Issues

Sighing. “So here’s the problem. We originally had one leader: Dad. He disappeared on us so we split his duties. Now we have three leaders. Me, Sky and Mauve.” Blue continued. “And we’re stuck here without them.”
“Any ideas where they are?” Char looked down to Lore who was tapping at the tablet’s screen.
“They’re in the mines. At least that’s what the tablet thinks.” Blue put their hand on their neck. “Yeah… They were supposed to be back by now.” Char narrowed her eyes. “Recruitment drive ain’t it.”
“How do we get to them?” Lore stowed the tablet away and readied their helmet.”
“Well, we can do it the same way as last time or we could try the back route.”
“How’d you do it last time?” Char regretted her words as they left her mouth.
“There’s a Rexian mining syndicate further in the city. I sold them as labourers.” Blue raised their hands. “They agreed to it. Anyway, once sold, the Rexians took them down to their mining outpost and I got the confirmation that the mission was on… That was a couple months ago.”
“And the back way?” Lore nearly dare not ask.
“Cooling ducts. The ore they mine is extremely energetic. It’s one of the greatest fuel sources in the quadrant. It’s energy signature also allows the UEP to track all vehicles that use it. Hydroxine, it’ll get you where you need to go and leave a trail behind you.” Lore scrambled at their wrist, frantically trying to remove their Breacher’s secondary power core. Strangely, it was already empty.
“Way ahead of you. They would only be able to track us if you used it but better safe than sorry.” Char smiled apologetically.
“So what’s the downside to the cooling tunnels?”
“Their name is a bit of a misdirect. They’re cooling tunnels for the machinery, smog and heat sources for us above surface dwellers. They kick off enough heat to cook off and we aren’t talking just eggs.”
“Right…” Lore looked at the two options before them. “I’ll be back in a moment.” Lore left the side room and re-entered the main hangar.
For someone who couldn’t remember their past, they sure had a lot of history. The last few weeks had been playing on repeat in their head as they unfurled but now, the pressure was starting to feel real. A rock and a hard place failed to encapsulate their current conundrum. Risk themselves and their crew sneaking in the back way or attract even more attention as escaped slaves. Before they knew it, they were back in the street. It had been a pleasant temperature in the base, not so much outside. Helmet on, they meandered through the square searching for their answer. Down one of the side alleys, a bearded Rexian sat atop a bed of card. He held out his hand as Lore passed speaking to them in a language they didn’t quite understand. Lore pivoted on their heels and returned to the aged gentleman. They knelt before him, removing several cogs, and placed a few Rel in his cup. He looked to them confused.
“Looks like you’re a fair way from home.” His voice was scarred by the harsh air.
“I’m sorry?”
“Since the humans up and left, Rexel has been a Unit only system.” He inspected the coins. “Haven’t seen a Rel in quite a while.” He gestured for Lore to join him. “Rel of course being the currency of choice in only two places: UEP settlements and the Quatarrian Republic.”
“I’m sorry what?” Lore’s heart was beginning to race.
“Ah… Thought you knew about the Republic… Awkward… Listen, it isn’t much but it’s a good place to check out. Nice reminder that humanity isn’t as sensible as they want you to believe.”
Then it clicked. “Who are you?” Lore was beginning to recognise aspects of the not so stranger beside them.
“There’s more than one way to charge a Breacher.” He smiled, removing the burnt remains of a Breacher from his pocket.
“Brian?”
“Didn’t think you’d remember me.”
“I only have a few weeks of memories, your death was a bit of a turning point.”
“Well, nice to hear. Listen, take this.” He produced a small, glowing crystal from his beard. “I couldn’t find the right containment module for it but you told me that it would make a near untraceable power source for anything, Breacher, ship you name it.”
“What about this Republic?”
“Too soon.”
“Thanks.” Lore hammed up the sarcasm. “But really, thanks. You’ve helped me figure something out.”
Brian smiled. “Glad to be of service. When you next see Crait, tell them I said hi.”
Lore smiled as they walked away. They turned back to wave Brian goodbye but he was already gone. Lore gave his bed a cursory glance, retrieving a small silvery dial but leaving the Rel. They returned to the base’s entrance. Char stood outside waiting.
“You alright?”
Lore removed their helmet, putting it in their satchel, and jumped at Char. Now in Char’s arms, they placed a single kiss on her cheek before falling to the floor and embracing her. Understandably confused, Char allowed it to happen. She didn’t object, she just smiled. Lore quickly retreated to the base. Now able to breathe, they calmly walked to the lift. They slowed their pace to allow a dazed Char to catch up.
“What…” Char’s voice trailed off as the lift began its descent. A warmth had engulfed her.
“Humanity isn’t sensible.” Lore spoke with a serious smile. Their first risk had been successfully taken. Char placed her arm around Lore’s shoulder. They looked to her. “I know how we’re getting into the mines.” Alliances.