disclaimer still attached. I don't own them..
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Cain smiled and offered a farewell wave to the gentleman as he left, his daughter now safely curled under his arm. He walked back into the station, the Captain shaking his head and clucking his tongue softly. He'd barely gotten any guff for abandoning his assignment, but had gotten offhandedly accused of being too used to protecting girls. The girl who looked like a woman was almost fifteen annuals and had run away from home a few cycles earlier. He was happy to have helped, despite the loss of the actual contact. Cain rounded his way back to his recently cluttered desk, looking at reports and not quite finished section assessments.
"We finally got another tip on that vapour dealer." The Captain's words startled him out of his reading. "We're rounding up a group of officers to go. They'll need someone to organize the operation." Captain hadn't directed any operations since long before Azkadellia's regime. Cain glanced across the office, and inwardly groaned, he was the senior officer. Probably the only one of them with any recent field experience. He nodded at the Captain's not so subtle request; taking the papers he was offered. Ah, a compound. The documents included the blueprints and various lists of typed out observations, along with the original case file.
An hour later and his eyes wanted to bleed; this was just like running security back at the palace. Only instead of making sure the princess didn't try and accidentally off herself it was making sure all his wide-eyed little new officers didn't off themselves. Plural. The suns were sinking and the time was nearing for the raid. The planning meeting went off without a hitch. It was time to test out his theories in cold hard reality. With any luck, not a shot would be fired on the officer's side.
They rode down the lower edge of the city, a place not yet touched by the news of the Queen's return to power. A familiar smell in the air filled his mind with memories of his old days in the resistance. Only this time there was no wife and child to come home to, no son playing with toy soldiers eating up his stories. Torn pieces of cloth dangling in the evening breeze. Cain motioned for two officers to cover the rear exit, just in case. He righted himself, adjusting his jacket collar, before raising his leg to kick the door down.
"Officers of her Majesty the Queen Lurline. You are under arrest for violation of her Majesty's law. Surrender yourself or be put to force."
Gunfire rang out aimed in his direction, as he ducked behind an old bookcase. All right so force it was. He hated that speech anyways, it rarely seemed to work. A faint hissing sound confirmed his worst fears, he yelled for his men to cover their faces, hopefully soon enough. Cain raised his own bandana across his nose and mouth. There was a moment of silence; he turned to look into the main room of the compound. Four men were huddled there; they saw him and proceeded to shoot at him. Cain's men in the back should have worked their way behind the group by now, unless… the vapours. He sighed. Why didn't anything go to plan?
Something on the floor crunched. It was over by the direction of the main room. Were the bad guys moving? Cain quickly turned to take a glance, nearly diving for the ground, as they indeed were moving and were getting quite close to his current position. The officer to his right was nervous; Cain could almost hear his shaky breath over the sound of the gunfire. Not that this was exactly his ideal situation, the hair on the back of his neck certainly wasn't calm, but he wasn't thrilled that the young officer was giving away their position. Soon enough the four men should be running out of ammo, Cain hoped more than figured.
"Officers of her Majesty..." The men in the back didn't finish their speech. It was almost comical, what had they gotten lost and forgotten that only the operation leader need give the speech? The speech wasn't a one per criminal deal. Sounds of gunfire filled the small space again, but this time he heard a shot connect with flesh. A soft thud and a stifled groan escaping a man's lips. Better not have been one of his... Cain turned to see Jenkins, one of the men he'd ordered around the back, lying on the floor behind the four men. No more easy way. Cain came out guns blazing, shooting all four men attempting to wound instead of kill. All four shots connected. All four men remained alive. For now. He stood over the four groaning men, kicking them slightly as he made his way over the Jenkins.
"Jenkins..." Cain sighed, grabbing Jenkins' bandana off his face, hoping the vapours would sooth some of the young man's pain. Cain took the bandana and pressed it to the wound to stop it from bleeding. He looked about Jeb's age, which didn't make the situation any better. Cain turned to look behind him, glancing as the rest of his men were handcuffing the four villains and dragging them out the open door. "Go see if you can get a surgeon. Quickly now!" Cain yelled after them, one of them nodding at him and running off in thankfully the correct direction.
"Sorry, sir." Jenkins muttered, clearly aware that his current state was due to the incorrect timing and even more so the unnecessary speech. Cain nodded at him, placing a hand on his shoulder and hoping the surgeon would arrive in time. It was the poor kid's first raid, but in this job there were often not second chances. And he had thought these days were behind him, Cain nearly laughed at the thought. He'd been in the palace too long. The battle wasn't over yet. The resistance was still fighting; it just had better backup now. Cain's thoughts turned to Jeb as his mind absently wondered how his young son dealt with this for all those years.
Jeb was convinced his father was a holy figure, or at least a man with the patience of one. The young princess, he had quickly learned, did everything her own way. Arguing was useless. Logic was pointless. All you could do was smile, nod, and try and find some way to buffer the danger. The past cycles had been the beginning of the princesses' goodwill tour. The first stop was supposed to be the fields of the Papay, but the younger princess naturally had other ideas. In her defense, she wasn't exactly aware of the whole situation. To his own amazement, he had been able to accept the new Azkadellia, but others he knew had and would not. That her majesty had entrusted both her daughters care to him for this tour was no small matter. His thoughts were jarred every now and then again by the jostling of the carriage as it wound along the bumpy roads. Jeb's eyes were too weary to reach down and grab a sheet to scribble a note off to his father. The two princesses were now as he liked them best, both sleeping, barely able to see their pretty faces over the overly large blanket the two shared.
Men on horses, ones Jeb had personally chosen, guarded the carriage from all sides. Still, Jeb was nervous about the trip. He had only been able to stop the youngest princess once, he'd refused to make a stop in Central City. That would come later, he'd reminded her, when the Emerald was returned to its rightful place in the heart of the city. Jeb knew good and well that the ceremony was quite a few more cycles away, and wished he had some way of securing the city's grounds so he could have granted her request. Not just to avoid the look of sorrow and disappointment in her wide eyes, but also since he would have liked to see his father.
"Milltown!" DG exclaimed as she awoke, pushing down the blanket and leaning out and up the window to see her bodyguard. "We have to stop here!" Jeb shook his head at her, about to speak but she was faster than he was. "Driver, please stop the carriage." The driver of course stopped, the Queen's man on the back of the carriage hopping off to open the door and assist DG down the carriage steps. She adjusted her silly cape; let the hood glide down so she could take in her environment. Az had awoken from her slumber as well, now standing at her sister's side.
"Is it safe?" Az looked worried, while improvements were obviously being made, Milltown was still mostly in a state of disrepair. DG smiled, grabbing her hand before running into the center of the town, dragging her sister along with her. The two, looking quite the pair, stood in the town square. DG turning from side to side to side, looking at each building for signs of life. Artificial life though it was. The door to the main building opened just as Jeb skidded next to them.
"Are you nuts?" Jeb muttered as he looked at the younger princess with eyes almost as wide as her own. His heart was racing and trying to take in possible tactical advantages the square could offer. His men were still awaiting his order. DG scoffed at him as robots in every shape and form appeared from the surrounding buildings. Oh great, they were surrounded. No plan necessary. Heck at this point they could have them. He didn't want them anymore. Jeb sighed.
"These are my friends." Father Vue smiled in agreement as DG spoke, Jeb still not sure where this was going. Although all the robots were trying to bow, each in their own way. "And I have some one I'd like to introduce you to." DG clutched her sister's hand, trying to phrase her words carefully. "You all know I had an elder sister." The robots shuddered slightly, Father Vue's face clouding over. "Well... the witch has left her." Az lifted her head, looking like a meek deer in large headlights, her own hood now giving way to gravity. "I'd like you all to meet my sister, Az." Az gave everyone a limp wave, still holding onto DG in a tight grip with her other hand. "The two of us, together, are touring the O.Z. to try and see how things are going for you." The robots looked from one to another. Father Vue's eyes trained on DG as if he was trying to detect a spell. "So... how are things going?"
"We are still trying to recover from the Sorceress's reign of evil." Father Vue spoke plainly, the rest of the robots bobbing heads in agreement. "We had heard news from nearby towns that the Sorceress was defeated. As you can see, we have made advancements in the recent cycle." DG looked around, somehow just noticing the newly dry gravel beneath her feet. Some windows were repaired, buildings half cleaned. It was a good start.
"It's a great start. My dad would love to see the old place as it was." DG knew her robo-parents would end up here again soon enough. They stayed at the palace mainly for her comfort and to discuss her childhood with her real parents. Which despite sounding odd, DG thought was kinda sweet. She couldn't fault them for wanting to know what they'd missed for all those years, just like she now was learning what she had missed. "Is there any assistance the crown can offer?" Father Vue smiled at that, his eyes wrinkling as he gestured for the two princesses to come inside.
Jeb followed the two princesses in, hands still firmly on his hips in protest. He didn't have to like that she was always throwing them into situations he couldn't control. All three of them sat around as Father Vue prattled on about the history of Milltown and what would be needed to restore it to its former glory. Jeb noticed the robot leader smiling at both of the princesses as if one had never terrorized his home. Jeb had to hand it to her, she often threw them into dangerous situations he couldn't control, but damned if she could.
Cain set his hat on the dresser as he entered the small room. He wasn't sure how much longer he could do this. Jenkins was still slowly patching up, thanks to the lone intelligent officer from his station. The surgeon said he'd make a full recovery and in the last cycle he'd certainly improved. The room seemed to be getting smaller each day. It wasn't as the Captain had assumed. "You'd be used to finer surroundings by now." A desk, dresser, bed and small window was really all he needed. The bare necessities.
Only a tin horse and a stack of letters proof that he had resided here for a time. Cain gripped the letter in his hand, looking down at his son's penmanship, able to discern where each jump of the carriage had occurred. He turned the letter over in his hand, unsure if he wanted to read it. Rolling his eyes at his own foolishness, Cain ripped the letter open, unfolding the thick paper.
Dear Father,
We're just heading back through Milltown again, our second visit to this isolated robot haven. The princesses used their magic to heal the Papay fields, our supposed first and actual thirty-fourth stop on this trip. Just over the horizon, I felt as if I could see our old home, our old own isolated haven. We're running near behind schedule. Your life sounds more exciting than mine. There's no scouting out of those once loyal to the Sorceress here, just silly princesses. The ceremony for the return of the emerald to Central City seems to be a day away. I'm looking forward to seeing you. Her highness Princess Dorothea Gale also requested that I express her hope that you will be attending the ceremony itself. She says to tell you that Ambrose and Raw will be attending as well.
I'll see you down the path, hopefully soon.
Jeb.
Her highness requests. It sounded like the kid was giving Jeb more than a little trouble. Thirty-three extra stops, he laughed at that. Sounded like DG. Cain placed the letter on top of the pile. His hand rubbing his jaw line as his mind wandered off into the past. At least she didn't hate him, she couldn't hate him if she wanted him to attend. Cain reached into a drawer, pulling out a sheet of paper and a fountain pen. Of course, it could be a royal decree since he noted that Ambrose and Raw were attending.
The chair creaked as he leaned back in it. He should have said goodbye, should have written, should have done something. Now he'd pay for it in an impending awkward exchange, just as he was hoping for one of those famous DG hugs. Cain had often pictured seeing her again, the three of them talking and exchanging stories of their travels. Her eyes wide and alive as she laughed at his sorry attempts at humour, his son able to appreciate the efforts he had made in the city. He wasn't sure what would really happen when they met again, but he looked forward to it. Looked forward to the warmth. Outside of the confines of this tiny dead room.
DG rushed into the gigantic hall. Home again. Her mother and father would be delighted that their trip had gone so well. Despite it all, even she had enjoyed it. High heels tapped to and fro as she made her way up the curved staircase and into the every essential family room where of course her parents were talking. She greeted them both with hugs and kisses, too happy for words to be out of the constraints of the carriage and back in a familiar setting. Some propriety overtaking her, DG sat carefully down on the couch as Az entered the room, noticing for the first time that Ambrose was, as ever, in his corner perched on a small chair. Something was in the air. Something... Jeb walked in, offering a bow and breaking whatever enchantment she had sensed.
"Your majesty. Your daughters, as promised." The Queen thanked him, but was noticeably quick to dismiss him and allow him to return to his room at the palace. Jeb had work to do, the Emerald ceremony the following day and as he said "a mess of security" to figure out for it. DG watched as he left before returning her attention back to her parents. Az was still standing, looking from her parents' faces to hers to Ambrose and back again. Her mother and father began what was now a familiar sight, a silent conversation both saying nothing aloud but coming to an agreement on whatever topic was plaguing their otherwise happy return. Her mother clasped Az's hand, nodding slightly.
"What did I miss?" DG looked at her parents and Az, not liking the feeling that she had been left in the dark. Which judging from their reactions to her question she definitely had. Annoyed hands picked and straightened the smooth fabric of her long dress. DG was aware she was the youngest, the baby, and that her parents had treated her differently as a child. Az had been smart, Az had gotten everything the first time, Az followed their rules. But it ached her heart to think that the years of separation had bred further distance between her and her family. That they were keeping secrets from her. Az sat down next to her, obviously unsure how to approach the subject.
"I didn't want to burden you, Deeg." Burden her. Please. People in the O.Z. certainly had a weird way of expression their affection- concealing the truth from her, leaving her without so much as a goodbye. If those were the supposed bonds of sisterhood and friendship, she wanted to go back to Kansas. The anger was welling up in her throat, destined to come out as something embarrassing like a wave of hiccups. "For the past few cycles..." Az stopped, not happy with where she had started. "Ambrose came to court at a young age. We were all friends." DG remembered that distantly as if hearing music from another room. The two of them had always been plotting some sort of intelligent scheme, trying to explain something fantastical to her. Her mind remembering their conversation not so recently ago, the pieces dropping one by one in place.
"You're going to marry him." She turned to look accusatorily at Az, not sure if she had phrased it as a question or a statement. The expression had nothing to do with her concern at Az's choice. Oh, they'd be happy and they'd have weeks where they'd talk to their hearts content about a dozen subjects they both adored. DG had mostly accepted that Glitch was an infrequent visitor, buried in the back of Ambrose's rather large cranium, but losing her sister too… She wanted to cry, complain or pout, but instead a voice not quite her own responded. "I wish you every happiness." DG rose and left the room for the safety and isolation of her own.
Jeb stood outside the younger princess's room, letter clutched in hand, hoping she would open the door. He had been told she hadn't for the Queen, Consort or her sister, but perhaps a little bribery would do the trick. His fist pounded the door once more; unexpectedly it opened without a word. Jeb's eyebrows raised as he entered the large space, turning to see the princess dressed and ready to go for the Emerald ceremony even though it was hours early. He shut the door behind him, noticing she didn't turn as he entered and wondering if the door had opened by accident.
"Magic." DG said dryly, answering his unasked question. She stood framed by the window, looking regal in an icy blue gown. It seemed to match her mood. "You yelled something about a letter?" Her hand trailed her collarbone as she spoke, resting center and staying there as she turned to see face him. The room seemed to drop a few degrees, sending a chill down Jeb's spine.
"Yes, I thought you'd want to know my father plans on attending the ceremony tonight." She nodded, looking somewhat surprised at the news. "The security is all arranged, just as much of a pain as I said it would be." DG nodded again, hand still resting as if it was protecting her heart from the world. Jeb shifted, she seemed unaware that he was dressed for the occasion as well. "Not as much a pain as the clothing." A poor attempt at a joke, but one he hoped would work. Her mouth formed a perfect oh as she looked down at her dress.
"You don't like it?" DG mused aloud at his comment, watching as her sister's form appeared in the somehow reopened door. It was cheating; DG couldn't help but think, using Jeb as a distraction so her mind would be elsewhere. She turned back to face the window. "Thank you Jeb." Nodding slightly to dismiss him, feeling Az grow nearer. "That was a dirty trick."
"I had to talk to you."
DG whirled around to face her. "Now? We were together, alone touring for months... cycles. You never breathed a word of this." Az nodded apologetically, carefully pulling her into an embrace. "I'm sorry, Az. I'm sorry. I just don't want to be alone." DG squinted as she tried to block out an image of the time to come. Flanked both sides by her mother and father, Ambrose and Az on the other, her stuck in the middle leftover to try and catch whatever time was left at the end of the day. She held Az closer, not wishing to lose her once more.
"I know and you won't be. I wanted to tell you, but I didn't want to pain you." DG leaned back, still holding onto both of her elder sister's hands. She looked into her elder sister's eyes, hoping for so clue as to what pain she had hoped to avoid by lying to her the whole time. Was that what all this was? People trying to avoid causing her pain?
"Pain me?" DG knew that look on Az's face. The 'dear little sister, how do I explain this to you' look. She hated the look. It meant she was about to be told something that her elder sister had assumed she'd known for a while. Something Az deemed as obvious. Something she had no clue about, as of course she wasn't as smart as Az was. Before Az could translate the obvious into the literal, the Queen rushed in through the open door. She beamed proudly at her two reconciled daughters.
DG looked at her oddly, not sure what her mother was so pleased about. The Queen gestured to the mirror, DG turned to look at the reflection. They could be a painting hanging on someone's wall. Azkadellia in a fitting emerald green, her mother in her signature lavender and she looked, well she looked like a crowned princess. No wobbling on the jeweled slippers, no discomfort in the formal gown, and no oddity in the balance it took to keep the tiara on her head. She'd changed these past months, she hadn't noticed it, but a future Queen returned her gaze in the reflection.
"It's an hour's ride to Central City." The Queen reminded them both. "Very soon it will be time for us all to leave."
