(The story is starting to wrap up! One more chapter to go, thanks for being patient, I never intended it to be a year long event, this was supposed to be a quick story…didn’t turn out that way. However, D.X has something amazing in store, as a spiritual successor to this, and I have a bit of a fun one shot planned for after as well…so keep your eye to the sky, more to come! Thanks to D.X for editing)

“You didn’t have to do this, you know,” Darren said, riding shoulder, or “shotgun,” as he casually referred to it.

Rixie Tam took slow, painstaking steps as she walked with the platoon of recruits at her feet, who were marching Quick Step March to keep the parade’s progression somewhat tolerable to their Titan “prisoner.”

“Yes I did.” Rixie replied. “I gave my word. They earned this.” Rixie was competitive, but she was a good sport; the recruits deserved their chance to parade her into town. So she marched with her arms behind her back, as there were no ropes thick enough to properly keep her detained, and also because she could misstep and be unable to catch herself, which would be bad for her, and somewhat worse for the recruits.

“Can I change my mind!? I think I’ve changed my mind, can I come down now?” Adoni Raptis shouted. “This is awfully high, is this safe? This can’t be at all safe!” She clung to the fabric of Rixie’s uniform for dear life, riding on the opposite shoulder from Darren, who laughed.

“What’s the matter Recruit? Can’t keep possession of your detainee? We wouldn’t want her to escape, would we?” Darren teased, clearly more laid back then Raptis.

“Oh, come on! I’m hardly keeping her detained as is, this is just torture is what it is!” The recruit whined, keeping her eyes tightly shut.

“They don’t do well the first time, do they?” Darren asked Rixie, who was trying to keep a straight face.

“Did you?” Rixie asked, smugly.

“I did fine.” Darren grunted.

“That’s not what Eyrn said.” Rixie grinned.

“Oh, and what did she say? How did the Epistratichos do his first time?” Adoni asked, gathering just enough bravado to open her eyes. She was only riding “shotgun” because her collogues felt it was a fitting reward for having hatched the plan that won them the day.

“That’s classified information, Barti-Beckchi Raptis!” Darren barked.

“He wet himself, if I remember the story correctly.” Rixie said, with a polite smile.

“Traitor.” Darren sighed.

“Well, my pants are still dry, all things considered, I’m doing well!” Adoni was too nervous to laugh, but she did smile.

“Your career may lay on your ability to keep this a secret, Raptis.” Darren groused.

“Ignore him, you’re doing fine. And I can set you down if you prefer,” Rixie said, gently.

“No…no I’m okay.” Adoni feigned a smile, and peeked down. She quickly regretted that decision, and pressed her eyes shut tightly. “Just not gonna do that again…”

From the ground, Palemst Jorenton led the march, with Barti-Beckchi Eliud Yilmas marching close behind. Adoni had been responsible for the plan, but had relied on Eliud for most of the technical knowhow. The young recruit had proven his mettle on the field, and had no small share of the victory…though the bravado he had shown during the war games was sharply dented by the captive titan, whose footfalls shook the ground they marched upon.

“I can’t even see them up there.” Eliud said to the senior noncom, who didn’t break protocol to look back and confirm the recruit’s observation.

“Best if you keep your eyes forward, the vertigo will make your stomach turn if you keep staring.” Jorenton had been around titans more than most of the others, and he knew that staring was rarely a good idea.

Eliud took one last look, and then picked up speed to keep up with the Palemst. A titan marching less than a stadion behind you was excellent reason to keep pace.

Meanwhile, at the vertiginous height of Rixie’s shoulder, an expert on combat tactics began a conversation.

“I’d like to sit down and discuss what happened out there in the field, Barti-Beckchi Raptis. That was a brilliant strategy.” Taking care to keep her shoulders square, Rixie turned her head just a bit to look at Adoni, who was starting to show fewer signs of distress.

Adoni blushed. “Thank you, ma’am, but I feel like we got a bit lucky, to be honest.”

“Don’t be modest, soldier,” Rixie said. “Not about that. Modesty is for many places, but never on the battle field. When you’re good, know it, and use it. Like you did.”

Adoni nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

“I have a question, soldier, and I want an honest answer. You have permission to speak freely.” Rixie’s rhythm of step, pause, pause, step, pause, pause, pause, took a fair bit of concentration, especially without the use of her hands, but what attention she had to spare was solely fixed on Adoni Raptis.

“Yes, ma’am.” Adoni nodded, dutifully.

Rixie shook her head. “This isn’t so much an order as a request.” Rixie smiled. “Barti-Bekchi Raptis…why do you think it’s important to learn to fight titans, to defend Avalon, yourselves?”

Adoni furrowed her brow, and for a moment, forgot she was so high in the air. That was a difficult question, especially coming from a Titan. “Well,” Adoni swallowed, “I imagine, it’s because…well…I….”

“Barti-Beckchi, like I said – be honest. You aren’t going to hurt my feelings.” Rixie said.

Adoni nodded; it was easier said than done, Adoni wondered if the Hypostratichos understood how intimidating she was, especially given Adoni’s perilous resting place. “Because we have to, I guess. We have to stand on our own feet. It would be easy to rely on the God…I mean, Lady Tarsus to protect us. She still is, I mean, you’re here because of her, and I know she’ll keep doing it. But we can’t leave it up to her, or you. If this is our world…it’s our job to defend it, ma’am. If this is our home, it’s our duty to keep it safe.”

If Rixie was pleased, or displeased by Adoni’s response, she gave no hint, her expression was steadfast and stern. “Do you think we’re terrible? Titans I mean…as a species.”

Adoni was quiet for a while, she looked down, which of course was still a terrible idea, and quickly reacted by tightening her grip on Rixie’s clothes. Once calm, she looked to the titan once more. “Honestly, ma’am, I don’t know. Some are, I guess – the one who attacked the city was, I know. But there were pretty bad humans doing things back then, they weren’t any better. What I’ve seen…I think some of you are good and some of you are bad. Like us.”

“What about us, Pryvani, Taron, Brinn…myself…are you angry at us?” Rixie narrowed her eyes.

“I…me? No.” Adoni shrugged. “Some people are, I suppose. They’re mostly mad about Lady Tarsuss lying, I think, and I understand that…and it takes time to get over that, I guess.”

Rixie shook her head, gently. “I suppose.”

Adoni looked forward. “Is this about Ourania?”

“Soldier, you aren’t paid to speculate,” Darren said.

“It’s okay, Darren. She said some things…and they did get me thinking.” Rixie admitted, her tone lowered.

“Ourania shot you, ma’am.”

“I am aware of that,” Rixie said, with just the hint of a smile.

“Ma’am…you asked if Titans are bad. Well, some are. And some…some who may not be bad, exactly, aren’t perfect. They’ve made some terrible mistakes. And I know there are a lot of people who think like Ourania, who would just as soon see Tayas Mons abandoned, and all Titans leave Avalon for good.” Adoni admitted, honestly. “I don’t think that would be a very good idea, even if they were right about you. We aren’t ready to defend ourselves. Not yet.”

“But you will be.”

Adoni nodded. “Oh, I’ve no doubt one day, we will have that ability. Were smarter…I mean…we’re more than the Empire gives us credit for. But right now?” Adoni shook her head. “We had enough trouble taking you down, and you were unarmed.”

“The question is,” Darren interjected, “when the time comes that we can stand on our own, should we?”

Adoni gave a very slight smile. “Sir, I believe that decision is made above my pay grade.”

“Good to see you paying attention, soldier, but you’re a citizen, too. What do you think?”

“I don’t know, sir. Ma’am,” she added. “Personally…I don’t think that all titans are bad, and I think the ones who’ve made mistakes…well, I don’t know a human who hasn’t. But I think to really be able to decide…we have to be able to face up to the titans on their level. Not, you know, this height. But to be as much people as you, and strong enough to defend ourselves, whether you help or not.”

“But, how can we accomplish that? It’s futile, isn’t it?” Darren said, though his tone suggested he was playing the role of Devil’s advocate.

“I don’t think it is.” Adoni said, shouting across to Darren.

“Oh?” Darren smiled.

“Well, we just have to be smart about it. Titans are big, and we spent a long time believing they were gods…but we know better. Humans are animals, sir. And from everything I can see, Titans are animals too. The way that a sparrow and a hawk are both birds. One’s bigger than the other, but they both have wings. Ourania may be a dhugtor mo taz ekwoz, but we saw it ourselves today – titans bleed red. And if they can bleed, they are bound to have real vulnerabilities. We just need to educate ourselves, sir. Sir, is there someone who studies titan physiology, titan psychology? Do we know how they think, what motivates them, how to negotiate with them, or…if need be, how to repel them?”

Rixie peered down sideways at Adoni. She had been impressed before. She was astounded now. “You sound as if you have an idea?”

Adoni shifted uncomfortably. “Not just me…a few of us were talking, after we took you down…and…well…there must be medical information on Titan anatomy on Tayas Mons…if we could have access to that information…I understand why you might not want to share it. But it would allow us to look for weaknesses, for ways to attack that would be effective. We’ll never be stronger than you, ma’am. We have to be smarter.”

Rixie grinned. “Now you’re on the right track, Raptis! I’ll make the arrangements, and Pryvani will give you access to everything you’re looking for. I don’t know if you believe me, but we want you to be able to stand up to us. Soldier, we are going to have quite a lot to discuss, and there are few people who’ll definitely want to meet you. I think they’ll be able to help you.”

“Help me?” Adoni tiled her head to the side.

“Sure, you’ll need help if you’re going to build up a group of giant-slayers.” Rixie grinned.

“Adoni and the Giant-Slayers…that has a ring to it.” Darren laughed.

Adoni blushed, all of this praise, she really didn’t feel she deserved any of it. “Everyone helped, I only came up with the plan…you two are giving me too much credit.”

“Like I said, when you’re good at something, know it, and use it. You did something no Avalonaean has been able to do. Frak, you did something most titans can’t do, and I’m not just saying that.” Rixie grinned; modesty wasn’t her thing either.

Adoni nodded. “I’m proud of it, but I still don’t know what….”

It clicked. “Jack. The Giant Killer.”

Darren shifted his weight and searched his pocket for a cigar. “You’ve got a good memory, soldier.”

“I’ll smoke you myself if you light up, that shit smells.” Rixie frowned as Darren pulled it out.

Darren soured his face and stuck the smoke back in his pocket. “I’ve been thinking of assembling a team, soldier. And I was wondering….”

“Darren…do you see that up ahead?” Rixie interrupted, and came to an abrupt stop.

“Aw, come on, Trix, I was just getting to the dramatic part where I offer her the job of a lifetime. And I dunno, you got better eyes than me at distance…is that what I think it is?” Darren stood, leaning forward, with his hand over his brow to help extend his vision.

Rixie turned to look forward, and squinted against the sun. “Who’s that? That’s not Myona…she’s still at Camp Georgia…”

Darren shrugged. “Scheduled Maintenance? Aren’t Doc Crusher and her crew off with Twit?”

Rixie nodded. There were no scheduled visits to Avalon, none but hers. She looked to Darren with concern. “Should I?”

Darren shook his head. “No, whom ever it is, just seems to be…sitting there…no need to cause alarm by running over there.” Darren looked down. “Do me a favor, Trixie, shout down to Jorenton, set pace Double March. Let’s not keep our guest waiting.”

***

Kymie stood as still as she could; her eyes fixed downward, as if she was studying with great interest her own shoes. Beside her Hypostratichos Tam stood, just as quiet, as they both listened, as best they could to the two tiny humans discussing the events as they had unfolded, at their feet.

“So,” Rixie whispered, breaking the silence between them, “how did they manage to detain you?” The taller titan asked, keeping her eyes downcast, as Darren and Lysis talked.

“Oh, they were really polite about it, they asked nicely and everything.” Kymie was still nervous; though Hypostratichos Tam has assured her she had nothing to worry about.

Rixie digested that tiny bit of information for a moment, and then snickered.

Kymie didn’t ask what brought that sort of response up, but she did peek over to Rixie, begging the question silently.

“Oh…it’s nothing…well…just that, I’ve spent the better part of a day and a night playing war games with the new recruits, and they never once thought to try that, ironically enough.”

Had Kymie’s stress level not been absurdly high, it is quite possible she may have found that amusing as well, but her attention, as it were, was back on the two humans, discussing her fate, at her feet.

“She didn’t really…do anything, I guess. I was just detaining her until somebody could escort her back to Tayas Mons.” Lysis paced back and forth for a moment, then abruptly stopped in front of Darren, pulling the Cigar he had been nursing, form his mouth, and stomped it out, without saying a word more about it.

“Naw, you did the right thing.” Darren looked up to the two titans, then back to Lysis. “But, you’re lucky she was who she was, this one’s about as likely to give you trouble, as a dodo is to fly.” Darren eyed his mashed Cigar with regret, and then adjusted his posture. “What about the one she came for? Any word on him?”

“Detained for assaulting a Tube operator, attempted trespassing, and resisting arrest.” Lysis replied, eyeing Darren for a hint of what the correct course of action to take on this was.

“He isn’t a citizen, we don’t have to detain him…not even sure we have that right.” Darren suggested, though not wholly convinced of his own words.

“Wouldn’t set a very good president if we just let imperials walk, whenever they broke our laws, it’s already a tense situation, that won’t do much to settle things down.” Lysis argued.

Darren really wished he still had his cigar, his hands fidgeted idly, as he looked back to Kymie. “You want to tell her she can’t have her friend back, I’m not sure even this one would take that news well.”

Lysis’ eyes narrowed. “I arrested her, Epistratichos, YOU can break the bad news to her, as far as I’m concerned.”

Darren winced. “Well, let’s think about this clearly. What message would it sent, if we went around detaining imperials, there has to be a way we can save face, and offer an olive branch at the same time. A compromise….”

“What did you have in mind?” Lysis stepped forward, beside her husband, though her clothes were loose, it was just starting to get to the point where hiding her pregnancy was becoming difficult.

“He’s an Engineer, right?” Darren said, thoughtfully.

“Came with her, to help the other two…who were with you out at George, they were permitted access to the city to test a new portable holographic emitter, with a longer shelf life. Things got a bit out of control, and they were separated, says he was robbed, tried to get back to Tayas Mons, and that’s when the altercation occurred.

Darren nodded. “Kymie?” Darren shouted to the looming titan.

“Yes?” Kymie replied, quickly.

Darren waited for her to either crouch down, or offer him a lift up, when she did neither, he sighed and motioned for her to come closer, which did she, quickly, nervously, the titan crouched down, closer to Darren’s level.

“You’re a Physicist?”

“A student, sort of…I’m working under Dr’s Bass and Freeman, at the University of Tanhauser Gate…yes….”

“Your friend….”

“Dhanyalle…is he ok?” Kymie interrupted.

“He’s fine…Dhan…he’s an engineer?” Darren asked, thoughtfully.

“Sort of? He’s never had any sort of formal education, but he is quite adept when it comes to building things, and is as skilled as any titan engineer at the university. He is very dexterous with machines, he just…understands how things work, and can assemble, or disassemble almost anything.” Kymie would have gone on, but Darren looked impatient.

“So…yes?”

Kymie nodded.

Darren thought over this information for a moment. “Alright, now, you’re an imperial citizen, and he I assume is your possession?”

“No, he belongs to Dr. Kharee Selil…but…he isn’t a pet…if that is what you’re asking…I…she doesn’t…we don’t…”

Darren chuckled. “I myself am the property of a one Aisell Maris of Orion Provence; you don’t have to explain anything to me.” Darren’s posture loosened. “I think the three of us can work something out, right? Community service? There are no shortage of work to be done around here that we could defiantly use an engineer and a physics to solve. I understand, you are both in the employment of the Lady Tarsus, but when you’re finished, perhaps you would both be willing to work off your dept?”

Kymie nodded enthusiastically. “I’m sure I could get him to agree to that! Can…can I see him?” Kymie asked, anxiously.

Darren nodded. “Lysis will arrange his release.”

Kymie felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulder. “Oh…there is one more…teeny little problem…”

Darren spoke through his teeth. “What would that be?”

“Well..it’s a small matter of the holo emitter…that we came with.”

“Right…don’t you have it?”

Kymie shook her head. “But I know who does!”

Darren looked to Lysis. “I think we can get it back then.”

Lysis nodded.

“And the man who has it…he was really helpful…could I meet him, in person I mean?” Kymie asked, softly.

Darren shrugged. “I don’t see why not?”

“He was really helpful, and I’m positive it would make his day.”

Darren took a controlled breath. “Anything else?”

Kymie shook he head.

“Tell Lysis where she can find this fellow, and she’ll work on it.” Darren turned to face Rixie. “Trix, you can get her back to Tayas Mons then?”

“I think I know the way.” Rixie said, sarcastically.

“Good, Stratichos, you good with all this?” Darren asked.

“I think so.” Lysis nodded.

Darren looked to Kymie. “No more trespassing?”
Kymie nodded.

Darren made a motion dusting his hands off. “Then I think were done here. Stratichos, can you secure Dhan’s release, and send somebody to find this mystery man Miss Abaforad is looking for?”

Lysis nodded.

“Kymie, if you’ll be so kind as to head back to Tayas Mons, and trust us to deliver everything we promised, you’ll have everything you seek as soon as we can get it to you.”

Kymie smiled, then looked up to Rixie.

“Shall we be off?” Hypostratichos Tam smiled.

“Ok.” Kymie stood, as Rixie turned to escort her back to the mountain, Kymie stopped and looked back to Darren and Lysis. “Thank…you both.”

“Go on; get out of here…before I change my mind.” Darren grumbled.