Admire me, admire my son, admire my clones

"I find it unbelievable that it was possible to create communities and cities in such a hostile environment," General Knoxx said, his words carried by the dry wind. He was dressed in his impeccable military uniform, with a lit cigar between his fingers. He took a long drag, observing the desolate horizon with his one remaining eye. Pandora hadn't changed, but he was nearing the end of his life. "So, this is where you were born?"

"What did you expect? People wearing animal skins and hunting their food with spears?" a voice behind him replied. The person stepped beside him, crossing their arms. "It's no different from the slums of Promethea, except Pandora is one big slum without the rich parts."

Athena shook her head. There was no point in wasting breath on Pandora; this place was a dump, and everyone already knew it. "I'm leaving the Atlas, sir. I'm going to find my sister and disappear from here."

Knoxx raised an eyebrow, surprised. He had known Athena since she began her assassin training at twelve, and the idea of her simply abandoning the Atlas seemed unlikely to him. An assassin living a normal life? Did she really think she could work as a cashier, take care of children and the elderly, or become a farmer? He was getting old, but he wasn't foolish.

"Retiring?" he repeated, skeptical. "Did the Atlas really let you go just like that? Do you think it'll be so easy to find someone to fill your shoes?"

"Forgive my words, but that's not my problem," Athena sighed, looking at the ground.

"They agreed, but only after I complete one last mission," she said, raising her eyes and fixing Knoxx with a serious expression. "I've already spoken with the superiors. It's all settled."

Knoxx frowned, sensing something was off. He knew the Atlas better than anyone and was aware they didn't let their best soldiers leave so easily. He gave Athena a few paternal pats on the shoulder.

"Be careful, girl. Things that seem too good to be true are usually traps. And what did I say about being so formal in private?"

Athena smiled faintly, but there was a shadow of worry in her eyes.

"And you, Knoxx? When are you going to leave this life behind?" she asked.

Knoxx laughed a rough, yellow-toothed chuckle.

"When I die, Athena. Men like me don't fit well in society. We're born for conflict, and we only stop with a well-placed bullet." He took another drag from his cigar, exhaling a puff of smoke. "And an old man like me? Full of vices and habits? No, girl. I'm a soldier till the end."

He quickly changed the subject, trying to lighten the mood.

"Well, before I start setting up the Command Center here, I'm going to try Pandora's drinks."

Athena didn't respond, just nodded, letting Knoxx go on his way. She watched him walk away, a chill running down her spine. Something was wrong, and she knew it, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what.

 ...

Meanwhile, on the other side of Pandora, the Goblin landed smoothly near Scooter's workshop. The door opened, and Maxwell and Moxxi stepped out, their outfits drawing attention from everyone around. They walked into the workshop, where Scooter was under a car, completely absorbed in his work.

The sound of the door opening made Scooter pause. He slid from under the car, wiping his oil-stained hands on a rag.

"Mum?!" he exclaimed, surprised to see Moxxi in military gear. "ow man, since when did you start dressin' so decently?!"

Moxxi smiled, opening her arms for a tight hug, not minding her son's dirt.

"Scooter, my boy!" she said, laughing with something that wasn't quite a smile. "How are you? Eating well? Found a girlfriend yet?"

"Tch," Scooter scratched his head, embarrassed. But he returned the hug, feeling like his mother was putting too much force into it. Was she angry?

"Mum, please..." he murmured, glancing at Maxwell, who stood beside her.

Moxxi noticed her son's shyness and turned to introduce Maxwell.

"Scooter, this is Maxwell. My husband." She gave Scooter a serious look. "And you'll treat him with respect, understood?"

Scooter nodded vigorously, but his distrust was clear. He still remembered Lucky, Moxxi's last partner, and how he had hurt his mother years ago. It reminded Scooter that he still had to kill that bastard.

Moxxi looked around, searching for Ellie.

"Where's your sister?" she asked, but a thick, country-accented voice echoed through the workshop before Scooter could answer.

"Scooter, how long's it gonna take ya to change them filters?" Ellie appeared in the doorway, hands on her hips and an irritated expression. But her anger turned to shock when she saw Moxxi.

"You?!" Ellie pointed at Moxxi, her eyes wide. "You hag! What in tarnation are ya doin' here? And what's with that getup?"

Moxxi sighed, walking over to her daughter.

"Is that any way to treat your mother after all this time?" she asked, pinching Ellie's chubby cheeks. "I'm happy to see you're doing well."

Ellie deflated like a balloon, feeling a twinge of guilt. She lowered her head, murmuring, "I missed ya... but I'm still sore 'bout all that 'take care of yourself' and 'wear makeup' hogwash."

Moxxi hugged her daughter, who was a head taller than her. Her hands couldn't quite reach Ellie's back.

"I know, sweetheart. And I'm sorry for being so insensitive. I won't bring it up again, I promise."

Maxwell, who had been silent until now, felt out of place. He looked at Scooter.

"You got a car I can borrow?" he asked. It was better to come back another time.

Scooter hesitated but eventually gave in.

"There's a red runner outside. Just don't wreck it, okay?" Scooter said, tossing Maxwell a key.

Maxwell nodded and turned to Moxxi.

"I'm going for a drive. Enjoy your time with the kids."

Moxxi smiled, waving at him.

"Come back to the Red Light later, dear. I'll take the kids out to eat and drink." Noticing the way her mother addressed the stranger, Ellie gave her a questioning look.

"Some things never change, huh?" Ellie muttered as Maxwell left. "At least this one's easy on the eyes."

Moxxi ignored her daughter's comment and pulled two syringes of nanites from her ECHO deck.

"I've got a gift for both of you," she said, holding up the syringes. "Nanites. Incredible technology that'll improve your health."

Ellie looked at the syringe with suspicion but eventually gave in after Moxxi's insistence. Scooter, on the other hand, seemed excited and injected himself immediately. Even in a galaxy full of incredible technology, some inventions never made it to the public. Scooter had seen theories on the ECHOnet about nanites keeping corporate leaders young.

"Wow, my pain's gone!" he exclaimed after a few seconds, flexing his arms. Mechanic work was tough, and muscle and joint pain were so common they'd become part of the routine.

Ellie shrugged after injecting the nanites.

"My leg pain's lessened, but it ain't nothin' special."

Moxxi smiled, but there was something sinister in her gaze. She didn't mention that the nanites also helped control metabolism, burning excess energy or slowing it down when necessary.

"Let's go to the bar," Moxxi suggested. "Scooter, take the day off. I'll bring some Marvins to help out here later."

 ...

Hours later, Maxwell parked the red runner in front of the Red Light bar. He was accompanied by a blue-haired girl who seemed young and naive, bearing no resemblance to Athena except in appearance.

As they entered, Maxwell noticed the bar was nearly empty, with only a few girls cleaning the tables. Moxxi was behind the counter, serving drinks to Scooter and Ellie. Her eyes lit up when she saw Maxwell, and she came out to greet him with a hug.

"Welcome back. Did you bring the girl?" she said, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him.

The two siblings watched the scene with disgust. How could their mother be so shameless?

"Yeah, it was easy. I offered her some candy, then got her into the car," Maxwell laughed, licking his lips after the kiss. "Is that vodka?"

"Sit down if you want some more."

"More kisses?"

"More vodka, you idiot."

Maxwell was relaxing as Moxxi poured him a drink when his body suddenly shuddered. His eyes darted frantically into empty space.

Meanwhile, Jess looked scared, glancing around the bar as if it were a completely hostile place. Moxxi, always attentive, noticed the girl's discomfort and decided to intervene.

"Sweetie, do you want something to eat?" Moxxi asked with a warm smile, not noticing Maxwell's sudden strangeness.

Jess shook her head timidly. Moxxi sighed, shaking her head, but soon turned her attention back to Jess. She leaned over the counter, trying to break the ice.

"I'm Moxxi, the owner of this bar. And you, sugar? What's your name? How old are you? What were you doing before you got mixed up with this guy?" she asked in a light, welcoming tone, sliding a glass of juice toward her.

Jess hesitated for a moment, but Moxxi's gentle, maternal smile seemed to calm her. She opened up a bit, grabbed the orange juice with both hands, and quickly drank it.

"I... I'm Jess," she said in a low, timid voice. "I'm fifteen. I lived in a small village nearby, but... Maxwell said some bad people were going to destroy the village if I stayed there."

"I understand," Moxxi said, placing a hand over Jess's in a comforting gesture. Before she could turn to face a frozen Maxwell.

"Maxwell, you're so insensitive. How could you drag a girl like this into a place like this without even explaining what's going on?"

"Max?" Moxxi asked again, not understanding his silence.

"Hide the girl. Now," Maxwell commanded, pushing Jess to the other side of the counter.

Moxxi, hearing the seriousness in his tone, did as he said without question, pulling the girl under the counter. Just in time, as the bar door opened seconds later. A white-haired man walked in with slow steps, taking a drag from his cigar. His eyes scanned the room before landing on the counter to order a drink, a few soldiers escorting him.

"We're not open yet," Moxxi said, but Knoxx ignored her.

"Give me the strongest drink you've got," he ordered in a tone that brooked no argument.

Maxwell slid a glass toward Knoxx with an ironic smile.

"Denying someone a drink in the desert is a sin, don't you think?" he said as Knoxx picked up the glass, wondering what this mercenary was up to. From his clothes, equipment, and mannerisms, he seemed quite experienced.

Knoxx raised the glass for a sip but paused mid-motion when he noticed a red card with the white skull of a strange animal with curved horns on the counter. He looked at Maxwell, his eye narrowing.

"Do you like revolutions, General Knoxx?" Maxwell asked a glint in his eyes.

Knoxx's eye flicked back to the card, murmuring its title.

"Apex... Predator?"

—*—*—*—*—

Hey, has it been a while? If you want to support me, I can understand how to work with p-a-t-r-e-o-n. I'm still accumulating chapters, but I just want to warn you that this book won't have a paywall.

I unga therefore a bunga

2 advanced chapters at pa treon.com/Querubim1995