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Unity

By Mantrid Brizon

Episode Four: Failures

“Now do you... See the... Error in... Your ways?”

“Yes, Miss Corova.” Korazhu sheepishly replies.

“Good... Don’t ever... Nnf, question... Me again, nngahh!” She growls.

Straddling the young male who lays flat on his back, she bucks her hips. Though only hours earlier she threatened him with violence, she now asserts her dominance in a much more entertaining and productive fashion. The door panel buzzes in her private quarters; someone’s requesting entry, frustrating the Kanorakus woman as she’s busy enjoying herself.

“Nng-come in!” She calls out.

With the door sliding open, her young female associate, Sashuna, steps inside. She stops as she sees her superior atop Korazhu, the young male whom Corova had earlier threatened. Riding him vigorously, Corova doesn’t even bother to turn her head, continuing her carnal act as though Sashuna wasn’t even there. Korazhu glances to her, a strange expression on his face. Sashuna isn’t certain if it’s shame or pleasure; of course, he has little to say in the matter, considering his status in their culture. Corova pauses, sitting down atop his lap, her tail swaying gleefully. She looks over her shoulder, her eyes scanning Sashuna as she stands nervously before the door to her quarters.

“What? Did you want this one?” She asks.

Corova’s tone is devious, as if she desires to be using a male belonging to Sashuna.

“I have no claim to him.” She answers, turning her head away.

“Then what’s the problem, Sashuna? Have you never witnessed mating before?” Corova asks, slowly grinding against her lover’s pelvis.

Females with chosen mates often take them to their private homes, as Corova had done. However, her race has few qualms about nudity or sexuality. Walking in on mating couples often doesn’t halt the act or change the topic of conversation; everyone continues about their day as if nothing unusual is happening. This habit quickly became one of the first cultural norms that most Kanorakus had to adapt out of their daily lives. The Solakus, though certainly not prudish, are not so flamboyant with their sexuality. The Irakus, however, are downright secretive. The Dezonians, who reproduce asexually, are the only race to tolerate this behavior.

“I have witnessed mating before.” Sashuna softly replies.

“Then if he isn’t your male and you have no interest, what seems to be bothering you? Are you ill?” Corova asks, quickly picking up her pace.

“No. I’m... Fine.” Sashuna grumbles.

“I, nnf, believe that, nnf, your time on Earth has, nnf, caused you to, nnf, loose touch with, nnf, our culture.” Corova casually comments between gasps and grunts. “... So? Nngahh! What is it?!” She growls.

“You have an important call. It’s Sway.” Sashuna answers, holding up an active V.I. bracelet.

“Sway?!” Corova stops.

She climbs from atop her partner, pointing a clawed finger as she silently demands that he remain on her bed. Her nude leader swipes the V.I. bracelet from Sashuna’s grasp, bringing it to her face.

“Hello?”

“Enjoying your free time?” Sway asks.

“You heard that?”

“As plainly as if I were there.”

“Well, I am, indeed. He’s quite a large one.” Corova turns her eyes toward Sashuna. “I may even let him breed me. It’s the proper time for it.”

Rolling her eyes, Sashuna can’t help but sneer as she turns away, her thin lips pulling away from her sharp teeth and her heart on fire with anger. She looks toward Korazhu, a male she’s clandestinely entertained for some time. Fearful that the leadership would consider their relationship compromising to their cause, they put it aside for the good of their clan. Now, however, she wishes that she’d claimed him earlier; Corova would have no rights to him if she had. Subservient and obedient, Korazhu had little choice but to indulge Corova when she approached him.

“So, do you have an update?” Corova asks.

“I do. The bomb went off as expected, though it was the wrong department. I’m sorry that I couldn’t collect the blueprints for the cause.” Sway answers.

“Then who did we eliminate, if anyone? News reports are not giving any interesting details.”

“Over a dozen members of a logistics team. A sole survivor is hospitalized; she’ll be replacing her superiors, and administrators from the Sol Marine’s will be staffing that branch temporarily.” Sway continues.

“Logistics?! ... I was hoping we’d get lucky and hit the cartography or propulsion divisions. Those are the main targets, after all.” Corova grumbles. “Well, at least they’ll have to wait a day or two for resupply... I suppose that’s something. The next one will be far more successful!” She chirps.

“Corova...”

“Yes?”

“I don’t know if I can do another one...”

Corova’s eyes grow wide. She turns to Sashuna and Korazhu, ordering the nude male and her visibly infuriated associate from the room. They obey.

“What are you talking about?!” Corova growls as the door slides closed.

“This one hit close to home... I know a relative of the survivor...” Sway replies.

“One of your friends on the project?” Corova asks.

“... Yes. A close one.” Sway murmurs.

“Entertaining the unholy beast’s spawn? That’s dangerous, Sway, though that’s to be expected of a spy of your caliber. I apologize for your “friend”, heh, but remember that when you fight for the mother goddess, you are fighting the universe itself. The unholy beast’s minions are many; try not to forget that your peers are lesser than you.”

“I often question that belief, Corova... Many of these people are not far removed from us. Appearance aside, they shed blood and tears. They love their families. They’re not bad people.” Sway admits.

“It’s merely an illusion to confuse you. You are well aware of the unholy beast’s tricks. As a beloved daughter of the mother goddess, many will try to turn your heart, but you cannot falter. Be strong, Sway.” Corova speaks almost lovingly, as though she were Sway’s mother.

“I... I apologize.” Sway sniffles.

“It’s alright... Now, did you have anything else that you wanted to share?” She gently presses.

“If you have another agent, there’s one more target that you can hit. This one is more important than the logistics branch, but it isn’t one on your list. I have all of the details.” Sway replies.

“That’s fine. I’ll take anything you have, Sway. You’re a credit to our race and truly on of the mother goddess’s children.”

After receiving an encrypted download, Sway ends the call with Corova. Stepping outside, the invigorated female exits her room, walking nude into the hallway. Sashuna, who was quietly speaking with Korazhu, suddenly stops and glances to her leader. Turning to her unclothed female superior, she bows her head respectfully. A grinning Corova silently hands her back the V.I. bracelet.

“Download the data from Sway’s transmission and feed it to the high congregation. Korazhu! Inside!”

As he turns to approach, she reaches out a clawed hand and takes hold of his now flaccid organ. Pulling gently at it, she leads him back into her quarters as Sashuna fumes in the hallway. Seeing the rage in her associates face, Corova can’t help herself.

“Feel free to return and watch if you’d like. I have a suspicion his release will be worthy of an audience.” She winks.

With her fist clenched tigthly, Sashuna’s claws jab into her palm and the V.I. bracelet’s metal creaks softly. Her rage builds as Corova violates what she considers her territory, however, her clan loyalty reminds her to swallow her pride. She turns away from the door and storms off. Returning to the central control room of their base, she follows her orders to the letter, though she’d rather be doing something else; what she wouldn’t give to fight Corova and put the cruel and arrogant female in her place.

“Hello, Miss Woods. How are we feeling this morning?” A nurse cheerfully asks as she steps into her room.

“Fine, I suppose.” Roku replies, sitting up on the hospital bed.

“That’s good. I think this will make you feel even better.” The nurse chirps as she checks a machine beside her bed.

With a furled brow, Roku watches the nurse for a moment, wondering if she plans to elaborate further. A knocking draws her attention.

“Hey...” August calls in softly as he steps inside.

“August?!”

Entering the room, his arm is extended beyond the doorway. As he steps inside, Draz follows him, hand in hand with the white tiger Voeldahn.

“Hey there, little guy.” She says with a faint grin.

“Hi!”

“Are you still hanging out with this loser?”

“August good!” Draz exclaims defensively.

“I know.”

Picking up the small alien, he sets Draz on the bed near Roku’s lower legs. Taking a seat on a stool, he rolls himself closer to her bedside, quickly taking hold of her hand.

“Look, I’m... There’s no excuse for ignoring you the way I did, or for not showing up sooner.” August begins, looking dolefully down at her hand. “I just... I wanted to do this by the books, but some rules are too hard.”

“It’s a matter of security; I understand.”

“No! You’re my sister and I love you, so I’m going to be here for you. Fuck that military grade bullshit.” He insists sternly.

“Thank you, and I love you too, but you don’t need to apologize.” Roku softly replies.

“Yes, I do.”

“No, you don’t. I understand why you did it. Yeah, it bothered me, but you came anyway. Even if you didn’t, I know it’s because you were trying to prevent things like this.” She explains.

“But I failed... I failed to stop the attack, and I failed to come to your aid when you really needed me. I’m sorry.” August murmurs.

“Hey, better late than never, right? I am glad that you’re here though. It’s nice to know that family is still a priority.” She continues.

“Always... So, are you feeling alright? Were you hurt?”

“No. Just shaken up.”

“Yeah, I heard. I’m glad you’re okay.” August says, finally looking her in the eyes.

“Me too.”

“I uh... I saw your file when I searched for you; you were promoted yesterday?”

“Last woman standing. No one else left to lead.” She murmurs, turning her eyes away.

“Yeah... That was the only way you’d get the job.” He teases.

“Shut up.” Roku says, cracking a little grin.

“At least this way, you’ll be on Unity for sure. We’ll still get to hang out; I can antagonize you all I want.”

“You’re really giving me something to look forward to.” She smirks.

They sit in silence for a moment, content to merely be in each other’s presence. After a few minutes, once the glee of seeing her twin has begun to ware off, the worry overcomes her.

“August, are you going to be alright?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” He raises a brow.

“You broke a rule. I’m glad you came here to see me, but there’s only a handful of rules in SI9, and you violated one. What’ll happen to you? What about your seat on Unity?”

August turns away, retracting his hand. He’d considered the general ramifications of his actions, but he never thought deeply about what would come of a simply visit to his hospitalized sister.

“The rule I was following was unacceptable; if anything, seeing you strengthens my resolve rather than weakens it. The next terrorist I see will lose most of their teeth. Besides, ‘black mode’ didn’t prevent the attack anyway. No project is capable of total secrecy, no matter what the regs are.”

“You didn’t answer my question.” She reminds him.

“Yeah... Well, I will when I know the answer.” He says with a little grin. “When are they letting you out?”

“In a few days.”

“Then I’ll come and visit you tomorrow!”

After spending some time with his sister, sharing stories and idle conversation, August and Draz finally take their leave. Exiting her room, he walks down the hall, the little blue and yellow alien in his arms. Stepping out of the nearby elevator, which August approaches in the hallway, Invar turns and heads toward Roku’s room. A little shoulder bag laden with gifts hangs toward his right.

“Hey! Glad to see you!” Invar chirps.

“Likewise.”

“What are you doing here? Don’t you have some bullshit rule to follow?”

“Yeah, well, I figured it was time to focus on what really matters.” August replies.

“I’m happy to hear that. So, do you have any leads on what hap-”

A loud chirping cuts Invar’s sentence short.

“Sorry. Hold on.” August remarks as he brings up his V.I. bracelet.

His expression turns gloomy as he sees who’s calling. Ayanda is on the other end of the line, a rest asterisk by her name indicating an additional code of urgency. Invar is familiar with this feature and lowers his head, expecting the worst.

“Hello?” August asks as he answers the call.

“Headquarters... Now...”

Having said her peace, Ayanda terminates the call.

“Damn...” August sighs.

“That doesn’t sound good... Look, I’ll take Draz home with me, if you want. I’m not doing anything today.” Invar offers.

“When are you ever?”

“I work! ... Sometimes.” Invar smirks.

Leaving Draz with Invar, the duo continue on with Invar’s visit while August leaves the hospital to return to his hovercar. After a tense and silent drive to SI9’s headquarters, he parks in a secured garage. Contained in a high security building that houses many offices of military branches, as well as security liaisons for members of the Solar Council, he passes through a multitude of security checkpoints. After multiple scans and searches, he finally enters the main hall of his branch. Everyone on his team are already gathered around the main table. Ayanda leans back, her arms crossed and firm buttocks against the table, glaring at him.

“Hey guys. Does this have anything to do with the attack? Did we get any leads?” He asks, swiftly breaking the silence.

An upset looking Ayanda turns away, silently snarling. Everyone can see the rage on the Kanorakus woman’s face, especially August. His heart sinks. His associates all look among themselves for a moment before glancing back at August.

“Well, there is something.” Sihl’Ahzen finally speaks up.

“Oh yeah?”

“I’d contacted all of the different national police agencies, using that sweet government clearance we have; I wanted to see if there was anything suspicious going on in our space lately.” Kellan begins.

“And how many millions of tips did you get?” August chuckles.

“Just one big one...” Stefan says.

“A ship was captured trying to enter Mars space through a known smuggling route. Sloppy piloting and a less-than-cautious crew made it easy enough.” Drayusa adds.

“They didn’t even put up a fight, so Mars police disabled their ship, took them prisoner and cracked open the cargo...” Kellan continues.

“And?!”

“Marionettes.” Sihl’Ahzen answers.

August slowly sits down on his chair, a look of shock on his face. Known to all major police and military branches and something of an urban legend throughout the entire solar system, the Marionettes are the brainwashed slaves of the dreaded Slaver’s Union, still owned and operated by his uncle, James Woods. After James Woods initial return, several years into being thought dead and floating somewhere in deep space aboard the Lomboko, an aged and severely outdated craft, the Marionettes made their first appearance. It wasn’t long before the governments of Sol were targeted by these mindless drones; programed agents of flesh are more akin to robots.

Though initially hopeful to use them for their own ends, a massive public outcry saw regulations preventing every single government’s open use of the drones as inhumane. It was made further difficult as clandestine use of Marionettes for anything short of quick and violent suicide runs are impossible; Rakshasa and her team, working aboard the Azilian, somehow devised a method of testing people for Marionette programming that is one-hundred percent accurate. At the time, Marionette technology was floating around freely on the black market, which James had instantly cornered.

George Woods and his crew somehow stumbled upon their discovery in mere days, publishing their findings and spamming it to every outlet they could. By George’s own account, he purchased the technology and set his crew to work in an attempt to minimize the damage that his brother, and ostensibly Solar government, were doing. This happened swiftly enough that it prevented Marionettes from ever attaining secretive use by governments; only terrorist factions and those seeking mindless zombies for their own sick pleasure have use for the warped beings.

“Then that means...” August chokes out.

“He came back.” Stefan finishes for him.

“A family reunion?” Kellan teases.

“Hardly. He seems to show up every few years to stir the pot, then flees before anyone can catch him. Maybe this time will be different?” August explains.

“Not a fan, are you?” Fizona asks.

“I’d slap the bracelets on him myself and smile while I do it.” He answers.

“You’re a good man.” She grins.

“All we know right now is that a gunship with thirty Marionettes in the cargo bay were captured before they could be delivered. The computers were more or less scrubbed clean, but a single manifest listed their destinations by faction. Ten were bound for private buyers, probably as sex slaves; they were all young, healthy and attractive females. The rest were destined for the Goddess’s Children.” Drayusa explains.

“So, now we know who’s after the project. It’s a start.” Stefan adds.

“Well, we’d better hunt down some more leads. Can we get that mole back in here and find out what they are planning to target next?”

“Leave that to us...” Ayanda finally speaks.

“What for?” August turns to her. “Oh, right! I have escort duty tomorrow.”

“Fizona will take your place during your scheduled escort.” Ayanda begins.

Fizona and Drayusa appear surprised.

“I called you here for one reason...” Ayanda slowly turns toward him. “All agents of SI9 are monitored. I’m sure you knew that.”

“... I had a feeling.” He sighs.

“Then why did you contact your sister?!”

August lowers his head and closes his eyes. Resting his brow in his hand, he has no answer for his superior.

“... You’ve left me with no choice but to remove you from the unit.” She growls.

“What?!” He gasps.

“Woah, chief! Let’s think about this for a minute.” Stefan interjects.

“Come on. Cut him some slack!” Kellan adds.

“Are you questioning my judgement?!” Ayanda barks at her subordinates.

“That’s not fair. He nearly lost his sister in an attack.” Sihl’Ahzen remarks.

“The rules are the rules, and he violated those rules. Had you stopped with checking on Roku’s status last night on your take-home computer, I’d have simply given you a suspension or demoted you to scud work, but face to face contact?! I cannot let that slide; you’re no longer an agent of SI9.”

August’s fellow agents are horrified, even Fizona and Drayusa. All of them know that Ayanda has known him for years, having been a member of his father’s crew aboard the Azilian for a time. Clearly, the Kanorakus and their ingrained tribalism are unrivaled, but Ayanda has rather zealously taken it to the next level. How else can they explain her ruthlessness in punishing someone that would otherwise be her friend?

“What about the project?” He sorrowfully asks, glancing to her with pitiful eyes.

“That’s out of my hands. I filed my report before you arrived; the directors will review it and decide what will happen to you. As of now, you’re unassigned. Whether you are thrown out of the project entirely is up to them. You may still have a place and a seat, if they so choose.” She answers.

Lowering his head, August is left speechless. Even when considering the ramifications of his actions, he never considered being left behind altogether; he’s strived for his current position and done everything in his power to be a competent and thorough agent, eating, sleeping and breathing the security of Project Unity. He wonders if he would have done things differently had he been able to somehow foresee this outcome, a guilt rushing into his heart as he ponders it. How could he ever look Roku, his parents or other siblings in the eyes again if he never came to her aid? What’s worth more to him? His family, or the project?

Several chairs scrape against the floor as multiple agents rise to their feet. Several walk around the room as he stares blankly at the table, lost in thought.

“How can you do this?” Fizona asks.

“He intentionally violated a rule. I am merely doing what’s required of me.” Ayanda casually answers.

A pair of orange, clawed hands rest upon his shoulders, giving him a gentle and assuring squeeze. Standing behind his chair, Fizona attempts to comfort him; her actions could easily be interpreted as disregarding SI9’s rule, and in front of her superior, but she no longer cares.

“Heartless and cold, like a true soldier. August made a mistake. Don’t you ever recall acting rashly?” Fizona shakes her head.

“No. I only do my job. You rarely make mistakes if you focus only on your assignment or your clan.” Ayanda retorts.

“... We all make mistakes.” Fizona murmurs.

“Are you questioning me as well?” Ayanda glares.

“Yes, I am! I will admit that when I first learned of the Solakus, I was a juvenile girl, waiting for the day when I could take up arms and fight for the mother goddess. I held on to many of our beliefs, even after the war ended, and even until years after our race joined the Solar Council. I still often find myself struggling with the old ways, having been raised with them. For years I felt superior to the other races, and especially males. It wasn’t until I began to know many of them first-hand that I realized that many of our ways were incorrect. Joining SI9, these months working beside everyone in this room, it’s aided in my learning experience dramatically.” Fizona begins, speaking from the heart.

“Does this story have a point?” Ayanda growls.

“Let her speak!” Sihl’Ahzen barks.

“My point is, Miss Ayanda, that I wish to be more like our companions, and if that means changing some of our ways, so be it. If I were in your place, I’d imagine myself in August’s first, and after knowing his pain, I’d then consider an appropriate punishment. Mindless dedication to a cause is what nearly erased us from existence in the first place, or have you already forgotten?” Fizona continues.

“You’re out of line, Fizona. Tread carefully...” Ayanda sternly warns.

The green and crimson Kanorakus stands firm, her expression unchanged. Though the others were moved, Ayanda herself appears unphased. Crossing her arms beneath her breasts, she never answers back; she speaks only through her body language and facial expression. For the next several minutes, each agent tries their hand in their own way but Ayanda cannot be persuaded to redact her report. August is no longer a part of the unit. While the entire team are shocked and upset, Fizona is surprisingly affected. With his clearance stripped and his badge taken away in front of the others, Ayanda orders him to be escorted from SI9’s headquarters.

Stefan, Drayusa and Fizona are tasked with following him to the door, should he become “irate”, though all but Ayanda leave with him. Nearing the first of several doors, August glances back, looking over his shoulder at Ayanda. Her expression is visibly disheartened, even depressed, though she doesn’t change her mind. Does she feel shame, guilt, or will she simply miss his presence? Perhaps it’s a mixture of all three. With a subtle head nod, he silently bids her farewell and exits the hallway with his former associates. All of them express their anger at her decision and declare their friendship with him as they pass through the multitude of security checkpoints.

Entering the main hall of the complex, the remaining agents stop. Stefan, Kellan and Drayusa all wish him well, while the tiny Sihl’Ahzen gives him a comforting hug, her wing-like arms attempting to wrap around his trunk. Fizona appears frozen at the prospect of no longer seeing August routinely, hardly able to speak as he prepares to leave. With hovercar key in hand, he heads for the door, walking across the hall. Several of the agents turn to leave, though Fizona stands in place.

“Wait!” Fizona calls out to August.

“Yeah?” He turns back as she dashes up to him.

She stands before him for a moment, merely looking down at August in silence. Knowing that her opportunity is slipping away, and not to be outdone by the avianesque Irakus, Fizona suddenly embraces him. She squeezes August tightly, softly nuzzling his face with her broad muzzle. August is stunned into inaction, merely allowing her to hold him as if she had a right to him. Eyebrows raise at her show of affection, something considered more unusual for the Kanorakus than their cultural habit of mating, even when their privacy has been removed; affection beyond physical lust is often seen only between linked couples.

“Now that you’ve sabotaged your career, you aren’t bound by SI9’s rules...”

“But you still are.” He reminds her.

“At this rate, Unity will be constructed and testing will begin; black mode will end soon enough. When it does, I hope you will have an answer for me.” She whispers into his ear.

Giving him another soft nuzzle, she releases August. Looking up at the Kanorakus female, who stands roughly four-inches taller than himself, he simply nods. He feels a tinge of regret and shame as he exits the building, heading for his hovercar. He hadn’t even thought of Fizona’s offer since he discovered its significance. Had things not unfolded the way that they had, perhaps he would’ve? Now, though, with no active responsibilities, and nothing to keep him occupied, he ponders the thought. As she said, black mode ends when construction is complete.

“Well, I’ve never been with a Kanorakus girl before...” He thinks aloud as he starts his hovercar.