A/N: HOLLY POOOOO. I'M ALIVE. Barely. I could go into excruciating detail how hard this was to finish and how very much it was like child labor, but I wont. Thanks to the sudden motivation a recent review by Kitsu though, I was able to pull through. I got a little lazy on the editing, so I'd love if someone would point out any mistakes. Consider this a late Christmas present to you all!
Segmented and insect like, the armor fit perfectly to my body. I turned my back to the mirror, peering over my shoulder to admire the jagged steam punk design. Does this make my butt look big? I thought half humorously, twisting around back and forth. I looked like a sleek and androgynous alien from the future - an athletic figure able to disappear into the shadows and stealthily dispatch enemies. Someone spry and dangerous.
That's what I looked like though. What I felt, and what I was really capable of was tripping over random objects, stumbling over my feet, and clumsily wielding a switch blade. Hopefully there would be no fighting involved. If I was careful enough it wouldn't have to come to that, but I knew I couldn't rule out the possibility.
Facing the mirror again, I tried to properly secure the helmet to my head with the chin straps, without much success. The clasps were totally weird and didn't make much sense. Cursing, I stuffed them up into my helmet along with my braid where they became two uncomfortable lumps against my head.
"Time." I whispered. The slits in front of my eyes immediately blinked a transparent, green 13:09:42.
I slid my switch blade into my belt, kicking my discarded clothes into a corner of the armory's changing room. Weird. I thought I had a good six hours to find the court yard with the trods but now only had two. Better get going.
Thankfully, all the soldiers' helmets had a basic computer program built in. Code had said it was a developing technology, only capable of basic radio transmission, providing holographic maps and telling the time. It had then occurred to me that I was still in the Nevernever, and time wasn't supposed to be working - hence why my watch froze when I first came here. When I inquired about it, the secretary only looked at me strangely; reassuring me that time did work. I guess the Iron fey weren't familiar with the rest of the Nevernever.
Taking a deep and steadying breath, I made the final touch to my disguise. Grabbing the broad sword propped against the wall, I slid it into the scabbard that crossed my back with a raspy shink. The sound sent a foreboding chill through me. Well, I guess it was time. No time like the present.
"Okay…" I said, feeling a little uncertain. I just realized that I didn't know the name of the place where Tertius was supposed to gather his forces and strike out to the Unseelie land. My best guess was that they were meeting in the court yard where I first confronted Machina. That place seemed to be trod central. If they weren't meeting there… well then I would be kinda screwed. I'd have to ask someone where he would be. And that would get me some more unwanted attention.
"Show me the trod court yard... place." I commanded the helmet.
The holographic screen in my helmet flickered, asking me for more specific key words. "Umm… fountain, throne, garden, trods… oh!" I suddenly remembered, "Top of first tower." It then switched into a loading screen before showing me a simple see through map. The red dot that represented me blinked lazily.
No one gave me weird looks or bowed as I made my way out of changing rooms. I passed the desk I first met Code at, relieved that it was unoccupied. I still felt a little guilty for lying to him and ordering him about. At least he couldn't warn Machina or anyone that I may be up to something. Besides, it's not like I'll be seeing him again.
I traveled the halls without incident – I looked like a knight on an ordinary errand and didn't attract any special attention. It felt strangely exhilarating that no one was bowing or staring. Clockwork hounds lazily patrolled the halls, and the ever present insects could be heard scrabbling in the air ducts and skittering along the sides of the hall. Elves of varying neon skin colors bustled past me, oblivious of my identity. I used hate how everyone ignored me in high school, or how my very own family members forgot about my existence. When I did attract attention, it was usually of the negative sort. Wait, every time I had attracted attention it was negative. From the high school nick names of "swamp bitch" to getting turned into a friggin deer by Titania and now to the uncomfortable scrutiny of the Iron fey… yeah attention equaled tragedy for me. It goes without saying that it felt nice to be Miss Invisible once more. Even though I was on mission impossible, I was in my realm of comfort. For now at least.
The court yard turned out to be in the middle of the military wing. I soon found myself among other knights bearing similar regalia as me. I studied the way they walked, immediately mimicking them by straightening my spine and striding forward with more purpose, trying to ooze the aloof air they seemed to emit. It was harder than it looked. The armor, ever so slowly, was getting heavier and heavier. My body wasn't used to carrying the extra weight around, and I already felt my forehead growing damp from the exertion. It took all my conscious will to retain the stiff knight posture.
The metal hallway grew bigger and bigger as I went until it seemed like I walked into an airplane hangar. The ceiling vaulted what seemed a hundred feet above me, the walls to either side becoming a football field apart. A wide, yellow path was painted on the ground, a reassuring sign that I still followed some form of a path. Up ahead, I could hear the blare of rock music. Insects and small robots buzzed underfoot and through the air on little helicopter wings; each one on a little mission to clean, repair, or look for something to do. I soon saw why the hall was so carnivorous. Up ahead, the hall (or I should say air plane hangar) was lined with huge, strange machines suspended in scaffolding, metal tubes dangling from the large bodies. Sparks flew from a few of the machines as elves welded their parts, tiny dust pan robots chittering away as they scooped up metal scraps. Bugs climbed the support structures and onto the mysterious projects, disappearing into the multitude of cracks. I strode between the two rows, marveling. They were actually huge beetles; the metal things that were dangling from them were limp, spindly legs. A huge, ground shaking WALLOP vibrated the air several times, hammering a skull shattering rhythm that drowned out all music for a few seconds. A hot, acrid scent of something burning permeated the air. A green skinned elf with a wielders mask pushed on top of his head shouted at the controller of a small crane. Together they navigated a huge piece of equipment to fit inside the half assembled beetle. I couldn't help but imagine what the giant beetles would look like in action – they could probably kill a small group of people just by popping a squat on them.
The GPS gave me a frantic beep to let me know I passed an intersection I needed to turn on. Turning around, I faced two knights heading right at me. One was massive, all muscle and brawn while the other was whip thin and short. Panicking, I froze. Did they know who I was and what I planned? Or just happened to be coming my way?
"Are you sure the Claws were fully tested? No short cuts were taken?" Said the taller knight as the two took the painted path I was supposed to turn on. I breathed a sigh of relief. Wait. The Claws? Weren't those the creatures Tertius was assigned to for the mission? I trailed them as quickly as I could without catching their attention, following them past two looming beetles before entering a smaller corridor that led to a different part of the military wing. The echoes of their voices bounced off the walls.
"… passed the trial runs successfully. Technically they're better than the other models." The female knight said, adjusting her helmet.
"Even the Spector cats?" The burlier knight sounded doubtful.
"They are fairly even. However, a cat can't carry a single fallen ally and a claw can carry three."
"Then why didn't they assign us with a mix of both? Cats kill, Claws carry those who are injured."
"Your duty is to obey, not question, brother. Iron Horse and Machina know more than you on matters such as these. Even I can see there's a high probability of getting caught or betrayed by Rowan – they wouldn't want the old bloods to discover our greatest spying tool."
The big knight grunted, "Can't discover the darn cats if they can't see them…"
Great. The Iron fey have invisible spies. I'll have to warn Ash about those- The thought of Ash sent a crazy butterfly attack to my stomach. I may be seeing him soon. Maybe. For all I knew he wasn't in the Unseelie court – heck he could be lounging on a beach and getting a tan. Or he could already be in the Iron Kingdom, half dead from acid rain and iron poisoning…
The knights followed the exact route my GPS guided me on. This area was looked vaguely familiar, which meant we were getting closer. My heart was beating out of control, adrenalin a steady burn in my veins. I touched my switch blade to make sure it was there. It took all my effort to calm my nerves and listen to the knight's conversation. Side stepping a herd of golden pepper shaker like robots and other occasional fey, I did my best to keep close enough to hear but far enough to not be suspicious. Eavesdropping was harder than it seemed – I only caught bits and pieces of what they were saying. I was able to gather that they were on the same mission as Tertius though. They were part of a small team that had to secure the escape trod.
Okay, I have a start! I can pretend that I am a part of the trod securing group. As long as I keep my helmet on and don't say anything I can sneak through the trod with the regiment. First opportunity I get I can sneak away.
But what if they keep count? My blood ran cold, and more sweat beaded on my forehead. Craaap. They wouldn't have invited a bunch of random knights to participate on such an important mission – they would have been hand selected. It would be easy to see there was an uninvited guest among them.
With a sense of dread that felt like a squirmy opossum in my gut, I realized I had to knock out a knight. And not just any knight – one that is supposed to be on the same mission. The first time I came to the castle in search of Machina, I had to tie up a dwarf and use his clothes as a disguise. It was fairly easy considering how apathetic the dwarf was to the whole situation and the fact that I had Ash's glowing blue sword with me – but this time would be different. Knights were trained to fight and wouldn't be as compliant as the dwarf.
And there was no chance in hell of me beating the two that I followed. I doubt I could take on one, and two would be suicide. They would spear me like a shish co bob before I even got close enough to do anything.
Finding a small abandoned offshoot from the hallway, I waited, desperately wracking my brains for any better ideas. None came. The pair I had followed retreated into the distance until I couldn't hear the scrape of their boots. I took out my switch blade, pressing the button. The blade leapt up blindingly fast, its faint blue glow reflecting against my armor.
"I highly suggest not touching the blade, your majesty." I remembered Tertius saying, "It acts as a Taser, and will give a nasty shock if you touch it."
If it acted like a Taser, shouldn't it just render someone useless for a while? Would it cause any permanent damage?
Well, there was only one way to find out. I'll just have to sneak up on the knight and give him a tap. There aren't a lot of knights in this part of the tower, so hopefully the next one that came along was a part of the mission. Tap, tie, and walk away.
I waited what seemed like eternity, wrestling with guilt and self-purpose. I could hear the approach of the fey from the little hall I stationed myself at, and every time I did I tensed up, ready to spring into action. Every time though, it was some different species of robot. I checked the time. Half an hour to go. Holly crap time was flying by. The armor was getting more and more uncomfortable; it was starting to feel like I was in a concrete body suit. There was an itch on my back, one beneath a metal plate that couldn't be satisfied no matter how hard I pressed my back to the wall and wiggled about.
Just when I was about to damn the whole idea I heard a pair of footsteps. Not the stiletto steps of a pray mantis or the skulk of a hound but very, very human sounding footsteps. I readied myself, hefting my switchblade in the palm of my hand, wracking my brain of the techniques Tertius showed me on knife fighting. I clenched my teeth, doing my best to ignore the voice in my head that screamed this was a bad idea.
The figure passed the opening of the hallway I hid in. The knight, thankfully, wasn't huge like the one I followed earlier.
I slid out, following them like a lethal shadow. The knight seemed to be in a hurry, his footsteps quick and sharp. Judging by his demeanor, he didn't notice me, or simply didn't care that someone was following him. I swallowed, trying to moisten my dry throat.
One more look around to make sure the coast was clear, I moved in before I could think better of it.
The knight, sensing my presence in the last second, pivoted about, taking me by surprise. I lashed out, aiming for the shoulder but missed when he quickly stepped to the side. He grunted, grabbing my wrist with the knife with both his hands, putting me in a wrist lock. I cried out in pain when he twisted.
But Tertius practiced this exact move with me. Muscle memory took over.
I quickly lowered my center of gravity, turning and stepping towards the knight so that we were side by side. The painful pressure on my wrist immediately disappeared and with all my strength I yanked it free from his grasp.
My victory was short lived however, when he quickly recovered and smashed his elbow into my ribcage. Even though the armor shielded me from the brunt of the impact, the hit sent me off balance.
And then his fist smashed into my jaw.
Lights exploded from the back of my eyes, my head snapping back with the impact, ill secured helmet flying off. Everything became a haze of bright, intense pain. I fell on my back with tooth jarring impact.
"You have to keep trying, no matter how impossible it seems." I remembered Tertius saying. I struggled to sit up, "You have to do whatever it takes to win."
I was vaguely aware of the blade that I still clutched in my hand, of the knight that was staring at me.
"I highly suggest not touching the blade, your majesty…acts like a Taser…"
"Are you… are you Queen Meghan Chase…?" The knight said in confusion and rising alarm. His guard was open.
He didn't expect what happened next, neither did I for that matter. I threw my switch blade.
I didn't know how to throw knives properly. I had hard enough time playing darts and getting the darts to stick to the board. But I didn't need to stab him. All I had to do was touch him with the blade.
The knife struck his thigh broad side first. Blue sparks flew where it hit. The knight, with a sort of gurgling gasp, collapsed. The sound of his armored body hitting the ground sounded deafening. He didn't move.
Dizzily, I crawled towards him. The dull roar of blood in my head sounded like a mini ocean. I frantically tried to pry off his helmet but couldn't figure out how the darn straps worked.
"Hello? Are you okay?"
The dread that had rested in my gut like a fidgety opossum earlier had become a giant squirmy bear, wracking my insides with claws of guilt and growing terror.
"Hello? " I said desperately again, "Are you alright? I'm sorry…" I choked, on the brink of tears. I shook him gently. His head lolled from side to side. Did I kill someone? Did I really kill a living being? I didn't know it would shock him this bad –
The knight groaned, muscles spasming once before he went limp once again. Relief surged through me like water. Thank god…
Shaking away the emotions and physical pain, I quickly went to work, tugging my helmet back on and stuffing my braid back in it. I dragged the unconscious fey to the hall way I had previously used as a hiding spot, terrified of being discovered at any moment. Thankfully, no one stumbled upon the scene.
Once I dragged him to the wall, I stood up, inspecting my handy work. The knight looked like a dead body. I tried folding his arms as if he were sleeping until I realized how stupid that was – it was obvious that he had been knocked out and any passerby who took a peep down the hall could see that. Anyways, who the hell would sleep in the middle of a hallway? Frantically, I looked around for another place to stow his body, trying to pry open a few air vents along the bottom of the wall that could possibly fit him – however none of them budged.
Yanking on the grates on the floor proved useful though. One gave way, revealing a cavity filled with a complex of wires and pipes and just enough space for a knight. I quickly dragged him to the hole, my muscles straining against the dead weight. His armor made a horrendous screech against the floor that sent my teeth on edge.
Awkwardly, I situated him on his back, trying to make him as comfortable as possible in a heap of wires and hissing pipes. Squeaking out a few apologies, I slid the heavy grate over his body.
Well now, that wasn't so hard. Piece of cake. Doing good. Fifteen minutes to go.
I quickly made my way towards my destination, my whole body still trembling from the left over adrenalin of my first fight. My palms were uncomfortably moist, and I couldn't still the shaking in my hands. Wincing, I sucked my lower lip, realizing for the first time that the knight had split it open when he punched me in the face. I cracked a smile and suppressed a hysterical giggle at how ludicrous that sounded - I was just punched in the face by a faery! Bad idea. The smile brought even more pain to my poor lip, making me gasp. Okay, get a hold of yourself Meghan.
The hall, to my growing dread, soon transformed into a familiar courtyard. The shaking in my hands grew even worse as I regarded the small retinue of knights gathered in the front the old fountain that was composed of giant, creaking gears. It was the very fountain that Ash had been tied to. An odd array of twisted metal wire sat off to its side.
It looked like my guess was correct. This was the place that Tertius' unit was gathering before the mission. Straightening my shoulders, I forced my feet to move forward with assurance – If I looked hesitant and clumsy now I'd get discovered.
The knights stood in a rigid three by three formation, and it didn't take a genius to see the space in the back of the formation was meant for the knight that I knocked out. I suppressed a sigh of relief – I did knock out a knight that was a part of the mission. At least I think. I could only hope that a knight wouldn't come to the court yard and wonder why someone was in his spot.
I wondered if the other fey could hear the mad pounding of my heart behind all of my armor as I stepped into the group. No one so much as looked in my direction. I mimicked their stiff stances, resisting the urge to take off my helmet and rub my head. I still felt dizzy, and worst yet I felt a skull bursting head ache coming on. I could kill for some ibu profin.
Tertius arrived precisely on time. I didn't know my heart could beat any harder without exploding completely out of my chest. He looked exactly how I first saw him when we first met in the wastelands of the Iron Kingdom - all segmented armor and lethal grace. His helmet was tucked beneath his arm; the expression on his face radiated a formidable, icy aloofness. This wasn't the Tertius I knew. This was a General of the Iron Fey, a ruthless solider set on a deadly task. And if he discovers me, he wouldn't just let me come along or send me back to my room. It was hard to keep my ridged posture – all I wanted to do was shrink into a little ball and crawl away unnoticed.
"Attention!" Tertius barked, sounding exactly like a military officer off the movies. The heap of metal that I noticed earlier leaped to life, almost making me jump. As the mass unfolded itself, it broke into smaller, almost spider like mechanisms. Each one was composed of twisted wire with deadly sets of razor sharp claws. No doubt these were the so called "Claws" that the knights spoke of earlier. They quickly arranged themselves besides the Knights, facing their general. He made a swift motion with his hand; the familiar sounds of a trod moving to surface vibrated the ground.
"Ajax!" Tertius barked again. A knight in the front row stepped forward, giving a stiff salute. "Has everyone been debriefed?"
"Yes, sir."
The general nodded, his gaze sweeping the soldiers. For a fraction of a second too long his gaze lingered on my shoulder. My breath hitched. But he didn't give any sign of recognition. He did, however, made another hand gesture that ceased the grating and grinding of the trod.
"Retinue 347," He said in a commanding voice, his eyes sweeping the group once more and lingering on my shoulder again. "If the escape trod isn't secured by the appropriated time, you will all face particularly harsh punishment. Failure will not be tolerated. Understood?"
"Sir, yes sir!" The retinue yelled back.
"Before we set off, I'd like to have a private word with Abend." He looked directly at me. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I tried not to run away screaming. Keep cool Meghan… just try not to talk…
He walked past the group, motioning for me to follow. I followed, inner voice abuzz with advice – Only speak when spoken to. Speak in a low manly voice. Nod instead of talk whenever possible. Keep shoulders straight. DO NOT start hyperventilating…
It was very, very hard not to hyperventilate though…
I followed him across the court yard and into the trees. What if he knows it is me? I pushed that very intimidating thought out of my head. I couldn't think that. Right now I have to focus on fooling him. Maybe he did need to have a word with Abend; perhaps the Knight I knocked out had some special role in the operation.
He stopped behind a tree, motioning me to come forward which I did. He glanced towards the court yard, which was hidden behind the silver trees. "So Abend," His voice was thick with sarcasm, which immediately sent alarms off in my head, "How did you grow long blond hair overnight?" I looked down in bewilderment, and sure enough a betraying tendril of blond hair had escaped my helmet and lay exposed upon my shoulder. Before I could come up with something plausible to say, Tertius reached out and jerked off my helmet with one hand, making me gasp in surprise. Oh…SHIT.
"Meghan!" He paused, struggling to regain his composure, "What the hell happened to Abend?" His voice was low and strained, the anger in it barely suppressed. I don't know what was weirder – him saying my name without a title or seeing my polite, level headed teacher about to explode. His fingers flexed, and I couldn't help but wonder if he wanted to grab me by the shoulders and shake me senseless.
I wrung my hands nervously, trying not to cringe under his intense glare. "Um I…" Really want to melt into the floor, "I knocked him out, he's fine." I caught of flicker of relief in his stormy eyes, but he was still as tense as a jack-in-the-box about to spring.
He quickly appraised my armor, his eyes lingering on my cut lip. "Where – never mind that are you trying to provoke Machina into killing you! He'll assume the worse if he finds you disguised like this. You have to leave. Now." His eyes met mine pleadingly, a frantic kind of concern knitting his dark eyebrows.
"I can't just leave I have to do...this." I motioned wildly, not sure what I was indicating. "Tertius, please. I have to escape. I don't have a choice. That trod back there is my only chance."
"You don't have a choice?" He asked, flustered and confused. "I don't see anyone with a gun to your head forcing you to do anything your majesty. You're a Queen. No one can make you do anything unless-"
"It's not like that." I hissed back, trying to push the conversation in a different direction. He couldn't know about the deal between me and Ash. Not yet. "Just… please Tertius I need your help just this last time." I was blabbering, and probably didn't sound very convincing. I could see Tertius was closer to slinging me over his shoulder to lock me in my bedroom like some petulant child rather than helping my cause. Taking a deep breath, I tried again.
"I have to escape. One way or another I have to get out of here. And…" I swallowed nervously, "I want you to come with me."
That took him by surprise. His eyes widened, temporarily took the stormy wind from his sails, "Queen Meghan how-"
"Ah how sweet." We both froze in surprise at the familiar, buzzing voice that was coming from above us, "Two star crossed lovers running away into the sunset… it makes my little clockwork heart tick a little faster."
Virus floated down from the canopy of trees, landing gracefully before us in a tight, turquoise business suit with gold stilettos. "And don't think about running your majesty." She yawned, catching my furtive glances. "Machina didn't say that I wasn't allowed to inject one of my little buglets in your brain. It would make things a lot easier for me…"
I unsheathed my switchblade in one smooth motion. No way in hell will I let some creepy crawler in my brain. The thought of becoming Virus' drooling puppet gave me the bravo I needed. "Yeah right." I snarled, "I'd cut you down before that ever happened." I inched back, calculating my odds of reaching a trod before Virus could catch me. Wait… Tertius didn't fully raise the trod… Shit he knew it was me when right off the bat and didn't want to risk giving me an escape route.
She raised a dark green eyebrow as she eyed my switch blade. "Would you like to do this the hard way your Majesty" she said sarcastically. "Do you want me to drag your unconscious body back to your throne?" With a motion of her finger thousands upon thousands of insects crawled up from ground, oozed out from the crevices of the flagstones of the courtyard to surround me and Tertius with a deafening mechanical buzz. They circled us, until they all the insects became a silver blur, an impenetrable wall. The mini whirlwind they created whipped my hair around. I gripped my weapon harder, glaring at Virus. She stared back, unable to keep a blood thirsty smile from her mouth.
"Queen Meghan," Tertius lips where suddenly by my ear, his fingers gently gripping my elbow. "Please becalm yourself. She's trying to provoke you."
I kept my eyes locked onto Virus', my pride and reason having their own little fight in my head. Reason had the upper hand and finally won out, seeing how it was impossible to break through an insect hurricane. Not to mention, I didn't have a place to escape to thanks to Tertius' foresight. Without looking away and keeping my head held high, I sheathed my blade. "I think I can walk back to my throne without the assistance of your bugs."
Her eyes narrowed, and I could see the disappointment in them, "Pity." She signaled with her finger once more, the whirl wind of insects scattering in all directions until a few lazily floated around like shiny dust motes. "Very well your highness. I shall accompany you until Tertius leaves for his mission."
A/N:Yup. Abrupt ending but I didn't know how to end it. Next Chapter - Machina!... That is if I'm still alive to write it . Going snowboarding, and gonna start learning how to do some jumps .o. But yes! Machina will make a reappearance! Until next time!
