image [https://draviaaris.neocities.org/images/lestaria1scenery/conferenceroom1.png]
“Attention!”
I assumed my best commander stance as I took center stage in our meeting room. I borrowed from the history of commanders past, took their imprint and made it my own. Yet, among the younger crowd before me, the message seemed to become lost.
That, or it had to do with the time of my summons. But 6 AM couldn't possibly be considered early in this day and age, no? I even managed to get the same meeting room as before, so it’d be easy to navigate to without getting lost.
Kelsey had her eyes closed as she leaned on Dori’s shoulder, who looked lost in slumber as well. In turn, Ale had done to same to Charya, who looked wide awake and committed herself to poking his cheek over and over again.
I smacked my pen against the white board a few times, which managed to rouse them (it worked too well for Ale, who started to panic about cockroaches sleeping on his face) enough for me to begin. I cleared my throat.
“To begin,” I said, “I would like to thank you all for what you’ve done for your nation. In my heart, you’re all heroes who are willing to put your lives on the line for your fellow citizens. If only such violence could end at this, but my research the past couple days has made me realize this murder spree was only the beginning of a much greater problem—one I’ve already encountered, yet hadn’t made a connection to until recently.”
“And?” Kelsey said after everyone stared at me in silence for a bit.
“And!” I continued, “this issue, to put it simply, is an illegal weapons trade which vies for souls to bolster their power. They’ve likely harnessed many lives already for their twisted goals. I haven’t confirmed anything beyond the existence of the light weapons we’ve found and a past incident, but circumstantial evidence indicates there is something I must probe further. So, with my team…”
I gestured to them all, “and my informant, I’m sure I’ll track down one of their bases within the coming days, and we can find out for sure whether these claims hold water.”
Ale raised a hand.
“I told you you didn’t need to do that,” I said.
“Er—that’s a no, then?” he said.
“It’s a yes, Ale, please speak.”
“Thank you, Erna…not to rush ahead, but…who’s the informant?”
“The killer we apprehended, Kaleo Bonnet,” I said and began to jot down vital notes that came to mind, “I do appreciate the—“
“The SERIAL KILLER?” Kelsey shouted and jumped out of her seat. Dori fell over unconscious on the floor while Ale screeched, though the former’s lack of movement made me wonder whether it already reached the level of a coma. “And he’s gonna WORK with us? Like, personally? The literal fucking murderer? Are you deranged!?”
“Yes (to the first question not that last one), but also no,” I stated, arms crossed. “This is a matter of perspective. Killers filled every nation’s army back before we claimed peace for all worlds. For example, I—”
“There’s a big difference between historical war murder and ACTUAL serial killing that happened as recently as this week!?” Kelsey kicked one of the seats out of her way as she stormed towards me.
On the floor, Dori opened one eye—no, was he feigning sleep?
“Technically, I did almost shoot the guy dead…so it’s just a thing that happens…” he mumbled. His contribution led to Kelsey delivering a kick to his side.
He didn’t react.
“That’s different!”
“Nah.”
“He would’ve fucking shredded us and you know it!”
“Probably.”
“What the fuck is with the yelling?” Kaleo poked his head in, the door slightly ajar. Damn it all, I told him to stay there until I gave the order! Why do my citizens try so hard to be contrary to everything?
“Not now,” I said to him, though one cue of Kaleo’s presence startled Ale enough to scream again.
“Heyyyyy, you did the murders, right?” Charya said and waved to him. “Cool! I thought they were super funny. How’d you do your costume?”
“Guys, are you seriously joking about this?” Kelsey shouted. “No, of course Charya doesn’t give a shit!”
“Refracting light,” Kaleo answered and pushed the door open a bit more, “It was just an illusion. One I needed if I was gonna get close to those delusional shits.”
“Cool! Man, I so wished I studied light magic in school now.”
“I didn’t learn it there.” He looked away, his tail swishing to and fro as he pinned his ears back.
“Ooooooooohhhhh.”
“(does he have a weapon???),” Ale whispered, though his voice sounded so loud everyone heard it anyways.
“I can if you want me to,” he said and stared at Ale, who jolted back.
“I’m s—I mean…hm.” Ale began, but cut himself off. He squinted and tilted his head to the side a bit as he cupped his chin, gestures Kaleo grimaced at.
Meanwhile, Kelsey lapsed into silence, head in her hands. I heard her muttering words to herself related to job, payments and such, but I felt certain, whatever went through her head, she could sort it out on her own. We had a briefing to get on with.
“Back to attention!” I yelled and clapped my hands together, though that did nothing to stop the incessant chattering between Charya and Kaleo, not to mention the potentially fake sleep Dori performed, and the different states of panic Ale and Kelsey were in.
Fine. Fine! I would simply speak, and whatever they caught, they’d benefit from knowing. They performed their jobs fine before and likely wouldn’t fail in future missions because THEY decided not to defer to their superiors command for silence! That outcome would never come to be!
“Kaleo and I have come to a sort of partnership on this matter, one in which I promise will be safe for us all. My earlier statements regarding an illegal weapons trade may very well be the actions of the Society of Xaviais, or so Kaleo has claimed to me as a part of his personal experiences with them. Not to mention I’ve recently encountered remnants of such a trade on private government property, coupled with the glaring evidence of similar weapons being in the home of a SoX member. Of course, I am not one to take statements at face value.”
Kaleo glared at me, but I put his feelings to the side. I was not one to lie if it meant gaining trust, but rather I treated each claim with suspicion until confirmed. That was true justice. “Rather than extrapolate on my counter theories, though, I have a better solution: We find our own answers. I propose a joint mission between us and our informant to invade another weapon trade activity hub. If one base rested barely out of sight in the waters, then a precise search will surely uncover another.”
I smiled, smacking my pen against the board one more time. “I already have search drones on the job. It’s only a matter of time.”
“I’m not lying,” Kaleo said and narrowed his eyes at me. I see, so now he opened those ears. “If you think I’m making excuses up to kill people, you’re gonna see otherwise.”
“Don’t argue—I’m partial to both answers, but I’ve agreed to this compromise because the truth matters above all else.” I clasped my hands behind my back, using my superior statue to intimidate Kaleo into silence.
“We’re not going underwater, are we?” Ale said. “I don’t think my hair would survive if I got water in it—like a delicate watercolour portrait plunged into cold icy seas, the canvas would rip under the might of the waves and—“
“You could die, so why bother worrying?” Charya chipped in. “No one cares about your hair routine if you’re a dork about it!”
“That’s absolutely not the possibility I want to think about!”
“Don’t think she even knows where we’re going,” Dori mumbled.
“Precisely,” I said. “They likely won’t try the same trick twice, but I’m sure the data we get back will reveal some abnormal activity patterns somewhere on this land mass by tonight.”
“Great,” Kelsey said into her hands, “We’re getting dragged into a death trap, criminal den, some shit like that. Are you even allowed to do this?”
“Well—“
“No, she’s not. Erna, what the sc…no, what the fuck?”
..Sunny?
I was eager to give a reply, but the door had opened again—to two visitors who I adored, but did not need to see arrive home two days early. Gods rid me of my misery, I double checked my schedule to ensure they wouldn’t be back yet! I asked around, reaffirmed and…oh, unless, they lied about their schedules specifically to fool me, yes, that must had been it!
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
“We got back early,” Bella said. It felt as though she stared right through me. “Don’t overthink it like usual.”
“I am not—”
“I know you’re already doing it.”
At the entrance stood Bella and Sunny. My two compatriots and my occasional hindrances. They always meant well, sometimes they demonstrated better sense than I, but on occasion they struggled to understand my strategy and genius. All seemed well between us, though I knew what approached and dreaded the growing embers of rage which surged through my heart at the mere sight of them.
No, just this once.
Just this once. Anger possessed me, loathe as I felt to embrace it. I apologized in my thoughts, but this time, I couldn’t allow them to snatch this from me.
Sunny looked the same as usual, though Bella adorned a more professional look than the casual clothes she often preferred. She tied her tight curly hair into a series of knots, and she wore a small pair of circular reading glasses. I could tell she wore a bit of make-up—I was by no means an expert on it, or even a passing acquaintance with the topic, but I’d made a habit of memorizing which kinds she’d like to use so I could restock when she became busy with work. A hazel shade went best with her dark skin and similarly coloured eyes, especially considering her fondness for beige, but today was different. She highlighted her eyes with a silver streak, especially close to her bushy eyebrows.
Now, a beige coat with a high, pointy collar draped over her figure. Two gold earrings with thin fabric ends dangled openly, paired with an orange-red striped sweater which alternated between a lighter and darker colour. She also wore a silver bracelet on her right wrist and two beaded silver necklaces. Finally, she donned formal black slacks with golden buttons and brown heeled shoes. I’d never seen her wear it before—perhaps she got it in Amieres…
But that wasn’t the issue! Nor was it something I needed to dwell on for ages and ages. If I didn’t act fast, Sunny would take this case away from me as if I were a child about to stick a fork in an electrical outlet.
As if I wasn’t a rational thinker who could figure out her godsdamn self what the right thing to do was.
No, surely Sunny didn’t think that. Still.
Bella refused to look at either of us when Sunny approached me, but I stood firm despite her holding the height advantage.
“Erna, I have three questions, and you will answer them,” Sunny said as she looked briefly at everyone else. “They should all leave too. I don’t believe I recognize any of these faces enough to trust them around.”
“C’mon, everyone step out,” Bella said and began gesturing towards the door. Considering her soul stone glimmered from one of her earrings for all to see, no one seemed to be in much of a mood to question her, in various states of confusion and annoyance as they were pushed out by Bella.
One exception watched us closely—Kaleo looked to me with frustration, and I made a zipping motion with my mouth before he ended up shoved out as well.
They must not had known yet. Better that I acted as the authority on recent events, rather than having my allies and informant derail the conversation several times over as they tend to do.
“So!” I said once the room emptied. “Those questions?”
Sunny sighed. It made me feel ill, the way she already acted exhausted with me—no, she likely felt exhausted from her trip. Anger blinded you, indeed.
She stuck a finger in the air and said, “One: Why were those people here?”
“I hired them for an emergency assignment,” I said. “It threatened the safety of our citizens, and I couldn’t find anyone other than Serena with the capability to handle it in the MPF.”
“I see. Thank you for explaining.” Did she mean it? Regardless, she continued.
“Two: What was the incident that caused this? And three: what were your plans as to their future employment, assuming the incident is resolved?”
I crossed my arms. “A serial killing incident that’s been laid to rest. As far as their future employment, the case may have a connection as revenge killings against illegal weapons dealers. Like the ones we’ve already sighted—haven’t you said you were going to discuss them at your meeting?”
And appear on TV—No, I wasn’t dwelling on that. Merely an unrelated thought—justice worked within me. Only justice. Nothing else.
Sunny hummed and looked away. Her tinges of frustration moved away from me and onto something else, though whatever her answer, it likely wasn’t going to be anything positive.
“We did, but there are a lot of troubles piling up,” Sunny said. A few of her tentacles curled in discontent. “The solution they proposed was to expedite the removal of all civilians from Maia. You know with the climate issue, they’re unwilling to lend much support…it’s difficult for us. We haven’t even figured out housing, and they just—they just…”
I curled my right fist and kicked at the leg of the white board. I couldn’t help it—being confronted with the same cowardly excuses from the Delta Six would do this to anyone. There were people I respected, yes, but in terms of wider management, they had always fallen short when the colonies became unwieldy.
Sunny cared, at the very least. But she represented only one side of the table. Not that it would last for much longer after the Delta Six throw in the towel and close Maia off.
“They don’t understand the cost!” I yelled. “But we do. Why don’t they send any extra assistance? Specialized forces? Tracking technology?”
“I’m sorry,” Sunny said and put a hand on my arm. “We’re the only gods we can rely on. Erna, you’ve already taken lead, but if it’s too much, then allow me—”
“It’s not about me,” I said and grabbed her arm, removing it from contact. “It’s about them. About protecting our citizens and ensuring they live long, happy, safe lives! Lives without pain and violence, without suffering.”
“I agree,” she said.
“Then why do you always insist on shunting me to the side!?”
Sunny flinched. She let go of my arm and stepped back, mouth agape. Surely sounds emerged, but I kept speaking, shouting over it all.
“I took on this case originally, I hired employees under my jurisdiction, not yours, so I could do as I pleased with them instead of relying on your favors! Maia’s security is just as important to me as it is to you, I matter as much as you—”
“Erna!” Sunny yelled. “I’m sorry, I thought since I already agreed to take it to—”
“I,” I put a hand to my heart, begging it to stop. Begging it all to silence. “matter! And I don’t need to preen in front of a camera to know that!”
…
“Erna,” Sunny’s voice softened—out of hurt. Her tentacle hair curled inward. “If you’re passionate about it, then you can stay in charge. I don’t mind at all. But, if I may ask, is there…something else bothering you?”
The door opened again—Bella had peaked her head in, followed by her re-entrance as she closed the door behind her. “So everyone heard you two anyways. I sent them to another room.”
I opened my mouth to speak and she had a hand up within moments.
“Don’t,” she said in a dull, uninterested voice, “let me speak. Sunny?”
She pursed her lips tight, but gave in with a small nod.
Bella walked over. She turned to me and clasped her hands onto my shoulders, forcing me to look at her. “So you saw the news report.”
“She certainly saw it.” Sunny nodded in agreement. Was I that easy to read!?
“Great,” Bella said, groan punctuated in her words. “Listen, those guys didn’t tell us they were gonna do this whole show. We figured it was a normal meeting ‘til we saw how many people showed up, then they wanted us to do an extra thing and shot all this footage. I asked Horrison why they didn’t invite you.”
“But,” Sunny added, wrinkling her brows, “he said you didn’t return his messages. Though I don’t recall seeing a message from him in your inbox.”
Wait. She checks my—
“Lying asshole,” Bella snapped, clicking her heel against the floor at a rapid pace. “He’s still bitter about the whole soul research debate.”
Sunny stiffened. Likely, she remembered quite well that explosive argument. A small, deflated laugh escaped my lips as I removed Bella’s hands (which she allowed now, likely thinking I wanted to speak and not storm off).
I took a deep breath. My memories, filled with the promises I made to Kaleo, to Dori, to Charya, bade me give my friends a chance before I let anger claim the best of me. Yet…
Sunny still wished to take this from me. A flame flared up, one I guarded closely, Just in case. Just…in case. Though I considered her my friend. Despite our camaraderie. A part of me just.
Couldn’t. Accept something that convenient.
“Horrison’s always been one to cling to the past,” I said, irony tinging my tongue. “It’s alright. Petty squabbles hardly hold a hero such as I back. Regardless—this case is mine now, as I’m the most familiar with it, not to mention these citizens have done quite well in the battles we’ve won. They’ll do well in the battles ahead, too.”
Sunny and Bella exchanged looks. After a pause, Sunny cleared her throat and smiled.
“All right then. I’ll focus on our ecological problems while you focus on our criminal justice matters. Bella, do you have anything to say…?”
Question drawn out, Sunny sent several pointed glances to Bella before she released the loudest sigh and spoke up, hands buried in her pockets.
“I can help keep records, take care of some forms, other stuff,” Bella said. “As long as I don’t have to work with your recruits. You’ll probably be too focused on operations and end up getting us cited if I don’t.”
How rude. She was correct—but rude.
“The new employees seem quite nice to me,” Sunny said, smile plastered on her face. Bella scoffed, not even deigning her words with a reply. Instead, she continued on about work—her usual deflection when it came to things she avoided discussing.
“I don’t have much to take care of right now, so I guess I’ll jump on making sure Erna’s usual antics don’t get us sued. That way you don’t have to have a…”
She trailed off. With a small smile, she said, “A whale of a time getting upset about it.”
Fatal—water related puns were an ire upon Sunny’s life, though she got upset at them because, in her words, ‘other people just weren’t creative enough about it!’.
“That wasn’t creative enough!” Sunny yelled, on cue. “Do you really—I mean, whale? Whale? I know you’re better than this. You could have said…’whitens my coral’, or ‘a tsunami of stress’! But whale? You clearly use that phrase to convey excitement!”
“Really?” she said as she clicked her tongue. “I’ll consult the Water Puns And You textbook in more detail ‘fore I try again.”
“Good,” Sunny said and put her hands on her hips. “Now, about this situation…well, do you mean it? Truly? Because I trust you both immensely, but if there’s any problems, I’ll be happy to help.”
“I am aware of your methods,” I said, “But Bella is an excellent supervisor—I’m sure if anyone can incessantly remind—I mean, of course, provide reminders about the wisest and most regulation-compliant actions to take, it’s her.”
“Yep.”
Sunny took a few moments to think. Her face scrunched up so hard I thought it would be stuck that way, but eventually, her nostrils flared and she rubbed her eyes.
“All right,” she said, then put a finger in the air. “Erna, I’m sorry if I come across as overbearing. I just…worry. I care about you. You’re the first friend I’ve ever had.”
“For some reason,” Bella added. I elbowed her side and she quieted.
“But,” Sunny continued, giving Bella an admonishing glance, “I have my own way of showing it. You like to keep your eyes on the future, but it’d do you good to look inside yourself on occasion.”
“Not true,” I said. “If anything, that’s what you do.”
Always stubborn. Always waxing philosophical about morals and the best choices to make, as if it wasn’t abundantly clear what was right and what was wrong. Protecting others. Hurting others.
Yet…always there. Looking out for me in her own, frustrating way. Though it sometimes morphed into a complicated affair, I could still call her a friend.
“So you say,” she huffs. “Regardless, this issue remains in your hands. I trust you already have a next step in mind?”
“Of course,” I said, and made my way back to my white board. “I have all our best equipment searching for another hideout of theirs in the same fashion as their underwater base.”
“Perfect!” Sunny clapped her hands together. “Though I admit, there’s a few details I’m still murky about.”
“Like how you made these connections in the first place,” Bella added and leaned against the other side of the board. “With the revenge killings. Where th’ fuck did you stick the suspect?”
“You see—”
Before I could utter even a word. our conversation got cut short. A wail strong enough to rip through eardrums like tissue paper flooded the hallway outside, followed by a bright light, a bomb of chaos that told me all I needed to regarding the source.
The next moment, we had another intruder: Dori poked his head in, clearly out of breath.
“Hey…sorry if this is top secret, but Kaleo is kinda freaking out…” he said. “The murder guy.”
Sunny and Bella looked at me.
“The murder what.”
“Who?”