm, then ran a finger along an edge. Then she held her breath. She gripped the plate tightly between both hands and squeezed, tighter, tighter, until it burst in a shower of black shards.

She examined her hand with a sudden burst of disappointment and then paused, as if she'd heard a curious sound.

"I know you." Core called, her voice echoing. "Can we chat?"

"Chat?" A voice returned. Deep, masculine, familiar yet unfamiliar.

"I thought I was hidden. I guess his gift was more powerful than I thought." It continued.

"You were always... I can't explain it. You comforted me." Core said.

There was silence, then she heard the voice again, closer, louder. Amused.

"How did you know it was me?" It said.

"I can't explain it. Why did you leave, not that I'm ungrateful. Thank you for watching over me." Core said bowing low in the direction she last heard the voice.

It spoke again, this time from behind her.

"You should be thanking the one who sent me." the voice said.

There was silence again, but Core sensed the voice moving closer. This time it was a whisper.

"He loved Jim and Carla so much." it said.

"What should I call you?" Core said.

"To and fro. For that is my purpose. To wander." the voice said. "They're coming. I've credited this creature to your account." the voice said. "If you want to find him, look behind the gate."

"You're leaving." Core said.

"I have fulfilled my purpose." To and fro said, as if he were shrugging his shoulders. His presence faded from Core's senses but she felt something else.

Squinting, she looked into the sky. At first she saw nothing but then a shape became clear. It must've been a ship, and it was coming close!

Core looked around for something to do, then she saluted.

…

Rick reclined at his table, eating a perfectly balanced morsel of rosemary roast chicken and smashed potatoes.

His favorite restaurant was packed with patrons. All were regulars or locals, except for a collection of tables on the far side of the room. Rick watched these tables as he savored his meal, occasionally tipping back a glass of red wine.

Rick watched the outoftowners with keen interest. He watched as they were seated and settled into their meal. Someone, actually several someones, approached their table. Representatives of his nation, no doubt, trying to win favor. Though the outoftowners were dressed humbly, there was only one town on planet 576.

Rick was also a representative and he had one thing only he could offer: himself.

But now was the time to wait. It was unwise to make a move when your potential allies weren't in a good mood.

At last, the outoftowners were laughing and enjoying a scrumptious meal. It was time to rise from his seat.

Adjusting his collar, Rick took a deep breath. But just as he neared the outoftowners, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning, he saw a young man.

"How may I help you?" Rick said.

"Are you Rick Sanctum?"

Rick looked the man over cautiously. "A pleasure to meet you." Before Rick could react, he felt a cold sting as a red liquid flooded his eyes, He backpedaled and blinked away the pain. Blinded, he held his arms up in defense. He heard the clatter of waiters as they rushed to his aid.

"Mr. Sanctum, I'm here to help. Please let me lead you."

"A-alright."

Rick was lead to a quieter section of the restaurant, where he was offered a towel and glass of water to clean himself up.

As he wiped the wine from his eyes, he looked to the outoftowners. It looked like their party had been torn apart by the attack and they were conversing about whether they should stay or go.

"C-could you give them my card." Rick said, offering a stack of cards he pulled from suit.

"Of course. Don't worry about the bill."

"Thank you."

Rick scurried out of the restaurant, not daring to look back.

...

Core was curled up like a hedgehog while she floated through space.

She curled deeper into herself, and whimpered.

A spaceship drew close; she could feel its energy and she peeked out at it from behind her elbow.

"What's wrong?" the ship said. The speaker was a man named Menakin.

"I have to pee and I don't know where to go."

"Oh." Menakin said. "I'm sorry, we didn't know."

The ship pulled away and Core watched reluctantly, as if she was sad to lose the human contact.

She watched it retreat and rejoin a fleet of ships, led by a ship carrying a fantastical flag. It was fantastical not only for the majestic picture of kaiju upon it, but also because it dwarfed many ships in the fleet.

Core started to uncurl herself a little bit when she noticed the ship with the flag moving towards her and she perked up when she heard Menakin's voice again.

"Please use our battle standard." he said.

To Core's shock, small ships began untying the flag from its mast and dragging it towards her. Once it was close enough, it unfurled the flag, inviting Core to come in. Core straightened, like a servant hearing her master's call. The ships carefully wrapped the flag around her body and Core was taken aback. But dutifully, she relieved herself and the droplets drifted away on the breeze.

...

Core drifted behind a sleek ship, just outside its wake. Its skin was lit with an inner glow that highlighted its feminine curves.

Behind it, and pushing forward, were twin beams of blue energy. She could sense the energy coming from it, but it didn't feel like anything she'd felt before. Other than when she felt it from other ships.

Without warning, the twin beams glowed more intensely and the ship picked up speed. Core powered up too and kept up with it effortlessly. She pulled a little closer, just inside the beams and delighted in the warmth she felt on her skin, though she felt a cold sensation pulse through her soul; a intermittent loneliness she had known for too many ages.

...

The Celestine, which was the name of the ship Core was following (she only realized it after several hours of study, where she saw its name in elegant black script), had come to a stop a few minutes ago. She dared to approach closer, mostly because she was bored, and saw several sleek shapes dancing around each other in space. She couldn't tell how big they were, but she guessed that they were larger than any ships she'd ever seen on her home planet. Only these had a no-nonsense design and Core knew they were built for battle.

Core watched their dance in amazement. Parries, flurries of blue fire, dazzling acrobatics of pure grace, this dance had it all. And even more, all of it was choreographed so it really was a dance. As she floated transfixed, the spacecraft's dance headed in her direction. Actually, they were headed straight for her!

As they drew closer, Core held her ground, mostly because she didn't know what to do in the moment. As the craft blazed past overhead, they tipped their wings in unison. Were they greeting her? Core had no idea. She had no idea how space greetings worked.

Once the flying ships disappeared inside the Celestine, Core peeked over its prow. It was a pretty intuitive ship once you got close and Core's eyes drifted to a prominent deck which must've been where all the big shots were.

Drifting over, she found Menakin, a redheaded man of average height and commander of their operation, of which the Celestine was the spearhead.

"Menakin?" she said.

"Ah, Core! How about some breakfast."

Before she could answer, Menakin signaled a group of men on the deck, and they hurried to remove a tarp from a giant loaf of bread beaded with flecks of dried cheese.

Core picked up the bread delicately and vacated to her favorite spot next to the thrusters. As she munched on the bread, she had to admit it was good, though that didn't mean she trusted Menakin after the peeing fiasco.