In Case Of Emergency Break Fourth Wall (The Messenger Archive Book 3) Read online

  In Case Of Emergency Break Fourth Wall

  Title: Mission: Settlement

  Related Works: Mission: Statement, Mission: Testament

  Authors: Ashroe and Sianor

  Fandom: Mission

  Warnings: Author Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

  Characters: Captain 'Kip' Vadim, Biann, Saidhe, Kre-Nappre Hale Loap, Judge Peters, Xaix, Enforcer Avery, Messenger, Original Characters

  Pairings: Author Chose Not To List

  Rating: NC-17

  Summary: Saidhe and Loap are taken hostage by unidentified Sianar forces. Biann and Kre, as well as Vadim and Avery, work to release them. Meanwhile, Judge Peters goes to the Roq homeworld to try to prevent a galactic war.

  Wordcount: 82,674

  Chapters: 33/33 35

  Complete: Yes

  Chapter One – Mission: Disparition

  Draqqi was oxygen-rich, and the gravity was only two-thirds of Earth's. It was hard to know which had the most effect on the Human body because both the weightlessness and rich air made a person feel giddy and bouncy. The Judge had been to Draqqi many times, so he was prepared for the change, but he still had to fight down the small, childish voice that said: bounce.

  Above, the sky was a beautiful, burnished topaz colour... where you could see it, anyway, beyond the canopy of trees and over-sized buzzing insects. The Roq had kept most of the planet's natural foliage, building their homes wound into the ecosystem that first spawned them, instead of felling it for fuel or furnishings. Until you were used to the architecture, it was difficult to identify where the dwellings or population centres really were, as it all still looked wild. Simeon could tell there was more urbanisation since the last time he'd visited, and a few more obvious buildings that were likely a token gesture to the other species' sensibilities. The Roq were learning how to make these small overtures, whilst still retaining the important parts of their cultural heritage.

  The ship's engine slowly whirred to nothing and, from the far side of the landing pad, his host approached.

  "It has been a long time," said a Roq, far older than said long time, her claws spread deferentially, tail sweeping the ground behind her in a welcoming gesture.

  "It has, Hale Toan," he said, echoing the gesture with his clawless hands.

  "Do you have any luggage for me to carry?"

  "Just this small bag. I travel light."

  "You always did, Simeon."

  She held her hand out, and he put the bag into her grasp. It would be impolite to refuse her offer of hospitality, even though they knew one another well. She inclined her head for him to follow, and he did.

  "I was surprised to hear your old name," she said. "I thought your undercover days were over."

  "Did you also hear I am officially dead?"

  "I did, but I did not believe it," she admitted. "You were never going to go quietly, as a statistic," she said, a rumble of amusement in the tones of her voice.

  It was good to be around an old friend again. He'd spent so long with false names and people whose loyalty went to the highest bidder, that relaxing was a welcome change. "I'm flattered."

  "You know they say you died peacefully, of old age?"

  He laughed, and shook his head. "Did they? I'm not even that old."

  Her eyes glittered in that way peculiar to Roq. "I suppose that they think no one would question it."

  "Then they don't know my friends, do they?"

  "They do not. And that is why you're safe in my house, Simeon."

  "Toan, you are a blessing that I do not know what I did to deserve."

  "Perhaps you haven't done it yet," she said, with a flicker of her tongue out past her lips. "Come: it is time for the evening meal. You can see my grandchildren. They are all here, for the naming ceremony of my new heirs."

  "How many do you have now?"

  "Thirty-nine."

  The Judge shook his head. Thirty-nine. He remembered when she was making her first brood, or so it felt, anyway. Thirty-nine. Roq were slow but steady breeders. They had large clutches, infrequently. Simeon had been to a few naming ceremonies – or the after parties, anyway – in his day, but he still remembered every last name.

  "And I don't even have one," he said.

  "Well, it's never too late."

  "Oh, in my case? I think that it is."

  "Then you shall simply have to be the sworn forebear of my children, Si."

  "You know I would care for any of your children as if they were my own."

  "I do. It's why I invited you here."

  ***

  [Ashroe: It's good to finally be able to do something with him, you know?]

  [Sianor: I know! I mean, I still enjoy writing him. I've been waiting for a way to bring him back in.]

  [Ashroe: How are you doing today?]

  [Sianor: Not bad, not bad.]

  [Ashroe: You're becoming English.]

  [Sianor: Haha, really?]

  [Ashroe: You could ask us if we were okay when our head was falling off, and we'd say 'Can't complain'.]

  [Sianor: Wow. Well, my head isn't falling off.]

  [Ashroe: I'm glad to hear it :)]

  [Ashroe: So, yes. Judge. Mr. Not Appearing In This Fic.]

  [Sianor: Mr. We Have Too Many Characters And Too Many Plot Threads And This Was Never Meant To Be A Galactic Conspiracy Dealing With Various Governments And So On.]

  [Ashroe: Welcome to Writing with Ash.]

  [Sianor: I got that.]

  [Ashroe: How did the job thing go?]

  [Sianor: Good, actually. Turns out my aunt's friend works for an animal charity and she wants me to do admin stuff. Like, help out with the website and also do donation drive work.]

  [Ashroe: Ooo.]

  [Sianor: The pay isn't massive, but it's a trickle. It's also stuff I can do from home, and it helps little fluffy bunnies, so... win?]

  [Ashroe: Definitely!]

  [Sianor: I said yes.]

  [Ashroe: I should hope so!]

  [Sianor: I start at the new financial year. Uh, April?]

  [Ashroe: Yes, April. How exciting!]

  [Sianor: So I might have some spends for the con!]

  [Ashroe: For icecream.]

  [Sianor: Delicious, delicious icecream.]

  [Sianor: It is important my family never find out about the icecream.]

  [Ashroe: You do know you can't really – you know – because of the sugar?] [Sianor: What?]

  [Ashroe: Forget I said anything. Icecream. Yes. Tubs.]

  [Sianor: I love you, but you're weird.]

  [Ashroe: I thought that was why you loved me.]

  [Sianor: Point.]

  ***

  "Your ship has deserted us, Kip."

  Vadim sighed heavily. "Well, she was made out of your house, so I don't think I got all the blame."

  "True, but my house wasn't an AI," Avery replied, his eyes narrowed. Reminding him about the butchery of his retirement home had maybe been a bad move.

  "I can't imagine you settling in a house with an AI."

  "Which is why I didn't."

  "Hang on... I should be able to page her," he said, and pressed the device in his shirt collar. "Mes? Mes?"

  Silence.

  "It could be—"

  "Shh!" Vadim hissed. He tilted his head, and listened. "Mes... c'mon. Just give me static. You're still here, right?"

  More silence.

  "If she could answer you, she would," Avery pointed out. "And I don't see any sign of her here."

  "Damnit! Why won't any of my ship stay put? Even my freaking ship runs off
on me!" Vadim kicked the curb hard, and hissed at the sudden stinging feeling. And then he did it again, pain be damned. "We had communication lines this time! But no, she's suddenly autonomous, so what does she do?"

  "She might have gone after Biann and Kre," Ithon suggested, his tone more soothing, now.

  "I didn't tell her to!"

  "She's an AI. The clue is in the name, Kip."

  "Yeah, but she ain't supposed to go running off... having ideas." Even if they had encouraged it, by letting her get increasingly idiosyncratic. "How the hell am I supposed to save my folks if they won't sit still and be saved?"

  There was a sudden blip from the paging service, and both men jumped.

  Vadim's eyes settled on Avery's, and he hesitantly nodded a yes to accept the call.

  "Captain," came a female voice. But not one he wanted to hear.

  "Nessin."

  "My sources indicate that the Ardeshir ship never arrived on Raboros. And if it was bound for there, it would have arrived already."

  The Captain narrowed his eyes at the Enforcer, and they exchanged words without even speaking. "So... they docked in flight, and transferred their cargo to an untracked ship," he suggested, working through options even as he spoke.

  "Possibly. But if so, you have absolutely no chance of finding them directly. They could also have gone to another planet, or docked with a station either in orbit or in deep space," Nessin pointed out.

  "So... you want me to give up?"

  "No, I don't want you to give up," the Hleen snarked. "But I'm saying Raboros isn't looking likely."

  "And you're telling me this because...?"

  "Because I want my story, Captain. So go and find it."

  There was a click and the line went dead.

  "Well, where the hell do we go, if not to Raboros?" he asked, gesturing at the whole of space with just his shoulders and hands.

  "I hate to say it, but I think it's time we used our safe word," Ithon replied, pulling out his small, silver button: the one the Judge had given him, for such situations.

  "Yeah. Guess you're right."

  ***

  It was easier than Kre imagined, bartering their way on board the Sianar ship which was headed back home. They didn't have much in the way of bars in possession, but Biann offered almost all of them in exchange for passage for the pair of them – and Mes' current hopper – home.

  "Sianar do not even haggle," Kre said, as they curled up inside the hopper, stowed away in the cargo bay. "So how did you convince them to allow us on board?"

  "Easy," Biann grinned, patting her furry knee. "I told them you were wanting to get back home to the love of your life. Told them your parents were trying to keep you apart."

  "But Biann, Sianar often marry for convenience!"

  "Yep. Don't mean they all want to. You really think there wouldn't be at least one of the crew who was a romantic, deep down inside?"

  "But... it is a fabrication!"

  "Ain't. I said you were after the 'love of your life'. Didn't say as it was a fella, or a woman, for that matter. And it is true, your dad don't want what you want."

  Kre grabbed at her tail, working the tip over and over through her paws. "You are much too smart, Biann-Tho. Much too smart."

  "I know. You can thank me by making me – do you even have honorary roles for common-folk on Raboros?"

  "If there weren't, I would make one, just for you."

  "Chief Engine-Tinkerer! Sounds like me," she said as she bounced on her seat, making the hopper rock on its suspension. When her feet slid out and met Kre's, she stopped the bouncing, and looked contrite.

  Kre smiled slightly at the younger woman's exuberance, putting her rear paw over Biann's big, brown work boots.

  Biann blushed, and looked her straight in the eyes. "Sorry that the best I can do is stuck in here. I said we wouldn't need no supplies, just air, a small footprint on the deck, and the extra fuel for carrying us."

  "It is all we need. After so many rich dishes at Nessin's expense, I could likely starve for a month and feel the better for it."

  "Not sure my metabolism will stretch to a month, but yeah. I can do a long whiles." The Hleen engineer put her feet up on the console, not wanting Kre to be pushed into contact she didn't want. Plus, she wanted to lie back a bit. All the careening around sure took it out of you. "Mes, you still got a line to the Cap'n?"

  "I will have, once we rejoin the net," the ship replied. "I have the message stored and encrypted. In future, please remember that the encryption takes me longer when I am not using my full capacity. So you should give me more time to get the transmission ready."

  "I know, I know... I'm sorry, sweetie. I just forgot you're fettered right now," she cooed, stroking the upholstery lovingly. "I'm used to you being so fast I can hardly blink."

  "Flattery will not make my processors work faster," Mes replied, though her tone was... a little strange.

  "You know where we're going when we dock?" Biann asked.

  "I know the location of the capitol," Mes answered. "Though I do not have clearance, of course, or know where it is safe to approach without being shot down. Or without attracting attention."

  "I don't think we can get to my father without attracting some attention," Kre said, laying her tail flat across her knees, suddenly seeming intent on examining the fur pattern, even though she must know it inside and out. "I know where we can take Mes, and then the rest of the way on foot."

  "What about the security around the palace?" Biann's bow-strings were jangling with the tilt of her head. "How'd we get through that?"

  "For one: I know the security systems inside and out. For two: I know the staff. And for three... my father will likely have the systems set up with a contingency plan in case I ever did sneak up on them."

  "To... welcome you back, right?"

  "Yes. To... welcome me back."

  ***

  Saidhe sat up, suddenly, blinking in distraction. "We've stopped."

  "Yes... I believe you are correct," Loap answered. "The engines have stopped again."

  "Could have hooked up to a Whale?"

  "Perhaps."

  But then there was a shuddering feeling, and when Saidhe put her hands to the floor, she could feel it: the steady rumble of wind resistance, plus the throttle of impulse engines. "We're breaking atmosphere. Wherever we are, we're landing."

  "I have not been able to estimate how long we have been travelling for," Loap's voice came down the corridor from his neighbouring cell. "I have no idea which planet or satellite we are landing on."

  "It's okay, buddy, I haven't, either. I guess we'll have to see what the Gs are like, and the atmo, and the sky, and..."

  The ship rattled, entering strong turbulence. Saidhe was not a good passenger. She preferred to fly herself, and when she couldn't see the read-outs, or attempt to compensate for the shakes herself, it made her feel incredibly nauseous. All the horrible, stodgy food she'd been picking at suddenly made itself very obvious in her two stomachs, and she could feel her gorge rising. The Hleen slapped her hand over her mouth and tried to breathe through her nose, attempting to get the feeling under control.

  "They do not fly as well as you do," Loap said, his voice barely strained at all.

  Saidhe managed to make a muffled noise of 'no shit', but then another lurch and it was too much. She pulled herself to the edge of her chains and threw up loudly. It hurt, because she'd hardly had much to eat and her head was still sore from the bump she'd taken. Any movement was painful, and her belly was spasming over nothing, the acid burn in her mouth lingering and reminiscent of too many unhappy nights.

  "...case in point," she rasped, wiping her mouth on the back of her hand. She hitched as far away from the mess as she could, which wasn't nearly far enough. Damned Sianar had no compassion, when it came to kidnap victims. "Kill me now."

  "For one: I cannot. For two: I would be lonely. And for three: your sister would then kill me if she learned I had ended your life, Saidhe.
"

  "It was a figure of speech, you overgrown—"

  The doors at the end of the corridor opened, and Saidhe stopped.

  "Need a clean up in the purple cell," she joked, weakly. "And you need a better pilot. I would volunteer my services, but..."

  The Sianar guards walked to Loap's cell first, opening it up.

  "My friend told you she—"

  "I did not ask your opinion," the tallest Sianar said, cutting Loap off. His voice was dripping with venom, and Saidhe knew Loap would be fighting to keep his cool around such overt antagonism. "You will remain silent unless spoken to."

  Saidhe smirked. Loap obviously wasn't going to answer anything asked, now. Didn't they realise how to get people to co-operate? It sure wasn't force.