Prologue
Everything was falling apart. It felt like years already. Maybe it’s just my imagination? No, it’s totally not. I definitely heard sirens, explosions and screams of agony. It was everywhere… I was scared for life. My mother covered my ears and eyes, I couldn't hear or see a single thing. I could only feel my mother's sweet touch, somehow I felt safe in her arms. She was gentle, helping not to trip over small rocks that were… somehow everywhere? I never saw a single rock in the middle of the desert! But, that’s not important. I didn’t know what was happening back then, but I learned from my mistakes: it was Vex. Tyrus Vex. Cyborg who could do anything for gold. Why especially gold? It helps keep him alive. Cyborgs live on gold, it serves as oil for their mechanical parts… and our planet was full of it. Though, I know there are many other planets, but he probably robbed them already. Anyways, it’s not about Vex right now. My mom led me to some room, where I tripped on the stairs and fell down. I could feel pain in my knee, I saw a small scar with blood on it.
“Mom…” I was ready to cry again. I couldn’t get on my legs, they were hurting badly, “Mom! Don’t leave me here!”
My mother stared at me, breathing heavily. I know she was holding back her tears. Her eyes were totally wet.
“Honey… please, stay here. For me” She swiped the tears from her eyes, while I was already fully crying. The next explosion could be heard a few blocks from here, and the earth started to shake. Mother looked behind, then at me, with terror in her eyes. I felt even more scared than ever, “Don’t make a sound”
The next thing I remember is that she slammed the door shut. I went to the corner to cry to myself. I was crying to myself for what felt like hours before I passed out. Looking at me now, I understand: it was dumb. Imagine someone walking in when the child is sleeping. So… vulnerable and pathetic. Yeah, I said that. I was pathetic. But that doesn’t defy the fact that I lost my mother that day
Okay, so, I woke up the next day. Everything was… suspiciously silent. I tried to stand up, but my knee hurt so bad. I understood: it was broken. So, I was stuck down there, without food and water, alone. But I heard something from outside: heavy footsteps… and birds chirping. As soon as the door opened, I saw a “man-mountain”, with a cute grey parrot on its shoulder. He was holding a laser gun, looking around in tense.
“No one’s here?” He said it to someone behind him. After a second he nodded and started to go down. I was scared, I thought he was one of them. Quietly whining, I went to the wall, starting to cry. I still didn’t know what happened to my mother, who was that man, why was he holding a gun? But he kneeled down in front of me, looking straight in the eyes. I was scared, but from his eyes… I saw nothing. Emptiness. Full stone face without a single feeling. Through, his parrot was cute, and was chirping non-stop, sometimes even wanting to get off this man’s shoulder and start to fly.
“Are you okay?” He spread his hand out, in front of me. It looked like he knew I was scared… probably because I was shaking like a leaf.
“Where’s my mom?...” I was whispering from terror. Everything seemed strange and new.
“We don’t know” He said it without a hesitation. He could at least be more tactful! In front of him is a 10 years old girl! Of course I started to cry. He was silently watching, but I could swear his eyes showed sorrow for a brief second.
“Don’t worry” He kneeled fully down, “I’ll help. Welcome to your new home”
***
Now I'm 29 years old. It felt like all my life fighting against Vex. Grant taught me everything: spying, programming, nursing, fighting and many other things, which I mastered… for her. I still believe my mother is alive, but Vex is keeping her somewhere on his base.
My thoughts were interrupted by Grant. It was the man who saved me back then. Oh, how I owe him. He basically saved my life in the world full of Vex’s corruption.
“Amber” He said strictly. The parrot on his shoulder happily squeacked and flew to my shoulder. I smiled and rubbed his beak, “We have a new mission”
“Again? Ugh” I didn’t want to leave the base today, the thought of a cozy and warm bed sounded so attractive after a whole week of working without weekends, “Can I get a weekend?”
“No”
“Okay”
I sighed and went to the other room… where there was another girl. She looked at me, and I looked at her. I wanted to say something, but words got stuck in my throat. I felt trembling…
“Neva…”
I heard nothing. Total ignoring. I was so mad and regretful at the same time. What do I need to do for her to at least say something to me?
