Dynamic Equilibrium
a Bones/Felarya crossover
Chapter 34: The Winters of Our Discontent
11-16-2014
by Greyman
Disclaimer: Bones and all related characters are the property of 20th Century Fox. Felarya is the creation and property of Karbo, and all associated characters are the property of their respective creators.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Her fingers hovering over the buttons on her headband, Exona took one last look through the icy fog she generated. The fairies Brennan and Vivian had recruited were giving no quarter, pushing back hard against their forces. Thankfully, they were outnumbered. And between the single-minded relentlessness of their infected harpies and their fairies' training, the enemy could be kept at bay. It was part of the reason they committed such a large force of predators, along with all their measures in Negav's Higher Tier and beyond, to be ready for ANYTHING. And their caution was paying off. Their predators could hold the line, keep any hostiles from getting too close to the Isolon Eye.
But it was best not to take any other chances. There was only one surefire way to keep the counterattacking fairies from reaching the Eye. Exona's fingertips drew a little closer, certain the Isolon Eye was primed for the power transfer. Still, a bit of hesitation remained. The memory of her uncommon power making her an object of scorn and envy for fellow frost sprites…stuff like that never went away. It wasn't that she necessarily WANTED the power of a god. It was just that there was no other way to get rid of the Guardians' ambience and begin Felarya's nudge in the desired direction. It's ridiculous, the lengths we'll have to go through to attain that one, simple goal, Exona mused. But it must be done. Other predators sympathetic to their prey…oh, they'll talk about how Felarya should change, but only we are willing to DO something about it! she added acidly. And it would be gratifying to see Nemyra's lifeless corpse at her feet…
"Exona, is there anything wrong?" Antonin called up through the lingering, misty winds. There was concern in his voice, but a little underlying anxiousness.
"Just…mentally preparing myself," Exona said quickly. It was partly true. Even for her, this sort of influx would be overwhelming, no matter how much her gear tried to buffer the raw power.
Antonin smiled warmly. "It will be worth it, my Ordenzli. The moment the two of us dreamed of for years, it's finally here. You've kept your ice power a shameful secret for so long. It's time to truly cut loose."
Exona cracked a small smile in return. Antonin was right. After centuries of needing to keep the full extent of her power hidden, now was the time to show Felarya what she could really do. Sucking in one last breath, Exona finally punched the button that would trigger the transfer from the base's alternators.
Needles from her back-mounted gear shot into Exona's spine, but that wasn't the worst of it. All of a sudden, the siphoning hit her. It was like one of her own ice bludgeons taken to her own head, the rush was so overpowering. For a moment, she must've just fluttered by the Isolon Eye, as uselessly as if her now-needed protection from it had faltered. Fighting to regain control, Exona worked to block out the pain; Thwax- Sil-Kul training did wonders for that. Slowly, her efforts bore fruit, and instead of feeling crushing pain, Exona felt overwhelmed by…boundless energy. Sure, fairies tended to feel zippy, but this was far beyond that. This was a rush of pure power, and the elation of anticipation how it could be used…
But it was still coming too fast, too rigorously. Some of the excess needed to be bled off. So Exona got to work, at first concentrating on generating more misty fog and swirling winds. In an eyeblink, her improvised mist swirled around the entirely of the Square of Hope, and it didn't stop there. Soon, the swirling mist spread out, covering the University of Magic and the Vishmital's Blue Zone. Mere moments later, it surrounded the entirety of the Higher Tier, and it wasn't just misty fog anymore. Now it was driving snow, propelled by winds that could cut to the marrow of even a giant predator's bones.
But that wasn't enough to ensure there was no interference. Looking back over to the University of Magic, Exona raised her hand. With but a thought, she lashed out with her icy power. At once, ice began to creep up the university's walls, and effectively blocked off most of the ways out. Plus, ice smashed through the walls in some places, towards where reports said a good chunk of the university's defenders had been herded, before their own forces began pulling back. An overly blunt solution for someone who preferred precision accuracy, but now was not the time to be picky.
Focusing more of her burgeoning power, Exona directed more ice over to the Blue Zone. Being proudly separate from the Magiocrats and the Isolon Fist, the Vishmitals would've been slower to react, only being alerted when the sirens began blaring. Now the majority of them would be under wraps, safe, so that they could focus on rebuilding their civilization once this messiness was over.
Then, for the coup de grace, Exona fluttered down to where Imkza and Antonin still stood. The former had generated magical barriers to block out the worst of the driving snow. Satisfied that all was well with them, Exona slammed her hands down on the edge of the Eye's pedestal. Ice crept down the side of the Square of Hope, icicles jutting out threateningly. Directing her ice to where Amj reported most of the opposition had been forced back to, the ice forcing its way inside like a living thing, Exona essentially walled them off.
All this, all done in no time at all, with minimal effort. Whereas at her base power, it would have taken a few long, arduous minutes to generate enough ice for those barricades, plus kick up a snowstorm of this magnitude. And normally, she would've needed at least a moment or two to catch a breather, but she was ready for even more!
Exona fluttered over Imkza and Antonin again as the three of them surveyed the scene. Already, most of the Higher Tier was blanketed in snow, even the hanging gardens. The route on foot to the Square of Hope was all but impassible, and only the toughest flying predators would dare brave these winds.
"Then that's it," said Imkza, echoing Exona's thoughts. "There's no one and nothing that can punch through all of this. Short of a Guardian, and they're hamstrung by their own rules. The Isolon Eye's power's as good as ours."
Exona wanted to warn Imkza about overconfidence again, but she had a point. Despite their earlier setbacks, they had fought back just hard enough to make sure most opposition would be walled off. By the time the Isolon Fist and Vishmitals still in the Higher Tier smashed through her ice, it would be far too late, and they will have moved on to bigger prey…
But just as Exona dared to let herself think ultimate victory was inevitable, a sudden, unwelcome sensation hit her. Along with her other abilities, her predator sense had been enhanced as well. And the presences she sensed now…they were noxious, yet hauntingly familiar. It was still a struggle to cope with all this newfound power, so it took a moment to search her memory and recall the first time she felt this.
Then, it came rushing back: succubi. And one felt disturbingly similar to what she sensed as harpies under their control did training rounds, weeks ago…
"Zycra!" Exona cried out, making Imkza and Antonin's heads swivel towards her. "Zycra's here!" Not waiting for them to reply, Exona shot away from the Square of Hope and enlarged herself. Zycra wasn't Hell's toughest succubus, but her durability and fire magic could be just enough to knife through her snowstorm. Of course, Exona handily clocked her BEFORE this power boost, but she was in no mood to take chances. Unfortunately, even with her new power, her predator sense still wasn't like radar. There was just no way to tell which direction Zycra was flying in from.
Exona began to circle the Higher Tier, always being sure to keep an eye on the Isolon Eye. Being a frost sprite, seeing through her own blizzard was hardly a problem, but there was still no sign of Zycra. Even worse, there were two succubi out there, at least. Who else did Vivian recruit? Exona wondered. Arale would have no problem flying through this, but this other presence…it's too similar to Zycra's. Hold on, could that mean…
Just as the possibility came to Exona, she sensed a huge outburst of raw, demonic power. Whirling around, Exona was able to douse an incoming volley of hellish flame just in time. But as soon as it faded into the snowy winds, something shot right at Exona, tackling her.
Whoever it was slammed Exona down into one of the opulent condominiums in Eladrine Hills. Obeying raw instinct, Exona sent out a wave of frosty wind, knocking her attacker back. Exona leapt up from the rubble to meet whoever it was, and found her dreaded suspicions confirmed.
"Of all the succubi Vivian could've recruited, you were the last I'd expect to have a hands-on approach…Menyssan," Exona growled over her winds. Menyssan merely grinned back, that smirk punctuated by the faint light coming from the headband that shielded her brain from the Isolon Eye. She was using her flame power to buffet the snowy winds, but even a fire succubus wouldn't be able to do it forever. Something else was going on here.
"What can I say? I love a tactical puzzle," Menyssan said simply before charging. Exona ducked under the first punch, but then Menyssan brought a knee up into her gut. Fluttering back a little, she concentrated. Menyssan rushed in for another punch, her entire forearm ablaze with demonic fire. However, Exona simply caught it. The heat was intense, but could no longer sear her flesh.
"But you're more suited to commanding from afar, not taking to the battlefield yourself," Exona sneered. Now that icy spikes covered her knuckles and had erupted from the back of her other hand, Exona delivered a devastating straight to Menyssan's face. She was propelled back, sailing between two other high-rises in Eladrine Hills, but otherwise looked undaunted, and cut loose with a rain of fireballs.
It was a simple matter to extinguish that fire, but something made Exona uneasy. Something's not right. Menyssan's not tough enough to go the distance in a fight like this, and she knows it. What sort of chess move could…
Then it hit her. This was the last thing you'd expect from Menyssan, offering HERSELF up as a sacrifice piece. Or, at the very least, a distraction…
Exona sensed something closing in fast, but it was too late. Sharp talons dug into Exona's shoulder, and she could hear more try to rip into her transfer unit. Before Exona could shake her new attacker off, she was thrown back down into the rubble of the collapsed condominium, and a wave of intense flame followed.
With a snarl, Exona whipped up another wave of ice power to beat it back. When she looked up, that white-feathered flare harpy, Helia, was hovering overhead, also with protective gear. Meanwhile, Menyssan retreated, flying back to the Higher Tier's edge. As Exona fluttered upward again, she could feel the other demonic presence close by. Looking past the harpy, Exona could see Zycra's distinctive reddish-tanned skin, a dot halfway into the Middle Tier. And a mile to her right, there was a fairy with a blazing aura, zooming past all the ones battling over Negav. And the untamed ferocity she sensed, it could only be a Valka Fae, and it wasn't a huge logical jump to assume it was Relina.
"Well played, you four. I assume this was Menyssan's strategy?" Exona spat as she stared back at Helia. Brennan and Vivian had four masters of fire magic at their disposal. On top of using it to contain Exona's snowstorm, keep it from spreading too far, three would focus on doing that while one moved in to whittle her down. They would alternate, give each other time to rest after taking beatings, while she was steadily worn down.
Helia smirked at her. "Actually, that little anthropologist, this was her idea. Menyssan just volunteered for it."
Despite herself, Exona's indignation showed in her face. So this was Brennan's ploy? Knowing that was enough to steel her for what came next. With those furious thoughts, Exona willed spikes of ice to erupt out of her lower legs, her shoulders, and along the length of her arms, shredding her coat sleeves. Metal flowed down her arms to also reform as spikes. "And you did too, I take it?" Exona reared back an ice-encased arm. "In that case, give Dr. Brennan this message…"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lesona hung her head as she was escorted through the walls of the Deluran base. A few minutes ago, they had pulled her out of that customized cell, enlarged to human proportions by one of the fairies, handcuffed, and hauled out roughly. Her neko and fairy escorts told her nothing, and Lesona knew that demanding answers would have been pointless. Besides, it played to this veneer of meekness she had to cultivate just then. To most observers, it would look like Lesona had lost all hope, everything that Exona and Garrardo subjected her to finally breaking her. Far from the truth. She was taking everything in through her peripheral vision, and cross-referencing it with what she committed to memory from Aya's map. If…WHEN an opportunity presented itself, Lesona would be ready to act. Lesona had to suppress a grin, amused by the Coalition's arrogance.
Then again, they had nearly succeeded. Trapping her in the body of a powerless, shrunken fairy, left exposed to be watched over, under constant guard. But none of that compared to the agony of having that damn Valka Fae chieftain as a cellmate. Fairies were annoying by nature, but that one elevated obnoxiousness to an art form. This time, Lesona had to suppress a shudder. The last few days, Natalie had gotten around to making…advances, and VERY indecent proposals. There was value in learning how fairies act and think, sure, but the notion of getting THAT hands-on… Good thing she's still seemed more interested in a good fight. If I hadn't had that carrot to dangle in front of Natalie… It was truly a herculean effort to keep from shuddering.
With so much effort put into taking everything in as she was roughly escorted through the base, Lesona was losing track of time. She wasn't quite sure how long this humiliating perp walk went on. But eventually, they came to a sliding metal, hydraulic door, much bigger than any others seen thus far. One of the neko escorts hit a few buttons on a nearby terminal, and the doors slowly hissed open. The troops nodded to each other; some took positions right outside the door, while others – three nekos and two fairies, all armed – shoved Lesona inside.
What greeted Lesona wasn't quite what she expected. For one thing, it was brighter in there than the comparatively dull and gloomy hallways. Even her new fairy eyes couldn't adjust fast enough, and Lesona had to squint for a moment. Once her eyes adjusted, Lesona noticed two chair units, mounted right into the floor, in a middle of a rather spacious area she suspected was once a storage bunker. Everything looked like it had been retrofitted in the last few days, unlike other projects on the base which Lesona knew had been done gradually in recent years. The chairs, especially, looked they had been assembled just yesterday, with freshly manufactured parts. And the backs of those chairs…both had one long groove running up them, lined with sharp needles. As if…they would shoot spikes into the spinal cord of whoever sat in them.
"Fear not, Alastazia Lesona," said one of the fairies. "When those babies start shooting stuff into Imkza's spine, you won't be in the driver's seat anymore."
"You're going home, my lady, courtesy of Deluran Express," jeered the other. "We do hope you've enjoyed your stay, and find it comfortable back where hell is quite literally freezing over."
Lesona did her best to keep sharpness out of her gaze. Something was going on back in Negav, and if what this fairy let slip was any indication, Exona was involved. Their coup was underway. Looking away from the fairies, Lesona saw humans, wearing lab coats with Delurah's emblem just as Exona did, busily fiddling with computer consoles. A couple were walking across the makeshift research center, scribbling something on clipboards. But there were Deluran soldiers too. Plus, a couple of Isolon Fist mages she recognized, but had obviously betrayed Negav, now gleefully watching to make sure their former leader didn't try anything.
In the middle of that gaggle, though, stood a welcome yet unsettling sight: Aya. She still wore that jumpsuit, and her face…completely blank. Lesona suspected that this fairy tended to be outgoing and friendly, always smiling, but now her face was like stone. Nothing, not a wink or anything, served to indicate she intended to backstab this whole lot.
What a fool I was, pinning any hopes on this fairy, Lesona thought acidly as two burly neko guards shoved her into the chair on the left. One of the researchers with a clipboard nodded over to that gaggle. Out the corner of her eye, Lesona saw Aya strip out of that jumpsuit, then calmly seat herself in the other chair. Lesona was focusing on Aya so much, still hoping for…SOMETHING,despite herself, that shackles sliding over her wrists and ankles caught her by surprise.
Finally, Lesona dared to look directly at Aya, but the fairy with a flower in her hair just kept staring forward, ignoring her completely. The Deluran researchers keep muttering things, like waiting for final confirmation from General Garrardo or power fluctuations or the stability of something they called 'alternators'. Lesona realized she should be more focused on their chatter, but she kept glaring at Aya, silently pleading. Yet the whole time, Aya tuned her out. Whatever you plan on doing, you little flutterhead, plan on doing it SOON, Lesona thought with a venomous bite, fighting to keep from gritting her teeth.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Anna Demorah had many talents and strengths, and she wouldn't be shy about telling you all about them, but she'd also be the first to admit patience wasn't exactly one of them. But right now, patience was exactly what was required. Watching, waiting, from this one spot. And that magical cloth Vivian kept conjured around her nose and mouth, boy did it itch. Still, Anna was determined to be every bit the stealthy, monstrous creature she now was in body, and though she loathed to admit it, somewhat in mind and soul as well. Eerily still and silent, ready to strike like lightning, both figuratively and literally.
She lay prone behind a long line of (to her) short trees, obscured by their canopies as she looked through a pair of binoculars. She kept zooming in and out, examining all the defenses Garrardo had had installed over just a few weeks. The retrofitting he apparently manipulated his father into pushing through the imperial government…when Crisis got her, the sonic cannons were still in their experimental stage. Now, they looked pristine, ready to make a giant naga's skull explode through bone conduction. Plus a whole array of missile launchers, particle-beam turrets and other heavy weapons. And this was only what they could see on the surface. Aya said Garrardo was confident that their base could repel anything short of a direct attack from a Guardian. And if there was one thing Anna still understood about Garrardo, it was that he didn't make such a boast unless he could back it up.
Thankfully, Anna had ample time to survey the scene and study their defenses. There were a lot more personnel running around topside, a good indication that the last stage of their coup was underway, even if they hadn't received reports of Exona finally taking the Isolon Eye. Anna watched all the humans scurry around. Most looked to be Delurans, once her people. Some of the base's defenders might even be officers she remembered, worked with. Temi had gotten quite mopey about the thought of fighting, and if need be killing, fellow fairies. More than ever, Anna empathized with Temi. It made Anna hate Garrardo even more, being forced into this situation.
The hate that was burbling to the surface…it clouded Anna's thoughts for a moment. So much so, that she didn't notice another naga silently scooching up, laying next to her. Anna knew who it was without even looking. "Nothing yet, Vivian. Whatever Aya's planning, she hasn't had a chance to spring it yet."
"Sounds to me like you still don't trust Aya all that much," Vivian whispered through her own mask.
It was true. Anna simply couldn't keep the doubt out of her voice. Aya had already backstabbed them once. What was to stop her from doing it again? And after learning a thing or two from Exona on how to be a manipulative bitch, perhaps she was playing both sides off for her own gain? After all the other craziness she had witnessed these last few weeks, Anna wouldn't dismiss anything out of hand.
Not needing any extra anxiety, Anna changed the subject. "Speaking of trust, I'm still floored that you went along with me being in command of this venture."
"Oh, as Dr. Brennan would say, you're the logical choice," Vivian whispered sweetly, patting Anna's head. "You have military experience, and you understand the Deluran mindset. Plus, you look dead-sexy with camo-patterned clothes and a big laser cannon."
Anna blanched. Leave it to Vivian to throw in a little innuendo, she thought acidly. She said nothing aloud, instead going back to watching the base's fortifications closely, looking for the signal. Come on, Aya. Whatever you're going to do, do it soon…
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lesona was no stranger to stressful situations, to being put in spots where everything seemed hopeless. Everything from the day she first took the test to become a Magiocrat could be called that. But passing that test…it awakened something in her, pushed her to go further than any sane woman would have dared to dream. And because of her audaciousness, perseverance, and taste for dirty politics, she not only became the leader of the Ps'isol Magiocrats, but was in a position to push Negav in the direction she desired. Well, until she swapped bodies with a fairy, that is. That was galling enough, but it looked like her fate, as well as her city's, was in the hands of another fairy.
So Lesona sat in that chair, helplessly shackled, trying to make sense of all the soft chatter from the technicians behind her. More reports of Exona somehow using power siphoned from the Isolon Eye, thanks to these alternators, and then turning it on the entire Higher Tier. The Blue Zone, what forces remained in the University of Magic…all walled off by ice. Unable to force their way out until it would be far too late for Negav. So, this was all a ploy to become Guardians yourselves!? Somehow, it didn't seem so outlandish. Much like her, Garrardo and Exona could never be accused of thinking small. And they intended Imkza and Aya to share in that bloody glory.
Lesona looked to Aya again, but she still sat impassively in that chair, patiently awaiting whatever fate had in store. Lesona's hopes reached their lowest ebb. Just like with that damn Valka Fae, this was all a trick to crush my spirits all over again! Lesona screamed inwardly. Granted, what Lesona had observed as she was hauled here matched Aya's map perfectly, but clearly that was part of the deception. As outlandish as it seemed, all these fairies were devoted to an ideal, a goal, and willing to work hard to attain it, this Aya more than most. Soon Lesona would be sent back to her body, which would no doubt be bound and helpless. Meanwhile, Imkza would attain the powers of a god, and help run roughshod over what remained of Negav. And there was nothing she could do, partly because she dared put any trust in a…
"The power influxes for Paquxa and the general are now proceeding, and everything's within acceptable parameters," said one of the technicians behind Lesona. "Watch everything connected to the alternators, though. We don't need a blowout, not when…"
"Hold it!" cried one of the others. "I'm detecting a surge somewhere!"
"In a system tied to the alternators?"
"No, wait. This surge is localized! We're looking at…"
The last technician never finished her sentence. Blinding light consumed the entire cargo room, and Lesona heard the crackle of electricity arcing everywhere. She screwed her eyes shut, expecting to be fried to a crisp. But seconds ticked by, and she slowly realized that whatever was happening, she was unaffected. Judging from the sounds of bodies hitting the floor hard, however, that wasn't true of everyone.
But it looked like Aya was unaffected. Lesona heard the fairy pull something out of the jumpsuit she had stripped out of. As her own vision cleared, Lesona saw that the other two fairies had been hovering, and looked fine. Perhaps the electric shocks had traveled across the floor. But Aya was taking care of that. She had a pistol at the ready. A few rounds made the fairies drop to the floor, never really knowing what hit them. Then she whirled around, threw her pistol, and enlarged it. It collapsed atop the two turncoat mages, pinning them underneath. Lesona watched in bewilderment as Aya flew behind it. She heard every punch Aya delivered to knock them out cold, and the fairy's own sobs.
Her dirty work done, Aya shrank the gun again and tossed it aside. Lesona could only stare at the still bodies of those traitorous mages, and they were just two of those that littered the room. Lesona looked over to the downed fairies again, and Aya said, "Don't get your hopes up. Those were rubber bullets. The fairies helping defend Negav right now…they may have to kill our own kind, but I can avoid it."
Lesona slowly turned to face Aya. She was beside her chair already, fiddling with some buttons. All of a sudden, the shackles slid away. Lesona promptly stood up, eyeing Aya anxiously. Aya pretended to not care, instead going back to her discarded jumpsuit to fish something else out. She tossed Lesona what looked like a few grapes. "Here, eat these. I couldn't smuggle them in before, but…you'll regrow your wings almost instantly. But save some for Natalie." Not even giving Lesona a chance to ask questions, Aya thrust a keycard in her face. "THIS will get you into the closest armory, and I'm sure you memorized where it is, two levels down. Get some heavy gear, then free Natalie. The computer systems that keep your mind and Imkza's swapped…it's that big section, seven levels down. Go there with Natalie and cause as much havoc as you possibly can along the way. That'll help the odds of our team of saboteurs and some predators outside."
It was happening too often as of late, being left utterly speechless. Aya's eyes narrowing in impatience finally convinced Lesona to gobble down some of the berries. As she walked over to one of the downed troopers to swipe his rifle, Lesona felt an odd, pulsing sensation from within her. She cried out in surprise as her fairy wings suddenly regrew, and at once, Lesona felt raw energy surge through her. She knew what it was, but still, for the briefest of moments, she let herself be overwhelmed by this strange new power.
Meanwhile, Aya had flown up beside one of the walls, to remove the cover from a ventilation duct. "Here, you can get out this way. The surge temporarily disabled most of the anti-fairy measures in this sector."
"B-B-But, I don't know how to shrink myself!" Lesona protested.
Aya fixed Lesona with a wry stare and smiled. "Imkza figured out how to utilize your brand of magic pretty quickly. Are you saying you can't set a reverse-speed record?"
I'll give you one thing, Aya. You know what buttons to push, Lesona fumed inwardly. Out loud, she said, "Care to give me some pointers?"
"It's…hard to put into words," said Aya. "When it comes to altering your own size, just…concentrate, I guess. Imagine yourself getting bigger or smaller, just let the magic flowing into your wings course through you naturally."
Lesona glared at her for a moment, then shut her eyes. She tried to get a handle on this strange source of magic, just let it flow, and imagined herself getting smaller. To her amazement, it seemed to be working. She opened her eyes again, and saw Aya beginning to tower over her, and she seemed to grow more monstrously huge with each passing second. Looking down, Lesona saw that even the rifle she had taken shrank with her. Now came the potentially harder part. She made her wings flap, then kicked off the ground. It took a few moments, but Lesona soon got a handle on how to fly in the desired direction, and how to handle her momentum.
Taking a deep breath, Lesona fluttered over to the duct, but looked back down to Aya. "And what about you? I have a hunch that your Coalition friends won't be too happy."
Aya flashed a weak smile. "Now now, Lady Lesona. Are you telling me that the leader of the Ps'isol Magiocrats is suddenly worried about a fairy?"
Lesona flashed a wry smile of her own. "When you put it that way…no." Aya slowly walked back over to the chair she occupied earlier, going for one last thing in her jumpsuit. Before turning to fly down the ventilation duct, however, Lesona caught a glimpse of what it was. A bottle, and judging from the labeling, it looked to be an emetic…
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The power surge that Aya rigged not only delivered a hefty shock to anyone not sitting in those two chairs, but also fried some of the circuitry for the door controls. This necessitated having Lesona escape through the ventilation duct, but it couldn't be helped. The next phase of Aya's plan required her having a few minutes, unmolested.
Unfortunately, a few minutes were all Aya was going to get. As soon as the surge went off, the neko troops right outside knew something was up, only to have their suspicions confirmed when the doors wouldn't open. Since they had hydraulics, they couldn't easily be forced open, as the hall wasn't spacious enough to let a fairy grow big enough to do so. And given their thickness, blasting through it would take too long. So techs were called down along with a lot of backup. They worked feverishly to bypass fried components and trigger the doors to open.
After many long, arduous moments, they finally succeeded. Over a score of troops had weapons at the ready, back up by a few mercenary mages and fairies. As the doors slowly slid open, darkness was all that was greeting them. The Delurans troops tightened their grips on their weapons, thinking they were ready for anything.
That soon proved to be a fantasy. When light finally did shine from within the retrofitted storage bunker, it came in the form of roaring flame. The mages tried to shield the troops from it, but it came too fiercely, too fast. Several were already being torched alive. Those who got away unscathed fired into the bunker, but fire was returned almost immediately. As more and more fire was exchanged, though, the troops failed to notice something creeping out from the very bottom of the crack in the doors…
Thick, durable and most importantly, fireproof vines had sprouted from within the bunker, their outer surface caressed in flames. As soon as the closest troops noticed them, they lashed out like living serpents, impaling them, their body armor shredded through like paper. Then, as life ebbed from them and their screams faded, their burning bodies were thrown back toward the reinforcements, forcing them to scatter.
That little opening was all the infiltrators needed. More of them began to emerge. A brown-haired human girl with a mage's staff jumped out, slamming the base's floor with it as she came down. Light from her spellwork illuminated a face that radiated cold fury. The shockwave forced them back more, toppling the closest troops. Then, with lightning-like swiftness, a dark-skinned neko leapt out from the bunker, clutched a light fixture on the roof, and pounced. Her legs wrapped around the head of one trooper, and he was flung into the path of an advancing fairy. Another fairy was drawing near, but a male one with sandy-blond hair and a rebreathing mask suddenly enlarged in front of her. He gave no quarter, delivering a flurry of punishing punches. One by one, the group sent to investigate was falling. One of the remaining mages was about to cast a spell, but something slid underneath his legs, something…short. An albino girl wearing a hoodie suddenly brandished a huge wrench that crackled with electricity. She drove it into his groin, flooring him instantly.
At last, the first batch of the base's defenders had all fallen. Yemic, Léa, Calina and Seliky took a moment to survey their handiwork, not quite believing this had gone down so easily. Calina voiced those sentiments. "We caught them with their pants down, people. We won't be so lucky next time," said the neko darkly, picking up a rifle that had been dropped. Thanks to some instruction by the Spetz, she knew exactly how to use it.
The shrill of sirens punctuated Calina's grim assessment. "Calina is right. If we're going to disable those alternators in time to bring Exona's plans to a grinding halt, we have to keep moving," came a commanding voice back from the bunker. The neko turned to see Dr. Temperance Brennan emerging from the darkened room, rifle in hand. She still wore her blue Jeffersonian jumpsuit, but she had body armor, kneepads and elbowpads provided by the Spetz.
The anthropologist turned squad leader was flanked by several fairies, also wearing rebreathing masks. Lily, in particular…it was clear this little scuffle couldn't satisfy the bloodlust that had been percolating within her for weeks. Her gaze was solid ice as it slid over all the dead Coalition members, only softening a little when she saw the unconscious fairies. Xanthe was there too, flamethrower still at the ready, her eyes also hardened, a result of a lifetime of training for war. On the polar opposite was Lucilya. The sight of all the dead and beaten bodies clearly disgusted her, and that wasn't the only thing inducing nausea. "Ack…thought we'd NEVER get out of Aya's stomach. Maybe you have a point, Xanthe," the blue-haired fairy wheezed through her mask. "I'm gonna reek of acid-soaked citroises for weeks…"
Temperance sighed. Spending hours cramped inside Aya's stomach…it was the only possible way to smuggle their team in without setting off the base's sensors. Protective suits, an acid-proof oxygen-tank, and drugs to slightly suppress Aya's stomach acids ensured they would survive. In fact, Aya had said that in the event Imkza couldn't swap places with Lesona, this was the Coalition's backup plan, using the Isolon Fist in their ranks to smuggle sleeper cells into the Nexus. The gear they used had, in fact, been Coalition gear Aya stole. But there were times it was easy to wonder if they'd ever get out. And throwing all of them up, not to mention forcing herself to swallow them all in the first place, hadn't been particularly easy on Aya herself.
Temperance turned to Aya, who was still standing within the bunker, partially draped in shadow. "Aya, I can understand why you don't want to take part in this raid, and that's fine. With Seliky here, we can get into just about any Deluran system without you. But is it truly prudent to try to escape the base on your own? You could shrink yourself down, hitch a ride, and…
"I-I-I…appreciate the thought, Dr. Brennan, but…" It was clear Aya was about to break down in sobs. "Even while hitching a ride with one of you, being part of any other fight in here… I-I-I-I can't do it. I know too many here. I'm…not Xanthe or Lily. I can't just…shut these feelings off…"
Xanthe placed an armored hand on Aya's shoulder. "It's fine, Aya. Don't think yourself a coward. You've done more than enough."
"Not that this isn't touching and all, but shouldn't we get moving?" Léa cut in delicately.
"For once, Léa and I agree," Lily added sourly.
"They're right, Dr. Brennan. You know the one way to sabotage those alternators from the outside," said Aya, still fighting back tears.
All Temperance could do was nod. Aya nodded in return, and retreated into the shadows. Clutching her rifle, Temperance ran down the hallway, taking point. Calina sauntered up beside her, and Xanthe joined her a moment later. Temperance could hear the rest of them taking up positions. Yemic and Léa bringing up the rear, Lily and Lucilya fluttering in the middle to watch out for flanking squads, and Seliky keeping an eye on the mini-computer mounted onto her forearm. She didn't need to even look to know they were all doing their jobs, going about things just as planned, just as they practiced. Knowing that took a bit of the edge off of Temperance's troubled mind.
A bit.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Anna wasn't quite sure if it was minutes that had ticked by since Vivian had surreptitiously slid up next to her, or hours. The pink-haired Deluran hadn't exactly been looking forward to this part of the plan, and the waiting was driving her mad. In all honesty, though, Anna privately admitted there wasn't a single thing about Brennan and Menyssan's plan that appealed to her. It didn't matter if she was in Negav or out by the Deluran base. Wherever she was, whatever she did, Anna would be forced to fight more of her own people at some point. There was simply no avoiding it. And what made it all the more galling was…she wasn't the only one dealing with these sort of feelings. Fairies Anna knew and somewhat respected were fighting, and in some instances even trying to kill, their own kind. Perhaps fairies who once hailed from their own pack. Milia would run into Isolon Fist who betrayed every oath they took, but that wouldn't make the fight any less painful. And here she was, ready to take up arms against her own people. Fighting alongside gluttonous predators, all to thwart a plot that might make Felarya a little less dangerous for humans. And perhaps lead to a freer Delurah.
That's the curse of being smart enough to know you're being tempted by pure evil, I guess, Anna thought to herself solemnly. You just can't go along with it, no matter how galling or painful doing the right thing is.
Anna glanced over at Vivian, who was watching the base's outer defenses even more intently, if that was possible. To her utter disbelief, Anna found herself wishing she could vent all of that in front of Vivian. True, Vivian was hardly ever Anna's first choice when a friendly ear was needed. But galling as it was to admit, Vivian tended to have good advice from time to time. But now was not the time for a heart-to-heart. They had to stay as quiet as possible, and watch for when Aya sent the signal.
Biting back an annoyed growl, Anna looked through the binoculars again. So far, nothing had changed much topside, except there were a few more base personnel patrolling the area. The troops sent out even had heavy weapons like surface-to-air missiles at the ready. No chances were being taken, but for an outfit under Garrardo's direct command, that wasn't a surprise. Then Anna noticed the low flying jet-platforms, zigzagging through all the defense structures. Anna dared to hope it was because Aya had sprung her trap, and security was stepped up in response. Forcing her nerves to steady, Anna just kept watching through the binoculars. Nothing could be done on their end until they got the signal.
And then, at last, it arrived. Three of the laser cannons, powered by the alternators based on here designs (even if she agreed with everything Garrardo was doing, stealing her blueprints was UNFORGIVABLE)… Suddenly, electricity visibly arced upward along their lengths. The surge was triggered, and Aya was getting to work, setting Alastazia Lesona on the path she needed to take. Just a few minutes more, and Aya would puke up the commando team she smuggled inside. Time to give Aya a few extra minutes. Anna pressed two fingers against her communications earpiece. "This is Pink Disaster. All units, go all-out. Package has been delivered. Repeat, package has been…"
Before Anna could finish, Vivian sprang up with a swiftness she never expected from the temptress. In an eyeblink, she conjured her staff. With a roar, Vivian was cutting loose with raw power. Unfortunately, the armaments Garrardo had had constructed offworld, in preparation for after his coup, were clearly built to last. One missile turret swiveled uselessly, suffering an overload, but other armaments swerved to fire at the two nagas. Sighing, but still delighted to be seeing action at last, Anna sprang up. Focusing her stormy magic through the apparatus hook up to the base of her tail and her back, her particle beam blaster was instantly charged. Another second to aim and…
Beams of pure destructive force rained out in conjunction with Vivian's sorcery. The turret Vivian only disabled before was now billowing acrid smoke. But plenty more were still online. In no time at all, missiles had been launched, arcing up to come down on their position. Anna knew she and Vivian weren't the swiftest nagas out there, so they diverted their attention upward. A particle beam raked the sky, taking out a few, and Vivian's sorcery took out a bit more. But there were simply too many. Even Vivian's shields would crumble under an onslaught like that…
Of course, that was why they brought backup. What looked to be wispy, gigantic loops of stormy winds shot up, seemingly out of nowhere, taking out more of the incoming missiles. Then, a flurry of small, green needles shot out, with enough velocity to pierce through even more, making them detonate prematurely. Anna spared a second to glance over her shoulder. Sure enough, darting around behind the trees were Fiona and Noxcia, staying on the move to provide extra cover. An added bonus was that some of Noxcia's needles rained down and took out two of the jet-platforms. Noxcia would want to make sure those things didn't hassle her again, even though she would lament the lives such an action took.
Only a few missiles remained, but Anna had brought along the perfect guy to handle the stragglers, then go all out on her old home. Before anyone knew he was there, Anna included, Alvar swooped in. With broad slashes of Verdant Fury, enough of the missiles were downed. Anna and Vivian aimed up and dealt with the rest. And before they could point and fire at the base's armaments again, Alvar was already on it. He landed hard and brought down Verdant Fury, sending out a massive shockwave. Unfortunately, while the armaments were rattled to their core, they all remained standing. And Anna could see why. There was a sort of ripple effect that danced across their vision as Alvar's shockwave ripped across the base's surface. The barrier that the alternators erected around themselves…it was now partly extended around the armaments as well, letting them weather the worst of their onslaught.
Good thing our objective isn't necessarily to DESTROY the base, Anna told herself, determined to keep her hopes up. With the protective field around the alternators somewhat weaker now, that'll give our people an opening, a better shot. Just as we planned. Alvar took off again, just as the sonic cannons would've had him pinned down. With his hearing heightened due to blindness, Alvar was more vulnerable to those weapons than the rest of them. Good, he's not trying to be the hero. He's sticking to hitting and running. If only more guys were that smart…
Anna and Vivian joined back in, cutting loose while staying on the move. Anna could see Noxcia and Fiona doing the same from within the trees, making sure they still had cover. And on the opposite side of the base, Anna saw more encouraging signs. Despite the protection just erected, frost began to cover one of the sonic cannons. Beyond it, Anna saw Aniya pouring it on, her icy composure belying the strenuous effort that must've taken. Nikita stayed close to her friend; using her web, she snared an incoming missile and flung it back. The detonating missile sent up a plume of smoke that blocked Anna's view of the Spetz's predators for a moment.
Anna wasn't given too much time to dwell on that, needing to worry about keeping Vivian and herself alive. It was getting more and more treacherous, keeping a bead on all the heavy weapons gunning for them. It demanded so much of Anna's concentration; she almost didn't notice the ground beneath her scales was trembling.
Sparing a moment to look around, Anna saw Garnet emerge a few hundred meters away. Even at that distance, Anna could see the orange sheen over her eyes, that blank face. Anna fidgeted with the magical mask Vivian had conjured once again. If possible, Anna feared a Zom-TB infection even MORE than the naturally-born predators. And even more after hearing of what Garnet's earth magic could do under Coalition control.
Thankfully, they had planned for that as well. Just as suddenly as Garnet had emerged, Aurora burst out from the ground, a living missile, and tackled the brainwashed naga. They quickly vanished behind a wall of upturned earth, but that wasn't the end of Anna's worries about getting flanked. The other zombified predator was closing in, too. Jade jumped atop that wall of upturned earth, then dropped down, charging with a blank, chilling look on her face…
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Noxcia and Fiona weren't the only ones sticking to the more heavily forested areas surrounding the Deluran base, waiting for the right time to strike. Their fairy scouts had been spying on the base for weeks, watching the patrolling patterns of the infected predators very closely. Thus, they could accurately predict where Jade and Garnet would be, and what direction they would attack from, once all hell broke loose.
So after Jade jumped down from that wall of earth and charged, Milly was ready. She shot right at her brainwashed friend, and before Jade even knew she was there, ducked down. Milly tackled Jade hard, grabbing her legs, while Jora jumped at her from behind. This sent Safe Harbor's protector crashing to the ground, hard. Milly quickly rolled away. By some miracle, Jora still had a firm hold on Jade, the latter having yet to throw her off. Jora glanced up at Milly pleadingly, but Milly shook her head. She knew what Jora was thinking, but they couldn't risk it.
Milly felt around the small of her back, where those enlarged 'syringes' were tucked away in her shorts. If Camille Saroyan and Noxcia pulled it off, this gunk full of antibodies might break the Coalition's hold on Jade. But they had to wait for a clean shot, wear her out a little, before going in with a syringe. There was too little of this stuff to go around.
At last, Jade threw Jora off. Jade immediately sprang to her feet, trying to bring her foot down on Jora. Jora deftly rolled aside, however, and sank a foot right into Jade's knee. Milly bought them a little more time by shoulder-charging Jade before she could recover. Jade staggered back, but rushed forward with a right hook. Milly ducked just in time, plus blocked the next three punches. But when Milly tried to throw a punch back, Jade had her arm bent behind her back before she even knew it. Before Milly could scream out, however, Jora was on it, sneaking up behind Jade and putting her in a sleeper hold.
This succeeded in make Jade relinquish her hold. However, Jade had too much of an advantage in height, strength, and weight. Jade stood up straight, and Jora couldn't force her back down, let alone keep her feet on the ground. Jade then ran backwards, slamming Jora into a tree. As Jade turned around to pummel Jora while she was stunned, Milly ran up to put her into another hold, ignoring her aching arm. This time, Jade elected to reach behind her and throw Milly over her shoulder. Thankfully, Jora tackled Jade to the ground again before she could do any worse. Jade broke free almost immediately, and both giantesses were back on their feet. Jade was already pressing the attack while Milly lay on the ground, her arm aching even more. Luckily, Jora was deftly staying out of Jade's reach, ducking under kicks and sidestepping punches.
What little Brennan could teach us has already worked wonders. Two minutes in, and both of us are still alive, Milly thought darkly as she dragged herself back onto her feet. Aching arm or no, she couldn't afford to stay in one place for long. The shrill sounds of all those heavy weapons going off, and Anna and Vivian's counterattacks, boomed in Milly's ears. Even if all this was a diversion, Anna and Vivian's job was a dangerous one, and all the other predators here needed to make sure they could do it. Fiona and Noxcia would provide cover, as would Alvar as he also probed for openings. Nikita and Aniya would use their smaller size to their advantage, and Aurora could keep Garnet busy. That left she and Jora keep Jade's hands full, and away from the firefight.
Milly shored up her courage, and prepared to dive right back in. Fortunately, Jora was still staying one step ahead of Jade. In fact, as Milly was closing in, Jora finally landed a blow of her own; after deflecting a straight jab, Jade was left open for a palm strike right underneath the chin. Naturally, all it did was made Jade stagger back again. But that gave Milly a split-second opening.
Jade, please please please forgive us for this when it's all over, Milly silently pleaded. Milly charged forward, landing a right cross before Jade even knew she was there. Jade staggered back even farther this time, while Milly nursed an aching hand. "Oh, that SMARTS!" Milly cried as she rubbed it. Milly heard Jora sidle up next to her, then saw her finger the syringes hidden in the back of her top. The plan had been to make Jade wear herself out before trying to inject her with Saroyan's cure. But if fatigue could ever show in the face of a predator infected with Zom-TB, Jade certainly wasn't showing it now. Jade looked as fresh and tough as ever, while Milly was certain Jora already felt as winded as she was. By double-teaming Jade and coordinating their efforts, they were staying a step ahead. But they had a long way to go before an opening to inject those antibodies presented itself.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Three more Deluran soldiers rounded a corner, rifles at the ready. Warning sirens blared and the light from the alarms flickered over them as they moved in perfect, synchronous formation, looking for their quarry. Thankfully, Lesona was swiftly learning how to put her powers as a fairy to good use. Though it made her eyes throb, Lesona had shrank herself and fluttered up behind one of the flickering light fixtures in the hall's roof. She carefully peered around it. Even with this light so close, Lesona could see the growing panic in those soldiers. They hid it well under their professionalism and their pride, but news of possible infiltrators (no doubt smuggled in by Aya) spread fast. This team…they would not be stopped, they would not be denied. And these three seemed to understand that.
But I got careless, too confident that this commando raid would draw attention away completely, Lesona thought angrily. Her grip tightened on the particle beam rifle she had swiped from the armory. She had found a button-up shirt that fit well, after she had ripped holes in the back for her wings, and had slung any weapons with a strap over her shoulder. A pair of loose-fitting cargo pants loaded with even more gear also weighed her down uncomfortably. Even though she had been quick about swiping anything in the armory that wasn't nailed down, she had been found out. If anything, the base's personnel were MORE focused on reining her in than stopping that commando raid. She had Imkza's body, so that meant the base's sensors couldn't lock onto her as they could hostile fairies, making her more dangerous. As they're about to find out. Those rifles must have non-lethal ammunition. Too bad the same can't be said for me.
Enlarging back to human proportions as she dropped down, Lesona instant felled the first two guards with blaster fire. She was pleased to see the third stagger back some, his armor blunting the worst of her fire. "Figuring this isn't the real Imkza? You're right…it isn't," Lesona spat at the terrified soldier. Wanting to let the rifle recharge faster, Lesona simply lashed out with fairy magic, shrinking him. Lesona didn't even look down as she marched forward, her foot coming down hard on the hapless trooper, and she certainly hadn't listened to his screams of terror.
This is it, the cell block is just around the corner, Lesona told herself. Steeling herself, Lesona rounded the corner, rifle at the ready. There was no opposition to meet her. She could walk unmolested down the rest of the hallway's length. But no doubt whoever was still guarding the cell block knew she was coming, and why. Taking a deep breath, Lesona marched forward. Closer, ever closer, she drew toward the doors leading to the cell block. Lesona allowed herself a small smile. Oh, I can't wait to see the look on that insufferable chieftain's face when I…
Lesona's thoughts trailed off when something made her new predator senses go haywire. A sudden outburst of power, and a lot of it, coming from within the cell block. Lesona wasn't given long to ponder just what it could be. All of a sudden, the doors slid open. A fairy and a Deluran trooper were blown out by what looked to be an icy wind. They were joined by a couple of nekos, who were thrust against the opposite wall so hard, Lesona thought their spines must have shattered. That wasn't the only thing Lesona heard over the alarm klaxons. Screams of unimaginable agony, along with the sound of breaking bone, issued forth from the cell block. Along with the sound of…ice crystals forming? Lesona's eyes widened even more. There's no way she could've… Without me… How?
And then, without preamble, Natalie slid out at human proportions, arms spread wide. "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's NATTY!" she cried out happily, flashing her most obnoxious smile yet.
Lesona could only stare back, wide-eyed and utterly bewildered. It was a few moments before words could form in her throat. "Natalie… How… When did you… Your powers are back, how…"
"Oh, that. Well, I was getting a little bored, waiting for Aya to spring you so you could come back. So I…let myself out," said Natalie simply, as if it was the most obvious thing in the universe. "Oh, and helped myself to those Deluran political prisoners in there. Something tells me General What's-His-Face won't mind too much."
Lesona never cared one jot for Garrardo's victims among the Delurans, and now was no exception. Calculating manipulator that she was, Lesona's mind just couldn't process this. "But your wings, and the Zom-TB infection… How can you…"
"Who said those were my REAL wings that Exona sliced and diced, Lessy-kins?" Natalie asked with a saccharine inflection.
Her…real wings? Some sort of Valka Fae secret, hiding her actual wings while displaying decoys? Clearly something she should file away, but Lesona's mind simply refused to work right. "You mean to tell me… All this time… Y-Y-Y-Y-You…You c-c-c-could've broken us out of that cell THIS ENTIRE TIME!?"
Natalie shrugged her shoulders innocently. "Well, Exona did ding up one of my real wings during our sparring match. And before I tried anything, I figured I might as well use some focused spirit energy to purge myself of those magic bugs. Exona wasn't kidding out how those 'tubercle' thingies dig in, though. I'm still wondering if I got them all."
"So, your wings, the infection…" Lesona went on, slumping to her knees in disbelief. "W-W-W-W-When did you feel well enough to bust loose?"
"Oh, about a week ago," Natalie replied innocently, still grinning broadly. "But I figured you wanted to observe things on the enemy's home turf some more. And besides, we were getting to know each other oh so well, spending so much quality time together..."
The base's blaring alarms were then completely drowned out by Lesona bellowing every unprintable word ever uttered within Negav's walls.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Felarya character credits:
Crisis, Anna Demorah, Vivian, Temi, Léa, Lily, Belletia, Melany, Subeta, Aya, Frerik Mezzus, Alastazia Lesona, Zil, Gramon Baltazhar, Alvar, Anko, Menyssan, Thas Voidfingers, Myreli Seluvine, Ramtov Telekline, Marken and Queen Nemyra belong to Karbo
Milly, Isham, Elia, Calina, Lucilya, Yemic, Jissy, Roshan, Ajab, Tina, Joanna, Tan, Pal Sebrit, Palaye, Rajan Dyab and Chol belong to FrenchSnack
Remus vir Patstriker, Xanthe, Ciel, Meringue, Nicholai Vardamis and Batten belong to NickInAmerica
Noxcia, Malika, Relina and Natalie belong to turboman500
Jora Fenderen, Jade and Tanny belong to Ravana3K
Nikita, Aniya and Yuri Nikalavich belong to Tora044
Katrika and Velvet belong to Zoekin3
Milia Moonleith and Zycra Zordford belong to vaderaz
Seliky Serela and Aurora belong to kikijonson
Helia and Atreus Karminari belong to Heavenless-Star/TheLightLost
Fiona belongs to rcs169
Kai Roga Mayin belongs to JiroKatsu
Garnet belongs to Petite-Emi
Zarynia belongs to AndurilWielder
Exona, Antonin Garrardo, Imkza, Paquxa and Shandra belong to yours truly, Grey-X