Imperial palace, Reepor.

Emperor Markus paced over the floor, six legs clicking over the polished marble as he listened to Khan's report.

"-The political situation is very tense, Sire. Many races refuse to believe you have any intentions of peace, despite your stated desires, and the Kerchu flatly refuse to have anything to do with us. They have quite the grudge it appears."

"Well, we did enslave their race during the days of the Great War, so I think they're justified in this case. They can wait. Over time, they'll get used to us. What matters is the non-aggression pact between us and the Lombaxes. If we can sign it, it will go a long way towards moving us forwards. It's not quite a peace treaty. But it can take us to a place where the seeds of peace may one day be planted. I may not see it in my lifetime, but if it means future generations know peace, I'll fight to the death for it."

"Well spoken, Sire." said Khan smoothly. "However, there is another matter that requires your attention. It concerns the recent spate of desertions from your military barracks..."

The Emperors head shot up.

"I beg your pardon? When did this start? How many have we lost?"

"It seems to have been going on for a number of weeks now. It was only brought to my attention by the barrack commander last night. We've lost 53 soldiers so far, including Captain Argyle."

"But he was my best Captain!" Markus resumed pacing, deep in thought. "Why is this happening now?" he asked to the air in general. "They haven't deserted before, nothings changed. So why are so many leaving? I'm forced to admit that the average Cragmite isn't that good at original thinking. We tend to obey orders. So why are they taking it on themselves to desert? It's almost as if someone's giving them orders...Yes, that makes sense. It would have to be someone with authority, someone quite high ranking. They wouldn't take the orders, otherwise...Khan?"

"Yes, Sire?"

"I want all the Cragmites in the palace investigated. We have a betrayer among our ranks and I want them found. I'm too close to my goal to fail now. I'm putting you in charge."

"Yes, Sire."

Markus slumped down in his throne, rubbing the bridge of his snout. A headache was beginning to throb in his temple. It had been a stressful week. He sighed.

"And to top all this off, I've heard nothing about whether Zoe's alright-ah, speak of the devil!"

His communicator had begun to ring. He answered it quickly.

"Techneztha reporting, Sire." Her voice was faint and static-distorted.

"Well, how is she?"

"Last I saw her, she was heading in the direction of Igliak."

"Igliak? Whatever for?"

"I'm not sure, but she has company. That Lombax, Shona."

"Ah yes, her. Poor girl's had more than her fair share of sorrow. Very good. Stay on her tail, but keep out of sight."

"Yes, Sire."

The communicator cut out.

"Are you entirely certain it's safe for her to be out in the company of an unstable Lombax, Sire?" Khan asked.

"The little bird has to leap from the nest to see if it can fly, Khan. The same holds true of teenagers. Come, we have much to attend to..."

"Think it'll work?"

Kaden scratched his head, looking at the gizmo he had built contemplatively.

"I dunno, Alister. I did the best I could, but we didn't really have that much stuff on us...Good thing you had that remote, though. If I've done this right, it should mimic the frequency in the lock, which if my calculations are correct, is gonna bust us out of here!"

"Awesome."

It was one thing people had to admit about the two. They were geniuses. Neither Jasmine nor Ratchet knew which side of the family they got their powerful intellect. They were natural inventors, capable of making anything with anything, aided by the deep connection forged in the womb. They often finished not only each others sentences, but each others inventions too. On one occasion, they had blown up a school bathroom with two pieces of wire, a battery, an old soda can and a handful of pocket lint. No-one knew how and they weren't saying. They were no longer inventing for fun now, however. They didn't know what was in store for them, but both of them had drawn their own reasonably accurate conclusions from what had happened to Shona. A desperate trawl of pockets had produced enough bits and bobs to build a functional if crude transmitter.

Now Kaden levelled it at the lock.

"OK, here goes..."

There was a beep, a click, and the door swung open. The triumphant smiles were wiped off their faces, however, when they realized that blocking the door, clipboard in hand, was none other than Doctor Kayla herself. She lowered the door key and grinned, her momentary look of surprise vanishing quickly. Two burly scientists flanked her on either side, scowling at the two cubs.

"You know, I'd have been disappointed if you hadn't tried to escape here. You're every bit your fathers children." She nodded at the others. "Take them."

Kaden launched himself at the first one, wild with terror, only to have his rush stopped short as the scientist hauled him into the ear by his arm. He gasped with agony as his shoulder was wrenched nearly out of its socket. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Alister snatched up roughly, screeching and kicking frantically.

"Very good, gentlemen. Take them...to the labs..." The last thing they heard as they were taken away was her mocking laughter fading behind them.


"Ugh..."

Zoe waved a hand in front of her face, trying to fan away the fumes that hung in the air. This area of Zaurik had once been a Trillium mine, and while the mine was tapped out, the pollution remained. Rock and sludgy water stretched as far as the eye could see, the only life a few hardy plants, many withering as they grew.

"This place is the pits." she muttered, gazing out at the devastation. Shona said nothing, sharp eyes scanning the horizon. There were a few footprints around, all leading in the same direction. This plot of land was meant to be deserted...

"The labs this way." She set off, walking so fast she was practically running. Behind her, she could hear Zoe panting to keep up, six legs slipping on the loose pebbles.

"S-shona, slow down!"

"I can't!" She called back. "I don't have time!"

Zoe caught up and grabbed at her arm.

"We don't know what security measures she has up. We need to go carefully!"

Shona growled, but obligingly slowed down to Zoe's pace. In the distance, she could see a low, dark building, surrounded by barbed wire fences. There were guards patrolling, a mix of Blargs and security bots. They approached with caution, eyeing up the fence. It was fully eight foot high, topped with razor wire and concrete reinforced.

"Hmmm..." Shona tapped her foot thoughtfully. "You're a Cragmite, Zoe. Think you can warp us in there?"

Zoe shook her head. "Female Cragmites can't teleport, remember?" She scowled at that. It had always rankled at her that only males had that skill. It looked like fun...

"Oh yeah...Guess it's time for plan B..." She tore a post out like it was a matchstick. "There. Instant gate."

"Gotta admit, Shona, you sure know how to make an entrance. Geddit?"

"Ugh..."

Slinking from shadow to shadow, they set off for the main building. Shona cursed mentally as she saw the guard leaning against the door. She caught Zoe's eye and nodded meaningfully in the Blargs direction. The Cragmite winked in understanding, and Shona carefully snuck around to the side of the building, keeping out of sight. A quick leap brought her onto the roof. She padded softly over to where the door was and looked down, marking the distance between her and the Blarg, and trying to remember how the nerve pinch her mother had taught her went.

Ah, yes.

Watching from the ground, Zoe was starting to get rather nervous. She'd heard or seen nothing of Shona since she'd gone. Had she been found? Were there patrols on the roof? Had something horrible happened to her? Just as panic was about to really set in, she saw Shona drop down lightly behind the guard. Before he could register she was there, a pair of powerful arms locked themselves around his neck. He wriggled, shuddered, then went limp, eyes rolling up in his head. He landed on the ground in a heap as Shona turned her attention to the door. It was the work of seconds to rip the lock off.

"Come on! He'll only be out for half an hour!"

They shot inside, haring down the corridor and ducking inside an empty room. There was no sound, no cry of pursuit. It was quiet, surprisingly so for such a large building.

"Clear."

For the first time, they began to take stock of their surroundings, pounding heart beats slowing down slightly. They had taken shelter in a huge, empty lab, computer screens taking over much of one wall. Shelves and tables were crowded with scientific paraphernalia, much of it clearly related to the business of genetic modification. Things floated in jars, things they tried not to look at too closely...

Shona began tapping away at the big keyboard.

"They may have something here about my family. A map, a note, a file, something. I just need to...hey...what's this...?"

She had pulled up a file, simply headed:

Shona.

For a while, she was still, staring at the folder, then, moving slowly, almost as if she had no control of her body, she clicked it. A number of other files sprang up. Most of them were empty, clearly the ones her mother had deleted all those years ago. One, however, still had an item. A video, carefully labelled.

Shona's med report.

"Shona? We need to get moving. Someone could be along any minute..."

Shona ignored her, fingers slowly reaching up and touching the screen.

"I think I remember this. I had to go in for a full medical exam after the Med-lab was rebuilt.

They were documenting what happened to me. It was going to be evidence in case they ever found her and brought her to trial. It was only intended for the Elder Council. We never got to see it. She must have stolen it..." She trailed off, then hit play impulsively, burning with curiosity.

The screen flickered, then lit up. There was no mistaking the cub looking up at the camera, fiddling with the sleeve of her hospital gown. Her screen self lowered her eyes, deep blue and haunted, and hugged her knees, clearly ill at ease with her surroundings. Someone began talking. She recognized the voice instantly. It was Doctor McAngus, head medical officer in the Praetorian Guard. He was one of the few people she liked, even with her bone deep distrust of anyone with a medical back-ground. The slim brown Lombax had always been kind to her during her check-ups, understanding and working around her fear. He was a neat individual, impeccable in a crisply ironed suit and trimmed moustache. His family had come from the Fastoon mountains, and the native brogue was still thick in his voice.

" Video journal of Doctor Duncan McAngus, regarding the wee lassie known as Shona. The bairn was brought to me a month after the Return, for the purpose of determining the effects of the genetic modification she's undergone. The puir wee things been very badly treated, showing signs of malnourishment. Tests show at least 13 different procedures, possibly more, it's hard to tell. Initial observations show enlarged canines-"

A close up of her fangs. "-and retractable talons-" And one of her hands, quickly jerked away as young Shona hissed nervously up at the camera. "-with other less noticeable modifications. Ah suspect she may have enhanced strength before she's much older. She's already pretty strong noo..." The screen cut to an image she remembered well, a test she'd been given when they'd asked her to bend a metal bar. She'd been surprised at the time when the doctor had said no one else could do that...

The video continued, showing the other tests and detailing the modifications done. Then another clip, one that made her lean forwards, head cocked curiously to the side. A nurse was showing her a doll, made to look like a Blarg. Shona had taken it, looked at it for a while...then went mad. The other doctors surrounded her stepped back hurriedly as she tore the doll to shreds, screeching like a banshee.

"Shona appears to have a very nasty wee temper, lashing oot at the slightest provocation. At the time, it is unknown whether this is a psychological coping mechanism as a result of her torture, or whether her aggression is built in at the genetic level-"

Shona paused the video and rewound it.

"-whether this is a psychological coping mechanism as a result of her torture, or whether her aggression is built in at the genetic level-"

Again.

"-a psychological coping mechanism as a result of her torture, or whether her aggression is built in at the genetic level-"

And again.

"-torture, or whether her aggression is built in at the genetic level-"

And again.

"-built in at the genetic level-"

"Shona?"

Zoe gently placed a hand on her friends shoulder. She was shaking, eyes staring ahead. The look in them scared her. They were distant and empty.

"Are you OK?"

Shona blinked and looked away from the screen. She felt ill, darkness crowding the edges of her vision as she swayed backwards, clutching the side of the bench for support. In her darkest dreams, she'd worried about this, and here it was, vindication of her fears. She was an abomination, twisted, a monster made to order. Coldness gripped her insides and her shaking intensified, teeth rattling as she fought down the scream rising within her. Her legs gave way and she slumped to her knees, claws sinking into the floor. Looking down at her hands, loathing burst in her heart. They disgusted her, the physical embodiment of her wrongness. She was foul, loathsome, evil...

"Shona?"

Someone was shaking her, trying to speak with her. She raised her head, tears leaking from her eyes.

"Shona, what's wrong?"

"I'm a monster..." she whispered.

"No, Shona, I don't believe that. It said in the video, they weren't sure. You're not a monster. There's a gentle side to you, I know there is. And if they did make you...like that, then I know you can control it. You have so far!"

For a time,Shona was silent, staring at the floor. Then she looked up, piercing blue eyes boring into yellow ones.

"Zoe. If I lose control...if I give into the dark...will you be the one to pick up a gun and go after me? Would you stop me before I hurt anyone? I have to know, Zoe. Would it be you?"

"...Yes..."

"Promise?"

Before Zoe could respond, a voice came on over the loudspeakers, snapping them both back to the mission at hand.

"All scientific personnel please report to lab 3 at once."

"That must be them!" Shona began frantically flicking through the computer files. "I found a floor plan! Follow me, it's this way!"

They shot out of the room and down the corridor, which twisted like a snake as they went deeper into the facility. They could hear sounds coming from behind the doors they passed, roars and growls. They didn't stop to investigate, charging towards their destination.

Finally, a pair of double doors loomed up ahead at the end of the corridor, a faint blue light glowing from the crack under the door. A key pad blinked on the wall.

"It's locked!"

"Can you break it down?"

Shona shook her head, pointing at a little device on the keypad.

"Mama showed me this once. That delivers a powerful shock and activates an alarm at the same time. They use them at the Praetorian Guard for high security rooms."

"So now what?"

Something caught Shona's sharp eye. A narrow door in the corridor, free of any kind of locks.

"That must lead to the observation room! She uses them to show her lackeys how it's done..."

She slowly opened the door, listening carefully for any noises. It opened to a narrow spiral staircase. She couldn't hear anyone at the top. At the moment.

"Follow me, and don't make a sound."

They crept carefully up the stairs, hearts in their mouths. If there was anyone at the top, they were in trouble...

Reaching the top, they nervously poked their heads through. The observation area ringed the entire laboratory, providing a perfect view of the action down below. There was no one watching. Keeping down low in case one of the scientists looked up, Shona edged closer to the window, looked through...and stifled a cry.

A machine occupied the majority of the operating theatre. She knew it well. Too well. She felt the present world drain away from her as her memories arose, and-

She was barely five, huddled in her chilly cage and trying bravely not to cry. She was hungry, and her whole body was sore from the innumerable injections they gave her, that made her dizzy and painful all over. She whimpered softly as a flare of pain burnt suddenly in her finger tips. At least she was alone, safe from the rough hands and cruel glares of her captors...

Then the door slammed open.

She recognized one figure, the female Blarg who took control of most of the experiments. The other visitor was a stranger to her, a tall Lombax, fur bone white. She turned her cold gaze on Shona, and the girl had gasped, attempting to huddle into a smaller bundle, pinned by the stare of those solid black eyes. They were empty, bottomless, as if she wore night in her eyes. She walked right up to the cage, and Shona had shivered as she felt the evil pouring off her. She was too small to say what was wrong about the woman, but she knew what it was, oh yes!

She spoke.

"Well? Is she ready, Kayla?" Her voice was like sweet poison.

"I'd say she is. Do I have your authorization?"

"Yes. You may start the machine."

And she had left, crimson cape swirling in her wake. The Doctor had followed her, giving Shona a look that chilled her as she left. Ten minutes had passed. She watched the door like a hawk, hoping against all hope they'd leave her alone. She was wrong. Her cage door had been wrenched open, painful hands dragging her out, ignoring her protests.

"No! No! Please! I don't wanna! Just lemme 'lone!"

They had ignored her pleas, dragged her down the corridor and practically thrown her inside a lab she'd never been in before. A huge machine skulked in the centre, letting off a harsh glow. A door hung open on one side, showing a small chamber within. Doctor Kayla stood by it, writing on a clip-board. She looked up and nodded dispassionately. A needle was shoved in the crook of her elbow, and Shona was thrown inside the chamber roughly. The door clanged shut behind her. She had hammered on it desperately.

"No! No! Please! Lemme out! Please! I'm scared! What's happening?"

The chamber had begun to hum, a deep, marrow shaking hum that rattled her teeth in her skull.

"What's going on? Let me out! Please? Somebody?"

Sparks began to crackle, stinging when they touched. Electricity arced overhead. She yelped as it ripped through her. There was something else too, some other energy. She could feel things happening to her body, painful things. With a sick jolt of horror, she realised the machine was just warming up. She could hear the tone rising, and knew it was going to get worse.

"Stop it! Please! It hurts, it hurts, it huuuurrrts! Let me out, let me o-ooow! Somebodieee! Please!Pleeease! Aaaaaaaaahh!"

Then the machine had peaked.

And all had been agony.

She had come to back in her cage, every fibre of her body screaming in pain. Her hands especially. Sobbing with the effort, she brought them up to see.

And had blacked out again at the sight of them, razor sharp claws poking from her fingers. In all, there had been three visits to the machine before her father had saved her, three visits to hell...

She came back to herself in a rush as her eyes registered what she was seeing. Her brothers. They were putting up a hell of a fight, biting and growling in their captors arms. She saw the brooding machine, Doctor Kayla standing nearby with a syringe and a smirk, and put two and two together. Her and Zoe exchanged glances.

"Ain't gonna happen..." she growled.


"No, please!"

The Doctors hand clamped over Kaden's arm in a grip of steel, the syringe in her other hand gleaming coldly.

"It's OK, little guy..." she crooned, in falsely sweet tones. "It's just going to make sure the modifications take properly, that's all. Things could get messy without it..."

The needle was shoved none too gently in his arm, and he heard Alister wail as the treatment was repeated on him. The pair of them were thrown into the waiting chamber, thudding against the wall and landing in a heap. They huddled as far away from the Doctor as the cramped chamber would allow, clutching each other and shaking in horror. The door slammed shut.

Doctor Kayla smiled, cracking her knuckles as she faced the control panel. Lets see now, what was she going to do? Oh, there were so many options...ah...

Just as she was about to start the process, a strange flicker in the window of the observation booth distracted her. No-one was supposed to be up there...

Then the window exploded.

Two shapes dropped down like stones amidst the shower of broken glass and twisted metal. She recognised the Lombax, and swore. This was not going according to plan...


Shona howled at the ceiling, blood-lust flowing through her. A swipe of her claws destroyed the main control panel, turning it into a tangled wreck of plastic and wires. She turned back to the business at hand. There hadn't just been scientists in the room. Many of the by-standers had been hired muscle, and now they surrounded the pair, grinning. Shona and Zoe exchanged glances.

And went for it.

Shona sprang forwards, shrieking a battle cry. Even as she slashed deep into the shoulder of a Blarg, she still tried to hold tight against the Beast. It was hard, though. Each punch or cut brought it closer to the surface. She picked a battle-bot up by one leg and began swinging it like a club, scattering guards. Beast or not, though, this was fun...

Zoe was holding her own, too. While not trained for fighting, the fact she was a six foot Cragmite gave her something of an edge. She slammed into a battle bot with the full force of her not inconsiderable weight. It disintegrated. A Blarg struck out at her with a cudgel, and she swiftly knocked it aside, grabbing his shirt, nabbing another guard and banging their heads together. They slumped. Panting slightly with the effort, she called out a warning to Shona:

"Duck!"

Shona hit the floor, and the Blarg sneaking up behind her met Zoe's fist coming in like the wrath of God. And then...

There were no more takers. Unconscious Blargs and destroyed battle bots littered the floor. Shona didn't waste time gloating, instead turning her attention to the machine. With a heave and a grunt, she ripped the doors off. There was a whimper from inside.

"Boys? Boys, it's me! It's OK!"

They looked up, disbelief stamped on their tear stained faces.

"Shona!"

She was nearly knocked over. For a while, she stayed motionless, holding her brothers close and fighting back the tears.

"I'm sorry I was always yelling at you...I promise when I get Mama and Da back it'll be different..." She stiffened. "I nearly forgot! Come on, you two. Lets get the parentals and am-scray!"

They ran out of the lab and ground to a halt. The facility looked like it had been ransacked. Paper and various items littered the floor, and every door swung open. There was no-one around. Zoe said a word her father would be very surprised she knew.

"Doctor Kayla must have slipped out when we attacked! She's done a runner!"

"What about Mama and Da?" Kaden asked.

"Good question. I-hold on..."

There had been a noise from one of the labs, and a white-coated Blarg hurried out, arms full of paper. He was muttering under his breath.

"-oh god, the boss is gonna have my hide. Too late, far too late, I was supposed to have left ten minutes ago. Dang sticking bathroom door, I keep saying they gotta fix that-HURK!"

He was slammed into the wall so hard he nearly dented it, Shona gripping his collar and snarling in his face.

"OK, piggy! Squeal! Where is she?"

"I-I dunno who you're talking about!"

"You know damn well who I'm talking about! The Doctor! Where is she? Where are the rest of my family? I don't want to have to make you tell me, but so help me, Orvus, I will if I have to..."

She raised a finger up to his face, her talon barely half an inch from his eye. "Where are they?"

"Shona!" Zoe gasped. "You wouldn't, would you?" Behind her, Kaden and Alister watched wide-eyed, unsure what was happening. For a moment, Shona tussled with herself. Her brothers were innocent still. Kayla hadn't hurt them, they knew nothing of what could have befallen them. Did she really want them to see this? Then she remembered what was at stake.

"Well, if he tells me what I want to know, I won't have to, now will I?"

Her talon inched closer, closer...

"Rykan V! She's on Rykan V! She's got facilities all over the place, her sponsor paid for 'em!"

"Wait, sponsor?"

"I-I dunno who! They're anonymous!"

She let him go.

"Good. I'm glad you could help. Now get your sorry ass out of here before change my mind about letting you go." The Blarg bolted, whimpering in terror and relief. "Rykan V, huh? I figured a rat like her would have other bolt holes around the place. She's made a bunk for it, the coward."

"But what about Mama?" cried Alister. He looked like he was on the verge of tears.

"She'll have moved them along with her."

"Then lets go find 'em!" Kaden said. "Come on, bro, we're gonna be heroes!"

"Think again, you two..."

"Huh?"

"It's far too dangerous out there. It's going to be hard enough for me and Zoe as it is. Sorry, boys, but it's the end of the line for you."

"But-but Shona!"

"No buts. Let's get you out of here..."

They stepped out into the weak sunlight of Igliak. Shona stuck two fingers in her mouth and gave a shrill whistle. There were usually a few about. Ah, here we go...

A tiny creature slipped out of a weedy shrub, standing barely shin height. A long snake like neck and dragon-ish head contrasted with the feathered body and bird like legs. The tail was long and reptilian however, scales glinting gently. It was a Zenithi, oldest and most secretive of races. They had played a pivotal role in the return of the Lombaxes, and had chosen to reveal themselves at that time. Their shy nature remained, however, and only the boldest allowed a glimpse to be seen, their seat in the Galactic council often remaining empty. They were weak and frail, next to useless in a fight. But they were intelligent, fast, and their ability to teleport made them excellent spies. This one was a female, her scales a soft, dusky pink.

"Hello, Shona. We've been watching your progress with interest. You're doing well! I imagine you want us to take your brothers to safety?" Her voice was low and gentle.

"Yes."

"But Shona, we don't wanna go! We wanna stay and help you!"

She knelt down to their level, placing a hand on both their shoulders.

"Boys, I'm your big sister. I'm supposed to look out for you, protect you. I can't do that if you're tagging along behind me. You'll be safe with the Zenithi. Don't worry, I'll find our parents and bring them back, I promise. OK?"

The twins nodded sadly.

"Good. Ma'am, you can take them away now."

Zoe sighed. "I wish I could teleport. It looks like fun..."

The Zenithi gave her an odd look.

"They say female Cragmites can't teleport, don't they? Hmmm..."

And on that, she reached out, placed a wing on each twin, and disappeared in a waver of warm air.

Shona got up.

"Two down, two to go. And I got a bad feeling about the next one. She's onto us this time..."


Another chapter done and dusted. I can't exactly remember whether the homecoming had female Craggys teleporting, but the fact they can't is quite important in the story. I've moved on a lot since that first fiction. Then again, as Terry Pratchett says when called up about inconsistencies in his own novels, there are no inconsistencies, just alternate pasts. So there...