Prologue

When Raimi first saw my work, he called me an angel of death with black wings. I’m Silva and Diablo’s Black Winged Angel, the person who they can always count on. I’ve been called so many things in my life, traitor, hero, sister, friend…

There are people who will try to tell my story, but they don’t understand the reasons. They’ll try to tell you it was my childhood that made me, or that the war’s beginning was my birth. It wasn’t. The beginning of it all was most certainly the mission to the A.L.I. research facility, my last mission. That is, if there was truly a beginning at all.

Chapter 1

"What?" the white haired one shouted. The gunshot that had hit me several seconds before still rang in my ears. I could barely hear him, Markus, yes that was his name, yelling into the dingy corridors. Things were going a little fuzzy and Gabe, the red head was sitting across the hall from me looking like he didn't quite know what had just happened.
"Rachel! Rachel! Can you hear me?!" Markus was now crouched down beside me and had placed his hand on my right shoulder.
"Mark?" I said, "I'm ok, really…" My head was ringing but I could hear better now. I tried to sit up straight and pain seared through my abdomen. My left side had been pierced and I noted the blood on my hand after I touched it.
"This is an ambush set for us. They shouldn't have known we were coming. Let's get you up," Markus said and hauled me to my feet, "Get up Gabe, let's move!" We ran as quickly as we could, through doors, around corners, out the exit, but were caught anyway.

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When I woke up, Gabe was sitting against another wall and Markus was pacing in front of the solid metal door of the cell we'd been thrown into. It was small and the walls were stained with rust and mildew. There was a water bucket in one corner, I was lying on a pallet, and in a far corner, which we were all away from, there was a pit that smelled like hell itself had set up a small stronghold.
"Argh!" Markus hit the door as hard as he could. Gabe looked up at him and then down at me.
"Well, at least they gave me some bandages for Rachel," he said.
"You practically had to beg for them Gabe." Markus replied sadly. I was awake by now and we'd been simply sitting around.
"Thank you, Gabe," I said. I touched my side again and winced.
"They had to use shotgun shells, didn't they?” I attempted to sit up. The boys had graciously given me the pallet and blanket. I fell back panting a few seconds later. It was too early to be trying anything like that. Markus knelt down next to me and pulled the bucket of water to my side.
"Here, Rach. I'll lift you up so you can have some water, alright?"
"Alright, I’m parched." I lifted some water to my lips and it flowed like quicksilver down my throat.
"Well," I said, "It's wet at least, but I could really go for something harder."
Markus and Gabe looked at each other and back at me. Gabe burst into histerical laughter and Markus cracked a smile.
"That's our Rachel!" Markus laughed.

There was heavy banging on our door at the outburst.
"Quiet in there! You don't want to attract attention do you?" the guard's rough voice grated. We went silent quickly. We'd heard what Gaiden had done to prisoners who "drew attention."
"I hope he doesn't separate us," I said, "Have they even fed us since they threw us in here?"
"No," Gabe replied softly, "But they didn't search us for anything either. I guess they figured we couldn't have anything else on us in our tight clothing." I smiled at that. Since Markus had been helping me run, the ones who captured us had simply confiscated anything obvious, mainly our weapons and sent us to a cell. I felt around in my vest and pulled out my comm.
"Raimi should know we've been captured by now, but thank god for stupid guards. See if you can contact him guys, I think I'm falling asleep again." Markus gently set my head back down and took the comm from me. I fell asleep as he dialed Raimi.

“Raimi,” Markus said softly, “We’ve been captured and Rachel’s hurt. What’s your situation?’
“Markus,” Raimi said, “Not good. You guys weren’t the only ones captured today. I don’t understand how they’re able to find us out. It doesn’t look good. You’ll have to wait for us to regroup before we rescue you.”
“Alright, thanks, Raimi.” Markus hung up.
“We have to wait?” Gabe whispered, “That’s fine if we can stay with her.”
“Gabe, why don’t you just tell her how you feel? It would at least help my conscience. It’s kind of hard to keep this from her.”
“I will after we’re rescued, ok? It’s especially hard to confess when we’re in this kind of situation.”

When I woke up the comm was under my hand and the boys were gone. I picked it up and opened it. On the screen there was a note left open.

Rach-
Sorry we're not there. They’ve moved us to a new room and we're to start working in the compound tomorrow morning. Apparently we drew some "attention" to ourselves. Contacted Raimi. A lot of our units have been hit. We'll have to wait for a rescue. After work starts we'll be in a dormitory, have to be more careful. We're worried about you. The guards who moved us were talking. Women prisoners are often made concubines if they're pretty enough. They were saying that you were so gorgeous; you could make "him" throw away his current favorite. You'll probably be moved after he reviews you. Please be careful. You're my sister and well, Gabe doesn't like to admit it, but he loves you. Stay safe, lil' sis.
~Markus

I closed the comm and tucked it back into the lining pocket of the vest, hiding it with my other gadgets. The lights had been turned on and a large flat wooden bowl was pushed through the slot under the door. I rolled carefully onto my stomach and pushed myself up with my hands. I crawled to the food, crude stew and some bread, and tasted it. 'It's food at least,' I thought to myself. There was no spoon, but the stew was thick, I could eat the chunks and soak up the gravy with the bread. 'I wonder how the boys are doing?' I thought as I finished the last of it.

Markus and Gabe had the same thing in their cell, but only Markus was eating.
"You aren't going to eat, Gabe? For all we know they'll put us into a hard labor detail," Markus said, his hand halfway to his mouth. Gabe hadn't touched his stew yet and it seemed unlikely that he was going to.
“I can’t eat, Markus. I keep thinking about what’s going to happen to Rachel once Gaiden sees her,” Gabe replied.
“Do you remember what Raimi called her the first time he saw that assassination on Geduld? He called her an angel of death with black wings. She’ll be fine.” Markus replied, “Besides, I bet Rachel has finished her food by now, and if she’s eating, you should too.”
That thought seemed to stick in Gabe’s mind and he ate his portion thoughtfully.

Chapter 2

Morning came quickly and Rachel was woken abruptly with a bucket of water thrown over her face.
“Up, girl. The master wishes to have a look at you.” The guard was gruff and insect-like, most likely one of the Rikmona from Latsyrt. I rolled over and got up.
“He wishes to see me… Very well, take me to him,” I said. I was escorted into the throne room and forced to my knees in front of the platform. Gaiden sat upon the throne draped with women, presumably concubines. He was in the form of a bird-like lizard, similar to some of the first dinosaurs to have feathers, his left claw rested on the beautiful orange and fuchsia tail of the large peacock-like bird standing on the arm of his couch-throne.
“What is your name, Earth woman?” he croaked.
“My name is known to you, Gaiden of the Black Hand,” I replied haughtily. It was hard to remain regal when I was filthy and injured.
“That voice…” he mused, “You are the snake. I believe you called yourself Eve?”
I nodded, “Yes, I can help you finish off the final vestiges of this childish resistance. Their last base is on Cadis.”
“Hmm…” He seemed to think a moment and then said, ”Until that is confirmed you will become my concubine. You humans intrigue me.” He shifted into the form of a man and admired his hand.
“As you wish, my Emperor. I have a simple request. After you capture the remains of their pitiful force, have a public execution of the two who were with me? I wish to see their looks when they finally understand that I betrayed them,” I said.
“As you wish, Eve,” he replied, “Guard, take her to the hospital wing. When she is healed, take her to the matron of concubines. She will take over from there.”
The guard stepped from the shadows and saluted the throne. Then he turned to me and took my arm gently, “This way Lady Eve.”

XXXXX

Some aspects of modern medicine are simply amazing. They regenerated the damaged tissue and sent me on my way. I’ll be sore for a few days, but the doctor said that they would inform the kitchen to put something in my food to help the healing process. I’ll let you know as soon as I know anything, but make sure you can get here in less than a day.
Godspeed,
Rachel

I sent the message and returned the comm to its place in my vest. The matron had led me to the black calla suite. It was decorated in beautiful shades of purple and red that seemed to mirror my dark hair. My hair is a dark auburn, and my eyes are a deep turquoise green. I was given temporary clothing until my measurements could be taken, but the burgundy cloth was warm, yet cool enough after I stepped out of the bath. My dinner that night was far more exotic than the stew I had had earlier, fruit from Jamma, a wonderfully roasted kita from Hadith, and refreshing mayana wine from Giewat.

XXXXX

“Geeze, they did put us on a hard work detail,” Markus complained as he laid spread eagle on his cot. Gabe walked over to the cots with the night’s stew.
“Here you go Markus,” Gabe said handing the bowl to him, “Prime rib just for you! Actually, I’m worried. They didn’t put us in a dormitory with other laborers, so it seems like we’re slated for execution. How much longer do we have?”
“Well, Raimi says it will take a while to gather a suitable force with all the raids that have decimated our forces. Hopefully we won’t be dead before they get here.”
The ancient fan circled over their heads in the small room. The walls seemed to ooze rust and copper, even some black and red splatters that seemed to be blood from different species. There wasn’t anything in it except for the two welded metal cots, fan, and the high barred window. The cots had thin blankets and flat pillows that weren’t conducive to sleeping at all. They would be woken early in the morning and chained to go out and dig canals with, but away from the other prisoners.

XXXXX

“It’s been two weeks, my Emperor. Do you have word of victory yet? Have we crushed this bastard rebellion?” I asked.
“You will be happy, Eve. I have just received word that we completely wiped out the main base where you said it was. We tried to take as many prisoners as possible, but most wished to fight to the bloody end,” Gaiden told me.
“Typical,” I told him, “We value our causes far too much. We are stubborn and therefore do not embrace this glorious change you are bringing us. I would far rather join you than end up like those fools. Now when shall we execute those sorry excuses for men who were unfortunate enough to be sent with me?”
“Three days hence. The execution will take place when the sun is at its zenith. Is this acceptable to you my dark flower?”
“Quite acceptable,” I crooned, “But now it is late and I wish to retire. Goodnight my Emperor.”
“Good night Lady Eve.”

The conversation took place in Gaiden’s opulent bedchamber. It was covered in light blue silken fabrics, and the walls were hung with Gaiden’s trophy weapons. It was so hard to resist grabbing one and killing him then and there, but I needed Raimi to get here first. As soon as I reached my bedchamber I called Raimi.

“I can’t believe she’s got him at her beck and call,” Raimi said to himself after their conversation, “Right, I’ll just send this message to Markus and Gabe and the final phase will begin.”

A tall lizard like alien loomed over Raimi’s chair.
“So, Raimi, are we finally going to move from this place?” it asked.
“Yes Adrana, we’re going to infiltrate the palace on Krait in three days. We’ll free all of our forces and rescue Markus, Gabe and Rachel. Go and get ready,” Raimi said over the back of his chair.