In Case Of Emergency Break Fourth Wall (The Messenger Archive Book 3) Page 4

  "There is only a small contingent of Ardeshir still active, and I can assure you that none have left Raboros. At least not on my orders," Eru huffed.

  "And what about... what about your father's?"

  The Sianar's gaze went hard. "I cannot speak for his command, but I can look to see whether they left. If they did, there would surely be a trace."

  "Not the Ardeshir," Kre mumbled. "They would not leave a trace."

  "Well, I can see if they are all on Raboros now," Eru said.

  "Yes... you could do that. Are there... people you trust?"

  A slow nod. "Kre."

  "Yes?"

  "Until this is settled... we must agree to rule in unison. You are my sister, and I do not wish this to turn us against one another. We may have had our differences in the past, but... this cannot be the end of our family."

  Kre sniffled, and nodded. She was still bundled up on the floor, and Biann watched as Eru dropped down beside her. She pushed their foreheads together, closing her eyes.

  "Yes, Eru," Kre said, at length. "We must work out what is for the best. For everyone."

  "Gather yourself. I will summon those I can trust, so we can investigate this. Assuming your very brave friend here will accept my offer?"

  Biann bit her lip. "I'm sorry if I came across as rude and all..."

  "Quite the opposite," Eru said, showing her teeth. "Sianar respect strength... and Kre needs someone who will shout her down, from time to time. And you apparently have quite the talent for it."

  Biann wasn't sure she did, but it was a nice compliment all the same. She nodded in her confusion.

  "I would like to pay my respects to Father," Kre said, getting slowly up to her feet.

  "Very well. But then I need you in the War Room. We... apparently have a situation on our hands. And if they can get to the Za, they can get to us."

  "We must hope they need us alive," Kre mumbled.

  Biann had to agree.

  ***

  Chapter Four – Mission: Lamentation

  Biann followed Kre through doors upon doors. She had no chance of memorising the route, but she didn't think she'd need to. Kre walked a little fast for her poor, oxygen-deprived legs, but she didn't complain. She didn't dare, considering.

  The door was sealed, but not guarded. Maybe there were fewer people Eru could trust than she'd implied. Kre hesitated – her paw raised to the metal door – frozen in time.

  "You don't have to do this," she told her.

  A long, heavy shrug of shoulders said otherwise. "I must, Biann-Tho."

  "Well... I'm here. You don't have to... rush or anything. Or do it alone."

  "I... I think I must." The Sianar turned, her whiskers drooping sadly, tail tucked between her legs. "Are you offended?"

  "Not at all," Biann said. "I'll just wait here. But if you want me to come in, you just... holler my name?"

  Kre nodded, and brushed her tail against Biann's side. It tickled, and made her jump, but she also knew Sianar only did that to their close friends or family, so Biann smiled. "It's alright, I promise."

  Another sigh, and Kre pushed the doors open. Biann wondered if they were genetically locked, because if they were completely unsecured then what would stop anyone pushing in? Like a maid or something? Sianar had maids, right?

  The Hleen put her back against the wall of the corridor and sank slowly down. It was difficult to think on Raboros, and she was grateful of the chance to rest and gulp in some of the low-oxygen air.

  The palace was quieter than she'd expected. She wasn't entirely sure what she had expected, really, but there had definitely been more people, more noise, more industry. Perhaps it was just the sudden shock of loss making it so quiet, but this building was huge and it really felt like a tomb. The Sianar did like a bit of space, true, but this...? Did it always echo so emptily, or was that a recent change?

  With nothing much else to do, she slid her feet over the floor, until the squeaking noise was too annoying and she had to stop. There were cold, bold geometric tiles that fit snugly together. No picture she could understand, but maybe the pattern had some hidden meaning for Sianar minds. She rubbed her finger over the slightly rough edge of one, where the grouting between the tiles was a little more worn down, and a flash of memory hit.

  She and Saidhe had been young when their father had died. A problem with something mechanical that had made no sense to her at the time, but had later made all the sense in the world. Their mother had told them to go upstairs when the Enforcers arrived at the door looking dour. Biann hadn't wanted to – not when her mother was clearly upset – but Saidhe had tugged her hand and they'd gone upstairs together.

  She remembered trying to listen to the muted voices through the floorboards, trying to breathe in harmony with her sister to make the most of the sounds. Their hands had remained clenched together, and Saidhe had put her head on her shoulder, her bow-strings sliding over the side of her face. Biann could still recall the pattern that the light – well; the lack of light, the shadow – had made on the wall through the dangling strings with milestone markers hung in the window. She could remember trying to resolve the shadows into something sensible, and the way the house creaked and groaned so subtly as the low voices gave way to a sob. A noise of something breaking, and urgency.

  She'd curled up against her twin, knowing something terrible had happened, but too young to work out what. That strange waiting game until their mother finally – with red-rimmed, watering eyes – told them the something in a voice that had lost all feeling. He was dead. Their father was dead. She saw the patterns of the milestones echoed here in the tiles, and she wished Saidhe was here. She missed her so very much.

  Eventually the door opened again, and Kre was there. She'd taken off her fake ruff, and her eyes looked haunted and almost... empty. Her skin wasn't visible under all her fur, but if it was, Biann would be sure the colour would be drained from her. She looked... deflated. Like under all that hair there was a tiny little cub reaching for her parents. Biann went over to pull her in for a hug. The Sianar's tail curled around her leg, her paws low on her waist. Biann wished she was tall enough to blanket her properly, to show her she was protected and safe.

  "It's going to be okay," she said, into her chest. Her hands stroked soothingly up and down her spine.

  "It is never going to be okay again."

  ***

  [Ashroe: I don't need my heart anyway.]

  [Sianor: You mean you still have one?]

  [Ashroe: Not any more. You just pulled it out and stomped all over it. Way to go you!]

  [Sianor: I learned from the master.]

  [Ashroe: I think I need a pause, now. Is that okay?]

  [Sianor: Sure thing, jellybean.]

  [Ashroe: Out of respect to you, I will never mention you said that. Ever again.]

  [Sianor: Okey-smokey.]

  [Ashroe: You're in a good mood. Why are you in a good mood?]

  [Sianor: Can't a girl just be happy?]

  [Ashroe: After writing such utter angst?]

  [Sianor: Sometimes angst makes me feel better.]

  [Ashroe: Oh. Catharsis?]

  [Sianor: Maybe. Also I am proud I made you hurt.]

  [Ashroe: Sick, sick puppy, you.]

  [Sianor: Thanks!]

  [Ashroe: I am super worried about the next ep.]

  [Sianor: Why?]

  [Ashroe: I read the blurb. And I saw the preview.]

  [Sianor: Previews lie, as you well know.]

  [Ashroe: I know, I know, I just... ugh. I worry they're going to force ship on us.]

  [Sianor: If they did, there'd be uproar.]

  [Ashroe: You know, even if it was my ship, and it suddenly became canon... which, let's face it, I like the least likely of pairings... I don't know if I'd be excited or not.]

  [Sianor: Yeah, I can get that.]

  [Ashroe: They'd do it wrong. Or... there'd be no more longing. It would all be resolved. Or they'd break up. Or... I don't know! It would cut d
own all the possible ways they could get together into one way they did.]

  [Sianor: Have you ever had a ship become canon?]

  [Ashroe: Once. No. Twice. Once was heterosexual, and pretty much guaranteed to happen. The other was surprisingly gay and happy.]

  [Sianor: Happy? Wow.]

  [Ashroe: I mean there was no backlash from other characters, no conflict about 'am I gay', it was just... normal. And cute. And weird. And I felt guilty for enjoying it.]

  [Sianor: You and your incessant need to be hurt.]

  [Ashroe: Yes, I am a literary masochist. Sue me.]

  [Sianor: There's nothing wrong with fluff.]

  [Ashroe: I guess I just... knee-jerked against all the fairy tale endings. Life was a bit shitty in comparison, and then I got all... cynical.]

  [Sianor: And I suppose gay fiction has often been about being the outsider, historically speaking. So for all we're wanting representation, when we get it and we're treated just like any other character?]

  [Ashroe: You're waiting for the other shoe to drop. For the cheap joke. For the queer-baiting or queer-bashing. Yeah.]

  [Sianor: You get all defensive, ready to argue your point, but there's no one there saying it's wrong.]

  [Ashroe: I know we've got a long way to go. Hell, even women and people of colour don't have the same rights or treatment that straight, white men do... but... I do have to wonder what the next push for equality will be.]

  [Sianor: I guess that's the thing about prejudice. Until someone points it out to you, you just think it's normal?]

  [Ashroe: I wonder how many prejudices I carry around with me without knowing.]

  [Sianor: I don't even want to consider it. I mean – I know I should? But I also kind of don't want to think I'm biased and horrible.]

  [Ashroe: You're so not horrible.]

  [Sianor: Well, thanks.]

  [Ashroe: We're also going to find out soon if we're cleared for season three.]

  [Sianor: Do you think we'll get it?]

  [Ashroe: I don't know. I know the ratings have been reasonable, but sometimes there's no rationale behind what stays and what goes.]

  [Sianor: If it goes I don't know what I'll do. I've got other things I watch, but nothing else I'm so... invested in.]

  [Ashroe: Would you still write it with me?]

  [Sianor: Of course! As long as we had a story to tell, I'd be right there telling it with you.]

  [Ashroe: Good.]

  [Ashroe: I think it will be okay. I hope so.]

  [Sianor: Would they pull the panel from the con if they got iced?]

  [Ashroe: You know, I have no idea.]

  [Sianor: Now I'm freaking out.]

  [Ashroe: You shouldn't. It will be fine.]

  [Sianor: I wonder if I can rewatch old episodes on, like, Netflix or something to help with the figures.]

  [Ashroe: Hey, it might all help. I know they also monitor how engaged the audience is with social media, so...]

  [Sianor: I better start getting tags to trend or something!]

  [Ashroe: And getting your co-workers to watch, when you finally start work. Properly I mean.]

  [Sianor: It won't be all that long, now! I've got to do some more training on the system they use, and I've got a few days where I go into the office just to get a feel for it, and then I'll 'start' in April

  [Ashroe: Why in April?]

  [Sianor: I thought it was just because of the financial thing, but it turns out they got someone retiring. And they can't afford to pay us both, but they said if I am willing to do a bit of shadowing as a volunteer before she goes, that they will be flexible about me working from home and not always having to go to the office.]

  [Ashroe: That person who already trained you?]

  [Sianor: I'm taking his job. But he's taking hers. It's confusing.]

  [Ashroe: Ah, yes. I see.]

  [Ashroe: And you said it's a relative?]

  [Sianor: My aunt got me in, yeah. So they're trustworthy.]

  [Ashroe: Cool. You're not going to suddenly fall in love with all the strays, are you?]

  [Sianor: Another reason to work from home! Yeah... I can't guarantee I could look after anything more complex than a cat or a fish, so...]

  [Ashroe: A cat doesn't require much looking after, if you get a pretty independent one. Have to get some kind of insurance, though, in case it gets sick. Vets bills are expensive.]

  [Sianor: I think I get really cheap treatment through the charity, too.]

  [Ashroe: Win-win! Well. Never say never. Just don't turn into crazy cat-lady before I get there.]

  [Sianor: After the con, maybe :) Do you have any problems with cats?]

  [Ashroe: Not if they are nice cats. My cousin had an evil son of a bitch when I was growing up. Nearly clawed my face off. Other than that... nope!]

  [Sianor: Oh no :( Well, I have yet to have a bad cat experience.]

  [Ashroe: May it remain so. Although the worst I ever had was a hamster. One of my friends in primary school had this malevolent little Tribble. He had these giant, overgrown yellow fangs and he radiated animosity. He would snort when he walked like he was a Hutt, and when she gave me him to hold, he decided to attach himself like a limpet to my fingertip. And not let go. Even when I shook my hand and screamed. Then he fell from my hand to the table and he was stunned and somehow it was my fault and we were no longer friends after that. Even though the little shit just had a minor concussion and I was two heartbeats away from a tetanus jab and stitches.]

  [Sianor: I shouldn't be giggling, but I am.]

  [Ashroe: I still have the scar, you know. He was called Angelo. Who the fuck calls their hamster Angelo?]

  [Sianor: People with evil hamsters, clearly.]

  [Ashroe: Perhaps he despised his name so much he decided to make everyone's life a living hell. God, I'm glad he's dead.]

  [Sianor: Stop, stop... I'm going to wet myself if you keep this up!]

  [Ashroe: Please don't! I'm into a lot, but... not that!]

  [Sianor: I promise I will never call our cat Angelo.]

  [Ashroe: If you did, I might have to leave you.]

  [Sianor: So noted!]

  ***

  "Captain, it is good to hear from you."

  "Mes, you piece of shit, what the hell happened?"

  "Before you say any more... is this line secure?" Avery's voice chipped in.

  "It is as secure as I can make it, Enforcer."

  "Right... carry on yelling at one another."

  Vadim shook his head, but he couldn't deny he felt relieved to hear from her. "So, care to tell me why my ride up and rode off without me?"

  "Biann and Kre appeared to be in distress, Captain. I did not wish you to lose the chance to connect with them, so I followed them."

  "Followed them...?"

  "To Raboros."

  "And you couldn't just sit and wait for us?"

  "They decided it was important that they left the planet. They did instruct me to communicate with you at the earliest opportunity."

  "Right. Which would be now."

  "Indeed. They are both well – or they were, when they left me."

  "Left you?"

  "To infiltrate the palace. They were more inconspicuous on foot."

  "So you don't know how they are, now?"

  "That is correct."

  The Captain grit his teeth together, trying very hard to keep calm. "Could you maybe page them?"

  A pause over the line, and then Mes' voice came back: "They are well. Would you like me to relay a message to them?"

  "Yeah, tell them to watch their asses, okay? We're going to Raboros. To see an old friend."

  "Is this the friend who we were recently in the company of?"

  "Yep."

  "Very well. Is there anything else you wish me to say?"

  "Not right now. Just... look after my girls, okay?"

  "Aye aye, Captain."

  The line cut out, and Vadim turned to Avery. "Well, that's four down. And two to go."

&
nbsp; ***

  Chapter Five – Mission: Conscription

  "Please do not embarrass me this time, Kip," the Enforcer said, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

  "That was one time. And you wanted to do it, too."

  "Perhaps, but not in public."

  The Captain looked suddenly downright lewd. "What about semi-public?"

  A hiss through his teeth, and the other man shook his head. "Not now!"

  "Fine!"

  Draqqi brought back mostly-fond memories for Vadim. It had been a while – wow... over a decade? But he still remembered the feeling of being oxygen-drunk and happy. Of wandering through the trees late at night, being too-vocal and too-merry. Recently graduated, and cock-sure.

  It was one of the better memories. One of the better times.

  "You ever regret it?"

  Vadim jumped from his reverie, momentarily confused. "Huh?"

  "Signing up. Earning your stripes."