{"id":352,"date":"2021-10-17T20:10:05","date_gmt":"2021-10-18T00:10:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/?page_id=352"},"modified":"2021-10-25T14:26:27","modified_gmt":"2021-10-25T18:26:27","slug":"chapter-029","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-029\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 029: Into the Fire"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg\" alt=\"Etherno\" class=\"wp-image-52\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg 768w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm-300x113.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chapter 29:<\/strong> Into the Fire<\/h2>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLet\u2019s go!\u201d Kasai took a step toward the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWait.\u201d Onin grabbed her arm. \u201cIt\u2019s definitely a trap.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai opened her mouth to protest, but Onin held up a finger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes, we\u2019re still going, but we need to have a plan first.\u201d Onin glanced over at the closed door. \u201cAlso, we need to straighten out this matter of potential allies, first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a>\u201cI\u2019m in.\u201d Aiden held up her phone. \u201cThis message was for me to finish up here and report to the depot ASAP. With this body, I\u2019m the best weapon the Union of Free Allied Planets has against the Natas, but I can\u2019t take on thirty of them single-handed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin glanced over at Saija and they both burst out laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai glanced over at them. \u201cSomething wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNope.\u201d Tannin took a deep breath and stared at the far wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNot a thing.\u201d Saija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">They both covered their mouths to stifle more laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Cerina slapped the back of Tannin\u2019s head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOw.\u201d Tannin turned around. \u201cWhat was that for?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGuys!\u201d Onin glared at them. \u201cKnock it off. If we go confront the Natas, we\u2019ll be out-numbered three to one. We need to think this through.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden raised her hand. \u201cI\u2019m familiar with the layout of the depot. It\u2019s an older station and has several docking ports. If we can dock with the station at a main port, but then space-walk around to a maintenance port, we should be able to sneak in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYeah!\u201d Tannin pumped his fist in the air. \u201cThen we split up and take them out!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNope.\u201d Saija shook her head. \u201cBad idea. Whenever a group splits up in the movies, they get taken out one at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe\u2019s right.\u201d Aiden tapped at her phone, then held it out in front of her. A translucent three-dimensional map of a space station rose into the air. \u201cThose Natas are crazy-strong. Our best chance of victory is to stay in a group. Sneaking in will give us the element of surprise, and the smaller maintenance corridors will act as a funnel so we can all take on one Natas at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin cocked his head to the side. \u201cI don\u2019t get it. If the hallways are too small for a big group of Natas, aren\u2019t they too small for all of us, too?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden poked at a section near the bottom of the hologram of the station, and it zoomed in on that area. \u201cThat\u2019s why we enter here. There\u2019s a large workbay here, but only one small access corridor to get to it from the rest of the station.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOkay, sounds like a plan, right?\u201d Onin looked around at everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai nodded and slipped her hand into his.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden knocked at the door. A guard opened it, and Aiden stepped out. She was back in moments, a large frown on her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo.\u201d She huffed out a breath. \u201cThey gave me a lot of excuses, but the short version is the Kagoshi are still afraid of you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo you\u2019re telling us we\u2019re stuck here.\u201d Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden sighed and scratched the back of her neck. \u201cWell, I really should talk to the Kagoshi and convince them that we\u2019re all on the same side. That\u2019d take too much time though. By the time I pounded the idea into their hard purple heads, the Natas would have taken over the depot and cut off food and equipment to millions of people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden bit her lip and looked over her shoulder at the thick metal door. \u201cI\u2019m not quite used to this body yet, but I think I can break down the door, and we can all make a run for\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYeah, or\u2014\u201d Saija waved her hand and a purple portal swirled into existence. \u201c\u2014we can just step on over to the ship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden did a double-take. \u201cYou can do that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Saija smiled. \u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWow.\u201d Aiden frowned. \u201cWe really do need to ensure that the Natas don\u2019t get any more of your species for hosts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAgreed.\u201d Onin swept his arm toward the portal. \u201cLet\u2019s get back to the <em>Potato<\/em> and head for that depot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPotato?\u201d Aiden looked around at everyone, the confusion on her face evident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYeah, the explanation will take a while.\u201d Amaryllis gently pushed Aiden through the portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai sighed. Life with Tannin was always interesting. She shrugged and followed the others through the portal, Onin right behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai emerged from the portal onto the bridge of the <em>Iridescent Potato<\/em>. She slid into her seat and fastened the restraints. Tannin leapt over the back of the pilot\u2019s chair and started flipping switches and pressing virtual buttons as soon as his butt hit the seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin looked up at the main display. \u201cChibi-chan, we need to leave in a hurry. Can you release the docking clamps?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSure I can, nyan!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat the&#8230;\u201d Aiden\u2019s voice trailed off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai spun around to look at her. \u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUm\u2014\u201d Aiden raised a shaking finger to point at Chibi-chan. \u201cWhat the flerk is that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m Chibi-chan, nyan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s the ship\u2019s A.I..\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve never seen an A.I. like that before. And these walls.\u201d Aiden shuddered. \u201cWhere did you get this ship?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe, uh, found it.\u201d Tannin looked over his shoulder and grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSalvaged, actually.\u201d Amaryllis said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden covered her eyes with her hands. \u201cI\u2019m not going to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cJumping in five.\u201d Tannin called over his shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou think the walls and A.I. are bad?\u201d Cerina snorted. \u201cJust wait for this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut. Hopefully Ryogin would be able to do something about the engines. She didn\u2019t see how they\u2019d be able to fight after too many of those crazy hyper jumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The world blurred, then snapped back into focus. Kasai opened her eyes. Colors swirled outside the main viewer. Or window. Or whatever it was. Inside the ship things were relatively normal, except a small motion blur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHuh. This isn\u2019t so bad.\u201d Kasai waved her hand back and forth in front of her face. \u201cWhy was it worse the last time we jumped?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin swiveled around in his chair. \u201cProbably because we got pulled out of hyperspace by an artificial singularity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d Cerina raised an eyebrow. \u201cFirst: how do you know that big of a word? Second: how could you possibly know that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s just like in Space Pirates IV: Game of the Year Edition. Imperial I-42 Interdictors can pull you out of hyperspace using an artificial singularity. In each of the games, the special effects were different, but in SP4, they had a motion blur and stretching effect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Cerina sighed. \u201cI\u2019m not sure what worries me more. That all of our pilot\u2019s experience comes entirely from video games, or that the games are so accurate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m not sure I want to know.\u201d Onin stood, crossed to the front of the bridge, and leaned over to look at the pilot\u2019s console. \u201cHow much longer \u2018til we reach the depot?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAbout eight hours.\u201d Tannin leaned back in his chair. \u201cAccording to Chibi-chan\u2019s map, we\u2019re still at the edge of Kagoshi space.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOkay. I\u2019m going to get some sleep.\u201d Onin yawned and headed down the spiral staircase that led to the rest of the ship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai watched him go. He didn\u2019t even look back at her. It was only a day or two ago that he\u2019d kissed her and told her that he loved her no matter what she looked like. She sighed. He\u2019d hardly paid any attention to her since then. Did he really mean it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">She shook her head. Onin was under a lot of pressure since they\u2019d elected him captain, and they were flying into a trap. This wasn\u2019t the right time for romance. Kasai bit the corner of her lip and glanced at the floor. Perhaps she\u2019d better get some sleep, too. Kasai got up and headed for her room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">She flopped face-first down onto the bed and tried to hold back tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy am I even crying, anyway. Onin\u2019s busy, we all might die. Get a grip.\u201d Kasai took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Things would work out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">A knock sounded on the door. Kasai cracked an eye open. \u201cWho is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s Saija. Um, can I come in?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai rolled over onto her side. \u201cSure. It\u2019s your room too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The door cracked open. Saija peeked through the gap between the door and the doorframe for a moment, then slipped in and closed the door behind her. She took a breath and sat on the edge of Kasai\u2019s bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUm, do you want to talk about it?\u201d Saija asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHey, I\u2019m new to this whole \u2018friends\u2019 thing, so cut me some slack.\u201d Saija looked away and sighed. \u201cSo. Uh, you were staring after Onin when he left the bridge, and it looked like you were crying when you left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai debated whether or not to open up. She did want to talk about it, kind of, but she didn\u2019t really know Saija all that well yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLook,\u201d Saija turned to face Kasai. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to say anything if you don\u2019t want to, but you\u2019re the first person in my whole life to ever be kind to me without wanting something back.\u201d She looked down and picked at her fingernails. \u201cI don\u2019t know. I care about you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThanks, Saija.\u201d Kasai reached out and took Saija\u2019s hand. \u201cI think I\u2019m still weirded out by the wings and tail, and finding out that I\u2019m half-dragon.\u201d Kasai sighed. \u201cThroughout my life, the monks were the only ones that haven\u2019t abandoned me after finding out the truth about me. Now I have friends who really care, and it\u2019s all a bit new for me, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYeah, well\u2014\u201d Someone knocked on the door, and they both turned to look at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCome in,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The door opened and Amaryllis stepped in. Instead of her usual dress, she wore a pink t-shirt and matching pajama shorts. Her ears were partway down, and the tip of her tail flicked back and forth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUm, I\u2019m not interrupting, am I?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNope.\u201d Kasai patted the bed. \u201cCome on in and have a seat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThanks!\u201d Amaryllis smiled and took a seat next to Kasai, careful to curl her tail around herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai watched Amaryllis sit. \u201cCan I ask a personal question?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSure.\u201d Amaryllis smiled. \u201cUh, that\u2019s kinda why I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Saija pointed at Amaryllis and raised an eyebrow. \u201cYou\u2019re here to ask personal questions?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d Amaryllis giggled. \u201cI saw the look on your face when you left the bridge, Kasai. I, uh, thought you might need someone to talk to. Seems Saija beat me to it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGuys&#8230;\u201d Kasai sniffed and wiped away a tear. \u201cIt\u2019s great to have people still care after seeing you turn into a monster.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou\u2019re not a monster!\u201d Amaryllis and Saija said at the same time. They leaned over and pulled Kasai into a group hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHaving a tail makes you different, but not a monster.\u201d Amaryllis batted Kasai\u2019s face with her tail. \u201cOnin knows that. He\u2019s just under a lot of stress right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Kasai sighed. \u201cI know. Just insecure, I guess. Thanks for caring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnytime,\u201d Saija blushed and looked away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd now for the cheering up portion of the evening.\u201d Amaryllis reached into her pockets and pulled out two decks of cards. \u201cAnyone up for a game of Usagi Kyorinrin?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden tossed and turned on the couch in the common room where she was trying to sleep. She\u2019d been restless ever since meeting the Gesarans. Not in a bad way, but it was like a memory was floating just outside her reach. Maybe the host did stand a chance to recover after all. She rolled over onto her back and did some deep breathing exercises. Sleep still eluded her, but she did settle into a restful state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Light stabbed into Aiden\u2019s eyes. She blinked and rolled over onto her side. Apparently she had fallen asleep at some point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMorning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden looked up. The blonde-haired male waved at her. What was his name again? \u201cTannin?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYo.\u201d He stumbled over to the counter and rummaged through a cupboard. \u201cSorry. Didn\u2019t mean to wake you but we\u2019re about an hour out from the depot. Probably want to get ready.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThanks.\u201d Aiden sat up and yawned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Three of the other girls entered and made their way over to a table, talking and laughing the whole way. The Nekotian\u2014Amaryllis, was it?\u2014rose and went over to the cupboards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The dragongirl, Kasai, looked around, caught Aiden\u2019s eye, and waved her over. \u201cAiden, please come eat with us!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden blinked a few times, then crossed the room and sat in an empty chair at the table. Kasai and Saija were talking about some game that Aiden wasn\u2019t familiar with. After a moment, Amaryllis set a bowl of brown mush in front of her. Aiden poked at it with her spoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s oatmeal. You\u2019ll like it. I added extra sugar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden scooped out a small amount and spooned it into her mouth. It was warm, sweet, and chewy. Possibly grain based. She\u2019d never had anything like it before. Before she knew it she\u2019d scarfed down a few more spoonfuls. Apparently this body was used to this type of food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo,\u201d Kasai spun around in her chair to face Aiden. \u201cUm, have you been able to contact the host yet?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden shook her head. \u201cNo, I\u2019m sorry. You said you didn\u2019t really know her, though?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWell, no.\u201d Kasai twirled her hair around her index finger. \u201cWe didn\u2019t get a chance to know before&#8230;\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai\u2019s voice trailed off, and she looked at the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe saw the moment the Natas possessed her.\u201d Saija\u2019s voice was soft, and she wrapped her arms around herself. \u201cNo one should have to go through that. I should know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Amaryllis sat in the chair next to Aiden. \u201cWe just wanted to let you know we\u2019ll help any way we can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThanks.\u201d Aiden took another spoonful of oatmeal. This group of Gesarans seemed overly friendly. Perhaps that was just because the others of their species that Aiden had seen were all possessed by Natas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden sighed and took another bite of oatmeal. \u201cCan I ask a dumb question?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSure.\u201d Saija jerked her thumb over her shoulder. \u201cWith Tannin here, we\u2019re used to those.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden smiled. \u201cNekotians are mostly carnivorous. This looks to be some sort of grain, so we must be omnivores, correct?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYup.\u201d Kasai nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOkay, good.\u201d Aiden sighed. \u201cThe Kagoshi eat mostly minerals with a light sprinkling of tough vegetation. When I first inhabited this body, I wasn\u2019t sure what to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Amaryllis smiled. \u201cWe\u2019re pretty versatile. And feel free to ask us any other weird questions. It\u2019s gotta be strange to be in a different body.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden looked at her fingers as she flexed them. \u201cUsually it\u2019s not, because there\u2019s a host to merge with, so it\u2019s new but familiar at the same time. This is different, and yeah, it\u2019s a little unnerving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The ceiling beeped. Aiden looked up at it. \u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Chibi-chan appeared on the wall next to the door. \u201cWe\u2019re almost at the destination, nyan! Pilot is requested on the bridge, nyan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat\u2019d be me!\u201d Tannin jumped up from his chair and rushed out the door.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin settled into the pilot\u2019s chair and glanced at the controls. They were about five minutes out from the depot. He pressed a couple of buttons and leaned back in the chair. The A.I. did almost all of the work. Just pick a docking port, click the icon. Yeah, the others teased him, but it really was almost the same as in the Space Pirates games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The ship approached the depot, and Tannin tapped the docking port on the screen. It lit up with a transparent green overlay. Tannin half-turned toward the stairwell, and heard the clang of the docking clamps secure them to the station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAll right, we\u2019re here.\u201d He stood and stretched. \u201cSo are we just walking in or still space-walking over or whatnot?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden frowned and glanced down at her phone. She had a really pretty face. High cheekbones, pink lips, and her shoulder-length hair framed her face. Nice body, too, but not as sexy as Saija\u2019s. Tannin blinked. This really wasn\u2019t the time to be thinking about that. Best to distract himself before he started leering at his friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo.\u201d Tannin looked around. \u201cDo we just go out the cargo bay, or do we have a plank, or\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Cerina rolled her eyes and turned away from him. That girl had no sense of humor. She was gonna give herself a stress-related apoplexy one of these days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden put her phone away and glanced around at the group. \u201cI\u2019d still say space-walking over to the cargo bay is our best bet. They have to have noticed our approach, and they\u2019ll be expecting us to enter via the docking arm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSounds good.\u201d Onin turned and led the way down the stairwell and out to the ship\u2019s cargo bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin stood back and let the others go before him. Kasai jumped up and stretched out a hand to Onin, who didn\u2019t even notice. Tannin sighed. How oblivious could that guy be?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin was the last one to enter the cargo bay. The others were already standing in front of a row of lockers. Everyone had picked out a locker, and were examining baggy looking space suits. Tannin opened the locker next to Onin\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">A one-piece space-suit made of a sheer iridescent fabric hung on a hanger inside the locker. Tannin took it out and held it in front of him. It looked to be about three sizes too large for him. Tannin frowned and looked up. Everyone else was holding their suits up as well. All of the suits appeared to be the same size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOne size fits all?\u201d Tannin stretched the suite out as wide as it could go. \u201cI think I could fit three of me in here. Ooo, wait, I\u2019ve got it! This is a circus ship!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Cerina turned to face him, frowned, and raised an eyebrow. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt all makes sense now!\u201d Tannin pointed to the walls and flopped the suit. \u201cThe colors, these ginormous suits\u2026 They\u2019re uniforms for the circus!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d Aiden\u2019s head whipped up. \u201cThese are standard Union of Free Allied Planets space suits.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cStandard?\u201d Tannin frowned. \u201cThe food in the galley here isn\u2019t good enough to make everyone fit into these things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden rolled her eyes. \u201cIt\u2019s self-adjusting. You slip it on\u2014\u201d She reached down and pulled on the bottom of her shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHey, wait!\u201d Aiden\u2019s navel came into view and Kasai leapt in front of her. \u201cYou can\u2019t change out here in front of the guys!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden cocked her head to the side and her brow furrowed. \u201cWhy not? We need to change into these suites for the mission.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause.\u201d Amaryllis stretched out her staff and a wall of opaque ice formed blocking off the view of the girls. \u201cThe boys will need to concentrate for this mission. Go ahead, now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin took a step forward at the sound of sliding fabric coming from the other side of the ice wall. He choked and jerked to a stop as the collar of his shirt was grabbed from behind. He looked over his shoulder to see Onin glare at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSorry.\u201d Tannin rubbed his throat. \u201cShiny ice wall.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin raised an eyebrow at him, but let go of his shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOkay, you can remove the ice now.\u201d Aiden\u2019s voice drifted over the top of the wall. \u201cThey need to see this part.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAre you guys done changing?\u201d Kasai asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAlmost.\u201d Onin stripped down and slipped into the baggy suit. \u201cHurry up, Tannin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin shrugged and followed suit. The material was smooth, and had a little give to it, yet didn&#8217;t feel like it was going to shred if he tugged on it too hard. He slid his arms into the sleeves. Yup, it was about three sizes too big&#8211;at least.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I&#8217;m going to trip if I try walking in this potato sack,&#8221; Tannin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The ice wall dissolved in a puff of steam. Tannin waved his hand in front of his face. When the steam cleared, he could see Aiden was holding the collar of her suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Hold it here&#8211;&#8221; Aiden pinched the right side of the suit\u2019s collar with her right hand. &#8220;&#8211;and the other half here&#8211;&#8221; she grasped the left side with her other hand. &#8220;Now, see those metal tabs?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin held each side of the front of the suit out where he could see it. The left side of the collar had a small metal disc on the inside. The right had one on the outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Press and hold those together.&#8221; Aiden suited actions to words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">About a second later the front seam of her suit sealed itself together, and it shrank down to hug her curves. Tannin followed her lead, and his suit shrunk to fit as well. The suit was now skin-tight. Tannin flexed an arm. It wasn&#8217;t constricting at all, he could still move freely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Nice.&#8221; Tannin bent over to touch his toes. &#8220;This is much better. But how&#8217;s it a space suit? I still need to breathe.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Tap the back of the collar three times.&#8221; Aiden said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;What, do we get a wish granted?&#8221; Cerina crossed her arms over her chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Ooo! Magic suit!&#8221; Tannin tapped the back of his neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Transparent crystal grew from the collar of the suit and encased his head. There had to be some sort of air supply, since he could still breath. Cerina&#8217;s lips were moving, but he couldn&#8217;t hear her. Perhaps it was a magic suit, it&#8217;d made Cerina a lot easier to be around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">A rainbow-hued translucent heads-up display popped up in front of him, scrolled a list of stuff too fast for Tannin to see, and minimized down to an icon in the lower-right corner of his field of vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;It looks like your suit&#8217;s online, nyan! Do you want to enable external comms, nyan?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Chibi-chan?&#8221; Tannin looked around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Yes, nyan?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Are you in the suit, too?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;No, I&#8217;m still in the ship, nyan. But the suits are linked to the ship, so I help manage them, nyan.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Makes sense.&#8221; Tannin shrugged and slipped the straps of his backpack over his shoulders. &#8220;Sure, turn on external comms.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Okay, is everyone ready?&#8221; Aiden&#8217;s voice sounded a lot closer through the suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I think I&#8217;ll stay here with the ship,&#8221; Ryogin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin nodded. &#8220;Good idea. The rest of us will head over to the depot and capture or kill that Natas.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Ryogin saluted him and left the cargo bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Oh, sounds so easy.&#8221; Cerina put a hand on her hip. &#8220;And do we have any sort of plan?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Um&#8211;&#8221; Kasai stretched out a hand to Cerina. &#8220;You did want to stop him, right?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Yeah. But it works better if we have a plan.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin sighed. &#8220;Isn&#8217;t that the truth. Well, we&#8217;ve all studied the map of the depot, right?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone nodded. Tannin grinned. The layout was simple enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;So, we head over there&#8211;&#8221; Onin pointed out the bay door in the direction of the depot. &#8220;&#8211;we find suit man, and all gang up on him.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Cerina shrugged. &#8220;Eh. Better than some plans we&#8217;ve had. Let&#8217;s go get it over with.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Yay, optimism!&#8221; Tannin pumped his fist in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Cerina shot him a dirty look over her shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin punched a command into the panel on the wall. The main lights in the bay went out, and red lights came on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Cargo Bay depressurizing, nyan!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">After a moment or two, the large cargo door clanged and cracked open. In another moment, Tannin was staring at the gray metal underside of the depot. A white-speckled starfield framed the bottom of the depot. Tannin stared at it. It was even better than the graphics in Space Pirates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Gravity reduced, nyan. You are clear to exit, nyan.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden pushed off the deck with one foot and floated out to the station. &#8220;Follow me, everyone. The suits have micro-thrusters, but we shouldn&#8217;t need them if we make a soft jump over to the station.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin let everyone else go before he ran off the edge of the cargo deck. Aiden was right, they just floated straight over to the station, then magnets or something in their boots caught and held them to the station&#8217;s hull. Tannin grinned and followed the others across the station&#8217;s hull.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">The view with the stars below him was incredible. And the combination of weightlessness and the distorted sense of direction&#8211;this was better than an amusement park ride. Tannin sighed as they approached the depot. The hull didn&#8217;t look smooth from here. Multiple plates were riveted together to make up the hull of the space station. Conduit, ladders, antennas and various access ports littered the surface. Tannin grabbed the ladder closest to him and followed the others across the hull.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden stopped at an access hatch that looked about three people wide. Once the others had gathered around her she opened a small panel recessed into the frame of the hatch and typed on a control panel. The hatch hissed and slid open. Tannin peered inside. It was deeper than it was wide, and a matching pressure door was on the far wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin followed the others inside. Once everyone had entered, Aiden activated another control panel, and the outer hatch slid shut. An overhead light came on as soon as the hatch closed, and in a few seconds a panel above the interior hatch lit up green.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden tapped the back of her collar three times, and the transparent crystal helmet melted down into her collar. The others repeated the motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin grinned at Onin. &#8220;Now we bust some Natas heads!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;What?&#8221; Cerina narrowed her eyes at Tannin. &#8220;They&#8217;re non-corporeal beings! How are you going to &#8216;bust some heads&#8217;?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin rolled his eyes. She had to be messing with him. Even he knew what a metaphor was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Knock it off, you two.&#8221; Onin pointed to the door. &#8220;We need to go through there, sneak up on the Natas, and take him out.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Right.&#8221; Tannin nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Aiden pressed the door control, and the inner pressure hatch slid open. Tannin leaned over Onin&#8217;s shoulder to peer into the next room. It was brightly lit. The walls were pure white, and the room was big enough to comfortably house the Iridescent Potato.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;That&#8217;s odd\u2026&#8221; Aiden&#8217;s voice trailed off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;What&#8217;s odd?&#8221; Kasai looked over Onin&#8217;s other shoulder into the large room. Amaryllis and Saija crowded up behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;This is a cargo bay.&#8221; Aiden said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Cerina tapped her foot. &#8220;And?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Where&#8217;s all the cargo?&#8221; Saija asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;My point exactly.&#8221; Aiden took a step into the bay and examined the empty walls from the doorway. &#8220;This should be full of supplies for various colonies, and the lights should be off.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a trap, obviously.&#8221; A woman&#8217;s voice echoed from the other side of the cargo bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin pulled a rubber chicken from his pack and held it in front of himself. To his left, Onin generated a servitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin took a step forward. &#8220;And who are you?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Forgive me for not introducing myself.&#8221; The woman stepped into the cargo bay out of a doorway on the opposite end of the room. Her hair was black, wavy, and shoulder length. She wore a high-collared purple dress that dipped down to show an impressive amount of cleavage. The bottom of the dress fell to just above her knee on the right, and down to her ankle on the left. &#8220;I am Arjuketa; the Puppet Master of The Seven.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Saija gasped behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Heard of her?&#8221; Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Yeah.&#8221; Saija swallowed audibly. &#8220;I don&#8217;t know any details, but the name is familiar. She&#8217;s supposed to be one of the highest ranked Natas.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin cocked his head to the side. &#8220;Well, she&#8217;s dressed like an anime character.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;What, really?&#8221; Cerina crowded through the door into the cargo bay. &#8220;Sheesh. Another half-naked big-boobed chick.&#8221; Her shoulders sagged. &#8220;My life is turning into a crappy harem anime.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Aww, don&#8217;t worry.&#8221; Tannin clapped a hand on Cerina&#8217;s shoulder. &#8220;You&#8217;ve got nothing to worry about. If this were a harem anime all the girls would be all over Onin, and Ryogin and I wouldn&#8217;t be here. Also, they seem too intent on killing us.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Cerina sighed and held her head in her hands. &#8220;I had to ask\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Arjuketa raised an eyebrow. &#8220;Hmm. I was led to believe you would be formidable foes. Instead, I get to deal with a group of idiots.&#8221; She turned to Saija and snorted. &#8220;Well, in that company&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Dang.&#8221; Tannin clapped Saija on the shoulder. &#8220;They really don&#8217;t like you.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Mmm.&#8221; Saija nodded, sniffed, and wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Eh, don&#8217;t let them bug you.&#8221; Tannin gave her a quick side-hug. &#8220;Despite what they say, they&#8217;re afraid of you. If they really meant all that crap, they&#8217;d just ignore you.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Amaryllis smiled. &#8220;That&#8217;s really insightful.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Especially for someone who blames every slightly weird thing he sees on mushrooms,&#8221; Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Arjuketa pinched the bridge of her nose. &#8220;Are we going to fight now, or are you idiots going to blather some more?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Sorry about that.&#8221; Tannin twirled his rubber chicken. &#8220;I&#8217;ll take this one. You guys get the others.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Hah!&#8221; Arjuketa raised her right hand and spread her fingers. &#8220;It&#8217;s not going to be that easy.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Cerina stumbled forward. &#8220;Hey, what the&#8211;&#8221; She swung a fist at Tannin&#8217;s temple. &#8220;I&#8217;m moving and I can&#8217;t control my body!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Sure.&#8221; Tannin intercepted the punch with the chicken and backpedaled. &#8220;I&#8217;m not that dumb. You&#8217;ve wanted to punch me for a while now. But this isn&#8217;t the best time.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Arjuketa giggled. Tannin risked a look in her direction. She covered her mouth with her hand and giggled more while she stared intently at Cerina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Tannin! It&#8217;s not Cerina, it&#8217;s Arjuketa!&#8221; Saija pointed at the Natas. &#8220;She said she was the puppet master, she&#8217;s controlling her!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Very good.&#8221; Arjuketa clapped slowly. &#8220;Ten points for Saija. Now&#8211;&#8221; she lifted her other hand &#8220;&#8211;can you fight all your friends without hurting them?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai, Onin, and Saija lurched toward him. Tannin spun around and weaved back and forth avoiding blows. In theory, he should be able to incapacitate his friends without seriously injuring them. He dodged left as Kasai&#8217;s fist flew past his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;No!&#8221; Saija screamed and dropped to her knees. &#8220;I&#8217;m done being controlled by you things!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin dropped to a crouch and rolled between Cerina and Onin to land next to Saija.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Anything I can help with?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I can&#8217;t hold out much longer. Hit me in the carotid artery. Hard.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Right.&#8221; Tannin kicked Onin in the gut. &#8220;Sorry!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">He swung the chicken into the side of Saija&#8217;s neck, wincing as he did so. She crumpled. Tannin fell forward, caught her, and lowered her head to the deck. Then quickly rolled to the side as Kasai&#8217;s fist slammed into where he&#8217;d just been lying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin jumped to his feet. Onin, Kasai, and Cerina were circling around him. Saija was on the ground, still breathing. Where was Amaryllis? Tannin took a step back and looked around. She was still in the entryway to the airlock, knelt down with her eyes closed. At least she wasn&#8217;t fighting him, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai rushed in and swung a high-kick at his head. Tannin blocked with his chicken and pivoted, diverting the blow and throwing Kasai off balance. Before he could resume a defensive stance, Onin&#8217;s fist connected with Tannin&#8217;s back. Tannin stumbled forward and dropped into a roll. He turned that into a forward flip and landed a few yards away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">This wasn&#8217;t going to be as easy as he&#8217;d hoped. Tannin shrugged out of his backpack, pulled out another chicken, then tossed the backpack to the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Upgrade to dual-wield!&#8221; Tannin swung the chickens around into a guard position. &#8220;Come at me, bro.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Onin charged in, feinted with his right, and swung for Tannin&#8217;s gut. Tannin deflected the punch with a chicken and spun around trying to get behind Onin. He frowned. Why wasn&#8217;t Onin using his servitors?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin swung for Onin&#8217;s neck, but his friend ducked down and aimed a sweeping kick and Tannin&#8217;s legs. Tannin jumped over the kick and jabbed down. Onin rolled to the side and leapt back to his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Kasai was behind him now. Tannin held a chicken between himself and each of his opponents. Disabling them might be harder than he&#8217;d hoped. Something else nagged at the back of his brain, like he&#8217;d forgotten something. Tannin shook his head. Worry about that later. He swung a chicken to deflect a punch from Kasai, then one from Onin. They were attacking in unison now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin wove back and forth between the two, dodging punches and kicks, keeping them away from Saija and Amaryllis, and looking for an opening to counterattack. He&#8217;d found a few openings, but his goal was to try to knock them out, not hurt or kill them. Onin and Kasai were fighting purely offensively. Arjuketa apparently didn&#8217;t care if her pawns got hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">He&#8217;d have to concentrate on one of them at a time. Tannin sent a flurry of strikes at Onin. That should draw Kasai in. He leaned into his gift to reinforce his suit around his ribs, shifted his weight to his right leg, and left an opening. Any decent fighter would see it for the trap that it was, but he was betting that Arjuketa wouldn&#8217;t care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Sure enough, Kasai jumped at him and swung for his ribs. Tannin put all his strength into a kick. Kasai&#8217;s punch landed, but so did his kick. Kasai went sprawling across the room. He turned to Onin and swung his chickens. Onin didn&#8217;t even try to block, but kept right on punching. Tannin whirled to the side and slammed reinforced chickens into Onin&#8217;s forearms. That&#8217;d leave some bruises, but it should slow him down a little in the meantime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin deflected a few more punches, then finally found the opening he was looking for. He swung his chicken into the side of Onin&#8217;s neck. Onin&#8217;s eyes rolled back in his head and he crumpled to the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Sorry about that.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin rolled his shoulders and glanced around the room. Kasai was on the floor next to Amaryllis. Amaryllis was still kneeled down, but her left hand was resting on Kasai&#8217;s temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I&#8217;m just barely able to hold her off.&#8221; Amaryllis\u2019 voice was just above a whisper. &#8220;Reinforce your thoughts, and you should have no trouble keeping her out.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Right.&#8221; Tannin nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a>He turned to face Arjuketa and raised a chicken. Arjuketa smirked and lifted her hand. Tannin took a step toward her. Arjuketa frowned and stretched out her other hand. Something buzzed in the back of Tannin&#8217;s brain. He focused on the mission. He needed to stop Arjuketa and save his friends. The buzzing in the back of his mind faded. He took another step forward. Arjuketa&#8217;s eyes grew wide and she took a step backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t think so.&#8221; Tannin ran at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Arjuketa screamed and waved one hand behind her. A wispy black portal swirled open behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;The next time we meet, you&#8217;ll face my full power.&#8221; She turned and leapt through the portal, which snapped closed behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin let out a sigh. &#8220;Why do they always say that? Shouldn&#8217;t she have led with her best attack?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Amaryllis groaned and collapsed over backward. &#8220;That was intense! No wonder the others couldn&#8217;t resist her.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws wp-block-paragraph\">Tannin scratched his head. &#8220;Not really. It was a little irritating, but&#8211;wait, the others!&#8221; He whipped his head back and forth. Onin, Kasai, Saija, Amaryllis. Ryogin was back at the ship. &#8220;Wait, where&#8217;d Cerina and Aiden go?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-28\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"336\">&lt;&lt; Previous Chapter<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/table-of-contents\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"34\">Contents<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-30\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"359\">Next Chapter >><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/env_sm.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-178\" width=\"33\" height=\"20\"> Be notified when the next chapter comes out!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.ko-fi.com\/cdn\/widget\/Widget_2.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\">kofiwidget2.init('Buy me a cup of tea', '#29abe0', 'V7V05ASUY');kofiwidget2.draw();<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter 29: Into the Fire \u201cLet\u2019s go!\u201d Kasai took a step toward the door. \u201cWait.\u201d Onin grabbed her arm. \u201cIt\u2019s definitely a trap.\u201d Kasai opened&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-352","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=352"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":368,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352\/revisions\/368"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}