Anibeli's POV

  Anibeli left in one of the few ships the Viper had, and soon landed planetside. She had brought a small escort of voidsmen down with her, just in case.

  She emerged into a familiar forest. She took a breath, and slowly exhaled. She remembered the smells, the breeze between the trees. The small bird sounds...

  She smiled. Her hand rested on her bolt pistol as she surveyed their surroundings. They had landed in a clearing, and now... she guessed it was time to wait. If Nezekiri saw them, she would find them.

  So, she decided to do the logical thing. She flopped back into the ground, and closed her eyes. Her guards shouted in surprise, and ruched to cover her. Their lasguns trained on the forest around them.

  "MAM, ARE YOU OK?" The Sargent shouted.

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  "Mmmm. Yes. You can put your weapons down, gentlemen. There is little threat here. Well, that's a lie. There is a big one. Buuuuut... Hmph. I suppose we must wait a while. If needed... we will need to relocate."

  The Sargent at arms confirmed anibeli's order. She could tell he was reluctant, but it was the truth. There was nothing here that could harm them besides 1 person. Probably. Maybe.

  She got up, and decided that laying down in a field with 5 people was not secure. She snorted, and decided to wander the forests edge.

  Her guard trailed behind her as she moved. She could hope that Nezekiri would be here, but she knew her erstwhile teacher and friend could be anywhere on this planet. She had landed where she thought she had been, but it had been a long time. Maybe Nezekiri forg-

  Something flew at them from their rear, and it just passed anibeli's head. She hunched, drawing her bolt pistol and turning. Her other hand prepared to draw her power sword.

  "You know, dear child, that a helmet wight have saved you if I decided to throw that deliberately? Oh, but how I failed you, my only friend, for she doesn't know how to wear a helmet." A dark, malevolent mechanical voice said from behind them.

  They turned again, looking into the dark forest in front of themselves. Anibeli's felt a fold, metal hand on her head. It ruffled her hair, and the voice chuckled happily.

  Anibeli turned again, anonf with the rest. A tall mechanical being stood in front of her now, head tilted in curiosity. The hand tilted her head upwards gently, and the being spoke.

  "My friend, how you've grow-"

  One of the voidsmen let out a shout. A mixture of fear and terror, anibeli could tell. He sounded young, she thought, as he pulled the trigger of his lasgun, opening fire on her friend.