WARNING: JADE HAS A POTTY-MOUTH, SORRY EVERYONE WHO KNOWS ME AND DOES NOT LIKE THIS IDEA OF CURSING IN MY STORY, BUT THAT’S THE CHARACTER OKAY OKAY. ALSO, VIOLENCE ENSUES IN THIS STORY, BUT, WELL, THAT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS IF THEY’RE SOLDIERS, SO THANKS. BYE.

(Remember to read part 1!)

The bright lights took her back for a moment, her visor adjusting to compensate for the blinding room. The main floor was large enough for several hundred cars to fit into with space to spare. Chandeliers hung in great numbers on the high ceiling and massive archways indicated the entrance to different rooms. Chairs and occasional couches lined walls, leaving plenty of room to chat and dance—though no one was currently dancing to the dim music. Two circling staircases sat at the far side of the room, framing a stage in front of large windows that reached up to the ceiling. The second floor was cast in a strange darkness and no guests stood near the stairs.

Jade looked around at the bustling crowd, turning her attention the guests. Kodar men with leathery skin and nostrils above their tiny blue eyes stood in their red military uniforms, speaking with human businessmen. Women in dresses and uniforms gathered around in circles and chatted in loud voices, hoping to be heard over the noise. Men in black tuxedos walked around with trays of wine and beer, and Jade started after one of them when Aris grabbed her hand.

“There’s this guy over here who wants to meet you.”

“But the beer—”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. C’mon!” She grabbed Jade with a tight grip and began to drag her through the crowd.             Jade staggered behind Aris, mumbling curses as the man with the plate of beer vanished behind several people. Aris shoved past guests, who cast strange looks at Jade’s armor, and continued talking. Most were political leaders who likely only came for social interaction, not to celebrate a military victory.

Aris lead them into a small room closer to the stage and filled with only a handful of people. A tall man stood near a heated wall panel—warmed enough that the fake wood started to turn red and Jade could feel the significant increase of heat from where she stood at the door. This man had naturally spike raven hair with a few locks falling in front of his eyes. He had defined cheekbones, but not in an unhealthy way, and a goatee under his lip. He wore a suit, black as his hair, fitted perfectly to his body. Two women stood near him, giggling at every comment. Both were in dresses, like Aris, and blushed whenever the man spoke. Like Aris would. Jade frowned. Who exactly wanted to see her? Or was this another of Aris’ plots to get Jade near more men?

“Aris,” Jade hissed, leaning down near Aris’ ear. “If this is what I think it is, I swear to Vix—”

“Shut up. Even your mom agrees you need someone to kiss you.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Jade.” Aris turned and faced Jade, hands on her hips. “You’re twenty-three and haven’t been kissed, haven’t dated, haven’t even blushed at a single man’s comment. That’s unhealthy.”

“What!?”

“Excuse me, ladies.” The man Jade had noticed when she walked in stood a few feet away, hands behind his back, a smile on his face. “I hope I did not interrupt anything. If I have, I will gladly excuse myself.”

“Oh no,” Aris said, smiling. Jade cast her a look. No. Don’t you dare. “I was just leaving.” Aris winked at Jade and walked out of the room. Jade heard some sort of commotion, most likely Aris keeping anyone else from entering the room. The Corporal’s shoulders slumped.

“Oh my,” the man said, chuckling softly and looking out the door. “It seems your friend has left you. You are welcome to join her. I would not be offended.”

“No, that’s all right.” Jade replied with a sigh. Then, under her breath: “She’ll just try again with another guy if I leave.”

“Hmm? I’m sorry, madam, I did not catch that.”

“Nothing. I’m Jade, by the way.” Jade offered her hand to shake. The man took it in his hand gently, kissed her knuckles and introduced himself as Jade blinked with surprise.

“I am Thaddeous Malkov.” He released her hand, which Jade yanked back. “I am a new recruit to the Exuro army.”

Jade dusted off the top of her hand, frowning under her helm. “Don’t kiss me.”

“Oh, my apologies, madam!” A look of horror washed over Thaddeous’ face. “I didn’t realize—oh, my utmost apologies, Jade Cavvar, I did not mean any offense.”

“How did you know my last name?”

“Well, you are the guest of honor, are you not?” He smiled, his look of horror vanishing almost instantly. “You’re the one who stopped the massacre on Sobek. You sabotaged enemy forces with your spider-bots. You saved a ship from a Thrax raid.”

“We don’t know if it was the Thrax.”

Thaddeous flashed a wolfish smile. “Don’t we?”

Jade opened her mouth to respond when a Snipper walked in, brushing past the rather frantic Aris trying to keep her away. Jade glanced at the newcomer, brow upraised.

Snippers were natives from Nivar before the humans came. They were sentient arachnoids, with small pincers around even smaller mouths and thin hairs of fur covering their bodies. This one was dressed in a red gown, contrasting its black hair. Its wide eyes, each with three pupils, stared at Jade. It crossed all four if its arms and tapped its foot.

“Chloe, what gender is this Snipper?” Jade asked, her voice masked by the helmet so that those around her did not hear the question.

‘Mistress, she is wearing a dress. Also, her pincers are larger than a males, therefore she is quite obviously female.’

            “I could do without the sass,” Jade replied just as the Snipper opened her mouth.

“When they said you wore armor a lot, I didn’t think you’d be so brash as to wear it to your own party!” The Snipper’s voice was high-pitched and occasional squeaks filled the pauses between words. Her large eyes narrowed. Aris shrugged at Jade with a hint of a smile. She mouthed ‘sorry.’

“Who might you be, madam?” Thaddeous asked, smiling over at the Snipper.

“Oh, I am only the great—” the Snipper continued with several squeaks. She flashed a proud smile. Jade exchanged looks with Aris.

“So Squeaks,” Jade started. The Snipper snapped her mandibles with agitation. “Are you in here for a reason?”

“Oh, you fool!” Squeaks exclaimed, throwing all four of her hands into the air. “I am the party manager! And you were supposed to be in a dress! So that the medal may be pinned on you!”

“My lovely Snipper,” Thaddeous interrupted, taking on of Squeaks’ hands and kissing it. “I’m sure you might excuse this folly? Surely with your genius you can find another way to handle it?”

Squeaks blinked a few times before moving a hand to her mouth to hide her smile. “Oh—oh yes! Yes of course!” She scurried out of the room. Jade sighed.

“Nice save.” she muttered in Thaddeous’ direction. Aris grinned. Thaddeous shrugged.

“It was nothing.” He winked at her and gave a low bow. “Until next time, dear lady.” With long, smooth strides, he walked from the room and disappeared into the crowd.

“He likes you.” Aris said.

“Just like my fist likes you.” Jade snapped. Squeaks rushed back in, nearly tripping over herself, and flung a red sash over Jade’s shoulders. She moved Jade’s right arm through the circular fabric’s opening then clapped.

“Splendid! This will work perfectly—oh.” She looked around the room. “Where did that man go?”

“Might I have your attention, please?” The female voice boomed from the main room, stopping all conversation. Squeaks grabbed Jade’s arm and dragged her into the crowd.

“Congratulations,” she whispered, before running off. Jade frowned and turned her eyes to the stage.

The woman onstage wore a cloak and had her hood up, though that was not unnatural. In fact, most generals and political leaders addressed the public from behind some sort of mask to protect themselves from their enemies. Hovering before her was a small robot, used to make voices louder.

“I am General Fain. You may not have heard of me, but I was there with the woman we honor today when she fought off the Thrax forces on Sobek and I was first on the scene of the wreckage from the Thrax raid.” Jade’s brow furrowed deeper. There was no conclusive evidence it was the Thrax that attacked them. Sure, no normal space pirate would have the gall to attack a military ship, but it was still a possibility. General Fain continued: “Her quick thinking saved her companions from certain death during that raid, just like she saved so many during that massacre.” Fain’s tone went sour. She cleared her throat and continued on, head turning to look over the crowd. Her shadowed face stopped in Jade’s direction. “She was a worthy enemy for the Thrax, bold and commanding. She would not falter even after her armor was shattered and her arms were bleeding. The Thrax didn’t know what hit them.” There was no smile in her voice. “It is my honor today to award her with the medal of Indomitable Will. Please, if you would welcome our armored hero to the stage!” Her face jerked elsewhere and the crowd burst into applause. Those that had given Jade strange looks before now smiled and clapped as she walked by. She scowled at them from under her helmet. From the crowd, she noticed Thaddeous smile at her. He dipped his head in honor as she walked past.

Jade sighed and started to climb onto the stage, her gloved hands spreading wide against the metal stage painted like white wood. General Fain offered her hand and Jade took it, the General pulling Jade up the rest of the way. Then the Corporal faced the crowd, smiled under her helm, and waved.

“What an honor,” General Fain whispered, facing Jade. Jade turned her body toward the hooded woman and saluted, right over left.

“Thank you, General.” Jade muttered back.

“You’re welcome, Jade.” Fain hissed, returning the salute. Left over right.

Jade paused a moment. She stared at the incorrectly placed hands and her eyes flickered up to the shadowed face. General Fain reached into her cloak.

“Chloe,” she said, the helmet hiding her voice, “access the military banks. See if there’s a General Fain in there.”

‘There is not.’

Jade’s eyes went wide. Fain yanked out a Heated-Dagger, the edge of the silver blade red. She swung for Jade’s neck, who jerked back, throwing off her balance. The blade missed, sliding through the air near Jade’s lightly armored throat. The imposter’s hood fell back. Several gasps came from the crowd. Political leaders turned and ran. Those from the military started running around for some type of weapon. A few tried to use whatever Hexis they had, but their powers were negated against whatever cloak Fain wore. Fain grinned.

“No Hexis for you,” she cooed, falling into an offensive stance: right arm out with the dagger, left leg forward, both knees bent.

“I don’t need any powers to kill you.” Jade hissed, falling into a defensive pose: both fists up near her face, both knees bent, left leg forward.

“Don’t you?” The imposter lunged forward, the heated edge of the blade slamming against the armor on Jade’s forearm. The blade would melt through soon enough. Jade could only do this so long.

Jade shoved the dagger back, her right arm arching around for a hook to Fain’s face. Fain ducked, sliding her left fist through the opening Jade left and slamming it against one of the areas the Rye-mail showed through. Jade grunted. Luckily the chainmail absorbed most of the hit, but the shot was right under her right rib. That was going to bruise.

The Corporal moved her left arm, snatching Fain’s left hand before she could move it around. Jade’s right hand slammed against Fain’s right wrist, the impact forcing the blade from her hand. A knee caught Jade in the same spot Fain had hit before. Damn it.

The impact loosened Jade’s grip. Fain threw her weight forward. The two fell next to the blade. Jade grimaced from weight of Fain atop her. The imposter grabbed the dagger. Jade cursed loudly.

Move your head right. She’s going left. Jade jerked her head right. The blade slammed against the ground next to her, the heat warming the side of her helmet.

‘Mistress, might I say that I don’t enjoy the heat?’ Chloe chimed. Jade scowled. From the corner of her eye she noticed several people running for the stage. Through all the chaos of the fleeing political leaders, there was no way they’d make it fast enough. Fain lifted her right hand again, blade pointed for Jade’s neck.

Damn it! Jade’s hands both went for Fain’s wrists, bracing them and keeping the blade from falling upon her. In a minute those people would be here. Just keep the blade away. Fain thrust her whole weight against the dagger. Jade winced. Her arms wavered. The dagger’s heated end sliced a hole through her visor, the blade coming close to Jade’s eye. Jade jerked her arms up. Fain peered through the hole in the helmet. The two women’s eyes met. Fain’s eyes widened.

“You—”

Someone tackled Fain, the blade falling from the imposter’s grasp once more. Jade swallowed hard and glanced to her right. Aris. Thank Vix for Aris. In her white dress, hair knotted and frizzed, Aris had her hands pressed tightly against Fain’s shoulders and her knees in Fain’s hips. Fain scowled at Aris. Moments later three men got to the stage. One helped Jade up while two others took over for Aris. Aris stood up and looked at Jade.

“If you say a single thing,” Aris warned.

“You should’ve worn armor.” Jade smirked and crossed her arms. Aris rolled her eyes and strode over to stand beside Jade. She punched Jade’s shoulder playfully.

“Lot of help that did for you. C’mon, let’s get out of here.” Aris jumped off the stage.

A snapping sound came from behind Jade. Snapping like that of lightning. Jade’s heart leapt into her throat and she whirled around. Fain’s hands gripped both the men’s faces, blue lightning racing off her own arms and burning marks into the men’s cheeks. They screamed and collapsed to the ground. So that was her Helix: Blue Lighting.

Shit. Fain turned her eyes to Jade. A sadistic grin split her face. Blue lighting crackled over Fain’s arms, leaving her unharmed. Jade looked at the dagger on the ground. The edge had gone silver again. Fain lunged forward.

So did Jade.

Jade’s hands grabbed the dagger. Fain closed in. Jade moved to her knees. Fain’s hands filled with BL closed in on her. Jade jerked the dagger out. Fain’s eyes widened. The blade warmed up from Jade’s grip. The edge sliced into Fain’s body. Fain’s blood started to boil from the heat.

Fain staggered onto Jade, arms no longer covered in Blue Lightning. Fain’s knees touched Jade’s. Her body ached over the dagger. Her hands touched the blood. Crimson poured from the wound below her sternum. It sizzled. A small amount of steam rose from the blade. Red coated Jade’s hand, the heat making it through her armor.

Fain looked back up at Jade, their eyes meeting once again. The red in Fain’s eyes faded, brown pouring in from the sides of her irises. Fain’s body shook as she coughed then desperately tried to breathe again. A small smile weaned its way onto her face.

“Green eyes.” Then her body went limp.