Moonshadow
A few hours earlier, Captain Moonshadow and her First Officer Tonado had entered the headquarters of the Drejs, the largest gang on Saltmarsh. A dozen heavily armed Veskas stood up simultaneously and drew their weapons. She summoned a Solarian flare and smiled at them.
"Relax, I'm not going to fight anyone here. I'm here to talk to you. We are all beings who value honor. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't break my word." she said, canceling the flare and adding in her mind. Unless it's given to Azlanti worms.
"But if any of you so much as think of drawing a weapon, I'll chop them up into tiny little pieces!" Tonado threatened, glaring at the gang members. They smiled at Skittermander's threats, thinking they could effortlessly squash him like a bug. But they were wrong, and very much so, for her first mate was much more dangerous than they appeared and could easily have sliced several of them to pieces. She approached Veska, who was covered in ritual tattoos and wearing ornaments made of precious metals worth a small fortune.
„Hello Agnew. You've informed me that Grag is in possession of the person I'm looking for" she said, after first exchanging traditional Veskarian greetings.
"I didn't know Captain Moonshadow was into the slave trade." Agnew said.
„If this is the individual I am looking for, I will do everything to get him in my hands." she clenched her metal prosthesis.
"If you say so… Grag wasn't going to sell it to you anyway. He had two buyers far more important than you, Captain. No offence." Veska said seriously looking at the interlocutor.
„I understand ..." she said barely controlling her anger. She was only the commander of a single cruiser, not a pirate queen…at least not yet. But revenge first „However, I would like to know the identity of my rivals."
Tonado stood by her side and crossed all six arms. He eyed Agnew menacingly.
„I don't know the identity of one of them... But the other is some Azlantean aristocrat... Nyseria Drakes?" Veska said. Captain Moonshadow gasped as hatred pulsed through her veins. So anyway... It's going to be a race between us though... That's good... A few azlantis will know my grace."She tightened her prosthesis again until her fingers dug into the wood, but her left hand trembled with cold energy.
„I understand ... So I have no chance to beat them?" she asked, drawing the words slowly.
"So it's not you..." Agnew said, and the rest of her subordinates visibly relaxed.
„So i am not who?…" said the purple-haired woman coolly. Behind her mask, it was impossible to read what feelings tormented her heart, but everyone present knew that it is better not to annoy her now, otherwise a storm of blades and cold flames will unleash.
„Someone attacked Grag, some strange kids, apparently. We were wondering if you hired them." Veska said. Captain Moonshadow frowned.
„I wouldn't hire kids to do my job." she snapped sharply. Tonado moved closer to her, but she signaled him to be calm. For now.
"Neither would I expect you to be in the slave trade, and yet you do…" the woman said.
Veska was right. She hated the slave trade. She had freed many from the shackles of Azlanti slavery, but if this was an Invader… He had enslaved countless numbers, perhaps herself. She had no reason to show him pity.
„This is a private matter between Me and this individual. Where does this Grag live? I need to talk to him." she said in a hard voice, she was very close…she can't lose her chance now.
„He is still under our protection." Agnew said coolly. She looked at her. Don't worry, but the gang leader knew the threat behind those purple eyes. She considered all eventualities and added.
„On the other hand, after a failed auction, he will probably leave us anyway. You'll find it out of town... but you'd better head to the junkyard. Supposedly, Grag sold a droid owned by this alien there. Maybe he'll want it back." Veska said
She nodded her head. "Junkyard you say…" she asked thoughtfully. "I'm going there. Thank you for the news. I won't trouble you any more. I'm going to a place I won't be back from anytime soon." she said getting up from the table.
„So it's true! You're flying the Zone to escape the Azlanti!" Agnew exclaimed triumphantly. The captain looked at her coldly.
„ I never run away, especially from the minions of the eternal throne. I'm going there to find what belongs to me ..." she said going to the door.
„So what?" asked the leader of the Drejs.
„Revenge... Nothing else awaits me there."
She didn't like the desert. Despite the mask, the dry and hot air hurt her damaged lungs and irritated her eyes. Fortunately, she will not have to stay on this planet cursed by devils and demons. She doubted her crew would miss her… unless the stories told about this place turned out to be true. I remember so little. So much has been taken from me she thought with sadness, but then she hid her emotions. A pirate captain must not show weakness, he must be the personification of strength ... and terror. She looked at Shiren now, who clutched his maimed hand and trembled under her gaze. The two Damai glared at her defiantly, though they looked heavily battered. I think someone even broke his jaw. Vesk, who was still bandaged on a makeshift stretcher, was still seriously injured. He had a happy face painted on his bandage.
"I really don't know anything and I had no intention of selling sentient machines. It's all Grag's fault. He told me it was just a stupid toy. I swear by Hylax and Abadar. Please, don't lock me up in Long Death Cell. begged the insectoids.
„Do you know how i care about that junk? I'm interested in an individual of an unknown species... Tall and white-skinned, with bat ears. His eyes should be red and his hair blue…" she said slowly, and the insectoids nodded vigorously.
"He was, though his hair was rather motley and his eyes were pink… The bastard destroyed my sentinel robot, do you know how much I paid for it?! If you catch him, make him remember." He tried to gesticulate, but he waved his arm too hard and he screeched in pain.
If it's him, he'll wish he'd been born she thought with a faster heartbeat.
„Do you know where he went?" she asked, trying to keep her voice under control.
"Well, he and those kids took that droid… actually, he followed them himself. And then they came back and brought he here as if nothing had happened. They just left and waited for me to take care of him?! You understand, Captain, they came, beat, robbed, and now they order me to heal! It ridicculou!" He gasped loudly.
"And you just said you wouldn't sell that droid if you knew it was self-aware." she shook her head. "You're doing something here, and I don't like cheaters as much as slave traders." She spoke very slowly without taking her eyes off Shiren. She wanted him to think carefully about his actions and the chosen way of life. She was a captive of the Azlanti, which is their de facto slave. She would never forget the hurt Star Empire had done to her. Whenever she could, she tried to free the slaves, despite the objections of some crew members. She looked at Tonado, who stood with all six sabers drawn, threatening all their enemies with violent death. I set you free too, my brave little officer! she thought tenderly and asked Vesk
„So you met them?"
The lizard groaned, but then spoke.
„Yes, but by chance. We were following a certain mercenary and her girlfriend, and then she started shooting at this guy, and we wanted to take the opportunity, but I guess the youngsters preferred to get rid of us first. Then they apologized and it turned out that the kids were looking for the observatory, and it turned out that I used to work there before everything went to hell, so I told them where to go in exchange for medical care and being taken to a safe place. As you can see, they fulfilled their bargain. He looked at her significantly. She ordered Tonado to give him the med-patch and asked where the observatory was. After receiving the answer, she was about to leave, but suddenly something occurred to her mind.
„ Actually, who hired you?" she asked carefully.
- A certain Azzzz…. He bit his tongue as he realized what he had said, but it was too late. She raised her hand and summoned a flare.
„Mercy… - said the wounded.
„But I'm merciless." she said, and hurled the projectile at Vesk. Damai and Shiren jumped away from her as if they were going to be her next victim.
„Call my crew, there will be an unannounced battle. We'll collect some Azlantean heads." she said firmly.
She was paralyzed with wonder… and horror. She had seen her, the woman who had died…who had sacrificed herself for them all. Including for her… even for her, though she'd never learned the whole truth about what she'd done to her. But she was standing in front of her. Queen Angela has risen from the dead. Has she come here to judge her? To finally get justice for all she's done?
"It's... nice to meet you and thank you for shooting those guys, but can we go now?" As you can see, Captain, we don't have a very good relationship with the Azlanti, just look at my crew and companions." Bina said, smiling nervously and pointing at them. Lady Cala stood beside her, and asked.
„Who is this woman? You look like you've seen a ghost?" There is mild curiosity in her voice.
„It's her... Queen Angela." she whispered hoarsely. Lady Cala raised an eyebrow.
„Queen Wingling? It's funny…although I can see you've had an interesting day even without it." said the aristocrat, looking ostentatiously at the worried Wrongdak and Eti, who was wrinkling her nose with disgust.
Captain… Moonshadow looked at the woman with a bit of amusement. She wore a blue… glass diamond mask that covered the lower half of her face. She also lost her right arm, and her body was covered with Solarian symbols, but she retained her former majesty, which allowed her to lead the kingdom even after so many tragedies. But this world, this immeasurable galaxy had also left its mark on her.
"I just want to talk to one of you… just for a moment." she said. Three passengers jumped off the ferry on ropes. Skittermander with blue fur, half-elf-half-drow and a huge Veska with one eye wielding a hammer of appropriate size. Arkan-tar winced at the sight of them. High above them, she saw the dark shape of a warship towering over the research facility.
She sighed but smiled to herself. Perhaps this would be a better solution... But she remembered her deal with Nyarlathotep and realized what a difficult choice she was facing. She looked at Lady Cala and asked her silently. The noblewoman nodded uncertainly, glancing at the ship. Adora could handle it, or at least try, she thought, but Angela's eyes didn't rest on her. And then she realized who she must be looking for here... She looked at the Wrongdak, who was a bit scared, but apparently completely unaware of the danger he was facing.
The captain walked over to the clone and spoke to him in a dangerously sweet voice.
"Look into my eyes..." she commanded and the stranger obeyed. The others guessed that the woman was interested in the species of their companion, but they did not even vaguely realize what they had in common... This will be your last crime, Hordak she thought bitterly.
- What's your name, my dear?" she asked, taking the clone with her mechanical hand under her chin.
"I'm Wrongdak, actually Wrong Hordak… are you going to harm my friends or mine, Captain?" There was fear and guilt in his voice this time.
„Wrong Hordak?" asked the winged pirate, confused, but the stranger smiled in response and said.
"That's what my friend called me when she mistook me for my brother... We all look the same because we are... we were clones of Horde Prime... but he has already been destroyed and we are all free." His voice was full of conviction and joy, as if the mere mention of the fact that he was already subservient to his elder made him happy, even in the face of such a threat. I envy him! she realized with amazement. On Angela's face, or at least the part she saw, there was surprise, consternation, and… disappointment.
„I understand ... at least partially. Go away, you are indeed free. she said, and looked at the others as if only now noticing them. "You're a strange band. Truly extraordinary. Where and for what purpose are you going ..." she asked and looked at the massive shield of the observatory. "It's an impressive building. It was created to observe a place in the galaxy that even Besmara herself would fear. If such an unusual company gathers on such a sloppy planet, there is only one reason." She leaned over and looked up at the starry sky. "There's a certain place there..." Her voice was dreamy at the moment and full of poetic delight. "Full of wonders and ancient mysteries. They call it Etheria, and that's where I'm going…" she paused and added in a much harder voice. „To gain riches we have never dreamed of... „ she looked at her companions. She noticed that Arkan-tar was examining the tips of his boots very carefully, and Veska and the elven-drow half-breed were looking at him as if they wanted to do something very painful to him. "Unfortunately, for all their undoubted advantages, my crew lacks the knowledge necessary to meet the challenges we face, besides ... Well, we may need people with a little more diplomatic skills. She looked at Lady Cala, who smiled kindly at her. "You're an aristocrat from a rich family… They said at the port that one of these arrived at the port today." I understand it's you. You can be of use to us. - she said. You are a woman who by sheer force of will united the entire planet against a common enemy, and you ask for help from the most inhuman creature you have ever met in your life she wanted to scream.
„And I can make broth there, if anything." Eti unexpectedly broke into the conversation and pulled out a very tired carcass of some bird from the bag. And now she realized that Angela was now facing almost Catra. Have they ever met? Catra kidnapped Glimmer and I actually tortured her, this girl doesn't know what she's risking. She thought in horror. Zraz will lose his chance, his chance at redemption. He has to do something. Ignoring the warning look of her ward, she stepped forward.
"I am a sorceress of great power and a person of many other talents." she said, fully aware that this was how she signed her own sentence. The captain couldn't recognize her face, but she certainly remembered her voice. But she didn't care what happened to her. Captain Moonshadow… Angela looked at her in surprise.
„That's interesting... We could use a talented mystic... What are your other talents?" she asked, looking at her with a raised eyebrow.
Torturing children, condemning royal consorts to a fate worse than death, manipulating queens to do may will. she wanted to scream in her face.
„I know about management... Or gardening." she said instead in a quiet, shy voice, not understanding what was going on. According to their agreement with Nyarlathotep, she forbade her from revealing her identity directly to the people of Etheria, but it wasn't her fault if they accidentally recognized her. Moonshadow laughed.
„I'm a gardener too. On Jadehell, I learned a lot more about the vegetation there than I would have liked. Have you heard of my gardens of the long death? Oh, maybe you'll see them… though not as their guest… unless you betray me…" The captain said and laughed. She realized she had never heard Queen Angela laugh. They knew each other for a short time, but there was so much venom and anger in that laugh...
„I also know about similar matters." she said bitterly and chuckled. „Exceedingly good." she said. She saw that Rechiza and Arkan-tar exchanged knowing glances. Meanwhile, two more pirates came out of the ferry. All but Skittermander began looting the dead Azlanti. Two turned out to be alive, so they tied them up.
„Back to the broth issue." Eti interjected. „I can cook ... - She did not finish, because the green-haired Elf interrupted her.
„My friend has a rather strange sense of humor and she was a little stressed today." she tried to pull Eti away from the captain.
„I have no sense of humor ... not in the least, and I stress others. Would you please not mislead the Captain. As for the broth…" the cat girl replied, but Bina interrupted her
„Give me a break with this broth!" There was a pleading note in her voice.
„Both tradition and science confirm that chicken soup is great for colds because..."
This time it was the dragonkin who intervened.
„Eti, this bird is in such a state that it will crawl out of the pot on its own.
„What? You want to poison the Captain!" Skittermander threatened
Moonshadow laughed, much warmer this time, and signaled her furry subordinate to calm down.
„You remind me of someone... Someone from my past." She heard sadness in her voice.
Your daughter... and her friends. Remember… she said in her mind.
They heard a roar, and an armored personnel carrier belonging to Bina and her charges drove in. There were traces of blood on the hood.
"Calm down, guys, it's all right." No need to fight. Bina reassured him as the pirates aimed their weapons at the vehicle.
„There were some weird ones with guns and they're gone now, but the droid still works." she heard sadness in the hoarse voice of the machine.
„Unfortunately, victory is never absolute and you will always believe that you can do more." Eti said in the tone of a lecturer.
You are right, girl she thought bitterly. Then Lady Cala walked past her. She approached Captain Moonshadow, ignoring Skittermander's protests. In one graceful movement, she drew her epee, and before anyone could react, she knelt down and called out.
"If you truly swear to protect us, if you protect my comrades... Then I swear by the ancient Motto of our lineage that I will assist in your mission, whatever it may be." She touched Angela's feet with the blade...
You don't want to ... do it, let it be what must be.
"I swear for honor of Grayskull that I will fulfill our half of the bargain!" she shouted. Dilayla snorted contemptuously, Itel and Eti giggled… Bina rolled her eyes. Only Wrongdak looked at her with pure admiration. Poor fool, you are looking at a being more vile and inhuman than your Big Brother, only kept on a short leash by a far greater power Her own blood was roaring in her ears. She knew that Angela would recognize this call, which after all changed the fate of all Etheri. Across the galaxy. He must remember that...
Captain Moonshadow snorted and laughed briefly.
„The ancestors were pirates, necromancers or just drank from the skulls of slain enemies?" Angela asked.
Lady Cala stood up and said with a cheerful, warm and absolutely false smile.
„The founder of our family was Mara, and apparently that was her motto. It's a long story and we'll talk about it another time. Now the evening flight of flies is approaching and we'd better hide in the vehicles.
She watched the whole scene in disbelief. She did not understand why Angela did not recognize the call that Adora had shouted in front of her. She didn't know the truth about what the First Ones had done to Etheria and what the sword really was, but the name Grayskull should have moved her, and she had only made a few derisive remarks. Lady Cala turned to her, and for a moment that beautiful, flawless face spread such a sadistically triumphant smile that she feel nauseated However, Captain Moonshadow did not see this. She nodded and said
„Excellent. We're leaving tomorrow night, so I hope you're ready. In space, we will discuss the flight path in more detail ... Now we really don't have time.
Arkan-tar approached Lady Cala as she passed by.
„I think the decision to work with someone like that ..." he wanted to say, but her ward gently but firmly pushed him away and stood next to her
"I have a feeling we're about to have an interesting family reunion." Cala said softly, cheerfully
Rosie blinked twice at Lady Cala's smile at Miss Daisy. He was… Inappropriate, as if they were sharing some terrible secret together now. She didn't know the two women well, but they seemed quite nice. Lady Cala was a strong, beautiful, and intelligent aristocrat, something a girl like Rosie always wanted to be, though she knew she couldn't. Miss Daisy was a wise and powerful, if somewhat dark, sorceress. She didn't understand what it was all about. And she had the impression that Miss Daisy knew Captain Moonshadow. Maybe she just imagined it? She had better eyesight than most and usually saw what others couldn't. Only sometimes she was a bit… inexperienced. She didn't understand the nuances and complications of the complexity of social relationships, so maybe that was the case this time too? But she met a real space pirate, and she was as scary as the stories said. She really shouldn't be happy about this, but she felt so excited.
She and the rest got into this funny transporter. Inside, Emily was waiting for them, and she approached Wrongdak and complained to him in her own language. She stood in the center of the room, unsure of whom she should sit with, but then Eti waved to her and showed that there was room between her and the itel. At first she was hesitant, because she got the impression that the elf didn't like her, but the elf nodded as if a bit thoughtful, so she sat down with the whole pack. Opposite them sat Miss Daisy and Lady Cala. Next to Eti, she saw Lilka, who was sitting hunched over, and Alatar was in the last place, slightly squeezed. She looked away so that no one would think she was staring at the red-haired girl, but it seemed so strange to her that the previously fearless warrior now seemed terrified. Eti must have noticed, because she turned to Rosie.
-„Lilka is afraid of insects... and now clouds of flies are about to come." Eti explained. She seemed dejected, as if the sudden rush of adrenaline drained her strength.
- Does it have to do with Swarm? Your planet was attacked by Swarm?, right?" she asked, hoping she wouldn't come off as nosy.
"They're from Kesler, and the Swarm didn't attack it, just devoured it, but you're roughly right." said the feline in such a way that she gave the impression that she was talking about the weather. Rosie's eyes widened and she looked at Itel.
"I'm sorry... I didn't know..." she said feeling guilty.
"Are you part of the Swarm or related to it in any way?" Itel asked with a sour smile. Rosie shook her head, and the elf laughed, though there was no mirth in her eyes, then added.
„When our planet was being destroyed, we fled to Atrax. The Shadows of Tarak helped us... If not for them... We found Eti on Atrax. Bina looked after us when we left for Akiton. And now here we are… Itel said, staring thoughtfully into space.
„But why are you here? I don't mean to be nosy, but the Zone is not a place anyone would want to fly because it's... scary.
Itel wanted to say something, most likely to keep Rosie out of her business, but Eti interjected.
„For a widget… A friend of a friend is looking for a widget to be able to heal himself. This will give Itel a lot of widgets. Only this whole Etheria is a planet full of widgets, so it takes someone smart to tell one widget from another. But it all comes down to the widgets."
It all comes down to widgets, she repeated the words of the girl so similar to Catra in her mind and giggled to herself. Yes, this is the most accurate summary of all these decades of warfare. It was all about the widgets. Widgets built by Hordak. Widget. which Adora found in the forest. A Widget built by Entrapta that nearly erased us from reality. The Widget into which our entire planet has been turned against our will. We fought, we killed and... we gave our lives for widgets we didn't even understand. After all, we are all just widgets in the hands of beings older and more powerful than us she thought and looked at her ward, who was watching her new companions with lazy interest. "Even you my dear...Even you," she smiled sourly to herself. The noise slowly grew stronger. The transporter slowed down because visibility was probably poor. The red-haired girl cringed. Eti looked at her as if she thought for a moment what she should do, then hugged her, as if only now realizing that sentient beings do this. Who are you. Who made you like this. Have you met another me in your life? she thought as she looked at her. Lady Cala got up and walked over to the group of friends and Rosie, who apparently decided to befriend them.
„Hello. As you remember, I am Lady Cala Grayskull. I am very happy that I will be traveling in the company of such a competent and well-coordinated team." she said smiling cheerfully and radiantly. As always. Itel smiled proudly, but also with great self-confidence, Dragonkin lowered his eyes, embarrassed, the red-haired girl... Lilka paid no attention to it, but Eti... suddenly got up and started sniffing the aristocrat. Then she pushed it violently.
„I was wondering what it smelled like! It's you! I do not like you! From now on you will be called Reeka!" she called so loudly that all the passengers in the vehicle heard her. Lady Cale looked at her sadly.
„It's not nice to make fun of someone's disability. My body emits an unpleasant odor. I take medication to reduce it, though I can see it's not effective on people with a keen sense of smell like you."
Rosie, Itel and Bina looked at Eti disapprovingly, but the girl paid no attention. She crossed her arms over her chest and scowled at Lady Cala.
After a while, the aristocrat returned to her. The noise was strong enough that most passengers wouldn't hear it anyway, and they put their headphones in their ears.
„You'll have to increase the doses when we get to Etheria. If Eti sensed you, Catra probably sensed you, too, and that could ruin all our plans. Do you remember our agreement?" Sharply asked.
„Oh, I remember your deal very well. I understand that this rude one-armed wench also includes."
She didn't bother to answer her ward, just nodded and asked.
"When you swore before Captain Moonshadow... What would you do if she recognized the call?"
Lady Cala shrugged.
„Same as when she recognized you. Well… Glimmer was used to being a half-orphan." She smiled cheerfully at her.
"I forgot that I am neither the only nor even the greatest monster on this planet"