Heavy
By Lore
- 100 reads
Lore. This is likely the last note I’ll write before what is to come to pass. My present and yours will soon become concurrent. Finally I get to meet my successor. I’ll spare you as many of the details as I can but I am not sure if I have the strength I need to do what I must. I have travelled the galaxy, keeping the worst of The Guild away from you but now, into the beast’s belly I must go. My travels have taught me a great many secrets but they are not for me to keep. Included with this note is a full battle plan for the planned attack on Quatarr. The Council have always wanted to know how they keep up with our growing numbers, how they always perfectly counter our attacks but now I know. Crait. The slimy git’s stolen a play out of our book. They fight us, and they’ve got a photographic memory or a piece of paper or something because they always know our strategies and weaknesses so next time they can adapt again. I’ve been putting today off for what seems like forever. It’s been nearly ten years since I last saw Char and there isn’t a day I don’t miss her but then I remember you. The perfect me. I know you will but make sure she’s safe. Treasure her, love her and above all else, watch her back. You don’t have to worry about becoming me, it took some doing but after all of this is over, you get to live your own life. Included with this log is a slightly outdated battle plan or, if my mission was successful, an up to date plan of The Guild’s attack on Quatarr. Make sure it gets back to The Council. All my love to the past. Gid, end log… Oh hang on! There’s a pair of cubes in a lockbox below your bed. That’s everything else. All right then, Gid, end log recording and encode for distribution.
Lore stood shaking at what they had just read. The small tablet that Loren had wedged into the manual quaked in Lore’s hands. They were as close to tears as they could be then, Char arrived. The two looked at one another and as if of one mind, they embraced.
“What’s that?” Char grabbed at the tablet but Lore withdrew.
“Loren’s gift. He’s given us a copy of The Protectorates plans.” Lore quickly sequestered the tablet to their back pocket.
“Anything else?”
“We should get moving. We’ve got a bit of time left before the recharge cycle is over.” Lore pressed on but Char remained put.
“What did he have to say?” Char dug her heel into the loose earth below.
“Most of the note was about Quatarr.” Lore started reluctantly. “The rest was advice for me.”
“Really?”
“Yes. He wanted to make sure that I knew that if we’re successful this time around, I’ll get to live my own life, free from being an inquisitor and free from becoming whatever he is now.”
“Did he say how or why?”
“No. I have no idea whether he’s telling the truth or not or even if these are the plans we need but he says that he did all of this for you. For us.” Lore held out the tablet. Char took it and scanned Loren’s final message.
“He’d been drinking before he dictated this. Always talks funny when he’s drunk.” She chuckled softly at her ex’s melodramatic log entry. “What do you think he means by ‘the belly of the beast’?”
“I think he cubed himself. Forced himself to forget everything about you and me, about the war and started working with The Protectorate.” Char nodded at Lore’s analysis.
“What now?” Char looked to Lore.
Char was now seated on the ground reading and re-reading Loren’s note. Lore knelt down, meeting her eyes. They stared softly at her for a moment before offering their hand. Char accepted and soon, the two were stood. Alone on a moon abundant with their faces; the skeletons of the half completed buildings surrounding them and caging the stars above. It wasn’t conventionally romantic but the stillness of the moment, coupled with the imminent danger of being found by the Inquisitors somehow made up for it. They kissed.
“Well, isn’t this a treat.” Undulia was alone. “I’ve been looking for you. Ever since that stunt you pulled on Illia, I’ve been after you.”
“Where’s Loren?” Char’s question pierced Undulia’s heart, she looked visibly wounded.
“I don’t know what you did but you’ll pay.” She lunged.
Her attacks were passionate and backed with an intense power but lacked the co-ordination to land against the agility of her opponents. Lore took to her left flank while Char broke off right. The three of them danced a most violent tango as they dodged and blocked each other’s attacks. Lore jabbed at Undulia’s side while Char attempted to avoid her fists. They swapped and took turns attacking and avoiding. Then Loren entered the fray. Recovered from whatever happened before their escape, Loren was more than able to meet both Char and Lore’s attacks. The combination of physical exertion and pain was starting to get to Lore. Physically they were fine but they were slowing mentally. Their brain was on fire. Time froze. Before they could notice what was going on, Lore’s fist had already jetted into Undulia’s cheek. Their ring scraped along her skin peeling away and releasing the blood within. Lore took stock of themselves before realising something else. They ducked just in time to avoid Loren’s next attack. He had been aiming for the base of their skull. Lore extended their leg and span on the spot. Loren joined them just above the floor. He tried to grab at Lore’s ankles as they propelled themselves towards Char. He was too late. Their rings collided and they were one. With time stopped, the infusion process was slower but Loren couldn’t stop it. The Reaper’s golden glow blinded him as they strode the battlefield. Time resumed and with it the fight. Undulia recoiled as the force of their punch finally reached her. They wiped at their cheek as the blood began oozing from the fresh wound. The Reaper released their scythe. After a few fruitless swings, they were back on the defensive, countering their foes with increasing difficulty. Undulia took a few steps back, allowing Loren to continue their offensive as she prepared her pistol. She fired. The purple plasma bolt soared through the air and into The Reaper’s gut, it’s light mingling with The Reaper’s own golden glow. She fired thrice more, each time hitting the same location. The golden glow subsided and revealed a hole clean through The Reaper’s body. Undulia smiled but her triumph was short lived as their torso began regenerating. Before they could sustain any further damage, The Reaper span their scythe in a circle, attempting to knock Undulia and Loren back then slammed their hand against Lore’s breacher. Landing.
- Log in to post comments