Chapter 15—Preparation for Insanity
Yuugi and Scat were crouched next to two slaves from division 03. Division 24's shift was over, and they were about to be moved to another area, so the two were taking the opportunity to tell Tam and Mack about the plan.
Yuugi thought Mack must have been a mariner in his former life—he was tan and weathered, and he sometimes spoke with a faintly nautical twang. Tam was also very weathered, and she had a tendency to call their cell a 'berth' and say things were 'shipshape.' But neither of them knew that it was them who had been sailors—they thought it was something they remembered about someone else.
They had each told Yuugi their story during the shift—a story that was so similar, Yuugi was sure they had known each other; they even included a person of the other's description in their stories. But for all this, they both claimed not to have known each other until they met in the Chaos fortress, which was where they had always lived, of course.
Yuugi couldn't imagine being separated from your own life like that—so much so that you couldn't remember a close friend even when you looked them in the face and recognized them. It only increased his determination to thwart the Overlord.
"So what we need are supplies…tools from the construction, extra materials—anything you can find. Just make sure no one will notice it's gone, and no one catches you. Got it?"
They nodded as one, wearing identical grins. Tam and Mack had been eager to join what they called the Resistance. "Just leave it to us!" said Mack.
-o-o-o-o-o-
The next day, division 24 was assigned with division 19 again, this time stitching uniforms for the army. The two found Brent, Fletch, and Whir sitting together, and quickly took places beside them.
Brent and Whir were both skilled with the needle and thread, Fletch much less so; his ineptitude was more than made up for by Brent, though. Scat was passable from long practice, but Yuugi had no idea where to start.
"So…so how do you get the thread through the hole in the top?" he asked, holding up the needle awkwardly.
Brent took pity on him and knotted the thread through the needle for him. "Now, just put the needle down through the fabric and up again…down and up, down and up…that's it. Try to keep the stitches small."
Yuugi did the best he could, and managed to cobble together a jacket, although his fingers were bleeding from numerous needle pricks by the end. He explained the plan to the his three friends from division 19.
Brent was thoughtful. "I like it, but it's missing something."
"What?" Yuugi and Scat asked; they were sure they'd thought of everything.
Brent smiled broadly. "A flag! That's what we need. With a symbol of our own. We can sew one with some of the scraps, it doesn't have to be too big…maybe some uniforms too, if we have time, but we probably won't. Badges or something, then. What should our sign be?"
Scat stared at Brent, stopping her sewing. "Are you crazy? On top of everything else, you want uniforms and a flag? What do we need that for?"
Brent shrugged. "You can't just have an army—you need them to feel like they can win. We need to feel like a group, like…like we can face the Chaos Army on equal footing. Right now we're a bunch of slaves stealing from our masters. But if we have a flag—a symbol of our unity—we become a resistance, a proper rebellion. So we need one!"
Yuugi hesitated a moment, thinking, then nodded. "Yeah…you're right. These Chaos soldiers think of us as nothing…it's time we were something. Symbols…symbols…"
"Maybe an animal?" said Whir. "I've always wanted to see an animal…"
Scat rolled her eyes. "C'mon, you've never seen an animal? You're the one who gets to go outside!"
Whir frowned thoughtfully. "Well…well, I feel like I've heard of them, or someone told me about them, but…I don't think I ever saw one."
"…a phoenix," said Yuugi softly.
"A what?" said Scat.
"A phoenix," Yuugi said, looking up from the jacket he was stitching. "They're birds from legend…they have wings like flame, they're huge and their tears can heal, and when they die, they burst into flame and they're born again from the ashes…that's a good symbol, right? They tried to kill all of you, they took your names, but you gave yourselves new names…you brought yourselves to life again. So, a phoenix."
"Yeah…yeah! Phoenix," Whir said slowly, testing it out. "Phoenix…I like how it sounds! What does it look like?"
"Like a huge, fiery bird," Yuugi said.
Whir smiled conspiratorially. "One phoenix flag, coming up. And…maybe some jackets at least, they wouldn't be big…they never really ask us how much cloth we use, they only care about filling quota for what we make…"
"That's great, Whir! I really think…we've got a chance," Yuugi said, smiling. It was all coming together, really coming together, it was really happening…!
"I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when we break out of here," Scat said, plunging the needle into a fresh piece of cloth with relish.
-o-o-o-o-o-
The days passed, and the slaves were looking better fed and happier than they had in a long time. Not all of them joined the Resistance—only the boldest dared to risk death on such a long shot. But there were some…and for Yuugi, that was enough. They were fighting. They weren't giving in.
But there was still one pressing problem—while most of the storerooms they were stealing from opened with a palm pad by the door, and most of what they were stealing could be furtively carried out of the room during a shift if they were careful, the room with the Gaters required a keycard. They couldn't steal a Gater ahead of time, either—the room was more heavily guarded than most of the base, and a careful count was kept of the Gaters. It would have to be on the day of their escape…and it would have to happen fast. The room would be sealed, and they must have a keycard. But the only way to steal one was…
"I'll go," said Yuugi. "I'll steal it. This is the biggest risk we've taken yet…this was my idea, I'll take the risk."
"No!" Scat said. "If you get caught, the whole thing is finished—you're the leader! Besides, Chaos is already looking for you, right? If you get caught, they might check who you are, and then what? It's gotta be someone else. You can't go."
"Scat…getting this keycard…"
"I know. Whoever does it may get caught…it's really, really dangerous. And if they get caught, they'll die. But it can't be you, Yuugi!"
"Then who?" said Datch, hunched down next to them in the cell. "It's gotta be someone small…fast…quiet…"
"Skitter," Scat said simply. "She can sneak up on anyone, and she's tiny. She'll be able to get the keycard. She's better at sneaking around than you, Yuugi, and anyway you're pretty clumsy…how were planning to steal this thing from someone without them noticing?"
"Er…that is…"
Krin nodded. "Scat is right. Skitter has the best chance—she has to go. She'll get the keycard and bring it back here. She'll have to go at night…sneak into someone's room. She'll take their card."
"But they'll notice. It'll be gone and they'll wake up and need it and then they'll figure it out, we can't, we can't, we—"
"Shut UP, Frac!" Scat shouted, exasperated.
"No—he has a point," Yuugi said fairly. "How can we take one without someone noticing it's gone?"
They all sat, thinking hard. To everyone's surprise, it was Brell, reluctant to take part from the first, who saw the answer.
"…the Lieutenant."
"WHAT?" they all shouted.
"Are you crazy?" said Scat. "He's the last guy we want to bother! I've heard one of his eyes is always awake, and if you try to sneak up on him, he'll see you coming!"
"I heard he can hear anything—even ghosts!" Datch broke in.
"They say he is ruthless and cruel…" said Krin.
Yuugi said nothing. He wasn't sure what to think of the Lieutenant anymore.
Brell shook his head stubbornly. "He's the highest up in the army. He has authority to go anywhere. They'll have given him a keycard that can open any of the doors in the base, but he won't need it because whoever's guarding the door will always open it for him without asking to see the card and check if he has permission. Because he's the Lieutenant. Everyone knows him. It's the only way."
They all looked at each other. He was right, they realized, but…to send Skitter off to steal from the Lieutenant…they couldn't wish that on anyone. They couldn't tell her to do something so suicidally dangerous.
"…Thkitter go. Thkitter ge' da car'. Thkitter no' thcar'. Ith okay," she said softly, shaking with fright as she huddled against Scat.
"Skitter, if you're afraid you don't have to do this, it's okay…no one should go near the Lieutenant. We'll find someone else to get it from."
Skitter shook her head, determined despite her fear. "No, Thca'. On'y way. Thkitter do i'. Thkitter be okay."
"Skitter…thanks," Scat whispered, hugging the cat-girl tight. "You're a real hero, ya know?"
Skitter smiled, but it was distorted by her abnormal mouth and teeth. "No worrieth, Thca'. I do for you."
"...we'll do it tomorrow, then," said Datch. "As soon as everyone goes off duty, except for the night watch. Okay?"
They all nodded agreement. They were still for a moment, not wanting to break the circle and hurry the moment of truth, but one by one they slunk off and curled up for what sleep they could find before morning.
Yuugi lay down, exhausted but not wanting to sleep. He didn't want to have any more of those strange and vivid dreams…or did he? He wanted to know who that familiar person was…they felt like a friend somehow, like someone he trusted…but who could they be…?
"…how soon?"
"I'm not sure yet," Zhan said. "But soon. I…just have a feeling. I know it's close…"
"The thing you're looking for…?"
"Yes," Zhan said, his gray eyes far away. "I…I have to find it. I can feel it inside of me, a part of me…missing, a part of me that's not there. I need to find, I…I'll find it. If it costs me my life, if it takes an eternity, I'll find it. I can't not find it…"
He watched Zhan silently, concerned. "We'll part. We may not meet again," he said casually.
"…yes," Zhan replied, his eyes still staring out into the night. "This may be the last meeting for us."
He took a deep breath…it was a drastic step, but he felt it was time. "Then…I want you to know my name. My True Name."
Zhan turned to look him full in the face, startled. "Your…name? But—"
"No—I'm sure. I…it has meant much to me to know you. You are…strong. Stronger than anyone I have ever met. And somehow…I have a feeling that our World needs you. I have been happy…to have given you my trust. If you asked for it, I would surely give you my life. You are that kind of person, Zhan. I cannot let you go without telling you my name."
Zhan was silent, but there was no need for words now. They were Darklings, creatures of the night. They knew the power, the beauty, of silence.
"I am…Iankeiru."
There was a long silence after this, as was right. The giving of a name was a solemn occasion, not one for unnecessary chatter. Zhan fingered the silver medal he wore on a chain around his neck, thinking. He was leaving soon…
"...Iankeiru…I have been happy to know you…if only for this short time. I…must go. What I'm searching for lies onward, and I must find it. But…if we never meet again…I will remember your name—always. And I will remember our great battle together, at the village. And you will remember it too, and when you remember, do not call me Zhan…call me by my name."
"No—you are not someone who should give his name to me. Your name…is not for me to have."
"Why do you think that? Who is it that you see when you look at me?" Zhan cried in frustration. "Who am I…?"
"You are…someone worthy of honor."
"Then honor me by hearing my name."
"…if that's what you want."
Zhan nodded. He did not smile, as a human would have. His face was stern, cold even, but with a longing underneath…a longing for identity. He opened his mouth…
Yuugi could feel himself starting to awaken, he struggled to resist…he must know, he must hear…
"I am…"
But it was useless—he rose wearily from the cold ground, filled with disappointment. Again…again, he had failed to figure out who that strange yet familiar person was! And he had been so close…he felt so sure that he would have recognized that name…
There were other things to think about—today was the day…the day to get the keycard. Today was the day Skitter would risk her life trying to steal from Lieutenant Gash, the most feared man in the Chaos Army…
Yuugi and the rest of the Resistance had trouble keeping their attention on their tasks that day. Their thoughts kept straying to the night…to the dangerous mission…to the one moment on which it all depended.
There was good news, though—everything was going smoothly, and with a few more days, all would be in readiness. Yuugi was heartened by this, although still worried for Skitter. It seemed the day would never end.
But it passed at last, and they sat still and watchful in their cell…waiting…waiting for the signal, the horn call that signaled the end of the day's work. After that they would wait until the changing of the watch, which Yuugi guessed would be an hour, and then…Skitter would go.
The horn blew. Skitter was shivering in fearful anticipation now, and Yuugi was sick with fear watching her. If this goes wrong…if she's caught…what am I doing? I'm sending her to her death…!
But there was no backing out now. They sat in the taught silence, waiting, listening. They lost all sense of time and place, living only in this moment, this waiting... The next horn call was blown, muted this time—the changing of the watch.
Scat took out a bent wire she had stolen a few days earlier. She crept to the door, stuck her scrawny arm through the bars, and inserted it into the lock.
They waited in tense silence as the seconds ticked past. Then at last, with a soft snick, the door swung open.
"…good luck," Yuugi whispered as Skitter stepped out into the darkened corridor, her cat-eyes guiding her. She soon vanished from sight.
Now they had only to wait.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Skitter crept forward at a snail's pace, trying not to breath too loudly. Her feet made only the softest thud on the floor as she walked forward, trying to still the beating of her heart. She was sure someone must hear the thunderous pounding and come to find her.
Which way…? Left, she remembered. Yuugi had walked the path to the Lieutenant's door, after many false starts and unintended detours, and had finally been able to give Skitter directions. Scat had come up with a clever excuse for Yuugi—she had had Whir write him a fake message on some stolen paper, which he showed to the Chaos soldiers if questioned.
Not one had detected the ruse.
Skitter smiled her distorted smile. It was a good plan, and she was proud to be part of it, even if she was scared.
Right here, then straight past this next crossing. Then…left again. And down, down, further into the base, underground…and forward…
The fear was growing on her again; her fur was puffed out all over her until she resembled a fuzzy balloon. Her tail swung this way and that as she paused, huddled in a dark doorway, mastering her fear and forcing herself to keep walking.
I have to keep going, she thought. Everyone is counting on me—on me! It's an important job! I have to…
At last she began walking again. One more right…and then…
Here was the wide hall with many rooms, one of which was the Lieutenant's. There—the second door from the right. It was not sealed by a keycard or a palm pad, it was a guest room and was only closed by a simple lock on the door…guests had no possessions to guard and their safety was assumed since they were within their own fortress…
Skitter inserted a claw into the lock and poked around, hardly daring to breath. Yuugi and Scat had told her that if opening the lock tripped some kind of alarm, she must run and find someplace to hide as fast as she could.
There was a soft snick. The door swung gently open.
Skitter, now trembling so she could barely walk, stepped into the small chamber. To her surprise, it was lit. The Lieutenant found it easier to sleep with the lights turned on to simulate daylight—his natural sleep cycle. She saw him lying on his back with his hands folded on his chest in the little shelf that served as a bed.
Where would the keycard be? It must be in his pocket…she looked at his cape, hanging on a peg on the wall. It had no pockets.
Swallowing hard, Skitter crept closer to the man everyone feared. He had pockets on his shirt. She could see a rectangular outline in one through the cloth…
Skitter stood still as the minutes ticked by, taking deep, calming breaths. She would need steady hands for this. She took a step closer, then another.
She was at the Lieutenant's bedside.
Skitter was now in such an advanced state of terror she was almost completely numb. The room seemed dreamlike, surreal. This was not happening. She would wake up soon. This was only a vision in her mind.
She put out her hand, reaching toward the pocket.
The Lieutenant stirred at the light touch, his eyes fluttering. Skitter froze, unable to move but not daring to stay. Gash sighed and rolled on his side—luckily he was now facing Skitter, and the pocket with the card was the upper one. She held still for what seemed like hours, watching his face.
He did not move. He was still asleep.
Skitter reached out again, more warily this time. Her fingers were touching the pocket now, but he didn't move. She reached inside…she gently pulled the card out…
Skitter was holding a Chaos Army keycard in her hand. It was the highest authority level possible—it could open any door in the fortress. She had succeeded.
Now I just have to get back, she thought. Gently, so gently, she pulled her hand back, clutching the keycard tight. Still more gently she turned and walked toward the door. Every few steps she had to turn back and look at the Lieutenant. She was on the verge of collapse from terror; she was sure that when she turned, she would see him sitting up and staring at her. That would be the most terrifying thing of all, she was sure.
She had reached the door. Gash had not moved. She was closing the door as quietly as possible. She heard it lock behind her and listened closely. There was no sign of movement, of awakening.
Skitter forced herself to take slow, calm steps back to the entrance of the hall. She forced herself to turn and check behind her once more; the Lieutenant was still soundly asleep, as was everyone else.
Then her nerve broke, and she ran all the way back to the cell as quickly as she could, too terrified to look over her shoulder lest the Lieutenant be there, watching her. Somehow, the thought of him just staring at her was more frightening than the idea of him shouting or attacking her. Just staring, with those terrible violet eyes.
"Skitter—you're safe!"
Scat and Yuugi both hugged her tightly, Krin and Datch patted her back, even Frac and Brell managed smiles. Now that the dangerous mission was over, all the pent-up fear was released and she collapsed into sobs. Finally, she cried herself to sleep.
"We got the keycard…that means…"
Yuugi nodded. "Now we just have to wait for the right time…"