One More Adventure?

The three left the bunker. Each a new man. As they gazed out over the battlefield, unholy fire reigned down, eviscerating the enemy. Troop shuttles began hurtling from the large ships in orbit, carrying thousands maybe millions of soldiers from around the solar system.

“Earth, her moon, Venus, Neptune, asteroid belts, the colonies. Every army stands here. You are witnessing humanity fighting as one, perhaps truly for the first time in our brief existence,” Zion said with wonder.

“Normandy was pretty close,” Nameless shrugged.

Zion looked at him suspiciously, then chuckled. “I see Julia has been educating you on ancient Earth history,” Zion laughed nervously.

“Something like that,” Nameless said, flashing back to seeing flame throwers burn the Nazis in their trenches.

“Fuck their ships, and their fancy armies. This is our victory,” Aj spat.

“Let’s go remind them of that,” Nameless nodded.

A ring of destruction littered the surrounding perimeter of the A3 bunker, a kilometer away. Smoke was flowing from the bunker.

“Oh shit, Hera!” Nameless gasped.

“We need a buggy now!” Aj radioed.

Several Eagle company buggies arrived shortly.

“Commander Julia sends her greetings; she is guiding the off-world forces as we speak,” one of the drivers said.

“Great, take us to bunker A3, now!” Nameless barked as he jumped onboard. Once everyone was seated, the buggies tore away, bouncing and dancing over the dunes, maneuvering through the wreckage of burning vehicles and bodies.

As they got closer, Nameless was filled with dread. The bunker had been hit hard, very hard. As they came close to the gaping hole blasted into the side, the A3 almost gone, Nameless jumped out. He sprinted up the hill, climbing over dead enemy bodies. Vectors, grogs, mercenaries, foot soldiers, cyborgs, every kind of fighter lay dead around the bunker.

Inside the bunker, the ground was littered with the smoldering and twisted bodies of friend and foe. Commander Zyfor lay in the corner dead, a spear in his chest. He was riddled with bullet wounds and Vector claw swipes. All the Wolves and enemy seemed dead.

“Hera!” Nameless called out, stepping over bodies.

The three swept through the floor, checking each body, but Hera couldn’t be found. They checked the top, more enemy dead, no Hera. They went down the stairs. As they went further down, the higher the pile of enemy body was stacked. Eventually, halfway down the stairs, they had to resort to stepping on and climbing the dead to get down the stairs.

“Hera!” AJ called desperately.

“This is the most heroic last stand I have ever seen,” Zion gasped.

“Shut up! She’s ain’t dead till I see a body!” Nameless shouted, regret filling his voice.

They shambled down to the bottom floor. The ground was covered in dead enemies. Four vectors tore apart by explosive wounds. On the ground, lying directly in front of the closed door leading to the ammunition passage, was Hera.

A massive gash lay in her head, her left eye gone, her body ravaged and broken. She still held a broken knife, and her smg, the barrel melted, in both hands. Her chin was lying on her chest.

Nameless collapsed to his knees. Aj trembled and clutched his head with his hands. Zion sighed.

Nameless wept, truly wept. This was his fault; he never should have doubted her. This was the price for doubting a team member’s loyalty. He had sacrificed her based on rumors, opinion, and whispers. He ground his teeth.

“She did a fine job, my boy. A damn fine job,” Zion said kindly, laying a hand on Nameless’s heaving shoulder.

“Damn right,” Hera gargled.

“Hera!” Nameless gasped, as he crawled over to her.

“I need a medevac! Bunker A3, now!” AJ radioed.

Nameless sat, and gently lay Hera in his lap, wiping the blood from her face.

“Did we win?” she asked softly, her breathe wheezing.

“Yeah, yeah we did,” Nameless stammered. “I’m sorry, I’m so, so, so sorry.”

Hera chuckled, then choked on her own blood as she gasped. “I told you … the Wolves would … do you... proud.”

“Stay with us, Hera! Don’t fall asleep, please don’t fall asleep!”

The sound of footsteps echoed as a medical team came down the stairs. They were Earthers, led by Sammy. Each had a red cross with a white background patch on their tactical grey uniforms as they approached.

Nameless whipped out his thermal knife, igniting it. “Don’t fucking touch her!” Nameless growled, his pupils glowing gold.

“She needs doctors, Nameless; they have the best in the fleet,” Zion said sympathetically.

Sammy rapidly knelt next to Hera and grabbed Nameless’s face.

“Look at me! Nameless, look at me, I promise you, I will not leave her side.” Her voice trembled. Despite his gold energy, and glowing eyes, she didn’t seem afraid of him. Instead, her voice seemed to tremble for Hera.

Nameless nodded, putting his knife down. The Earthers stared at him in terror, their young, inexperienced faces framed with fear.

“Welcome to Mars, assholes! Help me!” Sammy barked.

The medics nodded and hurriedly gathered around Hera. One of them pulled out a large green box and pushed its button. A litter sprang out, and they placed it next to Hera and Nameless.

“On three,” Sammy commanded, each medic grabbing a piece of Hera.

“Be careful,” Nameless stammered.

“One, two, three!” Sammy barked.

The team lifted Hera onto the litter, picked it up, and rapidly exited. As they left, Hera held up her middle finger, trying to grin. They disappeared.

Nameless stayed collapsed on the ground, staring at Hera’s blood on his hands. Aj and Zion slowly walked over to him.

“C’mon, buddy,” Aj sighed.

“It’s my fault,” Nameless said vacantly.

“Maybe, but that just means she gets to kick you in the nuts when she gets better,” Aj chuckled grimly.

“What have I done?” Nameless muttered, staring at the blood.

“What every commander has needed to do at some point. Some must give far more than others to achieve victory. At least she is still alive, my dear boy,” Zion said kindly.

“Barely,” Nameless sniffled.

“I seem to recall a certain lad who also suffered greatly for his team, he seems to be doing just fine today. Damn fine, I couldn’t be prouder,” Zion said.

“Me too, brother,” Aj nodded.

Nameless sighed, he felt numb and empty. He huffed and pushed himself upright. His back was still to his friends as his energy dissipated.

“Come, we have a lot of explaining to do,” Zion sighed.

Nameless nodded, turned and looked at them. “Martians bled for this, Mars is ours and ours alone.”

“Then let us go and make it so,” Zion smiled.

The three walked away, up the stairs, and out the gaping hole in the bunker.

As they exited, the remaining commanders had circled around the bunker. Overhead, a large hover ship was landing. He saw Julia look up from what she was doing with her officers. She sprinted to Nameless and embraced him.

“I saw Hera,” she cried into Nameless’s shoulder.

Nameless gently patted her back. She pulled away, looking into his eyes.

“Where is Carla?” she asked tearfully.

Nameless grimaced and shook his head.

“No,” Julia gasped.

“She was a true vagabond to the end,” Aj said.

“I don’t care what she was called!” Julia shrieked, backing away from them. “I want my sister back! Where is she!”

“Julia,” Nameless said softly.

“Where is she?”

Nameless bowed his head and pointed at the buggy they had ridden in on. Julia sobbed softly and walked over to it. Carla’s body was lying under a sheet, and Nameless’s jacket in the back seats. Julia took her helmet off, and leaned on the buggy frame, her head bowed. Her body contorted and heaved as she cried quietly.

“I’ll go talk to her,” Nameless sighed.

“No, go talk to these assholes.” Aj pointed to the Earthers exiting the hover craft. They seemed important, wearing special uniforms covered in brightly covered medals and ribbons. A woman with bright white hair and a clean suite walked besides them.

“Go, I got Julia,” Aj nodded.

Nameless nodded bitterly and walked toward the Earthers. Zion followed alongside him.

“Let’s not mention that you drank the entire vial,” Zion whispered.

“Why?” Nameless spat.

“Because they won’t believe you.”

“Then I’ll show them.”

Zion jumped in front of the young bounty hunter, poking his chest with a finger. “Do you want another war?” Zion said through gritted teeth. Nameless shook his head. “Then shut up, and just go with what I say.”

Nameless looked at the professor, both men’s pupils slightly glowing with their colors. Each prepared to stand there and now. But Nameless relented.

“Whatever gets me off this planet,” Nameless spat.

“One thing at a time, my boy, one thing at a time,” Zion sighed with relief.

They turned as the fleet command team approached.

“Professor Zion, it is good to finally meet,” one of the Earthers said gladly.

She was a tall woman of Earth Chinese Descent. She bore the most ribbons out of all of them. She wore a smart, neat naval uniform, with several stars on her shoulders. Her cap was lined with a gold wreath spanning the brim of the blue cap.

“I am High Admiral Yue; this must be the famous Nameless,” Admiral Yue smiled. “This is Mr. Green, diplomat of the United Solar Parliament. That is Mr. Robinson, representative of the trading federations, and this is Mistress Zion.”

The men she mentioned wore odd tactical gear with no weapons, likely a swift replacement for their suits. The woman with pure white hair nodded with a smile.

“It is good to see yet another pupil rise to their calling, Thaddeus,” Mistress Zion said.

“It was an honor, Mistress,” Zion bowed. “Master Nameless is quite the quick learner.”

“You have done a great thing; you must be very proud of yourself,” Mistress Zion said to Nameless.

Nameless grunted. “Too many dead to be proud.”

“Yes, this day has wrought a high price. But you will be pleased to know that the city has offered terms of surrender. We shall leave the negotiating to the diplomats, but it seems the war is over,” Admiral Yue smiled.

“I speak for Mars,” Nameless said abruptly.

The group looked at him, stunned.

“This was not in your briefing, Professor,” Admiral Yue said delicately.

“You have done a fine job here, son, but now it’s time for the adults to talk terms,” the diplomat said.

“I speak, for Mars. I don’t care what deals you cut with whoever ran the cities, or the mines, or the clans, that’s all gone now. The council of Mars will meet with you, and their word is backed by me,” Nameless growled.

“You seem to forget; we have the fleet,” the trade representative said smugly.

“You seem to forget it took hundreds of years and buying yourself our help to take one city back. How many ships did you all lose again? Be a real shame if I brought those guns, that you bribed me with, back online.”

“Are you threatening us, boy?” the representative seethed.

“No, I am promising we will skull fuck everything you throw at us. Martians will fight to the last drop of blood for our freedom.”

He stepped into the groups personal space. The Earth guards raised their weapons. As they did, every Martian in a fifty-meter radius instantly rose and aimed their weapons.

“That is high councilman Nameless!” a voice called in a thick Russian accent.

The group turned, to see Commander Yuri Anatolievich marching forward, a massive column of Russians with infantry, tanks, and gunships behind him. The guild masters, Ardo, Mai, Hyforian, and Johnathan stood with him.

Anatolievich stomped over, standing at Nameless ’s side. “He speaks for us, and we the council speak for Mars.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce the dully appointed new government of Mars: The Council!” Zion beamed with smug glee.

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“This is outrageous! The billions we were promised!” the federation representative blustered. “We shall raise this in parliament!”

“Go cry to your parliament, we’ll be waiting,” Julia growled as she hurtled over, staring them all down, her weapon cocked, her nose red and eyes blood shot.

“We aided Mars because we were promised it would join our parliament,” Admiral Yue said delicately. “Vote all you want. Martians eat our own food, build with our own resources. We don’t need bribery, or tricks, or spies. We have a real army,” Aj called over his friends’ heads.

“Everyone please, this is absurd. Any promised gains may still be recovered through honest trade. I’m sure the Martians will be more than happy to trade with our solar system evenly and fairly,” Mistress Zion soothed like a mother.

“Agreed, whatever back room deals there may have been, the fleet shall acknowledge this government. So long as it was democratically elected and will maintain the rights and freedoms of its citizens,” Admiral Yue nodded.

“The people have chosen these warriors to lead us,” Hyforian said solemnly with pride.

“Very well then,” Admiral Yue sighed with relief. “Now, there is one more matter to be finished. Where is the vial, councilmen Nameless?”

Nameless looked at Zion, who exchanged they look.

“In the battle, it was smashed,” Nameless said.

“How in god’s good name did you people lose such a treasure?” the diplomat screeched.

“This is insane, all of this for nothing!” the trade representative whined.

Mistress Zion’s eye glinted with a knowing look, her face smirking.

Admiral Yue arched an eyebrow.

“Are you sure?” she asked carefully.

“On my honor as a professor, and member of the Institution of Zion, the dosage and vial are gone,” Professor Zion bowed.

“It just seems strange, all three remaining vials, just disappearing in the war,” Yue said suspiciously.

Nameless gave a sideways look to Commander Anatolievich, who winked too rapidly for anyone else who wasn’t enhanced to see, a purple glint in his pupil.

“Shit happens in war. We done here?” Nameless grumbled. “Whatever demands I need to deny, mail it to Professor Zion.”

“What he means to say is we shall take great care and time considering any generous offer made by the rest of the solar system,” Zion said happily.

“I’m sure you will. Well, I have a fleet to tend to. I trust we can at least refuel and re-arm at the Skyport?” Admiral Yue sighed.

“Sure, speak with Hyforian about that.” Nameless nodded.

“Thank you, off you go, gentlemen, I’m sure you have quite the mouthful for your superiors,” Admiral Yue shooed.

The representatives grumbled and shambled away, giving dark looks. Only Admiral Yue and Mistress Zion remained. Yue took her cap off, and breathed heavily, looking over at all the destruction. As she stared out, her eyes took in the damage, her face reminiscent of one who had seen far too many pictures such as this.

“If I may ask, would you all mind giving councilmen Nameless, Commander Anatolievich and Professor Zion a brief moment with myself and Mistress Zion?” Admiral Yue asked the Martians.

The group all looked at Nameless who nodded. The Martians grumbled and dispersed.

Yue sighed with relief, Mistress Zion smiling.

“Is everyone from the institute so smug?” Nameless asked her.

“Yes, well, unfortunately centuries of expertise tend to lead to a rather off setting sense of arrogance I’m afraid,” Mistress Zion sighed. “So, you two are light bearers now?”

Nameless and Anatolievich looked confused.

“You idiots drank the vials,” Admiral Yue said.

Nameless sputtered while Anatolievich grinned.

“Mistress, I assure you; they had every single good intention in mind!” Zion began.

The mistress raised her hand. “All is well, old friend, I saw everything,” She grinned.

“Just like you, Anna. Another one of your schemes I suppose?” Admiral Yue sighed looking at the Mistress of Zion.

“Perhaps. Our order moves in mysterious ways,” Mistress Anna said slyly. “The Institution of Zion is grateful that such power fell into your laps. But I am afraid you cannot stay on Mars. Such power must be nurtured and guided. Report to our shuttle when you have said your farewells, apprenticeships are in order I believe.”

“Fine, but my friends are coming, and Thaddeus will be my mentor,” Nameless said.

Zion jumped, his eyes startled, for the first time in a very long time he was speechless.

“I was just about to recommend that,” The mistress smiled. “We shall give you both some time.”

The Admiral and Mistress bowed, retreating to their shuttle.

“Looks like we are in this together, comrade!” Anatolievich laughed, slapping Nameless’s back heartedly.

“You know who has the third vial?” Nameless asked him.

“Dah, one of the Chinese boys drank it. Commander Mai’s nephew or something, I dunno,” Anatolievich shrugged.

“No more nationalities, we’re all Martian now,” Nameless said dryly.

“On the battlefield, and in politics, sure. But I am still descended from the motherland, just as you are still Yankee shit,” Anatoli laughed. “A Yankee with some fucking balls, but still a Yankee shit. See you on shuttle!”

They watched as Commander Anatolievich walked away, heading to his men to say his goodbyes.

“My dear boy,” Professor Zion blustered.

“I don’t care that you’re less powerful, I need someone I can trust guiding me,” Nameless said hurriedly.

Professor Zion looked at him with astonishment. “It will be an honor,” Zion said, his eyes glinting.

They were quiet for a moment, the air seeming to crush Nameless. He wanted to vomit, take a nap, and punch someone all at the same time. Thaddeus’s face lit up lit up. “My word, I almost forgot!” he exclaimed.

Before Nameless could ask what was happening, the professor scuttled away, toward the shuttle. Nameless stood there, alone. Greif filling him. He stared out unto the battlefield, the weight of everything that had happened finally coming to him internally. As he reminisced, Thaddeus returned, several men pushing a cart behind him.

It was a large hover cart, with many large suitcases on it. They stopped in front of Nameless, and the professor shoed the men away. He then heaved the largest suitcase unto the others and opened it. Inside, was the most money Nameless had ever seen in his life.

“Your payment, for a job very well done, my dear boy,” Thaddeus smiled.

Nameless wordlessly stepped forward, and grabbed a wad of cash, holding it in his hand. He stared at it, realizing in that moment he was truly a free man, no longer a tool to be used. He had thought he had purpose and freedom spilling blood. But now, for the first time in his life, he lunges fully expanded, his mind raced. He could buy anything, go anywhere, be anyone.

He tossed the money back in the briefcase.

“Half goes to whoever is left of Carla’s family, the rest to Hera,” Nameless said firmly, shutting the briefcase.

Thaddeus’s mouth hung. The professor pounced on the suitcase, ripping it open, pulling out the contents.

“My-my dear boy, are you sure? You are a free man! You are now the richest man arguably in the history of Mars! There’s more money there than even Mr. Eyes was worth. Look, look there’s jewels in there of all things, and crypto keys! Oh crypto, heavens above, it’s quite the rage in the solar system—”

Nameless gently closed the suite case, looking the old professor in the eyes.

“Each half to both of them.”

The Professor sighed. “You are a free man, you earned this.”

“I’m a vagabond.”

The professor shook his head.

“Do me a favor, and put that cart on the shuttle, will ya? I think this will be safer in Zion than on Mars,” Nameless chuckled.

“Yes, yes I think you are quite right,” Thaddeus chortled, beckoning the men back over.

The men quickly pushed the cart away, and up the ramp of the shuttle.

The two men stood silently. Nameless looked over, and saw the professor was eyeing him with an odd expression.

“What?” Nameless chuckled.

“Nothing. Just, well, just very proud is all,”

“Go get the other vagabonds, will you professor bullshit?” Nameless laughed.

Zion nodded and scampered away hurriedly, gathering the remaining vagabonds. He shortly returned, Captain Spider, Julia and Aj in toe.

The five friends stood in a small circle.

“What is it?” Julia asked darkly.

“Okay so, as King, Julia you’re gonna be my jester! Aj, you get to be my cup bearer, buddy, Spider gets to be my evil scientist who makes all the crazy weapons and shit!” Nameless grinned.

“F-f-fuck yeah!” Captain Spider exclaimed with excitement.

Julia gave Nameless a murderous look.

“I’m kidding! Sorry, fuck,” Nameless retracted, scared. “We’re leaving Mars, guys, pretty soon, like today, kinda now actually.”

“I’m not leaving,” Julia spat.

All three other Vagabonds complained, startled.

“I am going to bury Carla,” Julia said darkly. “I don’t care where we go after that.”

The group fell silent.

“I’ll help,” Nameless said softly.

“Me too,” Aj nodded.

“Where would she have liked to be buried?” the professor asked softly.

The group was silent, pondering. Nameless looked out over the battlefield and noticed a small farm biodome near the edge of the city.

“I got an idea,” Nameless said softly.

“We’re not burying her out here!” Julia sobbed, her pent-up tears letting lose as she heaved.

“Professor Bullshit, you mind haggling for an hour real quick? Drive over to that farm dome when you’re done,” Nameless said, pointing.

“It will be my pleasure,” Zion nodded, walking away.

“C’mon, I’ll drive you,” Nameless offered, wrapping an arm around Julia.

“I’ll take her buggy, wanna ride with me, little guy?” Aj asked.

“S-s-sure.”

The four split up, each pair getting into a buggy.

As Nameless accelerated, the wind and smoke wafting through the compartment, gently flapping the sheet that lay over Carla’s body. As they bounced and drove closer, Julia stared out her window.

“She died a hero,” Nameless said softly as they rode, an odd calm filling the air.

“Aj told me how he found you guys,” Julia said, still looking out the window.

“She died, a hero,” Nameless said again. “She was a vagabond until the very end.”

Julia looked over, with tearful eyes. “You promise?

“Promise,” Nameless nodded. Julia sighed, watching as they neared the glass bio-dome. Up close, it seemed like a giant greenhouse. Nameless parked the buggy and waited for the others to arrive.

As they stood there, Julia whimpered. “This isn’t right, Hera and Sammy should be here.”

“We’ll come back. We’ll come back as often as we can,” Nameless promised.

“You can’t say that.”

“I can and I am, Julia, she will be remembered.”

Julia nodded her head silently.

The other buggy arrived, the Vagabonds piling out. Aj went over, and reached inside the buggy, gently lifting Carla’s body out. They followed him into the open door of the bio-dome. Inside, the sun’s rays glinted through the glass. Not a single scar from the battle lay inside. As they entered the dome, the sweat scent of flowers and fresh air hit them. Everyone except Professor Zion coughed for a bit, their lungs fully expanding for the first time in their lives.

“It’s beautiful,” Julia sighed in reserved wonder.

They gazed in awe at the long half field of grass, luxury flowers blooming. Overhead, small birds sang and tweeted, perched on the metal support beams. This place must have been some kind of retreat for a fancy CEO. In the center of the field housed by the biodome, a large Oak tree stood. Replanted after the great war, it had been growing all these many long years.

Captain Spider slowly walked up to Nameless and Aj, holding shovels from the buggy.

“I think under that thing would be nice,” Nameless said in wonder, trying to act innocent.

“It’s called a tree,” Julia sighed. “C’mon.”

Julia began roaming the field, picking the best flowers she could find. Captain Spider leaned the shovels against the tree and joined her. Aj gently lay Carla down by the tree, resting her under the shade. Nameless and Aj then proceeded to start digging. As they dug, Professor Zion folded his hands, pondering.

He sighed, and a blue energy field erupted around him. Zion gently began moving his hands, as small delicate bubbles of blue light began filling the biodome.

“What the—” Julia and Spider gasped, staring in wonder at the energy.

“We got a lot to catch you up on,” Nameless called.

Julia looked at him, her eyes searching. Her body tensed, her hands dropping the flowers as her shock then fury masked her face.

“You stupid bastard!” she screamed.

“I had no choice!” Nameless roared, throwing his shovel down.

“Guys!” Aj called.

“Everyone has a fucking choice; how dare you take that vial for yourself!” Julia shrieked.

“They killed her! They slit her throat in front of me, what the hell was I supposed to do!” Nameless roared, gold energy flickering around him.

“Stop being such an idiot a second and wait for help!” Julia screamed.

“So, I’m supposed to just let people die!” Nameless bellowed. His voice shook the biodome, scattering the birds. “Not one more. Not one fucking more, Julia! I will burn this world down before I let another one of you down!” Nameless stood there, gold energy buzzing around him, his golden pupils burning as he gritted his teeth.

“That’s exactly why you don’t deserve that power,” Julia spat. She whipped around and walked out of the bio dome.

“For fucks sake!” Nameless spat. “Move!”

Nameless formed his lance and began wildly striking the ground. He heaved and roared as he dug deeper and deeper into the ground. Dirt and smoke erupted as he cut through grass, root, stone, and Martian dirt beneath. A hand lay on his shoulder.

Zion was engulfed in full blue, his energy protecting him as he kindly looked down at his pupil. Nameless roared angrily into the empty grave.

“She is in grief, my dear boy,” Zion said gently, his voice crackling with energy. “Give her time.”

Nameless spat, his spit hitting the ground and burning through the grass.

“Aj, my good lad, would you be so kind as to go retrieve Julia please?” Zion asked politely.

“You got it,” Aj said scared, backing away slowly from Nameless.

Nameless climbed out of the deep grave and began calming himself down. He looked up, and saw Captain Spider was standing not far away, gazing terrified at him, his small eyes wide. He still held the flowers in his human hands.

“It’s okay, little guy, I only hurt the bad guys,” Nameless sighed as he returned to normal.

Captain Spider gulped.

Nameless took a knee and held his arms out. “I’m sorry,” he said gently.

Spider hesitated, his eyes darting back and forth from Nameless to Professor Zion, who smiled reassuringly. Spider ran into Nameless’s arms, sobbing.

“I-I-I m-miss her,” the little captain cried.

“I miss her, too,” Nameless sighed, patting the little Spider. As he looked over Spider’s shoulder, he saw Aj leading Julia back in. She looked furious.

“Julia—” Nameless started.

“Don’t!” Julia Spat. “I’m here for her.”

The five stood in tension filled silence. Professor Zion sighed and began beckoning to Carla’s body. It slowly began to levitate off the ground.

“No!” Julia gasped. “Please, don’t use whatever that is on her.”

Zion nodded, letting Carla back down gently. Nameless and Aj went over, and carefully picked Carla up. They stepped over, and gently lowered her body into the grave. They then grabbed the shovels and began filling the grave with dirt. Once they were done, Aj and Nameless stepped back into the group.

“I am sorry, children, but I am afraid I do not know her full name,” Professor Zion sighed, preparing a speech in his mind.

“Ramirez,” Julia sobbed softly. “Carlotta Mija Ramirez.”

“Thank you, my dear.” Zion nodded. He cleared his throat. “I did not have the pleasure of Carla’s presence for too long, I’m afraid. I may only speak from what little time we shared. But from the brief moments spent together; I could fill tomes with praise of her. She was kind, soft spoken, a reliable team member. Never backed down, she was there for her friends, even in her last moments.”

Captain Spider linked a finger into his radio, wiping a tear.

“Carla would sneak me cookies while we sailed back to Oasis. She never minded me being a stuntling. She was really nice to me, and her friends. And she was really good with radios, and cooking, and she used to tell me stories,” Spider intercommed, his voice crackling in their ear buds.

Aj cleared his throat. “I would see her around the camp, I just wish I talked to her more back then. She was a good Vagabond, and fun as hell to drink with. Here’s to Carla,” Aj’s voice broke. He took a small sip from his canteen. He then poured the remnants unto the grave.

“Carla didn’t deserve this life,” Julia said. “She was a sweet girl, I had trouble telling apart her and Sammy in the beginning. They both ran around, trying to help so much. I remember in the cave when she stood up for the girls. When everything was going to hell, she was their rock. If she hadn’t guided them, Hera and Sammy would probably be dead back at the camp,” Julia wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

Nameless pondered. He knew everything, his gut clenched. “Even in her last moments, she was doing the best she could,” Nameless sighed. “Which is more than most people. From that cave until the bunker, she never wavered. Always stepping in where she could, keeping Hera’s ego in check, she was a Vagabond until her last breath. Shadow Four, you’re free now.”

“She was always free,” Julia said. “She’s just with her family now.”

Professor Zion touched Julia’s shoulder gently.

“If I may, I would like to mark her grave,” Zion said softly.

Julia hesitated, then nodded. Zion whirled his hands, glowing in blue. Iron and stone rose from the ground, the molecules forming in an instant.

“She was Catholic, or was she New Martian faith?” Zion asked.

“I don’t know,” Julia sobbed. “She never told us.”

“I don’t think the Gods will mind sharing some space with the Virgin Mary,” Zion sighed.

A tombstone formed, with a depiction of the Virgin Mary at the head. The thirteen gods’ runes surrounding the outer edge of the tomb stone. Here lies Carlotta Mija Ramirez, freedom fighter, beloved daughter, and sister, Vagabond Shadow Four. 2354 A.D – 2372 A.D

The group stood there in silence as the tombstone was planted. The blue orbs floating around them. Softly, the birds began chirping again. Julia wiped her nose, and silently walked away. One after the other, the Vagabonds followed, out of the bio dome. Only Nameless remained.

Nameless picked up a rose and put it on the grave as he knelt. “Rest in peace, Carla,” he said gently. With a slow movement, he reached inside his pocket, taking out the group photo. He studied each face, sighed, then placed it at the bottom of the cross. He stood, took a mental picture of the grave beneath the Oak tree, then walked away.

As Nameless emerged from the biodome, cheering reached his ears. He looked up to see the army dancing and rejoicing. The civilians had flocked out from their bunkers, waving flags, rejoicing, and carrying food and drink. Overhead, fighters shrieked past launching flares and fireworks. As the sun set, the twilight was filled with loud noises and explosions as the city celebrated.

Nameless gazed in wonder as the city sprung to life. As he stood, the shuttle came thundering down, landing in front of the biodome. The ramp fell, and Mistress Zion walked down. She beckoned kindly. The vagabonds all gathered around, studying one another.

“One more adventure?” Nameless asked hesitantly.

Julia was staring at the ground, her arms crossed. No one spoke as she stood.

“One more adventure,” Julia sighed, looking up.

The sadistic Vagabonds took their gear off the buggies, and climbed up the ramp, following Mistress Zion. Inside, the shuttle was spacious, with leather seats in along both the left and right sides of the craft. The Vagabonds all sat together, quietly. The ramp closed, and the shuttle gently lifted off the ground.

Nameless looked out the window as fighters escorted them high above the city. Soon, as they climbed too far, the fighters tipped their wings and broke off. The Vagabonds gazed in wonder as the surface of Mars rounded, drifting further and further away. Their ears popped as they left the atmosphere. The Vagabonds slowly drifted up, the gravity gone.

Nameless floated through the air and propelled the suitcases to their perspective owner. Cheers erupted as cash and jewels flew through the air. The Vagabonds where literally swimming in cash, their faces shining like the bright fires of camps standing out in the darkness of the midnight wastes.

Everyone expect Julia laughed as she tried her best to stay in her seat. Nameless floated over to her and held his hand out. She gave him a dark look, desperately trying to stay seated as her legs floated as if under water. She relented and took his hand. The two danced in the zero Gs as Captain Spider whooped and cheered, bouncing off the walls. They looked out the window and watched as Mars grew smaller and smaller. Each vagabond had a deep sense of grief, but also determination, as they hurtled away from their home, toward their next adventure.