Scene 21: The Greatest Lie Ever Told

(And Never Heard)

The tower.

ABBESS:  We are abandoned, Samael.  

The Shadow's Heart moves away from us.

SAMAEL:  So I was right for suspecting 

Vincent.  He has betrayed me.

ABBESS:  The Heart rested on the surface of Janriel.  

You might have gone to it yourself.  Had you employed 

your will there, none could have stood before you.  

Instead, a small rabble claim it for themselves.  

And by the barest margin, as I heard it.

SAMAEL:  Their difficulties are of no 

consequence so long as they succeed.

ABBESS:  You are betrayed, again.  

We are left.  Have we fallen so far?

SAMAEL:  I shall employ them further.

ABBESS:  End this madness.

SAMAEL:  I intend to.  

ABBESS:  You make too much of your proxies.

SAMAEL:  The Shadow's Heart cannot leave Janriel.  

It is a valuable instrument to be used.  And it requires a crew.  

They are now forged into one and I have dispatched 

an important task with them.

ABBESS:  More machinations.  But these are flesh.  

Not unwieldy, but decidedly unpredictable on occasion.  

And that occasion might come at that most critical of times.

SAMAEL:  I do as well is required of me 

with the other denizens of Janriel.

ABBESS:  Tell me, Samael.  You who stand in dominion of Janriel, 

what was the greatest lie that the Order ever told you?

SAMAEL:  I remember well, teacher.  But even if I were to tell 

her she could hear the words and not understand.  

ABBESS:  We are but crude flesh and yet I 

know your own desire.  Let us take possession 

of the Shadow's Heart.  It is yours.

SAMAEL:  It was never mine.  That was 

the lesson, if you remember.

ABBESS:  In part.

SAMAEL:  Yes, in part.  But you trust my understanding, teacher.  

We can speak easily between us.  In another, such a small 

amount of knowledge could prove all too dangerous.

ABBESS:  And so you do not have to quibble with me 

when I say take possession of it.  We could still do 

what has been left undone.  And we can leave Janriel.

SAMAEL:  I am doing it, teacher.  I have chosen where I will stand.  

My enemy merely forces me to wait; for the taunting.  

He hopes so desperately that I shall be moved.  

I will remain.  And when the time comes I know 

that you will slip away from me, teacher.  I forgive you.

ABBESS:  Thank you for forgiving me what I have not 

yet done.  But if my teachings forsake you then I am hardly 

your teacher.  But I will see this journey to the end 

with you, Samael.  I only hold out hope that 

you might take the opportunity that has 

come before you.  The Shadow's Heart is an 

incredible gift that shall not return once departed.

SAMAEL:  The Shadow's Heart remains employed 

in my behalf.  I merely set it on its course.  

Now we will see what comes of the 

events that have been set into motion.

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Scene 20: The Heist (Part 2)

The crew is crammed into Nicodemus' quarters.  He overturns his mattress and produces a heavy footlocker with the door facing up to him there.  He turns the combination lock, opens, and proceeds to hoist a portable minigun.

AARON:  Projectile based?

NICODEMUS:  Ha, ha!  Armor-piercing.

Packs a bigger punch than what anyone

else is going to be carrying in this whole place.

RUNE:  Don't you have to carry all that?

TULIA:  It'll work.

She reaches in to remove an ammunition
backpack and starts helping him with it on.

TULIA:  He just needs to get us

all the way to the Shadow's Heart.

NICODEMUS:  Yeah.  This will take

care of your Noclysis problem.

TULIA:  Guys, load up.  There's more rudimentary

guns in here.  We could use everything we can get.

RUNE:  I'm good.  My rifle's one of

the only heavy gear we came in with.

TULIA:  You'll take another

sidearm and extra cartridges.

AARON:  You got any more of those?

NICODEMUS:  Take everything you can carry.

Those pistols of yours will run dry

real quick running on full power.

ROSS:  So I'm seeing you're more of an

offense over defense kind of guy.

NICODEMUS:  I haven't met a wall or piece of armor

that can hold up.  Better to be the guy shooting and

not waiting to get shot back at.

Sweets removes a sword off a display stand.

NICODEMUS:  Leave it.  It's a trinket.

We won't have time for those.

SWEETS:  Esben will want this.

NICODEMUS:  One less gun in your hand,

but I'm not going to be responsible

for you.  You don what you want, Noclysis.

They all file out.

The crew strike an odd sight to the other guards regarding their casual demeanor while heavily armed.  When a second pair of guards passes them Rune offers a brief smile and wave.  Tulia grabs his arm to hold it at his side when they are safely passed.

TULIA:  I've never seen you look so guilty.

I didn't even know you could.

RUNE:  That's because I've

never been this nervous before.

TULIA:  Well get it together.

They seem to be leaving us alone.

They leave an intersection behind them
and one guard who is passing through the
adjoining hallway stops and sees them.
He is particularly young, probably latter mid-teens.

GUARD:  Hey.  All mercenaries check their

heavy weapons at the first gate they enter

the estate by.  Those are the regulations.

RUNE:  (whisper) You had to

know you were jinxing us.

Clemence turns to face the boy, which
stuns the young man that  it's him.

NICODEMUS:  And who you think 

it was that wrote those regulations?

GUARD:  Why, you did, sir.

NICODEMUS:  That's right.  So why don't you just run along

before I put you up on report for neglecting the minimum required

tandem movement through the estate.  I seem to remember

that being in the regulations as well.

The boy swallows his throat and
hurries off back the way he came.

TULIA:  Put him up on report?

NICODEMUS:  He's one that will run when 

it starts.  Let the rest be heroes.

Clemence turns to continue up the hallway.

Valory has fallen asleep and Esben keeps a constant scan of the room.  The room was dimmed, but now the lights gradually rise to the standard illumination; seemingly of their own accord.  Valory recoils into Esben's arms with another nock at the door.  Both of them continue to sit in silence.

MR. VINCENT: Please come to the door,

Ms. Adhama.  I wish to speak to you.

She sits up in surprise.

VALORY:  How did you know I was here?

MR. VINCENT:  It's my estate.

She cranes to look up at Esben
who shakes his head vigorously.

VALORY:  (whisper) Go over there.  (door) Coming.

Valory re-dims the lights.  Esben flattens himself against the wall and stands a few feet from the door.  Two figures stand in the pupil of his eye.  One is himself and the other Mr. Vincent.  This vision before him reveals Esben smashing through the door and crushing Mr. Vincent beneath it in the same fluid motion.  So much for the need of complex interpretation.

However, Esben's thoughts take a turn.  As he stands over the now-pulverized Mr. Vincent, the hairy beast turns his head and sees the faded outline of Nicodemus bearing down upon him with a large gun he had yet to see.  He is brought back to the moment with the flood of light from Valory sliding open the door.  He draws further back to where there is only the faintest reflection of his eyes.

VALORY:  (yawns) I'm sorry,

Mr. Vincent.  It's very late.

MR. VINCENT:  I apologize if I have disturbed you.

I have ordered the confirmation that I mentioned

earlier and I am already taking steps to protect

my property.  I am confident that

everything is well in hand.

VALORY:  Well, that's... good news Mr. Vincent.

I'll sleep better tonight knowing that.

MR. VINCENT:  I trust these

accommodations are to your liking?

VALORY:  Everything is just... luxurious.

Everything.  Umm, I think the bed might

even be too comfortable for me to sleep in.

MR. VINCENT:  Really?  Hmm.  Well I'm afraid

you have arrived at one problem that

I am simply not equipped to solve.

VALORY:  Oh, oh- don't- don't worry.

You have an incredibly nice floor, Mr. Vincent.

Best in all of Janriel!

MR. VINCENT:  The floor?  No, no, no.

That will simply not do for one

of my guests.  Please allow me to

inspect your furnishings.

He steps passed her into the room.
There is only the light of the hall.

MR. VINCENT: Turn up the lights, Miss Adhama.

VALORY:  I'm sorry?

MR. VINCENT:  You have your back to it.

You'll find it directly behind you.

She glances to where she knows Esben is.

MR. VINCENT:  What seems to be the problem?

VALORY:  I... are-

MR. VINCENT:  Yes?

VALORY;  Are you... interested in me, Mr. Vincent?

Standing in the direct light,
she seems him smile broadly.

MR. VINCENT:  Forgive an old man's frailty.

I have not been seeing clearly.

Good night, Ms. Adhama.

He leaves.

VALORY:  Good night, Mr. Vincent.

She closes the door.  She raises the lights.
Esben stands tall with a  sideways expression
on his lips.  She releases an exasperated sigh
and slides down against the door frame.

Just as Mr. Vincent is leave the crew is arriving.  He stands a short distance beyond the door and monitors their approach.

MR. VINCENT: What is the meaning

of this, Nicodemus?

NICODEMUS:  Unconventional, 

I admit, Mr. Vincent.

MR. VINCENT:  Try antiquated.

NICODEMUS:  Illegal, Mr. Vincent.

I put it to you, why should the 

Republic make these illegal over 

other weapons?  In the past, I would 

only trust other Prestmoors to carry 

these into battle.  But times being what 

they are, I'll take whatever advantage 

I can get over the Republic.

MR. VINCENT:  In that case, you and your 

mercenaries can come with me, Mr. Clemence.

The crew follow without argument, but exchange concerned glances as they pass beyond the place they had concealed their friends.  Sweets falls the furthest behind while stopping to consider the sword in his hand.  He slides it on his belt and lets it hand freely there.

Mr. Vincent leads them to his office where here the walls are also wood paneled and one wall of windows behind his desk looks down on a hanger bay where the Shadow's Heart is being kept.  Mr. Vincent has the others stop at the door and sits down at his desk with Mr. Clemence standing at his side.  Nicodemus allows a glance down into the hanger bay before he is addressed by Mr. Vincent.

MR. VINCENT:  I have verified a portion of the 

events you related to me.  There was, indeed, a severe 

firefight - over what has not been confirmed - between 

your bounty hunters and a drone attack in a popular 

market place where there were many, many witnesses.

I will have to compensate you for your loses.

Many of your mercenaries died.

NICODEMUS:  That was hardly any concern to them, sir.

MR: VINCENT:  Indeed.  In any case, there still 

remain some questions that need answers.

NICODEMUS:  Absolutely, sir.

MR. VINCENT:  Quit it.  You know that it doesn't 

look good on you.  Why did you bring the girl?

NICODEMUS:  I hired the crew, not the girl.

She's one of them.  I never thought anything of her.

MR. VINCENT:  I see.  Up to this moment you have 

been about reproach, Mr. Clemence.  But I believe 

now you must be found to be lacking.

NICODEMUS:  I don't understand.

What could I be missing?

MR. VINCENT:  What do you know about her?

He makes a point of standing at attention.

NICODEMUS:  Nothing, sir.

MR. VINCENT:  Well at least I can still rely on you to be 

honest with me.  Her brother was a former employee of ours.

He absconded with some intellectual property around the 

same time the blockade was imposed.  Am I supposed to take 

it as mere coincidence that she just happens to follow a 

band of mercenaries into my company?

NICODEMUS:  I could not say, Mr. Vincent.

MR. VINCENT:  Indeed, you cannot.  That will be all, Mr. Clemence.

Miss Adhama is confined to her quarters.  Merely inform her that 

she ought to leave the occupied light on in her pleasure sweet 

so that none of the other guests disturb her.  And remove that 

hairy beast from her company.

NICODEMUS:  Yes, sir.

MR. VINCENT:  Dismissed.

Nicodemus storms out of the office and shoves passed the crew.  By the time he reaches the pleasure sweet he pants with exhaustion from the weight of the ammo pack.  He beats on the door by way of nocking.

NICODEMUS:  Open the door!

It slides open and he is 
met with Esben's snarl.

NICODEMUS:  Back!  Back!  Get in there!

Esben retreats at the point of the gun 
and Nicodemus slams up the lights.

VALORY:  What's going on?

NICODEMUS:  Vincent found you out.

The job is blown!

AARON:  Only if you keep shouting like this.

NICODEMUS:  You compromised my place here.

Now he'll make sure I never get near the Shadow's Heart.

TULIA:  You compromised yourself the moment you 

conceived the plan.  You wanted to stab Mr. Vincent 

in the back?  What good is a Prestmoor 

that's afraid to get bloody?

NICODEMUS:  We're deep inside.

We got loaded up.  We move now.

AARON:  Sounds good.

NICODEMUS:  Expect him to be ready for us.

Sweets pushes into the room to approach Esben.
Riled, he snarls at Sweets' advance.

SWEETS:  Wo, now.  I brought you something.

He presents him with the sword.  It is a single-handed broadsword with a  finely stained wooden hilt.  The blade is dark with silver-colored pictographs in a series running down the spine.  It is a sequence of what appears to be the same figure with the vague impression of inhabiting a number of scenes.

Esben takes it with upheld fingers and 
recognizes it instantly.
Sweets continues, thoughtlessly.

SWEETS:  We found it in Nicodemus' quarters.

Esben's eyes flash with flames licking at his vision.  And he is upon Nicodemus in an instand and slams him into the wall and pins him there.  He bombards the warrior with a series of incoherent roars and Nicodemus can't recover his footing with the badly proportioned weight on his back.

NICODEMUS:  I don't know what you're saying!

SWEETS:  He wants to know where you got it!

NICODEMUS:  A Noclysis.  He tried to use it against 

me in a fight and I took it from him.  I later learned 

he killed another Noclysis for it.  It's just a trophy.

Esben roars one solid roar.  This has 
nothing to do with language barrier.

SWEETS:  He didn't mean that, he didn't mean that.  Alright?

Esben is spent and pants heavily in 
Nicodemus' face to catch his breath.

SWEETS:  We're leaving right now.

And we're all going together.  Agreed.

Esben is now controlling his breathing 
through his nose, but holds Nicodemus 
at the edge of the blade.

AARON:  He's a Noclysis hunter the same as you.

You heard him yourself.  He's never worked with them before.

Esben lifts the blade off of Nicodemus and turns 
to rejoin Valory on her side of the room; but not 
before delivering a couple meek swats to Sweets' shoulder.

NICODEMUS:  The sooner I get away from you people the better.

Runes takes point at the door, looks both ways, and trains his rifle down the hall where they had come from Mr. Vincent's office.  The rest pour out and head the opposite direction.  Valory pauses at the next pleasure sweet door and removes the key panel.

SWEETS:  What are you doing?

VALORY:  Esben said the Noclysis in here 

would try to fight even if they should 

know better.  I'm locking them in.

Aaron is the last to leave the room 
and pats Rune's shoulder at the door.

AARON:  Valory, we need to go.

VALORY:  I'm finished.

She replaces the panel and joins the others.

Aaron catches up to Nicodemus who is waiting 
for a couple of guards to walk further away 
before crossing a corridor intersection.

AARON:  Alright, so where to first?

NICODEMUS:  First are the alarms, like I said.

Remember, we have to open the hanger doors 

and hit the guards at the same time.

AARON:  Then Ross cuts the power.

ROSS:  Ross does what?

No one ran that by me.

NICODEMUS:  Good to see this 

is a professional operation 

we're all running here.

AARON:  Alright, I'll cut the power.

You'll miss me during the fighting.

ROSS:  Hey.

Beep.

Aaron looks across the way to see Safe.

AARON:  Wasn't he with us?

ROSS:  I don't remember seeing 

it since we entered the estate.

Safe makes a rude chirp and slowly rolls over to a door on his side of the intersection.  An arm rises out of the top of his head to interface with the keypad of the door and the door slides open.  The guards hear the door and start to come back.  Safe rolls into the room and the door closes behind him.  Nicodemus steps out and confronts the guards who seize up standing at attention.

NICODEMUS:  I want security doubled 

on all entrances to the estate.

GUARD:  Again?

NICODEMUS:  Do you want to leave 

the Republic an open invitation?

GUARD:  No, sir.

Both guards turn and double time up the hall.

Aaron crosses the intersection and goes to the 
door and it opens for him when he gets there 
with Safe waiting for him at his feet.

AARON:  What are you up to?

Safe turns and leads Aaron inside.  He stands before a monitor and Safe plugs in.  On the display there appears a corridor of blast doors showing green indicators.  Everything else is in red.

NICODEMUS:  I don't believe it.

AARON:  You see it, too?

NICODEMUS:  We have a path straight to the hanger.

These doors have been rerouted from the main power 

supply.  Now we can cut the power and the hanger bay 

doors will open at the same time.  And everywhere else will

go into lockdown.  Someone would have had to disconnect each 

of the green-line doors manually without being seen.

AARON:  That's some good work, little guy.

Nicodemus regards the comment with suspicion.

A new set of guards comes up on Rune's end and they raise their weapons.  He fires on both of them with a single shot each and the hall lights shift to an emergency red.  The alarm sounds.  The blast doors of the intersection on either side of them and behind them close, but the hallway ahead remains open.  Aaron and Nicodemus rush out of the maintenance station.  

NICODEMUS:  We still need to hit the power.

AARON:  I'm on it.

Further up the hall, one of the sealed blast doors is overridden and half-a-dozen guards open fire on sight.  Nicodemus rains down on them and marches forward behind his sustained volley.  He reaches the mouth of the door, turns into the adjoining hallway and fires a short burst after the couple guards who fled and then presses a hand scanner to re-seal the door.  It doesn't close.  Upon closer inspection he realizes that he has damaged the controls.

NICODEMUS:  This should close again 

when you cut the power.  Keep going.

Aaron moves on ahead.

NICODEMUS:  We need someone to cover 

this position while we move up.

RUNE:  Well I was already covering your back.

NICODEMUS:  I thought you were the pilot.

RUNE:  Then you're not leaving 

without me, are you?

The loading door to the hanger bay explodes open and Nicodemus steps out from the smoke with his minigun at full bore.  Human guards and the stray Noclysis alike scramble for cover and return fire.

The soundproof glass appears to conceal the battle raging behind him, but Mr. Vincent casually continues work at his desk beneath the red emergency lights.  His intercom whirs.

SCARED GUARD:  The Republic 

have breached!  They're everywhere!

MR. VINCENT:  Nonsense.  It's a trick.  All units are 

to report to the restricted hanger bay at once.  Abandon the 

entrances to the estate.  All units report to the restricted hanger bay.

One explosion is enough to rock a cup on his desk and a small crack forms in the window glass.  Mr. Vincent turns his head with an annoyed eye and turns back to his desk with a shake of his head.

A stream of guards suddenly appear down at the other end of Rune's bottleneck and he shoots dead the first half-dozen who attempted to rush him up the hall.  But the rest he can only manage to keep pinned down.  He is forced to fire blind beneath the punishing rate of fire they collectively deliver.

RUNE:  Aaron, what was I THINKING!

AARON:  I'm almost there, I'm almost there!

He bursts into the generator room,
breathless, and finds only technicians.

AARON:  You don't need to be here.

They all quickly leave.

He starts throwing switches.

The guards at the bottleneck start coming up the hallway again and this time move in a line so that they can all fire together.  Rune puts aside his rifle and starts blasting away with the sidearm.  This time he only kills a couple and the rest still keep coming.  He retreats from the mouth of the open hallway and takes up position a short distance up the hall, attempting to shoot them as they come out.

RUNE:  My position's overrun!

Absolute darkness and sudden silence.

RUNE:  (terrified whisper) Damn.

Rune is lit up by his adversaries opening fire again.  He returns blindly with the rifle shooting under one arm and the pistol in the other hand.  Under the beams of light, Rune witnesses the blast doors seal, but there are still a dozen or so guards that have already poured through to the other side.

Mr. Vincent remains at ease in his office, but then he too is plunged into total darkness.  After a moment, a horizon of white light breaks across his windows and bathes him in the morning sun.  A soft orange glow is cast upon the hanger bay below and Mr. Vincent's eyes grow wide with terror.  And as if looking unprotected into the heart of a nuclear explosion, he thinks he has gone blind as the light kisses him and sets his skin to glow gold with its warm.

Rune engages a crouched retreat under fire and Aaron runs up behind him.  He lays down fire with both barrels and orders Rune to run for the hanger.  Aaron then quickly follows.

They arrive at the hanger.

AARON:  We got company coming up behind us.

NICODEMUS:  The fight's pretty well out of them 

in here.  They're just stalling.

TULIA:  Ross, Sweets cover the back door.

Rune, take the ship.  We'll keep them pinned down.

NICODEMUS:  I got him.  I'm nearly out.

Rune runs headlong for the loading ramp and Nicodemus follows with a steady stream of fire.  He walks backwards up the loading ramp and once there he shirks off the ammo pack, drops the minigun, and draws his sidearm to help Rune clear the ship.  No one is aboard.  They make their way to the cockpit, seal it off, and each sit down at a set of controls.

RUNE:  Why did you just close the loading ramp?

NICODEMUS:  You want to let one of them try to take back the ship?

You're supposed to be getting ready for launch.  Get to it.

RUNE:  Our friends will be coming right behind us.

NICODEMUS:  Your friends.

RUNE:  Step away from the controls.

NICODEMUS:  Shut up you idiot.

RUNE:  I meant it.

He glances over to see Rune has stood up from his station with his sidearm extended at Nicodemus' head.  Nicodemus lifts his hands off the controls and holds them in the air.  He rises and moves toward the cockpit door.  He reaches down to punch the button to open it and steps out into the hallway there.  Rune steps forward to press the button for the door and as it begins to close Nicodemus reaches out and pulls Rune's arm beyond the doorframe so that it is crushed and Rune is forced to drop the gun.

The cockpit door opens again and Nicodemus marches forward to waylay Rune with brutal hits to the head.  Bloodied all over, Rune falls back against the controls.  Nicodemus towers over him again and Rune delivers a strong kick to the gut.  Rune then only has the strength to turn on his side and he flips a few switches with tremoring fingers.

Aaron witnesses the loading ramp lower again and rushes the no man's land between cargo crate barricades.  Inside the cockpit, Nicodemus pulls Rune up by the collar and delivers more blows to the face.  Then he feels a barrel against the back of his head.

AARON:  Off.

Nicodemus moves to the side with 
his hands raised to the back of his head.

RUNE:  (muffled) Just shoot him.

AARON:  Step into the hall.

He does.

AARON:  Now close it.

Nicodemus frowns and punches the button.

RUNE:  (muffled) What gives?

AARON:  I know you're not feeling up to it 

right now, Rune.  But I'm going to need you 

to talk me through this.  What's the safest 

quick way to launch?

Sighs.

RUNE:  (muffled) Pick one.

Outside, Ross and Sweets have been forced back 
to the blown loading door of the hanger bay.

ROSS:  We ran into a little trouble.

SWEETS:  Some old friends.

TULIA:  Wish I could help.

Maybe ask Esben.

She looks over and sees Valory 
alone, looking at her sadly.
She absently pets safe.

TULIA:  Where...

In that moment she realizes the shooting across the hanger bay has stopped.  She steps out and sees a tall figure cross the distance and stop in the middle of the bay.  Esben's fur is damp with something dark on the underside of his arms.  He takes his sword and waves everyone forward to come board the ship, which he then turns to and lumbers up the loading ramp.

TULIA:  Come on.  We're leaving.

The Shadow's Heart roars to life and the loading ramp closes.  A glowing white aura envelops the ship and it immediately gains a gentle levitation.  Its would-be defenders arrive at the hanger bay loading doors and open fire upon it.  The weapons merely deflect and fly in unpredictable directions.  Still, they keep on firing.

Mr. Vincent looks on in depressed silence.  As the Shadow's Heart rotates in order to depart it causes the whole Steelgazer to tremor and the small crack in the window proceeds to expand.  Having turned, the thrusters ignite to a hard burn and shatters every last office window.  He loses sight of the Shadow's Heart in the sun.









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Scene 20: The Heist (Part 1)

The crew flies across the night-side cityscape of Janriel in that taxi that delivered them from Orelius.  Esben slips a fallen sleeve back in his satchel. Valory playfully elbows his ribs.

Rune catches Nicodemus' attention
by constantly turning his head.

NICODEMUS:  Something I should know?

RUNE:  That so-called competition of ours... 

I'm starting to think they can show up anywhere they like.  

NICODEMUS:  Well they are machines aren't they?  

Attack drones are expendable.  They also have 

to be sourced by a command-and-control.  If they were 

after me and we weren't on our way out I'd say the first 

priority is to search and destroy their base of operations.  

But they're not after me so it doesn't matter.

Safe chimes from Rune's feet.
He gives it a half-hearted kick
and Safe disappears beneath the seat.

The ride continues in silence with the wind whipping and whistling passed the open windows.  Esben leans into the breeze while Valory tugs his arm with every passing sight that glimmers in her eye.  Ross, on the other hand, sits stiff with his eyes closed, tightly.  He murmurs to himself regarding "the taxi is just as safe as the shuttle was," but he has become largely white in the arms over the thought of flying with an open canopy.

Tulia glances down and observes Aaron's own
nervousness in the form of repeatedly removing
and replacing the battery cartridge to one of his pistols.

TULIA:  You know that's not good for the gun.  

You're going to need that in a minute.

AARON:  I know.  

TULIA:  I know you're a soldier now.  

AARON:  I was.

TULIA:  And you still get nerves?

AARON:  Every time I know I'm going into a big fight.  

Most are over too quick.  But I don't think this 

one's going to be quick.

TULIA:  Hmph.  Something must be wrong with me.

SWEETS:  What makes this different than the station?

ROSS:  Some of us don't want 

to live through all that again.

AARON:  Before, it was a couple hired guns who 

didn't know what they were protecting.  We're talking 

about the last ship off Janriel.  Do you really 

think that's going to come easy?

The taxi banks and Aaron holsters his weapon.

NICODEMUS:  We're coming up on it.

Valory leaps forward and leans between
Aaron and Tulia's backward-facing bench
seats and over Clemence's left shoulder.

NICODEMUS:  Can I help you with something?

VALORY:  I've never been this close before.  

That's the Steelgazer.  It's one of the largest 

structures you can see from Orelius.

NICODEMUS:  Yeah.  That's Mr. Vincent's estate.

VALORY:  Estate?  You mean he owns all that?  

Formally mesmerized by the structure,
now her thoughts cloud with soon being there.

VALORY:  Wow.  I never imagined one day 

I'd be shooting up the Steelgazer.
That's just... surreal.

Tulia yanks her up and shoves
Valory back into her seat.

Esben barks a growl.

TULIA:  Ah, calm down big guy.  

Look, you're not shooting up anything.  

You'll help us bypass the security alarms.  

And you're going to stick close to Ross and Sweets.

VALORY:  No way.  Esben and I are going with Aaron.  

These two draw way too much shooting.

Ross gulps.

AARON:  Trade you jobs.

Ross shakes his head.

NICODEMUS:  You just make sure 

Mr. Vincent buys your act.  

The fighting doesn't start 

until after he leaves.

VALORY:  What's the big deal about that?

NICODEMUS:  I don't just call anybody mister.

Aaron turns his head at the admission,
but Clemence remains stoic with
his eyes locked forward on their
intended destination he has
set them all towards.

The Taxi arrives at the 30th floor landing platform; a little less than halfway.  The crew disembarks with Mr. Clemence leading the way.  There is already a loan figure standing beneath an ornate archway with the backdrop of the polished interior of the skyscraper.  Aaron senses Nicodemus' demeanor in not showing his back to this character and also assumes the same stance for Mr. Clemence.  So he then leans slightly to Valory for her to retrieve Safe from beneath the seat.

Aaron and Nicodemus approach their host with
the remainder of the crew staying several paces behind.

MR. VINCENT:  Nicodemus.

The old man greets them with a warm smile.  He places one of Nicodemus' hands in his own and folds his second over Nicodemus' hand.  His face is deeply creased from having lived under a bright sun.  Janriel's star is moderate and could not have been Mr. Vincent's first home.  These same creases turn to shadowy canyons, apparently bottomless, beneath the addition of Mr. Vincent's grin.  The gentleman's teeth are synthetic and therefore quite naturally white.  His silk purple robe is among the finer things that can no longer be carried to Janriel.  Nicodemus thinks he notices a few stray strands.

NICODEMUS:  Mr. Vincent.

He smacks the top of Nicodemus' hand
to continue to clasp it and breathes a deep sigh.

MR. VINCENT:  I hope you have come to bring 

me good news.  Does all go well?  Who are these... 

people that you have brought to my home?

Nicodemus clasps Mr. Vincent's arm with
his other hand and leans in to whisper,
much to Mr. Vincent's widened eyes.

NICODEMUS:  I know what 

happened at the Black Vault.

MR. VINCENT:  How could you?  

I never told you-

NICODEMUS:  Because I have 

come across an informant, Mr. Vincent.  

MR. VINCENT:  What good are informants 

without the facts?  Did you break him, 

Nicodemus?  Or are you slipping?

NICODEMUS:  He says the 

Republic raided your station.

MR. VINCENT:  Impossible.  

I would know-

NICODEMUS:  How else could I have 

learned about the station?  I wish I 

could say I was surprised by it.  

Mr. Vincent lets go and waves his
hands in front of his face.

MR. VINCENT:  What is his credibility?

NICODEMUS:  He is ex-military.  He learned about 

the raid through some old contacts.  And I learned 

that while the informant was on his way to you 

that the Republic was initiating a drone strike 

to stop him.  There was no time.  I dispatched 

this band of mercenaries to recover him.  

Valory glances questioningly at Tulia who
ever so slightly shakes her head.

MR. VINCENT:  Them?  Why do they have a child with them?

VALORY:  Me?

MR. VINCENT:  Yes, you.  What business do you have with me?

VALORY:  Well- I- I pull my weight Mr. Vincent.

MR. VINCENT:  How nice that must be for you.

Sweets needles Esben's side
to halt his building growl.

VALORY:  But I did always dream of 

coming here one day, Mr. Vincent.  

All lit up with gold.  You can see the 

Stargazer really well at night from Orelius.

MR. VINCENT:  The star...

VALORY:  Stargazer.  

That's what we call it back home.  

You don't call it that here?

MR. VINCENT:  The Stargazer... 

That name is... Well that's rather quaint.  Miss?

VALORY:  Valory.  Uh- I mean, 

Ms. Valory Adhama at your service.

She offers up her hand.

NICODEMUS:  If I can get 

back to the business at hand-

He tries to shove her to one side.

MR. VINCENT:  Mr. Clemence, we 

must show some manners to our guests.

He takes hold of one hand and wraps an arm around her waist.
With a flash of concern she glances to Esben who bares his teeth.

NICODEMUS:  I'm sorry, but we weren't 

here about the station.  The Republic is 

preparing another raid on you.

MR. VINCENT:  Where?

NICODEMUS:  Here.

Mr. Vincent shoves Valory to the
side leaving her reeling for balance.

MR. VINCENT:  Why did you not tell me sooner?

NICODEMUS:  I knew you wouldn't 

believe me unless I brought you proof.  

MR. VINCENT:  Which one is the informant?

AARON:  I am, Mr. Vincent.

MR. VINCENT:  Well, out with it!

AARON:  The raid will be tomorrow night.  

It was delayed because they're still cleaning up

what they can from the station.

MR. VINCENT:  Am I supposed to believe 

that this is some neighborly warning?

AARON:  Well, no.  Mr. Clemence

 promised you would pay well for this.

MR. VINCENT:  And yet you forgo negotiation.  

Almost as if he had no interest in bargaining with me.

AARON:  (to Clemence) You gave your word.

NICODEMUS:  I did, Mr. Vincent.  

MR. VINCENT:  Who authorized you to do that?

NICODEMUS:  I am second only to you, Mr. Vincent.

MR. VINCENT:  And?

NICODEMUS:  The threat is credible.  

Just as I told you in the past, this estate 

is not above reprisal from the Republic.  

Mr. Vincent speaks into one ear.

MR. VINCENT:  Who are these strangers 

you have brought to my home?

NICODEMUS:  I have told them nothing

about the Shadow's Heart.

The Republic is coming, Mr. Vincent.

Mr. Vincent leans out of his close conversation
with Nicodemus and stares him down with clenched jaw.

MR. VINCENT:  You expect to be paid?

AARON:  Yes(?)

MR. VINCENT:  How did you come by this information?

Who are you, Mr. Ex-military?

AARON:  I am Lieutenant Aaron Miles 

of the Imperial 8th Spiral Arm Infantry.  

I currently serve in the mercenary 

role of local law enforcement.

MR. VINCENT:  Bounty hunter.

AARON:  You could say that.

MR. VINCENT: Your empire fell 

under your watch, Mr. Miles.

AARON:  Not from any of the

battles I was there for.

Mr. Vincent strikes him across the face.

Aaron draws his right pistol for Vincent's
head and the left for Nicodemus.
After a breath of thought, Tulia draws
on Aaron and the others follow suit.

MR. VINCENT:  Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

He wags a finger.

MR. VINCENT:  I really had you going there.

He continues to laugh and Aaron keeps
his weapons raised, but looks back
to see his friends pointing weapons at him.

MR. VINCENT:  Relax, relax.  Put those away.  

So then serving under the Republic did not 

sit well with you, I take it.

AARON:  It was best for that time in my life to end.

MR. VINCENT:  Come now, you can be honest here.

AARON:  I still have superiors in the service.

MR. VINCENT:  Oh... I understand entirely.  

Nicodemus, you could not have chosen better.  

Clemence clears his throat and assumes
casually looking off into the distance.

MR. VINCENT:  I will, still, need to, of course, 

verify your story with my own sources.  

You all will stay here as my guests tonight.  

He waves past them to the taxi
with an immensely friendly grin.
The taxi folds away into traffic.

MR. VINCENT:  Please rest assured that our 

security is most adequate here at the... Steelgazer.  

Though, in the event of a breach, we shall endeavor 

to see all my guests to safety.  I trust your 

mercenaries will be up to the task?

NICODEMUS:  Yes, Mr. Vincent.

MR. VINCENT:  Excellent.  Now that this matter has been

brought to my attention, please see our guest to his

quarters, put the mercenaries up, and make sure 

the staff serves them well.

NICODEMUS:  Yes, Mr. Vincent.

The old man walks gingerly up an imperial staircase.

VALORY:  (amplified whisper) Now what?

Tulia muffles her with a hand
while Valory also suffers
beneath Nicodemus' glare.

AARON:  Any room that you know isn't bugged?

NICODEMUS:  Follow me.  By the way, I'd say he 

just ordered me to kill you if the Republic came early.

The walls shimmer with polish the same as the floor.  But whereas the walls are gold the floor is dark ebony wood.  Valory delights in detecting a creak in the floor.  She bends to listen close to the ground and Esben hooks a paw under her arm.

ESBEN:  The petrified floor will 

betray you.  Don't listen to it.

VALORY:  I won't draw attention to us.  

I just never walked on real wood before.

ESBEN:  You still must wait.  

This tree is long dead.  

RUNE:  (whisper) Come on guys.  

We need to keep up here.

They leave the open area for a narrower series of hallways.  Under their chaperone, they amiably pass sporadic pairs of guards.  Esben has fallen toward the back and Valory quick-walks at a steady pace around the middle of the pack.  Coming to a intersection, she glances up at those gleaming walls and spies a terrible sight.  Without word to the others, she turns back, takes Esben's hand and guides him a short distance back where they came to duck into a vacant state room.

She watches from the doorway and Tulia quietly alerts the others to their missing companions with a grab of Aaron's arm and in turn a tap on Clemence's shoulder.  They stop and four Noclysis pass them.  They glare at Sweets who averts his gaze.  Ross cranes his neck and spots Valory peeking out from the doorframe.  They all gather around the open door with Valory looking at them sheepishly.

TULIA:  What were you thinking?

Esben steps into the light, behind her.

VALORY:  You want to move around quietly?  

Not a single Noclysis can see Esben.  

Don't ask me how, but they always 

know he doesn't belong.

AARON:  Sweets?

SWEETS:  I'm not exactly on good terms with 

other Noclysis myself, as a matter of fact.  

That would speak to why I ended here with 

all of you.  But she's right.  No other Noclysis will 

tolerate the sight of Esben.  I'm honestly surprised any are here.

NICODEMUS:  Good guards.  Smart enough to use a gun.  

Dumb enough to get saturated with a lot of hits.  

SWEETS:  I suppose I resemble that.

TULIA:  How many would Vincent have hired?

NICODEMUS:  I haven't done business with them.

I'm told they come pretty cheap.

RUNE:  Maybe we toughened Sweets up.

These guys could go over more easily.

NICODEMUS:  I'd sooner guess

that you softened him up.  

RUNE:  Hey, I'm just trying to get

my head in the game here.

NICODEMUS:  I don't care about your 

petulant need for optimism.  I have quarters

here and the equipment we'll need is there.

Keep that thing out of sight until then.

AARON:  Stay here.  Lock the door.

NICODEMUS:  I thought the kid

was along for fancy locks.

TULIA:  Is your room going to need lock picking?

VALORY:  I ain't leaving Esben.

AARON:  We'll double back.  It'll be fine.

NICODEMUS:  We're all going to get shot

skulking around this place long before

we ever catch sight of the Shadow's Heart.

Clemence stomps off without the rest of them.
Everyone follows in line and Aaron is the last.

AARON:  We'll be back.  

It's going to be alright.  We'll be back.

Valory seals the door and slides the lights up to a brighter illumination.  The walls are pink and genuinely soft to the touch.  There is an impression of a hand.  The bed is white sheets with pink frills.  The floor is a cherry wood.  Esben stands before a full length mirror; several paces back so that he fits into frame.  He stands still for a time and then starts tweaking hairs and matting portions down in a meek effort to self-groom.

VALORY:  Hey... you look good, don't you buddy?  

He moans.

VALORY:  You thinking about home?  

Do you think we might be able to get there?

ESBEN:  I cannot make a place for you there.

There is no place for me there.

VALORY:  Don't talk like that.  

We're going to fix you up real good

for seeing all your friends again.

There has to be someone who would

be happy to see you again.  I've seen

too much from you to think otherwise.

He moans again.

VALORY:  Why do you look so sad?

You don't look like you've seen a

mirror before, to me.

ESBEN:  The water does not pool

except in places too dark to see.

VALORY:  You've never seen yourself before?

ESBEN:  Not until I met you.

She will not be allowed to contemplate this.
There is a nock at the door.  They share a
panicked glance to each other for a brief
moment.  Then Esben snarls down at Valory.

VALORY:  Who is it?

MAN:  Don't by coy, darling.  Open the door.  

I can see your light's on.

VALORY:  Damn it.

Esben scowls.

VALORY:  Really?  You want to 

complain about that now?

MAN:  What?

VALORY:  Look, I'm... taken.  

MAN:  Fine.  Then remember 

to change your light.

She bounds across the room
and presses to listen at the door.

VALORY:  Look, I can't see what light 

he's talking about.  Let's just get out of here.

She turns down the room light, takes Esben by the paw and they creep to the door that connects to an adjoining room.  Having glanced beneath the doorframe, Valory believed that this other room was dark as well.  But opening the door they both find ribbons of light in reds, greens, blues.  And in the otherwise silent dark room there strewn about are a body of mesmerized Noclysis.  They duck back and close the door.

VALORY:  What's wrong with them?

ESBEN:  The changing colors 

excite their sensitive eyes.

VALORY:  I never saw them 

behave that way on Orelius.

ESBEN:  One-time drug.  Dealers let 

them stay until broke or starve.

VALORY:  That's horrible.

ESBEN:  Good for us.  

They won't be up to fighting.

VALORY:  So we could sneak 

passed them if we had to?

ESBEN:  Not up to fighting.  

Doesn't mean they won't try anyway.

Valory slumps down to the floor and Esben rocks her on his lap.
He rests his hairy cheek on the top of her head and she holds his arms.

VALORY:  I hope the others come back soon.

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