A-Z Challenge. Day twenty-one.

I had one line for this story in my head forever; it's nice to finally add more to it. Hope you enjoy day twenty-one!

U is for Underground.

The surface-dwellers call it The Underground. I call it home.

The Unicorn's Mane is as dark as it usually is, smog and sewage from above stinking the place we call home. Mud covers the streets, old brick buildings barely stand, lights barely work. The sun doesn't reach our ground, our skin. We're pale, the under-goers, but we're strong. We've survived every ball the surface-dwellers have thrown our way. The bar isn't as crowded as usual, many from our faction are out on a job, getting money from the leaches above. But Lyra still brings rounds, still smiles, still flirts with me, rolls her eyes at Zane.

"You don't see people in suits often," my brother, Zane, says.

I look up from loading my gun, raising an eyebrow at the man entering the bar wearing a suit and tie. "You know him?"

Zane shakes his head beside me as the man turns and heads in our direction. "What did you do, Constance?"

I smile at the man, ignoring my brother, once he stops in front of our table.

"You're Constance Lamki?"

"And who are you?" I ask.

"Roi Stadelman," he says. "I'm here on behalf of Gyrotronics."

My eyebrows shoot up beneath my bangs.

"We've seen your work," he continues and I can feel my brother staring at me, asking how do these surface-dwellers know of me. "We want you to come work with us."

"You do realize what I do, yes?"

He grins, quick and sharp. "Of course."

"Can I get you a drink, sir?" Lyra asks as she sidles up beside me.

Roi looks around then, notices the attention focused on him. He smiles and takes a seat in an empty chair at our table and nods at Lyra. "Whatever you recommend."

She smiles brightly then and walks away. She's a sucker for those that ask what she likes best.

"I'm not quite sure I understand how I could be of assistance," I say once Lyra's at the bar making her favourite drink.

"You seem to understand the network much better than any of our tech guys; it takes them days just to figure out you've been there, let alone what you've done," he stops as Lyra places a tall, dark drink in front of him. He thanks her and takes a sip, smiling at the dark rum floating across his tongue. I was the one that had introduced Lyra to this rum; she fell in love instantly. "We'd like you to work with us, create things the others never even thought of. I and my superiors know you're more than capable. We'd like you to give us your support."

I bite the inside of my lip, watching as he takes another sip. "I want to get power working down here again."

He nods. "Doable."

I raise an eyebrow. "Are you sure you're listening? Our home is huge. This area you stepped into, this is just our faction. There are ten other factions down here."

He grins. "And if you get power to them under Gyrotronics name, do you think they'd support us?"

I blink before a laugh bursts forth and I turn to my brother who is grinning at the man.

"I like how you think," Zane says. "Constance has been waiting for one of the companies to get the balls to talk to her; we're glad it's you."

Roi nods. "I came as soon as I found what faction you were in. It took our guys a little longer than I thought."

I grin. "When shall we start?"

A-Z Challenge. Day seven.

Another late night with posting; forgive me. Sometimes life just gets in the way! But I'm making time for it! That's all that matters!

Day 7. G is for Galaxy

Emptiness spread out around the ship, the lights from the stars illumination the planets, asteroids, debris. Cindelyn studied the displays in front of her. The ship mostly ran itself; with a sassy attitude to boot.

"Do we have to go to Ruby Outland?" Jocko, the computer system she had created, piped up.

"Yes, Jocko," Cindelyn said for what was probably the eighth time since they began this journey.

"But it's so primitive." It was the same thing over and over. There were times she wondered if he couldn't think more than she had programmed.

"This is good money," Cindelyn said, again, and in hopes of ending the argument.

"Yes, yes," Jocko said. "But surely there's a different galaxy that needs our help."

Cindelyn rolled her eyes.

"I can see you, missy!"

Cindelyn sighed. "Honestly, Jocko, I don't know why I put up with you."

A gasp, hurt in tone, echoed through the cockpit. "I am your greatest creation."

Cindelyn smiled. "That is true."

"Therefore you should love me the most."

"That's not a good enough reason."

"I'm the smartest?"

"Are you asking or telling?"

"Don't you take that tone with me!"

"I'm the one that created you! I'm the mother!" Cindelyn threw her hands up with a laugh. "I can take whatever tone I wish."

Jocko hmphed. "See if I ever help you again."

Cindelyn rolled her eyes as silence descended. She knew it wasn't long until he started complaining, once again, about Ruby Outland. Not that she could blame him. The place really was a dump, but this job was perfect for her and would pay for upgrade she wanted to install.

"I see the pitiful galaxy," Jocko's voice piped up, resigned.

"Thanks, Jocko," she said. "Send the message."

Silence. A beep. "They don't believe that our papers are correct."

Cindelyn's eyebrows shot up. "Why?"

"Apparently fake transcripts have been happening often in this part of the universe," Jocko said. "Not that I'm surprised," he muttered but she heard him clearly.

"Do we have clearance to land?"

"Negative."

"What would give us clearance?"

"A signed document from the king." Jocko paused. "Their king."

Cindelyn fell back into the chair. "Their king?"

"They've apparently set up a government; finally."

"Is there a way we can get an audience with him?" Cindelyn watched the main planet, Daedalus, come into view on her screen. No technology to increase the view, her ship was headed to it and it continued on it's course.

"The guards denied our request."

"This is ridiculous!" Cindelyn said and rubbed her face. "Am I seriously going to have to pull out that card?"

"It looks like it," Jocko answered.

Cindelyn leaned forward, letting her elbows fall to her knees as she kept her face buried. "Fine," she muttered.

"Information sent."

Cindelyn chewed on her lip as she waited, face hidden, dreading this moment with her life. But she needed this job. This was the last job she'd need in order to finish the upgrade and make her ship perfect, livable, and safe.

"Access granted." Jocko's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Just like that?" Cindelyn asked as she looked up at the beautiful green and blue planet.

"Just like that. Seems there was a guard there that recognizes you."

"What?"

"I never sent that information."

Cindelyn let out a happy laugh. "I love you, Jocko."

"I'll protect you until the end of time," Jock responded.

The docking bay opened just in time for her ship to continue it's course inside. Once docked, she stood up and headed outside, grabbing her two swords to strap against her back.

"Cindelyn!" Lucien called, his arms open wide and a smile on his handsome face.

"Lucien," Cindelyn said and walked into his arms, squeezing him around the waist.

"I had a feeling it was you trying to gain access."

Cindelyn stepped back with a laugh.

"You've been due for a visit for a few weeks now."

"A job this time."

"You were going to send along something," he said, making it plain he did not agree.

She shrugged.

"You should never have to do that here. I've given you clearance."

"Don't you have a king now?"

He nodded and turned, gesturing her to follow as there were people that started to mill about as if wanting to hear their conversation. "It's given this place a new life."

"Oh?" She questioned as she followed him through the docking station, headed towards the outside world.

"That job request is probably something you haven't seen from here before, yes?"

She nodded and side stepped a man carrying a load of boxes well over his head. How he managed, she didn't know.

"The king is transforming Ruby Outland, and for the better, I say."

Cindelyn smiled. "You look happier than the last time I saw you."

He grinned and threw open the main doors with a flourish. "Found me a partner too."

She laughed. "There's someone willing to put up with you?"

He shoved her shoulder. "Just wait until you meet him. You'll like him."

"Inviting me for dinner?"

"As long as you can spare the time."

She smiled. "Only for you." She said and quickly said good bye before he could question her about the job and what it would entail. No need for him to find out that along with being a royal from another galaxy she was also an assassin willing to help those in power keep it. She quickly made her way from the docking station to the transportation station to head to the main city. No need to dawdle. Especially with the promise of Lucien's cooking. He was one of the best in the universe; she'd bet her ship on it.

A-Z Challenge. Day Two.

Here we are folks. B is for Bells.

Bells

            Every morning, at exactly 6:23, bells rang throughout the compound to wake the subjects. They would wake and dress in the standard grey uniforms, the only identifying feature between them was the number stitched above the heart. In room 23, Carmelina pulled the grey shirt over her head, adjusting it over her shoulders to try and cover them. She was the youngest subject on this floor, only seven years old. The pants dragged on the floor, covering her bare feet. The cold of the tile no longer bothered her. Years of walking around on them have numbed her to the sensation.

            She stepped to her door as another set of bells rang at 6:37. The door slid into the wall and she stepped out into the hallway. On both sides of the hallway, other kids were doing the same. Thirty rooms in total on this floor, the subjects ranging in age from Carmelina’s seven to Averill’s thirteen. None of the subjects made eye contact with each other, instead they turned to head east down the hallway, all falling into single file.

            The doors at the end of the hall slid open and one by one the kids were given a sheet of paper from a lady in a daring red dress; odd for this place, but they were used to the sight and none batted an eye. The room was round and held fifteen elevators. The subjects were separated into pairs and they all stood at the doors to the elevators, waiting.

            At 6:51 more bells rang and the elevators opened. As if sharing a brain the pairs stepped in together. Carmelina stepped in number 7 with Averill. The elevator had 30 floors, the number 20 lit up. There were already 18 people on the elevator, and Carmelina and Averill stepped in and turned around without making eye contact. Every subject kept their eyes averted, as they’d been taught. The subjects in this elevator all looked to be around Averill’s age, all but another young girl who looked to be Carmelina’s age.

            The elevator started its descent, stopping first at floor ten. Averill and another got out. This happened on each floor as it continued down. By the first floor, it was just Carmelina and the other young girl. They both stepped out when the elevator came to a stop.

            “Subject 2023 and 2523,” a man in a green plaid shirt and blue jean overalls said from a few feet in front of them. The room they were in was just like the elevator room from twenty floors up, fifteen elevators and two subjects standing in front of them with a projection of the same man greeting them. “You are to report to room 23,” he said.

            Carmelina and the young girl followed the others as they fell into single file. The doors opened and another hallway just like the one twenty floors up greeted them. They started down the hall, pairs entering their designated rooms as they walked. Carmelina and Subject 2523 entered room 23.

            “Wonderful, wonderful,” a man wearing bright blue board shorts and an open blue Hawaiian shirt said. “Carmelina and Rosabel.”

            The two subjects nodded as he said their names.

            “That won’t do, girls,” he said. “Greet me back.”

            Carmelina furrowed her brows. “Hello,” she said softly.

            An intake of breath from beside her was the only thing Rosabel did.

            The man smiled. “Wonderful. My name is Kilian.”

            “Kilian,” Carmelina said.

            Another intake of breath from Rosabel again.

            “Can you not speak Rosabel?” Kilian asked and stepped forward.

            Rosabel looked down at her bare feet. Just like Carmelina, her pants dragged on the ground. She wiggled her toes.

            “This is problematic,” Kilian said and stroked his stubble chin.

            Carmelina looked up at him quickly before averting her eyes. His green eyes were studying Rosabel with a strange intensity. She took a look around. The room was the same as it’s been since she came here five years ago. Two black leather dentist chairs, restraints dangling from them, stood on either side; a white desk is pushed back against the far wall, a black desk chair in front of it. The computer showed a colourful screensaver, the phone blinked red with messages, and the desk that used to be so orderly was piled with papers. The walls now have posters of the outside world scattered on them but the floor is still the same off-white tile.

            “Well, up on the chairs, ladies,” Kilian gestured to them.

            Carmelina and Rosabel moved at the same time, sat on the chairs, and stared at the ivory ceiling.

            Kilian clicked his tongue. “No need to do that.”

            Carmelina looked at him. He smiled.

            “I do things differently than the others at this place,” he said. He looked over at Rosabel but she kept her gaze on the ceiling. “Now, now, Rosabel,” he started. “Haven’t you been taught to follow orders?”

            Rosabel dragged her lavender eyes from the ceiling and looked at him. He smiled.

            “Good girl,” he said. “Now,” he clapped his hands and a machine came down from the ceiling. He stepped back so it could land on the ground in front of him. Two arms stretched out from its side, one pointing at Rosabel, the other at Carmelina, with a black ball that looked like a camera held in the claws attached to the arm. It was sleek and silver, a keyboard at his waist and a screen at his eye level. He typed something into the machine and the arms moved above the girls and down their bodies.

            “Ah,” he said. “I see what the problem is, Rosabel. You’ve lost your voicebox.”

            Rosabel gave a small nod.

            “My predecessor?” Another nod. “Deary me.” He rubbed his chin. “Well, Carmelina and I will just need to learn sign language with you.”

            Rosabel’s eyes widened.

            “It won’t be hard,” he continued. “Not with our level of intelligence.” He types something into the computer and the arms go straight up, revealing a screen on either side. “Let’s begin.”

***

            At exactly 12:12, bells rang throughout the compound and knocks on the examination room doors followed.

            “Excellent,” Kilian said and stood up. He opened the door, took the tray from the robotic arm, and shut it again. Three boxed meals sat on the tray. He walked back and sat down, handing each girl her meal and set the tray on his lap. “Bon appetite.”

            Carmelina giggled and opened her box, taking out the sandwich.

            “That was an eventful morning,” Kilian said. “Sign language learned, yes?”

            Carmelina nodded and Rosabel signed ‘yes’.

            “Excellent.” He took a bite of his sandwich. “This afternoon will be something neither of you have done before, I’m sure.”

            Rosabel tilted her head as she took a bite.

            “We’re going to destroy this compound.”

            Carmelina gasped. Rosabel’s mouth dropped open.

            Kilian grinned. “You girls are becoming more human as the day goes along.”

            Carmelina furrowed her brows again. “We are human.”

            “Yes, but here they have you become nothing more than subjects to be tested on. I, nor my superiors, agree with this. This compound is the last one standing. Also the hardest to destroy,” Kilian took a bite. “That’s why I needed to get in.”

            “How long have you been here?” Carmelina asked.

            “Three years,” Kilian answered. “It took me three years to become your examiner and in that time all of my research has led me to one conclusion: you two are the only ones worth saving.”

            ‘Why?’ Rosabel signed.

            “You better finish up,” Kilian said, ignoring Rosabel. “Our mission begins when the next set of bells ring.” He waved to the screens and watched as they both turned to look at them.

            The girls’ eyes ran across the screen as they read the information, eating their sandwiches as an after thought. They turned to look at him at the same time.

            “You understand your roles?” Kilian asked and took their empty boxes.

            They both nodded.

            Kilian stood up and motioned for them to do the same with the tray. “Wonderful.”

            He walked forward towards the door as the bells rang throughout the compound at 12:42. A knock followed the bell and Kilian opened the door to give the tray to the robotic arm. The arm disappeared into the floor with the empty tray and Kilian stepped out of the room, Rosabel and Carmelina following. He gave a nod and each girl took off to opposite ends of the hallway. He followed Rosabel west which led to the main lobby.

            Carmelina joined him and Rosabel two minutes later, confirming the cameras had been shut off on her end.

            “Excellent,” Kilian said and swiped his employee ID next to the door at the end of the hall. It swished open and the two girls darted forward, shutting off those cameras too. The room they entered was empty, only two cameras pointed to either side of the room and another door at the other end. Again Kilian swiped his ID next to the door and it opened. The girls darted forward and got rid of the four guards in the room.

            “A weapon for each of you,” Kilian said as he grabbed the two guns off the two guards that stood just inside the door. He straightened and watched as the girls swung the guns over their shoulders, carrying it as if they had their entire lives. “The next room is much heavier secured.” He said as bells started ringing through the compound. “We’ll need to break this door.”

            Carmelina nodded and turned to it, shooting the panel beside it. It smoked and clicked open, the door sliding into the wall. Rosabel immediately began shooting into the room, killing the guards that stood in there to capture them. The receptionist screamed and ducked behind the counter.

            Kilian stepped into the room first and grinned. “Excellent, Rosabel.”

            Rosabel and Carmelina stepped up beside him.

            “You two guard the front door, shoot any you see coming. I’ll get this compound ready to blow,” Kilian said. He walked over to the desk as the girls followed his orders. “Hello dear,” Kilian said, leaning over the desk. “You don’t think anyone is coming, do you?”

            She looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. “The head office will send backup.”

            Kilian grinned. “Head office is currently out of commission.”

            She gasped.

            “Took them out two months ago. So why don’t you go ahead and hit the self-destruct button.”

            “There is no such button,” she whispered.

            Kilian raised an eyebrow. “Really? There were at all the other compounds.”

            She just shook her head as the bells started getting louder.

            “For heaven’s sake, shut off those damn bells.”

            “They’ll keep ringing until the boss enters his code,” she said.

            Kilian groaned. He straightened and walked around the desk.

“What are you doing?” She scurried backwards on her butt.

“Finding the self-destruct,” he said and started poking around her desk.

“There isn’t one,” she said only to gasp when he found a compartment underneath it that revealed a small black button, the words ‘emergency use only’ written beside it.

“There isn’t one, eh?” He said and pressed the button. A fire alarm started blaring then as he casually walked to the entrance. He turned around as she stood up. “Sorry doll,” he said and shot her, the bullet hitting her forehead dead centre.

“Kilian?” Carmelina asked once he stepped outside. “How do we leave?”

Kilian grinned and started leading them down the beautifully designed driveway. “Our ride is waiting outside the gate.”

Rosabel turned back to the compound as an explosion sounded through the air. The back of the place was lit up in flames and screams echoed through her ears.

“Better start running, girls,” Kilian said and started to jog.

The girls looked at each other and smiled before sprinting to the front gate that was starting to open, a bright green van pulling up to the entrance. Kilian laughed as they passed him and he picked up speed, another explosion sounding from behind him.

“You sure make a spectacle,” the man in the van said as the girls opened the back and got in, Kilian sliding in the passenger seat.

“You know me,” Kilian said as the man turned the van around and started back down the country road. “I live for the fire.”