S-2879 • L10 Tramaluna • D15 Irrasi
"Tramaluna weaves the sky in full radiance. Irrasi kindles the peak in living silver. The tide sings high, vast and clear. The story carries on whole, in open light."
I had improved so much. My Enchantress offered intuitive wisdom to face the torment. The dizziness and psychosis diminished. Episodes lasted up to two minutes. Black spots occasionally appeared in my vision. I ate easily. My sense of taste returned, and I began to smell things beyond the metallic scent of blood.
"All right," Kiara began. "What do you know about Russia?"
I searched my memories for what I knew about the place.
In 2795, several international conflicts erupted, including a civil war in Russia. The charismatic Yvon Mrozov used populist rhetoric to lead a revolution against the last president's attempt to establish a dictatorship.
The turning point came when the Kemetia command attacked Moscow. The rebels, led by Yvon, seized the opportunity to take the president's residence. Took hostages. Spared those who cooperated and killed those who resisted. Displayed the president's severed head at the Red Bastion. A crowd applauded.
Yvon inspired and mobilized the Russians to embrace a new monarchy. Yvon's son was the last emperor. The following solar cycles were marked by the rule of empresses.
Sonechka Alexeyev reigned as the current empress. Admired internationally for her governance and adored by her people. She had transformed Russia into one of the world's most cohabitable countries. Moscow especially.
A certain harmony prevailed in the horizontal city. Yet much of its success and influence came from the Russian criminal organization.
The criminal Brotherhood, the Vorovskoy mir (Воровской мир), was the most powerful criminal organization on the planet. A global presence in clandestine operations. A ruthless paramilitary force. Untraceable cybercrime. The sex trade and illicit pornography. Trafficking in drugs, people, rare species, and nanotechnologies. Other illegal operations—always undetectable. They controlled the Nochnoy Prestol, the Throne of Night. Russia's underworld.
"Well, it's a monarchy ruled by an empress…"
"…and the world's biggest criminal organization runs Nochnoy Prestol," Kiara finished. "Escorts are usually easy enough. But a princess, especially this one? We'll be taking risks. Saymon gave me barely any mission details. Just an address in Salekhard. Didn't like the place one bit."
"Why?" I massaged my forehead. The headache threatened to return.
"Abandoned district. But what can we do? We have to go." She stood. "Sure you're coming?"
"I'm seeing this through." I smiled. Firmly. Bravely. Only forward. "I want to ask you something." My voice came out hesitant. "Can I speak to Takashi?" My fingers closed around the blanket. "I want to know how they are. I need to know." My chest tightened at the thought of him.
I confess that, after everything with Kiara, I could only see Takashi as a transcendent being. Just like any other android. Just like any technology.
Kiara tapped a finger against the headboard. "Too risky." Her gray eyes flashed violet. "Although… your contract's suspended. The searches have kinda stopped. Nobody should be trying to establish a connection to locate you." She pressed her lips together. "Okay. Fine." She gestured, projecting the holoscreen. "Five minutes."
I adjusted my short hair. Tried to look healthy, aware that Takashi would spot my injuries from a distance. They were obvious. But I felt he would avoid asking questions. I preferred to deal with this first.
The call began. Takashi appeared on the screen. Tears came like an avalanche of longing. I smiled broadly. His familiar presence brought so much comfort. I had thought I would never see him again. Him. Riki. Hideaki. That I would die without seeing them again. I had survived. Now I longed to reconnect with them. Uncertain what the future held.
"Ah, I'm so glad you're all okay!" My voice caught. I wiped my tears. "How are things?"
Takashi smiled politely and gave a brief bow. "Doctor—"
"Akiko is fine."
He frowned. Hesitated for a moment. "Akiko…" Calling me that seemed strange to him, but he quickly composed himself. "Things are going well. Mrs. Relaisse improves daily. With Liana's help, she has recovered fifty-three percent of her memories. We've begun the Alzheimer's treatment."
"Fifty-three percent?" My heart raced. "That's incredible!"
"We estimate an eighty-seven percent recovery of cognitive function."
"Eighty-seven percent?!" My smile widened even more. "Ah, I'm so happy to hear that! Has Hideaki spoken to you?"
He nodded. "Dr. Hideaki confirms receipt of the reports every half lunation, without comment." He spoke with his usual calm, but something about him had changed.
Or had I changed? Could he feel it? Could he see something transformed in my expressions?
"Keep it up." My tone grew serious. "And the patients?"
That was my greatest concern. I feared Josivaldo would take advantage of my absence and alter the patients' stimulation parameters to accelerate the research. Perhaps he was more responsible than that. Would respect a GMC decision. Still, I had to consider the opposite possibility.
Takashi understood my concern. "Yes, I receive all the results without alterations. The team is working with the same parameters. For security, I've blocked access to your computer and network."
Relief flowed through my body. "Takashi—"
Kiara made a subtle gesture. Time was running out.
"Well, I have to go. Keep up the splendid work." I forced a smile. "Next time we speak, it'll be face-to-face. Until then!"
Takashi gave a final bow.
The connection ended.
My heart beat fast. I covered my face with my hands, smiling broadly.
Kiara watched me. "It really worked?" she asked rhetorically.
I let out a muffled laugh. "I'm so excited to see them." I sighed. "We'll get to talk to Alícia…" I bit my lip. Just thinking about uncovering more of Maia's past filled my chest with happiness.
Kiara rested her chin on her knee. "You really love her, huh?"
Heat rose to my face. I buried it in my hands.
She burst out laughing.
"Stop! Not funny!"
"Ah, if only you knew…"
Silence filled the space. For a moment, everything felt serene. Then—
SCREEECH—BAM! A loud noise echoed outside.
My body stiffened immediately. My pulse raced. Panic seeped into my veins.
Kiara drew her revolver, rising in one fluid motion, and looked out the window. "Just a car accident." She put the gun away. Her gaze fell on my still-trembling hands.
My heart pumped fear through my body. Damn it. Would this ever stop? I took a deep breath, trying to calm down.
"We catch our flight the day after tomorrow," Kiara said, leaning back. "Use the time to rest."
I lay down and tried to quiet my restless thoughts. Everything will be okay. Everything will be o—
I fell asleep.
S-2879 • L10 Tramaluna • D17 Fluxli
"Tramaluna weaves the sky in a ripened thread. Fluxli releases the curve in living silver. The tide draws a path through open air. The story carries on steadily, in gentle radiance."
A small nanojet awaited us. This time, before we boarded, Saymon's android greeted us peacefully.
How many androids could he control? How was it possible? Nanotechnologies evolved every day, yet so many limits remained.
Kiara sat across from me and drew a revolver. "Gonna give you a new gun. I know—"
"It's okay." My voice was firm. I held out my hand.
Kiara raised an eyebrow, but asked nothing. Handed me the gun.
Touching it still felt strange. Its weight settled in my palm. Cold. Metallic. My hand stayed steady.
Apprehension. The memory of every time I had seen guns pointed at me. But this time… this time, I could have some control. I had to learn to defend myself. Protect myself. I wanted to depend less on Kiara.
Those people, so disconnected, had hurt me with the coldness of someone who had forgotten feeling still existed. They laughed with every blow. In that moment, I had focused on extinguishing any hope of survival. Yet I had also carved something inside myself: never again. I would fight with everything I had to prevent that fate. Learn to live in this world like Maia.
I holstered the gun and tied my hair into a bun.
The LI announced, "Estimated flight time to Moscow, Russia: sixteen hours. Have a pleasant journey."
I took my medicine. Wanted more time between panic attacks. Wanted to give my mind a little more rest. Then I could focus on recovering physically. My mind still weighed heavily. But one day… one day, I would overcome this.
Maia and I might be far apart. Yet my scars reminded me: we shared something. That connection brought me closer to her. Helped me understand her life.
I was on the path to understanding her pain. The burden she carried. But it made me want to be more. More alive. More present. Savor every experience. As Maia had done with me.
My path was about more than just her. Something lay beyond. Something obscure and silent, gradually drawing closer. My body, soul, spirit, and heart opened to this new universe, which was becoming mine too.
The nanojet's engine rumbled. The floor trembled beneath my feet. A new destination awaited me. The gun's weight in its holster felt strange, but imposed by the moment.
My body seemed ready. My mind… not yet. Still, I would keep going.
I rested my head against the window. Outside… endless darkness. My womb announcing the coming red.
Memories of Maia surfaced. I closed my eyes, letting them take over.