golemsmeetadmiral

The banshees surrounding us fall quiet as the boarding craft leaves our admiral behind. The vacuum of space [[envelops us in|toBoard9]] a brief reprieve before a miracle must be performed.

The boarding craft docks with our flagship. Our bloodless [[miracle|miracle workers]] is over. Only [[two|special admiral]] silhouettes are visible through the airlock.\n\nUnlike so many of our sorties, the [[exhaustion doesn't overtake|return home2]] me as I step across the [[threshold]].

<center>[[As long as we're together|return home1]]</center>

"Ma'am." Gamma snappily returns the gesture.\n\n"Done as requested." Delta, [[grinning through|return home4]] their helmet, does the salute equivalent of a finger gun.\n\n"Go get your hero's celebration." I simply nod at her. "You've earned it."

The admiral gives us as [[proper]] a salute as she can manage. All the worse for wear, before any of us can return the gesture, she [[slumps against her|return home3]] adjutant.\n\n"Welcome home." Her tired eyes none the less beam at us. "My miracle workers."

"Yes of course." She turns red and a grin [[flashes across her|pulled aside1]] adjutant's face. "I can bring you something afterwords..."\n\n"We did our jobs, nothing more." I rest a hand on my hip using my other to encourage the others to head back to our cell.

"Will you be there?" The admiral straightens herself up. "All I did was [[remove a few|return home5]] barriers."\n\n"That would be against regulations." Even at ease, Gamma remains stiff.\n\n"What he means," Delta [[leans|seductive]] on him, "is that we have our own after work parties."\n

One of those small ironies you see reflected back at you. Our power pretending to be the last [[thread of what connects us|previous()]], to our pasts, to humanity.

There was no hail of gunfire, no [[clouds of smoke and war|greet us2]]. Instead we were greeted with something [[shocking|guess]]. Something none of us thought we would ever see in our life times.

[[I'm back.|previous()]] Not quite home, but someplace [[comfortable|with all]] enough.

We all think like this in varying degrees, it's so hard to forget. [[For all the warmth|previous()]], we are still prisoners of our purpose.

Regulations state that we are supposed to wear armor at all times. We are a [[hundreds of years long|lazing in cell1]] investment of course. More importantly, we are always on call. A golem has to be ready even when it is asleep.

Someone knew [[what our admiral was|previous()]] planning, or had incredible intuition about the situation.

Not that [[some of us tried|get ready1]] very hard.

It was a [[very precise|previous()]] throw.

The walk to the boarding craft is accompanied by the rhythm of footsteps and little else. Our weapons [[locked to our hands|toBoard5]] serving as a reminder to all of our intended purpose. The admiral's eyes dart between each of the [[carbines]] in turn.

"It's war." Delta continues to play with Gamma's locks. "All of us are in the business of death." \n\n"That's [[not the only|the big ask9]] thing we are!" She raises her hands, still inside her pockets.\n\n"Indeed." I tug on Deltas fingers. "What can a [[few]] golems do against a fleet I wonder?"

"I-" She slumps. "I hate that I have to ask you. I hate where I'm asking you." \n\n"This is what we're [[here]] for." I wrap a strand of hair around my finger. \n\n"I know but..." The admiral runs both her hands through her hair.\n\n"You want us to do something risky with minimal chance of success. You [[wouldn't be the first|the big ask10]], nor the last." I stand up from the bunk for the first time.

"Luck." I cross my legs.\n\n"I'm sorry?" The admiral fidgets with her tangle of hair.\n\n"Whatever you read, whatever they said about us, [[they ignore luck|the big ask5]]." I snake my fingers together with Delta's. "And we are very lucky."\n\nGamma watches out of the corner of his eye and he slowly blushes.\n\n"So, admiral, how's the battle going?" Delta tugs at a lock of Gamma's hair just within reach.

"How you would expect." The shields take another hit but she doesn't react.\n\n"And what [[should we expect|the big ask6]]?" Delta tugs Gamma hard enough to get him back on the bunk.\n\n"Surely you've been a part of a fleet battle before. I could have sworn-" The admiral turns bright [[red]] as Delta grins at her. "That's not fair!"

"I expect the Colonial fleet will retreat in at most half a day." Gamma rests his head on Delta's exposed stomach.\n\n"Hopefully sooner." The [[admiral|earnest]] shifts her weight between her feet. "Who am I kidding, that's the optimistic estimate."\n\n"It's standard fleet doctrine, and [[a victory is a victory|the big ask7]]." Gamma flicks his tongue against Delta's skin and they squirm.

"Victory isn't my concern. [[It's an inevitability|the big ask8]]." She puts her hands in her jacket pockets.\n\n"And yet." Delta strokes Gamma's hair.\n\n"I'm supposed to save lives." The admiral pulls her jacket tight.

"I accept your surrender." She breathes out. "Unconditional of course."\n\n"Of course." He braces himself harder against the chair. "And might I say you were a more than worthy adversary in this battle."\n\nA hint of pride, followed by horror, races [[across our admiral's face|on bridge5]]. "The honor is mine sir. It seems we have common goals if this is indeed how things have transpired. We will have plenty of time to talk."

"At ease." She lets her hand drop at [[slumps before Gamma|the big ask2]] can react. "Delta, Epsilon."\n\n"Admiral." Delta gives an upside down salute.\n\n"I said at ease." The admiral yawns and rubs at her eyes. \n\n"What can we do for you?" Gamma's at ease pose puts his [[chest|hot]] on display for the new arrivals.

"I..." she stiffens. "I need your advice."\n\n"We aren't exactly [[experts in naval warfare|the big ask3]]." Gamma doesn't move. "Nor do we know the state of the battle."\n\n"Ignorant is what we are." Delta adds, still upside down.\n\nAll I can do is study the admiral in all of her obvious [[unease]].

"Oh please, I've done my homework." She takes a step towards us. "I know what you are capable of. [[You three in particular|the big ask4]]." \n\n"And just where did you do this homework of yours." I rest my cheek on my knuckles.\n\n"Anywhere I could find." She shrinks back. "You aren't exactly the easiest people to research. But you already know that."

<center>[[Inject the Cyrolacitone|ritual2]]</center>

<center>[[Inject the Isogestria|ritual3]]</center>

<center>[[Inject the Phinetrix|euphoria]]</center>

Parties were [[for other people|previous()]].

To Beseech Old Sins

A [[solvable problem|previous()]] with enough time.

<center>[[And pleasure|warmth7]]</center>

All this pleasure is ours. Exploring, [[looking for new|warmth8]] reactions, new feelings. I don't want it to stop.

<center>[[There's joy|warmth5]]</center>

font[face="Quantico-Regular"] {\n font-family: "Quantico-Regular";\n}\n@font-face {\n font-family: "Quantico-Regular";\n\n src: url(data:application/x-font-ttf;base64,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);\n}

Feeling every inch, every breath, every beat. [[Pressed together|warmth3]]. Where we are doesn't matter.

<center>[[We are here|warmth4]]</center>

A layer of [[protection that still left little|previous()]] to the imagination. In all our years of experience, we never found a [[non-suggestive|still sexy2]] way to put these on.

Sometimes things meant to keep you abject [[have the opposite|previous()]] effect.

<center>[[Knowing someone this well|regulations]]</center>

Whether they remembered [[what they saw|previous()]] wouldn't matter, it had the intended effect.

Her earnestness didn't exactly [[become her station|previous()]], but it made her perfect for it.

By this point we all knew what was going to happen but the [[shock of the formality|previous()]] was not something we could shake.

<center>[[If only this could last.|toBoard10]]</center>

A snake [[wrapped|previous()]] around my right arm. A fox's brush curling over Delta's collar. Shark teeth dotting the base of Gamma's helmet.

We are bathed in soft red light as the boarding craft is prepared for launch. Bracing ourselves for the inevitable acceleration towards our goal, we wait in silence. \n\nOne red signal light flashes on, quickly followed by another. The third turns all of them green and we are pressed into our seats as [[the wails of metal|toBoard8]] on metal fill the cabin.

Before the airlock completely separates us from her, she gives us a crisp, formal salute. The armor and harnesses in the boarding craft don't [[allow us to return|toBoard7]] the gesture in any meaningful way before she's out of sight. We each relax in our jump seats at the sound of the hatch pressurizing.

Upon reaching the airlock, she ushers us inside before joining herself. "This is my way of seeing you off, nothing more." She makes sure each of us is secure in a jump seat and that our weapons are [[properly]] stowed.\n\nShe straightens up, satisfied [[with our restraints|toBoard6]]. "Your first priority is to come back alive, you hear?"\n\nWe each nod.\n\n"Your next priority is to minimize casualties." Her eyes glance at the metallic palms of our gauntlents. "Good luck."

<center>[[We come from the same place.|pre-battle cuddles1]]</center>

"Do you intend for us to carry weapons?" Delta's body and tone are suddenly very stiff.\n\n"...Yes." The admiral [[shivers and leads us|toBoard4]] to the armory.\n\nWe are each handed a standard energy carbine and sidearm. No explosives, no heavy equipment for an errand of mercy. Another impact on the ship's shields questions this choice.

"Oh no, we're more." Delta makes her jump with [[how close they've|toBoard3]] gotten.\n\n"Enough, both of you." Gamma pulls Delta and I back. "My apologies admiral. We are all professionals here."

As I join my companions, the admiral wipes the remainder of a pained [[expression|she cares]] off her face.\n\n"No, it doesn't hurt." I brush past her, though she is [[supposed to be leading|toBoard2]] us. "Nor is it a mind controlling substance."\n\n"I know." She manages to cut in front of me, indignant. "You aren't as mysterious as you like to pretend you know."

Her adjutant [[works fast|previous()]].

Delta [[wriggles and nods|previous()]] back.

For now they are. For now we can enjoy the [[warmth that makes it|previous()]] through gauntlets.

This was of course mostly [[for our benefit|previous()]]. And our guest who would likely arrive shortly.

Gamma's part of the room was, as always, the most organized, armor fully on the rack as intended, suit hanging next to it. Delta's suit was flung over the foot of their bunk, armor laying next to their bed, propping their feet up [[as they rested|talking about battle1]] at what looked like a very awkward angle. My suit was folded next to me, my armor barely staying on the rack as our ship took a more direct hit. \n\nIt may be a cell, but it was cozy.

The only place the words left smooth were [[our faces|lazing in cell3]], the text ending around our jaw line, appearing almost like [[stitches|human]] at a glance. In our present state we were shockingly human to anyone who knew us by reputation alone.\n\nThe armor and vials next to each of our bunks a reminder of why we were always stuck in cells.

The three of us sat in our respective bunks listening to the fleet battle outside. Scars and words [[visible]] for anyone to see.\n\nWe were more undressed than we usually indulged, just a few tight pieces of cloth leaving very little to the [[imagination]]. Even though we had been laying here for hours, each of our eyes [[darted to each other|lazing in cell2]], lingering lovingly until noticed.

Not to say we had a shortage of time. In fact we had a limitless [[surplus compared to most|previous()]].

They [[always used|previous()]] mine.

"What will [[be sacrificed today|previous()]]?" I'm not a psychic but it's obvious what she's thinking.

"Hey beautiful." Delta sits up on their knees and stretches their arms as high as they can reach. "Come 'ere."\n\nGamma and I are transfixed.\n\n"Yes, [[both of you|pre-battle cuddles1]]." They pat next to them.

He too is in full dress uniform. In spite of how perfectly maintained his clothes are, [[they do not become|previous()]] him. Neither does his place in front of us.

"I think this has finally become the [[longest battle|talking about battle3]] she's been in." I lean against the cold metal of the wall.\n\n"Why are you the one who takes an interest in people." Delta [[slides]] fully onto their bunk. "You hate people."\n\n"I hate dealing with people." I look for something to throw at Delta but come up empty.

Strange things are [[drawn to me|previous()]], I don't have an explanation for it. Maybe I'm just unusually welcoming.\n\n

"That was a good one, how do you think it's going up there?" Gamma puts the reader he was holding onto his exposed [[chest]].\n\n"We'd probably know if it was getting bad, besides, [[all the sounds|talking about battle2]] are the same as they've been for the last day." I pull myself into a sitting position.\n\n"Bets on when our new admiral is going to come see us?" Delta's feet patter against their armor.

"Don't [[scare her too|talking about battle7]] badly you two." Gamma, having nothing to throw at either of us, moves to the edge of the bed.\n\n"I'm not the scary one, E is the scary one." They grin at me. "She's the one who's had the most [[encounters]]."\n\n"Oh hush." I lean towards them and they blush at the view. "When have I ever been scary?"

A silence hangs over us, we have all scared each other plenty of times, [[such is our profession|talking about battle8]]. While the events have mostly healed and passed into memories, they still come with slight pangs of sorrow and [[pain]].

"Anyways." Delta makes exaggerated massaging motions across where they were hit. "How long?"\n\n"I give it another hour or big hit." I run a couple fingers through my [[hair]].\n\n"And the real question." Delta twists around [[to face me|talking about battle5]]. "What's gonna be asked?"

"Probably if there's anything we could do [[to end things quicker|talking about battle6]]." Gamma brushes some of his long hair out of his face.\n\n"That the opener?" Delta pokes at the reader that has been lying next to them.\n\n"I don't think so. She's..." I floof my hair. "Interesting. Asking us for help is a defeat in its own way to her, from what I can tell anyways."

Not quite to [[our hearts' content|previous()]] but enough.

There's barely enough [[force for me|previous()]] to notice, let alone stop me from following my comrades.

Such a [[rare treat|previous()]].

Nothing about her is or will ever be proper. That will always [[be her charm|previous()]], and why people dote on her so.

Her posture and comportment did [[nothing to help|previous()]] her height when standing next to me.

<center>[["And tell us what you want to happen when we get there."|the big ask13]]</center>

"Capture the vessel as [[peacefully as you|get ready1]] can. I am doing this to save lives, our enemies' included." She lets out a breath. "You of course do what you [[need]] to..."\n\n"Of course." I [[lift]] her chin up with a finger. "Feel free to stay and watch as we get ready for you."

She nods.\n\n"Well, out with it then, unless you want me to explain your plan back to you." I didn't quite realize how [[close]] I'd gotten to her.\n\n"I want you to board the Colonial flagship." She [[looks up for the first time|the big ask11]] since the beginning of the conversation.\n\n"That's it then?" Delta stays upside down so as to avoid disturbing Gamma.

"This is to prevent needless deaths, so if that's it, then yes." The admiral straightens up.\n\n"What they were trying to say is that this isn't something impossible. It is in fact completely possible." Gamma pinches their exposed side. "[[Right]]."\n\n"If you want us on that flagship, all you have to do is get us there." I look back at my two [[partners before turning my attention|the big ask12]] back to the admiral.\n\n

The personal curse I will never [[be rid of|previous()]] is here too naturally.

What would have been an otherwise elegant ponytail and some leftover layers for framing her face are instead [[a tangled mess|previous()]] with some telltale signs of hurried brushing. It is in fact extremely cute.

"It makes you think doesn't it?" Delta rests each arm on Gamma and me.\n\nGamma sighs. "About?"\n\n"About how the surface world is more [[welcoming|delta words]] than hell." They lean more on both of us.\n\n"Than most parts of hell." I [[rest my helmet|back boardingcraft2]] against theirs. "Most of the time."

"I don't suppose you know why I surrendered now." The Colonial [[admiral|colonial admiral]] turns back to us. "After all this bloodshed. After all this pointless struggle."\n\n"More than just saving lives is it?" I cross my arms.\n\n"Indeed." He lets out a long, slow exhale. "Even if I am of the majority opinion about the government I [[serve in this fleet|on bridge8]], breaking an oath is difficult."

<center>@@.endtitle;To Beseech Old Sins@@</center>\n<center>@@.endsubtitle;by Nic June@@</center>

After all, who wouldn't [[notice a demon|previous()]] casually strolling around your ship?

According to regulations, who am I kidding, they are bullshit. What is the [[difference]] between a golem and a human?

The hissing of pressure equalizing returns us fully to our senses as we gather around the airlock's edge, preparing to greet whatever lurks beyond its hatch. Fingers [[reattached to weapons|greets us1]]. We have done this countless times across countless times.\n\nDelta's sapphire visor swivels in my direction and I nod back. A moment passes and the hatch opens.

When the howls and roars finally cease along with the boarding craft's [[forward progress|toBoard12]], we extricate ourselves and our equipment from the jump seats. Delta [[stumbles]] on their way to depressurize the airlock. Gamma and I are both clutching at bulkheads as the world slowly stops swimming in front of us.

The boarding craft shudders as the banshees howl in fury at coming into contact with the Colonial flagship. We're jolted forward in our seats as our vessel cuts and burrows its way through the [[hull of our quarry|toBoard11]], the roar of cutting beams accompanying the banshees.

Her heart's in [[the right place|previous()]]. Whether it fully comprehends us is another matter.

We really did end up [[with an adorable admiral|previous()]].

"A push then." I shift my weight onto one of my hips. "By demons."\n\n"I am a coward. A coward when it comes to my own convictions." He stares at my boots.\n\n"Your words, not mine." I step towards him. "You did break your oath and you did end this bloodshed. [[It's never too late|on bridge9]]."\n\n"A demon, as you say, giving me comfort. I really can't go back..." He takes a deep breath and exhales. "Even if there wasn't anything left to go back to."

"The demons must bid farewell, now that [[their part in this| back boardingcraft1]] is done." Delta motions for us to return to the lift.\n\nI reach my hand towards the man in front of me before letting it fall at my side. "Remember admiral, it's only too late when you decide that it is."\n\nWe shuffle back into the lift. Delta sets its destination. The doors slide shut and we descend back towards our way home.

Part of me, the [[shameful part|previous()]] of me, was disappointed.

Wanting to do the right thing [[and knowing how|previous()]] to do it are completely separate skills.

This is in fact almost the exact kind of situation we [[were made for|previous()]]. Besides, who doesn't need a bit of extra luck?

My wish is granted as the reader [[smacks]] Delta. "And you, why don't you ever take more than pure professional interest?" They throw the reader back at Gamma.\n\n"Because Epsilon already does." He catches the reader and throws it back, hitting Delta [[in the same place|talking about battle4]]. "You force me to deal with people and this is what you get."

"I can't argue with that." I move toward the middle-most of the quarters. "How was the party?"\n\nGears turn behind her eyes. "It was a party. We did something good, might as well celebrate it."\n\nDelta slips over to the quarters left of mine. "Not thrilled then? War doesn't offer [[many opportunities|to room3]] for celebration, best to take what you can get to offer some personal experience."\n\n"Not thrilled no. It was a victory but, nothing decisive enough." She stares at her [[boots|untied]].\n\n"One moment isn't going to change the course of history." I step into the mostly empty quarter.

<center>[[It always happens like this|end card]]</center>

The lift gently comes to a stop and opens onto the bridge. No one is in dress uniforms and only a single soul acknowledges our presence.\n\nA man in the middle of the room, bedgraggled and barely awake, turns toward us. The dawning recognition on his face accompanies [[life breathing back|on bridge2]] into his frame. He gestures at us to step foot into his domain.

<center>[[A hint of euphoria.|drifting off]]</center>

Nic June

Finally, we reach an operational lift. The officer ushers us into it before realizing he won't fit. \n\nArm wrapping around the frame and awkwardly craning his neck, he [[sets our destination|on bridge1]]. The doors slide shut with a mechanical whir. Inertia compresses us as we are launched upwards towards history.

He gives us an exhausted salute before returning to leaning against the chair next to him. "As the admiral of the 3rd Colonial Defense Fleet, would you three accept our surrender?"\n\n"We, do not exactly have that kind of authority, sir." Under his visor I can tell Gamma is [[bewildered]].\n\n"Then put me in [[touch with the commander|on bridge3]] of the Sol forces." The admiral motions to the comm officer.

The lines of [[words crisscrossed him|previous()]] in such a pretty way.

[[Our admiral flashes|on bridge4]] onto one of the monitors. "I see you have met my boarding party." Only a tiny waver in her voice belies what's beneath her [[steely]] exterior. \n\n"Yes I have ma'am. Now, would you accept the surrender of me and my forces?" For a moment he really looks the part of a fleet admiral.\n\n

He [[seemingly ages in|previous()]] front of us. An onrush of world weariness and defeat flowing from his eyes.

"We shall, and I even [[look forward to|on bridge6]] it." The tension starts to leave his body. "You have my thanks."\n\n"You have the same from me." She is ever so slightly more relaxed. "Until later."

It's not every day I could have fun with a flag officer. A break [[from playing pretend|previous()]]. A break from the greater good.

It's so [[warm right here|warmth]]. I can't think of anywhere better.

The voices [[reach our cell|meeting the admiral2]] door and quiet as the door hinges swing outward. A woman wearing an open officer's jacket and a [[dress]] underneath stumbles in. Her [[companion]] trails behind.\n\n"You win E." Delta squeezes my hand.\n\n"Admiral." Gamma stands up then kicks the bunk to get us to move.

Our admiral disappears along with the low rumble of weapons fire from the Colonial flagship, [[only noticeable in its absence|on bridge7]]. The void of space becomes blacker as the beams and projectiles cease streaking across it and the flicker of their impacts on shields vanishes.

Even someplace like this can be [[turned into a home|previous()]].

To Delta. They remain stiff and poised but I can tell under the helmet they are laughing to themselves. A moment passes. Then another.\n\nJust as the officer is about to withdraw his hand, Gamma engulfs it in a gauntleted grasp and pulls him closer. "[[I'm the one you want|greet us6]]."

We passed the time on [[my|always mine]] bunk. Not a sound of [[celebration|for others]] reached our ears. Instead there [[was quiet contentment|in cell1]].

<center>[[Can you guess?|previous()]]</center>

"You seem to know who we are." I put a hand on the officer's shoulder as gently as I can. "Under these circumstances we will stand on formality."\n\nGamma [[relinquishes his grip|to bridge1]] on the man's hand finally and motions for him to lead the way. As we exit the now in shambles armory, a pipe accompanies our departure.

Our admiral leads us through corridors and lift rides, humming a tune I don't recognize all the while. Eventually we come to what appears to be a section of quarters reserved for officers. \n\n"We don't have rank, let alone a commission." Gamma shakes his head, sending waves down his loose locks.\n\n"It's fine, no one's using these." She straightens her posture. "And before you say anything else, damn the regulations. What [[are they going|to rooms2]] to do to me? I just delivereed them an entire Colonial fleet's worth of intelligence."

I sit up and Delta twists around to avoid the energy expenditure, choosing to let their head hang off the edge instead. The extent of the train [[wreck]] is impressive. It's clear neither of the women have had much rest. In spite of her overly casual appearance, the admiral radiates [[discomfort]]. \n\nShe surveys [[our little scene|the big ask1]]. Satisfied, she salutes. "Gamma." \n\n

Tending the Side. That was our greeting on this Colonial vessel. We stare out [[at the sight|greet us3]], frozen. The sideboys were in full [[dress|someone knew]].\n\nThe tension is [[palpable|orders]] through the stolk-still salutes.

Delta [[suddenly|catch them]] moves to the middle of the open hatchway. Framed by the red light of our boarding craft, they gives a crisp, elegant salute to our foes.\n\nA pipe begins to play just as Delta takes a step onto the flagship proper. With their [[hand at their side|greet us4]], still clamped to the rifle, they silently gesture for Gamma and I to join them.

"Would you allow me to escort you to the bridge now?" His arm is limp as he waits for Gamma to let go. "Surely you don't know the way there. And, even if you do, do us the courtesy of standing on formality."\n\n"Fore section 7, reserve armory." Delta remains at attention but [[winks at me through|greet us9]] the sapphire. "Well, formerly at any rate."

"Yes... sir..." The officer's gaze remains transfixed by his hand [[disappearing under Gamma's grip|greet us7]]. "I am to escort you to the bridge."\n\n"Is that so?" Gamma towers over the man. "For your surrender or ours?"

"For that you will have to speak to our admiral, face to..." His [[gaze walks up Gamma's|greet us8]] armor to the ruby visor. "...Face."\n\nI take a few steps twoards the officer to see how the crew reacts. They remain still, at [[attention]]. \n\nA hit to the flagship's hull causes the bulkheads to creak around us. No one reacts.

We follow, properly stowing our weapons in their holsters and flank Delta. Unbeknownst to our greeting party, we glance at [[each other through our visors|greet us5]], wondering if this is still some kind of trap. \n\nAs we walk between the rows of Colonial crew, an [[officer]] takes position in front of us. Upon reaching him, he salutes then offers his hand.

<center>[[A hint of euphoria.|toBoard1]]</center>

As much as I downplay our achievements, we did have a habit of making [[the impossible less than|previous()]].

No one could have been that prescient, no matter [[how much they read|previous()]].

<center>[[Between these two|warmth2]]</center>

With a groan I allow her to raise me up to a more proper sitting pose, bringing Gamma and Delta with me. Jostling the [[two of them forces|in cell6]] some sighs and stretching. Our admiral continues to try to tug me to my feet and after a moment or two more, I oblige her.\n\n"No one else's down here." She looks up at me. "So I won't even force you to get dressed."

After a few moments of holding her pose, the admiral suddenly strides over to us and begins tugging on my [[hand|it's cute]]. Even with her full weight pulling at me, she barely manages to get my shoulder to budge, let [[alone the rest of me|in cell5]]. To say nothing of her ability to move me with my two companions attached.

That gets Delta to stand up and even pull Gamma to his feet, hair [[falling all over|to rooms1]] his face. Our admiral beams at us and spins on her heel, marching out of the cell before poking her head back in.\n\nWe slowly follow as she watches us. As we leave, I can't help but look back at what had been our [[home|even this]] this cycle. A sigh escapes me and I follow my two companions out into the corridor.

<center>[[And that was enough.|in cell2]]</center>

The door swings open, revealing a [[somehow even more|in cell4]] disheveled admiral. Any reaction fails to cross our faces.\n\nShe points at us. "Stop sitting there and come with me."\n\nGamma stirs but doesn't stop leaning against me.

However long we were together like that, we could always use more [[time|more time]]. A firm wrap on the cell door broke the spell.\n\n"I'm opening the door." Barely slurred words cross the bulkhead. "You [[three had better|in cell3]] be decent by the time I do."\n\nNone of us so much as twitch.

Poor sincere fool Noemie, they don't [[deserve what you|previous()]] give them.

<center>[[Inject the Cyrolacitone|evening ritual2]]</center>

<center>[[Inject the Isogestria|evening euphoria]]</center>

They liked [[showing off|previous()]] to me and Gamma in that way.

She was [[too goddamn cute|previous()]] for my own good.

"I know." She fidgets with her jacket. "I just want to see the end of this."\n\nThrough the bulkhead, I hear Delta hop onto the bed. "Don't knock each step you take. That said, you know what they say about roads and intentions."\n\n"I should get back before she has [[to come looking|in room1]] for me." Our admiral takes a few steps back, still facing us. "I couldn't have done this without you..."

For the [[first time in|previous()]] who knows how many centuries, I feel a little lighter.

Why waste [[even a single second|previous()]]?

Next [[to me in my full|previous()]] regalia she seemed so small and fragile.

"But..." She pats the armor covering my bicep. "Your lives, they [[belong]] to the military and the government."\n\n"Our bodies might." I return my hand to its place on hers. "But our minds are free. [[Free to be surprisingly human|pull aside5]]."

"Whether it's proper or not, I'm bringing you all something after." Her eyes [[have a renewed brightness|pull aside6]] to them.\n\nI can't help but [[give]] her a hidden smile. "Like I said-"\n\n"Is that any way for a surprisingly human weapon to think?" The brightness has morphed into a small flame.\n\n

"I'll [[let the other two|pull aside7]] know." I lean close to her face. "So you don't interrupt anything."\n\nThe admiral turns bright [[red|embarrassed]]. The pause while she gathered her thoughts must have felt like an eternity for her. "And I'm giving you all private quarters!"\n\n"That's against [[regulations|sometimes they are useful]]." I remain motionless in front of her.

"And the regulations are against morality." The fire was back after my fun. "I'll show [[you to them|back to cell1]] myself, after the celebration is over."\n\n"Who am I to argue with what my commanding officer wants?" I lean back, crossing my arms. "You know where to find us, admiral."

"You're all so..." The admiral's grip tightens.\n\n"Human?" I move [[my hand to her|pull aside3]] shoulder. "Does that surprise you?"\n\n"...Yes...Did you, you know..." She can't look at me directly and stares at her untied boots.\n\n"Choose this?" I give her shoulder what I hope is a [[gentle]] enough squeeze. "Yes."

"Even if it meant giving up your freedom?" She suddenly stares into my visor, searching [[for my eyes|pull aside4]] through the reflections.\n\n"I wouldn't call what we were free before." I meet her searching gaze. "Nominally we were, but, don't always trust appearances."

Gamma tries [[to catch them|previous()]] but to no avail.

No one else can [[provide such colorful|previous()]] descriptions of our circumstances.

Absentmindedly fiddling with my hand reminds me again of the past six months. All the tests to figure out if something had changed since our visit to the research station. Nothing had. At least nothing those tests would [[catch]].\n\nThen Delta's fingers wrap [[around that hand|pre-battle cuddles3]] and pull it onto their chest.

This woman was [[better than either|previous()]] side deserved. Even then.

The admiral and her adjutant are [[speechless]] as I turn on my heel. Gamma rolls his eyes at me. Delta silently chuckles.\n\nWe slip on our skintight [[suits|still sexy]], covering [[ourselves in armor|get ready2]] after.

The boarding craft extricates itself from the flagship's hull, slowly reversing through the tunnel it carved. Free of the larger vessel and the cloud of debris, the craft maneuvers toward home. Our return journey is slow, [[allowing the three|flight back2]] of us to lay on the floor and [[enjoy]] the isolation.

Our [[silhouettes become|ritual1]] identical as we each don our helmets. The details though, visor tints, [[artwork]] on the plates, immediately dispell the notion of uniformity.\n\nWhile the other two casually move towards the door to the cell, I stand next to my bunk. I have my ritual to perform after all.

"Most is doing a lot of work there." Gamma [[joins me, resting|back boardingcraft3]] his helmet against Delta's.\n\nWe hold each other until the lift reaches its destination. Hands free of [[death|hand holding]], Delta leads us through the flagship's corridors. Eyes follow us, now in disbelief than fear.

Finally, we reach the boarding craft. Delta took us on a more scenic route than our trip to the bridge but neither I nor Gamma complain. We earned our [[moment of reprieve|flight back1]].\n\nThe red light spilling out of the hatchway serves as a reminder of what the little vessel usually means for those who have this view of it. The three of us walk back into its open maw and prepare for our return trip.

The medications merge with the strain of the day. I find myself drifting off in the new bed, in [[these ill befitting quarters|always happens]]. The last bits of my conscious mind feel the warm wetness of tears rolling down my cheeks.

We were, [[are, beautiful|previous()]].

There's [[joy here. Regardless|warmth6]] of pain or obligation, there's joy.

As Gamma, with Delta still hanging off him, leaves the room, the admiral [[grabs]] my arm. She quietly looks up at me with surprising intensity.\n\n"Why admiral, what can I do for you?" I turn to face her and pat [[her hand with my|pull aside2]] gauntlet.\n\nOut of the corner of my eye I catch a hint of [[worry|only natural]] come from her adjutant.

At the time I missed the full implication of what she said. "[[Get back here alive|previous()]], all of you" was not something any of us were used to hearing.

<center>[[It always happens like this|woken up]]</center>

Deceleration nudges [[us closer together|return home1]] and signals the boarding craft beginning a docking approach. Gamma moves to stand up but Delta and I [[pull]] him back onto the floor. He aquiesces and we all smile together on the cold, metallic floor.

I will never know [[how this dress|previous()]] wasn't perpetually around her ankles.

"What were their orders?" The [[thought clear as day|previous()]] on every Colonial crew members' face.

Even now, [[this moment|previous()]] is a favorite of mine.

All together too many [[vials]] line the top of the built in dresser. Sifting through them confirms my suspicions and I segregate my [[blessings|curse]] from the rest. \n\nRituals are important. [[This one in particular|evening ritual1]].

The bed is a novelty. It's soft and spacious and [[doesn't protest with|in room2]] every movement I make. The rest of the quarters is rather sparsely furnished and there's precious little [[personality]] to be found here.\n\nOne detail however does catch my eye.

A bunch of people not [[cut out for|dressed2]] their lines of work.

At least [[the prison is external|previous()]] now.

We've had his number for as long as I can remember. That desire [[to look at all the part|previous()]] always brings out the opposite in me.

They were [[untied this entire time|previous()]] and she never once lost her balance or tripped. Her adjutant is a careful strategist.

He's not half as uptight [[as he tries|previous()]] to be.

Even golems [[cannot stand up|previous()]] to this kind of punishment.

We would have emerged victorious eventually. But [[the price of eventually|previous()]] is why we're even here, now isn't it.

Somehow making a full suit of armor incredibly [[suggestive from every|previous()]] angle.

It's only natural. We [[are the other|previous()]]. We are abject. We are undoubtedly dangerous.

I found my hand gently [[caressing the scars|previous()]] on my abdomen from so long ago.

Something warm and heavy moving next to me rouses my consciousness. It is quickly followed by another something warm and heavy.\n\n"Couldn't sleep." Gamma's hair tangles with mine.\n\n"Neither could I." Delta presses their face into my shoulder.\n\n"Well come here and help me rest then." I squeeze [[both of them close|always like this]].

/* Your story will use the CSS in this passage to style the page.\nGive this passage more tags, and it will only affect passages with those tags.\nExample selectors: */\n\n/* blank stylesheet */\n\nbody {\n\tbackground-color: #000;\n\tcolor: #bae4e6;\n\tfont-family: Quantico-Regular;\n\tfont-size: 24px;\n\tmargin-top: 5%;\n\tmargin-left: 20%;\n\tmargin-right: 20%;\n\tline-height: 1.5;\n}\n.endtitle {\n\tcolor:#bae4e6;\n\tfont-size: 24px;\n}\n.endsubtitle {\n\tcolor:#bae4e6;\n\tfont-size: 14px;\n}\n\n.delay-3s {\n\tanimation: fade_in_text;\n\tanimation-duration: 3s;\n}\n.delay-9s {\n\tanimation: fade_in_text;\n\tanimation-duration: 9s;\n}\n\n.delay-15s {\n\tanimation: fade_in_text;\n\tanimation-duration: 15s;\n}\n\n@keyframes fade_in_text{\n\t0%{\n\t\topacity: 0;\n\t}\n\t80%{\n\t\topacity: 0;\n\t}\n\t100%{\n\t\topacity: 1;\n\t}\n}\n\n#passages {\n\tmargin-left: 0;\n}\n.passage {\n\t/* This only affects passages */\n}\n.passage a {\n\t/* This affects passage links */\n\tcolor: #5d7474;\n\ttext-decoration: underline overline;\n\ttext-underline-offset: 0.45em\n}\n.passage a.visitedLink {\n\tcolor: #59ffc2;\n}\n.passage a:hover {\n\t/* This affects links while the cursor is over them */\n\tcolor: #baffe6;\n}\n\n#sidebar {\n\twidth: 0em;\n\tdisplay: none;\n\t/*font-family: Quantico;*/\n}\n/*#sidebar li{\n\tcolor: #bae4e6;\n}\n#sidebar li a{\n\tcolor: #5d7474;\n}\n#sidebar li a:hover, #sidebar #title a:hover, #snapback:hover, #restart:hover {\n\tcolor: #baffe6;\n}\n#sidebar #title {\n\tfont-size: 200%;\n\tcolor: #bae4e6;\n\tfont-family: Iceberg;\n}\n#sidebar #title, #sidebar #title:hover, #sidebar #title a {\n\tcolor: #bae4e6;\n}\n#storyAuthor {\n\tfont-size: 50%;\n\tfont-family: Quantico;\n}\n#sidebar #credits:hover {\n\tcolor: #bae4e6;\n}\n#sidebar #credits a {\n\ttext-decoration: none;\n}*/

Underneath that perfectly fitted uniform is a restrained sheepishness about [[the whole situation|previous()]].

<center>[[It's against regulations|regulations state]]</center>

I [[was right for|previous()]] thinking she was interesting.

We move through [[the bowels of the flagship|to bridge2]] in relative peace. Our cadre passes numerous new repair [[patches|last legs]] and damage control crews adding even more. Busy as they are, every single one of them takes [[notice|demons]] of us.\n\n

<center>[[And yet.|pre-battle cuddles7]]</center>

We dutifully obey and slip next to Delta on either side before they pull us down onto the bunk. In the freezing void of space, in these walls of cold metal, in this [[cell]], it is warm.\n\nEven the omnipresent scars [[hurt a little less|pre-battle cuddles2]], squeezed together with both of them.

Gamma's hand tangles with ours and I feel Delta shiver. It's [[enough to banish|pre-battle cuddles4]] those thoughts and just enjoy the feeling of each other, the words, and the bit of fabric between us and Delta's chest all together.\n\n"So." A sly grin crosses Delta's lips. "What would happen if our admiral walked in right now?"

Another impossibility made real. Another moment for historians [[to scrutinize for eternity|previous()]].\n\nI will tell you now, there's no magic, there's nothing supernatural. Luck and human folly, nothing more.

"We are [[soldiers]] you know." He closes his eyes at my touch. \n\n"Not all we are, try as they might." Delta joins in.\n\n"How many COs have we ever had that would even let themselves [[walk into something|pre-battle cuddles6]] like this?" I lean back continuing to stroke his hair.

The [[words hang|pre-battle cuddles5]] for a moment before Gamma bolts upright.\n\n"We aren't that embarrassing are we?" Delta slides their hands up Gamma's back and pulls him next to us again.\n\n"First impressions are important." He [[struggles]] half heartedly against Delta.\n\n"What's wrong with this as a first impression?" I lean over and arrange his locks resting on the bunk. "It's accurate."

We laugh together and slowly fall silent listening again to the battle outside. It's as [[monotonous as ever|meeting the admiral]]. Slowly a pair of footsteps and voices are added to the muted sounds. \n\nAs they come into focus it becomes clear one of the voices is admonishing the other for not being [[dressed]] properly. The first voice eventually gives an order for the second to stop. This apparently works long enough for the first voice to start an exhasperated rant about the ridiculousness of the second voice's chosen hair style.

"I just wanna see what happens." Delta pulls Gamma closer.\n\n"How did I end up with [[such a gremlin?|pre-battle cuddles7]]" He rests his chin on their head.\n\n"Orders." I poke his cheek.

She wasn't lying about reading [[up on us|previous()]] as it turns out.