Dreams. What are dreams but distant memories. Memories of the past, another life, or even experiences beyond comprehension. Dreams take you to places you’ve never been before or areas you never wished to go to again. Some have meaning, others are completely and utterly down to the mind playing tricks on the subconscious. Regardless, dreams are portals into the soul. One must only listen to hear what the soul is trying to say.
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“GOOD MORNING EL’XSIUM!”
A voice from the bedside com-unit suddenly cut through the quiet atmosphere as the orange sunlight of Oranno shone through the open window. The soft touch of another is what drew Shaw’s subconscious from its deep slumber. Navy blue eyes slowly blinked open, only to squint at the bright window before turning his attention to the woman sleeping next to him.
It took a long moment for his mind to catch up with his consciousness. Recognition of the blonde woman slowly came back to him in groggy snippets. Vanessa? Clarissa? No no… Teresa! Something like that. How and where they met meant little to him now. Shaw ran his right hand up across his face, then through his messy brunette hair. The voice on the com-unit had continued talking while he fought to wake up, but he had only just now started to register the words.
“-clear skies are on the forecast for the cycle, followed by high winds bringing in that cool air. In other news, it’s been three cycles since Jainadel and her expedition crew left on their suicide mission. The question everyone is asking is will they return in one piece or at all? Bets in the street of District 25 have been placed on their survival rate. The Homulotus cont-”
Shaw’s hand smacked down on the device, cutting out the host’s voice. A few inaudible grumbles left his lips as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed. His hands rested on either side of him while he sat there for a moment longer.
“Still upset you didn’t get picked?” The teasing voice of the woman he brought home last night caught his attention.
He slowly turned his head to glance back at her. Blue eyes narrowed for a moment before they lightened. A smile even crossed his lips.
“Me? Naw, just can’t stand that guy’s voice,” he half-joked, which at least rewarded him a laugh from her. “Though speaking of, I had the weirdest dre-” he stopped when he saw the deadpan look she was giving him now. “Never mind, I should get ready for work. Need me to walk you home? Or you good to show yourself out?”
“Trying to get rid of me?”
“Yes,” there was a pause as the word suddenly registered in his tired haze, “I mean no! Of course not. I just have a busy day is all. Would hate to keep you waiting.”
“Mhmm,” the woman hummed, clearly not buying it. Yet the smile on her lips failed to falter. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”
“Cute? Last night you called me hot,” Shaw teased back.
“That was before you decided to kick me out,” she mused. “Go on, get ready for work, I’ll be out before you get home.”
“Appreciate it, Teresa,” he chuckled, reaching over to kiss her but she pulled back.
“It’s Elisa.”
“Right! Elisa, beautiful name,” he attempted again to kiss her, which she allowed this time, then stood up from the bed. “Juupiné and cereal are in the kitchen. Feel free to make yourself eggs or something else if you prefer. It was a pleasure meeting you.”
Shaw grabbed his work uniform and stepped into the small bathroom just outside the bedroom of his apartment. The place was not a mess per say, but it was not exactly clean either. Cluttered would probably fit this space accurately. The bathroom was no different. Though he did his best to keep it as tidy as possible.
His morning ritual was quick, mostly due to him rushing after noticing the time. Showered, teeth brushed, brown hair slicked back, and uniform worn. He took an extra minute to look at himself in the mirror, still proud of the progress he made to get to where he was today. A city guard, as a Homulotus that was a huge honor and achievement. Many others could not say the same.
“Some day,” he told himself.
The vibration in his pocket caused him to look down. His hand reached in and pulled out his ComPAD to see he was receiving a call from his superior officer. Confusion twisted his face as he wondered what would have caused the captain to reach out to him so early in the morning. He was not late… yet.
“This is Shaw Trevelyan.”
“Trevelyan, you’ve been assigned a new task as of this cycle.”
“New task? What about the Davelian case, sir?”
“Your partner, Kodan, can handle the rest of it on his own. You’ve been assigned to Miss V’crise for a job out in Entiaris. You’ll be meeting her at The Dancing Moons.”
“The night club, sir?”
“Out of all the guards under my command, you unfortunately have the most experience in that regard.”
“Don’t sound too excited, captain,” he could not help but throw in a light joke.
“Cut the crap, Trevelyan. Your background with Queen Hydrina and Entiaris are the only reasons you have been given this task. Don’t fuck it up.”
“Yes, sir.”
The click from the other side was all Shaw needed to hear to know Deence had ended the connection. A sigh left his lips quicker than he could stop it. He inhaled slowly. It would seem his wish to join an expedition team had been granted. Too bad it was not his first choice. This would have to do, however.
With a final glance in the mirror, Shaw stepped out of the bathroom and exited his apartment. If he was to go meet up with this V’crise woman, he was going to have to take the shuttle to District 5.
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Shaw heard the booming music of the club before he spotted the flashing lights of its signs. Despite the crowded streets, the building itself looked barren. Though, it was to be expected due to the early morning. While the hot spot was open 32/6, that did not mean the joint was always partying. The likely reason Shaw’s guide choose this hour to meet at such a place.
The ground was still drenched from the heavy rain during the previous cycle. Stormy grey clouds still lingered over head, threatening to drop more down on the city below. Yet, no drops of liquid leaked from the angry sky. It was as though the gods themselves were stewing over something unknown to the man.
Puddles filled in the small divots pressed into the walkway, which splashed in all directions any time one of Shaw’s boots landed in them. Padded footsteps against wet stone echoed between each building. Every so often, Shaw would feel the sprinkles of droplets as a hover vehicle flew overhead. A few more steps and he would be under the cover of a violet awning just outside the doors leading inside.
There he waited while his mind debated going in. Did he really want to do this? He was assigned to the operation, and he had attempted getting onto Jainadel’s team, yet here he was still hesitant. The task felt pale in comparison to what he could have gotten had he been accepted onto the suicide mission. Like being given a feather when you asked for a craven. Everything about this assignment felt like a slap to the face. He worked hard to prove his worth, and this was what he got.
“Are you here for the meeting as well?” A voice piped up behind him.
Shaw turned just enough to glance over his shoulder. His eyes met the black orbs of a Meautolith staring straight past him like he was not even there. It took a moment to remember the species as a whole were blind. He still fought the urge to cringe at the sight of it, however. The whole walking-talking bug was still a bit creepy in his book. Even if he did his best to look past it.
Shaw cleared his throat, “Yes, I am. The name’s Shaw. I take it you are too?”
“No, I just like the atmosphere,” the moth man spoke dryly before stepping past Shaw to go inside.
Shaw let out a slight huff of annoyance. This was already off to such a great start, he thought to himself. With a deep breath, the Homulotus straightened his back and stepped inside after the Meautolith.
It was here that Shaw took notice of the golden skull-like marking on the back of the moth’s neck fluff. How strange… it did not seem applied or altered. It even matched the gold colorations on his body and wings. All highlighting the black and dark brown undertones well. Could it be pareidolia? Or was it truly a skull birth mark? He would have to ask about it later, if the Meautolith even knew it was there.
Inside the building, the view was to be expected. A long dimly lit hallway greeted him. Blue and purple lights trailed along the edges where the walls met the ceiling. At the end of the hall stood a bouncer speaking with the Meautolith Shaw had just interacted with moments ago. A door stood behind the deeply tanned Cyborg, which likely led into the club itself. As Shaw approached, he managed to catch the tail end of the conversation between the moth and the half-machine.
“Just inside, around the corner. You’ll see your group sitting at the large round table against this wall,” the bouncer motioned towards the wall on the other side of the door.
“Thanks,” was all the Meautolith had to say in response before stepping through.
Then it was Shaw’s turn as the bouncer now turned to him. The Cyborg’s bright red, mechanical eye whirled then shrunk to focus in on him. Muscular arms tightened as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“You must be the guard they’re waiting on.”
A simple statement, no hint of a question to make the blatant observation confusing. Shaw wondered what the point of a bouncer during the day really was for. Until he remembered they were practically hired guards for the club. Could never be too careful, he reminded himself.
“Yes, sir. Shaw Trevelyan, here to see Miss Nyxeenmey V’crise. I heard the directions you gave my buddy there,” Shaw motioned around the bouncer in the direction the moth went. “I imagine I am going to the same place?”
The Cyborg grunted, but nodded in response. He lowered his arms and stepped to the side to let Shaw pass. One arm now free to motion inside. Though he spoke no other word to Shaw.
Shaw squinted his eyes to give the man a scrutinizing glance. When all he received in return was a hard stare, Shaw shrugged it off to enter the flashing room. Thanks to the directions, it was not difficult finding the group of sorry individuals he would be stuck with for this mission. As previously guessed, it would be confirmed the moth man was in fact part of the group when Shaw rounded the corner and spotted him at the table with the others.
The table itself was round with a booth that curled around it, all tucked into a rounded outcove to give the illusion of privacy in a public place. A cerulean blue Aurorian sat at one edge of the crescent couch, which Shaw determined was the notorious guide known as Nyxeenmey. To her left sat two Mantoolians, a male and a female. Going down that line was a male Gilandrii with black hair tied up into a bun, a male Ca’lata with dark gray spotted fur, and the Meautolith from earlier. A bulky male Tyroaradon stood near the table with his back up against the wall.
This was the team?
“There he is!” the Tyroaradon was the first to speak up towards Shaw as he approached. “About time you showed up.”
“Aw come on, big guy, the bug got here around the same time I did,” Shaw objected in a jovial tone.
“Yes, and we gave him the same shit,” the female Mantoolian chimed in with a smirk on her lips.
Nyxeenmey quickly spoke up when Shaw opened his mouth to retort. “We’re glad to have you! Now that you’re here we can start on introductions. Would you like to get us started?”
“Ooo! Ooo! Pick me! Can I go first?” The Tyroaradon pleaded like a child, even had both his right arms raised.
Shaw could not help but chuckle at the ridiculous display. They say the Tyroaradon are the strongest race on the planet. Many respect and fear them because of it. Yet, here this one was proving the ‘all brawn but no brains’ theory that Shaw had for some of them.
Getting a better look at him now, Shaw noticed this one had blue, green, and orange colors mixed into his dark gray skin. His face was angular, with a sharp point on the top back of his head. His two sets of eyes were a light blue and, like most Tyroaradons, he possessed no hair.
“Uh…” the awkward response from the Aurorian was enough to make Shaw smirk in mild amusement. “Sure.”
“Great! Hi! My name is Gormahn Vrill, but my friends just call me Gorm.”
“Hi Gorm,” Shaw could not help but muse the reference that likely no one else here got.
The Tyroaradan continued without missing a beat, “I come from Avitara where my wife waits for me. We have four kids, three girls and a boy, and a fifth one on the way! Do you want to see them?”
Before anyone could object, the big man was already pulling out his ComPAD to show everyone at the table photos of his family back home. The whole spectacle was oddly… wholesome. Shaw could not help but smile at the display.
By this point, he had taken his spot by the table, leaning against the edge of it with his padded hip. His arms were crossed over his armored chest, one foot hooked around the other. Yet, he remained silent. Quietly waiting for someone else to take their turn, or to be told it was his turn.
After what felt like twenty or so minutes of Gorm being allowed to take the group on a tangent, the cerulean Aurorian finally cleared her throat to speak. Her gaze flitted over to Shaw. Her petite hands, which had been resting on the table previously, moved to rest in her lap.
“Would you like to take your turn now?”
Shaw nodded, “Shaw Trevelyan. One of the first Homulotus allowed in the guard. I grew up here on Navayusia, in District 25. My first mentor was Queen Hydrina Shalimara, who worked on training me as a mercenary. When Homulotus were granted permission to enlist, my mentor changed to Captain Deence Prostoc.”
His introduction was stated with a matter-of-fact tone, even and emotionless. When it came to the guard, everything was professional. This job, was still part of his work, therefore it was strictly professional. He has a lot of shoes to fill and a lot of folks to prove himself to. He would not be the reason the High-King regretted his choice in allowing Homulotus into the guard. These were all facts, in his mind.
The rest of introductions went by in a blur, as Shaw found himself in a staring contest with the Aurorian guide. He heard the green-haired Mantoolian take her turn next. Liara Kendrick, prefers to go by LK for short. Some sort of scientist and an apprentice to the man sponsoring this trip. The same redheaded Mantoolian sitting beside her known as Dr. Gregori Niltin. Shaw was more focused on the diamond and triangular markings decorating Nyx’s cheeks.
The Gilandrii went next, Draylen Faelute, a diplomat from Avitara and a close friend of Dr. Niltin. Shaw barely made out the pointed ears that were oddly shorter than most of the other elves. He had grown used to the six-inch length points from his trainings with Hydra. Hydra’s ears were already considered short for a Gilandrii, it was odd seeing an elf with ears shorter than hers. Shaw’s gaze had wandered over the exposed shoulders of their guide, more of her patterns trailed down her arms like they were a tribal post. He noticed her follow his gaze, the darker shades along those decorated cheeks, then her gaze shifted away from him.
The Ca’lata barely gave an introduction. Ma’zhirr Kivanadi, if Shaw heard him right. That was all he got, and then it was the moth’s turn. Who quietly introduced himself as an engineer named Phyrraen. Who also, incidentally, was the younger brother of Veellaaran, the Meautolith who made it into the princess’ expedition. Would explain the similarities, Shaw thought to himself.
By the time introductions of the rest of the group were done, one of the Android sisters approached the table for drinks. Only about half of the group ordered something with actual alcohol in it. Due to this being work related, and he was on the clock, Shaw declined this time.
Shaw’s gaze looked over the Android for a moment. He recognized her, from his brief moments in this normally bustling place. Lara Creed was her name, twin sister to Jinx Creed. Both owners of this joint. Though, in the case of Androids, the term ‘twins’ was used loosely here. Supposedly they were twin Homulotus before they went through the Android program. At least, that is what they claim, and the story they both stick to when prodded about it.
Both women looked like normal Homulotus, the cybernetic lines racing along their skin in seemingly random locations were what gave them away. They each had pale complexions with black hair. Lara tended to keep hers back in a loose, low bun. While Jinx kept hers short in a bob cut. Lara’s left leg was completely made out of metal, however. Shaw never knew the story there.
When Lara left, Shaw turned his gaze back to Nyxeenmey. “You never introduced yourself.”
The woman blinked in surprise for a moment, then smiled sheepishly. “You’re right, apologies. My name is Nyxeenmey V’crise. Everyone can just call me Nyx though, if it helps. I’ll be your guide for the trip and will have the last say on decisions made out there.”
Shaw offered her a nod, then looked over at the scientist sponsoring this whole thing. The pink skinned redhead looked a little too dignified for Shaw’s liking. Those strange pink antennae on top of Dr. Niltin’s forehead made the Homulotus more uncomfortable than the talking bug… no, nevermind, the talking bug was still up there.
“So, what’s the mission?” Shaw asked evenly.