The war within the sea had been going on for so long that the origin in which it began had faded into myth within the opposing kingdoms. Each kingdom believed they were fighting for a just cause, though each had suffered untold loss throughout the centuries. The last great battle named Thalassa the victor, having fewer casualties than Pelagia. The next would likely see Pelagia overcome Thalassa, as they redoubled their efforts. It had continued like this for many years, neither side able to fully conquer the other – and neither kingdom making any effort towards the first steps of peace. Continue reading
Author: Alanna
The Fifth Monday – Part Two
By Alanna Piche
Looking in the mirror, Cerise gave a sigh of resignation. She couldn’t believe the lengths she had to go, especially ones involving wearing a vinyl maid’s outfit. Getting close enough to him would be hard otherwise, and this would make it much easier. Hell, this would make it impossible not to be close to him.
“C, report,” a voice crackled, cutting into her thoughts.
“I’ve narrowed down the target, and will intercept tonight,” she replied, still fussing with the costume as she turned side to side in front of the mirror. Continue reading
Damsel of Distress
The forest that surrounded the castle was dense. Sunlight barely peeked through small partitions of the green canopy far above the carriage. The hackney, drawn by two horses, was pulled along the dirt road. Hooves pounded, kicking up thick dust in their wake, which surrounded the carriage. The gilded gold curtains, that decorated the windows of the wooden vessel, were drawn back as a porcelain visage peered through. She was perfection embodied, a lady of sheer beauty and grace. Continue reading
Beyond Termination – Part Six (Conclusion)
Alice bolted down the corridors towards the Hangar. She whipped around a corner, almost knocking over a receptionist and a military guard. With no time to stop, she didn’t even shout an apology. She was too focused with getting back to her operative.
“Map?” Alice huffed, speaking into the com-link after jacking in to the rig and taking back control from Tripp.
“Yeah.”
The interference was still distorting the connection, “Just checking in. Ready?”
The reply was static. Continue reading
Beyond Termination – Part 5
“Damn it!” Alice hit the rig with her fists, frustration still coursing through her.
A few of the technicians in the Hangar ducked their heads and avoided looking directly at Alice. They had been chewed out too many times to count. She still couldn’t figure out why the satellites weren’t picking up all of the creatures.
The Hangar was quickly becoming a mess; piles of wires and open panels littered the floor. Alice was waist deep in them, her head ducking into the terminal and popping back out to keep an eye on the displays.
Her com-link crackled to life. “Any updates?” Map inquired. Continue reading
Beyond Termination – Part Four
Alice could hear a crash over the comm-link. She scrunched her nose, placing the sound with the likelihood it had been Map’s foot bursting a door open.
“I’m in,” she heard Map inform her.
Alice rolled her eyes. “Graceful. Find a place to rest, the boffins are still working on your next move.”
“Can I make a suggestion?”
A smirk crawled onto her lips as she heard his question. “You can make it, but you know what that’s worth.” Alice lowered her voice, a serious tone overcoming it. “Stay sharp. Their signals are doing something.” Continue reading
Beyond Termination – Part Three
Alice stormed into the Complex, suffering a headache and a bad temper. The guards hadn’t explained to her what was going on, which was what lead to the pain in her head. She had tried to make an escape which had caused one of her over protective companions to knock her unconscious. Alice awoke to find the guards were under directives from the Administrator himself. Even so, that didn’t make the kidnapping, or the feeling of her head splitting, justified.
The Liaison burst into the Hangar, taking control of the place as she had in the past. A scowl was already on her lips, which made quite a few people in the room stand stiffer, snapping to attention. Continue reading
Beyond Termination – Part Two
The ride to the city was long. Alice had tried to make small talk with the two guards who escorted her back; one was driving, the other was sitting in the passenger seat, leaving her alone in the back of the vehicle. Her nervous chatter was met with silence, and she soon gave up, resigning herself to stare out the window as they made their way out of the military complex and into the long expanse of the highway that would lead into the city.
With the two guards unresponsive, the trip felt like an eternity. Left with only her thoughts, Alice frowned. She worried for Map, and still couldn’t shake the sadness she was feeling. That was the last time she’d ever see him, and that didn’t sit well with her. It was what she had signed up for, though, and Alice knew this would happen someday. Continue reading
Beyond Termination – Part One
The news hit her hard. The asset she had kept alive all these years was being made obsolete; younger ones were there to take over. With the expiration of their property would come her own, and she knew it. Liaisons only worked with one operative. Once the operative’s usefulness in the field was over, their liaison’s time with the project was as well.
Alice looked over the sea of people who were gathered in the conference room. A few had managed to approach her, making awkward small talk as they waited for the guest of honor to appear. Continue reading
Beyond Termination
The news hit her hard. The asset she had kept alive all these years was being made obsolete; younger ones were there to take over. With the expiration of their property would come her own, and she knew it. Liaisons only worked with one operative. Once the operative’s usefulness in the field was over, their liaison’s time with the project was as well. Continue reading