The Flames of Retribution
Chapter 3: Shadere
Astra smiled as Saix jumped a dune, Fiona laughed at her friend's playful side but she wondered why Van was so distrusting of her friend. It also worried Fiona that everyone besides Irvine sided with Van, even Thomas agreed with Van though Dr. D was just nuts over her Zoid. Her thoughts continued as they traveled south towards the next checkpoint, just as they passed out of the canyon a message was relayed to them.
"Fiona! Can you hear me?" It was Van and she smiled at him through her screen. "Yes Van I'm here, what do you need?" Van asked if her friend was with her, and she nodded, his face gained a pained look for a moment before smoothing out. "If we wanna continue looking for Zoid eve we better get going. Where are you and we will meet up with you." She gave him their coordinates before saying goodbye and contacting Astra. "Astra, Van, and the others are coming to meet us. We are going looking for Zoid Eve!" Astra only nodded but her thoughts were elsewhere. Looking for Zoid eve? "Ok Elisi, But I'm not sure we have enough supplies with us for such a journey." Elisi smiled. "That's OK Van and the others are bringing supplies for us too." It didn't take more than a couple of hours for Van and the others to reach the two girls, though Astra moved her Zoid to stand on a rise overlooking the red desert.
"They are here Elisi." The silver-haired zoidian said as her Zoid spotted the three Zoid caravan headed towards their location. The zoids joined the moving pack with ease. Astra's Saix was larger than Irvine's Lightning Saix. They moved with ease across the desert, Fiona knew that Van completely despised Astra and Astra regarded Van with distrust. The zoidian was aware that she was the outsider in this organized unit, none asked for her help or her input. She just watched for the only reason she was still here was Elisi who tried very hard to include her. They were stopped outside of a small village to resupply and rest, Astra's Saix was standing on a large sand-dune as she watched the village happenings below. "Elisi, This is getting to the end of my patience." She said to the red Liger and his pilot as they walked up to stand beside her. "I'm sorry Astra. Do you want to go to the village with me? We can shop for our supplies alone if you wish." Astra nodded and together they set out for the town. They dismounted their zoids outside the town gates and after closing the cockpits they ventured into the town arm in arm.
Astra had pulled some old coins out of her pack before leaving her Zoid, the organoids had followed them for protection. She saw the coin collector's office and told Elisi that she wanted to head in there to see about getting her coins exchanged. They entered the air-cooled shop and behind the counter sat an old man with blue-green markings on his cheeks. "How may I help you, milady's." Astra smiled and held out a single coin. He took it gently from her palm and was aghast to see it was ancient zoidian money. "This is a rare coin my lady, are you sure you wish to sell this?" Astra nodded. "I must, For I need food." The man was astonished, she was elegant and graceful. Her companion was sweet and mild. "This coin is in high demand so I can afford to give you a very good price, I will give you 4500 gold for this coin and the same for any more you may have." She handed him three more coins to complete his set and took the money he handed her. Astra divided the money and placed the larger half into a pouch that she hung from her organoids neck. "Thank you for your business milady."
She turned and smiled at the man before they walked out his door and into the hot desert air. Fiona was shocked that Astra would give up four coins like that. "He only paid you half of what they are worth you know that." Astra laughed. "He only got four copper coins that are worth a single silver in our society so he got the lesser end of the deal." They laughed and went shopping, they learned that there was to be a festival that night and decided that Fiona would talk Van into letting them stay for it. So Fiona and Astra split up. Astra headed for the far side of the dance floor making sure that her organoid was in step with her at all times. Astra spent nearly two thousand gold coins outfitting herself and getting supplies for her Zoid and the trip ahead. "Thank you mi-lady." the clerk said as she packed up the purchases. "Not a problem." As she wandered the village alone she got a few strange looks from people for her height and organoid. As the sunset over the town, the festival begins to liven things up some. She was soon ensconced into a small corner near the dance floor, her organoid sitting beside her chair as the small table was filled with food and small favors.
Astra was no fool and had her organoid scan everything before she would touch it. But on the lighter side of it, the music was great and the dancing delightful to watch. Though Astra had always been more of a do-er than a watcher, it still intrigued her to watch them dance and learn the movements. Little did she know she wasn't the only one with an organoid. A large black organoid had his blue eyes locked on the tall zoidian, his eyes were filled with both happy and painful memories. But his new master was sitting watching the festival with trepidation. Then to astound the organoid his master got up and walked towards the silver he had been studying so closely. Raven didn't know why he was going to ask someone to dance, but it was the anniversary of his parent's death. He noticed that the woman in the corner sat apart from all the others and seemed only interested in the dancers and none of the men who tried to gain her attention. Red was a rare hair color that only graced one out of every say fifteen thousand people, but he had never seen anyone with the color her hair was.
It was like freshly fallen snow, the strands were sparkling or so it seemed. But he took a deep breath and stepped before her not noticing the dark shape that sat in the shadows to the right of her. "Would you like to dance?" His voice was calm, collected, and cool. Her eyes met his and he nearly drew his hand back, her eyes were lavender swirled with spectral blue. "I would love to." Her voice was smooth, resonating, and musical. He led her to the center of the dance floor and spun her out. She surprised him when she spun back in to land gently against his chest and she looked up into his gray eyes, he was surprised when he saw the sheer delight in her eyes. They danced and danced each lost to the beats of the music and one another, Astra had never met anyone who could move so gracefully not even Rafe and he was a seasoned warrior. Raven had never danced with a woman who fit him so well, she molded to his every request and sometimes further than that. When the Festival ended they were still standing nose to nose on the dance floor until two growls broke the spell they had been under. "Shadow." He followed his master towards the female, as he walked towards her he noticed her organoid coming to sit beside her and saw the organoid recognize him. 'Shadere, Is that you?'
The black wolf-organoid growled. 'Yes, It is I Damienth.' he growled back and they noticed the shock that both pilots felt when they discovered the other had an organoid. "You have an organoid?" They both spoke at the same time before, Astra recognized his organoid. "Shadere?" The organoid nodded and stepped forwards so that her hand rested on his nose and the Wolf-like organoid allowed Raven to do the same. "You take wonderful care of him." She mumbled but her words were clear as day to Raven's ears. "You have a magnificent creature at your back." He returned the compliment with one of his own. They left the dance floor and walked into the back alleys, their organoids following behind at an easy pace. "I am a zoidian, I am called Astra, this is my organoid Damienth. Who are you?" Raven smirked before replying. "I am Raven, He is my organoid Shadow. I am a soldier."
She smiled as they crested one of the dunes that guarded the town when she saw a massive Zoid, it was similar to the genosaurer but was vastly different. "What Zoid is this? It's not a Geno-saurer but it's vastly different from any of its type I have ever seen." He chuckled at her awe of his Zoid. "It's called the Geno-breaker. Shadow made it when he was in a cocoon." She sent her organoid after her Zoid and waited for its arrival, as she had loaded all that she had bought into it earlier. "Ah here is mine." Raven looked to see a Zoid seemingly melt out of the darkness next to his Zoid and stand at its waist. It was a quadruped type Zoid with two back-mounted rifles, it was similar to that loser Irvine's Zoid but its structure was vastly different. It seemed to be a cross of a wolf type and some feline type that relied on speed. "Astounding what is its top speed?" Astra smirked before replying.
"I've never pushed it to its top speed so I don't know." They sat up late into the night talking, mostly about their organoids and their pasts but Astra told him that she was on search with a friend and her group. She told him of the mistreatment and the ignoring they had been doing and for some reason, Raven couldn't fathom, it made him angry. They wound up falling asleep on one another as their organoids curled around them for warmth. The first to awaken the next morning was Astra. She opened her eyes and smiled her memories clear and she looked up to see Raven's sleeping face, she knew better than to move too fast after all he was a soldier and might react on instinct before realizing it was her. She smiled thinking about the night before, hoping she had made a true friend in him. Raven awoke sometime later, his memories blurry until he looked down to see white hair. The night before came back to him in a flash, and he found himself smirking. He knew Flyheight was in the area and from her stories, knew she was talking about the zoidian that traveled with him.
So his new acquaintance was traveling with Flyheight and he was driving her away, he wondered if this would mean if she decided to leave Flyheight's group and joined up with him. He could always use a woman, she would help entertain him and keep the campsites organized. But something in him wouldn't allow Prozen to get his hands on her, he knew that the old man wanted a zoidian to experiment on. But for all he cared Prozen could have Flyheight's zoidian as long as he left his alone. 'Mine? Why do I claim this zoidian woman?' He felt her take a deep breath and suddenly knew she was awake but lying still, her muscles were relaxed and her heartbeat calm. "Good morning" Astra looked up and smiled at him. "Good morning." She said as she finally moved from her spot on his chest and stretched her muscles out. Raven smirked before stretching himself, she got to her feet noticing the two sleeping organoids, and calling their names they lifted their heads. "Good morning boys." They were petted and stroked by her loving hands before she stepped out of the circle to rouse the campfire into a cheery blaze. "Would you like some coffee?" She asked and Raven nodded, smirking he got his tools out and started to finish the repairs on his Zoid from the last battle. It was a while later that Astra disturbed him to bring him a plate of eggs, bacon, and sausage with a cup of coffee. "Thank you, Astra." She smiled and sat down with him to eat, her fork making small clinking noises against the plate every once in a while.
They worked on the Zoid for most of the day when a noise disturbed the peace, it came from Saix's cockpit. "Oh Damn, sounds like they noticed I was gone." Astra climbed into her cockpit and flicked the communications switch. Elisi's face popped onto her lower left-hand screen, she had a worried look about her. "Astra there you are! I was looking all over town for you. Have you finished resupplying? We are about ready to leave, we got a tip far to the north about a mysterious noise that is causing a village to be evacuated." Astra snorted before replying. "I am near the town, yes I have finished resupplying and am ready to move out send me your coordinates and I will join up with you. I have found an ally that I am spending some time with, so I did not stay in the town last night that's why you could not find me." Elisi thought for a moment before replying. "I am not sure how long Van will wait but I will try to stall for time so you can get back here.." Astra growled beneath her breath. "I will be there shortly let me pack up my campsite and I will join you, if you move out before I get there just send me a message with the new coordinates." Elisi agreed and the connection went dead.
"I loath that man..." She growled as she left her cockpit and started gathering her things from around the campsite. "My companions are moving out soon, so I have been called back. We are headed north in case you want to contact me." He smirked and held out a small bracelet with a red gem, when she looked closer at it two dragon zoids were circling the gem. "It can be picked up by my zoids tracking sensor and will light up when we are near." She smiled and hugged him before finishing storing her stuff and climbing into her Zoid. As Astra walked into the rising sun she looked back over her shoulder to see the magnificent Zoid vanish into the dunes. When she arrived at the coordinates Elisi sent her, she saw that they were just about to move on. "Nice timing Astra.." Elisi said over the commlink as she joined the group. Her organoid Damienth ran beside her Zoid occasionally riding on the Zoid as it plowed on through the desert.
The group moved north for over a week before they arrived at the northern mountains. Astra growled a lot, her new bracelet a constant companion. The silver metal of it was smooth and fit her well, the dragon zoids glittered when the light hit them. She had to set up her own camp and cook her own meals, which suited her fine. She hunted often and ate better than the rest. She was currently stirring a large pot of deer stew, its heavy aroma making the air a torment to smell. She was adding more herbs and adding some potatoes when the crimson gem on her bracelet started to glow. She smiled softly before looking at Damienth, he nodded and took to the sky his wings silent.
Raven had flipped the switch to track her bracelet and when it reported its location, he wondered if she would have something edible. His food compartment had come open during an air battle and he lost his rations. Suddenly he heard Shadow roar and a shape dropped from the sky. It was Astra's organoid The two organoids swirled together in flight before they landed on the Geno-breaker's shoulders. "Are you here to guide me?" He asked through the speakers, The organoid nodded and they both took to the air again and led him to the clearing where Astra had set up. He settled his Zoid and jumped to the ground, the air smelled divine. Astra smiled and offered him a cool glass of water. "That smells wonderful, thank you." She chuckled. "Your stomach thinks so too, I could hear it when your cockpit opened." He told her about his supplies and she snorted. "I am responsible for my camp they are three miles down the far canyon. I wasn't stopping as early as they did. I have a good amount of meat left from hunting if you want it. I already smoked it so it will stay good for some time." He smirked. "I would enjoy some decent food. If the situation is ever reversed you won't go hungry." She smiled at him and turning dished him a hearty bowl of the stew. "Try this." He took a bite and the flavors exploded on his tongue. "Incredible, I will have to stop in on you more often.."
She laughed and got herself a bowl, settling near him they ate with an amused silence. She removed the pot from the fire and covered it with a locking lid. "It tastes even better after thickening through the night. Want some coffee?" He nodded, taking the dishes to the small stream to wash. He saw her start the pot and check the drying clothes hung between her Zoid and a tree. When he returned and set the dishes to dry he went and looked over his Zoid, pulling tools from a compartment. She smiled hearing him tinkering with his Zoid. She brought him his coffee and settling near him to admire his form. They talked for several hours until Damienth nudged her. "It's late so they are urging us to rest." She said barely concealing her laughter at seeing Shadere keep Raven from getting the wrench. They cleaned up and stacked more wood for the morning. After some well-hidden blushes, they noticed the organoids had set their bedding stuff together. "Well, It is colder up here." Raven mused and Astra laughed. They made the bed realizing it was more comfortable with the combined things and it was warmer having another body to help keep both warm. When dawn entered they both awoke, Raven realized his pillow was far more comfortable than normal. Until he realized his pillow was breathing and had a heartbeat. He felt arms holding him lightly, fingers in his hair. A chuckle made him lookup. "Your very warm, I haven't slept that well since we last shared a camp." She said eyes clouded with sleep, he noticed he had held her also and his fingers were entwined with her snowy mane. "I must admit the same thing." He said lowly. They smirked at one another and after disentangling themselves they had the reheated soup for breakfast.
Raven had to admit she was right the soup tasted even better this morning. They divided to take care of some morning ablutions, when they were finishing packing up camp they heard Astra's cockpit beep. She sighed and climbed in and opened the call. Elisi's face greeted her. "How are you this morning Astra?" The zoidian scowled. "Annoyed that that moron is continuing to treat me like filth Elisi. Much longer and I will leave." The blond looked sad. "I will talk to him again, how much farther did you get before setting up camp?" Astra snorted darkly. "Five hours for your travel speed. I'm already repacked and ready to keep going. So, it will take you how long to catch up?" The blond sighed looking down at the mostly still sleeping camp, realizing that her stuff was also packed and ready to go. "Half a day at least judging by the fact all but me, Irvine and Zeke are still asleep." Astra sighed, her annoyance easily seen. "Where are the final coordinates for this trip Elisi? I'm going on ahead. Maybe I can find out some information before your arrival." Elisi sent the coordinates with a smile hoping Van wouldn't spoil her friendship with the wild pilot.
"May the Eve guide you." The farewell was returned and the link shut. She jumped back down to see Raven had an eyebrow raised. "I'm going on alone. Some ruins up in the mountains." Raven thought for a moment before speaking. "Is it the ruins near a town called Xeno?" She smiled and nodded. "Want company? I'm headed there too." She grinned and stuck out a hand. They shook hands and within twenty minutes were traveling at a rapid pace the organoids flying between them. They made good time, deciding to nibble on protein bars for lunch instead of stopping. Shadow flew ahead of them when they reached a narrow spot and Damienth above and behind it was good the organoid had, for he saw the stingrays hiding on the cliff and let loose a warning howl. "ooh fun!" Astra chirped over their com-link. The battle was brief and disappointing. They picked the bandits apart for supplies and anything else they could use, when they were finished they departed. "You have no remorse for your enemies?" Raven asked. "They are enemies, I can't stand traitors or those who use others for their personal gain. I have no trouble killing someone if that's what you mean. My people understood death was necessary at times to ensure peace." he nodded his mind at ease.
They set up camp just as the sun began to set, thick deer steaks and roast potatoes were served that night. Raven had never eaten as good while on a trip as he had the last two nights. They set up their bed and after gathering more firewood they climbed in and curled up. Raven was surprised when Astra rolled over and wrapped her arm over his waist and burrowed into his neck. Her breath heating his skin. He smirked and closed his eyes, succumbing to sleep. They awoke slightly later than dawn and sat up looking around. "Well good thing we slept under my Zoid." Astra said looking at the dense snow that had snuck up on them during the night. "Hm, This means we will have to reach the ruins tonight. It will be too dangerous to stay in the open another night." She nodded and they got to work getting camp packed and food made. Astra made some stuffed bread things and wrapped Raven up a packet of three. "They are stuffed with shredded deer and herbs, for lunch. We will need the weight of the food. Once we get to the ruins we will have to hunt, I feel a storm coming." he nodded taking the packet and riding the cable up to his cockpit. They departed shortly after that and Raven had to admit the slightly warm stuffed breads kept him full and alert for most of the trip.
They reached the ruins by mid-afternoon, they parked their zoids in a large cave that had several buildings against the wall. They found the one with the largest bed and set to work. Astra went hunting while Raven cut firewood. Shadow moved the bed bundles into the house and noticing the mattress was covered with dust he and Damienth got it outside and beat it clean. They returned it to the frame and Damienth took off to catch up to his mistress. When they returned a couple of hours later they had five large bucks that had been field dressed and cleaned. Damienth drug them on a sled with Astra sitting his back. Raven saw them emerge from the forest and had grabbed a knife to help with the cutting of the meat. "I found them drinking at a river nearby. I also got a few rabbits to keep us from getting bored with deer." He nodded and they set to work cutting the meat into steaks, cubes, and slices. When they were done, both were bloody. "There is a hot spring here. It is on the other side of the cave from where we are." They finished the cleaning and found their organoids had gotten them clean clothes and towels.
"Thank you, boys!" Astra chirped Damienth carried the bundle behind the two filthy pilots. Neither hesitating to strip and enter the steaming water. "Oh... That feels wonderful." Astra keened softly and Raven chuckled. "I have to agree." When both were clean they got out and dried off. "I will so be taking a bath every day." She said as she dressed. "I will join you." They walked back towards the house when a cold wind nearly knocked them flat. "Well, you were right about the storm." Raven said, Damienth crouched and Astra climbed on. "Come on it will be faster this way." He climbed up and wrapped his arms around her waist. The organoid bounded for the house that was now warm from the fire. When they were inside both brushed their hair and Astra braided hers out of her face. "I am very glad I have you along. This storm is going to be rough." Raven said softly and she smiled hugging his waist. "I am glad to have your strength to keep me safe from harm." They divided the work to be done. Raven making the bed while Astra cooked dinner. When it was done they sat and enjoyed the rabbit stew and some soft bread. They had enjoyed finding the bread supplies among the massive amount they took from the bandits. "I think we might as well head to bed it is to cold to do anything else tonight." Raven said once they had cleaned up dinner. Astra nodded and they went and curled up in bed.
Raven decided this time he would be the bold one and pulled her body to spoon with his. She smiled and traced designs over his arm until they fell asleep. The organoids guarding the door and taking turns dropping logs on the fire to keep it hot. The pilots slept soundly until a noise before dawn had them both on their feet and armed in a heartbeat. They looked at one another in respect before heading out to see the organoids were gone and the door was slightly open. They looked at one another and Raven got his heavy jacket on. Astra held both Raven's pistol and her sword on the door. When he was dressed she handed his pistol back. "Stay here, they may be after our supplies. Do you have a Pistol?" She nodded drawing it from the holster where her pants were folded, Raven slipped out the door and was gone. He checked the zoids first, he saw the gleaming silver eyes of Astra's Zoid. They flashed when he got close and he realized it was at least just as alive as his Geno-breaker. Neither Zoid had been disturbed so he continued following the swiftly fading tracks of the organoids. He had no warning when pain seared his shoulder, rendering his arm useless. He realized he had been shot but couldn't find the source of the shot in the storm. A second shot ripped across his back, dropping him. The last thing he heard was a roar of rage. Astra was in the house when she heard steps come towards the door. She knew it wasn't Raven as his steps were those of a hunting cat, near-silent but purposeful.
She took aim and the instant the door swung open she fired. The bullet piercing the man's chest. His eyes were full of surprise, then they clouded over with death. She was up and had her sword against his throat a moment later. She checked his pulse and once confirmed his death she drug his body out and stared out into the storm fogged land. Suddenly she heard an organoid's roar of rage before Shadow landed in front of her holding a man by one arm. "Why did you attack us?" She asked, her sword now pointed at him. "We were paid to kill the other pilot, and steal his Zoid and organoid." Astra's anger had her blood pounding through her. "Who sent you?" She asked. When he didn't respond she looked at Shadow and the organoid snapped the arm in his mouth. The man screamed and she asked him again. "His name is Prozen. He wants them bad." She smiled thanked him for telling her, before having Shadow snap his neck. "where is Damienth?" She asked and the organoid cocked his head sideways in shame. "I'm not angry Shadere, I'm worried." The black organoid turned hearing something and saw the missing one carrying something in his mouth. "Oh Eve, not that." Astra prayed as she ran to her organoid. They got Raven inside and laid him on the table. Seeing the wounds Astra had Shadere fetch water. She went and got the medkit from their zoids She sent Damienth to look for any other attackers. Cleaning the wounds took a great deal of time, luckily the snow had kept him from bleeding to death.
She worked for hours to heal and warm his frozen form. With Shadow's help, she moved him to the bed and covered him. After cleaning up and starting a soup she waited for Damienth to return. He did so an hour later. Some blood staining his mouth, and claws. "All taken care of?" He nodded and she went and curled carefully into Raven's side. When she awoke she checked Raven and gasped when she found he had a horrible fever. "Damn, I was worried this would happen." She covered him back up and went into the living room. She sent Damienth to the forest for herbs and had Shadow gather firewood. Day by day he slowly healed as sickness tormented his body. She cleaned his wounds every few hours to keep the polluted sweat from infecting them. She would wipe him down with a cool damp cloth every couple of hours to keep his body from burning up. Four days passed before the fever broke, she was cooking when she heard his voice call her name. She poured him a cup of warm herb broth and walked into the room. His gray eyes met her purple-blue the color still dull from the fever.
"By the Eve. Raven, I thought I lost you." She said as she sat at his side, carefully helping him drink the broth. When he spoke again his voice was stronger. "What happened?" She brushed his hair out of his eyes before speaking. "You were shot twice. You passed out in the snow. Shadere brought me the one who injured you... Needless to say, he is not alive to regret his mistake. Damienth found you and brought you back to me. After cleaning and bandaging your wounds I got you into bed and slept after sending Damienth out to check for more attackers. When I awoke the next morning pneumonia had set in. I've spent the last five days fighting both the wounds and the fever. It broke only this morning." She said and his eyes widened slightly. He was astounded she had cared for him, looking at her exhausted and worried eyes. He realized she had pushed her body to make sure he lived. "I also found out what they were after." His eyes focused again on hers and she continued speaking. "They were here to kill you and take Shadere and the Geno-breaker. The one Shadere brought me was kind enough to tell me his employer's name before he met his end."
Raven smiled evilly, this woman had a vengeful streak in her. "His name is Prozen. That's all I know." Raven nearly sat up but her hands on his chest kept him from rising more than a few inches. "Prozen. Are you sure?" She nodded and he scowled. "Prozen is the man who took me in after my parents were murdered." She scowled. "What an ass." He gazed at her in shock for a moment before laughing. She blushed before joining him in laughter. "You are correct. He IS an ass." The pair worked hard, Raven trying to get his shoulder to take on more than the lightest of chores and Astra scolding him. "If you overwork it, it will take even longer to heal." He gave up after that. But he did discover that sitting in the hot-spring and working his arm was improving its healing rate vastly. It took him only three weeks to heal instead of four months. "I will never make fun of anyone who loves hot-springs again." She laughed and they set out to explore the ruins again.