Emblems Saga: Call of the Emblems
The Katti's Chosen
"Those chosen by the Swords of Spirits are destined to become great protectors of life."
Planet Caelin, Capital of Caelin State, Lycian Space
Ludgren stalked the halls of the Blitzkrieger Mansion with a grave expression. Most everyone who passed him, he assumed, took his dour mood to be a reaction to his brother's long suffering. In reality, it was a grimace of barely contained rage.
The old man just wouldn't die! Even that new poison that he was given wouldn't finish him off. He clung to life like a molecularly bonded polymer.
And the girl was still alive as well. He'd paid good money for those buffoons to have her killed off. Then he hears they're trying to get more money by contacting his brother. If his brother weren't dying, the game would have been up before he could intercept the message. Too bad he had to kill the girl. He could use someone with her tenacity.
No, he needed her dead. If sending a pack of mercenaries after her wasn't going to work, then perhaps a different plan of attack was in order. Yes, one that would be much easier to control than some random mercenary idiots.
His long march down the halls came to a stop in front of the Governor's PR office. His brother set it up here as a way of keeping control of his image. A wicked smile came over his face as he pushed open the door.
"Gentlemen," he said before any of the four people inside the room could stand or say anything. "I'm afraid I have some rather grave news. The Governor isn't dying."
"What?" asked the head of PR, a Mr. Anderson or some such name. It wasn't important enough to remember. He'd leaped from his chair as if his favorite sports team had won some insignificant contest. "That's not grave news. That's great news!"
"Let me clarify, then," Ludgren said. He stared at Anderson until he sat back down into his chair. "My brother isn't dying of natural causes. Rather, he's being poisoned by a savage Sacea harlot."
"You have proof?" Anderson asked. Ludgren knew that this man was soon going to be unemployed. He asked too many questions to be of any use for much longer.
"Yes," Ludgren replied. It was a good thing he had contacts that could forge him anything he wanted. He pulled out the papers that had the 'evidence' of Lyndis' attack on the governor. "I just recently found this in my brother's room. I believe he was too ashamed of the fact that he was seeing a woman so young, but at this point, my brother's life hangs in the balance. Given the choice, I choose his life over his reputation."
"Why haven't the police arrested her yet?" another of the men asked. "We should contact Chief Wallace and have him send people out to get her."
"No good," Anderson said, as he leafed through the pages. "Wallace is involved, as are two detectives. If this conspiracy goes this high, we'll have to bring in outside contractors to clean it up quietly."
"Actually," Ludgren said, "I didn't come here to ask for advice on what to do. I feel it is too late for quiet clean ups. What I want is to call on the people of Caelin themselves to help track down and find her and her accomplices. Ask them to volunteer in the State Guard or something patriotic like that. At this point, I don't have much hope for my brother lasting much longer, but at the very least we can find his killer. This… Sacean Mongrel who uses my dead sister-in-law's name, may she rest in peace. Since we don't know who else is involved, we should keep the traditional enforcement out of the loop until the very last moment. Let them prove their loyalty after the people are clearly against the conspirators."
"We'll see what we can do," Anderson said. "Thank you for trusting us with this, Vice-governor."
"Good day gentlemen," Ludgren said. "I'll leave you to your work." His disgruntled mask was back as he turned and exited the room, but his smile slithered back after he was out and walking down the halls again. There was even an extra bounce in his step.
Planet Ostia, Capital System, Lycian Space
"Uther, I hope the times find you well," boomed the life-size holographic representation of King Caineghis. His long made of finely combed red hair lay across one shoulder while the regal blue robe representing his station in Gallian society, namely that of kingship, lay draped across the other. Though the words Caineghis said didn't come across as accusatory, actually kind of sociable, his grim expression told he was anything but in a good mood.
This, Uther quickly realized, was not a happy call. In fact, he was waiting for Caineghis to contact him. Had been for a few days now. Dragons knew why it took so long.
"Not as well as I hope they find you, friend King," Uther said, returning the customary greeting. "Before you ask, no. Ambassador Ranulf hasn't yet found his way back to us. I've mobilized an intelligence team to find him. You have my word that the best are on the job."
"I'm afraid I cannot move forward based solely on your word, Uther," Caineghis said. "Do not take this the wrong way. I simply do not trust Ambassador Ranulf to come out of hiding so easily, if that is what he is doing. As good as your intelligence officer may be, it will take a Gallian to find a Gallian, even in the Sacean Expanse."
"It may take time," Uther said, "but I have faith in my agents. They'll pull through in the end."
"Indeed," Caineghis said. He tilted his head to the side a little and then smirked. "You place a lot of faith in your men Uther. I suppose that's to be expected from the famed General of the Battle of Talrega. Hopefully, you're faith will not stop you from accepting a little help."
"I assure you," Uther said. It was a battle within himself, but he kept his cool. "It's only a matter of time until the Ambassador is found. I too wish his safe return. However, if your majesty wishes to assist, then it will be accepted whole heartedly. Who, might I ask, would you send to assist, though?"
The smirk having never left Caineghis' face, he said, "The new Ambassador that was to take Ambassador Ranulf's place and her escort. I'm sure it won't be too much trouble."
"Of course not," Uther said. "In the end, we both want the same thing."
"Excellent. Fare well, President Uther."
"And to you, fare well, your majesty."
Once the formalities were finished, Uther let out a long breath he hadn't known that he'd been holding. His suit suddenly felt several times more constricting than it did that morning. He ignored this and went to his desk.
After several moments of thought, he grunted and picked up the receiver of his white phone. "Shirley, I believe the new Gallian Ambassador will be arriving soon. Please let their embassy know I'd like to meet with her as soon as she gets here."
"Sir," Shirley replied, "the new Gallian Ambassador arrived while you were speaking to King Caineghis. Do you want me to send them in now?"
Uther shook his head and chuckled under his breath. Caineghis had played him, and quite good at that. He wouldn't be called King if he couldn't at least play politics. Apparently he'd mastered the art. "Yes, send them in."
The door to his office opened as Uther put the white phone back into its cradle. He looked up and grinned at the first person he saw. "Escort, huh?" he asked as he stood and stretched his hand out. "Welcome to Lycia, General Ike."
Katti Ruins, Planet Bulgar, Sacean Expanse
The ruins that bore the name Katti were not named so because of some ancient race, family, or civilization. Rather, it was actually a plain old castle built in the old ways. In fact, the castle's name has long been forgotten. The only reason it was noted on any map was because of the exclusive access that the ruins had to the crystal caverns that ran through the hills.
Colossal geodes, defying all natural laws of physics, had formed under the ground the castle was built upon. The mineral deposits were so thick, and dense, that it was impractical to cut through it, especially when there was already an entrance at the ruins. The mystical, probably magical, nature of the unnatural, miraculous occurrence only added to the mystique and grandeur of what was housed inside the cavern.
Two legendary swords, twin blades with potent magical powers, rested in the depths of the caverns. The Mani Katti, sword of the moon and bearer of justice and the Sol Katti, sword of the sun and bearer of truth. Centuries had passed since the last wielder was noted in history, though many have tried fruitlessly to add their name to the list. Only the Katti themselves will choose their next wielder, and none of the many power hungry individuals who've yet tried to dislodge the blades from their stone pedestals have succeeded.
The ruins above the caves were nestled in between two mountains and camouflaged by a dense forest infested with vines, thickets of sticker bushes, and other intertwined foliage. The dirt road that wound through the forest and led to the ruins was the only clear way to get there on foot. Brakes squealed as a black, non-descript carriage pulled to a stop just out of sight before entering the forest road.
"This is the place?" Sain asked as he exited the vehicle. He looked around the plains they'd just traveled across and then back to the thick forest. He scratched his head as he looked back and forth a couple more times.
"Sain request far-sight, locate temple?" Bob asked as he pushed open the back door and hopped out.
"Yes," Lyn said as she stepped out behind Bob. "I've been here to pray for a safe journey every time I've visited Bulgar. But… something's wrong." She walked around the carriage and then peered down the dusty, sunbathed road that led to the ruins. An old sign that clearly had a symbol the resembled a carriage with a large red X over it told all visitors they had to travel the rest of the way on foot. Standing empty next to the beginning of the forested area was a booth.
"I assume that something of this importance would be guarded, right?" Kent said. "But the guards are not here."
"No," Sain said. "They're still here." His spoke quietly, but his voice was hard. Not knowing what he'd found, Lyn rounded the carriage and she saw him standing by the forest's edge holding back a bush. Revealed were two bloody corpses dressed in the vestments of a St. Elimine priest. She gasped when she saw the state they were in.
"Those thugs must already be here," Kent said. He walked up to Sain and put a hand on his partner's shoulder. "We'll get them," he said. Sain didn't look away from the dead priests, but nodded.
"This road is a good place for an ambush," Mark announced. "If we're going in, then we'll need a plan to keep from joining those guys."
"What did you have in mind?" Bob asked. "If they have mechs, they can just fly around and see us walking down the road. If we went through the forest, we wouldn't make it there in time."
"If you can get us in," Sain said, "we'll take care of the rest."
"Hmmm…" Mark looked down the trail leading through the forest, watching as it curved to the right until all was forest. "Getting in won't be a problem. But we'll need to pray for our soul's salvation."
Sain frowned at first, then he broke out into a grin as he caught on. Kent picked up immediately after Sain did and scowled at Mark. His scowl only deepened when they both looked at him and smiled like a pair of cats that had swallowed a flock of canaries. Lyn watched all of this curiously since she had no clue what was going on.
"No," Kent snarled, his face red. "Absolutely not!"
Twenty Minutes later, at the Katti Ruins proper…
Two grunts stood guard at the pedestrian entrance to the ruins long ago built by the Church of Elimine. The remains of the three priests that manned the post were cast to the side in a bloody heap behind a collapsed wall. The grunts gripped their Vibro-axes in one hand and had their arms crossed as they blocked entrance.
They both looked at each other as a black, non-descript carriage pulled up to the entrance. When a man, in full bishop regalia, stepped from the driver's seat, and a monk from the passenger's seat, they activated their Vibro-axes. As the two holy men approached they held out their hands and motioned for them to stop.
"Head back the way you came, priest," one thug said. "We're in control here and there's nothing you can do about it."
The monk, a light furred cat Laguz, turned to the imperious and stoic red-haired bishop and started speaking in Lycian. The two thugs glanced at each other humorlessly.
"Damn Lycian clergy," one of the thugs said. "Can't tell one thing they're saying."
"Yeah, hehe," the other replied. "Every time I hear one of them talk it makes me think they're sucking a fat, long-"
"My Majesty, Bishop Kent, requests entrance for price of two babies and half a horse head," the monk said, cutting into their conversation. The grunts held together for all of two seconds before they burst out laughing. So hard, one of the Vibro-axes fell to the ground.
"Did you hear that?"
"I've heard some bad ones before, but that's retarded," snickered back the other thug. "He's got to have a brain disorder or something. Hahahahahah!"
"No bargain for witches," the monk said, voice filled with venom. "Go to the afterlife in pieces."
"Yeah yeah," the thug still holding his axe said. He wiped a tear from his face and continued lightly chuckling. "You're good for a laugh, Lycian scum, but you'll be leaving-wait, what did you just say?"
The wine of two plasma guns super-heating their rounds filled the air as Kent lifted his arms. The two guns appeared from inside the long sleeves of the robe and were quickly pointed at the dingy men's heads. At once all humor was gone.
The two thugs glanced at each other, knowing they'd been had. At once, they both made to move, to attack and to get the fallen axe respectively. Kent pulled both triggers and the only thing that the thugs ended up doing was hit the ground with smoking holes in their heads.
"Go in peace, my sons," Sain said as walked up and grabbed the gun Kent offered. Kent scowled at Sain.
"You're going to burn in hell, Sain," Kent said. "And if your womanizing doesn't kill you first, then I might." Sain just grinned as he took up a look out position with Lyn and Mark by the entrance while Bob and Kent disrobed. "Why did I have to do this? You could have worn this too."
"True," Sain said seriously, then he looked at Kent and grinned. "But we both know you'd take the role so much more seriously than I would. Besides, the guys back at the precinct will be getting priceless photos of this for years to come."
"I'm better at cyber crime than you are Sain," Kent said threateningly. He pulled the last of the robes over his head and tossed it into the carriage. "Remember last time you tried to buy something with your cred-card?"
Sain frowned and then his face scrunched up. "That was you? I was on the phone with those damn creditors all month. Hmm… Touche, my good man, touche." Sain grinned and nodded to everyone. "Time to go in. Kent and I will take point. The rest of you, keep your heads down if we come under attack."
As everyone entered the ruins, Mark got close to Kent and asked, "What did Sain do to deserve the cred-card thing?"
"I'd rather not talk about it," Kent said and moved ahead faster. Mark chuckled and followed.
The group entered the ruin interior, which really couldn't be called an interior without any semblance of a roof. It was really just a bunch of freestanding brick walls now. Once they'd entered, they found a cleared out space where all of the mechs were sitting near what used to be the center of the building. Two thugs stood guard there, but they were both preoccupied with whatever they were arguing about. Fortunately, the entrance to the cavern was well marked, and there were half fallen walls that would let them pass undetected.
Keeping bent as low as they could, they made their way through the dust and rubble of a former hallway. Circumventing the central clearing as fast as they could while remaining hidden behind the low wall was difficult, especially because of the echoing their walking made if they moved too fast. Despite that difficulty they made good time.
Getting to one corner of the ancient castle, Kent stopped and peered around to see if there was anyone guarding the next decaying hall. The wall in this section hadn't deteriorated as much, which mean they could walk taller, but at the same time, it looked like the wall was about to fall at any moment. There was also a lot of debris on the floor, meaning they had to watch their steps.
"Be careful where you walk," Kent whispered, motioning down the next hall with his gun. "The floor is full of junk. Don't trip. Also, the wall doesn't seem too sturdy. Try not to touch it."
With that warning in mind the began walking quickly and quietly down the next rotting 'hall' toward the entrance to the caves at the other end of the complex. It appeared that the former building used to be square, mostly. The entrance to the 'attraction' was in the opposite corner of the ruins than the corner they entered from. Parts of the 'attraction' became clearer as they closed in on the entrance. The argument between the two thugs began getting louder as they went.
Whether it was a sadistic breeze, the whim or fancy of fate, or the slight scratch that Lyn made on the wall, disaster decided to strike. With a crumbling crack and a snap, the wall between them and the thugs began to fall away toward the center clearing. With a loud crash, a huge cloud of dust was thrown into the air.
When it was clear, the two thugs, their argument forgotten, were pointing at the group and shouting. Kent and Sain reacted immediately and got down behind what was left of the wall for cover and began firing shots off at the thugs.
"Damn!" Kent shouted as he let off another couple rounds and then ducked back behind the wall to avoid the incoming plasma blots. The next time he fired, he noticed where the two men were standing. "Damn!" he shouted again. "They're using their mechs as shields. Our attacks aren't doing much damage."
A blot of plasma smashed into the rubble that used to be the wall and exploded in a shower of pebbles. "I don't think they're having the same issue," Sain said. He leaned up and took a couple more shots and then sank back down before the two thugs could get a good shot in. "Hey," he said looking around. "Where's Lyndis?"
Kent looked down where they'd come from, but only Mark and Bob were there, hiding behind rubble while the two detectives fired at the thugs. Back the other way, Kent barely had enough time to see the ends of deep green hair disappearing into the cave before another shower of pebbles rained over him.
"That impetuous girl! She ran into the caves!" he shouted. "Mark, Bob! Go make sure she's okay. We'll cover you."
The two started making their way toward the cave entrance. Kent nodded at Sain and the two popped up and ran the opposite way, firing shots off and drawing the thug's fire.
Inside the Katti Caves…
The firestorm going on outside quickly became muted once she was inside the crystal cave. A pathway had been cleared for pilgrims through the sharp, jagged edges of the field of crystals. Some were huge and thick and reached from one wall to the opposite like a metal beam stuck by an idiot engineer through two decks of a ship. Most of the crystals ranged from a couple inches to just below her neck.
Walking through the caves was always a bit of a mystical journey for her. Normally, she'd take time to watch the sparkling lights bouncing here and there, flitting from one crystal to the next like dancing sprites. But now she had a mission, even if it was one she'd taken on herself. She wouldn't be able to look her grandfather in the face if she had let this atrocity happen to the Katti and done nothing to stop it.
Since there was only one path, it wasn't long before she found who she was looking for. Two thugs stood on either side of an arched entry way. Beyond, she remembered, was the Sanctum of Swords, where the Katti both rested and awaited their owner to retrieve them.
This area was normally only entered by the head bishop of the St. Elimine Mission guarding the Katti. Where the two thugs stood now was a cleared out area of crystal so that it was safe for pilgrims and parishioners to gather for prayer. The cleared away crystal had even been fashioned into several benches to sit on while in prayer.
As soon as they saw her, the two thugs activated their vibro-axes. Lyn swallowed and looked around for some kind of weapon. Naturally, a broken hunk of crystal was the only object available. Hefting it was easier than she thought, but she found the cudgel heavier than any sword she'd ever used as she gave it a few test swings.
"Bring it on girly," one of the thugs said. "Hahahaha."
Without waiting, Lyn lifted the crystal above her head and took two steps forward. The thugs, having expected her to attempt to hit them with it, didn't expect what came next. The Lyn swung forward and let go.
The one she threw the crystal at didn't realize what was about to happen and then-BAM! Down went the thug one with a bloody new hole in his skull. The second thug, quicker on his feet, rushed Lyn.
"You'll pay for that, you bitch!" he roared as he swung at her. She jumped back, but tripped over one of the crystals sticking out of the floor. The thug took that moment to attack, swinging his axe down in what would have been the end…
…if Bob hadn't planted both of his feet onto the thugs' face in a double kick. The blow only managed to knock the hulking thug back, but it was enough to save Lyn. Mark appeared next to her and helped her back up while Bob started dodging and weaving between the thug's attacks.
"Why you… Stay still so I can hitcha!" yelled the bandit. He continued to swing in futility as Bob jumped, hopped, and then pranced about like a playful kitten in between the big man's swings and thrusts. "Where the hell did you learn to move like that? Stay still damn it!"
It took Mark several seconds to realize, distracted as he was by Bob's fight, that as soon as he'd helped Lyn to her feet she'd disappeared. He looked back toward the entrance, but she wasn't going that way either. And it was clear that the battle outside wasn't going too well since the number of flashing lights had increased.
"Bob," Mark shouted. "I hate to interrupt your fun, but Lyn's gone again and things don't look good outside. Could you, possibly, I don't know, hurry up with this one?"
"Why don't you get in here and lend me a hand then?" Bob asked as he dodged several more heavy swings from the thug. The green blade missed just missed his face by a good few inches, giving him a prime view of the grime built up on the weapon end. "You got a dirty axe." The thug took this as a taunt and redoubled his efforts to try and hit Bob, which didn't make any difference.
"Uh… yeah, no thanks," Mark said. He took a step back and crossed his arms as he watched the fight. "Physical labor and I don't mix well. We had a falling out a while back. It's all on you, buddy."
"Oh," Bob said, rolling his eyes. "They doesn't mix well. I suppose it's time to stop playing then." Bob hopped back out of the thug's range and bared his teeth. The air around him began to roil and waver as energy built up and skittered about as static electricity in Bob's fur. Muscles bulked, his jaw elongated, and his fur grew longer.
Inside the Sanctum of Swords...
Lyn took a deep breath as she left Bob and Mark to deal with the last thug. She it didn't take her long to realize that he could most certainly handle that big hulking man. Maybe he'd remembered some moves since the fight with the pirate on The Lorca a week ago. In either case, it allowed her the time to pursue the true villain of this attack on the Katti, Glass.
The mercenary swordsman wasn't hard to find. In fact, he was standing with his arms crossed while he leaned against a two foot tall stone altar with his head down. She hadn't been inside of the sanctum before, so had no idea if Glass had taken the Katti yet or if he was just waiting for someone to come in and challenge him.
"I was wondering when you'd arrive," Glass said, his voice clear in the small chamber. "My employer's tactician selected several candidates. He was quite accurate when he placed his faith in you, Lyndis om Lorca."
Lyn gasped. "H-How do you know who I am? Who are you? Why did you come here? If you think you can get away with stealing the Katti, then you're sorely mistaken."
Glass smiled at her and stepped to the side. Behind him were two swords standing vertically. They were both Katana, one longer than the other. They both had the tips of their blades stuck into the altar.
The moment she laid eyes on their blades she felt a part of her she hadn't known was there cry out for joy. It felt as if looking at them she was greeting a long old friend she hadn't known she had. And strangely enough, she could swear that she felt the same from the swords.
"I see you both know each other," Glass said. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"What?" Lyn frowned. "How? What? I don't understand."
"All in due time," Glass said, a knowing smile on his face again. "I am afraid you'll have to defeat me for the answers though I can tell you my name is Glass. As for your ultimatum, no, I hadn't the inclination of ever stealing these swords. They don't recognize me anymore. Rather, I'm here to ensure you are worthy. But enough questions." Glass unsheathed his sword from his back, and activated the Vibro-blade. The Core Bar hummed as the particles were excited into forming a deep red blade around it.
The light from the Vibro-sword filled the cavern with red light, lending it an ominous, dark atmosphere. Lyn shivered, but steeled her resolve. She was relieved that Glass wasn't there for the swords, but now he was after her. This was easier for her to deal with, oddly enough, than possibly having let the sacred swords fall into evil hands.
"Now, Lyndis om Lorca," Glass said as he brought his broadsword to bear. "Prepare to meet your destiny."
Lyn rolled forward into the room when Glass rushed her. As soon as she got to her feet, she had to jump to the side when the red sword smashed down and shattered the floor she was standing on. Before she could think of what to do next, Glass' fist was in her face.
Knocked back from the blow, she stumbled and felt her back hit the altar. When she pulled her hand away from her face, she saw blood. Glass gave his sword a tug and hefted his sword one handed, impossible by most untrained men due to the weight and the vibration frequency, and pointed it at her.
"Good reflexes, I suppose," he said. "However, you are woefully under powered and too slow on the up take. The only reason you aren't dead right now is because you're lucky."
Lyn glared. "Oh really?" she said. She knew now that Glass was clearly a level above her skill level. Ignoring her instinct to get the hell out of there, she said, "I think it's because you're not as good as you think you are. Some great swordsman you are." What the hell was she thinking?
Glass shook his head, disappointed. Then he spun around and made a very, very fast spinning slash right at her head. Lyn barely had a chance to duck before the loudly vibrating blade hummed passed her scalp. She could feel the heat of the blade as it went by and smelled several singed hairs immediately afterword.
She was going to die at this rate. She wanted, needed to fight back, but she didn't have a weapon. All she could do is dodge. What to do? What to do?
"Stop thinking," Glass shouted as he ceased his spin with the sword over his right shoulder, stepped forward with his left foot, and brought his sword back the other way. Lyn threw herself to the side to avoid the attack which gouged a five inch deep, ten inch long gash into the floor. "Use your instincts."
"Shut up and fight me," Lyn shouted as soon as she got back to her feet. No, that's not what she meant! Why was she saying these things? Had she lost her mind?
Glass shook his head and dashed toward her. Lyn feigned left and then somersaulted forward. Glass swung up with this sword and batted at Lyn mid-flight with the flat of the blade. She screamed from the searing pain of the vibro-blades' contact as she was sent sailing across the room where she landed in a heap behind the altar.
"You can't defeat me," Glass said. His voice was flat, but he said that as if he was stating a fact he'd just read from a book. He swung his sword around so that he was holding the blade in front of him. "Why don't you just give up and go home. Or I could send you to meet your family in the afterlife. You're choice."
"Ugh… I swear…"
"Hmm?" Glass gripped the hilt of his sword with both hands again and shifted into a neutral stance. "Speak up, I can't hear the words of a weak Sacean who doesn't know when to quit, how to take advice, and clearly hasn't inherited Hanon's legacy."
"I said…" Lyn's right hand appeared on the altar, and then her left, and finally she pulled herself up to a standing position. Her legs were shaking, but she forced past that to stand. If she was going to die, she'd die standing on her feet. Not cowering behind an altar begging for life or running away. "I swear, on the name of my family, on the blood and honor of the Lorca, I will defeat you so soundly the dragons won't be able to find all your pieces."
Glass chortled, mocking amusement at the beaten up, bloody, and disheveled young woman gasping for breath. Lyn narrowed her eyes further and climbed up onto the altar and prepared to leap at Glass. Having the upper ground, of course, being her plan. Maybe she could do what Bob had done with the brute outside the Sanctum.
As soon as she leaped, Glass stopped his laughter, his face suddenly serious as he brought his sword up above his head horizontally. Confusion filled her mind as she saw two katana blades screaming down at Glass' head.
It was like they both had appeared in her vision. Seeing the Katti was the last thing she expected. What were they doing there?
And then they clashed, the Katti and the Vibro-sword. Glass' arms buckled for a moment before he roared and pushed her back. Stumbling back, her head swimming from her previous injuries now that her rage induced high was dissipating, she couldn't stop the horizontal slash Glass made.
Her eyes widened as she experienced a searing pain in her abdomen like she'd never felt before. The Katti fell from her hands as she fell backwards and hit her head on the altar. Her skull bounced once and then darkness took her.
Glass, his face blank, looked down on the girl as he de-activated his sword. He swung the long device around and sheathed it behind his back. Then he bent down and stretched a hand out toward the longer, Sol Katti.
His finger scant inches from the blade, a whispering wind filled the air and a snap of electricity stretched out from the blade to Glass' hand. He pulled his hand back before anymore bolts of electricity could attack him. Rubbing his now numb fingers, Glass stood back up and stepped back.
"I see you're still rejecting me," he said. "Fine, have it your way. Choose this mongrel girl over me. We both know she's not long for life. Even if she survives this encounter, she won't survive the coming storm. And when she's dead, I'll come back. I always come back. And then you'll finally be mine again."
Glass spun around and walked away from the bleeding out Lyn and the two Katti sprawled on the floor by each of her hands. Sirens by now had filled the caverns and all sounds of battle had ceased. Footsteps echoed inside the caves as police filed into the Sanctum.
As soon as one officer saw Lyn, he lifted his arm up and activated the holographic gauntlet display. "Central, this is Officer 83. Send med-air evac to the Katti ruins. We have a woman in critical condition. Scanning her vitals now for evac team."
The officer held his hand out toward Lyn and a wide beam of light scanned over her body. Once the scan stopped, the officer pulled his arm back and punched a few holographic buttons. Lyn's vitals appeared on the screen, indicating her age, weight, height, body mass, muscle fitness, and a soft beep indicating heartbeat. Blood pressure was falling fast and something needed to be done about the hole in her gut before she bled out. Oxygen levels per quart were in the green, but were also falling, meaning her lungs were losing capacity somehow as well. Several other damaged organs and bones were pointed out on the display as well.
"Be advised, evac will be there in two minutes, emergency life sustenance required," a mechanical voice announced.
The officer shook his head as he bent down and began moving Lyn into a flat position on the ground. As he began doing what the holographic display on his gauntlet told him to do, he said, "Honey, I don't know what you did to deserve this. If you survive… well, miracles do happen, right?"
A/N: And that's all folks, for this chapter anyway. Sorry about the cliffhanger, but it was getting kind of long and this was a natural cut off point. Fear not, by next Wednesday, this cliffhanger will be resolved.
I know that this story is supposed to have lots of mechs and stuff in it, and it does, but I just haven't gotten to that part yet. I really really want to incorporate the martial aspects of fighting, such as swordplay and stuff, and mechanized space warfare. Hopefully you can forgive me this small delay in getting to the mechanized parts. Fear not, they are coming. For now, though, I have to figure out how faster than light travel works in this universe... I'm not sure if I want to hand wave it with applied phlebotinum or go the more scientific, physics grounded route. What do you good readers think?
Next Chapter: Fanatics, Pirates, and Batshitinsane villains, oh my! Oh, and Lyn has to escape Bulgar... during an invasion. Shouldn't be too hard...
Constructive criticism and comments are appreciated. Thanks for reading.