The young descended wore a blue denim romper over a long-sleeve shirt. Her blue-green hair was held back in a loose ponytail and she had ear plugs and clear-lens protective glasses. Holding her right palm out, Orine concentrated.
Claws sparking, she jerked her fingers in. There was a puff and an acrid smell, but her palm was empty. Frowning, the girl tried again. She spread her hand, then drew it her fingers in slowly, smoothly pulling in. This time the sparks around her fingers coalesced and grew. Streams of glowing motes drew towards her palm.
Orine slowed her breathing and the swirling, shimmering mass collided into a little burning orb that hovered just above her palm. Eyes widened in joy. "I did it Mommy. All by myself!" Orine yelled, her tail swishing back and forth.
"Good work honey," Merva stood behind her daughter. She wore an old light coat over a red blouse and worn jeans. "Keep your arm pointed in a safe direction."
Smiling, Orine nodded. The range was built for firearms. However, being made of cinderblock walls, an angled metal ceiling, a concrete wall, and a large earthen shooting berm there was little in the way of flammable materials downrange. Targets had to be chosen with an eye for longevity and back-splash. As such a large circular plate of steel was put four meters in front of the young girl.
Only thirty meters long, the range itself was part of a large training complex built into an awkward corner of the Company airbase. Containing a large AC unit, the indoor range was a welcome respite from the cold, and had thick enough berms to allow the use of all but the larges Descended calibers. Near the Naval base the facility was rented out for Marine and Naval detail training and practice. The recon team had reserved several slots on the range and the empty ones were often used for personal training of team members and their families.
Merva glanced back at her mother. Somerset
Careful to keep her palm pointed down range, Orine drew her arm back and gave a quick underhand lob; flicking her fingers apart at the apex. No longer held, momentum carried the flaming orb in a gentle arc. It flew towards the target and clipped the edge, spraying a gout of burning napalm onto the steel circle, the metal stand and the concrete floor.
"I missed," Orine pouted.
"No you hit it. Try again," Merva assured watching the fire. With nothing to burn the fuel from the small sphere was quickly expended.
"But not all of it." Orine held her hand and repeated the gesture.
Watching, Merva made sure of Orine's safety.
Soon the Descended had another fireball and after getting the nod from her mother lobbed it at the target. This time it hit square, splashing green flames over the steel plate.
"Now you got it," Merva cheered.
Holding her right wrist with her left hand, Orine nodded.
Mindful to not look directly over her daughter's sparking hand, Merva got a closer look. "Think you can do it again?"
"Yeah," Orine nodded and released her hand, and formed another fireball.
The process repeated with Orine's generating the orbs with more speed and lobbing them with more reliability. After about a dozen shots, Merva had Orine walk down range with a fire extinguisher and spray down the remaining flames.
Then the target was moved a few paces further back and the two returned to the firing line. This time Orine had to put more energy in concentrating on the delivery part of the drills. Seeing the girl fatigue, Merva pulled her off the line for a second.
"You want to try some moving targets?" she asked.
Orine looked at her palm. "Can we use my 22?"
"Sure thing," Merva patted her on the head. "First make sure your all cooled off."
The young descended slid out her claws, retracted them, then flexed her fingers. She then tapped her palm and then her finger tips. The then looked up to her mother and nodded.
"Good shooting" Erica said walking over to the pair. She put a bright blue-stocked bolt-action twenty two caliber rifle on the shooting bench next to them. "Here you go squirt." She placed a pile of loaded magazines next to the gun, which had its bolt pulled back and action opened.
Orine looked at the weapon and without touching it confirmed its status.
Merva came along side her. "Go ahead."
The little girl picked up the gun, pointed it to the floor and, with her finger alongside and outside of the trigger guard, manually checked that the weapon was unloaded and the status of the action.
"Help me setup the targets," Merva said.
Slinging the little rifle over her shoulder Orine followed her mother. Targets with pastel cartoon woodchucks and ducks were hung from a cable carriage that could move to the right and left across the length of the range. Erica had taken a lane far to the left side and used the opportunity to place a silhouette target on a stationary stand.
After all three returned, Orine took a seat behind the shooting bench and Merva picked up the carriage control. Under her mother's supervision, Orine loaded and began to shoot.
Erica opened a metal case and withdrew a long-barreled revolver.
"Thanks," Erica's cheeks flushed. "I got it for my birthday from Shelia-Mamma."
"Schofield is it?"
"A nice reproduction," Erica picked up the revolver and pulled the top-break release, causing the barrel and cylinder to tip forward. Double, checking her eye and ear protection , she used a speed-loader to drop six 45 caliber long Colt cartridges into the weapon.
Braced under-barrel with her left hand, she raised the frame of the gun snapping it closed. Her elbow went down, and she took a shooting stance. Somerset
Both daughters were shooting in earnest. The younger using her rifle to hit the little moving targets, while the elder used a revolver on a larger more humanoid figure. Their practice continued for a half hour.
Erica switched to a more conventional autoloader. The Browning Hi-Power centennial was her Mother's personal weapon but after nearly ten years of use it had been given to Erica as a birthday present. Orine continued with her 22. Though the range was periodically to change targets.
Eventually the two girls finished up and began to pack away their weapons. Merva continued her close watch, while Somerset
"Getting better," Erica smiled looking over her shoulder. "Now if you could only learn to throw better."
Orine pouted. She turned to Somerset
"Well it can't be an emergency," Merva said.
"Yes," Erica finished marking the date and number of shots fired on her target and folded it up. " If something was wrong we'd be hearing the explosions."
Merva coughed. "Yes, that's true."
"Well, I've got some practice I need to do." Somerset
"I suppose so. I did bring my rifle." Merva shrugged going to her bag.
"It's a shame Shelia wasn't here for this," Somerset
Merva eyed the weapon. In many ways she preferred the Descended Navy's Korian gun. It was a more primitive weapon which made it easier to repair, even if it was slightly less reliable than the IDR. Though the IDR7 was itself a gross compromise. Merva would have preferred something even lighter. While the WX17 was a fast round, it was still slower than compared to modern human cartridges, and even that speed came at the expense of extremely high chamber pressures.
"Merva? Are you listening?" Somerset
Merva's expression clouded. "Work's getting busy for her."
"That is how it goes. It's tough working and having kids."
The shorter Descended held her tongue.
"Is something wrong?"
"No Mother, when are Catalina and Sandra coming? I told Orine they'd be here."
"I believe they're with that Norton fellow," Somerset
"Odd that he'd hold back, I mean he bothered Shelia after work." Merva shook her head. "Rude man. What about Kelly and Noravi? At least they told me they weren't coming."
"Good for them," Merva nodded.
Erica smirked. "Oooh?"
"Don't you get any ideas." Merva narrowed her eyes. "You're too young."
"But Moooom," Erica whined, her tail limply drooping.
"Don't make me pull you out of your study group." Merva crossed her arms. "Maybe we were a bit hasty with giving you that much independence."
Erica grumbled. "No mother."
Orine tugged at Merva's jacket. "Can I go?"
"I'll take her," Erica offered, bowing her head. "I have to as well."
Merva's eyes darted to the empty holster at the small of Erica's back.
"Right. Sorry." Erica went back to her range bag, made her Hi-Power ready, and dropped it into place. Leaving her eye protection on, she pulled her ear protection off and let them hang around her neck. After adjusting her blouse, she took Orine's hand and lead her off the range.
"You only told her to carry because I was here." Somerset
"We're on a Company base." Merva exhaled. "Still... it's not a bad idea."
"Yes," Merva had to keep herself from rolling her eyes. "And it's not like the second we got old enough to start working that we didn't go off and hook up with a Sein, a Catholic, and a baby broodling who still had her human teeth."
Merva sighed.
"Though I admit I'd be quite biased towards Kelly."
"Though I admit I'd be quite biased towards Kelly."
"That's not what I meant."
"What then?"
"I'm just annoyed at your disapproval of my and Shelia's parenting."
Merva growled.
"No, it's not fair, but you know I don't have a problem."
The younger mother sighed. "So I should be happy you're being passive aggressive instead of just aggressive?"
"Yes, yes you should." Somerset
"Yes, it's just..." Merva shrugged. "I feel like I'm still in my 20's whenever you come back. We don't even have our on place when you're in town."
"Would you want us to move out?" Somerset
"No, no." Merva let her wings fold over her shoulders. "I like having you around, and the girls love having you and their aunts so close. It's just such a shift, and I know it won't last. That you'll all be going back out on another mission soon enough. That somehow makes it worse."
Closing her eyes, Merva purred and enjoyed a few seconds of her mother's warmth. Then she raised her wings and pushed out of her mother's embrace. Merva nodded at the older Descended. "Thank you."
"I'm sorry if I come on too strong." Somerset
"I know, Mother. I used to be out there too." Coming off her blissful feelings, Merva's voice sharpened.
"I'm well aware of that," Somerset
The door opened and both Descended turned, expecting Orine and Erica. Instead two other women came in followed by someone else.
"Look who we found." Sandra stepped into the range. She shouldered her massive grenade launcher. Catalina was at her heel, her carbine appearing puny in comparison. Spare giant box magazines for her mate's weapon were hung from the reinforced webbing of her vest.
Behind both of them was the sparse form of Gabriel Norton. He wore work-boots, with bloused-brown pants, and a light outer shirt flung over a T shirt. His clothes were plain. Some tell-tail budges at his hips and the way he carried himself gave the impression of a more freelance style of contractor. He pulled out his silver computer and paused the recording function.
"Hi. I'm sure you've heard of me." He bowed his head to the assembled Descended.
Norton coughed. "I've stopped logging, but I'd like to restart with your permission." He looked at the two women already in the range.
He noticed their tails. Their tails were held straight down with the spade-shaped ends curled in. "If this is a bad time, I can excuse myself."
Merva cut her off. "No, there's no problem."
"So, can I start recording?" Norton asked.
"I do wonder what's taking my daughters so long," Merva muttered.
"Oh, they're getting a snack at the vending machines just outside the training center," Catalina said.
Merva's face clouded. "I didn't tell Erica that was okay."
"Relax, big sis, I told them it was okay," Catalina assured.
"Ah, I see," Merva hissed.
Norton stepped back and wondered if he should slip away. He knew when there was nothing he could do that would not exacerbate a situation.
"What? They seemed so cute and thirsty," Catalina's eyes went to her family.
"Of course they seemed cute, that's what children do." Merva shook her head. "You shouldn't have done that.
"Whatever, if it was a real crisis you'd be running out after them instead of chewing me out."
"Oh?" Giving something like a smile, Merva pulled her lips back revealing her teeth.
"You two going to fight?" Sandra cheered. "You haven't done that in years."
Catalina looked up at the taller Descended. "I think I can take her."
"I don't think this is the right time, Squirt." Merva smirked.
"I agree," Somerset
"Ah, yes," Norton coughed and pressed the record button on his device. He then made sure it was taking active video take from his glasses cameras.
"Don't mind us, just a little family spat." Merva bowed her head.
Catalina followed with the same gesture.
"No problem, seems pretty minor and all," Norton coughed.
"Yes, because there wasn't any blood spilled, no?" Sandra asked.
"Well, yeah." Norton looked around the range. "I have served with Descended and spent a bit of time in the Motherworld. I know how passionate you can get."
The Sein smirked.
"Passionate, nice euphemism," Merva muttered.
"My, the Seven Series?" Norton asked looking at Somerset
"Heavy brutes," Norton noted. Made from a solid steel alloy CNC-milled receiver the Individual Descended Rifle Seven was a heavy bullpup carbine. It was a robust, reinforced weapon that despite its mass and bulk had roughly the same form factor as an FN P90, albeit one that weighted over ten kilograms empty. Aside from the much larger caliber and much stronger frame, the biggest difference was the magazine location. Instead of a top mounted horizontal magazine, the IDR7 used a more conventional curved vertical magazine, albeit one that was inserted towards the butt of the bullpup weapon.
"The close quarters Descended with us back on Argos
Catalina nodded.
"Those had a problem on the bolt carrier wearing out quicker right?" Sandra asked stripping down her IDR7
"And they were two kilos heavier, big difference," Merva added.
"Yup, better alloys in this one," Somerset
"May I?" Norton asked.
Sandra gave a toothy grin. "Because we'd have to make sure your little camera gets a gooood angle."
"Please, I used a Zell fifty cal back in service." Norton laughed. "Though that had a full length barrel."
"These guns have a good forty centimeters of barrel." Catalina defended.
"About the same length as mine," Sandra smirked.
"I'm not even asking to fire that monster," Norton laughed.
"The R7 is still heavier than you think." Despite Somerset
Norton shouldered the weapon and his muscles held for now. "Yeah, it's a damn beast. My Zell was just 8 kilos."
Despite being too heavy for a human to carry for any length of time, the gun fit him. If anything it was a bit too small, as it was built for a person with a short frame and arms, and slenderer if longer hands. It was a gun designed for and partially by Descended. Norton had to take it down and pop the stock out a couple notches.
The weapon took several design features from Descended philosophy. The grips were high-temperature reinforced polymers which retarded melting and crushing. The trigger guard was oversized to let in fingers that had partially exposed claws. The gun also proofed against failure after being fully submerged or used as a club.
"It's not even loaded," Catalina chortled.
"I know, a magazine can add whole extra five kilos," Norton shook his head. "Damn beast."
The cartridge was also based on one of Descended make. It was the reason for the weapon's seemingly excessive strength and weight. It fired the oversize, but stubby cased 17 by 65 mm WX17 cartridge, which was a down-scaling of the Descended 19.2 mm Naval Rifle Case. The NRC was used in the Korian gun. Designed for anti-boarding and urban roles, Korian was essentially a short, stubby but rifled auto-loading shotgun. Functionally, the IDR7 was a lighter and more accurate version of the Korian.
Norton handed the gun back to Somerset
"Man alive, makes me glad we're using the IHR5 now."
"Personally, I liked that gun," Merva said. "Very handy."
IHR5 was the much lighter "sister" version designed for humans that fired the far more manageable 9.34 X 51mm USEA9 a derivative of the old 7.62x51mm Nato.
"The weight's not that bad," Somerset
"And the extra weight does help with the recoil. That's why I'm not worried about shooting it."
"Not complaining about the firepower?" Catalina asked.
Norton snorted. "It's not like these things are designed against people."
"Not that they're not extremely effective when used against 'em," Cradling her giant gun, Sandra giggled.
"Maker golems are tough bastards," Catalina said.
"After you guys rebelled, they went in the opposite direction when it came to making soldiers and servants," Norton said.
"Obedient-minded, easily programmable armored brutes without any reproductive capability," Merva shivered in revulsion.
"Still, that seems really expensive. The nice thing about organics is that making more is pretty cheap," Norton said.
"They felt that the cost of having to build all their new troops in the lab was worth the added security of making it impossible for any rebellion to easily replenish their ranks. Not that they have enough free will to really rebel, but after loosing their homeworld the bastards got pretty paranoid," Somerset explained. "And thus they went with a smaller more individually powerful, but less independent force."
"Hence the heavy weapons," Norton said.
"Yes," Somerset
"What about Noravi's Barrett? That gun was designed for humans to use, and it's the biggest we have." Catalina asked smirking at Sandra.
Sandra bristled. "It's only 25mm grenade, mine's 40mm."
"But it's got further range," Catalina stuck out her tongue.
"And Pete's Little Lapua had Norvari beat on that."
Norton blinked in memory, then blinked to go through his encyclopedia. "Barrett M109 that's an old design?"
"Still works," Somerset
"Shame it's not here." Catalina brightened. "I guess we'll have to let him shoot Sandi's gun as a consolation."
"Hey, I'm not even asking to use Sandra's nightmare," Norton defended.
"That's good," Somerset
"There's some back in armory," Sandra said.
Catalina smiled devilishly. "Oh, we could run out and get some."
"No, no there's no need," Norton waved his hands.
"I think we could dig up a Korian."
"I don't want anything that'll break my shoulder," Norton almost whined.
"I don't want anything that'll break my shoulder," Norton almost whined.
"Please, you put my baby on it's bipod and it'll be fine," Sandra said.
"It's moot," Merva said. "This range isn't rated for it."
The door opened and Erica and Orine stepped in. The older Descended carried a small pita between her hands, while Orine had a large plastic cup of lemonade.
"There you two are," Merva walked over to them and put her hand on the shoulder of each and drew them in.
Orine squealed happily; Erica blinked in confusion. "Something wrong, Mom?"
"You went out to get food?"
"I was hungry," Erica pouted. "And Auntie Cat said it was okay."
Merva released them. "Yes, that she did."
"Should I have called?" Erica asked before taking a bite from her garlash.
The long-haired Descended pointedly avoided looking at her mother. "No, you weren't gone that long, and you did tell someone in the brood." Merva shrugged.
"Ah, right." Erica looked around. She raised an eyebrow at the human. "And you are?"
Norton paused at the young woman's gaze. "I'm Gabriel Norton; I'm a reporter."
Erica growled under her breath.
"No, he's harmless," Sandra smirked at the human letting a fang slip out.
"Well, he's not a total wuss, so he's got that going for him," Catalina added.
"You're not going to let this grenade thing go are you?" Norton asked.
Sandra shook her head. "Never."
Erica looked over the man. She then glanced to her mother. "Ah... we'll be over here cleaning our guns." Careful not to spill, she grabbed Orine's wrist and gave the girl a little tug.
"I don't wanna clean now," Orine whined, looking to her mother.
"It's better to do it now," Merva nodded. She then caught Erica's eye and gave her a conspiratorial smile.
"Cute kids," Norton said.
"They're broodlings, of course they're cute," Sandra smirked.
"Well, yes," Norton coughed. "So, how long have you been working for the Company?"
Catalina rolled her eyes. "Damn, you had to start asking questions."
"We've been doing it a while." Somerset
"That's after the UN ban on nonhuman soldiers was fully subverted. Did you consider joining a state military unit?" Norton asked.
"Not really. Washrin, my late mate, and I had already worked for the Company, and they've got better benefits and policies."
"The US Army has made considerable allowances for certain Light Infantry units," Norton said.
"Probably." Somerset
Norton laughed. "So really you'd go for the Imperial Navy?"
Norton turned to Merva. "You're not a US
"I could get US
"What citizenship are you?" Norton asked.
"We were raised on Versun continent So we're technically all Second Colony citizens." Merva shrugged.
"Not me," Sandra smirked. " Sinta peninsula born and raised."
Norton turned to the bronze-skinned Descended. "Have you had any issues at work being a minority?"
"Eh," Sandra blinked. "There's not that many Descended in the company, and most of you monkeys think we all look alike."
"You're saying we can't look past the horns and tails?" Norton asked.
"That and most of you don't even realize that it matters."
"To be fair, hair color and eye color don't make a big difference in Descended society," Merva added.
"I dunno; most Restorationists have got that weird silver hair and gold eye thing going," Sandra shrugged and put her grenade launcher down. The weight finally getting to her.
"So if the humans don't notice, what about other Descended? Are there more ore less... issues out here than on the Motherworld?" Norton asked.
Sandra rubbed her chin. "Well there is a Sein community here. It's small, but enough for a temple and our own Regira. I dunno I guess we get along well enough with the Catholics."
"Really?"
"Yeah, but it's more of a big sister little sister thing." Sandra coughed.
"Problems?"
"Well, the Cathedral of Stone's got a huge flock. Quite a few Descended and even more humans from the Brazilian neighborhood. Of course they get patronized by their 'big sister' church, the original Cathedral of Stone in Canela."
"That's the church Shelia goes to?"
Merva nodded. "They've got a pretty good service. If a bit long."
"Are there any issues with being cross religion?" Norton asked, he looked to Catalina. "This one's for you too."
Merva glared. She exhaled and let her expression softened.
Catalina crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Really?"
Sandra pulled her mate close and so she leaned on the taller Sein. "He is a reporter, Dear. They often have little tact and no sense."
"Yeah, pretty much a Festival Fire and Summer Sacrifice family," Catalina groused.
"Hey, it's a cute ritual. Burning all of you regrets in the winter solstice and scattering all of your accomplishments into the ocean at the summer solstice," Sandra said.
"Which is why you Sein copied it and made it a part of your mating ritual," Catalina stuck out her tongue and squeezed Sandra's side.
Sandra laughed. "You didn't seem to mind it."
Looking at their tails, Norton coughed. They were freely moving back and forth and had a lazy curl at their ends. Though Somerset
However, Norton did not want to continue antagonizing the situation. He cleared his throat again. "It must be nice for you to be back home."
"Yes, it is nice having them over," Merva said, straight-faced.
"Did you come back for current work or are you on a bit of R&R?"
Studying the human with his leading question, Somerset
"Well, I might have some extra info." Norton nodded. He held out a card, by the corner and made sure not to touch Somerset
"Oh? Inside track info?" Sandra asked.
"Something like that. You might want to ask Lieutenant Vojtech first," Norton demurred.
Pocketing the card, Somerset
Norton coughed again. "As a Recon Team you're also fighting with, I mean, alongside humans. What are the major issues with that?"
"Logistics." Somerset
"Which is a problem for larger integrated units," Norton nodded.
"You can always have a Descended use human-grade equipment but that takes a bunch of our advantages off the table." Sandra affectionately patted her gun.
"Well only light infantry and similar," Merva stated. "For support, maintenance, and mechanized roles Descended and humans are pretty much the same."
"Not to mention that in submarines we're actually at a disadvantage since we need more oxygen than you do," Sandra added.
"They can't fly," Catalina said. "Helicopter insertions are a lot slower, and those flight packs they used to make have horrible thermals, dismal range, and make way too much noise"
"Yeah, we called them Disaster Backpacks in the 82nd." Norton gave something that was almost a laugh.
Sandra laughed. "You actually used those stupid things?"
Norton gave a slow nod. He paused in though, then rolled a hand over in defeat. "Back on Argos
The Descended looked at him in silence. Somerset
"We got the objective at least." Norton offered scratching his elbow.
"Please tell me you weren't lugging that fifty caliber Zell while strapped into one of those rocket packs."
Norton gave a weak smile and rubbed his forehead.
Sandra blinked. "Are you sure you don't want to fire my baby?"
"Yeah," Catalina nodded. "It seems totally your speed."
Norton gave a weak grin. "There's a reason I retired."
"Really? Modern regeneratives can do wonders for you humans," Somerset
"Yeah..." Norton shrugged. "Is the Company really accepting of Faustian Insurance?"
"Of course. My daughter Kelly was taken in three years ago, and the Company's been a great help with her and getting everything set up."
"And the rest of the team?"
Catalina leaned back. "Well they teased her a bit, but it's be more worrying if they didn't."
"I think they're more relieved to actually see it happen," Sandra added.
"It did make Coriana less nervous about the whole thing."
"And it made Noravi very happy," Merva laughed.
"That's good," Norton made a note on his HUD for when he talked with the human half of the team. "So, would you feel better in an all Descended unit?"
Norton paused. "Really? Why not bring in another brood to work with?"
Sandra laughed. "You've seen how much we fight. Just imagine us working that closely another brood."
"Well, I'm sure after the inevitable fight the victor would blend those that remain into a single brood," Merva said.
"Yes, family by attrition," Somerset
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