It was a couple of days before packing up the camp. They decided to wait while the four scouts recovered from their ordeal. Uneasiness spread throughout the camp as they waited and watched. They slept roughly. Sweat covered their faces, soaking their hair. Often waking up screaming. Eyes wide in terror, and slowly sink back to sleep.

Vita spent a lot of time by the side of the young woman who seemed to resemble the eight-hundred-year-old vampire. She said nothing, gently stroking her hair. Three others stayed close. Often sitting next to her, whispering between themselves. Mikoto could've easily listened to them. But she gave them their privacy. She remembered meeting the young woman on the docks of the river. She had called Vita mother. And Mikoto stepped close, and the young woman opened her mouth, revealing a nice set of fangs. But no venom. "it can take the father's DNA but can't take the vampire's venom. Perhaps it is a safety measure built in by the god or goddess to prevent them from being hijacked." closing her eyes in thought, Mikoto took a breath and sighed. "she had five sisters…" she remembered. "that's four, so where is or is there a fifth?"

"you should ask her?" little misaka said, "Go ahead…you know you want to.."

Mikoto rolled her eyes, thinning them like a cat about to pounce, letting the moment settle in her head. "Not now…but oh, just wait," the corner of her mouth twitched. "All the crap she gave me when mine were born."

"Payback is a bitch" little misaka said, wearing an oversized black cowboy hat and overcoat, rolling her hands together, Her best evil villain outfit.


Time slipped by slowly, and boredom and repetition filled the moments. Mikoto ran her fingers through the dirt, bouncing it in her palm, staring intensely. Tiny electric sparks jumped and burrowed through it. Small dark particles magnetized and came together. A spark flickered in her eyes as a seed of thought grew in her mind. She had a little time to kill, so why not. Preparation can be fulfilling.

She kept silent as she walked around, hands to her side. Dust and small particles danced, swirled, and rose like a serpent pulled from the ground. Small iron orbs dropped into piles as she worked. More than enough for the mini railguns and other weapons to use. They loaded the extras into roughly hewn sacks and piled them on the wagons. Others attached smaller bags to their belts with a satisfied nod. Despite the confident expression underneath, worry and fear seeped around the edge of the moment.

Another day, another worry. She eyed them, worried about them. With each step, she patrolled around the camp. Her eyes caught the smallest details. She hoped their armor would be strong enough to protect them. Vita had done well while she slept. She was lost in her thoughts as she reviewed the day's conversations. And thinking of the four scouts' ordeal. Hoping to find some sort of solace.

"I'm thinking more about the smell than anything." The little avatar was wearing an old-World War one style gas mask. The attractive woman closed her eyes, shaking her head. She was wearing a high-tech breather. Ones used by many of the members of the House of Mikoto.

"And the others?" Mikoto wondered how the smell had impacted them.

"That smell was rancid. Just imagine being close to the source. The stench will incapacitate them. Hell. it almost took me out just smelling it on their clothing.?" Little misaka spoke. She nodded, knowing little misaka was right. As much as it bugged her, Little misaka was right. The little avatar smirked.

"Who wasn't" Mikoto whispered, reaching for her utility belt and pulling one from the compartment. She snapped it over her nose and mouth, and it instantly sealed. She pulled on it to make sure it was snug. No straps needed. A totally self-contained unit that instantly stayed on her face. "Can you hear me?" she asked. "of course, I can…" little misaka huffed. "Not you!" Mikoto growled.

She turned around, at the opposite end of the camp, and looked over. Vita gave her thumbs up. "Yes, mistress," tapping her mask. She looked around the camp. The others, Aya, Galluh and Nya waved as they tested their equipment.

Of the hundred with them, only twenty-five had state-of-the-art armor designed for stealth and combat effectiveness. The others wore armor made from bug and repurposed dragon scales. Vita's words. In other words, she had scrounged up the remains of the dragons killed and raided their leftovers. And used Bahamut's scales to mimic the advanced armor in design and usage. Each one is crafted for each individual. And very resistant to battle. And yes, they had the ability to cover their nose and mouth in much of the same way. But their breathers could only mask the stench beneath the floral oil-soaked coverings.

*The twenty-five advanced armor had come from those who had died in the battle when they had arrived. Mikoto did have some reservations regarding using the armor. But it had been ten years since their deaths. Vita reminded her. And there was no way in hell any of them would not, not allow their armor to be used in defending their Queen. So enough said.

The technology of the armor made those who wore it, super soldiers. Their helmets and face coverings were made of dull, light-absorbing blacks and grays to help camouflage. Like scales, composite dragon shells protected their heads, and high-tech lenses and imaging systems covered their eyes. Breather units were integrated into the helmets, using filters and isolated oxygen circulation to block out the miasma and rancid stench, which would come in handy.

Their body armor used bullet-resistant materials, lightweight, flexible layered mini scales, and capable of stopping high-velocity rounds. The matte black dragon scales plating blended seamlessly, maximizing coverage while maintaining freedom of movement.

The underlying mesh-woven suits wicked away sweat and regulated temperature, useful in extreme heat. Clever polymers enabled the armor to withstand corrosive fluids.

Dragon-scale Gauntlets and greaves protected their limbs without limiting dexterity. The warriors could wield their devastating mini-railguns and automatic firearms with lethality and precision, integrated with smart-targeting systems.*

And yes, Vita did develop and improve metal works, supplying regular run-of-the-mill revolvers, axes, swords, and katanas.


She was nowhere and everywhere at the same time. Deep in thought, lost in thought. She found herself back where she had started in the morning. And the suns were drifting beyond the horizon. The sky was turning maroon and then black. Glimmering and glittering stars came into view. And the wind was turning cooler and would soon be cold. She sat. The warmth of a new fire was growing, warming her cheeks as the flame flickered in her eyes. Vita sat beside her, but her mind was on the young woman, surrounded by the other nearby look-alikes with varied hair color, eyes, and smirks.

"I think it's time for a story?" little misaka snickered as she sat. A small campfire was burning. She and the attractive woman was dressed in matching sophisticated camping attire. Checkered hat and coat, with leather boots. Coffee pot warming near the fire and roasting marshmallows over the flames. A package of hotdogs waiting to be opened.

Mikoto Misaka let a malicious smile flicker across her warming face as her eyes thinned. And without a hint of anything, she said, "So…tell me again how one should raise their children?" Vita's eyes opened wide and stilled. Her heart thumped, and her mouth stretched. She blushed and, for a moment, a long worrisome moment. She sat quietly. The others looked at Vita, sensing an I got you moment lingering in the air. Aya and Galluh lost in their conversation, stopped and leaned forward. Nya, talking to a young woman who would become tonite's conquests, cut off her conversation, taking the young woman's hand, and they both sat by the fire. The flames crackled and popped, embers dancing in the heat and disappearing in the night. With a sense of somewhat dread, "Mistress?" her voice slightly shook, losing a little of her bravado. "whatever do you mean?"

"so, let me see.." Mikoto said, letting out a sigh. "Aisha, Fatima, Leila, and Mariam?" she had eavesdropped for just a moment. Patience is a virtue but...Mikoto couldn't wait.

Vita nodded, not embarrassed but proud of her sisters. Everyone would know she loved and missed them. An odd thing coming from a vampire.

All eyes upon her, bearing into her, Vita rolled her eyes, "Well played, my mistress." Vita's voice would weave a tale of her sisters in the growing light of the campfire. The words, like vines, wrapped around them and pulled them closer.

"I was eighteen and stood as the eldest sister," she began, her words filled with light enchantments, " Layla possessed almond eyes with long lashes, deep as shadows, a gaze that hinted of the otherworldly. "she said, "a perfect would-be vampire." She grinned, "thankfully, it never happened."

Her voice shifted, a symphony of tones, "Fatima was frail and thin, but had a soft round face and gentle demeanor, who carried with her comfort I have never felt before or since. She is the warmth of the hearth and heart. She smiled like sunlight breaking through the clouds with long, thick, wavy hair and skin smooth as silk." The words rolled off her tongue as her eyes lit up. The air stirred around them, "Leila, an enigma carved from moonlight, mystery, and allure. She had dark, intense eyes that captivated those around her, male or female. She had a fair complexion and delicately sculpted features, almost in an ethereal beauty." She chuckled, seeing their faces coming alive in the fire, and when she looked at them across the way, taking care of their sister. A tear glimmered in her eyes. "Mariam," her voice warm and soft, "she embodied grace. Features like delicate porcelain, hair as black as pitch, shimmering in the sun. She always had a serene expression unless you teased her a little too much." Vita's eyes glimmered with mischief, "what's an older sister to do for fun?" she said, slowly becoming silent. She stared into the fire, watching it feed and consume. "she had an inner strength even I hadn't noticed."

"is that it?" someone asked. The words hang like an invitation. Anticipation fills their eyes. Vita sighed softly. Her teeth cut her lip, she ran her tongue over it, and it was healed.

"I was full of myself.." she said. Words become hard. Mikoto reached over and put her hand on her thigh. Her touch gives her strength. She knew she didn't have to, but something kept her talking. Vita closed her eyes, her mouth becoming thin. "I had met him in the market, covered from head to toe. Thinking back, It was odd. It was sweltering, and he was the only one with the hood up. He was standing in a doorway. And we started talking." Shaking her head, "There was a foolish girl in hot, bright sunlight, my foot in the doorway of shadows and death. And he wasn't even sweating…" She clenched her fist. "Foolish, prideful little girl." gritting her teeth. "I said I would meet him…but I had to run home first..he did his best to convince me otherwise." She nodded, "he even reached out for me, but I stepped back into the sunlight, and he pulled his hand away before the sunlight could warn me."

"Why would the sunlight warn you?" Nya asked. "you walked around in the light here." puzzled.

"In our world, the sun can burn a vampire to death. POOOF!" she said, tossing a small stone into the fire. Flames jumped as embers scattered.

They looked at Mikoto, and she nodded, "But not me.." she smirked, "I'm special." Arching her right brow. "that's right, baby!" little misaka jumped, "we are!" she high-fived the attractive woman.

"yes, you are Mistress," Vita said with a smile. "anyway." She cleared her throat, "Father wasn't home, and I argued with my mother and stormed out of the house and stomped my way through the streets. It wasn't till I got to the place that I realized it was near nightfall. And I knew then I was in a heap of trouble. My father was going to kill me for sure. I stopped myself and turned, and you never will guess what happened.

"he was right behind you!" little misaka screamed. "damn vampires!"

"Everything went black. I couldn't struggle or scream or anything. I just went cold."

"Bastard!" she said, "turned me before I knew what was happening." She growled, eyes turning red, "he was on the run, and they were chasing him. Found out later he had killed a small child earlier." She exhaled, looking around.

"he…. killed a little one?" Aya asked. Her shock was palpable. "How did he…. " she asked. Little ones in this realm were nearly invincible. Stretchable large versions of living gummy bears. Boiling was the only way to kill them.

"little ones are frail and defenseless in our world. They need protection and aren't capable of feeding, running fast, or anything. They are just little balls of flesh that cry, eat and poop themselves until they get much older. Even then, some of them never learn to care for themselves." The faces around the campfire twisted in dismay. They wanted to know more and why but the words failed them. It was unthinkable.

"I can name a few…" Mikoto rolled her eyes. "who has never learned." Vita laughed, "I think I can name them."

"oh, ohh! Let me name them!" little misaka jumped and waved her hands frantically.

"anyway…" she said, getting back to the story. "I am now turning into a vampire, and we are hiding out in some old smelly warehouse, and he is telling me to lure my sisters to him. And I cannot resist, no matter how hard I am screaming inside my head. And I know he knew because he was thrilled. Pushing me out into the streets to hunt for him."

"And of all my sisters, it had to be Mariam." She choked, her voice quivering, eyes glistening with firelight. "my little sister." A tear escaped, and she wiped it away. "She was wearing a long cloak, covered head to toe. She was walking in the side streets when she saw. And she came running. I was a mess, bawling and slobbering, tears flowing pathetically. She thought I was crying because I had gotten lost. Foolish little sister." She blushed." I told her I had to go somewhere first. She smiled and looked me in the eyes with unwavering trust. A lamb to the slaughter. I took her hand and held it tight. And brought her to the warehouse and led her inside. She asked me over and over why we had to be there. All the while, I am screaming in my head, Run! Run! If I could've, I would have slapped her across the face." She admitted, the desperation clear in her voice. "I was on my knees shaking, trying to push her away when he came from the other side of the warehouse. He was filthy, covered in old and fresh blood. He stank of death. My little sister was going to be next." Tears drifted down her cheeks, "and there was nothing I could do." she paused, eyes remembering the moment.

"He moved past me like a shadow, my little sister looking up at him, eyes wide, brow wrinkled but with no fear. She stepped back, untied the cloak, and let it fall to the ground. Gold and silver weaving, the insignia of the royal vampire hunters, adorning the fabric. A silver scarf tied around her neck, strands of silver interwoven in her lustrous hair. She glowed and shimmered in pure light."

He screamed, stumbling back, falling over me. I shielded my eyes, and finally, I could cry for her to run. I heard the impact and felt the wet blood splatter over me like rain. Sticky and sweet, I didn't move. On my knees, I wept, and Miriam held me. The fabric burned against my skin, but I wouldn't push her away. I felt his death, and I was elated." She pulled her lip into her mouth and exhaled a breath of relief. " That's what happens when your maker is killed. All that he was fades away and leaves you empty inside. But unfortunately, without a strong maker, young vampires go feral and will kill without mercy. Cold and shivering, I felt the withdrawals. And my thirst grew. "Step back, Miriam. Please…I whispered, pleaded to her, and she only squeezed me tighter. My gut twisted, and my throat lurched as I smelled her. please…"

"Step away, child…the one who would become my new maker asked and commanded. Miriam resisted but was easily pulled away. She grabbed me by the wrist, knelt down, and looked me in the eyes, deep, dark, unforgiving eyes and yet warm. Mine! was all she said, and I was turned for the second time in less than seven days."

All their eyes turned to Mikoto. Not wanting to spoil the moment, she quickly shook her head no.

"My new maker was a queen vampire working with the royal order of vampire hunters. And next to her stood someone I was not expecting. My mother glared, wearing the same cloak as my little sister, with a short sword in her hand, the edge dripping with blood.

"Foolish girl was all she said, putting away the sword and promptly slapping my face as if it was normal." She said with laughter tinged with a mix of fondness and ruefulness.

"And it was normal. I was a very wild girl back then." She grinned. "back then!" little misaka groaned. Mikoto shook her head and clicked her teeth, "Tch.."

Questions followed as the flames rose and fell. The night drifted, and the others went their way.


She sat by the fading fire, the embers glowing, crackles and pops. Mikoto stood up and stretched, watching the first of the twin suns peek over the horizon, casting a blood-red glow across the land.

Vita was sitting with the four of them as they slept. The young woman scout stirred, rolled over on her side, and whispered, "Good morning, Mother."

"hey, Pita," Vita whispered as she stroked her hair.

Mikoto blushed, feeling she was intruding, hearing those comforting words between mother and daughter. She sighed and rolled her eyes, "of course, she would say that."


The twin suns hung high in the sky, their scorching heat pressing down upon them, and a foul stench clung to the air, growing denser by the moment. A nasty film adhered to their armor and flesh, nearly suffocating. Just on the horizon, a sinister haze loomed, casting a shadow of wickedness.


(Pita=Pain In The Ass)

(* Armor information taken from a certain scientific railgun. *)