>>5184441“We have both the means and the method to save who we can…” You say firmly, turning to your resident gentleman. “….and Dorian’s got the speed to make that happen.”
A hefty Bishop’s the first of your brood to make it out of your spinal hive, darting over to Dorian’s back and spearing his neck to bolster his capabilities. In mere seconds he’s covered from head to toe in platelings, the individual units’ shells merging to form a suit of your trademark chitinous armor, and with a thought you grant yourself the same rigid defense.
“Gina?” You say, retrieving Escher’s Gear and tossing a spoke to Dorian just before he blitzes off the bridge with a flash of static and a rush of ocean wind.
“Overwatch, got it!” She says, eyes flaring once more with Neuromantic light as the seas go rigid under Dorian’s feet, allowing him greater traction as he speeds towards his distant goal.
“Holy-…your man’s almost as fast as this one woman we carried on over on our last job.” Hilde breathes, clearly impressed.
“Pick your jaw up off the floor and help me make room in storage—Dorian’ll be back any second.” Musashi says, clapping the other girl on the shoulder with the hand that isn’t a wooden blade, the pair disappearing below deck as Calypso turn to you with exasperation writ large on her face. She open’s her mouth to speak, but Yamato cuts her off with a voice of calm command.
“Calypso, please continue searching for Leviathan, if you would.” The ship-girl says, her tone leaving no room for argument. Calypso storms off, and Yamato’s voice is softer when she next addresses you, her voice carried only by the speakers closest to you.
“What you are doing is a kind thing, Defiant. I will do my best to assist you in your endeavors.” She says, her words couched in the woman’s ever-present diplomacy.
“It’s much-appreciated, Yamato.” You reply earnestly. “I know this isn’t exactly what we’d envisioned when we first set out, but I’m glad we-“
“Miss Shu, I’ve secured two pods. I’m afraid the rest have been lost.” Dorian informs you, his voice barely audible over the chaos surrounding him. Without hesitation, your gauntleted fingers tighten around the relic in your hand, and your stomach lurches as you’re hurled through space to your ally’s side…and thrust into the chaos he’s weathered thus far. It’s a veritable typhoon, a mountain looming over you that rages at the heavens amidst a roiling sea littered with shattered calcite and melting bodies.
“Are there any traffickers still alive?!” You shout, struggling to be heard over the din as Dorian shakes his head, his fingers extended around the diameters of two small cocoons, the acid slaking off their protective membranes. Your swarm springs to action, encircling the pair as you pull out Escher’s Gear, prepared to make the jump back to safety.
And then everything goes quiet…and so very still.
(Continued)
