Chapter 3: Not Alone

Not Alone

*sniff sniff* I felt something tickling the top of my head as I lay on the ground.

"Tess knock it off." I said and slapped away the stick he had been using, I heard a rustling sound next to me.

"I didn't do nothin'." She moaned, at that my eyes flicked open. A few feet away Tess was like me laying in a bed of thick, healthy, and green grass. Of course this lead me to think, what the hell touched me. Slowly I turned my head forward, I stopped and froze in place. I looked into a pair of glowing green eyes, the sun's light reflected off of it's glossy wooden form. Inched from my face was a dog made purely from wood. The dog...  no it was too big to be a dog, a wolf maybe, the wolf looked back at me with interest. Neither of us moved trying to stare into the others soul.

"Tess... Tess  little help here." I whispered, she rolled over to face me.

"What I'm tryin' to sl-" Here word caught in her throat as her gaze feel on the wolf.  It looked at her the same interest was ever present. After a moment a face slipping grin spread across Tess' face, with inhuman speed she lunged at the wolf and pulled it into a hug. "AWW, it's so cute!" She sat on the ground petting the wooden mutt, it let out a relieved huff and leaned into the hug. My look changed from shock to confusion, I stood up and dusted myself off.

"First thing you see in this place and it's a wooden wolf and you hug it, eh?" I said looking around, I saw we landed in an oasis, the sun shining high in the noon day sky. I knew this because past the trees and grass around the single body of water in the enter of the area, was red, brown, and orange ground.

"Oh come on hunter look at him, he's so cuddly!" Tess squealed, looking at the dog again I saw it was only a pup barely reaching my knee. I looked around and saw a few smaller animals but no other wooden wolves.

"Strange wildlife aside do you know where we are?" I found my weapon, an X9-Plasma Repeater. Tess gave the area a quick once over.

"Nope sorry." She said before cuddling the dog again. I shook my head sighed walking to the oasis, a brief thought about the recordings popped into my mind. It's in the water. I put my X9 away and pulled my Arc Welder, I held down the first trigger as electricity began to accumulate at the tip of the gun.

"What are you doing?" I heard Tess say as she was somehow standing next to me.

"Making sure this water isn't going to harm us." I said, and pulled the second trigger. A single massive bolt of electricity hit the water causing the whole spring to conduct the energy. The pup in Tess' arms tried to struggle away from the noise. I held the arc in place until a warning told me it was beginning to over heat. I released both triggers and the lighting stopped as quickly as it had begun, spare a few sparks in the water.

"Was that really necessary?" She asked petting the dog who still tried t escape.

"You saw the video like I did, we need water for this trip and I am not taking chances." I took a canteen from my belt and filled it with the clear water, I couldn't help but stare at the water for a moment. It was clear and shown like diamonds in the sunlight, unpolluted and untainted by man it was a preserved piece of tranquility. I wanted it to stay as such and backed away from it. "Any ideas as to where we shoulder head to first? I don't feel like hanging around here, this place feels... wrong." I looked around, in every direction was the same thing being trees bushes ending in a rocky desert.

"This place does feel weird, you think it could be something like that, hall." Tess shuddered remembering the hall full of bodies that where either projections, or something else.

"Well, let's just get out of here. We need to find people or something sentient that hopefully won't turn us into rambling psychopaths." I took another look at the oasis, nothing seemed to out of place. "I wish we either had a VSAT or drone to scout the area, but it looks like we're taking a shot in the dark this time."

Tess seemed, to think for a while before holding the wooden dog forward. "Let's have him show us."

I had never face palmed so hard my combat mask HUD scrambled. I knew Tess and me had our share of dumb as fuck ideas but this took the dynamite candle topped cake.

"You're gonna let a dog decide out fate, not just any dog but a wooden one that can't be older than a few weeks?" I asked, Tess nodded and put the dog down, it sniffed around for a few seconds before looking around. It was also at this time I felt my brain cells slowly commit suicide one by one, I must have been monstrously cruel to puppies in another life to deserve this.

I let out a pent up breath and said. "Tess the dog isn't going to just magically know where some desert utpo-" I was cut off as the dog barked, it began to walk westward looking back to see if we where following. I deadpanned as the dog simply trotted away, Tess trailing behind.

... "What the fuck."

--Canterlot Castle Same Time--

"Professor Clockwork I hold your professional scientific opinion higher than anypony in Equestria. But I can't simply believe this." A tall regal alicorn said, her coat was a pure white, her mane flowed in a rainbow effect in a nonexistent wind, she stood higher than most a 7"6 ft. Her name was Princess  Celestia Co-ruler of the nation Equestria.

Professor Clockwork stood before her his research lay spread out on the center table. "Princess you must believe me, all of our equipment, even the Eye, have located a quantum anomaly." He said, his voice tiered and wavering.

"Professor, from what you have told me. An anomaly in time and space has appeared?" She asked.

"Yes"

"And in the Changeling Badlands?"

"Yes." He said but quieter.

"And you want me to send in a squad of soldier to inspect the site?"

"Y-yes." He knew where she was going.

"Professor, even if this is something big it's out of my hands. I cannot send troops into the Badlands under the treaty with the changeling queen. Even if this force was somethin powerful the risk of war is too great, all we can do is wait and see what happens. I'm truly sorry your work has been so hard to lead to this, but please do not attempt to look for this thing." The professor collapsed into his chair looking at all the hard, tedious, worthless work. Without a word he pooled his papers together and left.

Clockwork hurried back to his lab, grumbling to himself. I'm right and I will prove it, but how? His mind raced as he tried to think if a solution.

--Changeling Badlands 1:30 PM--

We had been following the dog for an hour now, I had to admit it had lead to some results. The area we had entered was some form of canyon, but it was obviously made by something that knew how to dig. The walls had signs of blast spots from high explosives, mined out sections has marks of where axes had chipped away, even some form of tracks made by a wagon on my opinion.

"I told you he would show us the way." Tess gloated, I just kept quite looking for what may inhabit this area. It was obvious these natives were sentient, the sings of mining making that obvious.

"Congratulations, he dog either brought us to bomb testing site or a mining colony." I snarked, I looked around the edges of the canyon above us cautious for traps, avalanches, snipers, or hostile natives.

"Can't you lighten up, everything's gonna be alright once we get to a city." Tess said, her happy demeanor overshadowing the rest of her personalities.

"A city of miners, two soldiers armed to the teeth who are more or less qualified as two walking WMDs are just gonna blend right in, we'll be having a comfy life in no time." Tess just huffed.

After a few more minutes of walking later and we came to a cliff face, a few yards from the edge the dog stopped.

*Bark*

Me and Tess fell to the ground and crawled to the edge of the cliff, I looked over the edge. To any and I mean any city on earth was put to shame by this place. short farms, and other buildings slowly became bigger and bigger until they peaked at the top of what I had first thought a mountain, it was a fortress. Black and green material seemed to be the most basic building materials other colors where there but those to were the most flaunted. I noted three buildings that stuck out the most, the first being the main castle, the second was a large what looked like factory with a massive sphere above it filled with a swirling pink and purple liquid, the last was an incredibly tall cylindrical building.

But what caught my eye more than anything, where those who inhabited it. They where like... me, with my mutated vision I could see they looked very similar to me their skin was pitch black and made from the same carapace, their eyes where only different thing about them, and some where even turning invisible like me. There where some differences, like some had wings which made me jealous having only a wing pack and not real wings, they all had a single horn on their foreheads, and at the ends of their legs and arms where holes which I was glad I didn't have. But none the less I didn't feel threatened by them and was actually ecstatic to meet them. I could see Tess looking at the city below as well, but I couldn't read her face.

"Well you wanted to follow the dog." I said, petting said dog.

We both stood on the edge of the cliff looking down, our wing packs powered up. Having been shocked by the Rift they had been shorted out, but I was able to get them back on.

"So  where should we land?" I looked over the city, no area looked good for a landing except the from gate. Tess didn't really need me to tell her that though.

"It's more polite to go in the front anyhow." She said, I snickered and we both took to the air. As we hovered to the ground, the dog began to try and hide in Tess' jacket. I payed him no mind though hoping he just didn't like the noise. As we landed I noticed the front wall was topped of with guards, they wore thick heavy iron armor, spears and swords at the ready. Upon our arrival a guard and another not guard walked up to us, one was armed the other held a scroll. Tess stood by my side the dog hidden inside her combat jacket.

"Welcome brother," When the one with the scroll spoke I almost felt welcome. "What is your drone class and number?" He asked, my mind hit a wall. He must have thought I was truly one of them, I had to admit I felt a bit happy.

"Um d04 "Stalker" sir." I said not really knowing what else to say.

"Stalker? I don't have any d04's marked to have left the hive, who are you?" The guard native pointed his weapon at me.

"I ain't lying, I'm a d04 Stalker specimen, I'm just not from your "Hive" like you thought." The scroll native whispered with his companion for a few seconds.

"You said specimen, right?" I nodded to his question. "Well in that case excuse my hostility. Our kind is still on a very shaky treaty with the Equestrians, I will tell the guards to raise the gate. Welcome to the Hive." He waved to a pair of guards above, a few seconds later the large metal gate began to rise.

The Hive: Made from being hand carved from locally found minerals such as obsidian, iron, apatite, magnetite, and other oddly located minerals is the changeling Hive. With the use of heavy magic this location is stabilized for hospitable conditions. The Hive is one of four remaining changeling sanctuaries left housing at least 20,000 changelings. In the dark of night bioluminescent life illuminates the city as no other place can. This Hive also houses the queen of the changelings her self Queen Chrysalis, she is charged with taking personal care of each and every changeling inside the city maintaining stability, peace, and law. Also having no direct ties with other nations the changelings are famed for having quickly advancing technology, economy, and education this is considered a feat because everything they have learned is from personal study and experimentation. While this city like any other has it's dark, odd, or unexpected secrets it is a wonder to the planet kept safe and secluded from the outside world so it may continue to delve into it's study and ever advancing technology.

The Hive was.. stunning to say the least, the architecture put any human made city past or present to shame. The streets in front of us flowed with coordinated ease as the natives or changelings went about their work. I had never seen anyplace have so many working yet still be organized and direct as this place. Me and Tess walked into the city the massive black and green buildings towered over us. No one so much as gave me a glance, but many bright blue eyes focused on Tess, although she either didn't notice or didn't give a fuck, maybe both. I had none of my weapons out all of them stored in my SD, but I had one ready just in case. I didn't try and hide in the crowd, being the only two people here wearing combat armor and armed with advance bionic upgrades, SD's, and HUD's. To put it simply we where the most noticeable things in the city.

Hunter I know this is the only place we've got, but we don't have any local currency for food or a place to stay. Me and Tess had been mentally discussing what the hell we where going to now that we where here.

Well for a while we can camp out in the Badlands, once we got enough money we can stay at a hotel and work our way from there. It was the best thing I could think of to do.

What about all those things in the badlands, like those things on the recordings? I had thought about that but with our weapons mutations, etc not much could get in our way and live.

They would only be a minor problem, who knows there may be some bounty hunting jobs we could take on the monsters to get some money? Tess seemed to brighten at the thought of hunting monsters. For as long as I can remember Tess has always had an odd fetish for blood and grim-dark shit. Not that ripping a Bloater in half wasn't fun but Tess IS the kill in overkill. Maybe that's why I found her attractive the day we meet, she one tough chick who will beat you with your own arm if you make fun of her or other women.

Alright, but first lets see if we can find any place to get some work. I agreed as we continued down the road. From old books and movies I knew the best place to find odd jobs.

A bar!

Of course finding a bar was very easy, being a busy city a place with changelings lounging around and being heard over the crowd was an easy target. The bar was a tall wide building, I couldn't read the language but what it was was fairly clear. We walked into the bar and were greeted with an all too familiar scent, alcohol and something else we didn't know, it was just like Haven. We walked towards the bar the keep looked at me, then Tess, then back to me.

"Yes can I get you something?" He asked calmly.

"Yeah, me and my partner are looking for work preferably suited for our... talents." The barkeeper looked around making sure no one was listing.

"And what kind of talents might be in line for you and your partner?" He asked leaning on the bar.

"Grunt work, you know things like a bodyguard, private security, or hunting." He thought about it for a few seconds.

"Well in The Hive there is never enough jobs for a merc, but. If you want a good paying job check with either the guard or some of the more privileged closer to the palace, that is if you can get in." His suggestions weren't bad and went along with our old job.

"Wait you said if we could get in, what did you mean?" He looked shocked for a moment before chuckling.

"Well seeing as you to aren't from around here let me give you a word of advice. Don't go to the districts closer to the palace, if you give some of the drones there a bad look guarantee your as good as dead. Stick with more jobs around the outer districts, once you get a bit of money to your name you might have a shot at working higher up." Another patron called for the bartender, he handed me a small note and left. I gave the note a quick look.

"If your going to look for work in the guard look for a drone named Dust Walker." I folded the note and put in my pocket.

So what are our options? Tess asked.

Well either we look for this Dust Walker, or we try and get work in the inner districts full of rich assholes. I responded, she looked around the bar.

I don't think any jobs around here would get us very much. Might as well try the higher ups. Coming to our conclusion we left the bar, this time less natives or drones looked at Tess.

We began our way to towards the palace as the richer districts where surrounding it. I could see Tess window shopping, I had to admit some of the cloths here looked very similar to those back home, a lot of the food also looked pretty good but I couldn't identify what most of it was, and one thing I noticed was a popular drink. I had seen many of the drones walking or sitting drinking some kind of purple pink liquid. I just shrugged it off as a cultural thing. As we got close and closer to the palace, the buildings had drastically changed. The craftsmen ship and use of expensive items showed just how wealthy these changelings were. Some buildings where lined with a silver and sometimes blue trim adding a much more noticeable effect. The drones on the other hand, they had their heads held so high it was a wonder they knew where they were going.

Snobs aside the area itself seemed tense and prestigious, I saw a few street vendors along side the street I figured my best chance for work or to find where to look for work would be there. I walked towards the market, but Tess put a hand on my shoulder.

Check 2 o'clock.

I looked to the right, a couple of changelings, one male the other female where being escorted down the road. Other citizens stepped hurriedly out of their way, not wanting to cause trouble we did the same. The female wore a longs grey and jeweled dress, her black hair fell down her back, she was tall and slender her hips swayed from side to side.

Slut. Tess spat.

The male had was of similar height, he had an average build and wore a black suite with his short hair evenly hanging around his neck. I could tell the two of them where important and powerful. The drones escorting them where massive, their arms where as thick as my body, their torsos where twice my size, the legs where also big and looked like they packed quite a kick. They were obviously mercs, competent ones at that. When they passed the crowd went right back to what it had been doing.

This place has a very old yet modified version of the cast system. Tess said, it was true. While the lower class and higher classes where mixed together it was defiantly made obvious who's name held a higher power.

Let's just talk to one of these vendors and move. Me and Tess entered street market looking at the interesting things for sale. I walked to a younger looking changeling selling different manners of trinkets. Upon seeing us walk up to his stall he smiled.

"Ah welcome brother how can I help you?" He asked, it was nice to meet someone friendly most salesmen in Haven were either cheating scum or assholes.

"Me and my partner are looking for work, I hoped either you know of any close by or someone who may know." The changeling thought about it for a second.

"Well you aren't going to find any work that isn't either escort work or guard work. But if your up for it you can always ask check with the Hunters for work, the pay is usually very good from what I've heard." Hunters? I assumed they were most likely the ones who kept the creatures in the Badlands out.

"Where would we find these hunters?" He just laughed at my question.

"They don't have a set location, they usually occupy one of the bars in the city. There's one a few blocks down from here, it's called Black Water the building it's self is hard to miss. At least one one of the Hunters can be found there I know that, also if you are able to join them don't expect any of the work to be easy." I thanked him and let him get back to work.

Tess you've been quite for while, something on your mind? I asked walking in the direction the vendor had pointed.

I'm just trying to keep pace with everything that's been going on. I know this, we're in a different world, you're not the only sentient d04, we still have no idea what was up with those recordings in the lab back on Earth, and now we're just looking to hunt like some low life bounty hunter. Tess didn't sound too pleased at what we had to do, she had never liked bounty hunters because they held no manner or loyalty to anyone but themselves.

After we get a little bit of money we can get a room at a hotel or something and then we can take our time to sort everything out. For now all we can do is get a job, get paid, and hopefully figure out what to do with the rest of our insane lives. I know it's not the best plan in the world but it was all I had.

Alright... but after this we are taking things slower. I'm so tiered of not know what's going on. I put my hand on her shoulder.

I am to, but we have to get settled before we can figure anything out.

The Black Water Bar, it was definitely more expressive about it's purpose than any of the other buildings I had seen. Neon lights traced the edges of the roof casting a low red light. The building looked out of place among the high class looking district. None the less we entered, now it really looked out of place.

I'm okay with this. I shot Tess a quick glance.

The bar was a gentlemen's club... awesome. I could see changelings whooping to the strippers on stage, others we're being lead into private rooms. This was like the red light district back in Haven, full of perverts and drug dealers. I could see multiple bars dotted around the wide area, I walked over to one and this would most likely be my worst idea of the day. Standing on the other side of the bar was a rather busty changeling, her clothes did little for her.

Only Tess knows this but, I'm not good when talking to women. Now standing in front of me is an embarrassing moment waiting to happen, but it was too late now.

"Well hello there hun, how can I help you today?" Her voice was odd, from being with Tess for my whole life I knew when sound was being manipulated.

"Y-yes, I'm looking for someone." I said trying my hardest not to stutter, and failing. She just giggled, leaning over the counter top put her face inches form mine.

"And who would you be lookin' for?" I was glad for my carapace, if I had skin I would be sweating.

"I'm looking for a Hunter you know any?" I managed to at least level my voice.

"Aw shame, but business is business. If it's a hunter you're lookin' for talk to Jeremiah." She backed off and pointed to a lone changeling sitting in the corner watching the dancers with mild interest.

"Thanks for the help." She gave a sly grin.

"Any time sugar, come back and see me sometime." She walked off to tend to her other patrons. As I walked away my breath began shaking less and less.

Good job Hunter you managed to speak coherent sentences. Tess mentally cheered.

Let's just hurry. We walked to the changeling, I gave him a quick once over. His carapace matched mine perfectly, no holes and looked tougher than most, he had blue reptilian eyes similar to my own. He was a Stalker. As we got closer her turned to look at us.

"Yeah, what do you want?" He didn't sound agitated just bored.

"Me and my friend new in town, we don't have much to us except our weapons and clothes. We heard we might be able to find work with you're organization." I said, he motioned for us to sit.

"Now I know you're talkin' about the Hunter's, they are who yer' lookin' for right?" I nodded. "And what makes you think I'm a Hunter and what makes you think they'ed let just anyone join?" Hiss attention was focused on us.

"First I know a fighter when I see one, you have two scars on you chest and one on your arm. Both of them look as though they where put there by something pretty big. Two me and my friend aren't your normal fighters." He looked both me and Tess over.

"Alright, ya don't seem like some ego pumped merc so I'll give ya that. But what makes you so special, your a d04 like me, and other than some strange armor you don't look like you got that much." I could hear the grin spread across Tess' face.

"Well then allow me to show you what we bring to the table." With practiced ease I drew out an X-9 Rail Gun, Tess favoring her ZCT Wave Gun. I was glad we were in a booth seat, lest someone see our weapons. The changeling's eyes went wide, I was afraid his eyes would fall out of their sockets.

"Our group is leaving in the morning at 5 AM sharp, where hunting down a pack of Desert Worms that have been causing trouble for the outer walls. If you're up for it meet us at the gates a little earlier, I'll inform my boss of your coming so you should run into any trouble. For now take this." He handed me a small pouch. "You gave about 120 gems, it should be enough to cover a room at most hotels and food as well, your best bet would be to get a room at The Silver Sunset Hotel. It's a large complex building a few streets over towards the palace, it costs about 40 gems a night but stick with us and that won't be a problem, alright?" I nodded getting from my chair ,but as we stood to leave he grabbed my arm. "One more thing... what are you, really?"

I thought about answering him truthfully but I didn't not wanting every changeling in the city after my tech. "A merc with anger management problems." Was all I said, Tess in close behind we left the building. Outside in the streets we were once again greeted us with the sounds of buzzing, talking, etc. I had quickly gotten use to the changelings because they reminded me of the D class specimens but with sentience and personalities, instead of blood thirsty cannibalistic human mutants. Tess seemed to be taking things just as well and for good reasons, we had seen many things that would make any man or women make them put a bullet in their brains, this was just another Monday or whatever day it was here for me and Tess though.

The SSH wasn't very far from the bar it was only a few blocks down the street, it was also very noticeable. Shards of amber, topaz, and gold studded the walls in hand made patterns. In the sun they reflected an array of color, I can only guess during the sunset it would only become more impressive. Moving on the inside had a similar design, changelings sat in various areas some playing pool, lounging in another area, and what made my day was some were watching TV.

Wait they have iron armor and weapons that can't block crap, yet they can make a fully functioning HD flat screen  complete with color? I thought about it until my head hurt, I would figure it out later. But being in a hurry to finally have a comfortable living space felt like a god send compared to the places back in Haven. I walked up to one of the changelings working at the counter, she motion for us to hold as she spoke into an intercom.

"I understand just do what you can with it and move on." She tapped a key on the intercom and faced us. "Sorry about that, now how can I help you two?" She asked warmly, I could hear how much she practiced that one line.

"I was wondering if you had any two bed rooms available?" I asked, she looked between me and Tess and checked a log book on the counter.

"Yes we have a few open, are you looking for anything specific or just any room?"

"Any room will do." She wrote a few things in the book.

"Okay a standard two bed one bath room on the second floor, is this alright?" She asked, I nodded.

"Okay it is one the second floor on D hall room 126, and it will be 30 gems a night." I took the specified amount from the pouch Jeremiah had given us.

"Thank you very much, enjoy your stay." She handed me a small key, I thanked her and went to the nearest stair case.

I hope they have a bar. Tess randomly stated, I was also thinking of drinks. My mind was distracted as I saw a reoccurring sight throughout the city, it was that strange purple and pink liquid. Almost every cup I could see of the hotel's front area was filled with it. I tried to push it away though trying to deal with the current problems.

We stood outside our room the door reading 126 in big white numbers. I unlocked the door and pushed it open.

"Oh yes!" Tess squealed jumping up and down, I rarely ever saw her this happy. Rushing past me into the room Tess dove onto one of the rooms beds, with her face buried in the pillow she let out a relieved sigh. I grinned seeing her childish antics, walking to the empty bed I took off both my personal SD and the Armory SD as I had decided to call it see as it held one inside itself. I fell on my back to soft bed sagging under me, I wasn't fat I just had on about 90 pounds of extra gear than a normal Haven Soldier. I felt someone then lay onto me their head under my chest.

"Tess I thought you stopped doing this after we were almost court marshaled." In the Haven Military relationships between two soldier gender regardless is strictly forbidden. Now before I tell you the incident on base let me clarify a few things about me and Tess, we aren't a couple. We may act like it but we aren't, we're really good friends with benefits. Me and Tess are free to see who ever we want without grief from the other, I've had two other girls in my life and I think Tess has had over 12... in my opinion they were all assholes. Anyway, a few years back on base me and Tess where sleeping in the barracks when Tess decided to get cuddly. Long story short our old captain almost kick both our asses to there cerb had we not been in the special divisions as super soldiers.

I felt Tess hug me closer. "Aw come on, we are most likely framed as criminals back in Haven, we aren't even on Earth anymore, who in this world has the power to stop us? We can do whatever we want." She said wrapping her arms around my neck she looked at me face to face. "Besides, when was the last time you let off a little stress?" She said getting closer.

"6 nights ago when we both stumbled home after a long night of drinking with Tom and Sven." I said, pushing her back a bit. She let out a pout and went back to laying on my chest.

"Killjoy, when was the last time you were with a girl other than me?" She teased, just saying that made everything awkward. You just shouldn't ask someone if you slept with someone else other than them, it's just weird. But I went on.

"6 nights ago after a night with Tom and Sven." I replied, remembering Tess's friend Jackie.

Tess just pouted getting off of me and walking towards the bathroom. "I'll be out in a minute, I haven't taken a nice bath in days feel free to join." She shut the door, just not all the way. I gave a chuckle and lay my head on my pillow looking at the ceiling.

A couple minutes later a knock came from the door, I looked at it a moment wondering who it could possibly be. Walking towards the door I held a Combat knife readied inside my sleeve. Slowly I opened the door, I was greeted by the receptionist changeling from the front.

"Hello sir, I have a message for you." She said with a smile pulling out a small sealed letter, I took the letter checking the seal to see a green stamp with the letters QC in green.

"Thank you-" I said but upon looking up I saw she was gone, I closed the door carefully looking around. Turning back to the room I did a quick thermal, x-ray, and vitals scan but found it empty except for Tess and me. I looked again to the strange note in my hand, wondering who I could be. Using my knife I carefully popped the seal and pulled out the paper from within.

`You are either very brave or foolish to wander into MY Hive outsider, especially claiming to be one of my children. I do not know who or what you are or your intentions for my children and city but I wish to know, with as little violent action as possible. So, I send you this letter as a peaceful request to come to the palace tomorrow at noon so we may discuss our standings. But know this outsider, if you hurt one of my children you will not be able to escape my anger, so I suggest you avoid being late.

Sign Queen Chrysalis`

I read the note a few times, my headache returning. Son.of.a.bitch, can I go one decade without someone hating me for some dumb ass reason. First Hyde, then the laundry guy, then Pvt Dancer, now this Queen... a fucking queen! My headache went from small to a full on migraine. I sat on my bed rubbing the side of my head wishing I had my painkillers, or my weight in vodka. I set the note on the side table and walked towards the bath tossing my cloths off.

What else could go wrong, go ahead universe show me I fuckin' dare ya.