Elodie, by Ellie Fairfield
Name: Elodie
Age:16
People sometimes wonder why exactly I was on that particular “scrapheap of a failure of a space station at the ass end of the solar system”(as Radical Doitzel would put it.) in that particular cybernetics workshop pointing guns at those particular Hellcats. It really is quite simple but requires a little bit of background information…..
“Last chance station”
The wrench in my hand was feeling a little slippery as sweat sprouted from every pore. I was repairing the engines after Katrina had barely been able to outrun an Earther space craft. I had no idea why I was here. I have been working under this person for several years but I don’t really like her much. Just a few years ago the Rift opened and I started to notice I was different. I believe there must be some connection but I haven’t been able to talk to anyone about it. I’m afraid to let out that I’m different because I know with what I can do many people might want to take advantage of it.
At least that was how I thought until Katrina found out anyway. I’m like her little spy now. Not only that but I’m her little spy that can help her be a spy. I really hope to get out of this junk whole soon. This crafter really isn’t meant for Hellcats anyway. I question whether I’M meant for the Hellcats. I don’t know where I’m supposed to be in the world and I don’t remember where I come from. I know I lived with my parents on Europa before they vanished. I’ve tried to sniff out their trail but I’ve had no luck.
I also have wondered if Killer Cait knows anything about it because anytime I bring up the subject of my parents she gets real quiet and stops speaking to me. They really don’t even treat me like an equal. Anytime they do a run and get paid it’s “Shut up we feed you don’t we?” Why am I here?
They obviously don’t care that much about me. I vaguely remember what it was like to have a nice family. My dad was the hansom dark haired man. He was rather tall but I think that may have been because of my age and my perception of him but I can’t be sure. My mother was a short but skinny blonde who loved to show affection. I was seven when they disappeared.
I don’t have much to go on. All I know is I waited at home for them to return from their daily affairs and through the door came three girls who gave me no warning but grabbed me and stuck me with something. Once I woke up I was a very small craft, barely worthy of anything special, until I found out what was on the inside. This craft was fast, meant for quick getaways after they did their job.
It was a free place to stay and every day I would call home to find no answer. Soon the number I called was disconnected and I never heard from my parents again. Everywhere I go I see people who have features that resemble them. I see my mother everywhere. I see my father towering over everyone. That is until they turn around and their cheek bones are really off and their eye colors are all wrong.
I remember staring into my father’s piercing grey eyes. They were lovely really. My mothers were a pretty hazel. I could almost remember the scent of my mother’s embrace but I have really forgotten what that was like. The sounds of their voices are but a vague memory. A compilation of voices that I’ve heard through my life to mimic a very sad replica. Nothing really close to what they sounded like I’m sure.
I haven’t given up, but I know the chances of ever finding them after this long are very slim… Would they even recognize me, if they saw me? Would I really recognize them? I really don’t know. My hair used to be a violent shade of black, is now constantly a deep shade of purple. My eyes, who I inherited from my father, are covered with purple contacts. I have much more female’s features that I did as the curve less seven year old I used to be. Nature had taken is course but I don’t think it did I a bad way at all.
I finally tossed the wrench on to the floor and looked at my masterpiece. They had kept me for a reason I wasn’t useless at all. Katrina didn’t know the different between a reactor core and a cooling system. That’s why I’m here. She only flies the thing. (How she does this without understanding how it works floors me.) I was trained in this with someone else because they recognized this girl’s flying skills. They also recognized her weakness in mechanics.
I stood up leaving the tools where they lay and walked to the front. This walk was merely a small stretch of the legs because this was as small as it could be and not be a one person fighter. It takes two people to run this thing if that gives you any idea how tiny it is. I had spent about an hour to repair the damage; it would have taken about three times as much for someone else who hadn’t spent their entire life studying the mechanisms that make up a craft.
I had also taken to chemistry as well. I had loads of books to read out of since I spent most of my time locked in ships. I didn’t get to go places very often unless Katrina had a close eye on me. I think she worried I would run away. I guess that’s not an unfair fear under the conditions I have been kept but I can’t argue much. I’m only sixteen I don’t know what’s best for me. They at least kept me in a supple of my favorite color of clothing. I always wear purple. The interesting thing about that is how much I really would stand out but no one knows about me. Mainly because I am kept cooped up on ships and hidden away like some secret. I will one day leave I know, I just have to wait for the right moment……
I manage with my very limited hacking skills to hack some computers that are on this ship. I have found some very interesting files that may pertain to my reason for being here. Also the reason my parents are not with me. I did not have enough time to read them so I stashed them on a flash drive and sewed it into my shirt. They would never know to look there.
Katrina has been keeping a close look on me for a while so I have carried this flash drive for a good while hidden in my shirt. I keep the shirt within sight. I’ve managed to stay inconspicuous about the whole ordeal at least thus far. I know we are making a stop at Last Chance Station within the week and they said If I was good I could go to the cybernetic workshop and browse. They won’t let me actually get anything that’s really noticeable so I have a few minor implants. I did get a harmless glowing skin one that would at least amuse me if nothing else.
“Elodie!!!” Katrina Yelled.
“Yes.” I answered
“You aren’t watching your station.” She spat. “How are you going to succeed here…. You know soon enough we are going to have to send you on your solo mission to prove yourself, but we can’t do that until you grow some loyalty and attention span!” She pointed out. She was always throwing it in my face that I hadn’t had to go through the normal protocol that girls have to go through to join this nightmare of a gang. Usually one is picked by their piloting skills but I was picked up as a mere seven year old. They probably knew I would be smart, or that I was. I took to the books like it was second nature and was working by the time I was ten.
I couldn’t wait for the next time I would see Killer Cait. Maybe I could spit in her direction before I run. I think Katrina is actually meeting her on Last Chance Station. I didn’t responder to her I just kept looking out the glass watching stars and ignoring everything except my work.
“I can’t believe you think you are so special. You can’t even focus long enough to make sure we are one cour-“
“We are on course Katrina!!! How the Hell did you manage to make it if you can’t repair your own goddamned com system!? What kind of pilot are you if you don’t KNOW your craft?” I retorted feeling very much like an angsty teen and I didn’t care. I let my words bite her.
“I hope Cait decide you have been a waist.” She mutters.
“I bet.” I rolled my eyes. I really absolutely wanted to let my acids eat away at her form until she was a messy bloody pulp. I let the thought amuse me until she mentioned something that peeked my interest.
“ You don’t even know why we are going to Last Chance do you?” She quizzed me.
“So we can go to Hell in a hand basket and maybe take a few more girls with us?” I sarcastically asked.
“No Cait seems to think you’re ready to prove yourself.” She answered.
“Oh really?” I smiled.
“Yea you are about to run a mission alone.” She pointed out.
“Glorious” I answered knowing she hated me for my delayed hazing.
We arrived there within the week and there greeted Cait who could be pretty on some people’s terms. Maybe If I were a guy I could appreciate it better but I really didn’t like her much. She refused to tell me what I wanted to know.
“We have a mission for you to run. It’s very simple and you don’t even have to fly. We already know of your flying prowess, and your repair work. Now we would like to see your interaction with everyday employers and I know this might be a struggle for you since You spent most of you time running the behind the scenes which is why I chose this assignment.” Her emphasis on this was very clear.
“Yea ok what is it?” I asked with less attitude than I had hoped. I was a little scared. Most failed missions resulted in death. That’s why membership was so small.
“Deliever this to Dooley. He is waiting here for this and happens to be a little trigger happy if you aren’t careful. While you are there you need to get the access code to his ship. You get it and its yours.” She grinned.
“Exactly why do I need this?” I asked.
“Oh we just needed to upset the nest and that sounds like a good way to do so.” She responded.
“um why is he here?” I asked noting that he should be working at his bar on Ceres Station.
“Don’t ask questions just do as you’re told. I will explain everything you need when you return. If you succeed I will take you to get your first REAL cybernetic.” She offered.
That was something I wanted. This was worth staying for. I nodded accepting the disc in her hand. I could feel the weight of the flash drive in my shirt. I might get a chance to read what I have on it if I play my cards right. I could never do it on the craft or I might get caught. I can’t always know where Katrina is, and she’s been watching me lately.
I headed to the address Killer Cait had given me and I began to look for Dooley. To my surprise I didn’t find him here. I began to get suspicious. Was this a joke? I didn’t understand all this sneaking around. I really didn’t understand why they were trying to trick Dooley because they have a fairly good relationship with him. I mean Killer Cait hangs out in the bar he owns when she’s not out runners her own missions. I just don’t know what is going on. I pocketed the Disc and left the bar after questioning people and getting some strange looks.
And Idea hit me and I ran to the nearest Cybernetic workshop. Inside just as I had suspected were three hellcats. One was Katrina. Killer Cait was nowhere to be found but I didn’t care. I opened the door and barged in throwing the disc at Katrina.
“Where the Hell is KC?” I asked.
Katrina just shrugged picking up the disc. She smiled assuming I had failed. Maybe she didn’t even know what was really going on. The other two girls were Hellcats I recognized as Sara and Jenny.
“We have our own mission.” Jenny Noted. “Give us that shirt you have Elodie.”
“What is wrong with my shirt?” I asked
“You know exactly whats wrong with it.” Jenny growled.
“I am Quitting.” I shouted. I took off the shirt balling it up glad I was wearing a tank top underneath. “I am leaving the Hellcats I don’t want to be in your stupid gang I don’t want to be a part of this at all!” I yelled.
The owner of the shop was looking rather terrified. He knew he couldn’t lay a finger on either of us or say anything. It wouldn’t look good one bit with the Hellcats and he knew the penalty for messing with one of the girls……
Jenny pulled a gun on me and I immediately reacted. The other two pulled out their guns just in time for the door to open.
This was when I met the start of my family. A few people came into the workshop one looking for cybernetics. They convinced the Hellcats to leave but I had to give up the only proof I may have had that would have connected the hellcats to my parents’ disappearance. My only chance at answering the unknown was lost. That was my only chance to know the truth. Unfortunately the mission was a ploy for Killer Cait and Katrina to get together and share what they knew and know I would be off of their back. Dooley was never here as I should have known. Every so often I get contacted by Killer Cait demanding that I return to my post. I guess she doesn’t get it when I said I quit…. Maybe you just don’t quit something like this, but I was never given a choice. I once whether by choice or not, was a Hellcat. Now I’m part of the Muppets. The ship never stops and the crew never tires of adventure. This is my family and every single one of them has a special place in my heart. I will never abandon those that are important to me, even now when I’ve had every opportunity to run off and find my parents I’ve stayed to help with the war effort. Even when Doitzel hired that traitorous bitch to run some of his army, I have stayed. I plan to see this war out regardless of what happens. If it’s for the worst and my family falls apart, then by god I hope a Shi kills me so I don’t have to live through anymore loss. There are two things in the world I want. I want Killer Cait dead, and I want to know what happened to my parents. Now that I’ve found an even better life style a third thing has become important. I want to keep my family. I want to live past this war and have people to have adventures with and travel. That’s all I want in life. If nothing else is solved I want some semblance of a family.
Age:16
People sometimes wonder why exactly I was on that particular “scrapheap of a failure of a space station at the ass end of the solar system”(as Radical Doitzel would put it.) in that particular cybernetics workshop pointing guns at those particular Hellcats. It really is quite simple but requires a little bit of background information…..
“Last chance station”
The wrench in my hand was feeling a little slippery as sweat sprouted from every pore. I was repairing the engines after Katrina had barely been able to outrun an Earther space craft. I had no idea why I was here. I have been working under this person for several years but I don’t really like her much. Just a few years ago the Rift opened and I started to notice I was different. I believe there must be some connection but I haven’t been able to talk to anyone about it. I’m afraid to let out that I’m different because I know with what I can do many people might want to take advantage of it.
At least that was how I thought until Katrina found out anyway. I’m like her little spy now. Not only that but I’m her little spy that can help her be a spy. I really hope to get out of this junk whole soon. This crafter really isn’t meant for Hellcats anyway. I question whether I’M meant for the Hellcats. I don’t know where I’m supposed to be in the world and I don’t remember where I come from. I know I lived with my parents on Europa before they vanished. I’ve tried to sniff out their trail but I’ve had no luck.
I also have wondered if Killer Cait knows anything about it because anytime I bring up the subject of my parents she gets real quiet and stops speaking to me. They really don’t even treat me like an equal. Anytime they do a run and get paid it’s “Shut up we feed you don’t we?” Why am I here?
They obviously don’t care that much about me. I vaguely remember what it was like to have a nice family. My dad was the hansom dark haired man. He was rather tall but I think that may have been because of my age and my perception of him but I can’t be sure. My mother was a short but skinny blonde who loved to show affection. I was seven when they disappeared.
I don’t have much to go on. All I know is I waited at home for them to return from their daily affairs and through the door came three girls who gave me no warning but grabbed me and stuck me with something. Once I woke up I was a very small craft, barely worthy of anything special, until I found out what was on the inside. This craft was fast, meant for quick getaways after they did their job.
It was a free place to stay and every day I would call home to find no answer. Soon the number I called was disconnected and I never heard from my parents again. Everywhere I go I see people who have features that resemble them. I see my mother everywhere. I see my father towering over everyone. That is until they turn around and their cheek bones are really off and their eye colors are all wrong.
I remember staring into my father’s piercing grey eyes. They were lovely really. My mothers were a pretty hazel. I could almost remember the scent of my mother’s embrace but I have really forgotten what that was like. The sounds of their voices are but a vague memory. A compilation of voices that I’ve heard through my life to mimic a very sad replica. Nothing really close to what they sounded like I’m sure.
I haven’t given up, but I know the chances of ever finding them after this long are very slim… Would they even recognize me, if they saw me? Would I really recognize them? I really don’t know. My hair used to be a violent shade of black, is now constantly a deep shade of purple. My eyes, who I inherited from my father, are covered with purple contacts. I have much more female’s features that I did as the curve less seven year old I used to be. Nature had taken is course but I don’t think it did I a bad way at all.
I finally tossed the wrench on to the floor and looked at my masterpiece. They had kept me for a reason I wasn’t useless at all. Katrina didn’t know the different between a reactor core and a cooling system. That’s why I’m here. She only flies the thing. (How she does this without understanding how it works floors me.) I was trained in this with someone else because they recognized this girl’s flying skills. They also recognized her weakness in mechanics.
I stood up leaving the tools where they lay and walked to the front. This walk was merely a small stretch of the legs because this was as small as it could be and not be a one person fighter. It takes two people to run this thing if that gives you any idea how tiny it is. I had spent about an hour to repair the damage; it would have taken about three times as much for someone else who hadn’t spent their entire life studying the mechanisms that make up a craft.
I had also taken to chemistry as well. I had loads of books to read out of since I spent most of my time locked in ships. I didn’t get to go places very often unless Katrina had a close eye on me. I think she worried I would run away. I guess that’s not an unfair fear under the conditions I have been kept but I can’t argue much. I’m only sixteen I don’t know what’s best for me. They at least kept me in a supple of my favorite color of clothing. I always wear purple. The interesting thing about that is how much I really would stand out but no one knows about me. Mainly because I am kept cooped up on ships and hidden away like some secret. I will one day leave I know, I just have to wait for the right moment……
I manage with my very limited hacking skills to hack some computers that are on this ship. I have found some very interesting files that may pertain to my reason for being here. Also the reason my parents are not with me. I did not have enough time to read them so I stashed them on a flash drive and sewed it into my shirt. They would never know to look there.
Katrina has been keeping a close look on me for a while so I have carried this flash drive for a good while hidden in my shirt. I keep the shirt within sight. I’ve managed to stay inconspicuous about the whole ordeal at least thus far. I know we are making a stop at Last Chance Station within the week and they said If I was good I could go to the cybernetic workshop and browse. They won’t let me actually get anything that’s really noticeable so I have a few minor implants. I did get a harmless glowing skin one that would at least amuse me if nothing else.
“Elodie!!!” Katrina Yelled.
“Yes.” I answered
“You aren’t watching your station.” She spat. “How are you going to succeed here…. You know soon enough we are going to have to send you on your solo mission to prove yourself, but we can’t do that until you grow some loyalty and attention span!” She pointed out. She was always throwing it in my face that I hadn’t had to go through the normal protocol that girls have to go through to join this nightmare of a gang. Usually one is picked by their piloting skills but I was picked up as a mere seven year old. They probably knew I would be smart, or that I was. I took to the books like it was second nature and was working by the time I was ten.
I couldn’t wait for the next time I would see Killer Cait. Maybe I could spit in her direction before I run. I think Katrina is actually meeting her on Last Chance Station. I didn’t responder to her I just kept looking out the glass watching stars and ignoring everything except my work.
“I can’t believe you think you are so special. You can’t even focus long enough to make sure we are one cour-“
“We are on course Katrina!!! How the Hell did you manage to make it if you can’t repair your own goddamned com system!? What kind of pilot are you if you don’t KNOW your craft?” I retorted feeling very much like an angsty teen and I didn’t care. I let my words bite her.
“I hope Cait decide you have been a waist.” She mutters.
“I bet.” I rolled my eyes. I really absolutely wanted to let my acids eat away at her form until she was a messy bloody pulp. I let the thought amuse me until she mentioned something that peeked my interest.
“ You don’t even know why we are going to Last Chance do you?” She quizzed me.
“So we can go to Hell in a hand basket and maybe take a few more girls with us?” I sarcastically asked.
“No Cait seems to think you’re ready to prove yourself.” She answered.
“Oh really?” I smiled.
“Yea you are about to run a mission alone.” She pointed out.
“Glorious” I answered knowing she hated me for my delayed hazing.
We arrived there within the week and there greeted Cait who could be pretty on some people’s terms. Maybe If I were a guy I could appreciate it better but I really didn’t like her much. She refused to tell me what I wanted to know.
“We have a mission for you to run. It’s very simple and you don’t even have to fly. We already know of your flying prowess, and your repair work. Now we would like to see your interaction with everyday employers and I know this might be a struggle for you since You spent most of you time running the behind the scenes which is why I chose this assignment.” Her emphasis on this was very clear.
“Yea ok what is it?” I asked with less attitude than I had hoped. I was a little scared. Most failed missions resulted in death. That’s why membership was so small.
“Deliever this to Dooley. He is waiting here for this and happens to be a little trigger happy if you aren’t careful. While you are there you need to get the access code to his ship. You get it and its yours.” She grinned.
“Exactly why do I need this?” I asked.
“Oh we just needed to upset the nest and that sounds like a good way to do so.” She responded.
“um why is he here?” I asked noting that he should be working at his bar on Ceres Station.
“Don’t ask questions just do as you’re told. I will explain everything you need when you return. If you succeed I will take you to get your first REAL cybernetic.” She offered.
That was something I wanted. This was worth staying for. I nodded accepting the disc in her hand. I could feel the weight of the flash drive in my shirt. I might get a chance to read what I have on it if I play my cards right. I could never do it on the craft or I might get caught. I can’t always know where Katrina is, and she’s been watching me lately.
I headed to the address Killer Cait had given me and I began to look for Dooley. To my surprise I didn’t find him here. I began to get suspicious. Was this a joke? I didn’t understand all this sneaking around. I really didn’t understand why they were trying to trick Dooley because they have a fairly good relationship with him. I mean Killer Cait hangs out in the bar he owns when she’s not out runners her own missions. I just don’t know what is going on. I pocketed the Disc and left the bar after questioning people and getting some strange looks.
And Idea hit me and I ran to the nearest Cybernetic workshop. Inside just as I had suspected were three hellcats. One was Katrina. Killer Cait was nowhere to be found but I didn’t care. I opened the door and barged in throwing the disc at Katrina.
“Where the Hell is KC?” I asked.
Katrina just shrugged picking up the disc. She smiled assuming I had failed. Maybe she didn’t even know what was really going on. The other two girls were Hellcats I recognized as Sara and Jenny.
“We have our own mission.” Jenny Noted. “Give us that shirt you have Elodie.”
“What is wrong with my shirt?” I asked
“You know exactly whats wrong with it.” Jenny growled.
“I am Quitting.” I shouted. I took off the shirt balling it up glad I was wearing a tank top underneath. “I am leaving the Hellcats I don’t want to be in your stupid gang I don’t want to be a part of this at all!” I yelled.
The owner of the shop was looking rather terrified. He knew he couldn’t lay a finger on either of us or say anything. It wouldn’t look good one bit with the Hellcats and he knew the penalty for messing with one of the girls……
Jenny pulled a gun on me and I immediately reacted. The other two pulled out their guns just in time for the door to open.
This was when I met the start of my family. A few people came into the workshop one looking for cybernetics. They convinced the Hellcats to leave but I had to give up the only proof I may have had that would have connected the hellcats to my parents’ disappearance. My only chance at answering the unknown was lost. That was my only chance to know the truth. Unfortunately the mission was a ploy for Killer Cait and Katrina to get together and share what they knew and know I would be off of their back. Dooley was never here as I should have known. Every so often I get contacted by Killer Cait demanding that I return to my post. I guess she doesn’t get it when I said I quit…. Maybe you just don’t quit something like this, but I was never given a choice. I once whether by choice or not, was a Hellcat. Now I’m part of the Muppets. The ship never stops and the crew never tires of adventure. This is my family and every single one of them has a special place in my heart. I will never abandon those that are important to me, even now when I’ve had every opportunity to run off and find my parents I’ve stayed to help with the war effort. Even when Doitzel hired that traitorous bitch to run some of his army, I have stayed. I plan to see this war out regardless of what happens. If it’s for the worst and my family falls apart, then by god I hope a Shi kills me so I don’t have to live through anymore loss. There are two things in the world I want. I want Killer Cait dead, and I want to know what happened to my parents. Now that I’ve found an even better life style a third thing has become important. I want to keep my family. I want to live past this war and have people to have adventures with and travel. That’s all I want in life. If nothing else is solved I want some semblance of a family.