A week has passed since their initial arrival, and for them, the good news was that the shipyard’s manager has since kept his end of the promise. Not a peep came out of him to notify any authorities of Ulminhan presence on the planet as they laid low. And much to his relief, his debts were paid off, as well as a much needed expense for his wife’s health. Even more, lodging was at least secured for the few hundred survivors for the time being, paid for by Vertan after being aided by the manager during negotiations. If anything, the added silver lining was that both Vertan and Gahn came out happy with the results of their coordinated efforts for once.
The bad news however, was that substantial repairs to get the carrier ship spaceworthy again may take months, to even over a year. It ended up being a far cheaper and quicker endeavor to simply buy up the smaller existing ships or even build new ones outright, whilst recycling whatever parts that could be scavenged from the carrier ship, fated to be scrapped anyhow.
This would nonetheless take a few months and eat a huge chunk out of Vertan’s budget, even when taking cheaper options. In the end, five new, smaller vessels went under construction, with money saved on using existing materials from the carrier. The shipyard was very, very pleased and happy with the addition of new jobs, contracts, and business.
Other than a private service being held for the fallen earlier that week, everything else at least managed to slow down for the rest of them on World Pliua. Having to wait for the shipyard’s work and being made to lie low, their options were overall limited. Fear of surveillance kept them mostly in place, and extrastellar travel was out of the question; identification would always be required when voyaging anywhere, meaning their ties could be immediately traced back to the situation at hand.
Either way, it felt like it could only be a matter of time. The paranoia of being noticed through every crack, every bit of surveillance, every communication, every transaction, every interaction, could never truly be shaken, and instead hung perpetually over their heads.
*****
Lym recovered steadily, but nonetheless slowly. By the second week, she was back to walking at a normal pace, and could even keep up with most ordinary physical demands, but it was still a far cry from her usual otherworldly abilities. Much to Vertan’s protest that she should allow her body rest and recuperation, he would often find her attempting to push her limits each day.
She could be seen trying to jump higher, run faster, and punch harder, only to be met with silent frustration towards herself. Vertan too, found himself frustrated at how relentlessly unforgiving Lym was towards herself, even if he wouldn’t admit his more tender sympathies deep down. He could feel the self-directed anger from within her, even if she seldom expressed it.
Sometimes, these interactions go by entirely wordless, and the two try to absolve each other of their concerns walking around the lake. Rarely would they explore the nearby city.
It was on this particular day however, that they did indeed make a trek through the urban center. It was wide, big, and busy, but nonetheless “unremarkable” overall compared to the more colossal worlds such as Headworld Suprima or World Ilunia. Somehow, despite being far bigger than what they were used to back in World Ulminh, the city could almost be described as “humble” in its scope, even if of Alpharonian design ethos.
Sadly enough for them, it would only be those two alone together. It had been discovered at the private service that none of Lym’s new friends had survived the battle over World Ritus. Aolia must have perished on the carrier when it came under fire, and she has remained missing since. Vertan vaguely remembered Yulo and Guee, who had joined his side to provide supporting fire during one part of the battle. Both seemed to have been like brothers to each other. With Balon and Cinti, they must have perished some time either on the ground or in the other doomed carrier ship. The only one left was Erei, the only one who managed to survive out of the group, but nonetheless succumbed to her injuries later that same night and with a body intact enough for a proper cremation.
A dull sorrow had hung over them since. Even with most of them, there was only a very limited time in which they had each gotten to know each other, and not too long ago, all were chattering together in the same room, and yet now all but two have perished. Their families may still be waiting for them at home. Aolia in particular was a particularly joyful soul, the only one to have gone so much out of her way to befriend Lym.
It was also due to their and many others’ fates that a rather large proportion of the survivors grew highly resentful of Vertan and Lym, blaming them for their deaths. It was not at all difficult for Lym to hear whispers behind closed doors of them, mutters of accusations, or sometimes even wishing ill of them. Upon hearing of this, Vertan attempted to bring this up to Gahn, only to feel like he was speaking to a brick wall.
In the end, the two steeled their resolve through it. Even though the other half came to their defense, it was nonetheless enough to isolate the two so that they kept to themselves unless otherwise necessitated—
“Vertan,” Lym comments.
“Hm?” says Vertan, breaking out of the momentary stupor of his thoughts.
“You look different in that picture,” she says.
Looking up from the street, Vertan could see his image displayed on a giant holoboard:
WANTED BY THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY (MNS)
VERTAN ZVIEDAL
[Image]
DESCRIPTION
Aliases: Vertan Zviedal, Vertán Sviedal
Date(s) of Birth Used: 73, 34, 10,457
Place of Birth: World Ulminh
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 176 centimeters
Weight: 64 to 77 kilograms
Sex: Male
Race: Ambiguous
Nationality: Ulminhan
Scars and Marks: Zviedal has a scar on the left side of his head, and prosthetics for his left arm and right leg.
REWARD
The MNS is offering a reward of up to ¤50,000,000.00 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Vertan Zviedal.
REMARKS
Vertan Zviedal is a former veteran of the Special Expeditions. He speaks both cosmic standard and native Ulminhan. He is known to carry a firearm and/or knives at all times. He was last seen in 154, 42, 10,488, in World Ritus.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
CAUTION
Vertan Zviedal is wanted for his escalation of violence and disruption of peace and order against Coalition-aligned forces during the protests and insurrections on Ulminh, Qiaou, and inspiring similar movements across multiple regions. Vertan is wanted in connection with the breach and destruction of multiple secured installations, the orchestration of destructive superliminal strikes against World Ritus, and the recovery and harboring of high-value experimental subjects.
Zviedal has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to lead disciplined personnel under extreme conditions and to evade capture despite overwhelming odds. He is known to operate in conjunction with the fugitive entity known as “Lim”, whose abilities present an existential risk to Coalition security.
Zviedal should be considered armed, highly capable, and ideologically hostile to established order. Though he may attempt to appear pragmatic or diplomatic, he has already facilitated actions resulting in mass destruction and high Coalition casualties. Extreme caution is advised in any attempted apprehension.
SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS
If you have any information concerning this person, please contact your local MSN office, the nearest Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip through LatNet at tipsgovmsn-001.
Field Office: World Pliua, North Pole
“Really?” Vertan asks. “I almost got a heart attack, what are you talking about?”
“Well, it still looks a little like you,” Lym continues. “Maybe back when you were younger? You have a bit more facial hair now and your scar’s more hidden.”
“I suppose so, that looks like the images they took of me back when I joined the Expeditions years ago. By the cosmos, that’s a lot about me up there.”
“Looks like you’re in high demand.”
“Well, that’s certainly a way to frame it.”
“I’m flattered they put my name up there with such a bad, bad boy.”
“Oh my God. Stop that.”
“If only they took a photo as you are now, you’d look even more dashing and handsome up there—”
Vertan couldn’t help but burst out a chortle for a second. Somehow, she had managed to make him laugh over seeing his own wanted poster. In any other timeline, he might have fainted from the lightheadedness.
“Really?” he quips as they continue down the street. “I’m more handsome now? Look how nice and young I looked! I’m all old and raggedy in comparison now!”
“Hm,” says Lym as she intentionally evades eye contact, looking up to the mammoth buildings above them. “Maybe you’re missing the appeal in being a more experienced and mature older man, I hear there’s a market for that.”
The two made eye contact for a split second after this remark, and they couldn’t help but burst out laughing. After recovering, seeing the stupid smile on the other’s face sends them laughing again.
“Okay, no, but seriously,” Vertan attempts to say in between laughs. “This shit is serious.”
“Not to mention the rugged look, the battle scars—,” Lym continued, her face harboring a stupid smile.
“I’m serious!” Vertan struggles to get out.
“Oh, alright, alright,” she finally says. “Did any of it help lighten you up a bit?”
“Yes, I know.”
“You know, when I first met you, you were all about telling me to ‘lighten up’ and to quit being a machine, how come I’m doing that work now?”
“Hey, alright now, I think your reaction would be the same as mine if you saw yourself up there—”
And as though with cosmic intervention, Vertan’s holoboard gave way to the next wanted poster:
WANTED BY THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY (MNS)
SUBJECT-000002, “LIM”
[Image]
DESCRIPTION
Aliases: “Lim”
Date(s) of Birth Used: Unknown
Place of Birth: Unknown
Hair: Black
Eyes: Unknown
Height: 165-172 centimeters
Weight: Unknown
Sex: Female (presumed)
Race: Unknown
Nationality: Unknown
Scars and Marks: SUBJECT-000002 “Lim” has a mechanical left eye that emits a dull red light, and the left side of the face is covered in burn scars.
REWARD
The MNS is offering a reward of up to ¤100,000,000.00 for information leading to the capture and containment of SUBJECT-000002 “Lim”.
REMARKS
SUBJECT-000002 is an anomalous demon taking the form of a female human person. It speaks cosmic standard fluently. It is known to possess extraordinary and hypernatural powers, including but not limited to: strength, speed, agility, perception, stamina, endurance, adaptability, and indestructibility. It was last seen in 154, 42, 10,488, in World Ritus.
EXTREME CAUTION
SUBJECT-000002 is wanted for posing an existential threat to the security of the Coalition and Myriad Worlds, and for the escalation of violence and disruption of peace and order during the protests and insurrections on Ulminh and Qiaou. SUBJECT-000002 is wanted in connection with the breach and destruction of multiple secured installations, confidential and scientific data, including the strikes against World Ritus.
SUBJECT-000002 has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to both deal and withstand extraordinarily destructive damage. It is known to operate with fugitive and national traitor Vertan Zviedal, a rogue veteran of the Special Expeditions.
SUBJECT-000002 should be considered a highly dangerous and existential threat to life. Though it may attempt to appear innocuous, it has already caused mass destruction and high casualties. Extreme caution is advised. Personal safety is advised to be prioritized first and foremost when making a report on sightings. Direct apprehension is not advised.
SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS
If you have any information concerning this subject, please contact your local MSN office, the nearest Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip through LatNet at tipsgovmsn-001.
Field Office: World Pliua, North Pole
“Alright, very funny,” Lym says as Vertan barely manages to hold himself back from howling hysterically.
“Your price tag’s twice as expensive as mine!” chortles Vertan.
“It means I’m more valuable,” Lym quips. “Don’t get jealous now.”
“You know, they’re barely even hiding that you’re a person anymore.”
“It says I supposedly ‘took on the form’ of a person. Like I can do that.”
“You know, of all the things you can do, I’m surprised you can’t do that.”
“If I have the right equipment on me, I can provide an illusion. I lost my suit, though.”
“Fair enough. So, Miss Rugen, how does it feel to be famous?”
“Oh, you’re getting back at me now, aren’t you?”
“Wait a minute.”
“Hm?”
“Have we ever talked about that?”
“About me being famous?”
“I’m being serious now. Doesn’t everyone know what happened on Ulminh and Qiaou by now?”
“You’re right—remember that Giaya guy?”
A moment of silent realization creeps between them of this sudden reminder.
There was discontent and resentment before, but it was all messy and unorganized. There was yet to be a single uniting cause on anything, and the people were generally divided on what they were fighting for. They were overall too content enough with things as they are to demand an overthrow.
What did it take in the months between their transit to get to the point where Lym’s face could be plastered almost unapologetically on a giant holoboard like that?
Hearing chants and drums from down the street, Vertan and Lym look over to the source of the sound.
For the first time, they witnessed a protest on Coalition soil.
