Eve Sky
Chapter 8 - "I'll save you!" (roars)
by StarCross
They were facing each other in their best clothes, as usual, but they were not within each other's presence. A camera unseen was broadcasting their likeness onto the holographic screen, in Susheela's case, and a glass monitor, in Helena's case.
"I am deeply regretful to inform you, Misses Helena Charity, that your son, Jeremiah, is now deceased," said Susheela. "We have done our best to keep him alive as much as possible."
Helena's eyebrow did not twitch. "I would not dream of suggesting that you were the cause of his death. However, you posses no proof of his death let alone retained his remains."
"It is our custom for him to be cremated in a pyre if sending him up the river Ganges is not an option. After all, he has been married to our family and not the other way around."
"Then I guess you are contacting me on a encrypted digital wireless transmission in order for you daughter to claim his assets, however little they may be. However, we posses his will that not only Eva's vassals will be transferred to us, but also all the property associated with her."
"I wasn't aware of such a will."
"Well, we underestimated by my son's lifespan, and we only have uncovered it just now."
"That seems a bit too convenient to bring that up now when it should have been talked over during the marriage arrangements."
"I just felt it would not be appropriate to talk about business under the sacredness of marriage."
"You sure have a way of spinning words and ideas Helena. No wonder you rose to the top of your corporation at a very young age. Very well then. We'll put off the inheritance distribution. If I may, I would like to know if there was prisoner onboard your aerial flagship, the AS-Ashcroft."
"A prisoner you say? We do not keep trash like them aboard my ship."
"She goes by the name of Germaine Adams, nicknamed Jerri. She is a confirmed lesbian, and has been reported to have close liaisons with my granddaughter."
"Hmm, perhaps we might have her on the other ships. You want her back, or do you want to execute her? If it is the latter, we'll happily do that for you."
"Oh, I would like to execute her, but you know that her existence cannot be leaked out to the public."
"I will assure that I will snuff her out without a show."
"I am not convinced."
"Not convinced? Do you not trust me? Are we not good friends?"
Susheela grinned sinisterly. "I hope you'll forgive me in heaven Helena, but I cannot take any chances."
The communication was cut off and lost for good. On the bridge of the AS-Ashcroft, Helena's eyebrow was twitching as she tried to remain calm on her seat.
"Ma'am," said the intel monitor. "The Nataraja forces have split up and are bearing our way."
Helena smirked. "I get it. So you've revealed your true colors, pagan."
She then leapt off her chair and threw out her arm in a commanding pose.
"ALL PERSONNEL PREPARE FOR BATTLE STATIONS! CALL ALL REINFORCEMENTS FROM NEARBY AUXILIARY BASES!"
Despite all the dampening systems installed in her room, Eva could always tell that the ship was moving, but the way it moved right now was very unnatural.
Vipin entered the room, and once the door was closed he pulled down his hood and veil to expose his face.
"So it has begun," said Eva.
Vipin nodded.
"Is there something we can do? I have to save Jerri."
"And yourself. Right now, Susheela could care less if you no longer existed."
"I'll do her a favor and disappear. First, I need to board the AS-Ashcroft and rescue my wife."
"Not in your condition!"
"I may have twins, but I'm only a few months pregnant! Grandfather, you must allow me to fight!"
Vipin rested his chin on his hand to think about it. "I'll be back with help. Please be patient."
"Okay."
Vipin obscured his face and head as he headed out. The hour that passed was stressful to the helpless Eva, who could now hear the growing murmurs of rotating cannons, the rapid footsteps of the soldiers, and the shouts of the chain of command. Vipin came back, and he was with a uniformed Anila and a soldier that Eva faintly recognized.
"I've came back with your closest nurse and advisor," said Vipin. "And this girl's name is Sati Kunio."
"Sati?" said Eva. "Have I seen you before?"
Sati tensed up. "You must be mistaken with the other Satis onboard this ship."
"Master Vipin, you know I am supposed to lead the medical team," said Anila. "I am sorry to say that Eva's vassals are now under the direct command of Mistress Nataraja."
"Then I order you to assist your former mistress," said Vipin.
"But you can't do that! Sure you are Mistress Nataraja's husband, but you certainly have no such authority."
"I can make it so that you are made to obey my commands. I am not as helpless I appear to be."
Anila sighed. "Very well."
"Don't forget that you, Eva, and I used to be close friends, and we should never betray that relationship."
"Grandfather, it was I who betrayed you," said Eva.
"It is all right. Being with the one you truly love never counts as such. Anyway, the plan is thus: Sati will become your double as you will take her position amongst the ranks. It will be a very dangerous air battle, but with the harsh training Susheela instilled into you, you'll be fine. Anila and your former vassals make sure of it."
"Thank you grandfather."
The switch was made. Sati and took on Eva's luxurious sari and jewels, and Eva fitted herself with a bit of effort into Sati's ivory-colored uniform. It felt small, due to Sati's slightly shorter height and the abdominal girth.
Vipin, Eva, and Anila left the room discretely, which came at a good time amidst heavy battle preparations. While Vipin retreated to his chambers, Anila led the disguised Eva down into the first dock to line up in formation with the rest the vassals mixed in with regular soldiers.
The lieutenant general then gave them the details of the operation. They would be sending out the hundred Garuda Interceptors and Conjurer Units (the nanomachine beast generator that Eva and Jerri had encountered when they were escaping Seattle) in the first wave in an effort to utterly annihilate the Congregational Corporation's quick cruisers, any Archon power suits magnetically planted on the ships' hulls, and the transformable and flying Aeon suits. The second wave would then involve the invasion of the larger destroyers of the Congregation, and the third and last wave would take on the flagship and carrier itself, the last of which Eva's unit was a part of.
The one order that was to be held above others was that they should leave absolutely no survivors. Even prisoners were not exempt. It was disheartening, but it strengthened Eva's resolve to rescue her beloved.
The unit Eva and Anila was in transferred over to aerial corvette equipped with four side launch tubes for penetrating spears, two standard vulcan automated Gatling guns, a silo-based missile launcher, and an ornate ramhead. The quarters of the corvette was cramped, and the ride was shakier than the flagship when it took off.
Eva and the others were given one bullpup assault rifle, a bayonet, and an automatic pistol. In addition to the chest armor, a lightweight parachute pack, and boots, she felt weighed down.
"Hey," Anila whispered to Eva. "I didn't mean to abandon you like that."
"It's all right," replied Eva. "I know very few who could stand up to Susheela."
"Yeah, I know."
"Anila, please do not worry so much about me. I will be fine by myself."
Anila sighed. "Old habits die hard. In that case, I wish you the best."
"You too."
They shook each other's hands as friends and cousins.
Soon enough, they could hear the sounds of an aerial battle. The first set of explosions and screeches tensed up Eva and the others, and the almost indiscernible screams of death further their anxiety.
"Will be boarding the AS-Ashcroft in approximately five minutes," blared the overhead intercom. "Godspeed to all of you."
Eva gripped her rifle and prayed deep inside her mind.
Footsteps of many rang throughout the hallway, and Jerri could see the rapid succession of shadows moving. The airship was rocking, and there were multitudes of whirring noises amidst low sirens. Moments later, the first initial explosion made her heart beat faster, but subsequent ones became part of the regular noise and eventually calmed her down.
As the shaking and the explosions increased, Cary eventually burst in now dressed in a dark grey military uniform standard of the soldiers of the Congregational Corporation, its nation, and its subsidiaries. He threw down an extra uniform, and Jerri, inferring from his desperate face, immediately changed into it.
"That's it," he said. "We're escaping."
"Do you know what's going on?"
"Nataraja Agriculture has attacked us without provocation. They mean to kill us all."
Have I been betrayed by Eva? Jerri wondered. That can't be the case since she's not on good terms with her grandmother.
"We'll escape through the escape pods towards the hangars," said Cary. "This way."
He handed Jerri a handgun while retaining his assault rifle. As they ran down the narrow claustrophobic halls, there was huge rocking explosion. The yellow lights flashed red. Thousands of shots were fired and screams echoed from almost all directions.
"Damn, they breached the ship," said Cary.
"These Nataraja soldiers mean business," said Jerri.
Cary smirked. "I thought it would come to this based on my wife's relationship with the head of Nataraja."
They ran some more, and eventually they encountered growing pools of blood. Further still, the dead bodies of both Congregation and Nataraja were pushed to the sides, and sometimes they piled on top of one another. Further still they went, and the shooting and screaming became sporadic amidst blaring sirens and flashing lights.
Ahead of them were a small group of Congregation soldiers fighting off an enemy at a corner, and in three shots in their head they fell forward dead. Cary and Jerri slid to halt, and listened closely to the advancing footsteps, the reloading of a pistol, and the shadow growing at the wall before them.
Cary coughed, and the shadow stopped.
Crap! We've been given away!
The shadow moved to their direction in a quick pace. Jerri dropped her pistol and ran towards the corner to intercept enemy. When the met, the barrel of a pistol was right in her eye. Jerri quickly dodged the firing shot and grab the soldier's arm for a quick takedown. Jerri shot out her palm-thrust punch at the head, but narrowly stopped when she immediately recognized soldier.
"Jerri?"
"Eva?"
Jerri pulled Eva to her feet. "Thank god you're all right! And sorry about that attack."
"Better safe than sorry."
"Yeah."
After lingering in their stare into each other's eyes, Jerri and Eva embraced each other for intense kiss. Jerri was slammed against the wall grabbing her wife's butt while Eva tightly clutched her lover's breasts. They continued their fondling, while a dejected Cary watched on as if he lost the game.
"God I have missed you," Eva said.
"I was horny for you throughout," said Jerri.
"Um," spoke Cary.
Jerri and Eva let go of each other.
"Uh, Cary, this is my wife Eva," Jerri said.
"Yes, I have seen her once before during the wedding of my brother," he said.
"Cary?" Eva said. "Cary Charity?"
"That's me."
Jerri accurately sensed Cary's disappointment. "I'm sorry Cary, but you should understand that I am in love with my wife, and I can't exactly break my bond with her. I am a family girl with one child, and two on the way. I'm flattered that you like me though."
"We should hurry to the escape pods," Cary said with his composure regained and with a stiffened and commanding voice.
"I don't believe that is possible," said Eva. "My unit was amongst the few that have destroyed them."
Then loud and huge explosion rocked the entire airship so much that it began to tilt to the side, causing Jerri, Eva, and Cary to hug the walls for balance.
"I didn't mean for things to be this way," said Eva. "I needed to rescue my wife, even if I have to suck up to my grandmother. I am sorry Mister Charity."
"Apology accepted," said Cary.
"Is there anyway to get out of here?" asked Jerri.
"I could have left with you if my parachute pack didn't get all shot up."
"Of course," said Cary pounding his fist onto his palm. "My chambers should have a pair of AngelTech wings for emergencies."
"AngelTech?"
"A personal flight system, or PFS. It's an ancient technology. It should be good for about 100 miles before the energy cells run out. With the way things are going now, my place should be heavily guarded."
"It's nothing the two of us can't take care of," said Jerri. "Danger seems to follow us, although I'd rather not have it this way. A normal life is all I ask for."
"I can see why the granddaughter of Nataraja loves you. This way please."
The journey to the bridge and residential wing was made difficult due to the random tilting of the ship. Cary had explained on the way that the massive back and front engines were compensating to balance each other out to keep the airship right-side up, and now it had settled to a forward incline. The way there could have been more difficult if not for the endless wall rungs that was installed for this very time.
They made to the entrance of the residential wing, which would then lead to the executive quarters for the likes of Helena and the higher-ups. Just then, the entire ship made a sudden drop towards the back. Jerri, Eva, and Cary were on the stairwell when it happened, and they managed to grab hold of the rails at the nick of time. The ship then veered towards the right, and suddenly bodies of Nataraja soldiers began falling through the stairwell and hit the wall behind Jerri and the others. Looking down, Eva gasped at the sight of her fallen and recognizable comrades, which included her vassals Anila, Devi, Vimala, Sri, Manjula, Sita, Radha, Nandita, and Shabana.
"This can't be," said Eva. "They were with me when they took down the escape pods and the hangar. They advanced this far only to... damn you Grandmother!"
Jerri peeked over the wall and saw a group of four Congregational soldiers recovered from the sudden dip. She somewhat leaped over the corner and ran to them as if she needed help.
"Soldier, are you okay?" asked one of the soldiers, who was immediately fooled by Jerri's disguise.
Jerri was heaving and taking deep breaths, but she wasn't tired from running let alone fighting. After a couple of moments, she quickly dispatched the four armed soldiers by headbutting the first, kicking the second in the stomach, landing a chop on the third's neck, and then breaking the neck of the last in a takedown move.
She looked to her right and saw Eva helping the coughing Cary to the floor. The ship again made sudden drop, which was forwards. It was so abrupt, that it sent Jerri in a running pace down towards the end of the hallway where she saw the grinning and blood-splattered Lieutenant Cutter brandishing her bloodied combat knife.
"I've found you bitch!" she cried.
Jerri did not panic. Instead, she leaped right into Cutter and nearly avoided the knife-attack and the arm towards the wall wrestled.
"I suspected you'd be working with the Indian pagans," Cutter said. "Now I will show you real pain."
"You have issues," said Jerri.
The two leaped back. Cutter jumped up and made a swipe, during which the ship began tilting once more. Jerri took advantage of the tilts to bounce of the wall and slide under Cutter, only to rebound back for a flying kick that contacted with Cutter's foot. Cutter countered back with another kick, though it was block. The ship tilted sharply towards the right, forcing the two fighters to slide down the floor or the adjacent hallway. Jerri broke her fall by grabbing onto a doorknob, but Cutter latched onto her leg, ready to stab her. Jerri opened the door which dipped them downward and then slammed Cutter against the wall a few times until the ship tilted sharply to the left.
Jerri flipped over and held onto the doorknob while Cutter jumped to the corner of another adjacent hallway. The ship then dipped forward so sharply that now the floor and ceiling were the walls and the walls the ceiling and floor. The two crashed into a stairwell leading into the executive wing.
Cutter threw Jerri off her and into the wall. She rose slowly, and looked down upon herself to see the knife now stuck to her abdomen. She pulled it off, knowing that she would be bleeding into her death, for she advanced towards the bruised Jerri to attempt to kill her before anything else.
Then she was shot in the head from the top. Cutter fell forward and limp, and Jerri looked up and saw Eva retracting her gun.
"She killed my vassals," Eva coldly said.
Eva and Cary climbed down the wall rungs, and jumped into the stairwell that they "climbed" into executive wing. They took a roundabout way, for Cary's chamber, shared with Helena, was fortunate enough to have a side entrance to enter through in situations like this. When they entered, the room was a mess with almost everything but the bed and dresser (which were bolted down) against the forward wall.
"It should be in the next room above us," said Cary.
"How do we get up there?" Jerri asked.
"There is a switch that will activate the rungs. It should be right next to you Miss Nataraja."
"That's Misses Adams," Eva said proudly.
With the switch pressed, the rungs popped out of the floor. Jerri was the first climb up, while Cary rested against the drawers breathing and coughing.
"I think Cary needs his pills Eva," said Jerri as poked her head out of the closet-like room.
"I'm fine," said Cary. "Just get the wings."
"Okay."
Jerri tossed out the first set, which had four boosters attached to what looked vaguely a pelvis and shoulder bones, which was then connected by a metallic spine.
"I can't get the other one!" Jerri yelled. "It's stuck."
"It's all right!" said Cary. "You take your wife and go!"
"We can't leave without you!"
"You have to! You have your children to worry about!"
"Fine! Just find a way to get out of here."
Cary nodded. He then directed them to the other side exit where they leaped to a hallway leading to the side airlock. Jerri strapped the wings on her back and then Eva to her front. The airlock door was jettisoned, and Jerri and Eva carefully stepped towards the edge.
"You stay alive somehow," Jerri yelled to Cary.
"I will," he said.
Jerri said those words knowing full well that he would not live very long, even if he escaped, and there was a chance he would not escape on time. It was not just her, but Eva and even Cary himself knew about his fate. Jerri, and even Eva, tricked themselves into thinking that he would survive, and that enabled to make the leap.
Cary waved goodbye, even though he could not longer see them as they disappeared into the clouds. He started coughing more violently than ever, and seeing that his end was near, he decided to find a more appropriate spot to die, and at the very least someone to die with.
As if lured by fate, he climbed "down" into the bridge, where he discovered that most of had been bombed out. He found Helena, still alive and weeping, but she her legs were blown off and she was holding desperately against the railing of the steering platform. Cary leaped down towards her and took off his jacket to cover the gruesome wound.
The sight of him made Helena cry even more. Everything was now gone from her: her business empire, her political empire, her armies, and soon her life. This was the first time she felt true powerlessness, and it was very painful physically and spiritually.
For Cary, he wasn't all too sad. Dying would be his way to freedom, but he was still Helena's husband, and he had to remain with her as his back payment for all the times she took care of her, even if his life was full abuse. He stroked her cheeked, and then kissed her. Eventually, Helena calmed down.
"Cary," she sniffed. "Did I deserve this?"
"No."
"Have I done any wrong to you?"
Cary hesitated. "No."
"You're lying."
Cary embraced her, and began reciting the Lord's Prayer. Helena soon joined, but she only uttered, "hallowed by thy name" when the airship finally nosedived into the Coconino Plateau just south of the Grand Canyon.
It would be ludicrous to think that Cary tricked them, but they sure wished he gave some hint on how to control the AngelTech wings. After many hundreds of feet of freefalling, Jerri managed to activate by thinking that she was flying. It wasn't so much as thinking really. She tensed her muscles in her thighs, butt, and shoulders as if she had wings.
It felt oddly natural that she would get a hang of it. Shifting her body forward flew her forward. Leaning back made the wings fly backward. Letting her muscles relax a bit lowered her altitude but enough for a safe touchdown. Jerri and Eva lingered in the watching the smoke and explosions of the aerial battle
"They were there to kill you and the others," said Eva.
"Your grandmother?"
Eva nodded. "And she would have probably killed me too. If I'm gone though..."
"Out of sight, out of mind."
"As long as I don't claim any of my holdings or cause a scene, we'll be left alone."
Jerri hugged Eva. "I hope that is the case."
"Let's go find Kelly and Farrah. They're taking care of Evie right now."
"Okay."
With a firm grasp on Eva's body, Jerri took flight to the place they would be reunited with their daughter. Jerri thoughts wondered on if she or her descendants would share fate like that of Cary, but she shrugged such thoughts off. Though the prospect of having a normal life came closer to reality, the fact that she was a woman who could impregnate another woman lingered in the back of her mind as a mystery.
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