Adra Nan-Tar had reddish, white stripped fur. She was running down the streets of the city, on her way to the Academy. She was evidently late, her anxiety was off the charts.

  Damien, in a visually identical body to Adra’s, emerged from his hiding place within a nearby bush. He materialized a uniform, one worn by the Academy’s faculty. He cleared his throat and approached the guard.

  The guard took note of Damien, his uniform, and the insignia on his left breast. He strengthened.

  “Esteemed professor.” The guard said by way of greeting, holding Hiri by the arm, ready to deliver swift punishment.

  “Greetings. What might you be doing with my student?” Damien said in Adra’s voice.

  The guard’s ear quirked. “He has been caught outside during class.”

  “I am aware. I asked Mister Bat-Ani to show me around. Today is my first day on the job.”

  Hiri looked startled, confusion clear on his face, but managed to appear stoic when the guard sharply turned towards him.

  “Why are you dressed like a common thug? You have been asked to show your professor around - present yourself accordingly!” The guard yelled at Hiri and leaned down to whisper something.

  Damien heard it all; “Is this how you display yourself to someone from the lesser kingdoms? You are a disgrace to Highcrown.”

  The guard let go of Hiri, throwing him to the side, and turned to Damien;

  “May I see you identification, esteemed professor? Merely a formality to confirm your identity.”

  As a Professor of the Academy, Damien should have his id, which held his personal information, and a small silver tinted lens. The lens was used to confirm the authenticity of the sigil, which was stamped on every official document. This posed a problem.

  Nanites couldn’t be made see-through.

  Damien handed his id, intentionally omitting the lens. The lens was checked only when there was reasonable doubt of the identity of the id’s holder.

  The guard peered at the small piece of wood, and returned it to Damien.

  “Thank you. It will be a pleasure to work with you Professor Nan-Tar.”

  “Likewise. Your name sir? I wish to commend you on your swift initiative. If Mister Bat-Ani was a scoundrel, he would have had no chance against you.”

  The guard beamed at the praise.

  What a simple creature. Matrioshka thought. Public image is everything to him.

  “My name is Caero. Caero Lilal-At.”

  Damien dismissed the guard, with the Miriani twist of the hand, and looked at Hiri.

  Hiri was uncomfortable under his gaze.

  “Thank you, professor.” He said, once the guard was out of ear-shot.

  “I suggest you return to your rooms. I assume you attempted to escape; may I know why?” Damien asked.

  Hiri was uncertain, it took him long to answer.

  “The… demands… of the Academy are hight. I am not fit for study here. I wish to leave.”

  Damien consulted the logs. The Academy prided itself in that 100% of the students graduated with full marks. Corporal punishment, as a means of encouragement, was used often. What surprised Damien was Hiri had excellent grades, best in his class even.

  “You have more than adequate results Mister Bat-Ani. Why leave?”

  Hiri grew slightly suspicious, then impressed. “You checked the student grades already? As expected of a professor... My problems lie elsewhere, not in my grades.”

  “Elaborate further please.” Damien told Hiri as they turned to walk back to the Academy.

  Hiri studied the taller woman, his professor, and said hesitantly: “You are different. Are all professors from the 5th Kingdom so considerate of their students?”

  Damien didn’t know, so he just said: “Yes.”

  “Huh. Alright then. The other students…” Hiri began talking. “…make my life difficult. My father embezzled the late Queen’s funds you see. My family is in Disgrace.”

  “Hey PesKal?” Damien asked over the connection.

  “Yes?” PesKal replied, soaring over the edge of the city.

  “Why is Disgrace marked as important by the language pack?”

  “Oh. It is one of the terms not talked about commonly. It seems to mean some sort of long duration punishment. As far as I can tell it entails the loss of “Miriani” status. A Disgraced individual is considered lesser than Miriani but more than an animal.” PesKal explained, then added:

  “Fun fact. All members of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Kingdoms are born Disgraced.”

  “This is your definition of fun?” asked Matrioshka.

  PesKal seemed to realise what he said, and he elaborated: “Not fun in the usual sense! More like; Oh, we should educate them, they are silly and ignorant!”

  Back on the Academy grounds, Damien said: “So they torment you? The other students?”

  “No, no. They merely use me as intellectual labour. As a Disgraced, I am honoured to take their tasks upon myself.”

  “You do their school-work?”

  “Yes. Among other things.” Hiri admitted.

  “And you are honoured to be of complete service?” Damien asked, dumbfounded.

  Hiri considered the question. “I am Disgraced.” he replied.

  “These people are ignorant beyond words.” Damien said to everyone.

  “I am inclined to agree.” PesKal said.

  “Don’t judge them too harshly. They are young. Humanity had weirder customs in its youth.” Makoe said.

  “Indeed. My tribe back on Ankraha forbade the use of the left hand every three days.” Added PesKal. “If only there was someone to teach them better…”

  “I see what you’re trying to do PesKal, and it isn’t happening. Thought…” Matrioshka turned contemplative.

  “Yes captain?” asked Damien.

  “We could guide them to the right conclusions. At least while we are stranded on Rosamond’s World. Thought they must not be made aware of our origin.”

  Everyone agreed, PesKal especially cheerfully, which meant Damien now had to secure his position at the Academy. Matrioshka saw him create a plan; After leaving Hiri, he would infiltrate the principal’s room. There he would fabricate documents saying he too was transferred to the Academy, like Adra.

  “I need your help Officer Rue.” Damien said.

  “With what?”

  “I need an identification lens. Do you know what that is?” Damien asked.

  “I do.” Makoe replied. “PesKal’s language pack was quite extensive.”

  “Good. I need one.”

  “Hmmm.” Makoe considered her surroundings. She decided to leave her lattice and the dead nanites on the bell tower, tucked underneath the roof. “I can steal one if you’d like.”

  “Very well. I trust your judgement.”

  The lens which Makoe chose would determine Damien’s cover persona. And he would use it to fabricate the documents in the principal’s office, allowing him to attend the Academy as a professor.

  “I’m on it.” Makoe said and swiftly slithered down the bell tower, searching for a target to rob.

  Damien and Hiri reached the building, back where Hiri broke the window.

  “Go back inside. Best we do not mention this encounter to anyone.” Damien said to Hiri.

  “Yes, professor Nan-Tar. Thank you again.” Hiri said while climbing back through the window. He turned to say something else, but his professor was no longer there. Damien was back in the bushes, waiting for Makoe.

  Hiri looked around for his professor, but elected not to investigate further.

  Makoe was on the ground now, hidden in an alleyway between a small textile factory and a bar. The streets were bustling with the Miriani, furry beasts of burden pulled carriages, and there was a distinct undertone of mystery.

  People in the bar talked of a great explosion in the sky, the destruction of the Sliver no doubt, and the brightening of Oliver’s World.

  “It is an omen. The stars are angry once again.” A short saleswoman whispered to her friend.

  “What can we do if it is true? Giant help us…” the friend replied.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “The Miriani are freaked out. Many saw the explosion and all know of Oliver’s World.” Makoe informed the group, and glanced upwards, Oliver’s World glowed blue. Seems like the Empire twins did not relent in their radiant bombardment of the moon. Its light shone across the Duchess, illuminating its pink clouds.

  “Confirmed. The students are whispering about it incessantly.” Damien added.

  “What is done is done. Try not to attract any more undue attention.” Matrioshka said, and thought back to the child on the roof. She hoped it would not raise an alarm.

  Makoe studied the Miriani around her and selected a male of above average height and an appealing appearance. The man wore a business attire and held a wooden box in his hands. He was a wealthy merchant from the 5th Kingdom - a rarity. And would be leaving Highcrown within the hour.

  “Got one.” Makoe said as she scanned the target’s documentation. “How does being a Nam Brarom sound?” she asked Damien and sent Nam’s scan.

  “Good a name as any. Can you get his lens?”

  “On it.”

  Makoe left most of her nanites with her lattice on the bell tower, and formed a body with the rest. It was female, short, and young, with a slightly pinkish coloration. She wore leather pants and a cloth shirt.

  She climbed onto a nearby ledge and covertly followed Nam, waiting for an opportunity, and one soon presented itself. The street was clearing up, just a few Miriani were in sight, and Makoe made her move.

  She ran onto the street and stumbled into Nam, making him drop the small wooden box he was carrying, and they both fell to the ground. Makoe’s fingers melted and the nanites gently grabbed the lens from within Nam’s jacket.

  “Watch where you’re going! Giants’ grace… this corner of the city never changes.” Nam said, dusted off his jacket and turned towards Makoe with a sour look.

  “Be more careful miss! You cannot go around falling onto people!”

  With the man’s back turned, a nearby crimson furred female Miriani emerged from a nearby street and went for the box. She was cloaked and had extensive tattoos over her back and arms. With Nam distracted, the box lay on the floor unwatched. The Miriani girl was swift and quiet, she ran, grabbed the box, and jumped into a nearby open window.

  All soundless.

  Makoe was impressed.

  “My deepest apologies.” Makoe said to placate the man, who was just starting to calm down.

  “Yes well… it’s alright…” He turned to look for the box. Makoe was gone when he turned back. She followed the thief into the window.

  The thief was still running, through the abandoned building and jumping over the many piles of discarded trash within. The thief had no identification on her, and was making her way to the building’s roof.

  Makoe want to follow, and unlike the thief, who had to scale a precarious wall lined with small metal handholds, she dematerialised her body and let her nanites scale the groves and cracks of the outside wall. No handholds needed.

  Makoe materialized near the top of the building, swaying as one arm held a ledge. Makoe enclosed the lens with nanites and threw it into the sky. The nanites shifted into the form of a small flying insect. It flew towards Damien, carrying the cargo.

  The nanite mass was small enough to be undetectable. Even if a Miriani saw it, they would assume it was one of the many types of insect-like creatures common on Rosamond’s World.

  With the lens on its way to Damien, Makoe turned back to follow the thief.

  “On an adventure I see.” Matrioshka said jokingly.

  “Can’t fault me for my curiosity. This is exciting. We are on an alien planet, within an alien city!” Makoe said as she jumped from one roof to another. The thief had to use a hook rope, so Makoe had time to observe her.

  The thief was young, barely an adult by Miriani standards. She tied a rope around the stolen box and carried it on her back. The thief was agile, jumping and landing with precision. Her arms were strong, even compared to adults of her species.

  While Makoe followed her target, and a few blocks over, Rhea was pushing open the wooden doors to the building where Omrica and her gang hid. Memri was still in her hands, thought she seemed to have accepted her role as a carry-on.

  The girl was staring at Rhea.

  Rhea had noticed this a few minutes ago, but had elected not to say anything. Now curiosity overwhelmed her, she looked at Memri and asked:

  “What?”

  Memri inhaled sharply, which made her wound ache. She pressed her hand into it, wincing hard.

  “Gah! Nothing. Your face is strange, I can’t quite figure out what Kingdom you are from.” Memri said through clenched teeth.

  Rhea turned to walk up a flight of stairs, and checked PesKal’s and her own data. It suggested Miriani with Rhea’s coloration originated from the 4th Kingdom. Most of the Miriani within Highcrown were golden furred, with around 3% belonging to other races.

  “Have you never met someone from the 4th Kingdom?” Rhea asked.

  “Wow, 4th? Aren’t you guys supposed to be like, scared of everyone? Never leaving your kingdom? The term is ultra-isolationist is it not?”

  Rhea updated the data packs with this new information and forwarded it to the rest of the crew.

  “As a nation – we are.” she said. “I specifically, am not. I find other lifeforms fascinating.”

  “Other lifeforms? You talk so weird too. 4th Kingdom is strange… Is it true you wear clothes made of sandstone?”

  Rhea considered Memri, there was real curiosity in there – a desire to know.

  Rhea asked over the connection: “Officer PesKal, do the Miriani of the 4th Kingdom wear sandstone clothes?”

  “Insufficient data. This is not something spoken of within Erdon.” PesKal replied, still airborne.

  “I can help with this inquiry.” Damien said from his bush. He scanned the books within the Academy and filtered for the 4th Kingdom. He found the answer and forwarded it to Rhea.

  She thanked him, and asked: “Please also search the books for medicine, medicinal herbs, and healing procedures. Please forward everything to me.”

  “Aye aye.” Damien chuckled, and scanned the Academy. “I can do you one better. There is a section of the school reserved for medicinal study. Live samples of plant life. Exact genetic and structural scans incoming.”

  Matrioshka saw Rhea’s lattice spike in excitement.

  “You have my gratitude, Officer Viris.” Finally, to Memri she replied: “We do wear it on occasion. The Sath’ra, what we call our ceremonial attire, is reserved for important unions and agreements. It is made from glazed stone found in our deserts. It is worn to show absolute respect.”

  “Cool.” Memri said. “You sound smart too. You really are a doctor, aren’t you?”

  “I am.” Rhea replied.

  “I believe you.”

  “You didn’t until now?” she asked.

  “I was unsure. You are so strange; it was difficult to imagine you as a physician. But I guess you being from a faraway kingdom explains the weirdness.” Memri observed, just as they walked onto the floor where Omrica and her gang waited.

  Rhea smiled at Memri, impressed at how close to the truth she was.

  Omrica studied Rhea as she walked in. This floor was filled with storage boxes. Most contained a mix of dried herbs, and some held aging blades.

  There was a bundle of discarded cloth near Rhea, so she went to lay Memri on it.

  The young Miriani complained as she was laid to rest. Rhea kneeled over her, picked a random cloth, sterilized it by bombarding it with radiation, and began to bandage the wound.

  She worked with an efficiency and precision only acquirable through a nanite body. She was done in 8.67 seconds.

  The spectators were impressed, though only Omrica managed to not show it on her face.

  “I have questions.” Rhea said as she rose to her feet.

  “Oh? You and me both.” Omrica added.

  “What shall I be doing if I decide to join your operation?” Rhea asked, even though it was obvious Omrica wished to be the first to interrogate her.

  Slightly irritated, Omrica replied: “Everything pertaining to health, illness or injury of the members of the Family.”

  “Is that everything?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you will, and I quote: Have my head. If I do not work for you.” Rhea asked.

  “Precisely.”

  “I accept your employ.” Rhea told Omrica and turned to Uric, the red Miriani; “I will list the chemicals and herbs I need to stock a functioning clinic. These things will allow me to heal your Family easily and efficiently. Are you ready for me to begin?”

  Uric appeared insulted and looked to Omrica - who studied Rhea and turned to Uric with a clasp of her hands.

  Uric did not like it, but he turned to Rhea and said: “Alright. Let’s hear it.”

  Rhea began to list 56 herbs and 14 chemicals. All were easily found within Erdon, but would be a chore to procure. When she was done, Rhea said:

  “For the herbs I suggest the apothecary two blocks over in that direction” Rhea said while pointing. “I will find surgical tools on my own, I do not trust you with those.”

  Uric got lost on the 7th herb and was staring at Rhea. Memri was snickering. He said: “I’m going to need you to write those down for me Doc. Who in their right mind can memorise so many things, what even are half of those I have no idea…”

  Rhea materialised the list on a piece of parchment in her pocket. She pulled it out and handed it to Uric. He was slightly shorter than her and stared at the paper.

  “You just have the list ready?” He asked.

  It was made of nanites of course, fabricated this very moment. But poor Uric did not need to know, so Rhea just said:

  “Yes.”

  “I appreciate the no-nonsense attitude Doc.” Omrica said as Uric walked off to collect the medicine. “I trust you will be alright if these become your temporary lodgings. Once you have built enough good will with the Family, you will be transferred elsewhere.”

  “Anything is fine with me. Bring me the injured and sick as soon as possible. I may be able to treat some of them without medicine.” Rhea said and looked at Memri.

  The young Miriani has calmed. She was looking at Rhea with a mix of emotions Rhea found hard to describe.

  “Was I really sick?” Memri asked.

  “Yes. If I had not removed the malignant mass, you would have died within the decade. First extreme weight loss, then inability to consume large amounts of food, and finally - death from starvation. The tumour was pressing upon, and consuming, the organ which controls your body’s digestive rhythm.”

  Memri was quiet. She was looking at Omrica.

  Omrica asked Rhea: “The tumour… is it inheritable?”

  Rhea considered the question. “Not directly inheritable, but odds are increased for parent and offspring, yes.”

  “So that’s it…” Omrica said, a mix of relief and sorrow clear on her face.

  “What is it?” Rhea asked.

  “Dad.” Memri replied. “He just started losing weight. He would eat, then throw up anything bigger than a single bite. He was sick like me.”

  Omrica walked over to Memri and hugged her. They were both on the verge of crying. “It’s okay dear. I am here.”

  To one of the other Miriani, Omrica said: “Bring the injured to the doctor.”

  The Miriani, a short golden furred male, went to do as he was told. A few minutes later the first of the injured came in – a tall brown furred male with a broken arm.

  Rhea got to work.

  Elsewhere, the thief Makoe was following had finally stopped. They climbed onto a small wooden lodging on the top of an abandoned structure. There was a bed there, and what looked like some personal artifacts.

  Makoe walked up to the dingy room. On the other side of the wall the thief was inspecting the wooden box. It was filled with silver coins - the thief scored big time, but was having trouble opening the container.

  Makoe came near the opening and spied the thief inside, attacking the box with a small knife, sitting on a small dirty mattress. Trinkets filled the room – bounties no doubt.

  Makoe approached the thief, and could reach out and touch her if she wished. Instead, she just said:

  “Hello.”

  “Ahh!” The thief screamed, jumping to her feet. She kicked the box into a corner of the room and was pointing her dagger at Makoe.

  “How did you get in here!? Who… Why!?” She was panicking.

  Matrioshka commented: “You scared her a lot, Officer Rue.”

  “Should I have banged and shouted on approach? To signalise I am a big loud oaf?” Makoe said both to the thief and Matrioshka.

  “Maybe…” said Matrioshka.

  “Well, no I guess.” said the thief.

  Makoe smiled and said: “Calm, dear friend. I mean no harm.”

  “You are the one who pulled the play on the rich dude on the street, right? Thanks for the opening, but the box is mine.” The thief said.

  “I am not trying to rob you. I find you interesting.”

  “You find me… interesting?” asked the thief.

  “I do and I have several questions. First; Is this your job, the petty theft?”

  The thief put down their dagger, confusion clear on her face, and said: “I wouldn’t call it a job but it is what I do. Why are you asking?”

  “Like I said; you’re interesting.” Makoe repeated.

  “How am I interesting? There are hundreds of thieves in this rotten city. Why me specifically?”

  “You were the first I encountered.”

  “That’s it?” the thief asked, sitting back down on the matrass, still wary of Makoe.

  “That’s it.” Makoe said.

  “Right. Well... on you go then.” Thief said, gesturing for Makoe to leave. “I’ve got shit to do. Mainly moving my shed.”

  “Oh, have I compromised your hiding place?”

  “Thoroughly.” Thief said blankly.

  “I can help you move.” Makoe supplied.

  “How would that fix my situation? You would still know where my place was.”

  “You needn’t worry about me telling anyone where you are.” Makoe said. “My name is Makoe. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Mraah Kro? Sounds so weird.” The Miriani vocal cords couldn’t pronounce human phonemes - Makoe’s name sounded screechy.

  Makoe saw no identification under the girl’s clothes, so she asked: “And your name is?” Giving her best to appear nonthreatening, she even sat on the floor.

  “I’m Temri. You have a very forceful way of making friends.” Temri said, relaxing visibly.

  “I know. Want me to help you open the box?”

  Temri debated what to do, her eyes darted from the box and Makoe. She decided, stood up and picked up the box.

  “Here.” she said, handing Makoe the box. “Give it your best, though it is sealed pre-”

  The lid snapped open - no match for Makoe’s nanite hands.

  “-tty well.” Temri blinked a couple times. “You’re much stronger than you look, Mraah.”

  Makoe gave back the container, Temri’s eyes went wide as she took in the 350 silver coins within.

  “This is… all the money I need.” Temri said, breathless.

  “All you need for what?” Makoe asked.

  Temri’s eyes turned serious, a quiet fury raged within them. “All the money I need to bring down the Family.”

  Oh. Matrioshka said from the top of her tree. Rhea is not going to like that.