Rising Shards

The Monday before 09 brought Zeta into the void to meet her parents, she traveled into the void after Aira and Laenie put out a beacon for their location. After some time orientating herself in the gritty glitz and glamor of the void station called Spero, 09 gathered as much info as she could from her sources (her internal clybrid scanning abilities and just asking the few pleasant folks nearby) and got set up at the main hotel on the station. Caya had provided her with a means to fund things like travel and such while on her mission. After that, she ran into the odd trio of Chumbler, Z.O.K., and Rain Adagio. They informed her of two groups of students from Wildfire Hearts that had arrived and helped her narrow down where the group she really was there to tail was. Following Kitty’s group would possibly provide some entertainment, but 09 decided she’d rather gamble on seeing her aunt if she ever actually showed up for Kilander family get togethers.

Based on her scan, Aira and Laenie’s group were headed towards the information broker area on Spero. 09 headed there, hoping her sneaking cloak would help her blend in with the crowds, especially when she was close to Ovie. Aira and Laenie wouldn’t be a problem if they spotted her, but Ovie likely would. This was her first time actually following them in the void, so in a sense it was the true start of her mission.

09 found Aira, Laenie, and Ovie waiting in line for what at first glance looked like rows of ATM machines. In reality, the consoles were connected to the top information connection computer in Spero. 09 didn’t bother scanning the machine, as it’d have too much info for her to possibly sort through it all. Instead, she waited until Ovie’s group reached a machine. It took 09 a second to notice the fourth member of their party, who must have been Narkissa, someone Aira had mentioned briefly in their chats. 09 politely shoved her way through the line, ignoring any shouts that she was cutting as she approached Ovie until she was close enough to hear her search.

“State your inquiry,” A voice from the computer said. “And we will do our best to pair you with the most fitting counterpart to answer your questions, solve your mysteries, guide you on your travels…”

The computer droned on and on until Ovie started punching it.

“Why am I surprised Ovie hit something instead of being patient?” Narkissa asked.

“Shut up.” Ovie said. “We’re searching for a way to the Sharai.”

“Inquiry confirmed,” The computer said. “Search in progress.” Elevator music started to play.

“That’s a nice song,” Laenie said. “I wouldn’t mind if this search takes a while so we can keep listening to—"

“Hold it.” Ovie said. “Someone’s watching us.”

09 didn’t flinch. If she moved right away, Ovie would spot her instantly. She subtly bowed her head so her cloak’s hood would keep her face hidden. Her efforts were in vain, however, as Ovie locked onto her almost immediately. As the messy haired girl marched toward her, 09 debated running. Even if she had tried, Ovie would have caught her fairly quickly, much like she did as she grabbed the front of 09’s cloak and pulled her hood off. A look of shock was quickly replaced by anger.

“Why are you here?” Ovie seethed.

“09!” Laenie said.

“Wait, don’t fight her, she’s a friend!” Aira said. “Who’s here for…reasons I entirely don’t know about!”

“Shut up.” Ovie said. She looked around at the few heads who turned their way. Fights were common on Spero, so a collar grab and some harsh words weren’t too interesting for onlookers. “You have two seconds to explain before I acid all your little clybrid microchips off your face.”

“Clybrids don’t really work that way,” 09 said. “I have synthetic components and tech implants, but they’re not microchips, really, they’re more like—”

“Just.” Ovie let go of 09’s collar. “Just tell me why you’re here. Then leave.”

“Well I was following you, but I was hoping I wouldn’t get spotted. You have a good eye for this.” 09 said.

“Or I can just tell when a clybrid in a shower curtain is staring at me.” Ovie said. “Could you have picked a more obvious outfit? A gaudy mask would hide you more than this.”

The console emitted some pleasant musical notes. “Your search is completed.” The front of the machine opened up, revealing a glowing portal. “Please step inside to meet with your matched information broker.”

“That’s…ominous.” Aira said.

“I’m not going first,” Laenie said. “But I also don’t want to be the last one, so if someone could go behind me that’d help a lot and—"

“Stop.” Ovie’s nose twitched as she looked back and forth between her group and 09. “I should absolutely leave you here, but you’re just going to follow us wherever we go, right?”

09 shrugged, then nodded.

“Fine. But if you do one thing to upset me, I’m going to make you wish you never stepped foot here.” Ovie said.

“How come she gets multiple warnings and I just get my face smashed in the instant you're upset with me?” Narkissa asked, pointing to her black eye.

“Everyone just shut up and go through the portal!” Ovie yelled. She grabbed 09’s wrist and led her in first, and the group was brought somewhere else.

09 quickly got her bearings upon their arrival, as they weren’t brought far. She recognized the cheap looking wallpaper immediately, and her scan confirmed she was correct.

“Oh, we’re back in the hotel.” 09 said.

“I’m sure everyone who’s visiting stays here, it has probably ten thousand rooms.” Ovie said. “But it brought us to a specific room, so stop talking, ideally forever, and let me get some info on how to get back to Jeans.”

“And Rem.” Laenie added.

"And Rem!" Ovie knocked on the hotel room’s door. After a minute or so of waiting, a middle aged man answered. He didn’t say anything, he just waited for the others to speak first. 09 took advantage of the silence to scan him, but could only gleam his name and age; most of the info in her databases didn’t have much at all about him.

“You’re…Arctus Kathron?” 09 asked.

Ovie whipped her head back to 09 in disbelief. Then to Arctus. 

“You’re Arctus Kathron?” Ovie repeated.

Arctus nodded. “Admittedly, Octa and I are somewhat well known in certain parts of the void…” Arctus said, nodding to a woman behind him. “A clybrid scan would get our name at least, but you seem to know my name specifically.”

“I found your journal,” Ovie said. “On Vita Coa. You’re Zeta’s father. And that must be her mother.”

“What?” Aira asked. She tilted her head, peeking around Arctus to get a better look at Octa. “I can see the resemblance, yeah. Especially on the mom’s side. Assuming you are her mom.”

A wry smile crossed Arctus’ mouth. “You…know my daughter?”

“Ovie knows her alright, she got into a big fight with her.” Aira said. “Laenie and I know her a lot better, we’re actually her friends.”

“I’m assuming you’re not here because of her, though.” Arctus said.

“We need info on how to get to the Sharai.” Ovie said. “And we were brought to you.”

Arctus shrugged. “Well, Octa and I do know plenty about the Sharai. How about you come inside and we have a chat?”