The transport ship moved slowly towards the station, the pilot ready at any moment to turn the ship around and escape. In the seats were Melora and four Marines, armed and ready for trouble. Beneath the floors, hidden and ready to pop out were six more Marines, Elinsys and Nilni were hiding in the cargo hold, squished together and rather uncomfortable. Elinsys was watching the hatch closely.

“It won’t open on its own, I think even laser fire won’t open it. An explosion would, but I think we are dead if that happens anyhow, well you will be dead, I won’t.” Leferia said, watching closely how Elinsys and Nilni would react, the helmets obstructed her view slightly.

“If we die, you die with us.” Elinsys responded.

“She is right Lef, even if you survive, your brother would do anything to capture you and then… What happens then?” Nilni asked, in her usual cheery tone. If Leferia did anything good it was bringing that tone back after the horrors Nilni suffered through.

Leferia was silent, her eyes staring into the Void itself. “I won’t die, no. That would be too merciful and it would have consequences for my brother, terrible ones. I would get my revenge in death or to be more specific non existence. No, he will consume my soul and take my powers. I will live, but if I die it will be over once and for all. And that… scares me. I have lived lifetimes, I have seen empires rise and fall, I probably caused a few to fall. And it all will end over something trivial like an infection? Or a stab wound?” Leferia’s expression grew more serious with each word, finally the finality of death reached her. Her actions finally seemed like they had a weight that she had refused to give to them before. Would her life be ruined by some deity or void creature without them even knowing she existed? Would she be remembered for longer than a few decades? Already she is forgotten, her feud with her brother is gone from the tomes of history, only the two of them knew of it. How many lives had they ruined over something so trivial; it was trivial wasn’t it? They both saw it as a game, a game for children and mortals, not for gods. When they started it, it was to have fun, to expel the boredom which has grown over them lately. She could have had anything and everything that she wanted in the loving embrace of her family and friends, but she threw it all away over what was now clear to her was only a petty squabble. And now her brother, who once was kind and caring… Now he wants nothing but her head on a silver platter. “I… I have to go and make sure our plan goes as planned, I will be back later.” Leferia stopped moving with the ship, letting it fly past her. She was floating in the void of space, the feeling was similar to that of her home, but she could feel the cold. Something was wrong, why is she cold? Is one of her hosts cold?

Leferia looked around, Fera was commanding the Veneration and keeping a close eye on the transport ship. She looked glorious. She reminded Leferia of one of her battle-sisters, bloodthirsty and diligent. Did she do that to Fera? Did she influence her so she would be more alike to one of her sisters? To the Goddess of War? Has she been influencing every single one of her hosts to be like her family, be they by blood, adopted or by marriage?

Nilni, cheerful and a ray of sunlight obstructed by horrible events. She reminded Leferia of first adoptive dad. God of Love, a drunkard if there ever was one, but truly the most caring being that existed.

Melora, she was similar to Goddesses of War mother, the Queen of Hell. She was stoic and dutiful, always trying to protect her subjects and family. A bonus was the fact that Kar reminded her of her husband. Melora has been thinking about Kar for the last few days. Leferia had paid close attention. The jokes Kar told over the years were oddly similar to the ones she heard from the King, heartfelt and usually of terrible quality. Earning them groans rather than laughs, but nobody minded.

Bea’ti, well, she was a bit of a jerk, but Leferia could understand why she was like that. Still not an excuse for her behaviour. No need to try and sabotage Melora over an old flame towards Kar, or her marriage. She saw a bit of herself in her, they both held a grudge for a long time, for their respective lifespans that is. In both scenarios it was something trivial, something which could have been solved with words. Leferia’s grudge ruined lives, she couldn’t let Bea’ti’s ruin anyone’s too.

And then there was Elinsys. Elinsys. What to say about her? She never trusted Leferia and probably never will. There is some justification for this, Leferia refused to tell her the whole truth. Perhaps it made sense back then, or it was justified, but now? Now it seemed like the worst decision she could have made. How different things could have been, if only this and that. Perhaps they could be friends now, perhaps they could have gone on to explore and help people all across the galaxy. There were parts of Leferia which really wanted to see the other empires and see the rest of this galaxy, but now? Now this could only end by Elinsys and her going their own ways. Hopefully without any of them dying, but knowing her brother… He always was the better strategist and planner, meanwhile Leferia was better in a direct fight, but that was no use if there would be no straight fight. Elinsys reminded her of the Lightbringer, not trusting of the Voidborn or the Void. Regretful of the past and a failure of duty. The Lightbringer failed to protect his mentor and caused a war, Elinsys wanted to save her home, but instead she brought buildings down onto rebels.

Leferia wanted, really wanted to help Elinsys, she felt guilty for everything that happened because of her immaturity. The riots, the kidnappings, the attacks, everything her brother had done, she was responsible for. If she just stopped pushing him to take more and more drastic means to win the game. To let him win, to not make fun of him over each loss and mistake he made. They could be home, drinking and feasting now, sharing tall tales with their brothers and sisters, all under the watchful gaze of Father, but no. She had to throw it all away for… nothing.

“I am truly a monster, aren’t I?” Leferia asked, she knew nobody would hear her, especially not her Father.

“Yes, you truly are, but then, aren’t we all? By the standards of the mortals? Demons and abominations from the Void, ready to drag them to Hell or the Sea of Souls if they so wish.” A voice said behind her.

Leferia turned her head slightly. Her wings were extended, feeling the slight movement of the space around her. “Hello, brother.” She looked at the figure behind her. A single tear leaving her eye, not for her, not for the past, but for her brother and what he now was.

***

Finally the transport craft landed in the hangar and the bay doors closed behind it. The pilot left the engines running, ready to use the lasers for defense or at least as covering fire. Melora took a deep breath. “Ladies, if you have any prayers, tell them now. We five will go and attend this dinner; pilot, open the hatch when Elinsys gives you the go ahead. I wish you all luck, may the Goddess protect you.” Melora saluted and then waited for the hatch to open.

“We got company, they are armed. Seems like your escort.” The pilot said. “Five of them waiting next to the ship, four more next to the door. Good luck, ma’am.”

“Thank you.” Melora walked out of the transport, observing the five people who stood before the ship. The leader was dressed in ceremonial robes, her face mostly hidden by them, but her purple chin could be seen. The other four were wearing armour, light armour, only protecting their chest, head and arms, but their weapons were ready to fire. The ones behind them, standing next to the door, were armed as well as Melora’s Marines; she wouldn’t be surprised if they were ex-military or at least mercenaries before the cult took them in.

“Hello, Commodore. Please come with us and bring Keresa with you. You did bring her, yes?” Her voice was ragged and tired, a frown on her lips.

“No, you didn’t request her. Why would I hand her over?” Melora asked the woman.

“Hm, so be it. Her usefulness has run its course anyhow. She will die happily, knowing she has served our Lord. Now then, shall you come with me?” The woman asked, a smile replacing her frown.

“Yes, my guards are coming with me.” Melora stated.

“Of course! The more that wish to join, the merrier we shall be.” The woman extended her arms as if offering a hug, but lowered them before anyone could give her one. “This way.”

The woman turned on her heels and walked away from the ship, Melora following in her stead, the party of ten moving with haste. After the doors closed only the four heavily armed cultists remained. The pilot spoke into her comms. “Four, heavy armour. Next to the door. Observant, for now.”

Elinsys listened closely. “We will have to wait until the distraction happens or they get tired and stop paying attention. Marines, wait for now. They will search us.” Elinsys turned her comms off.

Nilni looked at Elinsys. “If they search the ship, won’t they find us? The cargo hold is the first place I would look.”

“Yes, so would any search officer, but tell me one thing… would you expect illegal cargo or two very angry Marines pointing their rifles at you?” Elinsys responded, trying to grab her rifle, but quickly realized there was no way to aim them. “...Their sidearms.” She pulled out a pistol.

“Wouldn’t that set off an alarm? Even if we manage to hide from the cameras, the shots would set off an alarm, no?” Nilni asked.

“Yes, that is why we wait on Melora. All she has to do is place a tiny box onto any of the power boxes and then we can cut the power to this hangar, hopefully.” Elinsys looked at her omni-pad. Still no news.

“This plan sounds less like a plan and more like suggestions.” Nilni responded.

“We are flying blind, mostly. And our planning was spent on our extraction and attack on the station. The longer we are unseen the better, but at some point we will have to fight. I would prefer to do it when we have our crew with us, but if we have to fight from here to the hangar we shall.” Elinsys made sure the safety on her gun was on. “Melora, please succeed.”

***

Melora walked down the halls of the old station, most of it was damaged and barely kept together, the walls were rotting and were covered in graffiti of symbols and words. “Glory to the Void, Glory to the Lord.” One sign stood out, it was written in blue, was that blood? “Death to the False Queen.” Melora looked around for Leferia, in the short time she was aware of her she learned just how chatty Leferia was. Always there to make a comment when a chance appeared, no matter how inappropriate or unfunny. She was also supposed to tell Elinsys when it was go time, but Elinsys made Melora plan out a backup just in case she wasn’t here, which seemed to be the case. So where was she?

“I do hope you are enjoying the decor, it is the best we could afford. Hopefully we could move into the Royal Palace on Shil one day, I have only seen it from pictures and videos. A building worthy of our God it will require certain redecorations, for now it is too humble.” The woman leading Melora said, glancing over her shoulder to Melora. “You should really think about joining us, you and Kar would finally be free to do what you wish. You would have the respect you deserve, a great admiral, perhaps the chief admiral?”

“I do not wish for respect, if I could choose I would retire somewhere far away from Shil. I will get that soon anyways, you should really try to find a better offer for me. Also for the rest of my crew. You will lose anyway, and nobody bets on the losing Turox.” Melora replied.

“You say that now, but if you look to your left right about now, you shall see why we are the winners.” She gestured with her hand to the glass panel on the wall. Overlooking the hydroponics area, Melora stopped and looked through the glass. There were no more plants, but rather blue pods, in every single one a Shil’vati. Melora pressed her hands against the glass, her eyes widened, her beating heart beat faster and faster.

“This, this is...” Melora started, losing her breath.

“Illegal? Unethical? Do not worry, they are not people, they possess no soul. They are clones, clones of Keresa.” The woman lowered her hood, revealing her head, on her forehead a symbol was carved into it. “So am I.” Keresa stood before Melora, smiling ear to ear.

Melora wanted to punch her, strangle her to death. “How? Why?”

“Simple: I am the most loyal, I am the strongest, I am the chosen, I am the consort and I shall be the new queen. You are married to a Rakiri. I am married to a God.” Keresa smiled, holding back a chuckle.

“So you are the original, you are the Keresa?” Melora asked, leaning against the wall, looking for the electrical wires which should lead her to a power box. She spotted one, but it was next to the pods.

“Original? No, the original is kept safe until she might reign as queen, but I intend to earn the favour of our god and become the consort.” Keresa smiled. “I do all the work in the end. I deserve it.”

They are infighting between themselves, or is it just Keresa? A weakness. “That will be a hard thing to do, but perhaps I could help?”

“Oh?” Keresa asked, her brow rising. “Do tell.”

“Clearly me joining you would be a benefit, both to your god for my experience and for you because I would be an ally.” Melora responded.

“We aren’t brainwashed. How do I know you wouldn’t want to replace me?” Keresa asked.

“I have Kar, if you didn’t hold him you would all be dead by now.” Melora answered, trying to keep up her ruse.

“No love for others? So be it, I give you Kar, unharmed, and you help me out later?” Keresa asked.

“Something like that. First I have to meet your god, but before that I want a look at those clone bays. I want to see how similar they are to you, the future original.” Melora smiled.

Keresa laughed. “Oh you flatterer, come with me.” Keresa pulled Melora with her, leaving the security detail in the hallways. “These are the newest ones, you see we change them a bit, depending on what service they must perform. I wish to begin more extensive modifications. More eyes, more hands. More anything or less of it. To create a perfect lifeform for each scenario, who could stop us then?”

Melora followed, trying to navigate her way to the power box; these old stations had more singular power grids, especially when they were jury rigged to work. She just had to reach it and open it. “Could you show me some of the lighter modifications? Like those down that way?” Melora pointed to the pods near the power box. The figures in the pods were more misshapen than those near Melora.

Keresa walked to them. “These are currently being molded, you can see the eyes, the mouth, the ears and the nose if you look close enough, but they are misplaced. It takes a week at minimum to make one.”

Melora observed the abomination before her, the eyes were placed on different sides of the body, one was on the back the other on the chest. The ears were misshapen, one was long the other wide. The nose was that of an animal rather than a Shil’vati. Melora moved backwards to the power box. “Is it alive?”

Keresa smiled. “Oh, yes. It can feel everything. You want to shock it?” Keresa walked over to the panel on the pod, Melora took this chance to plant the box. “Just press this button and-”

Screams, faint and weak, could be heard from the inside of the pod. It didn’t sound female or Shil’vati, but rather like an animal in pain. Melora felt a stab in her stomach and ears. “Stop it. We shouldn’t keep the host waiting, let us move on.”

***

Melora’s signal came in. The cameras were now under their control. Quickly they were placed on a loop. “We are clear.” The pilot said over the comms. “Shall I cause a distraction, ma’am?”

Elinsys checked her gun one last time. “Yes, wait for the Marines to get ready and then call over the guards.” Elinsys shut down the comms. “Nilni, prepare yourself. Soon the party starts.”

Nilni nodded and checked her gun, she was as ready as she ever would be. “Ready and loaded. Let’s roll.”

The pilot exited the transport craft. She looked towards the guards, who now started to march towards her. “Get back into the ship.” One of them yelled at her.

“Listen, won’t you let me have a stretch?” The pilot asked, behind her the Marines were ready to attack the guards.

“No, back inside. Now.” The guard replied. “Or we will escort you inside.”

“Well, do that then.” The pilot responded.

The guard sighed and pointed at her. “You two escort her inside, you come with me. We will perform a search and if we find anything, execute her.” The guards split and headed in their directions.

Two grabbed the woman and dragged her into the ship. “Easy, easy. The cockpit is to the right here.”

Elinsys listened over the comms, then for the footsteps. “Here they come.” She pointed her guns towards the cargo hatch. Nilni did the same.

A pair of footsteps were heard outside, then the hatch opened slowly. When it opened fully, the two guards were staring at Elinsys and Nilni, but more importantly at their guns. Before they could say anything Elinsys and Nilni opened fire. Shots hit their chests and they fell backwards onto the floor. Elinsys jumped out and fired one shot into each head. “There we go, making sure. Report pilot.”

“We took care of the guards. Sending out someone to help you with yours.” The pilot responded over the comms.

“Good, strip them and have our girls take their place. Others will wait in the ship and attack when the battle starts. Two Marines will join me and we will start moving by the vents. Elinsys out.” Elinsys looked behind at Nilni, who was standing next to her. “I hope you aren’t scared of the vents. We will have to go crawling through them.”

“I do have a question, wouldn’t it be better for me to stay here? So we could use Leferia to update you, Melora and me on where each other is. Keep track of the teams, even if they jam our comms?”

“I suppose so, that is, if Leferia shows her face. She is missing. She was supposed to tell us when we could go, the backup was used instead. So where is she?” Elinsys asked Nilni.

“I see your point, but Leferia won’t fail us. You might not trust her, but I do and I know she is currently helping us somehow.Maybe she is busy with Melora, scanning for defenses and weaknesses in our enemies. Then she will tell us those, when she can. We are flying blind, would it not be for the best if we had more eyes in more places than you, Melora and me all in one team? If I stay here I can help defend the transport, or come rushing to your aid if you need it.”

“Fine.” Elinsys turned her comms back on. “Pilot, send me three Marines. Nilni will stay here with you and help you.” She then turned them off. “Good luck Nilni, do not die. That is an order.”

“I will take them all with me to the Void if I have to, but I intend to die surrounded by family.” Nilni, saluted and went towards the ship.

Elinsys headed towards the ventilation systems. “Leferia, by the Goddess you better show up soon.”

***

The door before Melora opened, she and her escorts were coming closer and closer to the reactor, but it would seem they had reached their destination.The room before them was nothing but extravagant. Carpets covered the floors; different shapes and sizes, a multitude of colours and shapes stacked one on the other. A very small step was formed from all of them, Melora took a careful step over it and entered further. The walls were covered in drapes and metal symbols, next to the drapes were plants and treasures. Statues, suits of armor, even an EXO suit tucked in the corner. The only reason why anyone would know it was a dinning hall was the row of tables in the middle, surrounded by chairs of different shapes and sizes. The food on the table was beautiful, placed in such a way one could see everything on the table at the same time. Cutlery, plates and glasses placed orderly in front of each seat, two glasses provided to each guest. It would be a wonderful sight, if there was anyone there to greet them. The doors closed behind them, Melora, her escort and Keresa only remained in the grand room.

“Please, have a seat. Your seats are marked, your guards may stand next to the walls. Away from the EXO, we wouldn’t want them to get hurt on accident, no?” Keresa produced a chuckle and went to sit down a few seats from the head of the table.

Melora walked next to the table, her escort following in her stead. She observed the meals closely, offerings to apatize her to their side surely. Turox steak, vegetables from dozens of planets, meat from every corner of the galaxy, all usually served to high society, but the interesting plates were the one closest to the makeshift throne placed on the end of the table. They looked more raw and bloody than anything else on offer.

Finally she found her seat, it was close enough to the throne, but still far enough so any possible attacks coming from her could be stopped. She looked at the names next to her. Her heart skipped a beat, there it was, written in gold and with beautiful handwriting. Kar, seated right next to her. Soon she would save him from this mess. “Where are others?”

Keresa, already sitting down in her seat, looked at Melora. “They will be here shortly. Feel free to try the food, we even have beef here, some Earth animal, it was expensive to procure. Would be a waste to go untasted by you.” She gestured to a brown piece of meat.

“I think that would be impolite and my appetite is currently too worried about my crew. I shall wait.” Melora didn’t plan on eating anything, it could be drugged or poisoned or who knows what. She just hoped Kar, Henera, Rixva and Gelln weren’t given anything.

Then a bell sounded, Melora looked around for it, it must be artificial. The ringing was drowned out by the sound of doors opening again. A row of cultists emerged from the darkness of the hallway and walked past the table, taking their seats between Melora and the way out. Then more appeared, their faces covered by masks, these mask seemed to have no real design behind them, they all were made to cover the face, but they looked like someone smelted together lose pieces of metal that they found lying around, each mask had a set of horns, these were made out of jagged iron or steel. The robes hid armor beneath them, not one of Shil’vati make, but rather again like the mask, iron and steel forced together with power. They made Melora uncomfortable, which was the point, intimidation rather than actual protection. She glanced at her escort, even if they wore helmets, she could feel their fear, the insecurity in the air. How would they make it out of here alive?

Then she saw him, Kar. He stepped out of the shadows and into the light. By the goddess, his face. What have they done? His eyes no longer had that beautiful glow of positivity in them, now they were as dark as the sky above Shil, the stars drowned out by the light of the buildings. His fur looked worse, less shiny and well-kept now he looked more ragged and feral. The fur around his mouth, eyes and nose was shorter than usual too. Did they cut it off? Why would they do such a thing? His expression was the most hurting stab in Melora’s side. There wasn’t a faint hint of happiness in it, even when he noticed her, if anything he appeared more sad.

Melora stood up. “Kar! Darling, come here.” She extended her hands into a hug and awaited her husband, a smile and a frown on her face.

Kar looked at her, then at Keresa. After she gave him a slight nod, he approached Melora, he stopped in front of her and without a word he moved himself towards her, not hugging her back, but rather just pressing himself against her. Melora hugged him, holding him tightly, observing his expression. She leaned closer to one of his ears. “Kar, what have they done to you?”

Kar didn’t respond, rather he remained perfectly still, then he nudged himself back and Melora let him go. He turned from her and sat down next to her, staring forward. Melora sat down and tried to make sense of what was going on. Her eyes noticed Henera, Gelln and Rixva, sitting opposite her, not having spoken a single word, staring not at Melora, but straight forward. Henera, who was staring into Melora, seemed to stare through her rather than at her. “Are you all well?”

They all turned to Keresa, who gave a slight nod. Then they all spoke in unison. “Yes.” Monotone and quick.

Melora felt like she was being stabbed again and again. “That is nice.” She decided to remain silent for now, she had hoped she could rely on them to help her fight off the guards and escape, but now it was her and four more versus at least thirty cultists. If they were to act as the rioters so long ago, they would do anything to stop her. She wished she had an EXO suit, well, there was that one in the corner, but getting into it and starting it would take too long, even if it was in working order.

Then the bell rang again, everyone at the table stood up, including her crew. Melora remained seated. The doors opened and a robed figure entered. The robes were stitched together out of many different kinds of fabric and colours, the figure was huge, at least half higher than Melora and wider than an average Shil’vati. It took its place sitting down next to the throne, but there was no chair there so it lowered itself on the floor. “I bring news from the Lord, he shall not be present for this meal, he has a family reunion to attend. Soon the false Queen shall be gone!” The voice was similar to Keresa’s, but somehow more robotic and there was another voice under Keresa’s.

With those words the cultists were driven into chaos. Shouting, prayers and adoration for their god was heard from the lips of everyone present. Even those wearing jagged metal raised their voices in honor of their glorious victory over their enemy. Even Kar, Henera, Rixva and Gelln shouted, less than the others, but they joined the choir.

The figure raised its hand. Silence fell over the room, maybe even the station. “My brothers and sisters, we must pray for our Lord and give him our strength. As we speak he battles the ancient evil, please, join the Choir. And may our voices drown out the voice of betrayal.”

The cultists spoke. “We join the Choir. We join our Lord.” Then they grabbed their knives and cut their own necks. Blood rushed from their arteries and veins running over the table and the food. Soon enough the lower parts of the table were nothing more than a blood pool.

Melora moved towards Kar, grabbing his claws and holding them. He looked at her, an expression of confusion on his face, he looked her into the eyes, was he finally aware who Melora is?

“Do not worry, we wouldn’t kill your crew, we are trying to recruit you, not kill you.” Keresa said, playing with her knife. The robbed figure next to the throne looked at her, but didn’t say anything.

Melora let go of one Kar’s claws, but she held the other gently, interweaving Kar’s and her fingers together. “Why did you order them to kill themselves?”

“They were useless, this was the best way to show their loyalty.” The figure spoke up, its voice unnatural.

Keresa stopped playing with her knife. “I thought they could be used still, but our Lord wished it so and so it shall be. Do not worry, this is most unusual for us, the fight with Leferia-”

“Do not speak the traitor’s name, do you wish to be corrected?” The figure asked Keresa.

“No. I hope to one day be as half as useful as you are to our Lord, but I know there is no replacing Keresa herself, not even your clones are capable of it.” Keresa said to the figure.

“Silence, clone C-17. Now Commodore Melora, our Lord, wishes you to join, will you?” The robed figure asked.

“What have you done to my husband and crew?” Melora asked.

“Unimportant, will you join us?” The figure asked again, slightly annoyed.

“I do not intend to let you do what you did to Kar to me.” Melora responded. “And I have no intention of letting you keep doing this to Kar.”

“She is being uncooperative C-17, this is a waste of my time. You have failed, again.” The figure spoke up, anger filled her voice.

“She will work with us.” Keresa said. “For Kar, surely.”

“I am right here and no, I will not work with you.” Melora pointed at the robed figure. “I would be willing to work with Keresa, but I see only one Keresa in this room.” Melora then pointed at Keresa.

“You dare!? I am Keresa, I am the future bride of a God!” The figure stood up and pointed at Melora. “You two are conspiring to dispose of me, aren’t you? Yes, you are. I know myself. Guards, seize them, seize the outsiders and throw them into the vats. Their flesh will serve, even if their minds refuse to.”

The guards wearing black metal proceed to raise their guns, Melora’s escort does the same, Melora grabs Kar and pulls him onto the floor, Keresa throws herself onto the floor too. Henera, Gelln and Rixva stand up, Henera jumping onto the table and releasing a scream. The EXO in the corner comes to life and raises a blade. In a second, the once beautiful dinner turned into a bloodbath.

Then, the universe stopped. Before anyone could do anything, before any harm could be done a pulse of energy shook the station and sent everyone to the floor.