Her hopes had been simple: after passing through the small sewer tunnel once and pulling free most of the grime from the pipe walls, let there be nothing left for her second pass. She learned long ago that her hopes very rarely ever came to fruition. Wading through the frigid pool of water, she frowned at the disgusting smell that permeated her body and the filth that, quite literally, fell from her hair and skin. Either she hadn’t knocked free nearly as much from the walls of the tunnel as she would have liked, or the Terrans had devilishly snuck in after she escaped the city and reapplied the fermented bodily wastes. Based on her sour mood, Keryn was prone to believe the latter. Exiting the pool and making her way down the straight tunnel, it wasn’t long until she located the ladder that would return her to the surface, and back into harm’s way.
Keryn slipped out from the sewer entrance and back under the cover of the stone slab, scanning the rubble field with her stolen Terran rifle. She was far from excited about being back in Miller’s Glen, and was even unhappier about the idea of telling the others of the fate of the Cair Ilmun and the rest of the crew. They had put a lot of faith in her plan of escape, even if it had taken a while to convince them of its merits. Unfortunately, no one had believed in her plan more than she had. It had been a severe emotional blow to find the wreckage, a pain that was only slightly alleviated by killing Cardax for the second time. Now there was no avoiding the simple fact that they would have to find another way out of the city. However, she was getting ahead of herself. Until she made it back across the clearing in one piece and back into the relative safety of the still-standing sections of town, her worries were moot.
Taking a deep breath, Keryn bolted from the safety of the sewer entrance and sprinted across the open ground, sliding for cover behind a crumbling wall. She waited, her breath labored as nervous energy flooded her body, but she saw no scanning lasers and heard no gunfire. Perplexed, she peeked over the wall. The watchtowers were quiet, their spotlights rolling lazily across the ruins. No Terrans sounded the alarm and no turrets tracked her position. After a while with no threat appearing, she stood and started a slower, if not nervous, march across the rubble field. Much to her surprise, nothing happened.
The rest of her careful walk through town was as uneventful as her dash through the ruins. She began growing nervous, firmly believing that anyone who said “no news is good news” was an idiot. Keryn expected to be shot at. She expected to be chased through the streets with Terrans in hot pursuit. She expected to escape with the pits of hell opening behind her and consuming the world as she ran. That’s the way it had always been. Quiet made her worried.
Arriving back at the abandoned department store, she gave a cursory glance through the gloomy night and slipped inside. As of yet, Keryn had no need to rush. While she was confused about the lack of Terran activity in town, she knew she still had a few hours before “daybreak”, a sick joke of a term with all things considered. Still, no one would miss her until then, and she wasn’t even sure they would even if she didn’t appear in her work group. The Terrans knew that there was nowhere to go; the entire world was a frozen wasteland and all the food stores were being held within the city. The survivors could flee, but they would be signing their own death warrant as they trudged through the unforgiving cold.
Moving past the manikins and into the back of the store, Keryn paused as she considered how to hide the much larger Terran rifle amidst the clothes and assorted odds and ends left in the back of the department store. As she pondered her dilemma, a rack of clothes rattled behind her. Spinning, she aimed the rifle at the metal rack, seeing no one but having trouble believing that two noises on two separate occasions within the department store were sheer coincidence.
“I know you’re there,” she said into the thick darkness of the store. She wished she had time to pull out her flashlight. “Show yourself.”
Keryn tensed, ready to fire, as a man emerged from behind the clothes rack. The gloom of the department store left only a silhouette standing, his hands held high in a universal sign of surrender. Keryn didn’t feel in much of a mood to accept his surrender and she kept the barrel of her weapon trained on the stranger.
“Why don’t you lower your weapon so we can talk,” the man’s voice called out in the darkness. “We only want to talk to you.”
Keryn only had a second to ponder his use of the word “we” before two more men materialized out of the shadows. Flashlights flared to life underneath their assault rifles, lights that shone into her eyes and blinded her to her surroundings. Squinting against the sudden light, Keryn begrudgingly lowered her own weapon, but kept it resting firmly at her side.
“Alright,” she said angrily. “You have me at a disadvantage, so I guess we’ll talk. Just get those lights out of my face.”
Through the bright light, Keryn could make out the silhouette nodding to the two hired guns on either side. On cue, both their flashlights went dark, leaving blue spots dancing in her vision. She blinked furiously to get rid of the blindness, but found the darkness within the store even darker after having been exposed to light. By the time she was able to see clearly again, the silhouetted man was standing at her side. He bent down near her hip and removed something from beneath the display table. Keryn heard a click and suddenly the entire back of the store was bathed in a soft yellow light. The man shifted the small lantern out of the way before standing again.
Keryn stared at the Uligart who stood before her, the soft light reflecting off the sharp bones that protruded from his cheeks and solid jaw line. The designer clothes he wore layered about his body, and accentuated by a combat vest bustling with weapons, offset his razor sharp bone structure. The Uligart smiled disarmingly as he ran a hand over the short bone ridge at his hairline and through his well groomed dark hair.
“Please,” he said, gesturing toward a chair that one of the other two bodyguards placed behind her. “Please sit.”
She quickly examined the bodyguard as he placed the chair behind her and resumed a defensive posture around the Uligart. The bodyguard who had moved the chair was an Avalon, his dark clothes a stark contrast to his pale skin and wings. Though Avalons rarely wore much around their bodies since it limited their ability to fly, the bodyguard wore a combat vest bristling with grenades and extra ammunition for the modified assault rifle hanging across his chest. Keryn nodded appreciatively at the pistol grip, silencer, and recoil suppresser attached to the rifle, noting that all the modifications were military design and very expensive on the open market. Looking over the Uligart’s other shoulder, she observed the Terran bodyguard who stood on the other side, carrying much the same armament. Her nervousness fled her as she looked back into the disarming smile of the Uligart. Whoever these people were, they weren’t working with the Terran Empire.
Sitting, Keryn took the chance to start the conversation. “You seem eager to talk to me, but haven’t bothered to introduce yourself.”
The Uligart’s smile broadened, his blue eyes flashing mischievously as he sat in a chair across from her. “My name is Alcent, a simple merchant until I was taken as a prisoner by the Empire’s arrival on Othus.”
“You are not a good liar,” Keryn stated, her eyebrows arching. The smile didn’t falter on Alcent’s face. “You see, your men are carrying military modified rifles, the asking price on the open market being well beyond anything a ‘simple’ merchant could manage.” She pointed toward the bodyguard over his left shoulder. “Your Avalon is carrying high explosive grenades strapped to his chest, grenades that even on the black market here in Miller’s Glen would be next to impossible to come by.” Her gesture carried past the bodyguard and fell back on Alcent. “But, most importantly, you hardly look like you’re a prisoner.”
Alcent chuckled appreciatively, leaning forward in his chair. “If you keep my secret, I’ll keep yours.”
Keryn mirrored his move and leaned forward in her own chair. “And what secret do I have?”
“You know how to get out of this city,” he whispered into the space between them.
Keryn leaned back, surprised. Her mind ran through the possibilities that she had been followed during her stealthy departure from the city. During that time, she had only moved from the house to the store, then to the sewer. The Terrans hadn’t seen her at all, so was it possible that someone else, someone like Alcent, had? As she pondered this question, another memory rose in her mind, a memory of retrieving her weapon from the store.
“You were in the store when I came by yesterday,” she said, suddenly having a new appreciation for the Uligart.
Alcent shrugged. “Guilty as charged. One of my men saw you moving through the city after curfew and we followed. You can imagine my surprise when I saw you enter this very store and retrieve a fairly impressive array of weapons. I would have introduced myself then, but you seemed a little on edge and I have a great adversity to being shot.”
Keryn’s brow furrowed as she continued. “Exactly who are you people?”
“We are the closest thing Miller’s Glen has to a resistance,” Alcent replied, quickly adding, “aside from yourself and anyone else you may have under your command.”
“And the Terrans don’t know about you?” she asked, eager for more information about the Uligart’s group.
“No, not yet. But they’re starting to grow suspicious. They’ve had a few equipment malfunctions that can’t simply be explained away by every day wear and tear. A few of their Soldiers have also gone missing, which I think they almost expected after their aggressive invasion. We’ve been content with a little sabotage now and again, but the Terran’s are growing suspicious. Our timetable is being moved up, and we’re caught without a plan.”
“So you are approaching me now,” she surmised. “It can’t just be because I know how to get out of the city. Getting out of the city doesn’t mean a damn thing unless you have a way to survive out there. Otherwise, you’re just trading one death sentence for another.”
“If it were simply getting out of the city,” Alcent replied, “then I would have just followed you the rest of the way yesterday and found the way out for myself.” He eyed her clothes and grime-covered skin. “Though I already have a pretty good idea of how you escaped.”
His remarks drew some light guffaws from the bodyguards. “No, I’m interested in you because you move like a soldier. More importantly, you have the single-minded ambition to escape the city. So far, aside from my own organization, you’re the only other person I’ve seen with a deep-seeded desire to overthrow the Terrans here in Miller’s Glen. I can use your information about what’s going on outside the city, but I would prefer just to have you… you and whatever plan you may have already surmised for getting off this freezing rock.”
“Flattered,” she replied coyly. She took a moment to think about his offer. “I have others in my group. Not many, but exceptionally well trained. If we join you, what guarantee do we have that this will be anything more than a suicide mission against a much better prepared opponent?”
Alcent leaned forward again, blood flushing his face red. “I want my revenge! I lost a lot of good men during the invasion, people I cared a lot about. I won’t stop until I see every one of the Empirical filth sent straight to hell!” He closed his eyes, his breathing calming and the blood draining from his face. “If you can figure out a way off this planet and help me get the revenge we all so richly deserve, then I will provide you with enough men, weapons, and explosives to level this city a second time.”
Keryn smiled and stood. She extended her hand. “Then it sounds like we’ve reached an accord.”
Alcent rose from his chair and took her hand in his, careful not to harm her with the bony ridges along his knuckles. “I see the start of a beautiful relationship.”
“If you think this is beautiful,” Keryn said, fidgeting with her crusted hair, “then you should see me when I’m clean.”
“Then let’s see you clean,” Alcent replied. Looping his arm through hers, he led her toward the back of the building. The bodyguards, close behind, brought the lamp so they could see. Alcent took her through one of the doors labeled “Authorized Personnel Only” and into a back room, a room littered with fallen chairs and long forgotten personal effects. Pointing at a second door, Alcent continued. “You’ll find a bathroom with a shower back there. It’s one of the few that my men have managed to hardwire for use. The water still works and is hooked up to a hidden heater on the back of the building. Go enjoy your hot shower.”
Keryn slipped into the back room and peeled away the filthy clothes, letting them drop to the ground. Naked, she stepped into the shower and turned the water knobs. Hot water cascaded from the showerhead, coating her body in warmth and steam as it washed away the waste that had covered her body in the sewer. She gasped in delight as chills of pleasure rolled through her body, the heat brushing away the cold that had infused her skin. She reveled in the feeling of the hot water as it coursed through her hair and traced the curves of her body, running over her breasts and following the lines of her stomach. Tension finally fled from her muscles along with the last of the dirt that had covered her skin. After spending only a few minutes enveloped in the steam and warmth, Keryn, with a hint of sadness, reached over and turned off the water.
She realized awkwardly that she had no way to dry herself, nor did she have any clothes to replace her ruined outfit. A polite cough interrupted her thoughts. Slipping her head around the flimsy curtain, water still dripping from her silver hair, Keryn was not surprised to see Alcent standing only a few feet away, kindly holding a towel in her direction.
“I have some clothes set aside for you as well,” Alcent explained as she took the towel and started drying. “They’re a bit sturdier than the ones you had been wearing and more fitting for the weather. If we’re going to be partners, I’ll need you to survive long enough to hold up your end of the bargain.”
Keryn finished drying but stayed behind the curtain, sure that Alcent had not left the room. “If you would be so kind as to close the door as you leave, I’ll see if I like your taste in clothing.”
She heard a bemused chuckle as the door to the bathroom closed softly. Stepping out of the shower, Keryn found the pile of clothes on the counter and quickly dressed. Alcent had included an insulated jacket as well as more practical clothing for the cold. Appreciative, she dressed quickly before stepping back into the break room, where Alcent and his bodyguards waited. He whistled in admiration. “You’re right, you are impressive when you’re clean.”
Keryn picked up her Terran rifle as she walked past him and back into the department store. She looked at the ruined front window and paused before turning toward Alcent.
“I’ll need you to hide this for me,” she said, holding up her rifle.
He took the weapon politely and nodded. “It will be available whenever you need it. Just let me know if you do.”
“Speaking of which,” she continued as they made their way toward the front of the store, “how am I supposed to get in touch with you?”
“You won’t find us if you come looking, if that’s what you’re asking,” he explained. “You’d be surprised at how many people I know here in Miller’s Glen. If you need to get in touch with me, I’ll know almost before you do. But I’ll be in touch. Just don’t be alarmed when you’re approached by strangers.”
Keryn stepped up into the display case, crouching next to the naked manikins. She turned as she worked on formulating a plan for their escape. “One more question before I leave. Did you disable the turret gun when I came back into the city?”
Smiling modestly, Alcent nodded. “I have people that can sabotage most anything in the city.”
“I’m probably going to need you to do that again,” she said finally, before turning and disappearing out the window.
The rest of the walk back to House 12 went quicker than Keryn had remembered when she was leaving the city. Even while moving with caution, her step was lighter; she was elated to have found someone of a like mind. The Terran patrols were light and she only had to avoid one as she moved through the buildings. Finally reaching the house, she pulled free her lock picks and quietly opened the door. The room beyond was dark, with the labored breathing of dozens of bodies filling the space. Everyone was asleep from the hard labors in the fields and no one awoke as she crept silently across the room, stepping over sprawled figured. Reaching the far side of the room, she finally found Adam; his blond hair jutting from the blanket as he tried to stave off the creeping cold.
Keryn stood, admiring his sleeping form, before she pulled off her jacket. Wordlessly, she removed her shirt, feeling the cold air rush across her exposed chest. Kicking off her boots, she unbuttoned her pants and let them fall discarded in the corner of the room. Her heart racing and her body shivering from the cold, she climbed, naked, under the covers.
Adam awoke with a start, startled as someone crawled into bed with him. Keryn placed a hand on his face and smiled. His demeanor turned from surprise to relief at seeing her safe. He threw his arms around her and pulled her close, relieved that she was alive.
“I was so worried you weren’t coming back,” Adam whispered. “We hadn’t heard anything since you…”
He paused, suddenly aware as her firm breasts pressed up against his body. She slid a naked leg over his and ran her hand along his back. Adam looked at her bewildered, her face full of color and passion, even in the darkness of the room.
“Keryn…” he began before she placed a finger on his lips, stopping him in mid sentence.
“Now is not the time for words,” she whispered and leaned forward, moving her finger only to replace it with her lips.
Keryn could feel the warmth of his mouth, the saltiness caressing her tongue as she bit, gently, on his bottom lip. His body responded to hers; his thick arms pulling her naked body closer to his as his fingers caressed the curve of her back, tracing the soft skin of her bottom and running along the length of the leg that pulled his hips into hers. She clawed at his shirt, pulling it erratically over his head and tossing it onto the pile of her own clothes even as her fingers fumbled to undo his pants. Their breath grew labored as their bodies pressed tighter together. Elated, Keryn knew she had finally found someone whose passion and energy matched her own.
Keryn awoke peacefully the next morning, a small smile spreading across her lips from the memory of the night before. As she stared out the window, she appreciated the tangle of limbs as their bodies remained pressed together having fallen asleep in much the same way they had spent the night. Outside the small window, the world remained perpetually dark. Though the clock on the wall said it was early morning, it appeared as though it was the dead of night. A thin layer of frost had settled over the windows and she could see the fog of her escaping breath in front of her face. She snuggled in further against Adam’s arm and pressing her body against his, not eager to leave his warmth even though she knew she needed to get up.
Grumbling, she gently removed Adam’s arm and slid out from under the blanket. The cold washed over her like a tidal wave; her naked body shivered uncontrollably as she pulled away from his warmth. Keryn paused to admire his muscular upper body before covering him again with the blanket. Reaching over, she pulled on the new pants, shirt and jacket that Alcent had provided before turning back toward their spot on the ground.
She stopped just long enough to ensure Adam was still sleeping comfortably before walking down the hall and into the house’s kitchen. Pushing the button on the side of a pot sitting on the stove, she moved to the cabinet while the water began boiling. She pulled out a mug and a packet of instant hot drink mix. Breaking the vacuum seal, she poured the powder and boiling water into her mug, mixing the two into a hearty, if not poor tasting beverage. She clutched the mug tightly in her hands as she walked back to the common room, reveling in the warmth from the glass on her cold hands.
Passing the bed, she heard Adam’s soft snores. She was glad to hear the sound, and she bent over and kissed him softly on the cheek. Once he awoke, she’d fix him a glass of something warm as well before they started the day of manual labor in the city ruins. For now, however, she let him sleep. Moving to the exit door of House 12, she opened the door she had never locked from the night before and stepped outside.
Where the snow had fallen all night, any trace of her movements had been covered. The scanning spotlights sparkled off the fresh snow, refracting the light into a million shining crystals. To her eyes, Miller’s Glen appeared as a gem encrusted wonderland. Ice sparkled off the awning of their house even in the dark night and crunched underfoot as she stepped away from the door. She stood, her breath rolling past her face in large puffs, and admired the scenery and serenity while steam rose from her drink.
“It’s a good day to start a revolution,” she whispered into the brisk morning air.