“Is that what you want, Atjani?,” asks Alana. I hesitate, then reply.

“Save them both. One them has Ryoken eyes. We look after our own. I'll pay you back, later.”

The tusks of my Lam Lathi helm add weight to my head. Alana releases me and I wipe my eyes. I walk back into the room and stare at the Caparan I just killed. I told Alana to save the scared ones. I hated Neandelerians, but something about them reminded me of Melinal when I was with her. I was on my way to save her. Alana was lending a hand.

“It's nice having friends, before you lose them,” I mutter inside. I look at the two youths.

I was a Lam Lathi soldier now. Alana made sure I ranked quickly by skill. Even with my training, I still remembered the day Lani and I got separated. It had been well over a year and I often wondered if she was alive. I didn't think so. I bothered me like losing Melinal. At least I was on my way to bring back one of them. If Lani was dead, maybe I could bring her back too. It was worth a shot.

“Get those two out of here. To the ship,” I motion quietly.

I point to some soldiers behind me. They nod and do what I tell them. A lot can change, when you have the right friend. I look over at the two Neandelerians. They were in shock. I was once like them. When Lani and I got separated, I was just as nervous about what was going on. It haunts me, but Alana haunts me worse. We're working together. Sometimes, I want to kiss her. Other times I want to punch her. She's always messing with my head like my other half.

I run back from where I came. Alana wanted me to stop and kill a few people to warm up. I didn't need a warm up. She gets on my nerves. I make it back outside through an emergency exit. The metal door hisses still held open by a heavy device.

Outside, a nearby sky platform rumbles as Ryoken flying machines make their passes against the armored floats and engines. I stare up as fires engulf the area with bellows that only war can make. Machine guns cut across glass and buildings, while Caparans fall and murder everyone in sight. I watch as Ryoken cannons blast away at road blocks and defenses. Neandelerian rockets shriek as they are moved down from above. I stare at toppled dune buggies and scattered belongings. It was a three way battle and no one knew what was going on.

“This way, Atjani,” nudges Alana.

I peer around the building exit and run through an alley. I push past others, who scream and try to shoot me. They don't get far. Alana takes care of them, systematically slitting their throats as they pull their handguns. I was making it through a few buildings to get to a street secured by Lam Lathi. A flying machine was waiting for me to take me to The Far Away Dream. I was going to the big one and Alana really came through for me. I really wanted to give her a kiss and repay the favor. I dash through another building. Screaming Neandelerians pass in a blur as I head for the door. It busts open and I take a minute to catch my breath.

“Would you look at that.”

I stare out into the open, as I walk outside another building door.

Fires engulf the area near me. Bellows, screeches, and machine guns cut the buildings of their strength. Above me, a sky platform tilts and sways as buildings topple causing it to groan under its own weight. Then, some of the motors grind and catch fire as Ryoken cannons blast away at the last of its armored plating. Several buildings lean toward the earth, before disintegrating into piles of ash and dusty particles. The sky platform tilts like a table emptying its contents. It dominoes onto the buildings below. Gunfire continues to light the sky with flashes and shouting blends into the horror of a thousand tempests. I hear a skyscraper groan as it collapses. I watch the shadow grow across my face.

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“This one is going to be bad.”

I duck back inside as the skyscraper crashes into the street. My whole body loses balance and debris shatters the windows. I cover my face, slammed against the wall by the gusts of wind. I wait, as my armor collects the shards. I felt powerless to move. When everything is settled, I run out the building. My bandanna was moistened with sweat.

In the distance, streams of orange and yellow pelt the skies outside. I see another sky platform desperately try to stay airborne, before it crashes to earth. Bullets whiz by me, without discrimination. I look around to see if I spot any flying killers. I run down the street, passing bodies left and right. The others soldiers with me run behind, killing stragglers taking cheap shots at us.

The sound of shrieking metals is heard and I turn around. In the distance another sky platform crashes into the skyscrapers below. From far away, I see people jump into the smoke and fire below, having no choice, but to try and survive. I was sure this was going to scar me for life.

“I have to get Melinal back.”

If I had met my younger self, I would have called this foolish. What I was doing wasn't worth the price tag it pinned on my ass. I run down the street. Littered flowers and burning booths with sand fill my nose with horrific smells. I hear shouting and crying and try to ignore the pain around me. Finally, I make it to the spot Alana had planned for me. I see the glowing wings of a flying machine. I ram myself in its direction and get on board. I feel my body waver as it lifts off. Alana possesses me, as the invasion moves further into the city. I could see the smoke rising. It was like Cepertine had been turned into a giant cigarette butt.

“We have to be quick, Atjani. If the pilot leaves the picture first, we lose.”

“What do you mean, we lose?”

I hesitate and wait for Alana to reply.

“Lam Lathi will steal the picture. You have to get me and my dreamer inside first. Then, we can pull Melinal out, I doubt Lam Lathi will let you, once The Far Away Dream is under the empire's control.”

“What about the pilot?,” I mutter.

“Hopefully, they'll contain him when they seize it. That was the plan.”

My bandanna tightens around my mouth. I could still smell the Alana on it, like spiced honey. She made me wear it. It was all part of her plan to piss me off. At least I had a bandanna now. Sometimes I remember Lani and wish I kept hers on my face. Too bad the Caparans got her. It was best to cut that loose end.

Alana relaxes me. I could feel her plotting something rotten to say. We share memories and talk. Who would have guessed her personality extended outside her diary? I guess she's not a good writer.

I smile unwillingly. Alana re-positions her possessor being.

“Tell me again, while we wait. I enjoy your memories, Atjani. Let me know you.”

“Get over yourself, Alana.”

I have this story about me that Alana keeps pushing against my nerves. It's about my first kiss. I never told her it was Melinal. She thinks its some random dancer. I'm not completely bad at hiding things from Alana. I've learned to survive within my own head. It keeps the headaches away, like a soothing drink. I try to enjoy my flight, but Alana whispers to me.

“Have it your way, but I have a secret you will trade me for.”

“Really now. What is that?”

“You first, Atjani. It wouldn't be a secret if I told you.”

I mutter to myself and adjust my helm. I grip to my rifle and look at the bayonet. I wanted to stab myself with it. That didn't matter. Melinal would be alive again and I could throw just about anything to the wind. Atjani Kelsever would be bitter no more. I'd let Alana have this one. Imagine that. I'm paying her back already. I tell Alana my story again.

“I once got a dancer girl to promise me a kiss after her first stage dance. So after, being foolish, I leaned close to her and waited, but she blew me a kiss instead. She told me she couldn't find my lips because head was up my ass. Happy now, Alana?”

“Yes. You always make me happy, Atjani,” whispers Alana within me.

I wait for Alana to keep her end of the deal. She sends shivers through my spine.

“I know where Lani is.”

“What? Alive? Where is she?”

Alana leaves me and I wipe the silver junk from my eyes. She always does that. I want to say I'm used to it, but I'm not. I'll never get used to Lam Lathi. It's just my ticket out of hell.