[The White Raven, Chapter 15, Fallen Empires] [Second Wave, House Sparrow, Mulae Farael Battle Carrier, Darai Solar System] Pesa opened her eyes, someone was shaking her awake. “It’s your shift,” says a Cadet. “Huh? I just fell asleep,” mumbles Pesa. “You’ve been asleep eight hours, come on, it’s my turn,” insists the Cadet. Pesa rolls out of the bunk, it feels like she just fell asleep. The Cadet pushes past her and takes the bunk - the Cadet is asleep before she can pull her shoes on. Other crew members are rolling out of their bunks also, and new sleepers take their place. She always had her own bunk on her family’s Cargo Ship, it felt a little strange to share bunks like this, but this was life aboard a War Ship. “Hey, you’re not going to report to duty looking like that are you? Asks another Cadet. “Go take a shower.” “Where?” asks Pesa. The Cadet points at a door she hadn’t noticed before, crew members were coming in and out of the door - male and female crew members. “Where’s the girls shower?” asks Pesa. The Cadet laughs. “No such thing on a War Ship, get over yourself.” Pesa walks down the rows of bunks to the shower room, and peeks in. Males and females are showering next to each other. “This is a new experience,” thinks Pesa. Crew members are shedding their clothing and dropping the dirty garments into a clothes bin and taking new uniforms from an attendant dressed in the white uniform of a Quartermaster. She takes a breath and enters the shower room, sheds her school uniform, and carries them over to the laundry bin. “Eww, my clothes do smell foul.” Male and female Daraians, on the outside, look nearly identical, their gender being located on the inside of their bodies. But, Daraians know the difference, and Pesa is very aware of her own nakedness. She tries to keep her eyes averted from everyone else as she walks to an empty shower-head. She is also aware of just how small a Sparrow is next to all these Hawks. A large male is at the shower-head next to her, she’s never seen an unclothed male before, and this one is a very large Hawk with muscles everywhere. He has a scar running across his abdomen and Pesa doesn’t mean to, but she can’t help staring at the scar. “Can I help you?” asks the male Hawk, grinning slightly. Pesa whips her head away and catches a mouth-full of water and coughs. “First time on a War Ship?” asks the male Hawk. Pesa nods. “Why’s there so many Hawks here? This is a Sparrow Carrier.” “We’re attached here as Bridge Security,” says the Hawk. “You just happened to come to the showers during our shift change.” “Oh,” says Pesa trying to find a spot on the wall to stare at. “I’m impressed though,” says the Hawk. “Most first time Chirps take the end showers so they can hide in the corner. You marched right to the center like you own the place.” Pesa soaps her hair and stands under the hot water, enjoying the two days of grime being washed away. The male Hawk turns off the water to his shower and grabs a towel hanging on a hook. “Want some advise?” asks the Hawk. “Okay,” says Pesa. “Pull your wing blades in,” says the Hawk. Pesa turns bright red and pulls her wing blades tight against her back. She wasn’t so naive as not to know what it means when a female opens her wing blades, especially while she was naked in a room full of naked males. “I’m not egg bearing age,” says Pesa, horrified. “That’s obvious, and it’s normal for hatchlings and young female Chirps that don’t know any better yet,” says the Hawk. “But you’re in the grown-up world now and need to be conscious of the signals you’re sending out.” Pesa puts her hands over her face in embarrassment. “Come on, you’ve showered enough,” says the Hawk. “I’m not leaving you alone in here, the Hawks have honor, but I can’t speak for these Sparrow scoundrels.” The Hawk hands Pesa a towel and she follows him over to the Quartermaster and receives a new uniform. She pulls her uniform on while the Hawk dresses, and then she notices his rank. “You’re an Officer,” says Pesa, coming to a position of attention. “Stop that, showers and sleeping quarters are informal,” says the Hawk. “I’m Lieutenant Dak, Platoon Leader of the Hawk Security Detachment.” “I should go get some breakfast,” says Pesa, realizing how hungry she is. “Excellent idea, I’ll join you,” replies Lieutenant Dak. Pesa wasn’t expecting to eat breakfast with a Lieutenant, but she couldn’t say no, and she didn’t want to say no. Lieutenant Dak was big, and handsome, and dreamy, kind of like a real life Dartarian, the famous Swan Vid-Star that was the crush of every Daraian girl. The break room outside the sleeping quarters was now packed with the Bridge Crew trying to get breakfast. A Mess Steward had a hot table set up and was serving fruits and hot and cold cereals. Pesa selected cold cereal and milk while Lieutenant Dak stacked his tray with four apples, a bowl of apple sauce, and two glasses of apple juice. As an after-thought, Pesa grabbed an apple and got an approving nod from Lieutenant Dak. She also got some evil looks from several other females while she chatted with Lieutenant Dak over breakfast. Breakfast ended too soon and Lieutenant Dak stood and deposited his tray on a stack of dirty trays and Pesa followed his example. “It’s time for you to report for duty, I would like it if you join me for lunch.” “Yes, sir, I would like that,” replied Pesa, though she did have a moment of concern over why he would give her so much attention. “Excellent, I’ll see you then,” says Lieutenant Dak. Pesa hurried to the Helm and set down next to the Helm Officer. She activated the panel and checked the controls, very aware that the XO was watching and waiting. “Junior Helm Cadet on station,” says Pesa in a loud and clear voice. “Helm is responding, all systems are green.” “Very good, Cadet,” replies the XO. The Helm Officer glances sideways at Pesa, grinning. “So, you’re Lieutenant Dak’s new girl?” “Huh? Oh, no sir, it’s not like that,” says Pesa quickly. “Don’t worry, you’re safe with him,” says the Helm Officer. “He’s got honor just oozing out all over him, he won’t do anything inappropriate, but he always chooses a Chirp girl to make his tag-a-long.” “Huh?” “Every female on the ship is chasing that chisle-winged specimen of malehood,” explains the Helm Officer. Pesa is pretty sure she detected some jealousy in the Helm Officer’s voice. “But as long as he has a Chirp in tow, the female crew members have to keep their distance.” “Oh,” says Pesa blushing. “I can live with that.” “For ancestor’s sake,” replies the Helm Officer, dryly. “Try not to swoon on the control panel.” “Yes, sir,” says Pesa. “Are we going home now?” “No, the civilian augmentees are being put on shuttles and sent back to Darai,” says the Helm Officer. “The Host Classes on board are being assigned appropriate Cadet Ranks, and moved to their own barracks. We’re heading into combat.” “What? But we have school.” “You’ll continue your classes here on the ship,” explains the Helm Officer. “That enemy fleet got away, it was an organized Pirate Fleet, we are to hunt it down and destroy it, then we are heading to Demonia to guard the planet.” “Sir, that could take…” “Years, yes,” says the Helm Officer. “You will be graduated from the Academy before you see Darai again.” “Am I staying on the Helm?” asks Pesa quietly. “I’ve recommended you for a commission as Helm Cadet Lieutenant,” says the Helm Officer. “Is that to your satisfaction, Cadet Lieutenant?” Pesa’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest, and then she couldn’t contain herself and jumped up and gave a whooping cheer. “Is there a problem, Cadet?” asks the XO. Pesa quickly sits back down. “No sir, sorry sir.” “Try to contain yourself,” scolds the XO. “And congratulations, Cadet Lieutenant.” Pesa looks at the Helm Officer, grinning from ear to ear. “I’m going to be a pilot, just like Papa,” whispers Pesa. The Helm display in front of Pesa changes to a Message Board. “I suggest you write whatever letters you need to write,” says the Helm Officer. “We are leaving as soon as Lord Sparrow transfers Command of the Carrier back to our Battle Carrier Commander and leaves the ship.” ***** [Ground Defense, Clapper Province] “I’m tired of eating berries,” complains Cala. “So am I,” says Kata. “What’s going on out there?” The two acolytus knelt in the entrance of the small cave looking out at the cold rain. They shivered in the morning air while Cala divided their remaining berries for breakfast and handed Kata her portion. “Did you give me half of yours again?” asks Kata looking at the seven berries in Cala’s hand. “Let me see your other hand.” Cala opens his other hand; three sad looking berries were in his palm. “I told you to stop doing that,” scolds Kata. Cala shrugs and eats his three berries while Kata takes five of the berries and eats them. “We’ll save the other two for later,” says Kata. “Has the green light come on yet?” asks Cala. “It’s broken,” says Kata pushing the button on the Array-device several times. “Kat, we should go back to camp or we’re going to starve to death.” Kata glances up at Cala. He was carefully wrapping the last two berries in a dirty piece of cloth he had torn from his t-shirt. The only time he called her ‘Kat’ was when he was scared - it was time to go back. They hadn’t seen any of the orphan’s for over a week, Cala thought the orphan’s might have left the province. Why should they stay, Raen had been gone for months, the White Raven wasn’t in charge, and now Vas was gone. Kata insisted on walking in front. Cala knew better but was too tired to argue. The underbrush was damp and their legs were soon soaked again, not they their pants ever fully dried at night. They were damp and cold most of the time. Kata was certain the only reason they hadn’t gotten sick yet was that Temple Hatchlings were well inoculated against most illnesses. It wasn’t much of a wonder that the death rate of orphan’s in the wild was so high. Cala silently swore he wouldn’t be so stuck up towards the orphans ever again, life out here in the forest sucked. Cala couldn’t help himself and tears fell on his face. He sniffled once and Kata stopped and turned around. “Damn it, Cala, I told you not to think about her, you’re sad again.” “I’m sorry, I miss her.” “I’m starting to hate her.” “Don’t say that, she had to leave.” “This is worse than blood day, except this goes on forever.” Kata didn’t feel like comforting him today, she was miserable too and mad all the time at the White Raven now. She turned around and stomped on through the forest. They walked until noon, it was getting harder every day. They used to run, but lack of food had weakened them too much to run for no reason. The Camp was getting close now, Cala thought he could smell food cooking. Oh yes, food, he wanted pancakes, and waffles, and cereal, and fruit, and gallons of juice. He was still walking behind Kata and almost didn’t see it until too late. Cala leaped forward and grabbed Kata by the wing blades, put a hand over her mouth, and dragged her down to the ground. He waited a moment and then roughly dragged Kata into the bushes and covered them with his dirty leaf encrusted wings. A filthy looking human man walked past them on the path, Kata’s eyes were wide and Cala barely breathed. The human stopped and… Cala had to clench his throat to keep from throwing up, the human relieved himself in the bushes not more than a few feet away. The human never saw them, and went back the direction he had come from. Cala pulled Kata to her feet and they ran through the forest and circled around the camp. “We have to run,” Kata insisted. “No, that was a smuggler, something is wrong,” says Cala. “We need to find out what happened.” “Cala, no, we have to go get help,” says Kata. “There is no help,” says Cala. “Everyone abandoned us, they must be the enemy that invaded.” “If they are here, we lost the war,” says Kata. “Then everyone’s dead,” says Cala. “We might be the last Daraians alive. I’m going to fight, do what you want.” “That’s mean, you know I’m with you,” says Kata. The two acolytus circle around the camp to a section thick with brush and sneak closer to the camp. Cala sees something unusual and moves towards it. They crawl on their hands and knees until they were at the edge of the camp. “Oh Goddess, what happened?” whispers Kata. Most of the camp was burned to the ground, only a few of the cabins remained, and the dining cabin. Cala could see the strange new structure, and there were people inside it. “Cala, it’s a cage,” says Kata. Cala crawls around the edge of the camp until the cage is between them and the Dining Cabin where he could see more humans. “Stay here,” says Cala. He stands and runs across the open space at a crouch and kneels next to the cage. Kata followed him, but he didn’t bother scolding her. At least thirty or more of the orphans were inside the cage, and they looked nearly starved to death. Someone crawled over to him, he didn’t recognize her at first, she was covered in blood, her face was beaten so badly it was amazing she could even see, and one of her arms were bent at an angle that made it obvious the arm was broken. “High Priestess?” whispers Cala, putting his hands over his mouth. The High Priestess puts her one good arm through the cage and lays her hand on Cala’s arm; three fingers are missing from her hand. “Run, child,” croaks the High Priestess. Tears flow down Cala’s face and he shakes his head, kisses the High Priestess’ hand, and gives her their two remaining berries. “Be ready,” says Cala. Cala backs away, and with Kata following, runs back to the bushes at the perimeter of the camp. “Cala, use your head, those are armed smugglers,” says Kata, still crying at the condition of the High Priestess. “Yea, and we’re Raven-Eagles, now how do we do this?” asks Cala. “Come on, you’re the smart one. I want to kill all those humans.” “Let me think… umm… the greenhouse,” says Kata. “Nightshade?” asks Cala. “Too slow,” says Kata. “Ravens Blood is easier to make and it’s quick.” “Does Ring have any?” asks Cala. “Let’s find out.” Cala leads the way through the underbrush and around the camp to the greenhouse. The greenhouse is one of the few buildings not burned down, but the door is broke and the interior ransacked. “They were searching for drugs,” says Kata. “Guess they didn’t want Ravens Blood,” says Cala picking up the pieces of a broken pot. “How do we make this?” “It’s easy,” says Kata. “We just grind it up and put it in their food.” “I’ll grind it while you figure out how I’m going to get it in their food,” says Cala. Cala picks the leaves apart and puts them into a stone pot that managed to survive, it takes a few minutes to find something to grind with. The smugglers must have been angry not finding any easy drugs to steal and had smashed everything up pretty good. Cala ends up using the handle of a spade to prepare the poison. “I have an idea,” says Kata. “I’ll get the orphans in the cage to make noise, that will distract them and you can sneak in and put the Ravens Blood in the food.” The two acolytus circle back around the camp. Kata heads for the cage and Cala continues towards the Dining Cabin. Cala finds a place behind the Dining Cabin to wait, he will have to time it perfectly and be quick. The wait is longer then he thought it would take and starts to get worried. He’s about to get up and go check on Kata when the orphans start shouting. Cala runs for the back door of the Dining Cabin, the plan was working, the smugglers ran out of the Dining Cabin to see what the fuss was about. The inside of the Dining Cabin is almost as much of a disaster as the greenhouse had been. There is a pot of stew on the stove and Cala dumps the Ravens Blood in the pot and stirs it quickly. The orphans stop shouting and he hears someone coming through the front door. There’s no time to go back the way he came and wiggles behind a stack of potato sacks. “Damn filthy birds, we should just kill them,” says a voice. “Naw, Gunta wants them for ransom,” says another voice. “Hurry up with that slop, I’m hungry.” “It’s ready, shut your trap,” says the first voice. Cala peeks out from around the potatoes and watches the smuggler carry the pot into the main room. It doesn’t take long for the first screams from the smugglers. Cala crawls out and chances a look around the corner. Four smugglers have fallen over and are clutching their stomachs. “Don’t touch the food, it’s poisoned,” yells a smuggler. “Those filthy birds set up a distraction,” says another smuggler. “There’s Ravens here, this has gone sour, lets kill them and get out while we can.” The smugglers run out the front door of the cabin, all of them carrying guns. Cala runs to the fallen smugglers, one of them has a Needle Gun. He grabs the gun and chases after the smugglers. The smugglers are running towards the cage. “Noooo!” shouts Cala. Kata is standing in front of the cage holding a stick. One of the smugglers lifts his gun and fires. Kata falls back against the cage and slumps to the ground. Cala screams and charges, and pulls the trigger on the Needle gun. Two smugglers fall, and then Cala feels an exploding pain in his chest and falls on his back. He looks up and sees a flock of large birds in the sky. “The ancestors have come for us,” groans Cala. “I’m coming Kata.” ***** [Moeth Alliance, House Eagle, The Cabins] Raen saw the devastation of the burned out camp first and a group of humans running out from the Dining Cabin. A hatchling was standing next to something that looked like a cage, and then gunfire and the hatchling fell. “Open fire!” shouts Lord Struthio assessing the situation faster than the less experienced Moeth Alliance. Raen sees another hatchling running towards the humans and then the hatchling is gunned down. Raen pulls the trigger and his chain gun joins Lord Struthio’s chain gun already firing and rips through the attacking humans. “Cass, cover that cage,” orders Lord Struthio. “I’ll take the north end of the camp.” An explosion rocks the camp, followed by more explosions. “I splashed two smuggler ships trying to leave,” shouts Clap. “I’ll take the airfield and look for stragglers. Kit lands his Dart near the cage and Mergan jumps out and runs to the hatchling on the ground. “Oh Goddess, it’s Kata,” whispers Mergan on the Com-link. “There’s a pulse, but barely.” Kit jumps out of the cockpit and runs for the other hatchling. “It’s Cala, he doesn’t have a pulse,” whispers Kit. “I need a crash kit.” Ring and Vel’s ship is next on the ground. “Vel, get over here and take Kata in your Dart to Clapper General,” whispers Mergan. “I’ll follow with Cala.” Mergan runs back to her ship and gets the crash kit. Kit is already doing chest compressions on Cala when Mergan arrives. She sets up the shock paddles and puts them to Cala’s chest. “Clear!” shouts Mergan. “No pulse,” says Kit checking Cala’s pulse. “Again, clear!” “No pulse,” says Kit. “Again, clear!” “No pulse… Mergan, he’s gone,” says Kit. “No, again, clear!” “Mergan… stop…” “Check the pulse,” orders Mergan. “No pulse,” says Kit. “Again, clear,” shouts Mergan. “Wait…” says Kit checking again. “Faint pulse.” “Transport now,” orders Mergan. Kit and Mergan carry Cala to their Dart and lift off a moment later to follow Ring and Vel to Clapper General. Raen uses his Talon Dagger and cuts open the cage. The orphans are in terrible shape. “We’ll transport these hatchlings to Clapper General in the other Darts,” orders Raen. “Oh ancestors, the High Priestess is in here.” Raen kneels next to the High Priestess and lifts her into his arms. “House Eagle never fell,” whispers the High Priestess. “The rest of your orphans are hidden in the cave where you hid the nuke. They have the House Eagle flag with them.” “It’s okay now,” whispers Raen, tears in his eyes. “We’ll go get them, they are safe.” Lord Struthio and a group of his soldiers comes from the northern end of the camp, dragging a tied smuggler behind them. “Tie him to their flag pole,” orders Lord Struthio. The smuggler begs for mercy, and gets a kick to the side of the head for his efforts. Lord Struthio holds a Com-device up to the smugglers face they found on him. “Who were you trying to contact, mate?” asks Lord Struthio. The smuggler spits in Lord Struthio’s face. “Oh, mate, I was hoping you would do something like that,” says Lord Struthio. Lord Struthio activates the smugglers Com-device. “Hey there, mate, your operation here is over,” says Lord Struthio into the Com-device. There is a long pause before a voice answers. “You think I care,” says the voice. “If any of my men are still alive, you ain’t gettin no ransom.” “Mate, it isn’t ransom I’m looking for,” says Lord Struthio. “You’ve pissed off the finest group of Ravens I’ve ever met, and they are coming for you, mate. There isn’t a rock on any world you can hide deep enough under. Nobody ever escapes a Raven once they start looking."