Hey, everyone! :) This is my first week back in college... and things are looking a bit more painful this term. The combination of physics and chemistry is rather annoying to deal with. So many numbers ahhhh.

Well, I'll try not to take up too much space this time with my AN. We got talks about technology and weapons this chapter, so I hope that you don't find that stuff terribly boring. :)

Review Response:

PKTofuMaster: Ah. Well, your reviews are greatly appreciated! :D Ah, thanks. :) Description's never been my strong suit, but I've decided that describing people is a lot more interesting than describing things. Maybe you've noticed. And warping space isn't just a fantasy thing; you'll see it in sci-fi a bunch as well (and just in science). But yes, the fantasy mechanics are getting more and more hardcore, and they're not really going to let up for a while. :) Tenda village totally creeped me out which is why I depicted it like this haha. And no, I didn't kill Paula just because she dies so easily in the game. Later deaths (or lack thereof) may not follow that trend... ;)

I haven't even spoken much about myself, have I? I guess I don't matter in the grand scope of conflict between Scaraba and Eagleland.

I guess the first thing you should know is that I'm trying to save the world one step at a time.

"Jeff," Claus said in an urgent voice.

Jeff turned around to see Claus swinging the door to the laboratory open. All of the color was drained from his face.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," Jeff said.

"Come with me," Claus said. "I have something for you to see."

"I'm kind of busy right now."

"I don't give a psych. Trust me, you want to see this."

Jeff sighed, putting down the glass tubes and psionic crystal in his hand.

"Fine," he said. "But it had better be quick."

"It will only take as long as you want it to," Claus said, gesturing for Jeff to come out of the room.

Claus led Jeff to an underground part of the complex. Why would Claus take him this way?

"How's the Warden's family doing?" Jeff asked.

"Orange Kid and his mom?" Claus said. "Prisoners."

"Really?" Jeff said. "They're not a threat."

"If you want to talk to Zanine about it, be my guest," Claus said. "But I have another prisoner for you to see. It's someone who you'll probably care more about than the brat or his mom."

Jeff shut his mouth and followed Claus. After looping through several halls, Claus opened a door that lead to a dimly lit room. He motioned for Jeff to enter.

Hesitantly, Jeff stepped inside and looked around. Squinting, he saw a sleeping prisoner chained to a wall.

"A prisoner?" Jeff asked. "This is what you wanted to show me?"

"Take a closer look," Claus said.

Jeff sighed and walked further into the prison room, fearing a trap from Claus. The prisoner's eyes snapped open, pinning Jeff in place.

"Ah," she said. "I never thought I'd see the day."

Jeff's heart skipped a beat. He recognized that voice, although he didn't want to believe his ears.

"Ana!" he said, running up. "What happened?"

"What do you think happened?" Ana said, smiling at Jeff. "I got captured by the Scarabans. Are you here to free me?" Her eyes narrowed. "No, you're working with them. I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up."

"Yes I am, but…" Jeff bit his lip. "This isn't what you think it is."

"Oh really?" Ana asked. "Because this looks exactly like how I think it is. I bet you even gave them the bombs that they used to flush us out of our shelter. None of the Scarabans are educated in psionics, after all."

Oh, psych, Jeff thought. Why did Zanine have to use them for that?

"Please, Ana," Jeff said. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone."

"But you did."

"I'm sorry!"

Ana laughed. The sharpness in her laugh nearly cut Jeff's heart open.

"You're apologizing to me?" Ana asked. "Don't waste your psyching time, Jeff. I'm only one person. Making me feel better won't accomplish anything. Unless…" Ana cocked her head. "Unless you're still trying to use me."

"Still trying to use you?" Jeff said. "It's still me, Ana. I wouldn't even think about manipulating you."

"Everyone thinks of evil," Ana said. "The difference between us and good people is that good people restrain themselves."

"Look," Jeff said. "I can see that this is really tough for you, so is it okay if I come back later?"

"You mean to say that you think I'm in a mood," Ana said. "Throwing a fit like an infant. What if I told you that I always felt this way? What if I told you that I only smile to hide my scars?"

"I… this isn't you," Jeff said. "I know the real Ana. You helped me through so many of my own struggles. You always inspired me to become strong. This can't be who you really are."

Ana closed her eyes and sighed. When her eyes flashed back open, Jeff could see uncharacteristic fear mixed in with sorrow and rage.

"Keep telling yourself that," she said. "If it gives you any comfort, then I guess there's no harm in that lie."

"Ana…"

"I don't blame you for getting me sent here," Ana said. "This is war, after all. Friendship takes the back seat to practicality and strategy. I understand that."

"No!" Jeff said. "I don't believe that at all!"

"You should," Ana said. "Why bother worrying about my one ruined life when you could free hundreds of Scarabans with your little revolution? Is my life more important to theirs?"

"No, but…"

"But nothing. By the numbers, they matter more than I do. So your course of action is correct… if this revolution really will help Scaraba in the long run. I am not convinced that is the case."

"I know it's hard to believe," Jeff said, "But the Eagleish treat Scarabans like slaves. I won't stand by while they suffer!"

"Don't you think I know?" Ana asked. "I fought a war of attrition on Vulcan; I know what the working conditions are like when thrust out of the public eye. But Jeff, you have to see the bigger picture. Did you forget that Giygas threatens the entire universe?"

"I know that what's going on here is wrong," Jeff said, "And it's my responsibility to stop it. I can make a real difference, Ana."

"Then make a difference by helping us defeat aliens rather than promoting this infighting," Ana said. "I agree that Eagleish rule should be overthrown. But we must do these things diplomatically and after our greater enemy is taken care of. You've studied history before, haven't you? Probably some military history?"

Jeff nodded.

"Tell me this," Ana said. "When a group of people revolt and manage to overthrow the government after a long and bloody war, what happens next?"

Life sometimes gets better for regular people, Jeff thought, But it normally doesn't.

"We're fighting for the right side," Jeff said. "We'll figure something out when it's time."

"I've observed the way that these Scarabans act. They're angry and they lack restraint. Most of them took stabs at me because they thought I was Eagleish. After they get rid of Eagleland, who's next?"

"…"

"Scaraba seeks vengeance, retribution," Ana said. "It wants the sands to run red with blood. And that won't just stop at yours and mine."

"You don't understand how hard it is for these people," Jeff said. "They've lived their whole lives under the boot of Eagleland. Wouldn't you be mad?"

"Certainly," Ana said. "And I don't blame them for their anger. Eagleland had it coming. But why are you joining them?"

"Because," Jeff said, turning away and taking a deep breath. "You can't unboil an egg. Sometimes, forces go into motion and you can't stop them. It's better to go with the flow than it is to swim against the current and drown."

Ana barked a laugh.

"I can see why you would think that way," she said. "Considering what going against the flow has cost me. Look at my left arm."

Jeff squinted to make out the details of her arm in the dim light. He couldn't tell for sure, but it looked covered in… scars, perhaps? But that didn't make any sense. Why would she carry scars on her left arm but not her right?

"You are familiar with self-harm practices, yes?" Ana said.

"No!" Jeff said. "You don't mean to say…"

Ana laughed again. The scathing force behind the voice echoed in Jeff's mind.

"I stabbed myself," Ana said. "All these times. I bottle up so much of my anger, you know. It has to go somewhere."

But, Jeff thought. You were supposed to be the pillar for us all to lean on. This can't be real.

"How long has this been happening?" Jeff asked.

"Years," Ana said. "Because I would rather delay the inevitable for as long as I can. I'm broken, but I can patch up my wounds and hobble along for another day. We should do that to Scaraba for now until we can address the root problem."

"I'm sorry," Jeff said. "But I can't accept that."

"I see," Ana said, not sounding surprised. "Well, this is war. Closer friendships than ours have broken in the past, and it will continue to be this way for all eternity. Just remember," Ana's eyes narrowed. "You were willing to hand weapons over to an emotionally unstable woman to bomb a civilian's house. I don't fault you for that, but I won't hesitate to do worse to you in the future."

"Meaning…"

"Meaning that if I escape, I'll hunt you down and capture you so that my side gains access to the destruction that your mind can create."

"That's cold," Jeff said, clutching his chest as he took a step back.

"I would think you'd be used to the cold, growing up in Winters," Ana said. "I spent my early childhood in a northern American town called Snowman. I learned that there are some things you have to do to survive the winter. I'm a survivor, Jeff, and I'll use any tool in my arsenal to ensure that my side keeps living."

Oh, psych, Jeff thought. She's dead serious.

"I'm sorry," Jeff said. "But I have to go."

He didn't even try to retain his dignity as he ran towards the dungeon exit.

"Yes, better get back to work," Ana whispered. "Those bombs aren't going to make themselves."

"How did it go?" Claus asked. "You look like a ghost, so I'm assuming not well."

"I can't believe it," Jeff said.

"That Ana got captured? Yeah, she doesn't seem like the type."

"Not that. She was hiding so much pain from us all this time."

"You couldn't tell?" Claus asked, raising an eyebrow. "The nicest people are always the ones who hurt the most. They don't want anyone else to know their pain."

"Nobody ever told me that," Jeff said. "And Ana sides against Scaraba, even though she knows exactly what's going on here. Can you believe it?"

"Yeah I can believe it," Claus said. "I talked to her about the exact same thing before I called for you. She makes a convincing argument."

"If you believe her, then why are you still here?"

"Because I never wanted to join you," Claus said. "I listen. I watch. I judge. It comes in handy sometimes. I think it was good for you to see her half-naked with her hands clamped to the wall above her head. Not necessarily the higher standard of morality that Zanine described."

"Her condition is temporary," Zanine said, startling Jeff with her sudden appearance. "I do not wish to see human beings suffer any more than you do, Claus. But you know how psionics works, yes? If she is allowed to move her arms, she can use her abilities to escape. It is either that or her mouth."

"Please, can't you give her a little bit more?" Jeff asked. "If we explain the situation to her, she'll respect her captivity and promise not to escape if you keep her in a better cell."

"I'm sure she'll promise," Zanine said, "And then she'll flee once we turn our backs. Did you even listen to what she said? She's willing to use any tool in her arsenal to get what she wants. People like that are dangerous."

"Says the person who was clearly scrying on Jeff's conversation without his knowledge," Claus said.

Zanine stiffened.

"I am not used to being accused in such a manner," she said. "You would do well to watch your words, psychic warrior. I can snap and you'll be surrounded by three psions."

"Ah yes, your two little minions," Claus said. "Cyrus and Xerxes, named after the kings of old. Tell me, do they actually have wills of their own or do you pull the strings in their brain?"

"Please, stop it," Jeff said. "Both of you."

Zanine and Claus turned towards Jeff, although Zanine took the opportunity to shoot a glare at Claus.

"Listen," Jeff said. "I know that we're all on the same side here. Can we try to accept each other's views and move on?"

"I'm not so sure that he's on our side," Zanine said. "Since when has he contributed anything?"

"For once, I have to agree," Claus said. "I am a neutral party. If you Scarabans get attacked, don't expect me to help."

"Then leave," Zanine said, her frigid eyes causing Jeff to flinch.

"I will if you make me," Claus said, smiling back at Zanine's icy gaze. "Feel free to force me out of this complex with your little henchmen. But what message does that send? I thought that the Eagleish were supposed to look down on foreigners."

Claus kept the smile on his face as he walked away, his departure daring Zanine to act. The Scaraban psion muttered something under her breath in Persian.

"I cannot stand him," Zanine said.

"That's what people who meet him usually say," Jeff said. "Ninten felt that way at first. He'll grow on you."

"I sure hope so." Zanine snorted. "But I didn't come to pick bones with that boy." She frowned. "Is that a valid expression that you Eagleish use?"

"Close enough," Jeff said. "What does bring you here?"

"It's about your bottle rockets," Zanine said.

The words hit Jeff like a punch in the gut. Zanine had used his bottle rockets to capture Ana.

"I'm sorry, Jeff," Zanine said. "I didn't know that Ana was your friend."

"And if you had, would it have changed anything?" Jeff asked. "Or would you have gone through with the attack anyway?"

Zanine didn't respond.

"Psych it!" Jeff said. "Are you serious?"

"Please," Zanine said. "You must understand-"

"Oh, I think I understand perfectly well," Jeff said. "It doesn't matter how I want the weapons to be used, even though I created them. Because you're influential, you get to decide who lives and who dies like you're some sort of god."

"Will you listen?" Zanine asked, gritting her teeth. "The order to capture Ana was not mine."

"What?" Jeff said. "Then who…?"

"Who would demand the capture of a teenage girl with psionic powers?" Zanine finished for him. "It was my husband. Bahram cares little for sentimental matters, I'm afraid. He saw Miss Aniah as a potential enemy, and he is the type to take action. I am sorry that it led to this."

"Oh," Jeff said. "I'm sorry for blowing up at you, then."

"I understand," Zanine said, putting her motherlike smile back on. "It must be hard for you to deal with the poor conditions that your friend is being kept in. She doesn't treat you kindly, from what I heard. If I were in your place, I would have cracked before now."

"I think she's just having a tough time too," Jeff said. "You can't really blame her for getting angry after she got captured."

"Perhaps, but…"

"But what?" Jeff asked.

"I am not positive, but it appears that your reluctance to judge her comes from how she helped you in the past." Zanine looked Jeff in the eye. "Yet even she admitted that her actions before were a façade. Could it be that you do not wish to admit how far lost your friend Ana has always been?"

Jeff clenched his fists. He wasn't in denial, psych it!

"I'm sorry," Zanine said. "That was a little far."

"No," Jeff said, barely getting the word out through his stiff jaw. "You're free to voice your theories and opinions. Still, I feel like she's just in a bad mood right now. I'm sure that there's some truth behind what she's saying, but I think that she's exaggerating it."

And what about the scars? Jeff asked himself. She's been stabbing herself for years. Can you really dismiss that?

"It is wise to listen, even when you disagree," Zanine said. "You know how to take unsavory opinions and craft them into your own. Which leads me to my next question…"

Oh, this will be great, Jeff thought.

"Bahram approves of your bottle rockets and wishes to produce more of them. Is there any way to get some of the Scaraban civilians involved in their production? It would quicken the process and leave you with more time to address other matters."

Jeff should have seen that question coming from a mile away.

"I know that it's hard to give away the secrets of your invention to someone else," Zanine said, "But think of how much more time you'll have if civilians take care of the matter for you."

Think of how many more bombs we'll be able to make, Jeff heard laced between the words.

"Fine," Jeff said. "So long as we restrain it to civilians who don't really know what they're doing. We can create an assembly line so that no one person knows how to create an entire bottle rocket. That way we can keep my complete methods a secret for a little while longer. How does that sound?"

"Perfect," Zanine said. "Thank you for being willing to compromise?"

Why do I get the feeling that I just made a massive mistake? Jeff asked himself.

"Wait!" Jeff said as Zanine was walking away. "I have one more condition."

"Yes?" Zanine waited attentively.

"Were there any other psions with Ana? A shy boy with dark hair?"

Zanine's eyes flashed with recognition. Jeff smiled to himself; he knew that Ana would never be found far away from her boyfriend.

"He escaped, didn't he?" Jeff asked. "Ana probably sacrificed herself to keep him safe."

"That is not quite what happened, but you are close," Zanine said.

"His name is Ness," Jeff said. "And you tell your husband that if he wants me to get civilians involved in manufacturing weapons, he needs to leave Ness alone. Make sure everyone in the entire psyching army knows not to capture the dark-haired Eagleish boy. Otherwise, you can kiss this all goodbye."

"You care about him that much?" Zanine said, raising an eyebrow. "I suppose I won't question it. I will make that happen. Your friend will be safe for as long as you cooperate with us."

As Zanine resumed her exit, a sinking feeling entered Jeff's stomach.

What she means, he thought, is that if I leave them, they're free to capture Ness. I gave them free information on how to hit me where it hurts.

Suddenly, demanding the protection of Ness didn't seem like such a great plan.

Jeff spent the next few weeks on more mundane tasks. True to his word, he organized a miniature factory for civilians to help produce more bottle rockets. And true to Zanine's word, there was no news about Ness.

Jeff visited Ana nearly every day. Despite Zanine's insistence that chaining her to a wall was "temporary," her hands were clamped in irons above her every day. After the first few visits, she started to soften up and talk to Jeff about her worries. In particular, she was afraid of Ness getting captured and subjected to her current treatment. When Jeff told her that he demanded that the Scarabans leave him alone, she started to tear up and thanked him several times.

Afterwards, she made it clear that she would still capture him into making bombs for Ceres if she got the chance.

Jeff passed some of the time by manufacturing more laser guns for himself, although he didn't know what he would possibly use them for. He tried to connect with Zanine's right and left hand psions Cyrus and Xerxes, who were hesitant to share details of their personal life. All Jeff learned was that Cyrus had a wife and kids in a small Scaraban village and that Xerxes' parents died working in the limestone mines.

Zanine tried to socialize with him, but something about her words always made it clear that she wanted something from him. To her, Jeff was a tool. A valuable tool to be treasured, perhaps, but a tool al the same. He couldn't stand talking to her if it wasn't about business.

Jeff resolved to gain a better understanding of the current situation in Scaraba. Had Zanine's revolution really helped people? Despite his initial fears, he found that Scaraba had become a far happier place than when he first arrived. While nobody wished to chat with someone they suspected of being Eagleish, Jeff observed the markets for hours on end and found that these Scarabans generally treated each other well, making meaningful conversation and offering favors or discounts.

However, not every place was quite as happy. While the city of Fiven thrived, the outside villages bordering limestone quarries struggled to remain afloat. While they had been horribly treated by Eagleish rule, the new rules for limestone cutters were inconsistent and in some cases nonexistent. Zanine sent money to some of the villages to pay for imports of limestone, but she admitted that the Scarabans had no real need for the stuff. She mentioned trading some with Eagleland, but given the current tension between the two countries Jeff didn't bother to hope for that proposition to become anything other than wishful thinking.

Nineteen days after his first visit with Ana, Zanine interrupted his normal flow of events with an announcement. She led Jeff and Claus to a balcony overlooking the Scaraban Sea to the north. In the distance, Jeff could make out hundreds of wooden warships carrying the Eagleish flag.

"Great work," Claus said. "You've got the Eagleish navy on your hands. What do you intend to do now, Zanine? Excuse me, what does your husband mean to do?"

Zanine frowned, studying Claus' face.

"He has already issued a response," Zanine said. "Thanks to Jeff's agreement to mass-produce his bottle rockets, we are prepared to deal with this threat. We started manufacturing rockets made of steel rather than glass so that they wouldn't shatter as easily under a large amount of force."

"But that was kind of the point," Jeff said. "With a steel tube, you'll have to get a massive impact to set off an explosion."

"That is exactly what we plan to do," Zanine said. "Because the steel can withstand a greater force, we can launch the rockets far higher than we could with the glass ones. By the same token, it will also have more force when falling."

The color drained from Claus' face.

"You're not planning on fighting them at all," Claus said. "You're going to bomb the psych out of them from all the way over here."

"That is the plan, yes," Zanine said.

Oh, psych, Jeff thought. This is getting out of control more quickly than I thought.

"Jeff," Claus said, grabbing Jeff's collar. "You need to shut this down. Now."

A moment later, an unknown force sent Claus flying backwards and landing on the ground. He hopped to his feet with a snarl. Xerxes and Cyrus walked out onto the balcony between Jeff and Claus.

"You two had better not even think about getting in my way," Claus said.

"Tough words from a boy too innocent to know what real power is," Xerxes said.

"Oh, do you want to try me?" Claus asked, drawing his sword.

"Nobody's going to fight anyone," Zanine said.

"Exactly!" Claus said. "That's why there's a problem. There's no combat in bombing enemy ships. There's no regard for life. During the times of the empire, few people were actually killed in direct combat. Most of the casualties occurred when one side retreated while the other side cut of and slaughtered them. I thought that Scaraba was supposed to be better than that."

Better than slaughtering people who can't fight back… the thought made Jeff sick to his stomach.

"But if these Eagleish are allowed to reach shores, they could kill Scaraban civilians and soldiers," Jeff said. "Either way, we're risking a lot of life."

"They could slaughter the helpless," Claus said. "But if you convince yourself that your enemies are heartless killers, you can justify anything."

"Your opinion means nothing," Zanine said. Turning to Jeff, "My husband awaits confirmation from you. You are the one who bestowed this knowledge upon us, so you should be the one to make this decision."

"Don't let them psyching do it!" Claus shouted. "This is how the pigmasks razed Aphrodite to the ground. I wish that I could show you what Tazmily looked like after their invasion. If you had only seen the desolation, the howling wind…" Claus closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. "Everything living had been cut down or burned. Everything, Jeff."

"We are far different from a group of uncultured fascists," Zanine said. "And keep in mind that my Bahram makes no promises to protect Ness if you stop providing us with weapons. The choice is yours to make, but I hope you understand the consequences."

"Is it really a choice if you're holding a sword to my throat?" Jeff asked.

"Not your throat," Zanine said. "What we are doing by protecting Ness on your behalf is already creating dissent within our own ranks. He is an enemy psion, and by all rights we deserve a shot to neutralize his threat. We are already being generous by ignoring his existence while you assist us."

"Fine," Jeff said, the word coming out colder than he intended. "Do it. Use the rockets."

"Have you gone psyching insane?" Claus asked. "You just condemned thousands of people to death."

"Somebody was going to invent non-psionic missiles anyway," Jeff said. "I would rather them be used to keep a country free than enslave one."

"Oh, so this isn't about Ness at all?" Claus demanded. "I care about him as much as you do, but he's not worth a thousand lives!"

Jeff imagined the terrified look on Ness' face if Zanine were to capture him and bind him to a wall. He couldn't face that pleading face no matter what.

"This isn't just about Ness," Jeff said, turning away from Claus. "This was bound to happen. Accept this technological progress or get swept to the side. Those are my two choices."

"Then take the second one, psych it!" Claus said. "Can't you see that this isn't right?"

Oh, Claus, Jeff thought. If only the world were that simple. But I don't have a psion's strength like you. I'm just trying to win a war in the only way that I know how.

"Send the message to fire," Zanine said. "We have enough cannons to take down the entire fleet in just a few rounds."

Xerxes and Cyrus nodded, teleporting away.

Cannons? Jeff thought. Oh, they must have designed the rockets to fit a cannon. I should have supervised my little factory more closely to make sure things didn't get out of hand.

"Wait!" Jeff said. "Can't we just bomb a few and wait for them to retreat?"

"If we only bomb a few, then the rest will advance and land on our shores," Zanine said.

"Fine. We bomb them until they start to retreat. But once they do, we don't fire a single bottle rocket, you hear?"

Zanine raised an eyebrow.

"My husband will not be happy with that demand."

"I don't care," Jeff said. "Claus is right. We can't turn into the pigmasks. We'll show the Eagleish navy mercy. If they try to attack us again you can fire more rockets, but when they're actively retreating we won't harm them. Got it?"

"When did you get all assertive?" Zanine asked with a heavy sigh. "Very well. I shall inform him of your request. Teleport."

As Zanine vanished from sight, Jeff could feel Claus' singular eye boring into the back of his skull.

"This is your doing," Claus said. "Just remember that."

Missiles soared through the air, tiny grey specks against the entire blue sky. How could something so small cause so much destruction?

"Here it comes," Claus said.

Most missiles landed in the water, but a few hit ships and exploded, engulfing the ships in flames.

"Look at all the death," Claus said.

Jeff turned away.

"Look at it!" Claus grabbed Jeff's head and turned it back towards the fires on the sea. "Psych it, you at least owe them that much."

Jeff tried to jerk his head back; Claus held it in place. Jeff struck out with his fist and hit only breastplate.

"Why does it matter?" Jeff asked. "They're dead anyway. Some of them aren't even dead since most of them can probably swim."

"When you kill someone, you need to look them in the eye and see the look on their face. If you can't bear to see yourself taking everything away from them, then you shouldn't be killing in the first place."

Jeff slouched, no longer resisting Claus' attempts to force him to watch. He saw about thirty ships go down before the others retreated; his heart throbbed for each one.

"There," Claus said, releasing Jeff from his grip. "Your Scarabans slaughtered defenseless people. You saw the ships go up in flames. Do you still think that this is justified?"

"Yes," Jeff said. "No civilians were harmed this way. Ness stays safe. We still showed mercy to those who desired it."

"Then I suppose your heart hasn't taught you anything at all."

Claus turned around and swung the door to the inside of the complex building open. He turned back to look at Jeff with his single eye.

"Remember this moment," he said.

He entered the building from the balcony and slammed the door shut.