Into the Abyss: M.I.A.
AUTHOR"S NOTE: This is the first story that I have ever posted. So please bear with
me. I hope you enjoy it. I'm going to be a adding a chapter that will have nothing to do
with the story but it will have more information on Priestesses and all the other alien
species as well as a dictionary for the names and things that I have created.
Teaser:
A mercenary who has lost his love for the kill, a thief whose kleptomania got him into
trouble more than once in the past, A healer whose great power separated her from her kin physically and emotionally, a runaway princess whose rebel heart shuts out all who get to close, and a minstrel who has secret talents other than the one he advertises. These people are my crew. They found me by accident and stole me from those who created me, (to destroy). I am M.I.A.
Chapter One:
(Shal-Lania’s POV)
The five of us are trying unsuccessfully to get off planet. We came together
because we all have one mission, To free ourselves. Dyro called this meeting with one
word in the text message, 'Departure'. I was the last to arrive.
(Third Person POV)
"Glad you all responded so quickly." Dyro spoke lightly, his excitement evident in his
voice. Kali and Jared just looked at him. Shal-lania raised her eyebrow in a gesture that
meant, 'Well?' Malfasha was the only one who spoke, "Get on with it! I have more
important things to do than sit around waiting for you."
Dyro gleefully explained, "I was just snooping around the launch pads today and I saw a
ship that is empty and about ready to depart!" Without being prompt Shal-lania went over to the computer in their common room and began hacking into the planets launch
information. A half an hour later she cried out in triumph. "He’s right! But if we are going
to take that ship I suggest we do it tomorrow night. The crew that was assigned to it are
arriving by shuttle day after tomorrow."
(The next night)
Malfasha glared at Dryo, "You didn't mention how tight security was around here
while you were 'snooping'. What the hell makes this thing so special?" Malfasha held his
injured arm against his cheat, waiting for Shal-lania to heal it. Dyro cowered and made
sure to stay away from Malfasha, "How was I to know?" he squeaked out. It hadn't been
easy getting inside. Heavily armed patrols every three minutes and highly sensitive
Laz-guns mounted near the door to the ship caused them to take longer than planned.
Jared and Kali didn't look exactly happy with him either.
The group of five entered the main deck and began looking around. Nothing
looked familiar. "Where the hell is the manual for this thing?" Malfasha complained.
Dyro jumped at Malfasha's harsh voice and fell backwards; he would have ended on the
floor had he not grabbed the console he was near. The ship started to rumble as it came to life; the button Dyro hit glowed slightly. He looked sheepishly at Kali. Who was glaring at him.
A small floating sphere the size of a child's fist came up behind them and spoke,
"Greetings." It spoke in Standard Egat, "Please state your names in descending rank order so I may compile a list of crew members."
Everyone just stared blankly at the small thing, ordering them around.
Kali spoke first, "Before that, tell us what you are."
"I am M.I.A., Mobile Intelligent Aviator. I am the ship computer; I run all operating
systems in this vessel. Those systems include, Life Support, Navigation, Comms, Engines,
Docking, Waste Disposal, etc. Controls can be switched to manually for one or all of these
systems if ever required but my databanks consist of every known maneuver and combat
situation so I can navigate with ultimate perfection."
Shal-lania was smiling, "This is wonderful. Tell her your name." She looked pointedly at
Kali.
Kali raised an eyebrow, "Why me?"
Dyro spoke from the corner he had retreated to, "Because you should be the captain." Jared nodded once in affirmation and Malfasha just shrugged.
Still a bit wary of this computer with a mind of its own she spoke, "I am Kali." MIA's sphere scanned Kali with a blue light and then flew over to Jared, "Name, please."
"Jared." he was also scanned and the same thing went for Shal-lania, Malfasha and Dyro.
MIA flew to a chair in the center of the room; "This is your position, Captain."
Kali walked over and sat down, her view was covered with a 3-D image map of the ship.
"Cool. Oh, and don't call me Captain. Just Kali will do."
"As you say, Kali. Do you wish to take off now?"
"Yes." Was Kali's reply after looking to the others for confirmation.
"Destination?"
"Damuli." MIA's sphere went to another console and set itself into an indentation. A
closer look revealed that every console in the room had one.
"Please strap in for take-off." MIA instructed, her voice was now coming from the
overhead speakers. After doing as they were asked everyone felt the ship shake harder as the engines came to life.
"The Launch Control room is hailing us. Do you wish to respond?"
"No, ignore them."
"Understood, Kali."
After the rather bumpy take-off the group began to explore the ship. MIA showed Kali the
'Captain's' quarters and the others choose room along the same hall.
Obtaining MIA had taken its toll. It didn't take long for them to fall asleep in the
surprisingly comfortable beds.
The next day everyone but Kali had met up on the main deck. "Kali never sleeps in. Where
is she?" Shal-lania asked the others worriedly. None of them had an answer.
Malfasha was about to speak when Kali came in.
The way her eyes flashed warned them all of her anger, "MIA!" Kali yelled. The sphere
came to life and went over to hover in front of Kali, "Yes?"
"What the hell did you do to me?"
"What I was programmed to do."
Kali growled in response.
Jared decided to intervene before Kali destroyed something. "What happened Kali?"
Kali whipped around to look at him, "This!" she said through clenched teeth. She turned
her back towards her companions and lifted her shirt slightly, there, embedded at the base of her spine was a small metal disk.
Shal-lania cocked her head to one side as she looked at it, "What is it MIA?"
MIA flew over to the main console and brought up the internal wiring plans for the
disk, "This implant allows the commander of this ship to give me commands mentally.
You can change things about the ship with just a thought. You also have total access into
my memory banks."
"So, what your saying is that Kali is now a part of the ship?" Shal-lania asked as she
studied the disk more closely.
MIA's sphere dipped in what was presumed to be a nod in the affirmative.
Kali's eyes were closed; she opened them now and looked to the others, "Follow me."
The group found themselves in a hallway that they seemed to have missed before, it was
an offshoot of the hall where there rooms where. There were three doors in the hallway.
Kali touched the first one and it opened, revealing a huge room with thick padding in
some places for sparing, the walls were lined with what looked to be every kind of
physical enhancing machine known.
The second door revealed a small vestibule with many doors off of it. Each door revealed
a room filled with weapons. One room for every Planet. Jared was greatly interested in
this section.
The third and final room proved to be a food store, it had enough food in it to
comfortably feed the five of them for ten years. (Or so MIA intoned) And with Dyro's
appetite, that was saying something.
Another, smaller room was discovered by Dyro he came back with a hand full of small metal cubes. (AN: Smaller than a dime) "Hey! What are these?"
Kali's eyes widened in recognition, "Where did you get these?"
"There's a barrel full of them."
"Barrel?" Malfasha asked incredulously.
The group went into the small room and were speechless. The room was filled
with drawers and barrels full of money. Different types because each planet used different types of currency.
Shal-lania walked over to the drawer with her Planets name on it and marveled at
the number of money crystals inside (called Tinel).
Kali motioned to the barrel of cubes Dyro talked about, "Those are Dananfi.
About ten of those little cubes would get a Lesian Crou Ship. (Powerful warship built by
the Lesian's, a warloving race.)
Dyro looked at the hand full in his hands greedily. A glare from Kali however got
him putting them back, double time.
There were also several names and money forms that they had never seen before.
After eating their fill the group returned to the main deck. Dyro was still chomping on his
third santain (Like a sandwich only four times the size). Shal-lania was looking at him in
shock. She could barely eat one santain at any one sitting.
Dyro saw her look and explained through his mouthful of food, "I hafe tee stomacs."
despite his garbled words, Shal-lania got his meaning. Malfasha looked disgusted at the
very thought.
Kali turned to MIA's sphere, which had returned to its 'resting station' on the main
console. "Is there anything else we should know about this ship?" MIA was about to
respond when a loud alarm sounded. Kali looked up sharply at the main screen and a view of three very dangers looking speed-ships appeared.
Jared was the first to spot the symbol on the lead ships starboard side. "Priestesses." he
grunted. Shal-lania looked nervously at him, Dyro gave a whimper and even the laid back
Malfasha looked a little worried.
Kali however seemed unconcerned, "it's alright everyone. MIA, hail them please."
A Priestess appeared on screen. She had the signature-hooded cape on but the hood was push back to reveal long brown hair in three tights braids. Her matching eyes were hard and assessing. "I am Priestess Sheeana. You have trespassed onto Priestess territory. Explain."
Kali brought her hands together in front of her and bowed with one foot in front of the
other, "Excuse us, Priestess. We did not know this area was under your control." The
woman on the screen was visibly shocked, 'She knows our ways? Is she the girl that High
Priestess Kikyou told me about?' Sheeana composed herself quickly and demanded, "Are
you Lupina-Daros?"
Kali smiled softly, "I have been called that before, yes." Sheeana's hard feature's softened slightly; "The High Priestess has mentioned you many times. She will quite likely wish to see you. Follow our ships. Tri-formation."
Kali, after consulting MIA's databanks and reading what a Tri-formation was, nodded her
acceptance. After cutting the connection to the alien ship Sheeana wasted no time in
contact Kikyou and notifying her that Lupina-Daros is coming for a visit. Kikyou hid her
excitement from Sheeana with some effort. Kikyou’s predecessor had named Kali
Lupina-Daros. Kikyou had been in training and became friends with the frightened alien
girl. Kikyou was also one of the few who knew who Kali really was.
Meanwhile, on MIA...
Kali was getting the third degree. “So, your saying that would have been a Priestess?”
Shal-lania asked disbelieving.
Kali nodded, “Had I have been human then I would have become a full fledged Priestess,
as it is I had far more training than most other non-humans ever get."
Dyro looked confused, "Why didn't you ever say that you weren't human?"
Kali looked at him with an eyebrow raised, “You never asked.” Kali turned to the floating
sphere beside her, “MIA please keep course and formation with the Priestess vessels.
Notify me when we get near Doulouge. I’m going to rest.”
Malfasha looked curiously at the door Kali went through, “Where is Doulouge? I’ve never
heard of it.”
Jared spoke up from his chair; “Doulouge is the main Planet of the Priestesses. In the
center of there territory.”
Shal-lania gaped, Malfasha looked shocked, and as usual Dyro was just scared.
(Three hours later)
After landing on Doulouge the five were talking to a large room in a lavish house. Sheeana entered not long after. She looked almost sheepishly at them. Well, as sheepish as a Priestess could get.
“High Priestess Kikyou will be here shortly.” She turned to Kali and bowed in the formal
style of one Priestess to another. Left foot behind the right with wrists crossed over your
chest. One hand open the other closed in a fist. “Also, Kikyou has requested that all
disguises be shed.” Kali stiffened but bowed back to Sheeana.
“Thank you, Sheeana.”
Sheeana knew a dismissal when she heard one; she turned on her heel and walked
out.
Shal-lania spoke the question that all four of them had wanted to, “What does she
mean, Kali?”
Kali shook her head; “Kikyou was just being polite, she means that she wants ME
to drop MY disguise. Kikyou hates the fact that I hide what I really look like. She is so
stubborn!” Kali said the last almost bitterly as she closed her eyes. All of them stared as
Kali’s form seemed to shimmer, like the noon day sun on Earth. Kali’s hair changed
slowly, it’s shade getting lighter and lighter until it was bright silver. When she opened
her eyes they too were silver but with flecks of green in them.
Jared’s expression was unreadable, as he looked Kali over.
Malfasha’s look was hard to read but looked rather evil.
Shal-lania was in awe and Dyro…he was stuffing his face in the corner at the table piled
with food his back turned towards the others so he didn’t know anything had happened.
Jared broke the silence; “You are Dananfi. The most unusual species in known space due
to there non-scientific ways of life and existence.”
“Huh?” Shal-lania asked intelligently.
Kali, her voice now an octave lower, explained, “My people use science just as much as
the other planets. We also use something that science cannot explain, and therefore fears, "It was called, in ancient times, Magick."
Kikyou choose that moment to enter. She bowed to Kali the same way Sheeana had, like
she was a fellow Priestess. Kali smiled and duplicated her moves. Kikyou then surprised
them all when she pulled Kali in for a tight hug; “I haven’t seen you in an age
Lupina-Daros.” Kali smiled and gestured to her companions. “These are my new friends;
Shal-lania, Jared, Dyro, and Malfasha.” Each of them nodded to her when spoken of.
“I am glad that you are all here. Come, we will eat and talk of whatever comes to mind.”
Kali walked beside Kikyou and was startled when she used their childhood finger talk to
say, “I don’t trust that Human you called Malfasha. He reeks of danger.”
Kali smiled and tried to reassure her friend, “Don’t fear, he has been with us from the
beginning. He means no harm.” Kikyou didn’t look convinced but she knew better than to
get into an argument with Kali.
They ate and talked long into the night. Dyro eating more than talking. Kikyou and Kali
relived much of there childhood together. Shal-lania was delighted to find that there were
several healers with powers almost equal to hers. Their families too had shunned them for fear of their powers. Jared was silent most of the time; he seemed to be deep in thought.
But Kikyou couldn’t help but notice how often Jared’s wandering gaze fell on Kali.
Malfasha said nothing the entire time.
As Kikyou stood to suggest that they retire for the night Malfasha struck.
Blood poured from Kikyou’s neck as Malfasha turned with the blade towards Kali. Who
was sitting beside him, he never came close. Jared came over the table in an almost lazy
leap, the blurring of his figure the only thing that betrayed his not quite human speed.
Jared pinned Malfasha to the ground. Jared’s eyes weren’t visible to the others but
whatever was in them scared Malfasha beyond reasoning.
Kali went straight to Kikyou’s side. Beckoning Shal-lania to her, “Quick! Before she
fades!” Her tone was that of a command but Shal-lania ignored it, her attention already on her patient. With contact to Kikyou’s skin Shal-lania tranced. After making sure that
Shal-lania was in time to save Kikyou Kali turned back to Jared and Malfasha. Jared had
sat back into a chair, his favorite gun pointed at Malfasha’s head. Kali’s silver eyes glowed
and seemed to turn molten as she stalked towards Malfasha. He tried to look unworried
but his eyes betrayed him, the way they darted around looking for an escape route.
“Why did you try to kill Kikyou? Kali snarled.
Malfasha, gathering what remained of his pride, spat back at her. “She wasn’t my target.
You were. Have been since the beginning.”
Jared looked surprised and glanced at the glowering Kali.
Malfasha gave an evil grin. “The Priestess bitch would have just been an added bonus,
Princess.” The last word dripped with sarcasm.
Kali grabbed Malfasha buy the throat and lifted him up; “I’m not a Princess anymore!” She
said through clenched teeth.
Malfasha coughed and grinned again as she released him. “Believe what you will, but your Planet’s throne will remain empty, for as long as you refuse to take it. Once you die, it will be handed over to the second strongest family on the planet. The family that hired me.”
“What did he call you?” A tired sounding Shal-lania asked from where the newly healed
Kikyou was supporting her.
Kikyou raised a questioning eyebrow at Kali. Kali closed her eyes and nodded, “You
explain.” She said as she sat down next to Jared, rubbing her eyes, “I’m drained.” Kikyou
nodded, apparently used to this response from Kali and began.
“Kali is the eldest Dananfi royal child. The one that no one sees. No one ever sees her
because she isn’t there to see. She ran away when she was fairly young. She ended up
here and was taken in. Even though she wasn’t human.”
Kali picked up from there, explaining something that Kikyou didn’t even know about,
“Because I was the eldest I was privy to things and special family abilities that
are…amazing to say the least. But I was so protected and sheltered because I was the
next ruler that I never got to do what I wanted to. So as soon as I got a chance, I split.
And as of now I have no intention of returning.”
“But what are you going to do now Kali? You will be hunted for the rest of your life if
you don’t go back?” Shal-lania asked in all seriousness.
Kali’s smiled slyly, “Then I guess I will just have to go into the Aibtian Territories won’t
I? They won’t dare follow me there.”
“But there are all sorts of dangers in the A.T. that aren’t even known of. And the ones
that we do know about aren’t the most reassuring.” Kikyou said alarmingly.
Kali shrugged, “I have no option, Kikyou. Besides, with M.I.A. I won’t have much trouble
that can’t be handled. We have yet to even test out the weapons systems on that thing.”
Shal-lania stood slowly, she was still a little shaky, “Well then, lets not waste anymore
time.”
Kali looked confused, What do you mean ‘we’? You want to come with me?”
Shal-lania nodded, “Of course. You can’t be without your healer, can you? I have no
intention of leaving your company now Kali.”
Jared also stood, ”I’m in.”
Dyro, who had been very nervous since Malfasha’s attack nodded, “I guess I’ll go to. I
have nothing better to do anyway.”
Kali smiled, “Thank you.”
“You had best leave soon then. I want to give you a few things before you go though.
And don’t worry about your traitorous friend. He will be dealt with according to Priestess
law. He did, after all, try to kill me.” Kikyou grinned viciously at Malfasha who looked
more than a little worried, Priestesses weren’t known for their kindness to prisoners.
Ten minutes later with their gifts from Kikyou and their larder restocked the crew of
four set MIA’s course for the A.T.
Dyro received a small ring made of yellow gold, a rare treasure in these days.
Jared received a necklace of leather cord on which a pendant hung. The pendant was
made of silver and Kikyou explained that the symbol was to honor his service to the
Priestesses, since he stopped Malfasha from trying to killing anyone else. Any Priestesses
they came across would treat him with respect.
Shal-lania received a thin circlet of gold that went around her neck. It named her a
Priestess Healer and a friend to them.
Kali received the greatest gift of all. Despite the fact that she was Dananfi Kikyou
preformed the Rite of Service that made Lupina-Daros a full-fledged Priestess. She wore
a twist circlet of sliver and gold that proclaimed her one of the Reverend Priestesses, the
second to highest rank. High Priestess being the greatest rank, of course.
“Set a course for the Aibtian Territories M.I.A., as far as you can go.”
“Understood, Kali.” MIA reported back.
The crew of the secret ship left for unknown space. Unsure if they were ever to return.
Unknown dangers facing them and only the stars for company. Their journey is truly just
beginning...
TBC...
So, what do you think? Just e-mail me if you have a comment.
Return to the Index
Return to the Madness
