Meiyo returned to her office and sat down in a seat opposite of her desk. Meiyo dropped her helmet on the desk and kicked her legs over the side of the chair’s arm and reclined into the edge of the chair’s back. Meiyo’s hand at the front of the chair held the encased Blue Rotono blade and her other arm hung over the opposite side of the chair’s back. Meiyo looked up at the ceiling, took a breath and closed her eyes. As Meiyo exhaled, she opened the eye closer to me and slowly faced me and returned her focus towards the ceiling.

  “We have betrayed everything.”, Meiyo said as she twisted into a straight seat, still holding the case of the Blue Rotono.

  Meiyo looked at the desk instead of looking directly at me, as if she couldn’t decide if she even wanted the office any longer.

  “Are you resigning from the Huntresses?”, I asked.

  “In my heart I already did, I stayed to keep a promise, but that’s now impossible. I have to confess. At first I didn’t believe we would frame Rylkonians, and we would dare ask you for your children. My office has surveillance systems and I watched you react to the Mermaid’s interviews. This isn’t who I want to be. Why did I even come back here?”, Meiyo asked.

  “What is this promise?”, I asked.

  “To defend the Cooperative as a Huntress, to be the face of Venus. But it’s all a lie.”, Meiyo said, as she looked at the corners of the desk.

  “Who is Venus?”, I asked.

  “What?”, Meiyo asked.

  “All I know is that your people named the planets after deities from Earth’s mythology. But I don’t actually know anything about these deities. So, who is Venus? What did Venus do to get a planet named after them?”, I asked.

  “Venus is most commonly known as the goddess of love and beauty. But what does that have to do with the Cooperative?”, Meiyo asked.

  “If love is an action, and beauty is a quality, then what does the Cooperative love? And what quality do they value?”, I asked.

  “I would say they love lying to women, and they value women who repeat their lies. It’s become a circle of lies.”, Meiyo said.

  “I don’t think you’re being helpful. Please try to answer again but without the effect on women.”, I asked.

  “An idea…they love an idea…and they will sacrifice everything for that idea.”, Meiyo said, as she seemed to consider my suggestions.

  “Sacrifice seems counterproductive. Is it sacrifice or risk?”, I asked.

  I watched Meiyo’s face change as her mind began to think of a response.

  “If the Cooperative’s goal is to take over the Protectorate when the Rylkonians leave, trying to put Venus above every other planet is going to quickly turn off any chances of a sustainable new Protectorate…unless…they’re planning to abandon Venus. But does that mean Cooperative is going to bring the women of Venus or leave us here?”, Mayo asked.

  “Being a Huntress doesn’t matter to me, but asking me to choose between the Protectorate and the Cooperative is a conflict of interest. I’m already a Protectorate Citizen.”, I started saying, but Meiyo interrupted me.

  “It’s only a conflict if you’re staying here, but you’re going to leave us. All of you are going to leave, and we will be at the mercy of Space Pirates.”, Meiyo pleaded.

  “The Protectorate will remain, but no matter who’s here, the Protectorate will not have enough cyborgs to patrol Mars Pax.”, I argued.

  “I’ve seen how you control the Phantom. His future promotion to first class citizen is no guarantee for the Cooperative. They will never accept the epitome of Aurovean-toxic-male-privilege becoming the most powerful man in the universe.”, Meiyo retorted.

  “That’s fair. You did hire the Phantom to be a super soldier, and you saw the bullets coated in venom. But the Phantom’s pronouns are “it, that, and anything robotic.” As the Phantom has already declared.”, I corrected Meiyo.

  “The fact that the Phantom did that, and it doesn’t scare you means it was part of your plan.”, Meiyo said.

  “I watched Contest of Crowns. If you treat someone like an animal and they become and animal, why would that surprise you? If you treat someone like a monster and they become a monster, that’s your fault. The Phantom pays Protectorate second class taxes, so the Phantom gets to be a second class citizen. Anyone who marries the Phantom can apply for third class citizenship, and also gets partner citizenship automatically, as long as they stay married.”, I suggested.

  “Really that wouldn’t bother you?”, Meiyo asked.

  “What’s supposed to bother me about that?”, I asked.

  “If another woman married the Phantom, just for the benefits?”, Meiyo asked.

  “Rylkonians don’t practice marriage. If the Phantom marries, that’s none of my business unless bride-to-be endangers me, our ship, our crew, or my job, and my priority is in that order.”, I said without hesitation.

  I watched Meiyo’s eyes and her mind devoured some kind of day dream. I contemplated if I should interrupt her moment of private thoughts, or continue to let her consider what she stands to gain or lose.

  “How difficult is it to promote from third class to second class?”, Meiyo asked.

  “Endorsement from the Third Council, dual citizenship is not allowed, become a cyborg, pass a bunch of exams like applying for a parental license, and finally approval from the Second Council.”, I replied.

  “What about first class?”, Meiyo asked.

  “No one knows the requirements. I assume similar to second class but substantially harder….like ten times harder.”, I replied.

  “What cybernetic enhancements should I get?”, Meiyo asked.

  “I hear some Earthborn worry about bone density. I think basic skeletal graphene reinforcement will solve that, advanced is significantly heavier, and will require more strength from your evolution points, so I don’t recommend full carbon fiber replacement. Now I hope you like eating because most other enhancements require more energy to use. The Rylkonian digestive track is genetically enhanced to produce electrical power, that also allows the use of electricity based weapons as well as an increase in physical strength. What I will recommend is cybernetic membrane skin replacement, which allows for survival in the vacuum of space without the need for a full body space suit. And I’ve seen the kind of women that the Phantom looks at. Membrane replacement will keep everything smooth and perky, and will also provides C-A-R.”, I said to Meiyo.

  “C-A-R? What’s that?”, Meiyo asked.

  “Cybernetic Assisted Reproduction… if that’s a problem for you.”, I said to Meiyo.

  “I’ll consider it. What about some of your other super abilities like Deflector shields, Sonar hearing, Remote piloting of ships, or X-ray vision?”, Meiyo asked.

  “Those aren’t super, but do require different specializations, as well as more energy, so you will also need to eat more to use those systems. If you get a specialization, you will also be able to use Modes, preset configurations diverting power to only the systems you plan to use.”, I said.

  “Like Battle Mode?”, Meiyo asked.

  “There’s only one Combat Cyborg. No one else has a Battle Mode, and you don’t need to say anything out loud to activate a mode.”, I said to Meiyo.

  “Will I still be human?”, Meiyo asked.

  “Are you implying that I’m not human?”, I argued.

  “I assume you’ll require some kind of payment for remaining silent about my political plans.”, Meiyo said.

  “Just keep the Mermaid off contract, I don’t want to see them double cross us, or give them incentive to betray the Cooperative. If I know my captain, I would want to keep the Mermaid’s crew right where they are.”, I said.

  “Isn’t the real threat the Dread Pirate? Why is the Protectorate giving a huge head start to someone who is such a threat to their interests?”, Meiyo asked.

  “As a third class citizen I don’t completely know. But my theory is the Dread Pirate’s only option for any pirates that refuse to obey the him, is to just kill them. Slowly over time, many small problems will become just a few bigger problems, and the Dread Pirate will do that for free. But I do not agree with that strategy. I think peace and order is preferred over the consequences of a Dread Pirate, and we’re the only crew that has managed to subdue him.”, I said, but I was lying because I would wait for the best odds of winning too.

  “Why do you think he didn’t he come after any of us when he escaped? He could have easily taken us by surprise.”, Meiyo asked.

  “My guess, he doesn’t see us as the enemy. Everytime, we’ve fought, the risk of death gets higher. If I remember correctly, he’s only focused on weakening the U.D.E. and I see a link. All pirates come from Earth.”, I said.

  “So if the pirates had no reason to leave Earth, then that means no more space pirates. What will the Protectorate do with the Dread Pirate?”, Meiyo asked.

  “He is still Rylkonian and it would be shameful if he died, even if necessary. But I’m told there’s room in the Pits of Charon for him.”, I said, as I stared out the window and took a breath.

  “I’ve never heard good stories about the Pits of Charon. The place where hope dies.”, Meiyo said as she stared at the ground.

  I though it was strange that Meiyo knew what it meant when we talk about the inescapable prison built by the Protectorate, but she looked down and not up, so she didn’t know the rule. I decided now is not the time to antagonize her, as I attempted to leave her office.

  “Where are you going?”, Meiyo asked

  “I need to return to my ship, and…involve the Phantom, in the interest of the Protectorate, but I won’t tell him. If I’m going to play ‘Contest of Crowns’. The Phantom is an opportunity for the Protectorate, our only hope, and I just took payment for a job. We would leave Venus right now except our next destination is Freya station, so we’re stuck until Freya enters orbit.”, I said, as I walked out the door.

  I started thinking, “If Meiyo, the most loyal and dedicated Huntress can be turned against the Cooperative, does that say more about the Cooperative or did we miscalculate Meiyo’s capabilities? She’s lied at least once, wiped out all her enemies, and isn’t the kind of woman to not have a contingency plan.”

  I decided to keep my deflector shields active during my return to the docks. As I passed through the the Senate halls, enforcer mechs locked on to my location but none of them fired. I entered the monorail station alone and boarded an empty monorail. If I was a target for assassination at least no one else would have been harmed. It was either luck or I was just being paranoid, but nothing tried to kill me, no accidents nor any hostilities. I successfully returned to the Something Clever, and still nothing tried to kill me. Perhaps I wasn’t a target after all. I deactivated my deflector shields as I felt the data stick in my hand and I thought of questions, “If the Venus colony collapsed, how quickly would the Patriarchy or the space pirates take over? Could the pirates learn enough about Rylkonian technology to become a threat?”

  I returned to the ship and I found Tony wearing his battle armor and loading ammo into guns in cargo bay three. His skull mask helmet sat on top of an ammo box, and his holographic face was set to the null face. Ylisaya was sorting boxes of clothes as she greeted me. The garments were mostly silk, professional, and expensive.

  “What makes you think I need to dress like an Earthborn woman who has to appear in court?”, Ylisaya asked Tony.

  “You needed clothes, these will fit you, they make you look important, and maybe we can sell some on Freya. Just keep whatever you like or think you can wear.”, Tony replied, as he continued to load ammo.

  “So why will no one here buy them?”, Ylisaya asked.

  “Because women stopped wearing these styles two years ago.”, Calista said as she walked into the Cargo bay.

  Calista was wearing the enforcer armor with the helmet underneath her arm resting the helmet on her hip, and it seemed to fit her better than it fit Tony. On her other hip she wore her handgun. I imagined Tony gave the armor back to her, which was probably why Tony was wearing the battle armor. Calista wore Tony’s previous and worn but repaired cloaking device around her shoulders.

  “Why keep clothes you can’t wear anymore?”, Ylisaya asked Calista.

  “You can wear something again if it’s appropriate for an event, loan it to a friend, or in my case trade it for payment.”, Calista replied.

  “I understand where in our list of priorities, that clothes make sense. But I just got back, so what’s going on?”, I asked.

  “You sent me a client with no money, so we worked out a different deal.”, Tony replied.

  “I have money, but you said gift cards were no good for you and you wouldn’t wait for me to use normal credits.”, Calista said to Tony.

  “So how do clothes factor in? Where did these come from?”, I asked.

  “They were mine, they were the next most valuable trade I had to offer.”, Calista replied.

  “You went back home? I thought you said that was dangerous.”, I said to Calista.

  “We did, it was very dangerous, and it was well worth it. High risk, high reward. We now know what path will lead us to the assassins and who hired them.”, Tony said.

  I walked up to Tony, and then I stepped even closer so whisper.

  “The rule is no more heroics. That’s someone else’s job.”, I whispered to Tony.

  “You also said we needed to keep our promises, and there’s a link.”, Tony whispered back, as he nodded towards the bridge.

  Whatever he discovered he didn’t want to share with Ylisaya nor Calista.

  I followed Tony to the Bridge, he took the gunner’s seat, and I took the pilot’s seat.

  “Cyber link.”, Tony said as the door shut behind us.

  I sensed our minds intertwine and Tony sent his thoughts to me, as his holographic face deactivated. I could see the subtle signs of concern in his glowing red apex predator eyes.

  “Are you going to fight? Leaving Venus is easier.”, I sent my thoughts to Tony.

  “Normally leaving is easier, but this isn’t like running from the U.D.E. Still don’t know why Calista is a target, or if she’ll leave a trail to us. But the assassin was a Huntress, I injured her, and let her get away. The trail is still hot.”, Tony’s thoughts reached me.

  “Maybe you should have killed the assassin.”, I sent my thoughts.

  “The assassin is worthless, her client can just hire another.”, Tony’s thought reached me.

  “And the link?”, I sent my question to Tony.

  “If I’m wrong, I’m walking into a trap. But if I’m correct there’s a U.D.E. spy in the Cooperative, and that’s who’s plotting the murders, hiding the evidence, and framing others for their crimes. We just need to figure out the U.D.E.’s goal on Venus to predict the spy’s next move.”, Tony’s thoughts reached me, as we disconnected the cyber link.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Is Ylisaya in danger? Is the ship in Danger? What does the future show?”, I asked Tony.

  “Scanner vision can only predict, that’s no guarantee! But it might be wise to move Ylisaya away from the ship, allow her to try out her new wardrobe, and appear like tourists. You have a destination in mind?”, Tony advised.

  “Maybe. I met my cousin’s ex-wife, Juno. She’s leaving Venus for Freya and is hosting something called a concert.”, I said.

  “I remember her wedding. A concert should be fun, how did you get interested in music?”, Tony asked.

  “Not her music, while they were married she apparently learned an altered version of the Laws of Rylkonis.”, I said.

  “I thought that was impossible.”, Tony said.

  “Our first law forbids sharing with outsiders, but it says nothing about failing or imperfect adaptation. The eighty eighth law of Rylkonis.”, I said.

  “So why? For what reason?”, Tony asked.

  “They had a son, and every law contains three parts, the subject, the function, and the story. She wanted to learn our stories.”, I said.

  “Song and story…Aurovean Traditions.”, Tony said.

  “Correct. Juno said that too.”, I said.

  “Do you think Juno’s knowledge includes a chosen one prophecy?”, Tony asked.

  “It won’t be perfect, but it might be worth the risk.”, I estimated.

  “Does she want anything in exchange?”, Tony asked.

  “She actually wants to see her son on Triton.”,I said.

  “Ummm….Neptune is a lot further than Freya.”, Tony said.

  “She knows that, but her plan only gets as far as Freya.”, I said.

  “Does it rhyme?”, Tony asked.

  “What?”, I asked since I didn’t know what Tony was asking me.

  “Does the prophecy rhyme? All the best prophecies rhyme.”, Tony said.

  “So you want her to change the prophecy so it rhymes?”, I asked.

  “Juno’s not allowed to match the original anyways. So if she knows a version of the prophecy and can make it rhyme, I’d offer she can hire us instead for a ticket to Triton. Which will get her a lot closer to Neptune, than her current plan.”, Tony said.

  “What if she doesn’t know?”, I asked.

  “Do we need Juno for any other reason? Does she need the additional risk of traveling with us? If she makes it to Freya, does she have any better chances of reaching Triton? If she doesn’t know, her current plan doesn’t change, no cost to us. We’re not supposed to leave with any open contracts between here and Freya anyways.”, Tony asked rhetorically.

  “Sounds like we want this contract. So we can just get to Freya.”, I argued.

  “What kind of First Class Citizen applicant would I be if I just abandoned a trade partner’s colony and didn’t offer anything for trade?”, Tony asked.

  “Trade? All this planet has to offer is sadness and betrayal. You already know Nyrella’s secret.”, I argued.

  “So let’s just offer some, deception, destruction, and dealing death, and then see who’s buying. It’s not likely to make the planet worse. Every trade is supposed to benefit both ends of the transaction.”, Tony said.

  “I think Meiyo is the spy. She’s planning on defecting to the Protectorate.”, I said.

  “A woman in a position of power, connections to every aspect of life on Venus, and nobody to doubt her credibility, that makes her an ideal spy. I’d say it’s impossible, which makes it perfect. I would try to recruit her too, but she’s capable of anything, a high profile target, and a risky investment. Meiyo would also become a threat to Venus if she left, that doesn’t match the U.D.E.’s interests. They would want to control the planet, and everything else Meiyo can offer. Meiyo’s more likely a rogue agent. I think the U.D.E.’s spy would be a little less obvious.”, Tony said.

  “So then what’s our offer? And to whom?”, I asked.

  “Same as usual. Wait, watch, sell to the highest bidder, and strike when we stand to win big. Probably the Protectorate Brokers or Spymasters.”, Tony said.

  “High risk, high reward.”, I replied.

  “But no heroics, and keep a low profile.”, Tony said.

  “One more thing. The crew of the Mermaid was framed for the destruction of the Star. But they’re suspended from contracts until the Protectorate exonerates them.” I said as I revealed the data stick.

  “Who framed them?”, Tony asked as he looked the data stick from my hand.

  “The Cooperative, to distract and hide the fact that the Star was actually empty. Just as you predicted.”, I said.

  “Wow, it sounds like I’m a Dark Lord. Please don’t say ‘Just as you predicted’ anymore… I’m kind of glad that someone finally double crossed the Mermaid’s crew. I never imagined the Cooperative was stupid enough to betray the Protectorate, but I already took payment to never expose the Cooperative, but this will be useful later on. Where did you get this?”, Tony asked.

  “Meiyo. I think she wants to smuggle the info out.”, I said.

  “She is taking a huge risk. Well, Calista and I need to take the fight to the assassins. We’ll figure out the Meiyo question after Callista and I wrap up the assassination attempts on her life.”, Tony said as he left the Bridge and reactivated his holographic face.

  I followed Tony back to Cargo Bay Three and he resumed loading ammo for his guns. Calista and Ylisaya were watching the widescreen display and the display was set to a news correspondent discussing the trial.

  “Just after six hours of deliberation, the jury has unanimously found the defendant not guilty, and the final verdict from the judges is scheduled for tomorrow. The world of Venus is breathing a well earned and rightly deserved sigh of relief. Women all around the planet can finally say someone is listening us, the justice system works, and in time we might be able to say love conquers all…I’ve just been informed that the huntress who arrested the suspect , Calista Gray has been hospitalized. The information isn’t confirmed yet, but she might have been a passenger on the monorail that accidentally derailed earlier today. To keep her privacy safe, the location of the Hospital is being kept secret and three other Hospitals have agreed to participate as decoys, to keep our Huntresses safe and protect Calista Gray’s privacy. A statement from the Huntresses will be made as soon as possible.”, the image of the correspondent announced.

  “Why are they lying about me?”, Calista demanded hypothetically.

  “I may have a theory. The Cooperative just doesn’t want to admit they can’t find you. If they suspect that the killer got you, this lie gives them time to confirm the kill and say you simply died from injuries. If they sent the killer, they’ll just send another until they get you and then announce you died of sustained injuries. If each hospital thinks they’re just the decoy, and they’re not supposed to know where you are for your privacy, they might be trying to lure the killer out too. Even if you step forward now, which you shouldn’t, that gives the next assassin a clear shot at you and the Cooperative can say blah blah blah privacy. My guess is each hospital is crawling with enforcer mechs and a few huntresses will be waiting there too.”, Tony said, as he opened a box of grenades.

  “You think the Cooperative has a motive to assassinate me?”, Calista asked.

  “At least someone does. And whoever they are, they have the capacity for planning to kill a Huntress and cover it up. They tried to poison you, they tried to hit you with a truck, and now they don’t even need to stage an accident, because they know you’ve been on the run since the monorail. They’re also very invested in keeping the planet’s reputation as a safe place for women. That doesn’t exactly rule out the Cooperative.”, Tony said, as he examined a grenade in his hand.

  “Is it like this on every planet, in this universe?”, Ylisaya asked.

  “Just wherever the Earthborn have colonies.”, I said.

  “So what does the Cooperative gain from killing me?”, Calista asked.

  “I would rule out dangerous secrets, because that’s basically why the Huntresses exist. They might want to replace you, may be they fear you, may be they want to martyr you to flip the verdict in the rape case, or may be they already betrayed you in some other way and don’t want you to find out later. I don’t know, you’re the detective, not me.”, Tony replied, as he tucked the grenades into ammo compartments on his armor.

  “Even with the current jury verdict, you can still run for election and probably win. You did what the Senate could not, and you proved you can protect this planet, better than they can. The Cooperative fears losing their privilege if you do not share their vision, and can promote to a higher office.”, I said to Calista.

  “I never expected political enemies to try assassinating me. Why are you taking so many weapons?”, Calista asked Tony.

  “You saw how many enforcer mechs were waiting for us at your apartment. I imagine whoever sent them has more. I’m gonna need a lot more ammo for the next battle, and since this most likely isn’t just any assassination, we probably want to take any assassins alive for questioning.”, Tony said, as he stowed all of his guns and battle-axe on his armor.

  “I’ve never seen anyone spend so much on ammo.”, Calista said.

  “I don’t buy ammo from any other planet besides Mars. I even took contracts on Mars and got paid with ammo. Confederate ammo generally hits harder.”, Tony said.

  “How did you know all those reasons to assassinate someone?”, Ylisaya asked.

  “I’ve taken a lot of contracts, and those are just the most common, after silencing someone who’s aware of secret information.”, Tony said.

  “Yeah, being on this side of an assassination is a little new for us.”, I said to Ylisaya.

  “It’s true.”, Tony said, as he checked his guns, explosives, and ammo once more.

  “Well now, I’ve hired my own Assassinator and they can see how it feels.”, Calista said.

  “I watched every season of Assassinator. They don’t get hired. They just get sent into the past to kill enemy leaders or the enemy’s ancestors.”, Ylisaya said.

  “There was that one Assassinator in season four, that got sent three centuries too far into the past and had to integrate into society to wait for the great-great…great-great-great-grandfather of his actual target to be identified. He got hired.”, Tony said.

  “He got hired as an inventor and engineer, not as an Assassinator, and he came from the future. His knowledge of future technology caused an industrial revolution in a nation that wasn’t supposed to have one, and erased his future.”, Ylisaya argued.

  “How is any of this relevant?”, Calista asked.

  “It’s not…We just watch a lot of T.V. on long space flights.”, I said.

  “Yeah, and I’d say I’m more like a Cyber-Enforcer than an Assassinator, because I was an ideal candidate for cybernetic enhancement and I don’t time travel.”, Tony said.

  “But more people know Assassinator, because the Cyber-Enforcer TV show only got two seasons, but Assassinator got five.”, I said.

  “That’s only because Cyber-Enforcer was about a police officer who became a cyborg, and too many cities in the U.D.E. had real-life corruption scandals. So almost all TV shows that portrayed a positive image of law enforcement got cancelled, and then portraying police as the oppressors or fascists took over TV.”, Tony said.

  “Then I’d say the Phantom is more like Shadow Soldier. Because Shadow Soldier is a cyborg, an assassin, and a political scapegoat. If the Hero Alliance movies are also popular, then Shadow Soldier is the best analogy.”, Ylisaya said.

  “That does make sense except Shadow Soldier only has one cyborg arm. What about Dark Vedon from the Galaxy Battles movies?”, I asked.

  “Good analogy! I almost forgot that character is a cyborg too.”, Tony said.

  “Who’s Dark Vedon?”, Ylisaya asked.

  “In the Galaxy Battles movies, he’s the villain, he wears black armor, black cape, fights with a red energy blade, considered to be the most powerful telepath in Galaxy Battles, and his weapons and armor are passed down to his descendants when he dies, so there will always be a Dark Vedon. Galaxy Battles had like the biggest plot twist in the history of movies. You should watch those on our next space flight.”, Tony said.

  “Is the hero secretly the son of Dark Vedon and cursed to become the next one?”, Ylisaya asked.

  “How did you figure that out?”, Calista asked.

  “Auro Blade has so many plot twists, I now hate plot twists, and I feel like I can predict them in every movie or T.V. show. I just wish there was some other way to tell a story, besides here’s a surprise, and then another surprise. I still like characters in Auro Blade, I just hate the easily predictable plot. I even predicted the two most important characters were going on separate paths half way through the first season, just to end up on opposing sides of the big war they tried to stop at the final act, just because of conflicting motives! And their familiarity is only good for understanding each others’ mind.”, Ylisaya said.

  “She learns so fast!”, I said.

  “To be fair, The Ghavok and Ohmat had no option for compromises… Are you ready to go then?”, Tony asked Calista, as he gestured for Calista to follow.

  “I can’t hide. I can’t run. It’s either them or me.”, Calista said and she followed Tony.

  Ylisaya started following and Tony turned towards her.

  “Umm where do you think you’re going?”, Tony asked Ylisaya, as he picked up the skull mask.

  “We’re going to fight whatever force is threatening the women of Venus. Before what movie or TV character you’re like, that’s what we were just talking about.”, Ylisaya said.

  “I understand that injustice is unacceptable for you, and one day I foresee your wisdom and courage will save many. But you’re not a Huntress and I’m out of money. I can barely afford to pay the Phantom, hiring a woman will triple my expenses.”, Calista said.

  “So just because I’m a woman…”, Ylisaya said, but Tony interrupted her.

  “No! Not until you have training and a specialization. You can’t go because I don’t know what the threat is. If we’re rescuing refugees from space pirates, that’s a threat I understand and I can plan around. You can join when we have “high” chances of success and brining you gives us higher chances. But I will not endanger my crew in a high risk mission.”, Tony said.

  “So then why tell me?”, Ylisaya argued.

  “Training. Watch and learn. Tonight you’re going with Jess to scout a client.”, Tony said.

  “So we’re taking clients?”, Ylisaya asked

  “This one might be worth it. Depending on what she says”, I said.

  “Who’s this client?”, Calista asked.

  “Juno.”, I revealed to Calista, as I flicked my eyebrows.

  Calista’s face relaxed and seemed to be half shock and half joy.

  “Are you going take her off this planet? Help her find her son?”, Calista asked.

  “Who’s Juno?”, Ylisaya asked.

  “One of the five women who married a Rylkonian and had a Rylkonian child…well not all of them did both.”, I said

  “And what does she have to offer?”, Ylisaya asked.

  “I’ll tell you on the way, go change. Wear something appropriate for public, moving in a crowd, and relaxing. I’m wearing scarlet and gold. So don’t wear those.” I said.

  “What are you talking about?”, Calista asked.

  “Isn’t that the rule of Earthborn women? We don’t attend events wearing the same thing as another woman.”, I said.

  “It’s embarrassing sure, but that doesn’t mean you declare your attire’s colors before you go out. Women should be able to express their individuality.”, Calista said.

  “Well I’m not allowed to follow you, and I have to follow Jhessyreen. So I’ll just do what she says. When you let me follow you, then you can decide the rules.”, Ylisaya said to Calista.

  “Makes sense to me…”, Tony casually added, and then laughed.

  Tony and Calista departed the ship while Ylisaya and I prepared for the concert. When I emerged from my quarters I saw Ylisaya, and she was wearing gray and beige pieces of silk suits. I wasn’t certain is she was too young for these clothes or if the clothes were too serious for her, as they made her look older and more professional. Ylisaya wore here golden hair up and I wore my hair down. Ylisaya sat down in the center of her work space and sorted the schematics of the Battle Armor, and I examined a look of concern in her face.

  “What’s wrong with the armor?”, I asked.

  “It’s incomplete, besides that Tony is nearly invincible and now doesn’t require a separate cloaking device.”, Ylisaya replied.

  “But he was wearing a cloak…and now I realize nobody else knows that, and doesn’t need to know that…Does the armor still work even if incomplete?”, I asked.

  “Depends on what hits the incomplete parts. The parts that are not yet enhanced work only like ablative armor.”, Ylisaya replied.

  “I know you finished the chest, back, legs, helmet, and one arm. How much of the other arm was unfinished?”, I asked.

  “I only finished the shoulder guard and the gauntlet. The elbow and fingers of the arm that loads ammo aren’t upgraded yet.”, Ylisaya replied.

  “I never noticed Tony only loads ammo with the same hand.”, I said.

  “It’s the hand that’s forward when Tony uses the Combo Rifle, and the armor still needs a new name”, Ylisaya said.

  “What’s wrong with calling it Upgraded Battle Armor or Power Armor?”, I asked.

  “What Power Armor isn’t also Battle Armor?”, Ylisaya argued

  “How is the armor different from before?”, I asked.

  “Parasitic Armor drains energy from the host when it activates repairs. This new armor works in phases and layers that oppose transference and prevents damage from reaching the wearer.”, Ylisaya said.

  “Phases, Layers, Oppose…Transfer?…It’s gonna be called Plot Armor?”, I asked.

  “Tony was very clear that we had to find a different name.”, Ylisaya said.

  “If it’s no longer called Battle Armor, then just call it armor. If that’s still not good enough, I’m settling on Plot Armor…So how long until you can finish another suit of Plot Armor?”, I asked.

  “Same time, five days, all we need is materials, preferably another available suit…but for whom?”, Ylisaya asked.

  “If the armor is as good as you describe, why not make one for each of us?”, I asked.

  “Plot Armor is much more complicated than Parasitic Armor or Deflector Shields. It requires a combat cyborg’s reactor core like Tony’s to power it. Wearing just one piece of Plot Armor, could kill a Rylkonian or similar cyborg.”, Ylisaya said.

  “Well I guess we can just hide behind Tony when we get attacked.”, I said.

  “No handgun?”, Ylisaya asked as she examined my outfit.

  “None. Shouldn’t need it for where we’re going.”, I replied.

  Ylisaya and I took the monorail to the district where Juno lived. The monorail was filled with women. I considered activating my deflector shields, but that much energy would either get detected or draw attention. If Tony’s theory was correct and the assassin didn’t want to cause panic across the Planet, staying in a crowd of other women is the safest place to be. I could only hope that Calista and Tony find the assassin before another staged accident. I imagined we’re taking a risk in revealing to Juno that the Chosen One is now a priority for the deadliest assassin in the Protectorate or that someone outside of the Protectorate can potentially identify the Chosen One, which might become a liability.

  I was surprised when we arrived at Juno’s district almost every passenger on the monorail seemed to be heading to the concert. I imagined Juno’s concert might have also been the reason for so many Huntresses resigning. I was slightly alarmed when I saw Enforcer mechs were stationed at security points along our path towards Juno’s Music Store. When we finally reached the residential zone, the Enforcer mechs changed to preventing us from entering the store. We were gathered around a stage nearby, and other musicians were on the stage preparing their instruments. I looked around the crowd and I saw significantly more Enforcer mechs, but I didn’t see the Huntresses that I expected to control them. I estimated that the deployment of Enforcer mechs to decoy hospitals and now a crowded concert meant fewer available mechs and better chances for Tony and Calista, and fewer mechs that Tony might have to fight. For myself and Ylisaya we would have to blend in relying on the distraction of the concert and the anonymity of the crowd for safety.

  Juno walked out onto the stage and picked up a stringed instrument and stood right behind the microphone in the center of the stage. Juno greeted the audience, introduced her bandmates, and talked about why she picked the first song. I wondered if it might have been wiser to leave Ylisaya in the ship, which is dangerous to leave her alone with just propaganda.

  As Juno started playing music, I thought her song was pleasant to listen to, but to me it seemed like just noise. I glanced over at Ylisaya and she began swaying with the music. I wondered if we were being affected differently by my specialization and her lack of cybernetic development. If my theory was correct, it would imply each cybernetic enhancement and genetic modification would have such an effect. Juno began her second song and Ylisaya seemed to enjoy the song even more. The lights on the stage joined Juno and the band with changing colors and switching on and off with the song. Juno seemed to have a plan on how to entertain the audience. I wasn’t expecting be be affected. I focused on the theme Juno was singing about and she focused on her loneliness and hope. That made sense based on what I knew of her.

  “Just One Day of Happiness

  Would you live a life of pain for one day of happiness?

  Have you cried so much you forgot the emptiness?

  I shut my eyes, until I could see

  I lived a lie, just to be free

  I tried to escape & ran from the pain, till I was lost

  I ran from myself, forgot who I am, and suffered the cost

  I shut my eyes, until I could see

  I lived a lie, just to be free

  There is no way back, only forward into unknown

  I've been lost so long, I've made this my home

  I shut my eyes, until I could see

  I lived a lie, just to be free

  A fiction, a lie, a weak fabrication is all I have left

  Facing the truth will become my final test

  I shut my eyes, until I could see

  I lived a lie, just to be free

  Would you live a life of pain for one day of happiness?

  Have you cried so much you forgot the emptiness?

  I shut my eyes, until I could see

  I lived a lie, just to be free

  I forgot my pain, when the unknown faded away

  In just a memory of time, I was happy for just a day”

  I’m glad none of Juno’s other lyrics were this morbid. This song had less of an effect on Ylisaya, and I wasn’t certain if it also sounded differently to her than to me. I imagined since we both had different reactions to TV shows, maybe different music has different effects?

  Our biggest concern was depending on the group around us for safety, also required we leave behind all equipment including weapons. My deflector shields would not protect me as effectively here. I also had no way to reliably anticipate any potential threats.