Unexpected Allies

Furrowed eyebrows. They had expected to meet heavier resistance as they journeyed towards the Vakrael home world but the closer they got to Valos minor, the easier the trip. Their escape from Emraeh space had seen them ducking and weaving between the debris fields and the asteroid belts, dodging patrols and raiding parties, raising more questions than they had answers for. Half way to Valos minor and they were yet to see a Vakrael ship larger than a one person fighter and they were rare enough as they were. As they entered the orbit of Valos minor, the Vakrael military presence became known but still it was only one ship. A brief scan and a conversation was all that was needed to allow them to proceed to the planet’s surface. Breaking through the cloud layers as they entered orbit, they got their first proper look at the enemies homelands. While they couldn’t speak for the whole planet, the parts that they could see were in moderate disrepair but nowhere near as badly damaged as years of war would suggest, in fact, many of the bombed out sky scrapers surrounding them were active building sites. Destiny held her altitude as she banked between the work in progress repair jobs. The land below ended abruptly. The roads had been destroyed and the resulting crater had filled with water from the nearby wharf creating a new island, otherwise untouched by the destruction. On the edge of the crumpled city, surrounded by water and isolated to ground traffic, a sculpture of angles and glass.
“A hospital?” Char pointed to the frosted logo. It was about twenty metres tall and in the shape of a T with a diagonal stroke through its base. “That’s the agreed galactic symbol for a hospital.”
“I thought this was a prisoner transfer.” Lore collapsed their staff. “None of this makes sense.”
Standing on the edge of the island, an individual in a high visibility suit directed them to a landing spot. Destiny obliged. Now parked safely on the hospital island, they prepared for the next curveball in their ‘prisoner transfer’.
“Thank you for abiding by our traffic control regulations for the duration of your stay. You’ll need to get this stamped after your visit, otherwise your vehicle is at risk of being grounded and fined.” Although they couldn’t see the wardens actual face, lights swirled in the mist of their helmet as they talked. Ellipses while they spoke and a smile once they finished. Lore took the card from them and bowed their head respectfully.
“Definitely not what I was expecting.” They put the ticket in their inside pocket and ensured that they secured it with the zip.
The doors opened automatically, allowing them to be sprayed with an antibacterial mist. Temporarily blinded, they stumbled into the hospitals foyer, blinking as fast as their eyes would allow them.
“Sorry about the misters. We often forget not every species has built in eye protection.” Lore’s vision was still blurred but they could see the stranger offering them his hand. “I’m Rico. Assistant to the local councillor.” His suit smiled. “I’m here to make sure O’mar Erzar gets home safely. Can never be too safe, radicalisation is on the up in this city.”
“I’m sorry,” Lore’s eyes had finally focussed properly. “You’re just going to give us Erzar and let us leave?”
“Well, that was the plan. My understanding is that he was only brought here because of the attack. He’s not a prisoner.”
“I’m going to go out on a limb and say your people didn’t instigate the attack.” Char got up from the floor.
“We had sent a caravan full of medication to Erzar’s father’s settlement when Erzar began discussing payment. When he found out we were giving the drugs to them as a gift, he attacked the guards.” The ellipses coalesced into an exclamation point. “By their accounts, the guards barely attacked and Erzar’s suit was breached by their armour.” The exclamation point flashed red. “Given the severity of the wound, it was deemed best that he be brought here for treatment. Afterwards, he would be free to return home.” His smile retuned.
“But what about the war?”
“At the start, we would have never done this, but right now, it’s closer to an Emraeh civil war than an interplanetary one. We pulled out a few years ago under the advisement of…” A circle of dots spun in his mist. “A visitor. I’m afraid I can’t give you a name but she showed us how this war began and what would happen if we continued the fighting and the united council decided against that future. We chose to leave the war but we were told not to tell the Emraeh. She was to do the same with them.”
“Are we collecting Erzar from his room or will he be brought down to us.” Lore had their eyes fixed on their Breacher.
“He’s being brought here as we speak.” His simulated smile did little to put Lore at ease.
His armour was distressed with nicks and dents covering its surface but there was only one major patch. His left shoulder didn’t match the rest of his armour, being replaced with Vakrael technology to maintain the suits integrity after the ‘attack’. The nurse wheeled him out of the glass elevator but as he saw Lore and Char, he forced himself to his feet. He walked with his damaged arm across his torso, held there by the other as he crossed the floor.
“Is this all my father could be bothered to send?” He went to drop his arm to mist his visor but the pain stopped him.
“I’m afraid so. But we have the fastest ship in this sector waiting outside to get you home.” Char subtly pushed Lore behind her. “Would you like me?” She gestured to his mist controller on the side of his helmet. He nodded. Char depressed the button, obscuring his face.
“Well, thank you for visiting The Ohalak general hospital, we hope to only see you again when absolutely necessary.” The nurse produced a hole punch. “Your parking ticket.” They took the ticket from Lore and punched it. The punch rescinded, revealing the universal hospital symbol.
“Follow me then.” Char lead the party with Lore bringing up the rear.
Despite the reassurance to the contrary, neither of them could shake the feeling that this situation was an elaborate trap. Lore used their position as an advantage, checking The Warlord’s son’s armour. The details matching their expectations did little to assuage their fears. They safely boarded The Destiny and left orbit. Underwhelmingly, with that, they were on their way back to Tay.
Lore rapped their fingers on the console. “Let’s assume Tay convinced the Vakrael to stand down… Of course.” Lore clicked their fingers. “She saw a pattern.” Lore smiled. Char furrowed her eyebrows. Equivalent exchange.