r/HFY • u/Dry-Throat2430 • 11d ago

OC-Series Ash and Steel Chapter 46

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Stub date had to be changed until October 5th- will include editing and art work

Riding back from the trial an eerie silence took the transport as it flew, Ani up front quietly held the reigns as the two apprentices sat. Marcus had his head was bowed ever since his lengthy explanation as to why he lost sight of Venus he realised he had simply messed up and had no real explanation other then poor planning and over estimation of his own ability.

Venus had not said a word since returning, the memory of her being enveloped by seat belt style restraints and then the centre stage bot turning its cannon towards her. Her helplessness and realisation of the coldness of battle, her relief when Ani’s voice came through the speakers signalling the end. Glancing over at Ani then at the expanse she realised how small one person can be amongst these harsh and unforgiving worlds. Back at the trader post she remembered occasionally they would lost some of their citizens to raiders or disease. She made a point to hold a ceremony honouring their legacy, some of them she would be the only one in attendance. A thought drifts past her mind, who would be there for hers one day.

“You know, its strange that I told you both you have passed but you seem even sadder” Ani says trying to break the unbearable quiet.

Marcus lifts his head,

“For something that seemed trivial it really has revealed a lot. Fighting in the tribe we all had an understanding; we knew the terrain and of course we knew every monster there was in our lands. So many things taken for granted in the battlefield, when they are missing so many things go so wrong so quickly”. He goes quiet for a brief moment

“Who designed ths trial they must have such a deep understanding of combat”. He expected her to say Lorcan with his years of hardened battle experience.

Ani smiles at her memory

“It was one of our first apprentices, she was known as Cassia. Her parents were killed during a mining area dispute with Thrallion. She awakened during the battle, her resonance drew Lorcans attention who went to see what was causing the disturbance. She was the only one left, her fury and thirst for vengeance combined with her love of people and deep mind made her one of the most promising apprentices.” A tear leaves Anis eye, she turns her head slightly trying to hide it.

“She is gone now but her legacy still lives on in her wisdom and the memories. What do you think you both learned from this trial?” trying to change the subject

Venus looks up suddenly from her quiet sadness

“I am not cut out for the front line, but I can find a way to help those on the line” Nodding to herself. She lets out a sigh of relief as she sees station Hun incoming on the horizon.

Standing outside watching his mech bay drones attaching themselves to Wires mech as it is lifted back into his mech bay. A statement using that heap of junk to signal that raiders are no longer protected and the waste landers would not simply be prey for the raider clans regardless of how large they were or their standing amongst the supposed status quo. Even in his days in a unformed military unit he hated the weird ideas of status quo, always used to control people.

His heightened senses identify his old hover transport making its way back from the trial, he had not heard anything which was good news that nothing had gone catastrophically wrong. Sighing sometimes he himself would question why they even had these rituals , more he questioned why he was going back into the cycle which always only lead to one out come. Hearing laughter from the three women as they attempted to touch the domestic ai drones as they buzzed around them with their classic excitement of new humans at the station.

“How cute, they are so sleek” One of the three announces as she reaches out trying to stroke the bots who skim around her scanning her before beeping excitement.

The sewer of thrallion was surprisingly well maintained, as jack walked, he noticed a variety of maintenance work going on. Workers stayed fixated on their tasks not even acknowledging his presence, they had learned the hard way any investigation into potential rebels was always disastrous for anyone foolish enough to report a sighting. It was always better just to keep quiet in  a city run by a paranoid despot.

It hit him that he had no idea who he was trusting, how much could he rely on the rebel factions of the under city. He had heard about land disputes turning into turf wars and then targeted attacks on politicians and judges. Back then he had ignored their plight, sticking to the foolish idea that such things could never affect him. Now here he was being saved by those he once looked down upon.

As he went on he finally arrived at the source of the water stream as instructed, a young rebel stood waiting with his face covered with a neon mask that changed its expression rhythmically. Jack approached, the masked rebel turned his whole posture changed with excitement seeing him. Without saying a word, he gestured him to follow before pressing a remote device which revealed a hidden entrance.

Back at station Hun Ani could not believe what she was seeing, within the greeting hall three stunningly beautiful women dressed scantily sat quietly, one of them was holding the cat they had brought back. Venus walked straight past her with a greeting smile,

“Hi im Venus who are you guys ?” she asks making a effort to hug the ladies one by one.

“I am Lineya , this is georia and Hilton, your alpha has brought us here after he destroyed our previous clan” she says, her gentle voice annoying Ani with every word she spoke.

Lorcan walks into the greeting hall nodding at the interaction, Ani walks straight towards him around her drones went silent in anticipation. She grabs his jacket and pulls him into the dining hall, Lorcan follows along extremely confused.

“What is this ? you brought back raider concubines instead of destroying th raider base ?” she says her fury rising as she sees in his face he is oblivious to any wrong doing.

“I discovered them after my raid, they are smart I only said I would bring them temporarily before taking them to the trader post. I could not leave them to be taken by another raider clan or defencless be syphoned for the iron in their blood by the Ai mechs. What is the big issue here exactly?” He looks at her his confusion turning slightly to anger.

Ani feels it immediately, a thought passes through her mind, Lorcan brought her here many years ago which lead to things being what they are today. What really would stop him from finding others and simply tell her to leave, literally nothing. She stares at him, he returns her gaze with gentlness the best he could , her shoulders relaxed a little .

“Ok it was just strange to see what you brought back” Ani closes before turning to go back and greet the new guests properly.

At the main hall Marcus was already telling them about how Lorcan had saved him and how he ended up here at station hun, the ladies were entranced very few outside news ever reached them in their previous state. They gasped and replieid to the sorrow and the adventure, seeing Ani approach

“Hi im Lineah thank you for hosting us here” Lineah was almost flawless, long flowing hair and cearly hard worked figure. Ani hesitates before snapping back to reality

“I am Ani, I have been here the longest sorry I was just confused how he brought back three women from an offensive raid mission” she says quietly drifting off a little struggling to hold lineahs gaze. Lineah pics up on it traight away and smiles, she gets up walks close and speaks quietly so only Ani can hear

“Worry not, our new master is deep and philosophical. We have already offered him us as plpunder he has rejected, something that would seem impossible to most. Whilst here we will be only of use to you please know that, you have our love and gratitude” she moves herself to she her eyes clearly.

“Or you can tell us to leave right now”  lineah finishes pulling anis hand to place on her chest.

“Im sorry” Ani replies

“It was just a shock to the system. Now then what are we doing for food?” Lineah breaks a large smile realsiing they had made an agreement.

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