Ch. 21 Shifting Sands

Navigating through the bustling streets of the Veil was a daily challenge. Ralios maneuvered the cargo box through the crowded walkways, occasionally having to assert his presence with a sharp elbow or a gruff word. The Veil, unlike any other place in the cosmos, was an interconnected maze of space stations, each with its history and reputation. It was like being in a colossal, makeshift building suspended in the cosmos. Each station had its own story behind it; some stations were already refugee camps or homeless shelters before being bought by the marquis and being assimilated into the Veil.

After they were bought, they would be moved into the system and wielded into the amalgamation of space stations, each space station being torn apart, almost gutted, to make as much space as possible, hollowing the interiors, and placing a very large metal dome over what remained.

The metal dome above them created the illusion of a massive underground city, its towering presence becoming the new night sky that shrouded the streets below. The Veil was a place of contrast—both chaotic and mesmerizing. Large exhaust fans dotted the dome's interior, trying to disperse the thick smog of pollutants and vapor that hung in the air.

Ralios didn't know what the Veil was supposed to be before the Marquis bought the place, but that didn't matter now. This place was huge and only grew over the years. The Marquis bought and brought in more and more space stations, big and small, attaching them all in a permanent wield, making a single interconnected living space. It was unorthodox, but Ralios knew he couldn't complain. There was no way he could have thought this up, let alone actually make something like this work, even if he had the money for it.

This sprawling metropolis was a haven for smugglers, drug dealers, and gangs of all sizes. The Hounds, the closest thing the Veil had to law enforcement, did little, if anything, to police the streets. Absolute freedom reigned, giving birth to a vibrant yet chaotic atmosphere.

Gangs staked out their territories, bright, glowing signs flickered and buzzed with garish advertisements, and street vendors peddled their wares—both legal and illegal—to passersby. The grime and grit of the Veil clung to everything, from the makeshift shops lining the streets to the worn-down faces of its inhabitants.

Within each station, a patchwork of gangs staked their claims on streets and districts, provided they didn't cross the Marquis or infringe upon larger gang territories. Ralios found himself on Bimeer Station, where Mattie held considerable sway. Although she didn't hold the title of a gang leader, her influence was undeniable. Ralios couldn't help but reflect, "I suppose being the Marquis's cousin has its perks."

Apart from Mattie, the most notorious force in the Veil was undoubtedly the Void Reavers. Their notoriety stemmed from a cocktail of ruthless tactics, cunning leadership, and involvement in various criminal enterprises spanning both imperial and free systems.

Deeply entrenched within the Veil, the Void Reavers controlled extensive territories across interconnected space stations. Their portfolio encompassed everything from illicit arms and contraband to the trafficking of information and black market dealings.

What set the Void Reavers apart was their peculiar demeanor. Unlike typical cutthroat gangs, they operated more like a formidable business entity than a bunch of lawbreakers. Their public-facing agents, a group of well-dressed nobles hailing from illustrious families scattered throughout known space, wielded bribery and shrewd deals as potent tools in their arsenal. To Ralios, they were best summed up in one word: "Professionals." However, their capacity for rational discourse should never be misconstrued as a sign of vulnerability. Behind the polished veneer, the Void Reavers commanded legions of fighters, and rumors even suggested they possessed a fleet of cruisers. Ralios knew better than to underestimate them; after all, whispers in the Veil claimed that the Marquis had procured his formidable Hounds from the Void Reavers, or at the very least, the illegal cybernetics that augmented them. Their emblem, depicting a stylized black ship navigating through a crimson nebula, sent shivers down the spines of those who dared to challenge them.

While the Veil served as an arena where numerous gangs vied for supremacy, the Void Reavers were second only to the Marquis in this lawless realm. Whispers and tales about their shadowy leader, a figure shrouded in enigma, circulated throughout the Veil. It was believed that this shadowy puppeteer orchestrated their operations from behind the scenes. Crossing paths with the Void Reavers was often tantamount to a death sentence, and their very presence cast a long, dark shadow over the already chaotic streets of the Veil.

Ralios had encountered the Void Reavers on only a handful of occasions, usually when he was tasked with smuggling items for one of their members. He couldn't claim outright hostility in his interactions with them, but there was always an unsettling aura around their agents that gave him pause.

Now, he had finally arrived back at Mattie's place, a large circular building that stretched upward for three stories. Approaching the familiar entrance, he was acknowledged by two guards he had seen many times before; they nodded as he maneuvered the weightless cargo through the imposing metal front doors.

The interior defied expectations set by the simplistic, almost brutalist exterior. It opened up into a reception area that was surprisingly welcoming. The space was carpeted, bathed in warm lighting, and adorned with holographic plants and even a holographic aquarium set into one of the walls. Ralios made his way to the reception desk, where a massive Aelorian man, who seemed almost too big for the chair he was seated in, glanced up at him.

The imposing Aelorian receptionist addressed Ralios with a gruff tone: "Agent Ralios, it appears you've awakened from your slumber long enough to return to our headquarters."

Ralios managed to conceal his annoyance behind a practiced, insincere smile. "I always rise to the occasion when our esteemed leader requires my personal touch," he retorted, his hand gently patting the cargo box at his side. "Speaking of which," he continued, "she's eagerly awaiting the contents of this."

The receptionist, though dubious, reluctantly pressed a few buttons on his desk console. The wall to his side slid open noiselessly, allowing two silent sentries to glide out. Ralios stepped back, giving them ample space to perform their duties. As they began scanning the cargo, he couldn't help but voice his concerns: "I detected some interference that scrambled the Tailwind's sensors."

The receptionist, however, appeared unfazed as he studied the holographic display. His expression revealed little interest. "There's no interference present, just some kind of tablet or similar device. You might want to have your ship's sensors checked, Agent. We can't afford to supply Mattie with false information."

Ralios, now slightly baffled, moved around the desk to examine the holographic display himself. To his surprise, the readings were clear, devoid of any interference. He furrowed his brow in confusion. "Alright, I'll have to look into that. My apologies for the confusion."

The receptionist, maintaining his stern demeanor, directed Ralios firmly, "Step back, Agent."

Ralios complied, retreating from the desk as the receptionist tapped a few more buttons. The sentries began their retreat, gliding back into their concealed compartment in the wall. Simultaneously, the adjacent wall's lift doors slid open.

"Well, Agent, don't keep her waiting," the receptionist chided.

Abit annoyed at this receptionist's tone, Ralios didn't even know the guy yet; he already hated him. Was he a new hire or something?

Ralios entered the waiting lift without another word, his cargo box in tow.

Ralios couldn't help but feel a nagging concern as he considered the odd sensor readings from the Tailwind. Maybe the ship needed some maintenance or a thorough tune-up. This anomaly left him slightly uneasy. However, there wasn't much time to dwell on it as the lift swiftly ascended to the third floor of the building.

When the lift doors parted, Ralios stepped into an enormous room. One side was lined with bookshelves, the other with rows of servers and computers. At the room's rear, he spotted a modest bed and a table. In the center of the vast space stood a large, circular desk. There, seated with her undivided attention on a holographic display, was Mattie.

She wore peculiar red-visored goggles that obscured her eyes, her vibrant green plumage slightly disheveled, hinting at a lack of recent self-care. Mattie's intense focus was palpable as she manipulated the holographic interface with practiced precision.

"Hey Mattie, I'm back," Ralios announced, breaking her intense concentration. Without looking up, she responded, "Good, come in. I'm almost done."

Stepping into the room, Ralios surveyed the scene. It was a mess, to say the least. Books and tablets were strewn about, her console table looked like a chaotic collage of food containers and papers stacked haphazardly.

"Ya know, Mattie, with your money, why don't you hire a maid or something?" Ralios quipped, poking fun at her apparent disarray.

Still deeply engrossed in her holographic display, Mattie replied, "I don't like people being in this room for very long."

Ralios continued to walk around the room, grinning mischievously. "Unless it's one of your boy toys, you bring in every now and again, right?"

In a neutral tone, she retorted, "What I do on my off time is none of your concern, agent."

He couldn't resist teasing her further, "I feel like it was a lot of my concern a couple of weeks ago."

Without missing a beat, she threw a small bag of metal chips at the back of Ralios's head, causing him to yelp. "OW! What was that for?" he protested, turning back to look at her. However, she remained focused on her hologram, seemingly ignoring his reaction.

"Payment for the cargo. Now leave," she said, her tone a touch colder than before.

Rubbing the back of his head where the bag of credits had landed, Ralios bent down to pick up the scattered chips. "Well, geez, just holler if ya need anything else, boss," he remarked with a playful tone as he headed towards the door of the lift.

But just as he was about to step inside, Mattie's voice suddenly lifted, catching Ralios by surprise. "Wait, I want to see it for myself. Bring me the tablet."

Ralios stopped in his tracks, blinking in mild astonishment. He turned back to her, noticing that she was still engrossed in her holographic display. "Uhh, yeah, sure," he responded.

He walked back over to the cargo container, pressed a few buttons, and the top of the lid hissed open with a small popping sound. Inside, nestled within packing foam, lay a stone tablet about the size of a dinner plate. Without much hesitation, Ralios reached out and grabbed the tablet. However, as soon as his fingers made contact with the artifact, he felt a sudden warmth shoot up his arm. It was shocking, to say the least, and it left him momentarily bewildered.

Turning to show the tablet to Mattie, he realized something was terribly wrong. His perception was distorted, and he couldn't quite make sense of his surroundings. His arm still felt warm, but his face was pressed against something hard. The confusion was overwhelming, and after blinking a few times, he finally understood what was happening.

He was on the floor.

Ralios couldn't seem to pull his thoughts together. Everything was a jumbled mess. He felt hands grabbing him, and he could hear voices, but the words were unintelligible. Dizziness overwhelmed him, and his eyes refused to focus. Confusion and disorientation clouded his mind.

In this state of utter bewilderment, he didn't know what to do. It was as if his very consciousness was slipping away. Panic started to rise within him, but he couldn't find a way to fight it. So, in the midst of this mental storm, he did the only thing that seemed possible – he closed his eyes and surrendered to the encroaching darkness, drifting into a deep, dreamless sleep.

And to his horror, when he awoke, he was back in that room. The room with the unsettling statue of the alien-like figure, cradling an even more grotesque form. The statue's eyes were locked onto him, boring into his very soul, and that familiar sense of profound loss returned with a vengeance.

Overwhelmed by the emotions that surged within him, Ralios couldn't help but weep. The despair was all-consuming, and he despised it. It filled every fiber of his being, drowning him in sorrow.

Amidst his tears, he heard a grinding noise, like stone scraping against stone. He tried to focus on the source of the sound, wiping away his tears. What he saw horrified him beyond words.

The worm-like creature that the figure in the statue had been cradling had somehow detached itself from the stone sculpture. It was now crawling down the side of the statue, and with every passing moment, its form shifted from that of cold, unfeeling stone to a writhing mass of black, inky flesh.

Throughout this grotesque transformation, the statue's unrelenting eyes continued to pierce into his soul, a silent, malevolent witness to the unfolding horror.

Tears streamed down Ralios's face as he wept, his emotions overwhelmed by the surreal horror he was witnessing. Powerless to stop any of it, he simply gave in to the overwhelming despair. Still on the floor, he closed his eyes, bracing himself for the inevitable and hoping for a swift, painless end.

But the end he expected did not come. Instead, he felt a small hand gently touch his chest. Startled, Ralios dared to open his eyes. Before him stood a smaller version of whatever grotesque creature the statue depicted – perhaps a child? The worm-like abomination was nowhere to be seen, replaced by this enigmatic child with long hair resembling the statue's, and piercing white eyes.

As the sense of profound loss dissipated from his being, Ralios gazed up at the statue once more. Its stone visage contorted into a horrifying smile, revealing an unsettling number of teeth that could never fit within the creature's mouth. Fear and dread washed over Ralios as he looked back down at the child, who now mirrored the statue's sinister grin, a nightmarish visage with hundreds of teeth forming a twisted smile.

Before Ralios could react or make sense of the nightmarish tableau, he was violently ripped out of the dream, back into the realm of consciousness.

Ralios's consciousness gradually returned, his senses still muddled and groggy. He could hear voices around him, discussing his condition and the bizarre events that had just transpired.

"Hes waking up," one voice remarked.

"I've never seen anything like this before," another voice replied with evident surprise.

"What have the scans said?" inquired a third voice.

Ralios tried to rub his eyes to clear his vision, but to his shock, he found that his hands were bound tightly. Panic coursed through him as he scanned his surroundings. He was still in Mattie's chamber, but now he was tied to a chair, surrounded by three guards, each pointing their formidable Aurum beam casters at him. Beside the guards stood Mattie and one of her medical officers, both engrossed in a holographic display.

Despite his throbbing headache, Ralios knew he needed answers. He croaked out, his voice hoarse, "What the hell is going on here?"

"We're still in the process of understanding what happened, Ralios," Mattie remarked, her gaze finally settling directly on him, the first time that day. "You touched the tablet, had a seizure of sorts, and underwent a transformation." Ralios, still disoriented, mumbled, "What do you mean, transformation?" Mattie studied him briefly, then walked to her bedside table. Throughout this exchange, the guards remained immobile, their weapons trained on him. When Mattie returned, she held a small mirror before him. Ralios, overwhelmed and shocked, could only manage a bewildered "Huh?" as he gazed at the almost unfamiliar Aelorian staring back at him from the reflective surface. His plumage had turned entirely chalk white, his once vibrant black and red feathers now bleached, and his eyes had assumed a cool, metallic silver hue.