Unipsi, lovely entity

chapter 19: meeting

Rain. Heavy rain from the approaching thunderstorm marked the start of their day. Scilla was looking at the weather forecast but things were not going to get better. The city is covered with lighting rod but those will not stop the heavy rain and the wind. However the weather was not the only problem. Idra was nowhere to be found. She usually appear before Scilla wakes up yet she still didn’t.

She must be in her ship. I should at least try.

Unconcerned of the storm she reached for Natrix, but the ship was silent. She nocked on the hull multiple time but all seemed death. Then she yelled to overcome the thunders noise.

“Idra. I know you are in there. Don’t know what the problem is but we can talk about it. Let me in”

--Access denied--

Replied a robotic voice. It must have been Natrix even if she thought it was going to sound more human. Actually it didn’t sound like Idra’s translated voice at all. It sounded more like an old voice

synthesizer, but how could she know that it was the real Natrix.

“Natrix, let me in. I have to speak with her”

--Access denied--

then she kicked the ship

“stupid machine good for nothing. At least tell her that the meeting with the liin is suppose to happen at 13 at the HQ, you know the skyscraper where we met Dhalia”

--Message delivered successfully--

No hope to get inside. I guess she must be worry for whatever is going to happen. But what could it be?

Scilla waited in vain. When she had no more time she left to get ready for the meeting.

At the HQ people had already gathered in mass. The liin visit was an important event for most citizen and so despite the rain and being unable to attend they still gathered all around the Hakavor’s complex to peek on their liin. Their meeting was not something that require the federation assembly yet it was an important event that could go down in history. What started as a small talk become a slightly bigger event to which some assembly members are going to attend as witnesses. For similar reason the only esterian’s ambassador decided to attend as well. Scilla already advised that Idra won’t even speak to them and that more guest will only make her angry but she was ignored. Scilla also pointed out the futility of keeping the liin’s bodyguards but she was once again ignored. The esterian’s ambassador was the first to invite himself and in their mind they thought they could do the same, to a certain extend. All 10 lean’s witnesses arrived together with the ambassador. For a total of 11 uninvited people. Between them: the head of the Hakavor, Allium Hakavor who is Dhalia’s grandmother, a couple of lineic wardens, and the rest were basically male ittiri.

At 12:00 the liin’s transport ship arrived. First, 8 of liin’s personal guards, then the liin in all her magnificence and then 8 more guards. 228 cm of total whiteness, she was an extremely rare albino lean. Her guards covering her from the rain as she slowly walked toward the building. Her face was slander with a long horizontal scar cutting all her forehead. It was a leftover of the extermination war. The liin armour redesigned only for her was built around sharp angles to increase bullet deviation. It was painted with a mix of red and grey the colour of her people and the colour of the material themselves. Heavy as all their armour but radiating a feeling of protection, of authority achieved through straggles and inhuman strength. Before becoming the liin, Serafia Csuicha was the general chief of the lean’s army. A chief hard to forget, she was there with her women fighting and calculating their next move. She become especially known after the “bloodbath of Simuri” when she stayed behind to allow the extraction of wounded soldiers from the front HQ. She survived alone against an army for 35:39 hours before reinforcement arrived. Once the cavalry was there she had overcome the entire army now scattered in panic. Those who got there define the view as a hell of only blood and carnage. There are some photos taken in the moment. The most known was taken at dusk, the sun setting behind some buildings. Everything is red. Puddles of blood on the ground, droxi’s viscus all over buildings and streets. The liin standing looking over the camera totally soaked in blood and with some organic tissues stuck to the armour. It was a sublime vision for leans and a horrifying view for everybody else.

The meeting room was similar to Dhalia’s office but bigger. It had 2 sides with windows capable to block unwanted external eyes and 2 side with normal walls. Inside a platform with a pair of steps so it was higher than the rest of the room. Then an electronic board, which is basically a big touchscreen computer, and a desk to allow easier explanations. On said platform they added 2 of the best armchairs they could find. One for the liin and one for their guest. In front of this structure 2 long tables with electrical plugs of any kind and enough chairs for all the attendants, after all it was a meeting room. On the side a small “built in living room” a low coffee table with couches and additional armchairs. A pair of tables, some classic office supplies such as a water dispenser. Liin Csuicha sat on her armchair and called to her sided both Scilla and Dhalia. In contrast to what people could think all of them served in the army and had the pleasure to be friend before being their title. On the electronic board all videos from the security drones looking at Natrix. Even the smaller information could provide benefits in their soon to be done “friendly meeting”. The 16 guards positioned themselves all around the room, ready to defend their liin. Then Scilla whispered to both Csuicha and Dhalia.

“I say this again. She won’t like seeing so many people especially the one armed. I can’t guarantee for her behaviour”

“I know Lis you already told us so” replied the liin

“doesn’t seems so”.

Time passed and Natrix was still at Scilla’s house platform. Both Hakavor’s drones and the government one were looking at it, waiting for its departure. At 12:40 Natrix lift off the platform. The storm was hitting with all its might. Lighting kept on dropping down, some hit the ship that was totally unfazed. It was as if even the sky was trying to warn them of the imminent events. Immediately all scanners where pointed on it ready to track its route. In contrast to their expectation Natrix, instead of moving toward the HQ, moved in the opposite direction toward the city outskirts. She was going so fast in atmosphere that they couldn’t keep up. All the people already in the HQ meeting room were looking at the scene astonished but only few could understand the real implications.

Liin Csuicha was worried, the ship probably had done at least a 20g almost instant acceleration, something like that is not a joke for the ship nor for the pilot. Whatever Scilla brought in was not going to be an easy prey not even for her. Then the ship disappeared even from the scanners.

Panic spread immediately, the thunderstorm blocked direct satellite view and high altitude drones. VTOL were sent out immediately but before they could reach the last position in the old industrial district the ship reappeared. Now it was going back toward the meeting point slowly due to a little extra weight hanging underneath it. The board was showing the different view of the ship that was carrying a cargo container. A long metal chain ending with a massive electromagnet linked the container to the ship 10 meters above it. On the metal flying box they could see 4 humanoid figure. Metal androids with strange changing colours disturbed by the raining falling on them.

Is this stupid box the reason she didn’t answer this morning? Don’t think so, she must have prepared it before somehow. If I have to guess her android can move undetected as she did on the Sheridan, still I’m a bit upset. I would have kept the secret.

The container was clearly something that was prepared but what it was? Then the army initialized a call with the meeting room. They where not the only one that were worried.

“My liin, the recording shows unknown elements. The container is not one of ours, no production marks on it. It’s shielded against electromagnetic scans. The machines on top appear to be androids of some kind and are armed. We don’t know how she got them out there we are sorry…”

“enough excuses. Lis you know her best. What is she doing”

Scilla was absorbed in her mind so she didn’t hear the liin call.

“LIS! What is she doing?”

“oh, sorry liin Csuicha. As far as I can tell she is bringing a gift. Don’t know if it’s for you or…”

“a gift?”

“probably. Apparently she likes them or something like that. It’s not really that easy to follow her logic”

“what about the droids? Where did she get the container from?”

“the big box probably is one of hers or she built one. She moved toward the old industrial zone so she had plenty of metal to take and re-use…”

“is she capable of building a container with no industry around?”

“no idea. I know nothing of the droids. I know that she has flying drones and heavy walkers but nothing more.”

“so in conclusion you don’t think it’s a threat?”

“not for me, but I can’t tell for everybody else in here. As I stated before she doesn’t like people and I’m sure she won’t be pleased to see so many. The container? Probably a gift of some kind, maybe it’s full of rocks that she found interesting or mutilated corpses. Who knows. It won’t kill us, but can’t say that she won’t.”

“that is enough, you already express your concerns”

“yeah, and as before non were taken in consideration. What happen to the ‘I know her better’ hah? She will follow her contract with me and that’s it.”

at 13:00 Natrix was there, floating above the landing zone. It dropped the container right beside it and then slowly lower itself.

She is late, she is never late. If you tell her 13:00 she appears at 13:00:00 so why the extra time? What is she planning? Was this the faith she wanted from me? I’m not gonna get angry for some delay or because she didn’t speak with me about her ideas.

Then the landing. As soon as it stooped a square of darkness embraced the ship and slowly something appeared at the front. Non could hear a quiet whisper coming from the darkness in such raging storm. First 2 humanoid armed robots, the same as the one that are now patrolling around the container. Then 4 heavy walkers followed by 6 flying drones that scattered around scanning the few nearby people. Finally under all the rain she appeared.

There in her 180 cm dark suit. The hexagonal pattern less visible than usual and that looked more alive. The goo twitched under the rain and re-arrange along the extra armour plates. On her insignias written vertically the number 511 in a dark green and in a font that made the numbers look as if they were bleeding their colour. The waist insignia was replaced by a bigger one that covered the legs entirely and was more like a pointy long skirt. On the upper part she had the same insignia on the left shoulder and an additional one on her back that was basically a half poncho only for the back. On her head 3 prisms made of a dark crystal ending with a tetrahedral tip, the black goo was partially connected to them. The middle structure was bigger than the other 2 by its side. They resembled a crown of some kind. Pistol and SMG on her sides, an unknown rifle on her right shoulder.

She took her time to reach the meeting room. The walker were to heavy to use the elevator so she left them at the entrance. Once she arrived she stopped on the other side of the entrance.

Time to shine

Then all electronics in the building, connecting to it, transmitting to it or even pointing at it stopped working. She was in all informatics systems around the HQ and inside it. This action made all soldiers and guards panic. They tried to get back their security systems but there was no hope. Then on all screens, right in the middle a strange word.

IDRA

All liin’s guards had gathered around her scared of possible unknown action coming from Idra.

“put the weapons down guards. You will only make things harder for me”

“sorry our liin”

then the door bust open and on the other side 3 Idra, a couple of flying drones and 2 androids.

Oh boy she is gonna make a show

then finally she spoke, through the room audio system, while her and her copies walked slowly inside the room.

“I see a lot of people. Lots of new faces that I never saw before. How irritating”

the liin replied from her position on the platform’s armchair.

“they all come to see you in such memorable event, as witnesses for our talk and our future”

“cut me out from your bullshit, creature. I’m not here for pretty games.”

Then 2 out of the 3 Idras jumped on the tables, walking on top of them and looking at each uninvited guest. The last one was walking in circle around the liin shielded by her guards.

“I thought you were both braver and smarter. Guards, against me? Really?”

“as you can’t go around weaponless, I can’t let my guards leave my side. now…”

“nah nah nah miss, we play at my pace not yours.”

The Idras on the table climbed down from them and one moved toward the esterian ambassador. The poor dude was shaking.

“let me guess, you believed we sent you a friend?”

“No...I...I… I’m…”

What is she doing? Is she threatening her own companion if he could be call so.

“relax mister… relax. I’m not here for you, quite the opposite. You are doing a splendid job here.”

guess not, is she her superior?

Then the man bowed like a knight and stayed as such.

“I don’t deserve such high words from you”

“flatteries. How nostalgic”

“mine are no flatteries, I’m stating the truth. You inspired me to become an ambassador for our people. Also you saved my nephew from a painful death burnt alive. I can’t dare to stand as your peer”

He is a fan of hers? Then who the fuck is she?

“the little blonde kid, like 4 years old in the burning house in Livira”

“you remember her… I”

the man started crying and bowed down even lower as if he was about to kiss her feet.

Then all Idras disappeared at the same time. One appeared beside Scilla. This was real, the voice was coming from her.

“Stand ambassador. It’s an order.”

The man stood immediately as Idra moved closer to him. Then she put a hand on his shoulder.

“I need no admiration, but it’s good to know that she is doing fine. Now back to business”

Then she moved the other hand in front of him. The ambassador immediately grabbed the hand and the goo on Idra suit expand a bit making a connection.

“ottimo lavoro (good job)”

“fiero di non averla delusa (proud for not disappointing you)”

then the hand shake stopped and the man took a chair and moved to a corner of the room waiting further instructions.

I can’t tell if it was programmed or not. But that hand shake seems suspicious.

The liin tried to take the lead again.

“I suppose it was natural to prioritize your kind, now shall we…”

“what did I told you?. I’m the one that define how things goes”

The guards were irritated, after all she was totally disrespectful toward their “queen”. One of them clung to her weapon. That was a mistake. It all happen in instant. The sound of the armour moving and then the bang on the floor. The armour moved by itself and lied on the ground. Metallic noises coming from it, the soldier inside was trying to force it to move but with no success.

“You better be thankful, as far as I know Scilla would probably define you as allies so I can’t kill you. This is why I told you that guards are useless. If I wanted to kill you I would have done it already. Non can win against Idra.”

Csuicha, as well as all the present, understood the true power balance in the room. If you let her too close your technology has no way out. Which isn’t much in an archaic situation but now almost all armours and weapons work thanks to electronic components. She couldn’t help herself and laugh, better start to be friendlier.

“so what do you suggest miss Weeping Sky right?”

“hm, let’s see… how about you take the broom out of your ass and come to the comfy area?”

Then she sat on one of the couches on the sided of the room. She then patted the space beside her.

“Scilla do you mind joining me?”

“not at all. In the meanwhile can you unlock my phone?”

“why?”

“to call Wiola, I’m sure people are already shitting themselves due to your hacking thing. She is surely worrying to death.”

“oh, yeah sure”

Saying so Scilla phone unlocked, no more IDRA all over it. So she sat beside her and message Wiola.

Then the liin arrived and sat on the couch opposite to hers. It was obvious as the storm in the sky that Idra cared only for Scilla. She was about to speak but Idra was faster.

“Dhalia get your ass over here too. This shit is your fault.”

the guards were unsure but the liin followed Idra’s request.

“now we are talking. So speak freely creature”

Csuicha was not happy at all. But for now she had no solution.

“As you can tell I’m the liin Serafia Csuicha leading all leans toward a better future and I suppose it could pass trough you as well”

“you suppose correctly but what is a liin?”

What? She doesn’t know? She agreed to a meeting without knowing?

“oh, emh, I’m basically the head of the lean federation. Liin is just the technical name but if it’s easier for you I’m basically the queen of the leans, sort of.”

“oh, and so you go my liin Csuicha?”

“usually yes. But I will make an exception for you.”

“how gracious act for a mere scavenger, well I’m Idra 511 Weeping Sky. Idra for friends.”

“I suppose there is more to you than just a scavenger. Your ambassador seemed to treat you with extreme respect”

“it’s true. But what am I exactly?. Inside the Esterian’s Tech-Union or ETU we live almost like you do. Technocracies rule the planets while the Union of them rules above all. I have no standard place in those. I’m a remnant of the founder and technically I possess the entirety of the Weeping Sky solar system”

Nobody ever heard of such rank, nor had an idea of what I could be. But she let out really juicy information. First of all the esterian’s domain is basically a community of technocracies. That explains why they are so advanced. Her case however must be different because apparently Weeping Sky can be bought. So Scilla asked mostly out of her own curiosity.

“when we met you said that you have no ranks such as queens and alike but you are a monarch?”

“haha nah girl. Weeping Sky is a special case. It’s under direct authority of a remnant.”

“and so what is a remnant?”

“me”

“I’m not stupid I got it the first time you said it. I don’t know what you do”

“oh, mmh we solve problems. Clear now?”

“not really, what do you mean by we?”

“it means that there were more remnants, yet now we are few. Nixie 112, Likho 52 and baubas 98. I have said enough for you to understand”

Connecting all the dots, it was obvious that she was way more important than what one could believe. Those remnants of the Founder must have a lot of power. They are probably special forces use to fix extreme problems, or maybe they are called when they can’t decide. Hard to tell maybe they are like an external force called to be impartial when problems arise. Or so almost all the participants thought. All expect the ambassador that knew the truth and Scilla.

So she is indeed linked to the Founder. If they know how to build people I would think that she is probably a female version of the founder or maybe he had a kid and she is a clone of said kid. That would explain a lot. But I’m not sure if she is the only one or the same goes for the other remnants. Maybe they are modified clones. All the data says that she has a high rank that is outside from all the conventional roles. Still why 511 Idras but so few of the others. Why 511 Idras? What is their purpose, their original one. Why where they built or grown. Even with all this mystery I can’t stop liking her, this uncertainty only pulls me closer.

Then Idra stood up. She moved around looking for a bottle of water and a pair of glasses. They were already been prepared on the “designated conversation site” so she just took those and walked back. With her probes she scanned everything just in case. Then she poured water in the 2 glasses that she took, and hand over one to Scilla.

“thirsty?”

“not really but why not”

Then she opened her helmet to reveal her mouth. It was the first time seeing the skin of an esterian for most of them. Now their misconception that esteriand are still humans was consolidated. Then the liin spoke again trying to start the conversation again.

“I see you and commander Lis are really good friend, am I right?”

“indeed we are. She was also my first for a lot of things”

That phrase could be easily misunderstood and indeed it was. Scilla totally surprise split the water and started coughing. All the others were shocked, they thought of a possibility but soon it was took away from their hands.

“Scilla you ok?” as she patted her on the back

“fucking (cough) hell Idra. You know what you just said?”

“yep, I said that you have been the first to do a lot of things with me. Did I miss something?”

“yes! you missed the part where you say it was nothing sexual”

“why should there be anything sexual? You are the first non esterian that I let live, the first to whom I speak peacefully, the first to even get close to my ship. And the list goes on, didn’t want to state all so I cut the phrase. Where does the sexual implication come from? Would you mind telling me?”

it was crystal clear that she had not idea at all of how misleading her phrase was, but her short conversation cleared all suspicious.

“not now, I will explain it later”

Csuicha cleared her throat.

“well… set...set aside your relationship”

“we are friend not that hard to understand”

“well set that aside shall we speak about our interests and why this meeting in the first place. We shall know each other better than just strangers”