CHAPTER 4

VESTIAN OUTPOST

THE REEF, ASTEROID BELT

THE REEF WARS

Kira sighed to herself. She wanted to help Sedra, but Sedra wouldn't tell her anything so she didn't know how. She also didn't want to be too intrusive, she knew Sedra didn't want to talk about it, and she wouldn't push her to do so. "If you say so…"

Kira brought her friendly, awkward smile back as she looked down at Sedra. Sedra was looking away from her, but glanced back to her every now and then. Kira looked down for a bit, thinking of things to talk about and break the awkward silence with.

But before she could think of anything, the familiar sound of Awoken alarms sounded in her ears. The Wolves were making another push through Awoken territory, and the Vestian Outpost was closer to the incursion than any other Awoken bases.

"Talk to you later?" Kira asked, tilting her head as she stood up from the table, not letting her smile drop for anything.

"Yeah… later," Sedra sighed, pushing her tray of food aside and standing up.

Kira stayed still, watching Sedra until she heard her friends calling for her. Though she wasn't sure about leaving Sedra, she knew she had to go. She didn't plan on letting the Wolves get the upper hand in any fight. She waved once she saw Sedra glance back at her and then followed the rest of her squad to their transport.

"Everything alright?" Tania asked her squad leader as she slid her helmet on and grabbed a Tigerspite assault rifle.

"Uh, yeah," Kira nodded, putting her helmet on and grabbing a rifle, "well, kinda. How about you take point for this one?"

"If you say so," Tania shrugged and boarded the Awoken transport ship, sitting down with her rifle next to her.

"Just think I, uh…" Kira looked back through the open door of the ship as she sat down next to Tania, "might be a little distracted."

"Whatever," Tania chuckled and turned away from Kira. She had an idea of why Kira was so distracted, but she wasn't going to say anything.

Kira kept her gaze at the entrance to the ship as it closed and they flew away from the Outpost. She hoped she'd see Sedra again, but she didn't know. Anything could happen during a war. Anyone could die. Kira closed her eyes and shoved her negative thoughts down, ready for the fight that was going to happen.

SPIDER'S PALACE

TANGLED SHORE, THE REEF

PRESENT

Seja slowly opened her eyes when she felt the movement of her stolen skiff slow down. She shielded her eyes from the bright purple light of the Reef that flooded into the cockpit, and looked down at the massive structure in front of her. She had fallen asleep during the flight, and almost forgot where she was.

"Here we are… Spider's Palace," Green floated to the front of the skiff and looked out the viewscreen, noticing a pair of Fallen guards moving towards the landed skiff. However, they didn't look much like the other Fallen he and Seja had encountered. "Fallen incoming, at least I think they're Fallen."

Seja leaned forward and rubbed her eyes, looking down at the guards. Their backs were covered in long spikes, too many to count. At first she thought they were victims of some kind of torture, but then realized it was probably just part of their armour. Despite their unsettling appearance, they didn't appear to have any intent on harming her.

"They don't look mean," Seja squinted, unable to take her eyes off their spiky backs.

"Maybe because we're in one of their ships," Green explained, "we can see them with the ship's cameras, but they can't see us."

"Why don't we find out?" Seja slowly pushed herself out of the pilot's seat, and stood up. She stumbled around the cockpit of the skiff, looking for the exit.

"Day two as a Guardian and you want to make friends with the Fallen?" Green looked down and emulated a sigh, shaking his shell as if he was shaking his head. "You know what? Why not. I'll stay hidden, you can do the talking."
"Uh… right," Seja closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Green was the only person she had talked to, and she wasn't sure if she even could talk to the Fallen.

"Hey, you're the only one who can do this," Green looked up at her, sensing her doubts, "I would talk for you, but to be honest I don't think my voice matches your body. And if these Fallen see me they'll most likely try to kill you," Green floated closer to Seja, looking her in the eyes, "you're getting good, but you're still learning. This is a huge place, I don't think we'd survive long if they found out you're a Guardian."

Seja slowly nodded and opened her eyes, looking back at her Ghost. "I… I can do this."

"Good," Green nodded, "I'll still be with you. They just won't be able to see me."

Seja nodded again. Green disappeared into one of her pockets, and she slowly pushed the skiff's door open. She jumped out and landed on her feet, turning to the two spiky Fallen that had been waiting. The two Fallen looked at each other as if they weren't expecting an Awoken to come out of the skiff, but they recollected themselves quickly and beckoned Seja to come to them.

"Hm. An Awoken scavenger?" one of the two Fallen spoke as Seja approached, giving her a nod, "yes, we get many of you here."

"Do you?" Seja looked up at the Fallen that was much taller than her, "I've never been here."

The Fallen squinted, though it wasn't visible behind his helmet. He slowly circled around Seja, taking note of the stolen Fallen armour and rags on top of completely scorched Awoken Corsair armour.

"It seems not…" the Fallen returned to the side of his partner, who had barely even moved, "a failed Corsair, hm? Or are you simply running away?"

Seja froze. She had no idea what a Corsair was. She had no story to tell of why she had the ruined armour on. Seja gritted her teeth, fearing her cover had already been blown, but then the Fallen sighed rather than attacking her.

"No matter, it is not my business," the Fallen cleared its throat, and clasped all four of its hands behind its back, "what brings you to Spider's palace, scavenger?"

Seja internally let out a sigh of relief. She knew Green was right, if a fight happened between her and the Fallen here there was no way she would be able to get out alive. But she did her best to maintain her cover as a lowly scavenger.

"I need fuel for my uh…" Seja turned around and looked at the skiff, having already forgotten what it was called, she cleared her throat and turned back to the two Fallen guards, "for my ship. I was wondering if I could get some here."

"Fuel? Hm," the Fallen rubbed its chin and looked up at the skiff, "fuel is not free. How much glimmer do you have?"

Seja froze again. She didn't even know what glimmer was. God damnit, she cursed to herself, this was a bad idea. I have no idea what I'm doing.

"I… uh… let me check inside my ship," Seja put on an awkward smile and stepped towards her ship.

"Go ahead. But don't take all day," the Fallen crossed its arms.

"R-right. I'll try not to," Seja awkwardly chuckled and quickly ran back into the ship. She closed the door behind her and sat down on the floor, "Green, I need some help."

Green appeared in front of her as she sat down and floated close to her.

"Glimmer is the most common currency in the system," Green explained, "almost everyone uses it. Well, at least everyone who is civilized."

"I need more… more information. I don't even know what a Corsair is," Seja closed her eyes and leaned her back against the door.

"To be honest, I don't know either," Green emulated a sigh and floated around the skiff and started scanning every compartment he could find, "I'll look around and see if the Fallen left any glimmer behind."

Seja took a deep breath and slowly stood back up, walking back to the viewscreen and looking down at the Fallen. Neither of them had moved, they were still waiting for her to come out with the glimmer. She turned around to Green, hoping he had found anything.

"No… nothing," Green looked down, "that Fallen guy seemed nice enough. Maybe we can convince him to give us some for free."

"I… I don't know," Seja sighed, turning back around. She had taken her gloves off and was so nervous she had started biting her nails, "I can try."

"Seja," Green floated around to face her, "first of all, stop biting your nails. Second of all, you can do it. If you can tear apart a bunch of Fallen scavengers, I'm sure you can hold a conversation with one."

"Alright, alright," Seja lowered her hands and walked over to the door, "I'll do my best."

"Yeah… just do your best," Green disappeared into her pocket again.

Seja opened the door and jumped back out, approaching the two Fallen guards once more. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again.

"We don't have any glimmer," she said firmly, looking up at the Fallen guard she had spoken to earlier.

"That is a shame," the Fallen shook his head, "we cannot supply you without payment."

"Would you… uh… take something other than glimmer?"

"That is up to our boss to decide."

"Could I speak to them?"

"I'm afraid not. I will talk to him, you just wait here."

The Fallen turned around and walked a few metres back down the walkway to the entrance into the palace. The second guard stood in front of Seja and crossed their arms, making sure she wasn't planning on making any 'daring' moves.

"Yes, yes, what is it?" The Spider growled and leaned forward in his throne at the top of his palace when he got a call from one of his guards, "I'm in the middle of an… 'important' negotiation, Kevak."

In truth, Spider wasn't really doing anything. He just didn't want to be disturbed. But unfortunately for him, he had been disturbed. Usually everyone who visited the Tangled Shore knew all about Spider and his rules, except for this one new arrival that he hadn't seen before.

"An Awoken scavenger needs fuel for her skiff, but she has no glimmer," Kevak explained, "she wants to know if there is anything else she can pay."

"Bah! Your soul is too pure, Kevak," Spider sat up, waving his arm even though no one could see him, "if she doesn't have glimmer what else would she have? Refuse her!"

"Sir, if she doesn't get what she wants she'll probably just start causing trouble. I know how the Awoken work."

"Of course you do," Spider shook his head. He lowered a screen in front of him that showed a camera view of what was happening outside. He zoomed in on the scavenger and took a good look at her. "Actually… let her in. Perhaps we can negotiate."

"Uh, right. I will let her in."

"And be quick about it!" Spider shouted before closing the communications. He rubbed his chin as he looked at the scavenger, just from a low quality camera view he could tell this Awoken was hiding something. Something that could be useful to him.

The guard returned after a few minutes of speaking and looked down at Seja. "The boss wants to see you."

"Um… okay," Seja wasn't expecting the guard's boss to want to speak with her, but she accepted.

The Fallen gestured for her to follow him and she did, following him through the door and into Spider's palace.

As Seja passed through the door she could hear lots of commotion inside. Hundreds of voices all speaking at once. She passed through another door that led her into a massive hall. Game tables were set up everywhere, hundreds of people from all different species gambled with each other, some of the species Seja didn't even recognize as Fallen or other Awoken.

"Don't worry, don't pay attention to them and they won't pay attention to you," Green whispered, using all the commotion to conceal his voice so only Seja could hear.

Seja slowly nodded and continued following the Fallen to the other end of the hall. She had spotted some other Awoken playing cards in the corner of the hall, which put her at some ease to know she wasn't the only Awoken there. But she had the feeling that she was the only Guardian there.

Once they were through the hall, the Fallen took her up an elevator to another large room that was mostly empty, aside from a chair in the middle of it with another Fallen sitting down in it.

The large Fallen in the seat chuckled as he saw his guards bringing Seja in, and he pushed himself up, clasping his hands in front of him.

"Kevak, Veskras," the large Fallen said, waving his hands towards the elevator they used to bring Seja up, "you may go."

The two guards looked at each other for a moment before bowing and leaving back down the elevator. Now Seja was even more nervous than she had already been, and she didn't know that was possible. She looked up at the large Fallen, trying her hardest not to start biting her nails again.

"Welcome to my… not so humble abode," the Fallen chuckled, looking down at the nervous, Awoken, "don't be so nervous, little light, I may be big but I won't eat you."

"L-little light?" Seja looked around and back at Fallen. And my cover is blown. Fantastic.

"Don't think you're so sly," the Fallen sat up, "I can spot a Lightbearer from lightyears away. If you even know what a lightyear is," he tilted his head and crossed all four of his arms, "yes, I know that look. You're a 'New Light'. Fresh out of the water."

Seja sighed and looked down for a moment. "Green…" she said quietly, and Green appeared out of thin air next to her.

"Who are you?" Green stared up at the large Fallen. He wasn't sure about whether or not they were going to be killed.

"I am the boss, CEO, King; if you're feeling dramatic," the Fallen sat up more in his seat and leaned forward, staring down both Green and Seja at the same time, "I am the Spider. And nothing goes down on my Shore without me knowing about it."

"The Spider… I've never heard of you to be honest," Green floated back a bit, spinning his shell around his core, "but this really is my first time in the Reef."

"Of course it is. It is a first for both of you," Spider leaned back, clasping his hands together once more, "I know what you want. And I'd be more than willing to give it to you. But I am aware that you have no money."

"Please… will you take anything else?" Seja looked up at him, nervously intertwining her fingers.

"Oh yes, of course I will," Spider chuckled, "I will take your services. You do some work for me, and I let you go free with a brand new ship as well as enough fuel to take you from one end of the system to the other. Twice."

Green looked at Seja for a moment before turning back to Spider.

"We don't accept. We'll take our chances finding fuel off another skiff," Green said firmly.

"Wait… i-it's not your decision," Seja looked up at Green, who turned to Seja again with an expression that said: Seja, don't do this.

"And here is a Guardian with spirit!" Spider laughed so loud it echoed around the throne room, "let a girl make her own choices Ghost. Trust me, I know how they work."

"Listen, I don't mean to be rude," Green floated closer to Spider, "but every other Fallen I've met has tried to kill me. And her."

"Fallen? Oh no, no no no," Spider shook his head, "I am an Eliksni. Not some lowly rat scavenger picking apart the Reef for some food to eat. I have what I want, well, almost everything. Believe me, I have no plans to kill you like the light thief the Fallen think you are. I just want this agreement for… mutual benefit."

"Green, please," Seja looked at her Ghost, "it's our only way to Earth."

"Yes. Yes it is," Spider nodded and spread his upper arms, "so, 'Green', what'll it be?"

Green looked down at the floor. On one hand, he would never be able to trust a Fallen. Even one that didn't seem like it wanted to kill him. On the other hand, Seja was right. This wasn't the only way back to Earth, but it definitely seemed like the easiest. He knew his Guardian wouldn't make it far if he controlled her whole life, so he decided to trust her judgement.

"Fine," Green sighed after a while, "I don't like this, but fine."

"Good, good," Spider chuckled, "head back down the elevator and speak to Kevak. He'll get you a room and some more… 'appropriate' attire."

"Thank you," Seja nodded to Spider. Her scorched Corsair armour was getting very uncomfortable. She hesitated for a moment before returning to the elevator and going back down.

Spider clasped his hands together and watched her go. Having a Guardian under his control would make him unstoppable. The only problem was keeping her under his control. Sure she was young, and young people could be easily manipulated, but he had to find a way around her Ghost. He sighed to himself and started thinking of a way to get her Ghost under his control.

"So… guess they don't hate Guardians then," Green said, staying close to Seja as they took the elevator back down, "but are you sure about this? I don't trust this Spider guy one bit. He's definitely going to try to manipulate you."

"Yeah, maybe," Seja sighed, "but whenever it comes to something where I don't know what to do…" Seja looked at him and gave him a weak smile, "I have you."

"Right. Let's just hope I know what to do," Green said with an awkward chuckle, trying to present it as a joke when at the same time he knew only a little more than her.