*Small acts can make big waves.*

“Hmm you are right. You are none of the known species that populate the vast universe. It's interesting you have the body build of an elf but without their long ears and sharp facial features. You are average height and very slender, almost anemic due to my lack of nutrition, so that rules dwarf out. You can easily rule out Were, Succubus, Gorgon, Dryad, and of course Orc. You are five foot, six inch, female, light red hair and emerald eyes. Very pretty by the way. Also very soft facial features with freckles around your nose.” Veras stated finally looking up from her data pad.

"Well Elly, either way I owe you and the Blood Wrath pays its debt." She said as she turned around and started walking back down the alleyway she had come from before. When she got about half way down the alley way she turned back around and glared. "Well don't just stand there, Unknown. We have places to be and people to see."

I didn't even hesitate or look back at what had been my makeshift home for the last months. I just hurried to catch up with a slight smile on my face.

"So Stella, uhm, where are we going and who do you need to see?" My voice came out more timid than what i was hoping for. I really didn't want to be seen as a lost puppy.

"The rest of my crew. We were just finishing a job for the clan when the police showed up," she said with a bit of confusion. "This job was supposed to be easy, something way below the level of attention that the government police care about. Next thing I know lights are flashing and we split. That elf that chased me took a shot! Can you believe that? In a crowded street he took a shot. These guys normally can't be bothered to run down murderers and worse!"

"He was a Captain. I only caught part of his last name, something Wood. I couldn't get a clear look at his badge before. . ."

"Before he kicked your lights out. Well I am actually impressed that you managed to get that much information with the situation going on. Means you at least have a good head on your shoulders when the heat is on." Stella quipped with a smile forming on her face.

For some reason that brought a warmth to me I have never really felt before. I got lost in that feeling.

"Hey, Elly! Yo! Space cadet this way!" I was brought back to my senses as I looked around and found that we had made our way to the other end of the alley and Stella had already turned and started making her way down the busy street.

The sounds and lights of the city of Cana always filled me with wonder. Being raised in the government orphanage we were never really allowed to leave the compound. All the bright lights and flashing images dazzled my eyes as all sorts of ads and signs flashed what was for sale. I knew this was just surface images as those who had neural links would be getting all sorts of other information that went with the ads and signs.

"You look like this is your first time seeing all of this." Stella said with a joyful tone. "First no, but I am new to a lot of this. I know there is more out there that I am not seeing either. Like all the digital information ads and vids." I stated with a smile on my face.

"You don't have a neural implant?" She said, stopping and really looking at me for the first time.

"Nope. I am as unaltered as they come. The orphanages do not have the resources or care to help us be actually functional for when we are released to fend for ourselves. All I have from them are the clothes you see on me." I had an instant flashback to when I was twelve and this would be the time when almost every kid my age would be getting their first implants as their bodies were ready to integrate with the already changes happening to them. I was so excited thinking that I would finally get something for myself and the social workers laughing so hard when I had asked. I had cried myself to sleep that night as the realization that I meant nothing to these people and no one was going to care for me.

Stella could see on my face that it brought up bad memories and quickly turned to another subject. "So Elly you are an unaltered unknown, who seems to be lost."

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

There it is again lost puppy i thought sadly, that is what i am.

"Who just happened to save me from some prick Captain Wood," Stella said that last part with a bit of a chuckle. "Well I am not sure how I am going to repay you for what you did but I know the first place I am going to start."

At that, i perked my head up as i snapped out of my little pity party. "Oh yeah, and how are you going to start?" I thought bemused.

"First we are going to check in with my crew and make sure they got back to the safe house. Then we are going to get you something proper to eat. I am not sure if you are supposed to be this skinny but I intend to see how much you can eat." With the mention of food my stomach audibly answered for me and to my horror Stella heard it as well. Stella slightly grinned at my stomach speaking for me. "Well looks like it's settled then."

We made our way for at least another couple of miles into the city taking numerous turns and back alleys to where I was surely lost and if anyone was following us would be as well. We came up to what I could only describe as a small warehouse tucked up alongside an old factory type building. They both looked like they have seen better days and the site alone would warn most people from venturing in. Stella as we approached made some sort of animal call, my guess would be some sort of bird. A light in the upper window flashed twice in quick succession as she picked up her pace to slide open the side door and slip in.

"Stella you made it!" I heard a voice from inside exclaim as I peeked in and saw a smaller figure give the Orc a hug.

"Of course I made it. What kind of question is that? Did everyone else make it back and is the product secure?"

No one answered as the room went silent and I could feel the unease as I stepped through the door and slowly slid it closed. As I turned around from closing the door there were four others I could see spreading around Stella with all of the glares on me.

Without missing a beat, "Everyone this is Elly,” Stella gestured with her arms spread wide. “She saved me from the Captain that decided to interrupt our work last night. Elly, let me introduce my crew."

"This one is [[Milly]]" she pointed out a smaller figure around her waist with raven hair, tan skin, and the most amazing golden eyes. She wore what looked like a tight work suit with pockets crisscrossing, and fingerless gloves.

"This stunning creature is Jazmine."

"You know i hate being called a creature" came the velvety voice from the first Weren i have ever seen. She was indeed stunning with long legs, graceful curves, and a cat-like head. I say like because there were the ears and a nose like a cat but the mouth wasn't as prominent like a cat but more like mine. She had very light fur that was of a grey color and emerald eyes that stood out. She wore what looked like a dark blue business suit that would belong in some high rise office building.

"Next is Arex." He turned out to be the only male in the group. He was a Succubus with pale skin and dark black eyes. He had a good build and was wearing what looked to be some sort of polymer light armor of a dark blue color. He had a lot of little healed scars across any part of his body that was showing.

"Lastly but not least is [[Veras]]" This one didn't get up from the crates they were sitting on like the rest did. Instead she just watched everything unfold like they were trying to calculate their next move. She was a Species that I had only heard about but never really seen{: or -} a Gorgon. She had multi color skin that transitioned from a very pale green to an almost forest green. Her hair was all pulled back into a long ponytail as it slightly moved about. She wore a dark workers jumpsuit that covered most of her body so it was hard to tell a lot about her.

"What the fuck happened out there Stella?" Veras said not getting up from her spot but clearly upset by the turn of events.

"Honestly, I am not sure. There shouldn't have been that much heat for what we were pulling. It was the same as what we usually do, we pulled only two out of the twelve resource containers. That leaves them with plenty still to make their profit margin and gets us by. The whole plan was to never take enough to draw serious attention. For some odd reason tonight was different. Instead we got some pistol happy Captain that nearly got me. Please tell me you guys made it back with the containers?" Stella said a little worriedly.

"Sure did. As soon as we split up we were able to keep them focused on us and distracted as Milly and Veras got the containers out." Arex said with a shrug. "But how did this one then save your life?"

"Well the over zealous Captain was able to get a shot off that hit me in the leg. He was a better shot than i gave him credit to be. I made my way down the other alley when Elly here got me under some cover as he was closing fast. I would have either been caught or he would have had a cleaner if it wasn't for her quick thinking. She was able to get him to leave easily enough which then put me in her debt and I brought her here."

That seemed to settle most of the group's tension as they started talking more at ease after learning what had happened.