Scarlet Shadows
© Kaz, 2003

Chapter Three – Mederi

A woman at her late thirties lay in front of a doctor's clinic, barely alive, her hand clutching her chest that was throbbing painfully. She wanted to see the general practitioner in their village to ask for the medicine that would cure her disease, but she was thrown out of the infirmary as if she was some garbage, all because she was female. "Please… I need… help…" she called out as loud as she could, but no one listened to her anguished pleas. They either pretended that they couldn't see her, or that there was nothing they could do to save her from the clutches of death.

Unable to walk, she crawled towards the clinic once again, desperate to get help. The rough stone pavement scratched her arms, her legs and her face, but she paid no attention to the cuts that appeared on her body. All she wanted was to see a doctor --- was it too much to desire for something like that?

But nobody came to her rescue. Not one of the passers-by did anything to help her, even by just knocking on the door of the clinic and asking the doctor to come out and examine her. They all thought that she deserved to die, a horrible death at that, because she allowed herself to be taken over by the pills she had been taking to sustain herself. And so the suffering woman died without a sound, cold and alone, on a barren street with all her hope vanquished by the townsfolk who refused to lend a hand.

He was working in a small but equipment-filled laboratory, holding a medium-sized flask that contained a murky liquid to the light in analysis. Frowning, he set the container down, pulled his stool towards him and sighed, his eyes still fixed on the formula he was working on. He had been at it for days, going through sleepless nights in his attempt to figure it all out, but he didn't progress much, to his annoyance.

"Ravi?" a voice called out from the doorway, and tilting his head to the side slightly, he saw his superior, a bony forty-two-year-old scientist with round eyeglasses, enter the laboratory casually. He smiled upon reaching the table where Ravi was working. "Don't pressure yourself too much, my boy. I don't want you to get sick just because you spent sleepless nights trying to figure the formula out."

The younger man smiled wryly. "Thank you, sir."

Realizing that it was best to leave the talented researcher on his own, the other nodded and turned to leave. He fell short, however, just as soon as he turned around, noticing something peculiar from the young man. "Excuse me, Ravi," he interrupted, making the lad face him and leave his work behind. The scientist's eyes narrowed considerably as he swept his gaze from his subordinate's head to his feet, then he grabbed the researcher by the middle of his robe and tore it open.

Ravi looked terror-stricken; his boss trembled in anger. His cover, to his mortification, had been blown. Since his robes were destroyed when his apartment was set on fire, he had to borrow one of his friend's for him to be able to report to the laboratory. Alas, it was too big for his size, the neckline dropping exceedingly low --- and that made the scientist he was working for notice his cleavage.

And it was because he wasn't actually a man.

"You---" the scientist pointed an accusing finger on her chest, his dark eyes glaring daggers at her. "--- made us honest men believe that you could be trusted! And we trusted you so much that we gave you the most critical project in the entire facility! But no, you turn out to be a woman! A deceitful scum of the street who doesn't deserve to be here, no matter how brilliant you are in what you do!" He pushed her forcefully, knocking her into a pile of crates. "Get out of my sight! Out of here, now!"

"You watch your filthy mouth!" she snarled in return as she pushed herself up, her tone cold and sinister. She then met the scientist's eyes with her fierce green ones that were full of anger and hate, standing up directly in front of her former boss without any hint of fear or hesitation. "You will have your time, that I swear. And when that time comes, you will feel the pain that I am feeling now --- even more!"

As her final act of defiance, she grabbed the solution she had been working on for the last few days, hurled the flask on the wall, and stormed out as the scientist scurried to pick up the pieces of broken glass and wipe away the spilled fluid.

A hand appeared in front of the young woman's face, waving itself up and down in silent interruption. "Danni?"

The twenty-three-year-old jerked, as if snapping out from a terrible dream, which was what was happening, in a way. She was slightly startled upon seeing Tahiri in front of her, sitting on the windowsill with her legs dangling restlessly, but recovered her poise as quickly as she lost it. "Hey, Tahiri," she greeted rather lightly, sounding tired. "Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be out doing the groceries?"

"It's not my turn today," the younger girl replied, grinning widely as she jumped down from the sill. "It's Nadine's, so I'm free to do what I want until it's time for us to suit up again." Her smile, however, immediately faded as she saw the expression on her friend's face. "What were you thinking about, Danni? You looked… I don't know. Wanna talk about it?"

She closed her emerald eyes, leaning back against her chair; her blond hair gleaming even more as the rays of the sun illuminated her figure that was rather frail compared to that of her comrades, Tahiri and Nadine. "Sorry, Tahiri, but I don't know if I'm ready to talk about it," she admitted, her eyes still shut. "It's… complicated, you see. But once I am, I'll let you know. All right?"

Tahiri wanted to know what was disturbing the other woman badly, but she decided not to press it. She knew her friend too well that she was sure Danni would get irritated if she would persist on discussing the matter. "Sure thing, Danni. Whenever you're ready. Just remember that you're very much welcome to rant or rave about absolutely anything," the fifteen-year-old told her, before she flashed one of her classic smiles and added, "sis."

At those words, Danni opened her eyes to look into the ones that belonged to Tahiri, the girl who was the sister she never had, and then, she smiled. The feeling was mutual, after all. "You too, sis," she whispered, opening her arms, and at that, the younger woman rushed to give her a hug. She didn't know how, but she knew that it was something the lass had wanted to do for quite sometime. "You too."

"Your next target is the drug dealer Lazaro Aalto, famous among the underworld folk for his 'miracle remedies' and pills for all occasions. It has been rumored that he recently developed a pill that can sustain a person's hunger for a meal or two, which is something the slum-dwellers in the land would want to get their hands on." Arica then handed the newspaper to Nadine, the page with the news about the drug dealer's latest victim already set for them to examine. "That's his latest victim. She died of dehydration. She could've been saved, but unfortunately, we have a lot of prejudiced doctors at present. They refused to examine her."

Tahiri, unable to control her anger --- which was obviously her weakness --- slammed her fist on the table. "Those morons!" she exclaimed in a huff, her eyes flashing dangerously. "What do they really want to happen? All the women in the world to be eliminated? How do they expect to go on without us? They won't have any kids if they won't get themselves attached to women!"

The leader of the assassin trio ignored her. "What I'm wondering about, Aunt Arica," she began rather hesitantly, handing the newspaper to her companion who only got angrier than she already was, "is that… well, why didn't you want Danni to be here? She's the one who knows these stuff --- you know, drugs and medicine and all --- yet you told her to take the day off. Why?"

As soon as Nadine pointed that out, the youngest of the three women present stopped, her green eyes looking at their boss questioningly. Sighing in defeat, Arica sat down across the two and answered, "Because I don't want her personal involvement with Aalto to get in the way. As simple as that. I mean, would I send Tahiri on a mission that involves her friends among the pick-pocketing department? I don't think so."

"So you're saying that Aalto and Danni are friends?"

"I don't think I have the right to tell you that. Not without Danni agreeing that I do, anyway," the redhead replied, shaking her head at what they just asked her. "If you want to know, ask her directly, but I don't think it would be proper that you do it now. She might get suspicious about it. Finish up your mission, then ask her afterwards. That would be the best thing for you to do."

"What about Leia Organa Solo? Any news about her yet?" Nadine probed as her younger companion stood up to get dressed for their next mission. Realizing that their leader had just extended the conversation by opening up another topic, which was not really what they should be worrying about, she sat back down and listened, waiting patiently for the meeting to come to an end. She was eager to slip into her bodysuit once again.

Arica didn't like the topic that was brought up, but there was no reason for her to lie to her nieces. "I went to the police department and arranged to visit Han Solo, her husband, who was sentenced to life imprisonment because he supposedly murdered her. Supposedly because I don't believe it; I knew the man personally." She leaned back against her chair, crossing one leg over the other casually. "As for the mental ward, I still have to check it out myself. After all, I'm the only one among us four who knows how she looks like."

"You're leaving without me?"

Those words made Tahiri stop short in her tracks, obviously surprised that she was spotted no matter how hard she tried to make her departure unseen. She knew, too, that there was no way out for her --- not when she was wearing her bodysuit and shoes, and she was gripping her mask tightly with her two gloved hands. "Um, well," she began, unsure of how she was going to tell her 'sister' that she and Nadine were going on a mission without her, "I gotta do some spying. Our target's somewhat a toughie."

Danni raised an eyebrow, suspicious about the way Tahiri was acting. "Who's the target?" she pressed, part of her mad that she wasn't informed about their next mission. She was supposed to be part of the group, not just the brain who they wouldn't have to take along if the success of their next assignment would depend on their ability to fight. I can fight too! she added to herself, upset that they were underestimating her.

The younger blond woman opened her mouth to answer, but she could not find the voice nor the words to do so. However, that was when a cold voice answered from one corner of the room, "Lazaro Aalto, a drug dealer. Aunt Arica ordered that we shouldn't take you because your personal involvement with him might endanger the mission." Nadine looked up, her brown eyes stern, like the leader she was. "We don't want that to happen, do we?"

The courtesan's answer made Danni grit her teeth, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She wasn't sure, however, what caused her to be as furious as she was --- her grudge against Aalto, the man who corrupted her and brought the weight of guilt upon her shoulders; or the fact that they didn't trust her because of her involvement with him. But she knew that either choice was something to be mad at.

Sensing that the person responsible for assigning the matter had come up from behind her, she immediately asked in a steely voice that they've never heard her use before, "So you don't trust me? You're afraid that I'm going to go out of control in anger, and kill him by slicing his head off with a triumphant laugh that I've finally accomplished what I promised to accomplish?" She turned around to face Arica, her green eyes glowing with ire. "Isn't that what Moirae is for? Revenge? To kill?"

Arica's answer was soft, simple and direct. "I don't want your past to destroy you."

There was confusion in Danni's face, despite all the anger that she was feeling. Realizing that it was the best time to explain her intentions, the older woman continued, "You've managed to stand back up on your feet, after all the harsh and frustrating times you went through." She took a step forward. "You disguised yourself as a man in your desire to work in one of the Solos' research institutes, but it didn't take long before your cover was blown. When you were thrown out, Aalto took the opportunity to use your frustration and talent for his benefit --- and for your disadvantage. I see the pain brought about by your guilt shining through your eyes even in the midst of day, and I know that making you cross paths with Aalto again will only make things worse. This time, he might successfully destroy you, either by killing you, or bringing you back into the life that nearly ruined your very being, corrupting you like he did before."

Although hesitant, Tahiri did not want to let the opportunity of knowing the truth pass. She walked up to her friend, looked at her in the eye, green meeting green, then asked, "How are you involved with Aalto, Danni? I know it may be complicated, but please, tell me. I want to know. No, I need to know."

The older woman looked away, trying to avoid the fifteen-year-old's piercing gaze, but she knew that she would have to tell her all about it eventually. She swallowed, her eyes beginning to sting as she envisioned Tahiri's probable reaction to her confession. The teenager was going to hate her for sure, not only for lying to her about the past, but for causing the deaths of so many innocent people --- even women and children --- as a result of her accomplishment. "Tahiri Veila…" the young researcher began, turning away from her comrade and taking a deep breath that would give her the strength to continue, "… I made drugs for Lazaro Aalto."

She did not see the look of disbelief that swept the teenager's features, but she surely felt the drastic change in her composure. "You what?!" Tahiri half-screamed, her voice heavily strained. She then grabbed Danni, whirling her around so that they would once again be facing each other. The older of the two had tears falling out of her innocent-looking verdant eyes, making the anger in the other woman disappear, like it never existed.

Then, she flung her arms around the woman she considered her sister, understanding and acceptance prevailing above all her other emotions. "Oh, Danni! It wasn't your fault! Aalto made you do it!" the teenager exclaimed, tears coming out from the corners of her eyes as well. Pulling away, she added with much conviction, "I promise, sis, cross my heart and hope to die, that I'm gonna kill him for you! I won't let him get away with what he did to you --- God, the horror of it all!"

Her nose catching a strange, rather unpleasant scent, Atropos pulled herself away from the light and examined the large box that was keeping her hidden from the eyes of their target and his business associates. She watched out for anything that would be able to tell her the contents of the crate without having to wreck it and give themselves away, and despite the dim light, she almost immediately spotted the word Sustein hastily written on one side.

She turned her head to the side casually, motioning to Clotho that she found what they were looking for. She was about to go back to her observation of the target, Lazaro Aalto, when the younger assassin held out a piece of paper just enough for her to see. Written in the same handwriting she identified were the words Ship: 0000.

Atropos bit her lip. There were so many possibilities about the meaning of it, although she concluded that it had something to do with a ship or the drugs being shipped, as the drug dealer's hideout was in one of the port's storehouses. She nodded towards Clotho's direction, a sign that she got the clue, and moved even closer towards the front row of wooden crates to eavesdrop on the conversation that was going on.

"However, gentlemen," Aalto was saying, grinning wide enough to expose a few blackened teeth that made him look even more obscene than he already was, "that wasn't the best part yet of tonight's auction. True, I've presented very useful and profit-gaining miracle remedies for you to bring home, but I still have to introduce the best offer I have for all of you." He took out his watch, a golden timer with a thin chain that attached it to his belt, and nodded thoughtfully. "She should be here a few minutes from now, and we'll get this auction done with in time to ship all these lovely medicine boxes."

She? Clotho mouthed from the opposite side of the warehouse, confused at what the businessman was talking about. Her comrade, however, didn't know what Aalto was talking about either. Taking a deep breath, the fifteen-year-old sorted out her thoughts --- Aalto was going to bring in someone to auction, and he was going to ship the drugs really soon. She and Atropos did not only have to things to prevent, their mission to eliminate the drug dealer remained.

Crawling even closer, hoping that her luck won't run on her, Clotho suddenly spotted the piece of paper she found earlier a short distance away from her. And as she observed the characters written on it, she realized that Aalto had just helped them figure out the meaning of the mysterious note: the drugs were going to be shipped at 00:00, or at twelve o'clock --- midnight.

Her plan to tell her superior about what she discovered, however, was thwarted as she heard the door of the warehouse creak open, followed by the sound of a body being thrown against the cold floor. Moving as close to the light as possible to check who the unfortunate captive was, she found herself not believing her eyes --- for the hostage was their friend Danni Quee, bound and gagged in front of the man who almost destroyed everything that she was just a few years ago.

"And this, gentlemen, is the best part of tonight's auction," the drug dealer sneered and sniggered, making the young woman glare at him with impotent fury. "My last offer --- Danni Quee, my former employee, who created most, if not all, of the top-selling formulas in my possession. Not only is she extremely intelligent, with an IQ higher than the top researches in the Solos' many institutes… she practically has a body to die for. At the end of the day, you'll just have to take her in bed and refresh her for her work on the morrow."

Clotho was about to launch herself at their enemies and kill them all for hurting the person she considered her sister, when Atropos pulled her back, her eyes glaring at the younger woman powerfully. "Think before you act, Clotho," she reprimanded in a voice barely above a whisper, yet fierce enough to make her point clear, "Do you think Lachesis is dumb and weak enough to get captured just like that? Remember what she told Aunt Arica; she promised Aalto that she was going to kill him. And what would be better than to appear as a helpless hostage?"

The younger of the two glared back, not satisfied with her comrade's explanation. "You don't understand, Atropos. I promised her that I was going to kill Aalto for what he did to her. And I intend to keep that promise." Her blazing green eyes then softened, as well as the tone of her voice. "When Aunt Arica said that she didn't want Lachesis' past to destroy her, I believe what she wanted to imply was that… well, that if Lachesis would kill Aalto herself, her recovery would mean nothing. That, as a product of her past, would destroy her."

She then shifted her position, crouching and putting a hand on one of her swords in preparation for her assault. "I don't know about you, Atropos," she whispered, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike, "but I'm not going to let that happen. Just like Aunt Arica, I don't want her past to destroy her."

And that said, Clotho charged.

Taken by surprise, the drug dealer and his associates were unable to do anything to defend themselves from the assassin that rushed to them head-on. Clotho slashed and parried in a frenzy, determined not to let them get away with their heinous plans --- Aalto, most especially. To add to the surprise brought about by her sudden assault, explosions caused by the bombs she and Atropos planted by the crates began to rock the warehouse, making the men panic even more.

Quee saw the effect of the sudden attack, and decided that it was time for her to complete her revenge. Freeing herself from the loose ropes that bound her hands, pulling off her gag and taking out a dagger that she carefully hid under her skirt, she sprinted after Aalto, who was on a dead run by then. She didn't care if the uniform she was wearing --- she was a waitress in the Feu de Joie, after all --- would get stained by blood; all she wanted was to kill the man who corrupted her with her own hands. "Aalto!" she called out, lifting one hand as she prepared for the final blow that would put an end to the entire ordeal, "As I promised!"

In the blink of an eye, the drug dealer stumbled, eventually falling backwards to reveal a large slash wound on his torso. Standing in front of Quee and the exanimate Aalto was Atropos, her sword dripping with blood. The two women looked at each other's eyes for a few moments, the older of the two quivering in anger as her revenge was foiled by her own comrade, when the teenager held out her gloved palm, not wanting the other to say a word. "I didn't want your revenge, as a product of your past, to destroy you. Besides, his blood isn't worthy enough for you to get yourself dirtied with. He's nothing but a lying, cheating scum."

At that, Atropos sheathed her sword, then turned around and walked away. Their mission was accomplished after all. On the other hand, Quee stared at the drug dealer's corpse for a few more moments, taking in the explanation of her fellow party member, before she averted her gaze to the door where her friend disappeared in and hurried after her. "Atropos, wait!" Quee half-shouted, in hopes that the black-clad figure would stop and turn to look at her before they would make it out of the abandoned depot.

To her relief, the assassin leader did so, pulling her mask off to regard her not as a comrade in a mission, but as a friend. At that, the blond young woman smiled, her emerald eyes expressing her deepest gratitude. After all, the brunette practically saved her life, just not in the manner she expected her to eventually do. "Thanks."

---

Author's Notes:

This chapter's title is in Latin once again, mederi meaning heal. It basically implies to Danni's "recovery" or "healing" from the wounds of her past. So anyway, there'll be lots of fun in the next chapter, that I promise, because the other characters will already appear, like the Solo brothers and Kyp! Once again, I would like to thank those who reviewed: Shai, Elda Aranel, Wolvie and Fire Princess (Of course I know who you are! *giggles*), as well as those in the Jedi Council at theForce.Net who were so kind to read and comment on my work. Thank you!

As always, I'm still debating on the Jaina pairing, so please do not be mad or anything if she gets to meet the guys you don't want her to end up with. As I mentioned, she will cross paths with all three of them, so please don't flame me if you don't get what you want right away. Okies? *thumbs up*

Shai: I don't know, but I'm tremendously fond of Author's Notes. I feel that it's a good way to let the readers know they're heard and that I'm taking their concerns into consideration. And thank you for your compliments; you write wonderful yourself! I know you just updated, but I'd love to read another chapter of In Your Arms soon!

Elda Aranel: I can't assure that it will be J/Z in the end, but I promise they will have their turn somewhere in the story. Thank you for your kind words; it's good to know that someone appreciates my insanity. =P

Wolvie: Nah, you're just too humble! Your first fic washed me away, cuz it was so good! And I'm sure you'll do really great if you'll write your own version of X3! I'll be looking forward to that, just like all your other fics. Thanks for everything!

Fire Princess: Anahiri action in the next chapter, sis! And it'll only be the beginning! Oh yes, in the name of Ju**o and his orange shoes, all right! *laughs* But what about your Anakin? Hehe, just kidding. Innocent bystanders rule!

Until next time! ^___^