"C'mon you, unlike you I haven't got all day!" the man escorting Cecilia back to the Genetic Infusion Lab barked to her. "And you have to rest because you're going into the flight sim again tomorrow morning, and Admiral Cantorin expects peak performance out of you."
Does it look like I give a shit? The now teenage Cecilia bitterly thought to herself. Cecilia ducked slightly to get through the door, not because she was exceptionally tall (although she was tall for a woman), but because of her large crimson and gold wings. She was powerfully built, and when she walked her brown, shoulder length curls bounced slightly with each step, her long tail slightly swaying back and forth. Just as she had as a young child, she wore only a black tube top and matching pants; the white star with six thin spikes was displayed on the front of her top.
The once bustling Genetic Infusion Laboratory had long had most of its equipment removed; its staff down to one on-duty personnel to watch Cecilia at all times, but the cot in her alcove still sat in the same spot as always, the tray of just edible food substance waiting for her. Cecilia ate and curled up on her cot since she had nothing else to do.
There was no way for Cecilia to keep track of time in the lab, which was why she had no idea how long she had been laying there when she felt several small explosions rock the lab. At once an alarm started blaring. "DANGER. CONTAINMENT BREACH BY SPECIMEN SD0947. DANGER. CONTAINMENT BREACH BY SPECIMEN SD0947. DANGER-"
The man on duty tapped in a command into his computer terminal, silencing the alert in the lab. Cecilia rolled her eyes. SD0947 breaks out almost as often as I get punished, honestly. I would almost feel sorry for him if he wasn't so hell bent on killing me as much as anything else he can look at. Especially since-
Cecilia's thoughts were interrupted by the lab door opening. She lay very still and listened closely; people coming to the lab outside of shift changes was an exceptionally rare occurrence.
"We need you upstairs right away," Cecilia heard a woman tell the current man on duty; she didn't care enough to learn the names of anyone. "Admiral Cantorin wants all available hands to subdue SD0947."
"Can't, I'm on brat duty right now. She needs constant 24/7 supervision, admiral's orders."
"It's also admiral's orders that everyone subdues SD0947. We need you right away."
"This isn't something that came down from Rear Admiral Chrysalis; these are Admiral Cantorin's direct orders. Much as I'd like to, I can't leave this lab."
"But it's also Admiral Cantorin that just ordered all hands on deck, no exceptions. We need you up there. Besides, where's she going to go anyways?" the woman snorted.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right, huh?" the man sounded thoughtful. "Well, if it came down from Admiral Cantorin then I'd better get up there." Cecilia heard the door shut and silence echoed throughout the lab.
Cecilia waited several moments before sitting up. Both of them had gone; she truly was alone now. With no one here and everyone off to subdue SD0947, I can escape! Her heart pounded slightly. I know how to fly a ship thanks to the sims. All I have to do is find my way up to the hangars. But, where would I go from there? I don't have a home to return to, do I? Cecilia eyed the workstation the man and others used when in the lab. But they know exactly where I came from. Surely they must have recorded it at some point.
Cecilia went to the computer terminal and loaded the entire database of information they kept on her. There wasn't nearly enough time to look at it right then; instead she copied the database onto a disk and slipped it into her pocket. After that she brought up the location of the closest hangar to the lab, which turned out to be five floors up. Then, heart pounding hard, Cecilia opened the door and cautiously peered out into the corridor.
It was, as expected, completely empty. Cecilia strained her ears to make sure no one was coming before stepping out of the lab by herself for the first time. Another explosion shook the corridor as Cecilia started down it. Good. I hope it keeps them busy for as long as possible, she thought as she made her way to the nearest lift. It wasn't far from the lab, but it left her feeling horribly exposed. Fortunately she only had to wait moments before one arrived, and then she was speeding up five floors.
The lift slowed, stopped, and the door slid open across from a wide blast door. The hangar was visible just on the other side! Cecilia's heart leapt as she quickly stepped into the hangar and looked around. Aside from a single shuttle all of the ships were single seat fighters. Some had round cockpits and hexagonal wings, and others had pointy cockpits and thin, pointed wings. Cecilia wasn't sure why, but she had a funny feeling that every one of those ships had been stolen.
"WARNING. ESCAPE ATTEMPT BY SPECIMEN HD0001. WARNING-"
"SHIT!" Cecilia yelled out loud and sprinted to the shuttle. Up the ramp, into the cockpit, and practically diving into the pilot's chair, Cecilia didn't have time to be nervous about flying a live ship for the first time. She hit the button to close the ramp and started the engines. The ship lifted into the air slightly and without waiting for the ramp to fully close she gunned the engines and shot out of the hanger.
Cecilia gasped in surprise and amazement as she saw the outside world for the first time. Blue sky blazed overhead, dotted by fluffy white clouds. Down below were the tops of green trees and a vast jungle. All of them were words Cecilia knew, somehow, but never before had she actually seen any of these things in person.
Laser fire from automatic turrets snapped Cecilia back to reality. Cecilia pulled back straight up into the sky, and the blazing blue sky rapidly deepened and faded into the black of space, dotted by billions upon billions of stars. Cecilia didn't have time to be amazed by this wonder, and she typed rapidly into the nav computer for the coordinates of the nearest star system. The computer gave the coordinates, she gave the command; the stars blurred as Cecilia successfully jumped into hyperspace.
"YES!" Cecilia cheered. Several tears of joy leaked out of her eyes as her heart soared and the tip of her tail rapidly wagged. She ripped the star emblem off her top and tore it with her claws. After so long, Cecilia was finally free at last!
"Whoever was on duty in the lab, I want them arrested for treason at once! I'll schedule the execution on a later date. Now get out of my sight!" Admiral Cantorin snarled at the soldier.
"Yes sir!" the soldier saluted and practically ran out of the conference room.
"Oh no, not you," Admiral Cantorin barked at Rear Admiral Chrysalis when he turned to try to follow the soldier. "This is your stupid science experiment; you get to help me figure out how to clean up this damn mess!"
"This isn't my fault, sir," the former doctor tried not to wilt. "She was never supposed to be left unsupervised. I stressed it in every email and conference I've ever had with my team."
"Yet here we are, minus one shuttle and one specimen because one of your people walked out of the lab while we were subduing SD0947!" the admiral banged a fist on the table. "The moment HD0001 walks out of that ship is the moment we lose any element of surprise!"
"We can't stop that now," Chrysalis thought quickly. "But maybe we can stop her from talking to anyone if we put a bounty on her head. Make her the most wanted person in the entire civilized galaxy. That'll make it impossible for her to give out the limited details she knows of our operation to anyone."
"And save us from wasting valuable resources while others do our dirty work for free. I like your thinking Chrysalis," Cantorin nodded in approval.
"But, ah, bounties usually need to be paid-"
"I don't care. Whoever brings her in needs to be silenced anyways; I'm not letting some outsider scum know the location of our operation. Just look up whoever has the highest price on their head on the HoloNet and double it for HD0001, maybe even triple it. And prepare a mug shot to go along with it so people know exactly what to look for."
"Yes sir," Rear Admiral Chrysalis bowed his head slightly and turned to leave again.
"Wait a moment," Admiral Cantorin was thoughtful. "Make sure you ugly up the mug shot a bit first, and change a few minor details. The last thing I want is for him to see it unaltered and get suspicious."
After changing vectors and jumping to light speed for the third time Cecilia finally felt comfortable getting up and exploring her new home. In the main cabin she saw evidence that there had been chairs in there originally that had long since been ripped up. Most of the bulkheads separating the cabin from the small cargo holds had also been removed, maximizing the size of the cabin. A single bunk had been set up on the right side of the cabin, next to the fresher. Aside from several crates the cabin was completely empty.
Looks like they repurposed this into a small freighter, Cecilia thought as she looked around. She poked her head into the fresher and discovered that it was quite small; the shower looked barely big enough to squeeze in a normal human, let alone Cecilia. Well that kind of sucks. But at least it's better than nothing.
Cecilia next walked over to the crates and opened them up. Three of them were packed full of boxes of ration bars. Two more had cases of Corellian beer. The last one was, strangely, packed full of clothes, blankets and a sewing box. What the hell is this? Did they rob some old lady? Cecilia rummaged through the clothes. Can't wear any of these clothes, but at least I can use the blank-ah. Cecilia hit something unexpectedly solid and pulled out a plasma blaster. Tricky tricky! But it's my blaster now! Cecilia smiled and set it aside.
Cecilia then opened one of the many cases of beer and pulled out a bottle. Hmm. I wonder what this tastes like? That was a very easy question to answer. Cecilia popped off the cap with her sharp teeth and spat it across the cabin. Cecilia laughed, something she had no memory of doing, but it felt fantastic and made her laugh even more. Grinning from ear to ear she took a sip. Not bad. Good thing they kept so many in here for me!
She laughed again. Cecilia grabbed a couple of ration bars and took the bottle of beer with her back to the cockpit. She settled back into the pilot's chair and chewed on a bar while she loaded up the information she stole into the datapad she'd found in the cockpit. Cecilia scrolled through the files; the vast majority of them were charts and graphs detailing her growth, muscle mass, visual acuity, and speed. Some were her flight sim stats, others detailed her combat training and her records on the firing range, and one was just a line with her name on it.
Useless, absolutely useless, Cecilia closed the information and sighed. I guess there really isn't a way for me to return home for me after all. I really never will see Mum and Dad ever again. Despair pulsed through her heart, but Cecilia refused to cry. Instead she took deep breaths until her heart was steady again.
Might as well get used to my new ship, then. What'll I call it? Hmmm, she leaned back and sipped her beer. Dragon Nest? Nah, this may be my new home, but it's more of a second pair of wings for me than anything else. Wait, I've got it! Cecilia brought up the ship's registration and typed in the ship's new name; Dragon Wing.
She smiled and then entered her name as the owner; however the computer gave a soft chime indicating an error. What- oh, it won't accept it without a last name to go with it. Damn, Cecilia frowned slightly. What'll I do? I've never needed one before now. I don't even know how they work. Her eyes drifted over to the datapad and she picked it up again. I've heard those people talk about something called the HoloNet. Maybe that has information on how last names work?
It turned out there was a dedicated button for accessing the HoloNet on the datapad. Cecilia pressed it and almost immediately her eyes widened at the wide variety of channels offered on the front page. "Oh, wow," she breathed softly as she briefly looked at just a fraction of the options available to her. After a few minutes Cecilia found something called a "search bar" she could type her question into. Instantly millions of results came to her all explaining names.
So last names are related to occupations, parents, families, and even locations that all originated in the distant past. But that doesn't help me since I don't know where I even came from. This would be a total non-issue if I knew. Cecilia gazed out the viewport absentmindedly at hyperspace. Her reflection was dimly visible in the transparisteel panes, light tan skin smoothly transitioning to crimson scales. All I know is that I'm just this genetically altered half human, half crimson dragon-that's it!
Cecilia typed into the ship's computer again, and this time it was accepted. She beamed as she admired her new name; Cecilia Crimsondragon. There! It's probably not the most original name ever, but it fits and it's who I am.
She turned her attention back to the HoloNet, eager to see what else was on there. After thinking it over for a few moments she decided to go with news, to see what that was about.
She never expected to see her own mug shot glaring back at her beneath the words "Wanted: dangerous dragon 'girl' specimen". There were more beneath the mug shot; "Violent, cruel, prone to psychotic episodes, exercise extreme caution if spotted".
"Oh no!" Cecilia cried aloud. I figured they would be mad that I'd escaped, but I didn't know they'd make me out to be like…like a criminal! She sighed and her wings drooped slightly as she eyed her image. I knew I looked bad, but I didn't know I looked that bad. People must think I'm a monster. And I don't blame them one bit….
Cecilia forced her eyes away from the image and noticed more words at the top of the page; "Massive Bounty Intrigues Some, Angers Senate". It was an entire article dedicated to her. Feeling curious, Cecilia scrolled down and started to read it.
"One of the most massive known bounties in the last few years was posted to HoloNet earlier today. Wanted for two billion credits is a girl that appears to be half dragon, though this holojournalist was unable to confirm the hologram as authentic as of this posting. Although we were unable to reach out to whoever posted the bounty, we were able to reach out to some bounty hunters for comment on the matter
"'What a disgusting specimen. I look forward to adding these credits to my account,' bounty hunter Bossk told our holojournalist from a cantina in the outer rim.
"'This will be the easiest hunt I've ever done, period,' hunter Rabu Kartar stated to us from aboard his ship.
"Our holojournalist reached out to legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett, however he refused to comment at the time this article was posted. We will update this space if and when he responds back to our holojournalist.
"News of the bounty broke during today's Galactic Senate session, and while initially it had no impact on today's session, Chancellor Zam Zentod later addressed both the senate and the entire New Republic on the issue.
"'This girl is clearly the result of gene splicing experimentation, which are illegal to perform on sentient beings in the New Republic. As there is no mention of any crime there is also evidence of false imprisonment and slavery, which are also illegal in the New Republic. Even if the girl originated from a system outside of New Republic boundaries, the fact that the bounty was posted within our HoloNet is unacceptable, and I urge all citizens not to turn her in if spotted.'
"This is a developing situation and we are dedicated to bringing you updates when and as they occur."
This is so confusing, Cecilia thought to herself after several seconds. Am I free or not? And who can I trust to not to turn me in? I thought escaping would end all my problems forever, not make brand new ones. She took a long drag from her beer. And what are bounty hunters, anyways?
That was easy enough to answer. Cecilia went back to the search bar and typed in her new question. She read all about them as she chewed on her other ration bar, but the one she was most curious about was the one the article had referred to as legendary; Boba Fett. He was also the one that HoloNet had the least amount of definitive information on, but she did find holograms of him, at least.
There's something so creepy about him. I'd hate to bump into him even someplace well lit, she thought as she eyed the distinct green and red Mandalorian helmet, the hair on the back of her neck standing up. Is there even a proper living being under there? What does it take to make a person like that?
Further thoughts were interrupted by the chime of the ship's computer; it was time to translate back into normal space. A few button pushes later and Cecilia was staring at Lothal. After fumbling through the conversation with space traffic control, Cecilia carefully, and a little nervously, guided Dragon Wing down to the landing bay she had been granted permission to land at. Only after she had landed did she notice the deep grey skies and steady rainfall on that part of the planet.
"Rain…," Cecilia softly whispered the word aloud as she watched raindrops splatter onto the viewport and roll down the transparisteel panes. Her heart beat a little harder. Unlike the sunny conditions on the world she escaped from, Cecilia knew, somehow, that she had seen rain before. But, what does that mean?
After watching the rain for several minutes Cecilia became aware of how exhausted she felt. She finished the last of her beer and, after one last glance outside, made her way to the bunk and curled up as best she could with her wings and tail. Cecilia closed her eyes and fell asleep within moments.
Unlike most nights, however, Cecilia didn't find herself in her usual realm of nightmares, but in a bright room. She was under the impression the room was furnished, but she couldn't quite make out the details. What she could see clearly, however, was a large window that heavy rain lashed against, and dark cloudy skies beyond. Cecilia held something in her arms as she watched the rain, but what it was she couldn't tell.
And then Cecilia realized she wasn't alone in the room. Warm, strong arms held her close as they sat together next to the window. Although she could never make out who this shadowy person was, Cecilia was under the impression it was always a man, and always the same man. His deep voice whispered to her, and while she couldn't understand what he was saying, she felt in her heart that he was speaking kind, loving things to her, whoever he was.
Cecilia hummed along with the music that blasted out of her datapad as she ignored the angry protests her empty stomach was making. Earlier she had cut up some of the clothes from the crate the blaster had been hidden in, and now she was clumsily sewing them together. What could easily pass as a very crude and exceptionally ugly patchwork quilt was actually going to be a large robe Cecilia could hide under to venture out of the ship, something she had brainstormed a few days ago in the shower.
Her stomach growled again and she sighed; she had already eaten four ration bars that day, but it scarcely made an effort in keeping her from feeling lightheaded. Cecilia thought back to one of her earliest memories, a few days after first waking up in the Genetic Infusion Lab. She overheard Chrysalis talking to one of his scientists about something called "high metabolism" and asked what that meant. Chrysalis told her it meant they had determined she required either specific amounts of supplements, or an exceptional amount of food. Cecilia hadn't understood what he meant at the time, but she did now; being half dragon had very specific dietary requirements, and the number of ration bars onboard would only cut it in the short term.
It would be my luck that I manage to escape, only to be at a very real risk of starving to death. But maybe, just maybe, they'll be able to help me survive.
Cecilia tugged on the thread one last time and trimmed off the excess using a claw. Alright, that should do it! Let's see if this bad boy will fit. She stood up and lifted her arms up above her head before carefully wrapping and folding her wings around her body. Then she pulled the robe over her head and covered herself with it.
"Oops!" she said when she realized the arms were noticeably two different lengths. Well, I guess it doesn't matter, so long as everything stays covered. Cecilia looked everything over several times to confirm every part of her was covered before throwing the hood down in front of her face and lowering the ramp of her ship. Cecilia took a deep breath, hesitated for a moment, and then walked down the ramp and into civilization.
Beneath the robe Cecilia trembled, completely overwhelmed by everything around her after being isolated in the facility for as long as she could remember. She had to lean against the nearest wall until she felt steady enough to walk again. I have to focus. I didn't come out just to look around, Cecilia reminded herself and, ignoring the many stares her robe was attracting, set off through the bustling space port. She had to consult her datapad several times, but eventually Cecilia found her destination; an old building on the outskirts of the spaceport.
I just hope my research was right about this, she thought as she cautiously stepped inside. The interior was quiet, plain and undecorated, but Cecilia felt a sense of calm and safety resonating from within. She wondered if anyone else was there, but then an older man with greying red hair and young woman with a long, dark braid walked in from the far door. They both wore plain brown robes over equally plain clothes, and when Cecilia checked their belts she could each of them had a metal wand the length of a hand hanging from their belts. She nodded to herself; they were the ones she was looking for.
"Good afternoon, can we help you?" the older Jedi spoke first.
"Is there some place more private we can talk? I don't want anyone else to hear us," Cecilia explained to them.
"Of course. This way, please," the man told Cecilia and led her through the other door into a hallway and then into a back room.
"Is this better?" the other Jedi asked Cecilia. Cecilia hesitated, and then pulled back her hood.
"Oh my…!"
"You're…!"
"Please, you've got to help me. I'm not a monster, I swear. But so many people are after me just because of the way I look. I don't know what to do."
"We don't think you're a monster," the woman Jedi reassured her. "I don't think everyone does, either. Many people are simply motivated by greed."
"Do you want to stay here under our protection? We'll do whatever we can in order to keep you safe," the man offered her. Cecilia thought about it, but images of that green and red dented Mandalorian helmet flashed in her mind and she shook her head.
"I don't feel comfortable putting people in danger. I think I have to keep moving, but my ship doesn't have nearly enough rations on board, and I need a high metabolism diet, too."
"Fuel is another problem as well," the woman frowned. Her companion and her turned away and whispered quietly for several minutes, though to Cecilia it felt like ages. Finally they turned back to face her again.
"We agree that unless you stay here, there's very little we can personally do to help you, I'm afraid," the Jedi man told Cecilia.
"Oh…," Cecilia felt extremely disappointed, but the Jedi simply smiled.
"That's why we're going to give this to you," the woman Jedi offered Cecilia a card. "There aren't many Jedi left, but many of our allies still remain. This card has a map that shows the systems where our allies are at."
"We'll get in contact with as many of them as possible. We won't tell them exactly who you are, but we will ask them that if a young woman in a very unique robe presents this card to please refuel her ship. And provide ration bars as well."
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Cecilia took the card and grinned from ear to ear.
"Good luck, and may the Force be with you."
"And the same to you, too!"
