Loneliness

Rosie looked around at her companions. The weird feline and her companions conferred silently, Dilayla glumly watching the alien, who in turn was talking quietly to the strange bot. She… felt strangely lonely. She had actually always been lonely, but now she felt it so much. She had no family, friends, or even a name. She was named because of the symbol of the capsule she was found in and the color of her hair. She didn't know where she was from and she had no idea where she was going. She was like a leaf blown by the wind. She had never made friends with anyone, nor had she thought of anything more. Her lack of hearing also separates her from the rest of society. She always watched others, feeling like she was in a glass ball herself, unable to become part of their world. So it was now. She felt that despite the heat, she was getting cold, cold inside. It was as if she were alone on an endless plain, the only creature under the open sky, yet unnoticed by anyone. "Was it like this before? Was I alone in my past life too? Or am I the last representative of my kind? And my people no longer exis?t." She thought and felt tears well up in her eyes. She had to do something not to cry in front of everyone. She decided to approach a bunch of friends, they were discussing something fiercely. She knelt some distance away, but her glasses projected everything they said.

- I don't care what Bina says, she can't order us. We had a good reason to go to town and look what we found out. – said Itel, gesticulating fiercely.

- All we know is that our old friend from Kesler is nearby and is interested in Wrogdak, though only the gods can understand why.- sa id Alatar, scratching the back of his neck.

- I agree with the drakey here. It's just a dull and stupid clone, nothing worth even a broken coin. - Eti said sharply. The others looked at her meaningfully, as if he had said something very… inappropriate. - Come on? Only his bot is dumber than him. - added the strange Pahtra after a moment.

- But the half-elf said otherwise... His... race attacked her planet or something. He himself claims that he belonged to some completely-not-orcish-horde. - Itel said, but Lilka interrupted him.

- Absolutely is not an orc, but she can fight like orc. - said the red-haired girl, thinking for a moment

- Really? With beings that can move and see anything? – Eti asked with clear skepticism.

- Really... You didn't see him smash that bot- . Dragonkin said, and Lilka nodded her head. Suddenly the elf stood up and turned sharply towards Rosie.

- Don't eavedrop us!- She glared at the intern, who jumped back in fright.

- Don't peek us. - Eti interjected.

- What? -The green-haired elf looked at the shooter, not really understanding what she was talking about. Eti sighed heavily and began to explain.

-She's deaf, so by definition she can't eavesdrop. - she shook her head.

- The Devil's Advocate has arrived. - The elf exclaimed angrily.

- Not a devil's advocate, but a person who makes sure that others use the language correctly. - Replied the strange Pahtra. Rosie looked at the other two. Dragonkin held up a datapad that read "Don't interrupt them or they'll both bite you."

- She almost broke your nose! - The elf shouted back, waving her hands strongly.

- Yeah, that's what happens when people fight. - Eti was saying, but Rosie cut in and pulled away.

- Maybe I'll go now, I don't want you two to quarrel.- She squared her hands conciliatoryly and walked away from them. She looked around and saw that the alien… Wrongdak was talking to this bot. So she went to them.

- Hello! I'm Rosie Pearl! Nice to meet you! - she said with a friendly smile. The stranger stood up and bowed to her.

- Hello. I am Wrongdak. Actually Wrong Hordak. - He smiled at her and pointed at the Droid. - And this is Emily.

- Hi Emily. Hi Wrongdak! - She waved at them and sat down. - Why are you called Wrong Hordak? It's all right with you.- She tilted her head wanting to get better look at him, but she didn't see anything strange, except that he did look a bit like he wanted to look like Skittermander. But she had no idea what members of his species were supposed to look like.

- My friend, an extremely wise woman, freed me! She thought I was my brother then... Her friend and lab assistant. She gave me freedom... I know I got that name by mistake, but I like it. - he said, moving closer to Emily.

- And Emily? Where did her name come from? Did you call her that? - she asked, kneeling beside Emily.

- No... My friend did that too. She woke her up, made her wiser. But it was my brother who built her.

She furrowed her brow, thinking for a moment.

- If your brother built her and your friend woke her up, that means they made her together... So she's kind of their baby and you're her uncle. - she said and puffed her breast proudly.

Wrongdak looked at her surprised.

- Yes, you are right! I never thought of it that way. - He stroked the bot on the lid, and Rosie did the same.

- Are you with them? Are you a member of their group? - she asked, looking at the strange four young people, who were now arguing fiercely, but according to the Elf's wish, she did not eavesdrop on them ... Or rather, she did not peek them, as Eti put it.

Wrongdak shook his head

- No, but they freed me and Emily... Graag... He wanted to sell me. Like a thing! - The white-skinned alien clenched his fists and now looked really menacing.

- It's terrible... Such things don't happen here on Absalom.- she said, genuinely indignant.

He looked at her in admiration.

- Are you from Absalom? It's supposedly an amazing place. My friends would probably like it… Maybe we'll all go there someday.

- Enough of this little talk, don't bother her! - Dilayla stepped behind her and lifted her shoulders.

- I didn't bother her. We were just talking. - Wrongdak defended himself. Dilala was tall in power armor, but the alien could look her straight in the eye anyway.

- Yeah, I remember when on Minitar thirty years ago your people spoke terribly politely to us too. - She looked at Wrongdak menacingly, and he lowered his gaze.

- I… I'm really sorry about my brothers. We… we really had no choice…- He didn't finish as Dilayla interrupted him.

- That's what all soldiers say when they justify their crimes.

- I... I've never actually been a soldier... I'm just over six years old. - Wrongdak said smiling sadly. Dilayla looked at him confused

- So…- she asked carefully.

-He's a clone...- She looked at the mercenary resentfully.

- I see. - she said, looking at the stranger carefully, as if to evaluate him.

- I knew ... I knew young soldiers whose life or cruel politicians forced them to fight at war. - She glanced at the four, who had apparently already agreed on something by this point, because Itel got up and started walking towards them. - But I'll keep an eye on you anyway!- the mercenary threatened.

- Listen, we'll go to the observatory together. And then we'll have dinner, because we have a proposition for you.

- And transportation? - Dilayla asked skeptically. - It's quite far from here.

- You will ride the greatest armored personnel carrier in the galaxy! - Ethi shouted.

- Which is pretty crazy. - Alatar added.

Bina sighed.

- Ireanis, if you stick your blunt head through the hatch, something will tear it off. - she asked the Elven sorceress, who was looking out the top hatch.

- It's proposition? -A hoarse voice came from the speakers.

- No, Crushey. We don't murder crew members. - Bina said dispassionately.

- So those who are not crew members, I can? BUHAHAHA - Crushey chuckled loudly.

- Don't start this discussion again...- she threatened the transporter. Meanwhile, Ireanis came downstairs.

- Don't worry, I just went out to get some air.- If I saw a tree, I would immediately hide. - she said, smiling conciliatory.

- We are in the desert, there are not many trees here. - Bina said to the silver-haired woman.

- Ah... that explains a lot. - Ireanis sat awkwardly in the seat and buckled her seat belt crookedly.

Bina sighed. Sometimes she felt so lonely... "I never asked to be mother of four kids... Especially kids that were so wronged and weird." She watched Ireanis play with the switch. "The five most twisted kids in the known worlds. Alone… With a little help from a couple of absolutely untrustworthy individuals." she wanted to laugh through her tears. "And most of these kids...all except Eti are older than me...Isn't this world a goddamn joke." She watched the surroundings through the monitor screen, although the vehicle also had a normal viewfinder and even an optical periscope, in case someone used an EMP weapon or a nuclear bomb ... " It's not airtight enough to keep the crew from dying from radiation." She smiled crookedly. Kessler's army purchased plenty of these vehicles, they were hugely popular across the galaxy, but only the Crusher had AI. Simple and not entirely self-aware ... but he was as crazy as the rest of her charges.

- I don't like these little cars. They laugh at me.- Crushey said with anger in his voice.

- They're not laughing at anyone. They don't have computers... and probably no electrical parts, so they can't laugh at you, or probably anyone at all. - She explained like a wayward child. "Yeah, this is my sixth child and I'm only ten chronologically. They should give me some sort of reward"

- Can I run them over? - Crusher asked her pleadingly.

She sighed.

- No, you can not. She replied in an emotionless voice. She had had this conversation many times before and she didn't care. Her life was essentially about keeping their crew from harming themselves and others.

- When we get back to the ship, you'll review our purchases. - she said to Ireanis The elf nodded, and Bina could only hope she was listening instead of thinking on important matters such as the latest season of "Love under the stars and the moon" or what horse thats give a power were fed on. The captain looked over her shoulder and smiled contentedly. She bought everything they needed and told them to pack the most interesting things on Crushey, mainly good food, especially meat for Eti and sweets for Lilka and Alatar, and even a set of knives for filleting meat for Itel and Eti, although she wasn't sure if it was the best idea. They both liked playing with sharp objects far too much… The supplies would be delivered to the ship, that grumpy duergar had said. The fact was that she could understand him. He recently injured his leg and had to use a crutch to get around. Even in such a calm industry as running a warehouse, extremely tragic accidents can happen. But at least he had sanitary napkins and toilet paper, though when he heard she was taking six months' supply right away, Duergar looked at her as if wondering if she was trying to compete with him. "I've always been bothered by all those travelers who ignore hygiene issues because it's a waste of a few credits," she shook her head, grimacing in disgust. Well, she was proud of how hygienic she was, though she suspected it was some kind of weirdness Jantar had instilled in her. "But that's what I'm grateful for." She thought and scratched her forearm where she had a tattoo with a serial number on it. She always scratched him when she thought of Father. "You gave us a lot, but you took even more from us." she thought. Even though she was in a better situation than Eti. After all, it wasn't so... refined. . And she pulled out the steering wheel taking control of the machine.. "I wasn't made for this.. for all this. I was supposed to be a swindler, a swordsman of the word... and I ended up adoptive mother, ship captain, and goddamn treasure hunter. What's wrong with me?" she thought. She drove for a few minutes, Crusher was silent, obviously resentful of her for taking control. She wanted return to the ship, wondering what she would find when she returned.

Then the communicator woke up.

- Hi Bina…I must tell you something. - she heard Alatar's voice. she sighed. They always had Alator talk to her when they messed something up…

- What's on fire? - she asked straight.

- We didn't burn anything... Why would we set fire to anything?- he asked with almost believable innocence.

- Dragonkin, solarian, grenadier with incendiary grenades, "Orc" with flaming axe. You are setting fires with your mere presence. – she replied

- But we didn't set anything on fire. You know, could you give us and some friends a ride somewhere? - he asked very politely.

- So you're not on the ship? Be honest, did you plan this from the beginning? You didn't care about my orders ... my REQUEST and you went around the city not knowing what to do, right? Do you even respect me at all and take my opinion into account?! - She screamed at them and struggled to control the vehicle.

- I'm sorry…- the technomancer said in a hushed voice.

- Okay, tell me, my dear ... Did you hurt anyone? - she asked, though she already knew the answer.

- Do I have to answer this question? – he replied in a pleading tone, but then Eti interjected.

- Wimpy... Bina, aren't you demanding too much from us? Don't you think what impact such pressure can have on the development of our adolescent minds? We feel overwhelmed by the incredible weight you put on our shoulders!

- Eti, I'm just asking you not to behave like a bunch of thugs! - she screamed, then stopped the car and counted to ten.

- All right, just put your coordinates on the datapad and I'll come get you. - she said, regaining her self-control. "The essence of my existence".

Eti has always been lonely. It wasn't just who…what she was. It was her mind. More than two thousand days ago, her soul was shattered and then brutally reforged. Brutal, but unskilful. Bina thought she understood, but her mind was barely touched. She had only knowledge, pure and devoid of context. Eti had so much more. Her psyche... the whole emotional world was trying to be chained in the shackles... of the future she had chosen... in the shackles of her cursed heritage. Bina had certain predispositions, but Eti was never sure whether what she felt, what she did belonged to her or was forced into her mind. She had only met Jantar once or twice, but she hated him more than Bina has, who had taken his life. Though of course, he wasn't the first one she wanted to resurrect, and then to kill again... That honor belonged to someone else...

She got up when she heard an armored personnel carrier approaching in the distance. Thanks to her hearing, she was always the first to know when Crushey was approaching. She could tell it apart from other vehicles, even vehicles like him. Her friends knew her well enough to join her. Wormdak did it too, though he probably didn't understand why, but his empty cloned head was capable of primitive imitation. Sparkle Fingers and Fist weren't sure what was going on, so they stood confused.

They had moved away from the battlefield and were now in the spacious driveway of an unfinished single-family home. There was a large yellow grass with deep roots and sharp leaves, which, when crushed, rose up after a while. She knew such plants from Akiton and knew that it could grow almost anywhere. She missed Akiton. Crushey came roaring loudly. He was beautiful. It had an attached dozer and spikes. They painted him eyes, dragon's teeth and flames. It was probably the most beautiful vehicle in the entire galaxy. She saw Sparkle Fingers staring at Crushey with her mouth open, and Fist whistled.

- We rode something like this during the Siram battles and a couple of other campaigns. I think we on Minitar even used them. Old, but good. Where did you get it from? - asked the half-elf.

- We used it to escape the swarm on Kesler... It's a Long Story... his name is Crusher, but we call him Crushey.

Pounch looked at the technomancer with a mixture of disbelief and admiration.

Crushey stood beside them and the side door opened. Inside was Ireanis, who was trying to get up and wave at them without unbuckling her seatbelt. Operating the passenger seat, even after those five years, was beyond her skill. Bina stood in the doorway and smiled cheekily.

- I see that my band of thugs are wandering around the city looking for a tumor… - she commented on seeing them, then turned to their companions.

- Hello! I'm Bina, and there in the armchair grins Ireanis. I'm sorry if my wards might have scared you a bit… She said almost apologetically.

- Your wards saved me from a terrible fate... said Wormdak, and then Eti interrupted him.

- This is Wormdak and Dumbbot sits next to him, the white-haired one is Sparkle Fingers, and the big one is Fist - she said quickly the real names of the new companions. The four of them, along with Dumbbot, looked at her.

- You have just become acquainted with the wonderful and remarkably uniting practice of our Eti of calling other by nicknaming others. - Bina sighed heavily. The scout frowned at this simplistic explanation of what she was doing.

- I don't nickname, I just give others names that reflect their character, appearance, and personality much better than the ones their parents gave them at birth.- she said proudly.

- But I wasn't given a name at birth... Nor was Emily... We weren't born at all... I guess. – said Wormdak and thought for a moment, and Bina looked at him in surprise, but said nothing.

- I... don't know my birth name either, but now I'm Rosie Pearl, and this is Wrongdak and Emily.- Sparkle Fingers pointed to the alien and the bot. - And there is Dilayla, my traveling companion and friend.

Bina smiled warmly at the deaf-mute girl - And I'm Bina, and that one is ... - She didn't finish, because finally the elven Mystic freed herself from her belts and stood in the doorway, almost throwing her captain out of the vehicle.

- I'm Ireanis... - she did one pirouette -...Toromech... - she made another pirouette -... called the Silver Flame. She turned one last time, and silver sparks flew from her hands. She jumped back as soon as she realized that the elven mage was about to do magic, and so did her friends, but the rest of them didn't realize what could happen when Ireanis began to do magic. The spell seemed to work this time... almost... Sparkle Fingers saw sparks sparkle on her clothes, she began to extinguish them in horror, then began to extinguish Wormdak, who was watching Ireanis in awe.

- The lady is a great sorceress! I was also friends with a great sorceress. She made me a sweater… But I think I lost it when I was imprisoned. - He smirked at those words.

- You didn't lose it. Oh here it is. - Lilka took off her backpack and searched through it until she found a sweater. Wool and warm. Three faces are embroidered on it. I think one of them belonged to Wormdak, only then he had a completely different hair color. Next to it was another similar alien, only with red eyes and blue hair, and next to it was a smiling woman with purple hair. She suspected it was his brother and friend.

- That's was in the warehouse with lots of different items in such a box ... when we were leaving, I scooped them up so that they wouldn't be wasted. - Lilka said smiling proudly. Bina hid her face in her hands.

- Please, tell me you didn't assault anyone to rob him. - she said resignedly...

- Well, in a way. There was only one Duergar - Alatar tried to explain himself. "Toady"

Bina groaned

- This is the guy I used to buy sanitary pads and toilet paper from. By demons and devils, what's you where thinking?

Then Wormdak stepped forward. He bowed low to everyone and said.

- Please don't be angry with them. They saved me... This Grag... he wanted to sell me... into slavery like a thing and he sold Emily. Itel, Eti, Lilka, Alatar ... They are heroes ... - he said with Exaltation, and Eti felt a shiver run down her spine. "I'm not a hero. I do not want to be. I'm me! No one will take that away from me." She scowled at Wormdak. Bina, however, seemed to be impressed. Nothing unusual.

- If it's true... And I believe him... Well, you could tell he was a filthy brute, this Grag. I could have let Crushey run him over. she said in a softer tone

- You could. - The hoarse voice of the vehicle came from inside. Pendrak watched their transporter with fascination.

- I'm Dilayla, and we are … never mind. Anyway, there was discussion between us here ... so I decided to help them ... - Fist said in a consistent tone.

- What do you need help with? - Bina asked with a hint of suspicion.

Itel approached her hard clenching her fists.

- It's the observatory! I told you he's out there somewhere! And we found its location now we have to go there…

- All right, let's go. Bina interrupted her.

- What? asked the elf in surprise.

- What I said. We drive. Since you've already gone out to the city, we might as well go there- Bina said and turned to Sparcle fingers and Fist.

- Then get aboard the craziest transporter in the galaxy! - she exclaimed, and laughed a little nervously, which was her habit lately. "Why you are mean to Crushey?"

"I have condemned myself to loneliness. For everyone to fear me and hate me at the same time. And I was so proud of myself." She thought as she got out of the car. The driver stopped at a combination of a store and a gas station, then told them he wasn't going anywhere else. Arkan-tar tried to persuade him to take them further, but Shiren swore that doing so would only destroy his landing gear. She considered whether she should use her powers to force his obedience, but changed her mind. She didn't want to give away her power just yet, and besides, it was only an hour and two away on foot. they had time.

- Dear Arkan, just ask him to wait for us until the evening ... and buy water! - she said to the scholar. An hour later, she regretted that decision.

She wasn't used to the sun. Carurystal was almost always cloudy, so she didn't experience its glow on a daily basis. It was still something completely new and unfamiliar to her. Its rays made her tired quickly. Her eyes were squinted and she couldn't see much, and she was panting in the heat. She didn't sweat like other humanoid mammals, and she wondered if she was at risk of heatstroke. "I wonder what they think about the sun, are they delighted with it? Adora probably did, so did Glimmer, they always liked the light of day ... And Catra? Thanks to me, she learned to hide in the dark. I showed her the power of darkness, both that outside and inside. I hope she never goes my way again and that she is basking in the sun like a cat… cuddled up to Adora." She thought, and immediately felt pain and self-loathing, for she was about to return to Etheria and disturb their hard-won peace.

Slowly, she considered casting a spell that would make her body shrouded in shadows. They both already knew part of the truth about her, so such a manifestation of power would not surprise anyone. "The truth about me... indeed few knew it." she thought. If on Etheria hatred separated her from other, here it was the Truth. She wasn't afraid of being discovered. On Carurystal, only two people knew the all truth about who Miss Daisy really was. "What would you well-bred people of respectable families do if you found out you were having afternoon tea with a war criminal? The most hated person on her's planet? Who betrayed everyone and everything? Though, as Lady Cala said, most wouldn't even believe it, and some would probably justify me… Defend me!" She laughed nervously, and Arkan-tar and Rechiza looked at her confused.

- I thought of tea with my neighbors on Carurystal, and i imagined a very funny joke. - she said smiling crookedly. "Plus, it dries me out, damn." Her companions exchanged worried glances. Now they think I'm an old madwoman, she thought, and started to prepare to cast a spell that would shroud her in shadow, but then she heard a vehicle approaching. She turned and saw an armored personnel carrier, albeit oddly decorated with painted eyes, teeth, and spikes attached. Hordak strictly forbade decorating Horde-produced vehicles, only years later did she understand why, so such a sight was a bit surprising to her.

- Who could it be? In a place like this, the sight of a military vehicle, even one, raises anxiety. Rechiza said clearly ready to fight.

- For me, it's someone who can give us a lift. - Arkan-tar replied in a slightly cheerful tone, though he moved his hands towards the weapon. She herself was ready to fight, although she doubted that even in such a place, attacks on random travelers did happen on a daily basis. And even if it did, well, they won't have easy prey. The transporter stood by them, and the side door opened. A burgundy-haired woman named Bina stood there and smiled happily.

- What a small planet! I didn't have time to tell you, but I got us an archaeologist to help with your mission. You see Itel, you're not the only one who cares about this mission. - she said, and a beaming Rosie stood next to her.

- Oh, Miss Daisy, Arkan and Rechiza. They are friends of me and Dilayla. Why are you looking so strange? - the intern asked in sign language.

She didn't know why Arkan-tar looked puzzled, but she had a clear reason. She saw a Droid, one of those Hordak mass-produced. But this one was special, she remembered how he had devastated her garden in Brightmoon. "If she's here, Entrapta or Scorpia must be here. Princess of Dryl didn't seem to care much about living creatures, but Scorpia, while not the brightest, had been around me for quite long time to get to know me, and by the end of the war both sides had learned how dangerous Scorpia can be. "This could greatly complicate Cala's plans, as well as Creeping Chaos itself. Am I ready for this? Will I ever be?" she asked herself in her mind.

However, the person who stood by Rosie's side made her heart stop. Hordak… Hordak here. Her superior, the one whose will she had carried out for thirty years. "Have they decided to send you to a truly provincial planet to spend the rest of your days forgotten and meaningless? I wouldn't have suspected Glimmer of having such a wonderful... sense of justice."

But then she looked at the stranger. He had colorful hair, a wool sweater, and a friendly smile. "It's the other one that Entrapta took in like a puppy... How he was named... it doesn't matter. Miss Daisy never met him anyway." She saw the consternation beginning to appear on the faces of the others, and she smiled.

- I see Rosie, you've found friends! Making conections with people you meet is a very important skill among young people. - she said in a friendly tone. She was practically honest. She liked Rosie, or maybe she just felt pity for her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Rechiza made a surprised face at the sight of a stranger, had she dealt with Prime's clones before? Interesting, but was it really that weird? The empire was large and existed for millennia. Not only Nayrlathotep's minions could have infiltrated it, or at least explored it… She stepped into the vehicle

- Hello ... I haven't seen anyone who belongs to your species yet. - she said smiling at the clone who was confused hearing her words.

- I am Wrongdak, actually Wrong Hordak. And… my brothers' history is very complicated. he said, oozing guilt

- And probably very interesting. - Rechiza muttered quietly, entering after her.

- If you're going with Miss Bina, we'll find plenty of time to get to know her. - she said, ignoring Lashunka's remark. Arkan-tar entered last. He stared at Bina intensivelyShe snorted softly. Maybe the woman was attractive, but not that he couldn't take his eyes off her…

- And what exactly are we going to do with him? - Asked quite young and already partly cybernetized Dragonkin. She glanced at his companions. The short-cropped elf girl covered in tattoos of burning roses stared at her with hostility. A red-haired girl covered in orc or goblin tattoos and wearing lots of weird amulets looked around curiously. At the end there was a strange person with a dust mask and googles over his eyes. Judging by the nervously wagging tail, it was Pahtra. She shuddered involuntarily. This species brought back unpleasant memories for her.

"I must be dreaming. I got myself into being an educator for young people again. Can't I just for a moment forget who I am?" she wanted to burst out laughing like a villain in a penny story.

- These are Alatar, Itel, Lilka and Eti. Bina said. - We'll deal with Mr. Wrongdak later. One problem at a time.

"Yes, one problem at a time. For now, I have to get through this day."