Shadows of Man Chapter 31, a mechwarrior/battletech fanfic

Van Horn knocked on the door to tavern to let people know that someone would be coming in, and then he pushed the door open slowly. Inside, he saw the same assortment of people as he had seen earlier, though some of them had clearly fallen asleep on the tables they sat at. The others had turned at the knock, tensed for anything that might come through. Van Horn almost felt like smiling when they visibly relaxed after seeing him. I guess they're getting used to us, he mused. He then looked around and spotted his friends sitting in a booth near the front corner of the room. Tanaka was waving at him with a mug that seemed a bit too small for her hands, and van Horn duck-walked over, careful of the low clearance.

"Well, captain, is the war over for you already?" Van Horn asked lightly as he came tow the booth. Given his armored bulk, he simply sat down on the floor, careful of the space between his backpack and the next table in the room.

Tanaka smiled a bit. "Sort of," she said with a shrug. "It's just one drink to take the edge off."

"Indeed," van Horn replied as he made sure that his shotgun was safetied before he set it on the floor next to him. Then he reached up and unlatched his helmet, taking it off so that he could be more personal with the small group. "I suppose bein' hit by a Long Tom would be nasty enough."

Tanaka nodded. "So, that's what they were?" She asked, waiting for van Horn to nod and reply. "Yeah, they dropped their camo when they began firing, and then when the Young attacked they had a good picture before that ridge became a trench."

Tanaka blinked in surprise. "Shit, you're sayin' the Young fired on them?

Van Horn nodded with a slight grin. "Yeah. Quite a lightshow, and one I don't think anyone within a thousand miles will forget."

"Fuck yeah," she replied. "Jeez-us, an actual WarShip bombardment?" Tanaka shook her head. "Pity I was out like a light."

Mikula and Alexis shuddered at that, and even Tanaka shifted her weight. Though it might just be the way she's sitting, van Horn thought. What with having to fit on that small bench seat.

Then van Horn finally noticed the female lupar sitting to Mikula's right, and he turned to her. "Oh, my apologies." He spoke to her in Lupari. "I did not mean to ignore you. My name is Earl," he said and held out his right hand.

The female looked confused and intimidated, all the more so with the battered look of van horn's black armor. However, Mikula nudged her. "Kayla, it's all right. He is a good friend, so just reach out your right hand."

The one van Horn now knew as Kayla turned and gave Mikula such a weird look. But she then turned back and slowly extended her right hand, letting van Horn grip it carefully in his own, armored hand. "I am Kayla, Mikula's sister." She said quietly.

Van Horn gave her a genuine smile. "Well, I'm glad to meet you. Mikula mentioned he had an older sister, but he hasn't said much about you." Then he released her hand and his smile faded. "Of course, given all the recent events, I can see anyone overlooking such things."

Kayla nodded slowly. "Indeed, given what's happened this night alone, I cannot blame anyone for erring in such a manner." She said quietly.

Van Horn nodded. "In any case, Mikula," he turned to the other lupar, switching to English. "The Wobbies' shelling has changed things. Command has decided that we cannot leave this city undefended for now, lest the Wobbies decide to try for more retribution." He paused for a breath. "So we're going to try and see if we can get some help and permission from the local leaders, if possible. So that's why I came in: To see if you know who we should go about seein.'"

Mikula blinked in surprise, and Tanaka and Alexis looked on curiously. "Doc, this is confirmed?" Tanaka asked, with a bit of hope in her voice. She's hopin' that we'll stay so that she can get her 'mech fixed a lot quicker, van Horn knew. MechWarrirors can't stand to be Dispossessed.

Aloud, though, he answered her "From Kujira and Ladavic themselves, captain." He nodded as he replied. "The Vanquishers, after helping to clean up some of the mess, are to either establish a forward light base in or around Tanzano, or failing any permission, we're gonna go ramblin' out and find a small patch of woods or hills to settle in." He then shook his head a bit and sighed. "Though, I think the 5th's BA platoon's gonna relieve the Vanquishers so they can head to the Rodger Young an' be a rapid reaction force."

Tanaka nodded. "Yeah, and you guys could use some relief." She shook her head slowly, and her voice dropped. "I saw at least one guy dead from the blast just outside the wrecked transport."

Van Horn nodded slowly, Mikula and Alexis joining in, though the former was quietly translating for his sister as inconspicuously as possible. Van Horn noticed this, but he didn't let it distract him. "So Mikula, you got an idea of who we should speak to?"

Mikula finished translating, and looked about to speak, when Kayla turned to van Horn and spoke up. "I believe I might be able to help… That is, if you wish my help."

Van Horn smiled a bit. "If you can help, then please don't be offended if we take you up on that offer," He said. Then his smile faded. "So, how can you help us?"

"My husband, he is noble on the city council. If you wish, I can take you to him and you can speak with him." She said, blushing as van Horn widened his eyes at the mention of her marital ties. "He cannot speak for the entire council, of course, but you can get a good gauge of just what the council might say by how Teyver – my husband – will react."

Van Horn smiled again. "Well, Mikula, your family certainly is illustrious, isn't it?" He asked, making the two lupar at the table blush. Then he again turned serious. "Kayla, when can we see your husband, then?"

Her face went blank a bit, as she thought. Then she nodded and replied, "I think that he ought to be awake now, though," she spared a glance at Alexis, "he might not be in the best of moods when my nephew gets to him."

Van Horn followed her glance and looked at Alexis. "What did you do?" He asked neutrally, though with a half-smirk on his face.

Alexis blushed deeply. "I, uh, lost my temper when Marner –her nephew – said some… Unkind things about me and Mikula."

Van horn's smirk was replaced with a small smile. "So you stood up for yourself?" He asked, getting a small nod. "That's okay, Alexis. You should always stand up for yourself. I just hope you didn't hurt him too badly?" He asked, still smiling.

Alexis managed a small, nearly non-existent smile of her own. "Nothing but his pride, I think," she replied quietly.

Van Horn nodded; wanting to chuckle, but duty overrode that idea. "So, I take it that this Marner isn't going to make my job easier?" He asked, turning back to Kayla and Mikula. The former shook her head. "I am afraid not. He is a suspicious lad, and despite his rough attitude, he is a favorite of my husband." She said with a small sigh. "Still, Teyver is a good man, and he's never been too quick to judge, so I think that you might be able to reason with him." She smiled a small bit then. "Especially if you arrive with myself in tow."

They spoke for a bit longer, van Horn making sure to explain everything to Kayla, and to translate what had been said to Tanaka, as well. Then van Horn had left, leaving the three natives and Tanaka sitting where they had been when he had come in.

"So, I you two will be leaving soon?" Alexis said in Lupari to the two siblings across from her in order to fill the awkward silence.

Mikula nodded, a sad look upon his face. "Yes, soon," he said and then sighed. "It seems like this long night will never end."

Alexis managed a small smile. "Well, it's not the longest night we've ever had…" She said knowingly in Gatonese, making Mikula blush. "Perhaps it isn't," he replied with a small grin in the same language. "But perhaps this isn't the best time to be speaking of such things," he said cautiously. Then his grin returned. "After all, I don't want to be so befuddled with your beauty that I'll trip over my own feet."

Alexis smiled and blushed, despite the studious manner in which Tanaka and Kayla were trying to pay no attention to the conversation. Not like they can understand us, she thought, but at least they're nice enough to try and give us the illusion of privacy. With that, the gatón turned to Tanaka and spoke. "So captain, I hope that you won't be too disappointed just sitting here with me until they get back."

Tanaka grinned at Alexis. "It wasn't a problem when you were riding in my 'mech, and it's no problem now," she said. Then she yawned. "However, it's been a long night," she said as she turned to Mikula. "You'd better not take too long, or van Horn's gonna have you drag me out of the building when I pass out." She winked as she finished.

Mikula gave his lopsided grin. "Well, I'll just remember to have a bucket of cold water ready when I get back."

Tanaka nodded. "Good idea," she then turned to Alexis. "Remind me not to fall asleep around him."

Alexis chuckled slightly. "It's not so much him as his brother, Kanu, who is the trickster."

"Well, maybe you should call him Coyote then?" Tanaka asked mischievously. When Alexis and Mikula gave her blank looks, she sighed and shook her head. "Nevermind. You two should get going, then," she said, gesturing to Mikula and Kayla.

They nodded, and Mikula spoke. "You're right. We'd better leave before Mrs. Reyka catches wind of our intentions and tries to talk us out of it." He said as Kayla edged out of the seat, allowing him to do the same.

Alexis felt a pang of guilt and sympathy as Mikula winced as he stood up. "Mikula, should you really be going anywhere, though, with a wound like that?" She asked, sounding almost pleading.

Mikula tried to give her a reassuring smile, weak though it was. "I'll be fine, Alexis," he said. "You said yourself, it's pretty well taken care of. And besides, I'll have Earl with me, and he's helped to take care of my wounds before." With that, he brought up the leg that had been wounded that fateful night to emphasize. He then placed the leg down and shrugged. "Besides, I can't let my sister go back alone," he said this in English so as to not embarrass himself or his sister. "Even with van Horn escorting her, he's only one man. I can help, at least, to keep things civil, if need be."

Alexis nodded, and then she pushed on Tanaka's back gently. The human got the drift and she got up from her seat to let Alexis out, though she immediately took the seat vacated by the two lupar. The gatón didn't pay it any mind, however, as she stepped over to Mikula, and they embraced again. "You just make sure you come back," she said as she pulled him tight.

"I will. I promise," he replied quietly as they broke their hold on each other. He smiled at her then, and he brushed a hand along her cheek, tucking some stray strands of hair back. "I'm not going to lose you now, not when you finally know everybody."

Alexis nervously smiled back. "It would certainly be a waste of introductions, wouldn't it?" She said, her voice faltering somewhat. "Be careful."

"Certainly," Mikula said, turning to head for the door. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Alexis replied as Mikula and his sister walked to the door, stopping only to nab Senmar so they could talk outside. Then they were through the door, and Alexis practically stumbled back to her original seat, sitting heavily on the bench. Once there, she put her arms on the table and then cradled her head in her hands. Closing her eyes, she sighed deeply, using the action to help her maintain control over her emotions.

"Not easy, is it?" Tanaka asked quietly after a minute. Alexis opened her eyes as she brought her head up to look at the human, who continued on. "It's hard enough saying goodbye when you're the one going, but when it's someone else, someone you care about…" She shook her head slightly as her voice trailed away.

Alexis nodded a bit. "I take it you've had to do it, as well?" She asked, hoping that Tanaka could add some new insight that would help. Tanaka nodded, and Alexis went on "Does it ever get any easier?"

"No, Alexis," Tanaka replied with a sad shake of her head. "It never does. I've had to say goodbye to my family dozens of times. Most times, it's just a short time, only a few days, or a few weeks at most…" She sighed and stared off into space. "It's always hard. More so this last time, since I would be leaving the planet."

Alexis felt mortified. "I'm… I'm sorry that you had to come, then." She said, sadly as she tilted her head down. "As much as you and everyone else have helped, I never would have wanted any of you to leave your families."

Tanaka chuckled slightly, which brought Alexis' head back up to see the other woman smiling wanly. "Alexis, it may be hard, and it may mean our deaths, but you can go and ask every single person in the Firebase, in the Grenadiers, in the Vanquishers and the crewman of every ship, and they'll tell you the same thing; we don't do it because it's easy. We do it because it's right. Because no one else can."

Alexis frowned, her ears flopping down in confusion. "I don't think I fully understand." Then her ears went back in embarrassment. "I guess I haven't learned as much as I thought I have."

Tanaka sighed. "Alexis, you've learned a lot. Don't put yourself down because you've had a different life where you've never known what we have," she said, shaking her head a bit. "We grew up with the Articles of Freedom, with the concept of responsibility to society and of sacrifice. From a young age, we're taught about how you can't just take, you have to give, as well." She paused then, to let Alexis absorb this and to take a breath as well. "Our society does so much for us. It created the environment that allowed us to grow up in freedom, to choose our own path in life, and to be who we are. Is it any surprise that we'd want to protect that glorious treasure at any cost? Even with our own lives?"

Alexis continued to frown in puzzlement, even as Tanaka finished. "I think I understand a bit… At least, being a soldier, to defend your homes." She managed a small smile. "I mean, that's what I'm doing here, what Mikula and Senmar are doing here…" Her face went back to total puzzlement then. "But captain… Why are you here?" She asked plaintively. "Why are Earl, the Vanquishers, the army from your world, your people… Why are you here? Earl told me that it's right by your values… But I don't see how, in light of what you just told me." She sat back at that, seemingly exhausted at the mental activity as she frowned.

Tanaka sighed again. "Alexis, it boils down to this: What is the largest group of people that you feel you can owe allegiance to?"

Alexis blinked at the question. "What do you mean?"

Tanaka shook her head. "What I mean, is, I know you'll fight hard to protect yourself, your family, Mikula and everyone you know… But," she made sure to look Alexis in the eyes. "Can you bring yourself to risk your life for complete strangers? Even those who might not like you, who might even resent your presence and decry you as evil? Even for those who might fight back against you because they know nothing else but the system they were born into?"

Alexis felt some anger bleed into her face. "Of course I can! That's why I'm here, isn't it? I didn't know anyone in Tanzano until… I came… Here…" Alexis' voice slowed and stopped as she began to think about what she was saying. "But I came here anyway…"

Tanaka nodded. "And why is that, Alexis? I mean, we both know you cared to be as near to Mikula as possible, but it had to be more than that. You told me that story of how you weren't even supposed to go with van Horn and the others to stop those bandits. You ended up going anyway, but you could have gone weeks, months even without seeing Mikula again… If ever." Tanaka paused for a breath. "So, why come now, when you'd only be separated by a few days, at most?"

Alexis thought as fast as she could. Her mind, though, was fuzzy from the night's events, her own tiredness, and the shaking she had received from the artillery blast that had toppled Tanaka's 'mech. Still, she began to piece it together. "I… I guess it was because I thought that I could do some good…"

Tanaka nodded. "And you have, but you had no idea that you could have when you volunteered. So, why did you volunteer, if it wasn't completely for Mikula?"

Why did I? Alexis wondered to herself. Then she began to think about how she had felt good with the MechWarriors of Tanaka's lance. I figured it was because I was more a soldier… And I am, I know that… And Tanaka's a soldier, too, and so are Earl, and Dan and Jen and John… They all came here, not because they were forced to, but because something makes them willing to risk their lives for something greater than themselves…

Just like me, she realized with a start. Mikula was a part of my volunteering, of course… But it was more than that, wasn't it? I wanted to protect Hercor and Shulana, despite what many think of me, and when I thought of all the hostages, I wanted to help them too, even though I didn't know them.

Alexis looked from where she had been staring at the wall, and she looked at Tanaka as the latter sat lengthwise along the booth's bench, using it to give her legs more space. The human was watching Alexis curiously, and the gatón knew why. She wants to see if I can 'get it…' And I do, don't I? I came here willingly to protect those I don't even know… And so did she. Not because I had to, but because I want to. Alexis smiled sheepishly then at Tanaka. "I… I think I understand. It's not about who's in trouble. It's about doing what's right, because doing what's right is society, and even though you may die, that which you're a part of lives on."

Tanaka smiled broadly. "You got it!" She said somewhat loudly. "Damn, girl, some people don't realize that in their entire lives, and you got it in a night."

Alexis blushed deeply. "Not in a night, but over time. Talking to Earl, mainly, but you and all my friends helped," she said quietly, and then some tears began at the corner of her eyes. Alexis tilted her head down at the table then to try and hide them.

She wasn't totally successful. "Alexis, what's wrong?" Tanaka asked, clearly concerned. The tone of her voice just made Alexis' emotions run stronger, and her voice cracked slightly as she replied. "It's just… You and everyone else… You've all been so helpful, so caring and kind and willing to teach… I feel so good, knowing I have great friends like you."

Alexis heard a sniff, and she thought that her nose had started running and she had done if automatically. Then she heard it again, and she looked up to see Tanaka rubbing her eyes. "Damn, Alexis, now you got me leakin,'" she said. Although the words could have been taken badly, Alexis could tell by the tone that Tanaka was speaking in mock irritation designed to lighten the mood with some good humor. The better to get our emotions in check, the gatón knew, and she stayed silent as she, too, fought against her exhaustion and emotions to regain control.

Finally, Tanaka spoke next after a few moments had passed. "Thank you for thinking me as a friend, Alexis," she said with a smile. "I'll admit I don't have many friends, so it's nice to know that I'm not that bad to deal with," she winked at the last.

Alexis chuckled a bit. "I think you sell yourself short," she said, and then paused. "Did I use that right? Earl says it a lot."

Tanaka chuckled back. "Yeah, you used it just right," she replied. "Seems you're learnin' fast enough to me, pickin' up the idioms and usin' 'em right."

Alexis blushed again. "Thank you. I try hard to learn it." She smiled sheepishly. "I just have this fascination with English since I've been to New Honshu. Just so many words to learn! It's wonderful."

Tanaka chuckled. "Quite a linguist, eh?" She asked. "Maybe you should be one after this is all over."

Alexis blinked at that. "I, uh… I really don't have any idea of what I'm going to do when things are over…" Her voice trailed off and she looked out over the tavern, where now most everyone was asleep, either lying on booth benches or in some cases – usually the men – sleeping on the floor. "I look at everyone now, even the lupar, and I don't see anything that really inspires me… Not like your world did."

They both fell silent at that for a few minutes before Tanaka cleared her throat. "Well, Alexis… If you want, you could always come back if you wished."

Alexis turned her head and looked quizzically at the human. "What do you mean?"

Tanaka shifted uncomfortably. "Well, I don't want to make it sound like it's some great thing, Alexis," she said quietly. "But the fact is, is that we're going to be staying on your planet for a long time, now. Even for centuries, establishing bases to protect everyone." She said, and then sighed. "And also… I don't think anyone would want us to stop there."

Alexis frowned. "I don't know if it's the late hour, or your words, but I am afraid I don't understand you again."

Tanaka sighed, and she now looked over the room, prompting Alexis to follow suit. "Alexis, all your friends, and my own government, we've helped to teach you and Mikula and Pavlo. And you know we want to help out, and as of tonight, you fully understand why. Now, think of where that takes you when the Wobbies are done for."

Alexis did think, pursuing the line of thought. They help because it's right by their morals, and that help meant training and educating me and Mikula and Pavlo… This time, she came to the idea more rapidly, and she looked at Tanaka with hopeful eyes. "You mean, your people will try and teach things to mine? To the lupar?"

Tanaka smiled wanly. "Almost certainly. Even if the government doesn't get involved, lots of private charities will, because literacy and education build peace and prosperity. But of course, none of it will be forced."

Alexis nodded slightly, thinking of the ramifications. Imagine! Everyone learning how to do such wonderful things that the humans do! We can build our society up to their level! No more wars on our planet, nothing between us, because we'll have it all… Only need to worry about those outside the Republic, and even then, our friends will help us. Her eyes felt like watering up again. "That… That would be so wonderful."

Tanaka shrugged. "Maybe… Or maybe not. Remember, Alexis, technology is a double-edged sword. Anything we teach your people an have the ability to harm you all, as well," she said, and then sighed. "But we'll also try and teach you our history, too, so that you can learn from our mistakes. Maybe even translate the Articles of Freedom into your languages… Heh," she half-chuckled and looked at Alexis with a grin. "There's a job for you after we're done. Translate the Articles so that people can see where my country is coming from."

Alexis nodded eagerly. "Oh, yes, that sounds wonderful," she said. Then she thought about it, and her ears went back in embarrassment. "But… I'm afraid that I still don't know what these documents are that you speak of."

Tanaka gave her a small grin. "Well, there's quite a few of them. They're a series of documents from throughout the ages that detail the growth of the idea of personal freedom, equality under law, and the basic rights of a person. They start mainly with the Magna Carta, which is over eighteen hundred years old, and they go through the American Contributions, and then touch on the Ares Conventions and others documents, finally arriving at my own Republic's Constitution." Tanaka finished speaking, and then she blushed. "Listen to me, recitin' the whole litany like a schoolgirl."

Alexis smiled. "But it's so interesting. Eighteen hundred years…" The number astounded her. "That long, you've had these ideals?"

At that, Tanaka frowned and her blush deepened. "Not really. The Magna Carta was a great step forward, and it was a fair sight better than what was there before. But it was still only a step." She sighed and shook her head. "The society you see today, Alexis, in Neo Tokyo, in the other systems of the Republic… It's the end result of thousands of years of human history. Most of which, by the way, is dark and bloody" Tanaka sighed again. "Still, the documents show how we had to learn, slowly…"

Alexis nodded, much sobered by the reminders of humanity's checkered past. "Then perhaps your suggestion of translating these documents is doubly important. Maybe then, I and others could use them to help the Gatón and the Lupar skip all those bloody, senseless wars and let us achieve something better…" Her voice trailed away as Alexis contemplated the idea.

Tanaka's grunt, followed by some gruff words, brought her back to reality. "Alexis, I'm glad you're thinking far ahead, and with such broad strokes. But, don't you think you're getting ahead of yourself?" She asked the gatón, who blushed a bit. "Remember, too, that not everyone is a nice, gentle caring person. There will be those who resist."

Alexis only had to think back to earlier in the night for a clear example of what Tanaka was speaking of. "I see your point, and I thank you for keeping me from soaring too far in my flight of fancy," she said to her friend with a wan smile of her own. "But still, the mere idea, the hope that we can do so many great things…"

Tanaka smiled broadly at her. "That's the spirit, Alexis. Reality is never perfect; so don't get discouraged when things don't go your way. But remember that, wherever there is even one person thinking for themselves, there is hope."

Van Horn walked uneasily through the streets of Tanzano as he escorted Mikula and Kayla towards their goal. The eerie glow of fires had died somewhat, though now the occasional flare of a Vanquisher's jump jets cast a brilliant light over the area as the soldiers bounced from fire to fire, helping to create firebreaks or grabbing people to carry them to safety. Van Horn had heard more than one radio report from an excited, but clearly relieved trooper about how they had finished one spot, or saved some lives. It made his chest feel like it was going to bend his armor outward, but it also made him cautious in case the Blakests had left someone behind to do some nasty work.

Still, I don't want to be too deadly now, he thought, cracking open he shotgun's ammo chamber and withdrawing the last few unused AP shells there to place them into a belt pouch. Even as he made sure to look around and check the area, van Horn quickly began to reload his weapon with simple, solid slugs that would still be potent, though wouldn't have nearly the same unabashed killing power as the magnesium-coated AP shot. If we encounter any bogeys, it'd be nice if we could take one alive.

"What are you doing, Earl?" Mikula asked quietly in Lupari from off to the human's side. Van Horn only spared a glace of his eyes to his HUD to see that the two lupar walking alongside him were looking curiously at his activities.

"I'm changing my ammo load, Mikula," van Horn replied, also in Lupari for Kayla's benefit. "The shot I had inside before was for maximum killing power. Now, though," he paused to finish loading the last of the twelve shells. "Now, they're simple lead slugs. Not too deadly, and they might leave someone alive."

Kayla shuddered as they walked. "How can you talk so casually about what kind of weapon you use to kill people?" She asked incredulously.

"Simple," van Horn replied somewhat gruffly. "I'm just plain used to it. After all, one must be objective as possible when it's one's job to kill people and break things, and when killing people, sometimes you want to make sure that a few will survive so that you can interrogate them."

Kayla shuddered again, and she stopped, forcing Mikula and van Horn to pause as well. "How can you even speak like that?" She asked, her attitude that of shock. "Even if we are talking about enemies, they are people, are they not? How can you talk as if they are so much meat to be sliced up?"

Van Horn stood still for a moment, and then he took of his helmet so that he could stare at Kayla with his unshielded eyes. "Because it's my job," he said coldly. "They are enemies, and as such, they will not grant us any quarter, nor give us the same treatment you seem to want to give them. In the chaos of battle, one cannot afford niceties, lest you become a target." He shook his head slowly, reproachfully. "In modern combat, they way things have become over my people's history, a soldier who pauses in his duty to himself and his comrades dies, and he leaves a hole which allows the enemy to kill more of his friends. So to prevent that, to keep my friends alive, I will do whatever it takes." He finished with a snap in his voice. "So you can be shocked and outraged if you want to. Many of my own people are. But the ones who think that way, they aren't the ones out here, saving your lives and defending your freedom." He almost slammed his helmet back over his head, only moving just slow enough to keep from banging his temples. "Consider that, please, before you judge." With that, van Horn turned smartly on his heel and stalked off along the street they had been heading down.

Kayla stood there still, trying to understand the change she had seen in the human and the words he had spoken. Then she felt Mikula nudge her, and she looked over to him as he spoke. "Kayla, come on, we have a job to do."

She nodded, and then moved off quickly to follow the human, though she and Mikula stayed a few paces behind him to let him cool down. "I don't understand, brother," Kayla said quietly. "He seemed so nice in the tavern, and now he talks so roughly about such things."

Mikula sighed, causing Kayla to glance over at him. "Indeed you don't understand, Kayla. Being a professional soldier… It's not easy." He spoke quietly as they walked. "You've seen how the Wobbies just attacked Tanzano like that… So impersonally." He shook his head. "That is the word, I think; 'impersonal.' It describes the form of war that their society practices…" He sighed. "And that we must get used to, now. For our own culture cannot help but be changed."

Kayla frowned as she looked at her brother. "I don't think I like what you're saying, Mikula. You're implying that our own people could be so… So barbaric?"

"We already are," Mikula replied in a low, almost-growling voice. "How many times have whole families been killed in our city's past, during civil wars and power struggles? How many times have villages been burnt to the ground by ambitious warlords?"

Kayla fell silent at that, and they followed behind van Horn for another minute before Mikula spoke again. "I take it from your silence that you know of what I speak." He paused for her to nod in reply. "Then can't you see, then? This kind of warfare… It's just as nasty, ass brutal as any kind of war. It's just more widespread, so people notice it more." He sighed again, shaking his head. "So when Earl talks of killing people, it's not because he likes it, or anything like that. It's just because he knows that, by killing his enemies, he prevents the deaths of people that he knows, people that are important to him."

Kayla shook her head at that. "But he speaks so casually of it."

"That's because, dear sister," Mikula spoke in a near-growl again, "if he thought like you did all the time, then what he does, as necessary as it is, as much as it saves others and is of great help… If he stopped to think too much about what he does, he'd go insane.

"And so would I," Mikula finished up. "I've taken lives too, Kayla. I've had some of the same training that Earl and his comrades have received." His voice then dropped low. "And I've seen some of their histories. Kayla, you must believe me when I tell you that Tanzano, and indeed our entire world have not even seen one tenth of the sheer terror of total war."

Kayla was unsure of how to answer, and so she simply fell silent as she tried to contemplate what her brother had told her.

After another few minutes, they reached the main avenue that ran through the city. Van Horn had paused there to let the two lupar catch up to him. "Okay, so where to now?" He asked, his voice much more friendly than just a few moments ago. Kayla, though surprised again at the change in mood, simply pointed down Karno's Way. "We head towards the Citadel, and then to the other side of the city, where the Noble's Quarter is. Once there, we take a turn and head for my husband's house."

Van Horn nodded. "Very well. Please lead on."

Kayla looked a bit surprised. "I am a female, it's not very seemly for me to lead."

"Perhaps for your people, but mine do not care. As such, I do not care, and I doubt Mikula does." Van Horn replied, and then looked to Mikula. The other lupar nodded, a slight smirk on his face. "Earl speaks the truth, Kayla. Please lead on."

Kayla gave her brother a puzzled look, but then she nodded. "Very well," she said, and then started along Karno's Way. Mikula and van Horn soon followed, though the former made sure to stay abreast of his sister, while the latter simply followed behind them at about a half meter's distance.

Van Horn had felt bad by letting loose on Kayla earlier, but now his nerves were working up because of the dozens of lupar that he could see up and down the street. Some were clearly running for fires, while others, tired and exhausted, simply sat on the edges of the street alongside buildings, resting from the night's exertions and the interruption of their sleep.

I feel kind of guilty about that, van Horn thought as they passed one such knot of lupar, who still managed to stare open-mouthed as the odd group of three walked past. At least I and the Vanquishers got hours of drug-impressed sleep before we went into action, and at least Mikula and his sister probably, too, knew beforehand that tonight was going to be different. He sighed lightly inside his helmet, careful to avoid activating the microphone. Damn it all, though…

They continued walking down the street in silence; the only sounds were those of the city around them as its denizens reacted to the strange events that had befallen it. They passed more groups of lupar, some walking back home after fighting the fires and winning, others resting like groups they had passed before. Always, the natives just stared at the trio, pulling themselves to the side in deference to van Horn's armored presence. Then they finally arrived at the main square then, and they couldn't help but pause at the scene.

The first thing they noticed was the main keep of the Citadel, which now was missing half of its mass, as it had partially collapsed from being hit by the artillery shell. Then they looked over to the burning pyre of the Assault Transport, and Tanaka's blasted Guillotine IIC. The former still burned slightly from various small materials inside, and the latter simply lay supine across the main avenue.

But by far the worst sight were the bodies. The Vanquishers had begun to collect the victims of the attack, the living-though-badly-injured, and the dead, into the main square. Lupar doctors, who apparently had come after being told by the Tanzanos fighting the fires that the wounded were being moved, were attending to all the former. The dead, meanwhile, lay in rows near the blasted transport, and van Horn felt a great sadness at the numbers. Amongst nearly two-dozen lupar were six larger bodies; the crew of the transport and the three dead troopers, lying alongside the natives they had come to protect.

"My God…" Kayla breathed. "It's terrible."

"Like something out of a nightmare," Mikula added in, his voice trembling with sadness.

How many need to die? Van Horn railed inside his own head. How many innocents must perish because the Wobbies try to seize power? How many bodies must be piled up at the altar of ambition and greed? He balled his free, left hand into a fist. "Those bastards will pay for this," he said quietly, in English. "They'll pay with interest."

Mikula turned and looked up at the human at that, and van Horn realized that he had spoken loud enough to activate his speakers. The lupar nodded slowly. "Earl… No matter what, I want to be there when this ends…" He then turned back to look over the scene. "I want to see the Wobbies brought low for their crimes."

"You'll see more than that, my friend," van Horn added. "You'll see the full justice of the Republic fall upon their heads. From this day forward, their lives are forfeit, and nothing short of their blood watering the ground shall stop us." He spoke darkly, savagely, as the anger inside boiled over before he could get a handle on it. Van Horn then shook his head to help clear it. "We should go," he said in Lupari for Kayla's benefit. "The sooner we can get some sort of permission to be here, the sooner we can bring in our own people to help treat the wounded."

Kayla nodded and they started off again, walking slowly as their path would take them near where the wounded lay. Unsurprisingly, the natives took quick notice of van Horn and the other two in his presence, and they stared. The wounded were all gathered next to the dry moat of the fortress, crowding the side of the road, and so the trio walked past them carefully, moving off the roadway's center.

They passed the group of wounded in a few minutes, the encounter having passes in silence thanks to the reluctance of the wounded to draw the attention of one of the nightmare creatures, and also to the reluctance of the moving group to engage in any discourse. Van Horn, especially, felt like he couldn't talk any more for the night. I feel so empty… He thought as he and the two lupar he was escorting moved along the street. I don't know how I can feel so enraged, so saddened at what's happened since this mess began, and yet feel so… Blank. He shook his head slightly. Stop it, Earl. You're tired, and the stress of the night's events is catching up with you. He again forced his emotions down, knowing that he'd have to take time, later, to have a full accounting with them, but knowing also that that time wasn't now.

Finally, Kayla turned down a side street, speaking as she led the small group on. "Down here. Teyver managed to get an empty house down here when the Invaders arrived and…" Her voice faltered then, and van Horn realized that the event she spoke of was also when she was abducted. Again, anger roiled in his belly, and he figured that if had a Wobbie there at that moment, he'd have snapped the man's neck in two.

Fortunately, the moment passed, and van Horn again found his mind playing the scientist, drinking in the details of the ornamentation along the decently-sized houses of the Noble's Quarter, each with its own oil-fired lantern keeping the shadows somewhat at bay. No one ever did think of a way to get a good look at these places, even with sneak suits, he remembered from the months of preparation leading up to his assignment at the planet. Damn shame it took an invasion for me to see this.

They followed the street as it twisted, and soon they came to a cul-de-sac formed by a larger-than-average house, whose two additional wings formed the walls of the artificial ravine. Though modest by the standards of some of the larger houses in the Noble's Quarter, it nevertheless was impressive, made all the more so by the single, large lantern that hung off of a pole in the middle of the cul-de-sac.

"Wow," Mikula spoke quietly. "I don't think I pictured your home quite like this, Kayla."

His sister managed a wan smile. "What did you expect, anyway? A palace of some sort?"

"That's not what I meant," Mikula replied hastily, to which his sister shook her head a bit. "I know, Mikula. I was trying to jest, and lighten the mood…" She then dropped her attempt t good humor. "I suppose it's not the time for that, though."

Van Horn sighed, allowing his helmet to relay the sound via its speakers. "Actually, Kayla, it was a good attempt. It's just that it's not enough." He shrugged then. "So, how do we get in?"

"We walk up and knock," she said with all due seriousness, and moved off for the main door, Mikula and van Horn following behind her. They reached and climbed the small set of steps that led up to the larger double doors of the house, and Kayla quickly proceeded to knock.

Then they heard the telltale sounds of crossbows being readied, and Kayla and Mikula started a bit as they looked to their left and right to see two guards coming from each side. Each pair had a man with a crossbow, aimed at van Horn, and another with a drawn sword held at the ready.

Van Horn simply chuckled. "I was wondering when you would reveal yourselves," he announced in Lupari to the four guards, who halted in mid-step. "Really, your places were poorly chosen. Be glad that I'm not here to hurt you."

"Then what are you here for?" One of the guards asked. Though his voice sounded sure, van Horn could see with night-vision that the lupar's tail curled a bit in fear.

"He came to escort me home," Kayla spoke up, her voice loud and sure. "And also to see my husband, your lord."

The main doors opened then, and the trio on the steps turned to see another pair of guards armed with swords flanking another, unarmed lupar. The one in the middle, unlike his men, had a worried look on his face that melted away when he saw Kayla.

"Teyver," Kayla said with a smile, and she easily climbed the last steps and reached her husband, and they hugged. Van Horn couldn't help but feel a bit better with the scene, and he relaxed his stance a bit.

"Kayla," Teyver said as they drew apart from their embrace. "I was worried when the bursts of fire started, and then Marner came back without you…" He shook his head. "He said that you had told him to leave, but I didn't quite believe him."

"Dear husband, I am sorry for making you worry so," she said and then sighed. "But Marner needs to learn tact. He insulted my brother and his friends, and by extension myself for consorting with them."

Teyver grunted. "Then I shan't be taking him out of his arrest any time soon," he said, and then looked up at the other two people standing on the steps. "My, what strange company you keep."

Kayla sighed again. "My brother Mikula, and his- our friend, Earl." She indicated the two men where they stood as she named them.

Teyver nodded. "Mikula, it is good to see you again."

"My sentiments mirror yours," Mikula replied.

Teyver nodded, and then he turned to the human. "So… You're one of the strange men who my nephew and my wife have spoken of?"

Van Horn nodded. "I would assume so," he replied. "But as I do not know what has been said to you, I shall refrain from fully confirming it until I know for sure whether I am the man they speak of, or merely a shadow of the story they made."

Teyver blinked in surprise. "I'll admit, I didn't think you would have such a command of our language… Or such a wit to use it." He nodded slightly to the human. "You surprise me, and do the small tales I've heard well."

"I thank you," van Horn replied. "But I am afraid that time is of the essence now, and though I was happy to escort your wife home, I also have business with you."

Teyver frowned, and his guards shifted nervously into a more readied position, they having relaxed during the pleasantries. "What kind of business then?" He asked gruffly.

But then Kayla reached up and laid a hand on his shoulder. "My dear, it is no threat. He came here to speak with you because I told him how you are a member of the ruling council. He represents his people and they wish to speak to the people in charge."

Teyver gave his wife a quizzical look, and then turned to give an identical look at van Horn. "What sort of business, then, that you must speak with a member of the council at this time of night?"

Van Horn then took off his helmet so that he could speak to Teyver more personally. "Simple," he said, relaxing his posture a bit further as he lowered his shotgun to his side. "My people are here to remove the Invaders that have attacked your city and others. As part of our campaign, we would like to establish a presence on this side of the continent to further keep our common enemy off guard." Van Horn then nodded towards his back, and his voice lowered. "Though it has been costly, for my people as well as yours, your city is now free of the Invaders' menace. The hostages inside the fortress have been freed, and even now my comrades are helping to stop the fires in the city.

"But we can only do so much now. We can do more, but that would mean sending more of our people here, making our presence more felt." Van Horn paused to shake his head and catch his breath. "We are not like the Invaders. We don't stay where we are not wanted. So before we can send anymore people here, we need permission to be here."

Silence came over the group for a moment, and then Teyver nodded his head slowly. "So that's why you're here now? To ask for permission?" He then shook his head. "I cannot speak for the council."

"As Kayla told me," van Horn replied gently. "But as I said before, time is critical here. The sooner we can find out whether or not we can operate here, out of Tanzano, the better it will be for everyone. Besides," he smirked a bit. "It would be poor manners to simply barge in on a meeting without properly introducing ourselves, now would it?"

Teyver gave the human an appraising look. "Strange," he said quietly, almost musing to himself. "You look so much like the invaders, and yet you speak and act so differently."

Van Horn blushed at the comparison. "With all due respect to you, sir, but please do not compare me to the people you speak of." He frowned then. "They are barbarians, and their actions lower them further to the level of pure animals." He spoke lowly, harshly, placing scorn on the words.

Teyver nodded slightly again. "Indeed… You speak well, but how can I take your words at truth?" He asked in an obvious – to van Horn, at least – attempt to stall for time. "You speak as if you are much different than the Invaders, and I find myself believing you, for none of the Invaders have shown anything but contempt for my people." He then sighed. "But how can we be sure that what you speak of is the truth?"

"Sir," Mikula spoke up then, bringing Teyver's attention to him. "I've been a friend of Earl here for months, now." He paused and turned to look at the human. "He and his friends and people have done nothing but be a constant help for me and my family," he then turned back to Teyver. "And now to my old city as well. For the blasts that attacked Tanzano earlier were stopped thanks to their power."

Teyver nodded, but he also frowned. "Perhaps. But then, the argument may be made that their arrival started the blasts in the first place."

Van Horn's face looked pained at that, dragging the lupar's attention to him as he spoke. "It would be a truth, sadly," he spoke with great pain in his voice. "We never thought that they'd attack one of their own cities… One of the places they had taken for themselves." He then shook his head. "To attack blindly as they did… It was so cowardly that we simply didn't think of it.

"But we should of," van Horn continued with a sigh, and he brought is eyes to look into Teyver's. "And though my words will sound hollow, trite, even, you have nothing but the gravest apologies from my people for our underestimation of the Wobbies' barbarity."

Teyver blinked, stunned enough by the forcefulness of van Horn's emotional words that he failed to notice the different name for the invaders. "I… I believe you," he said, not knowing why, just that he did know. "I have been at war once myself… Things do not always go as planned."

Van Horn nodded. "My people simply say, 'no plan survives contact with the enemy.'"

Teyver grunted. "Sounds like your people have had some good experience in war, then," he said. Then he felt a chill as he saw van Horn's eyes glaze over. "You have absolutely no idea of my people's experiences…" The human said. Then he shook his head to clear it. "But we are not speaking of the past, for now. I am sorry if I may seem rude, but I must get us back on track. What kind of opinion are you about our request?"

Teyver frowned, thinking hard and fast over the question. "What if we say no?"

"Then we leave," van Horn immediately replied. "Though, we do have some small cleanup to do, so we may not leave right away. But it would be soon, and we would be gone."

Teyver frowned slightly. "You would leave, just like that?"

Van Horn nodded. "As I said, we are not barbarians. And, though working in and around Tanzano would be beneficial to all, we do not necessarily need to be here."

Teyver allowed a surprised look to come over his face. "Then why do you ask, if you do not need it?"

"Because, as I said earlier," van Horn sounded a bit tired at having to repeat himself. "We can help your people; the injured, the sick. And we can better defend your city if we're here, instead of having to deploy from further away."

Teyver nodded a bit before he caught the last remark. "Wait, are you saying that you'd defend us even if we refuse your request?"

Van Horn nodded. "Of course. It is our mission to remove the Invaders and the threat they pose to your people. We cannot win if we simply clear out a city of them – as we've done tonight – and then let them come back to terrorize you again." He shook his head then. "Besides, it's our sworn duty to protect those under our charge, and your entire world is under our charge." He raised his head a bit then, and van Horn looked Teyver straight in the eyes. "It's a duty we've not been able to fulfill yet, and we'll not stop until it's done."