Eye of the Storm

[Diana]

Sam, Thomas, and I used a different cruiser to get to my place. We were accompanied by Gabrosch and Devia, with Gabrosch as the driver of the vehicle.

We rode in silence. No one dared to speak. It was either from fatigue or from waking up early and preparing for a mission that would never be carried out. Which was disappointing, I can't blame them. They've been training for something like this their whole lives and suddenly it's all gone to waste.

"We're here," Sam announced, breaking the silence.

I turned to the window and saw it. The familiar landing pad with our cruiser, the balcony with mother's plants, and my brother's bike leaning against the railings.

Gabrosch lowered the vehicle before opening the doors.

"I'll drop you guys off and fly around for a bit. Call me once you're ready," Gabrosch said.

"I'll stay with him, you know... Uhm, just in case anything happens," Devia said.

"Alright, I'll let you guys know once we're done," Sam paused before turning to me and Thomas, "Let's go."

We hopped off of the vehicle and landed onto the balcony. While my two companions stuck their landings, I on the other hand failed mine. If you call tripping on the railings and landing face first onto the floor graceful, then you probably need to learn what "graceful" means.

Sam and Thomas laughed as they brought me to my feet.

"I didn't know you had a small outdoor garden," Sam mused.

"Well, you didn't ask," I replied.

I made my way to the door to the living room but I stopped myself. Something felt wrong, something just didn't feel right... The curtains were closed and we never closed our curtains (only on certain occasions).

"Aren't you going in?" Thomas asked.

"Something's wrong, we never close the curtains," I replied.

"Stay back. We'll head in first," Sam gently pushed me to the side.

Thomas brought a gun, hidden in his coat, while Sam produced a crystal which suddenly transformed into a staff.

They looked at each other before opening the door. Sam pointed her staff at the curtains and a sudden gust of wind pushed it back.

It seemed empty, but Thomas signaled me to stay put. The pair entered the apartment and surveyed the area for any signs of enemies. Once they cleared the room they signaled for me to come in. I stepped into the living room. Well, what remains of it at least. It was like a storm swept through it. The furniture was everywhere. Sofas were overturned, the Holo-screen was in pieces, potted plants were scattered everywhere, and... Everything was just a mess.

"I-I need to go to the second floor, that's where my room is," I said.

"Alright, the both of us will go on ahead to check for anything suspicious," Sam said as she signaled for Thomas to follow.

I followed behind them as we carefully climbed the stairs to the second floor. Silence enveloped us, save for the soft clinking of Sam and Thomas' boots and weapons. We made our way up and walked through the second floor. Nothing seemed out of place, as if they had little time to search through this floor.

"Diana, where's your room?" Thomas whispered.

I pointed to the last door on the right. We made our way to it, only to find that it was locked.

"Is there a passcode that can unlock it?" Sam asked.

"Let me take a look," I replied.

I took a good look at the door's lock and tried a few codes, but none worked. I took a step back to think, then I remembered that mother used my birthday as the code. I dialed it onto the number pad and the door opened.

"Let's do a quick survey before you go in," Sam said.

I nodded and the two entered the room. They searched every nook and cranny before letting me enter.

"You've got a nice room," Thomas complimented.

"Thanks, I rearranged it before... Everything happened," I replied.

I made my way to the bed, bent down, and searched for a box under it. Mother always reminded me that if something were to happen to them I should open the box and call someone I trusted. There's no need for calling someone since Thomas and Sam are here.

"Gotcha," I dragged the box out from under the bed.

"What's that?" Sam asked.

"My mother told me that if anything were to happen to them that I should open it," I replied.

The box was made of leather with gold decorations in the shape of orchids lining its sides. Its lid bore a crest with an orchid at the middle and a crown encircling it. Below the orchid were the words 'Duty, Honor, Sacrifice.'

"That's the crest of House Levochtoch..." Sam kneeled down beside me as she examined the box.

I was about to open the box when a loud crashing noise echoed through the hallway.

"Someone's here," Thomas brandished his gun, pointing it towards the hallway.

"We have to get out of here," Sam opened her Holo-Band and called Gabrosch.

"Gabrosch, get us out of here," She ordered.

"Alright, I'll be swinging around the balcony again," He replied.

"No, there are hostiles in the apartment. I"ll break a window and we'll hop on from there," Sam pulled me to my feet and dashed for the window. She took her staff and smashed it against the glass, shattering it into thousands of shards.

"Do you see the tip of my staff?" Sam asked.

"Just a minute. I'm not even there yet!" Gabrosch replied.

Voices and footsteps could be heard in the hallway now, and they were getting louder with each passing second.

"Thomas, lock the door!" Sam exclaimed.

Thomas rushed to the door, closed it, and activated the lock. He then tried to push my closet in front of the door, but instead, it fell down crashing with a loud thud.

"I hope you don't mind," Thomas panted as he turned to me.

"It's fine," I replied in dismay.

"I see it! Hold on," Gabrosch said.

I looked out of the window and saw it, the cruiser. As it drew closer, the voices outside the door grew louder.

"Samina, it's not Dayos. It's the Federal Army!" Thomas worriedly exclaimed.

"Gabrosch, we need to hurry it up please!" Sam shouted.

"Alright, alright, hold on!" He screamed.

Gabrosch made the cruiser turn in unholy ways before backing up and opening the doors for us to enter.

"Alright, go," Sam pushed me out the window and I barely grasped the Devia's hand.

"I got you!" Devia exclaimed as she gripped my hand.

I quickly moved into the cruiser and waited for Sam to jump down to berate her for pushing me off.

"Your Eminence, please!" Devia shouted.

Sam and Thomas jumped down together and Devia held onto them for dear life.

"Close the doors!" Sam shouted.

The doors of the cruiser were shut and the pair made their way inside.

"Devia, warn the others and tell them to leave the planet immediately," Sam ordered.

"Yes, your Eminence," She rushed toward the cockpit to contact the others.

I walked towards Sam and Thomas, "You could've informed me that you were planning to push me!"

"We didn't have time, and they had a sort of battering ram and almost broke through the door," Thomas replied.

"I didn't want to have to push you but it was necessary, so I apologize if you were shocked," Sam said apologetically.

I sighed and replied, "It's fine, just... Just warn me next time."

"Lady Samina," Devia called as she popped out of the door leading to the cockpit, "The others have notified me that they're now in-transit to Luminaris Prime."

"Good, tell them we'll meet them there," Sam responded.

As things began to settle down, I took a seat and fiddled with the box in my hands. It was a miracle it hadn't slipped when Sam pushed me. What was in it, I couldn't help but wonder. I decided to open the lid to satisfy my curiosity, but what was in that box only made me ask more questions than give me answers.