12 hours after first events of Chaos and Consequences
Thump, thump, thump. The Galactic Imperium soldiers boots gently pounded the dusty floor beneath her feet. The shoddy lighting above had allowed her to briefly see a small number of various sized shadows moving quickly down the tunnel ahead of her. In her excitement at potentially finding the traitors, Cassidy Rodrigues had, as she foolishly assumed, trotted quietly enough to reach them before they lost her around another corner of these blasted tunnels without alerting them to her presence. The labyrinth of tunnels beneath Coropolis were a damn headache to navigate, and she couldn’t wait until she could breathe some fresh air above ground, even if it was highly sterilized air.
The shadowy figures turned around to face her as she approached, rifle held firmly in her hands but angled as she drew closer.
Damn it, Cas! You ready do have lead feet.
Her hands shook fervently as she got a good look at the traitors she was sent to restrain or eliminate, whichever got the job done. Regardless of how hard Cassidy urged her unsteady grip on her gun to settle and at least partially mask the intensity of her nerves, her body had other ideas. Never before had she come face-to-face with such a misfit group of adversaries.
A girl, maybe only a few years younger than herself met her helmeted eyes with brilliant purple irises. She lacked the horns sprouting from her cranium commonly depicted of Aetherials in the games kids played now and shown on the news. Instead, she wore a plain Omnifit shirt with brown sleeves, lighter blue torso, and a purple “O” on either shoulder. A basic brown belt hugged her waist with two sheaths that held daggers, an odd weapon with such advance weaponry available. A violet scarf hung around the girl’s neck, beautifully matching her eyes. If Cassidy didn’t know any better, she would pass by this girl on the streets without a second thought. After all, there were odder things out there than purple irises that sparkles like the stars in the night skies. However, memories surfaced that reminded her of the girl back at the Aetherial man’s apartment earlier in the day, and despite that being a complete blur, she realized it was the same girl.
Her eyes darted to the gargantuan beast as it snorted and barred its blocky teeth. This one, she didn’t recognize. It wore shiny gold bands around its wrists, tattered pants, toned muscles everywhere she looked, and a Human male breathing shallowly slung over its shoulder. Judging by the soaked shirt and jacket her wore, Cassidy didn’t think he had much time left if he didn’t receive medical attention soon. He looked like the same guy who blasted a hole in Captain Demico back at the apartment in District 39, but without seeing his face she couldn’t be sure. Either way, they were trying to get him help, and she was the only person standing in their way.
Regardless of how hard Cassidy urged her unsteady grip on her gun to settle and at least partially mask the intensity of her nerves, her body had other ideas. Never before had she come face-to-face with such a misfit group of adversaries.
The beast pawed a three-toed scarred hoof at the ground and snorted again, its eyes narrowing on her. She swung her rifle and trained it on the beast, ready to fire if he took even a step forward.
I can’t go back empty-handed. No way. Not when I’m this close to getting back to Lieutenant Farseer.
“We were instructed to bring you in, dead or alive. That was an order from Captain Demico. I can’t go back empty-handed. You have no idea what he said he would do to us if we didn’t find the traitors and bring them into custody.”
The girl did her best to persuade Cas as she kept pushing. “I’m sure he was just being dramatic. The G.I. has no reason to send anyone out to the far reaches of the galaxy. I’m sure you know as well as we do, that they are struggling to maintain control of the Core planets as it is. There is no way they would actually carry through with a threat like that. We can forget this ever happened, and go our separate ways. You’re providing regular updates on your progress, right? Check in with them and let them know you haven’t found anything.”
She was instantly reminded of a moment between herself and Emilee Farseer, or Lieutenant Farseer to most. The beautiful officer had placed a gentle hand on Cas’ and looked into her eyes. “Do whatever you need to get back here. Don’t you go and get yourself killed down there. Captain Demico is many things, but sane isn’t one of them. Whatever you do, make sure you come back in one piece. We will be together once we are honorably discharged.”
Her heart ached. She missed Emilee with every fiber of her being. Killing these runaways wasn’t going to solve anything. It would just create more paperwork, and paperwork was more time away from her love.
She knew the choice she had to make.
“Fine, you can go. Give me a moment to check in so they don’t get suspicious.” She pressed a button on the side of her helmet to open a channel with the operator assigned to her team.
A gravelly voice answer through her helmet loud and clear. “Yes, First Private Rodriguez. Status?”
Don’t sound nervous. Don’t sound nervous. Don’t sound nervous.
Gathering all her confidence, she said with false conviction, “Northwest tunnels are clear. No sign of the targets.”
Mother’s blessing, I really hope he buys it.
An audible sigh caught her slightly off guard. She wasn’t used to other soldiers showing any emotion, especially not annoyance. Maybe he did buy it?
A moment or two passed, which for Cas felt like an eternity as she reminded her self silently to keep her rifle pointed down so she didn’t spook the Rhonar. A crackle came through her helmet and the disgruntled voice responded. “Damnit. Alright, find your way back here. We will regroup and take a different approach. Understood?”
“Roger that. Coming back now to regroup. First Class Cassidy Rodriguez out.” She stopped holding the button down and slung the rifle back over her shoulder.
“Thank you. You did the right thing.”
I didn’t do it for you, though. I did it for her. For us. Though I guess I should thank you for not killing me, unlike your friend who looks like karma caught up to him. Funny how the universe works sometimes.
Cassidy Rodriguez nodded. “Thanks for not killing me back at your crazy friend’s home. We’re even now. I wouldn’t come within a lightyear of here from now on. I can’t promise my brothers and sisters will be as generous.”
Trust me. They won’t be.
“Heard you loud and clear. Let’s go, Grimhorn. We’re almost there.”
Without another word, Cassidy turned and marched back towards the Blood Bath Arena, following the navigation displayed inside her helmet with a maze of blue lines and a thicker green line leading the way. As the two groups turned and went their opposite ways, Cas could only think of two things: she hoped she never saw them again and how much she couldn’t wait to see Emilee again after this assignment.
I made the choice I had to; to survive and to see you again. I’m coming, my love. I’ll be on my way back in no time.