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The Reluctant Ranger - Interlude Maraline
🕑 Added 2024-11-09 07:42:58 +0000 UTCMonitors powered off as the General stepped out of the observation room, two drones with orange stripes waited in the halls. They were the strongest of the automaton forces, and so resource intensive that only eight were in service on the ship at the time. They walked in lockstep, their sole task to keep their charge safe. Drones all ran off a simple VI, and lacked any true sapience, as was the case for all of their forces.
Sterile halls of metal stretched endlessly, with no end nor beginning. The Challenger, as the ship had come to be known centuries ago, was unbelievably vast. Most of it being lab space and production for the incursion forces. It was a vessel of war, designed to conquer and hold any world they came across.
Such was her home for her first fifteen years and all she had known until they arrived at the blue sphere below. That small world was her entire purpose, the reason she even existed. Much like the many mutants being developed from the life that had evolved beneath them, so too was she engineered for her purpose.
Maraline had long since made peace with her origins and lot in life, but that didn’t mean she enjoyed it. The political and economic situation on Earth was the perfect storm for the Sylan empire to arrive as benevolent protectors. The people would have rallied to them at the first offerings of matter replication and the elimination of poverty.
After years of study, Maraline had submitted a lengthy essay on the different ways that the human population could be swayed to their side, how to manipulate their politics to favor them, and so on. Conflict would be minimized, because those in power would cling to it, yet it wouldn’t have taken more than a year to emerge victorious.
That plan was rejected outright by The Prime Administrator.
Instead, they were engaging in a protracted conflict designed to limit irradiation of the planet ahead of their inevitable victory. Their tactics had been perfected over millennia, honed on the crucible of a thousand worlds. Each new species integrated into the Empire brought new perspectives and advancements, but only after integration was complete. With a peaceful joining, it rarely took more than a generation, two at most. Conquest inevitably led to three to four generations before integration could even be attempted.
Yet, she could not grasp why The Prime Administrator had given the order for subjugation rather than integration. It wasn’t like the Earth had an advanced military that could endanger their forces. Even the basic drone design could handle any ground based munitions in common use. Their most advanced aircraft did better, but were still child’s play to destroy, with less than two percent total losses from their squadrons. There had to be logic behind the decision, The Prime Administrator always had a reason for his employed methods, she just couldn’t see them.
It made her wonder what could be on that primitive rock that had The Prime Administrator so desperate to conquer them rather than just stage a coup and depose their corrupt governments. They did it just two centuries prior with the Amaraks and the Sylan were hailed as liberators. Now the species practically worshiped them for it.
Why weren’t humans being given that same courtesy?
She didn’t dare voice those concerns, it was high treason to question The Prime Administrator and she was loyal to her people. The doors opened and she strode forward, shoulders squared just as she had been taught. She was a General of the Sylan Empire, engineered to be a leader of the subjugated people of Earth, Maraline wouldn’t forget that.
Humanity was a lesson in contradictions, she’d discovered that the hard way during her lessons prior to the initial incursion. One of the Generals, Guiana, served as a mentor. Her own species had opted for annihilation in the face of integration. One of their leaders detonated a graviton device, turning the entire star system into a new black hole.
Maraline had listened and learned well in those early years as they prepared for first contact. The pair even ventured to Earth on numerous occasions, their many celebrations proving to be all the cover they needed to walk freely among them despite the biological differences. General Guiana had blue skin, yet nobody thought anything of it on All Hallows Eve.
Renaissance Fairs were another favorite of her mentor’s, as it was a chance to observe humanity openly and even interact with them. Maraline hadn’t seen the appeal, not until this latest venture in preparation for the attack. She still couldn’t understand what had prompted her to reach out to Nicole, even her mentor would have continued on in the face of coming violence, but something had drawn her to the human.
Nicole was a prime example of why humanity needed a helping hand rather than a firm fist. The poor thing had lost almost everything that mattered in her life, and still soldiered on despite it. Yes, she struggled to find reason to continue, but it was clear that she needed help and support. That she was chosen as a Ranger was just cruel.
In all past conquests, the Rangers always died during the final stage of the invasion. Twenty-seven past invasions had triggered Ranger response, and in each occasion the Sylan forces pulled back and changed engagement tactics. Maraline held no illusions as to why, even a fool could see that experiments were being performed.
No doubt Commander Bartran was aware. The man wasn’t scheduled to appear at this invasion until the first Ranger team appeared. Guiana had cursed when the Rangers first fought back, knowing that it meant their invasion just became far more complicated. Maraline hadn’t fully understood at the time, but she did now.
Nicole was beyond her aid now that she was a Ranger, pitting them against one another until one of them fell in battle. The Sylan forces weren’t invincible, Maraline knew that after Guiana nearly died in battle with the White Ranger of New York. Commander Bartran brought the order, and the team was slated for death. Working together, General Guiana and Commander Bartran had decimated White’s team, yet he proved his stubborn defiance by nearly killing her mentor.
The woman would remain in a healing stasis for another six months, minimum, assuming she survived at all. Falling to a Ranger was one of the ultimate embarrassments, yet something about the Rangers of Earth were proving to be different. White was just the first of them, Gold followed, then Pink, and now Black might be joining their ranks.
Anomalous Rangers were a new occurrence, one that had given the Commander pause. Even he hadn’t emerged from that battle unscathed, requiring a shorter stay in a healing pod before he could return to duty. Maraline had been left to her own devices during that time, working to further the plan that had been handed to her by The Prime Administrator.
Normally a General wouldn’t make an appearance for an attack, but Maraline needed to speak to Nicole, perhaps just one last time. She’d been given a definitive answer, they were enemies and would remain so until one of them fell. That it would be Nicole to fall was understood by both of them in that moment. Nicole’s wish for death’s release still held sway over her mind and nothing she could do would help her now.
She had allowed her frustrations with the woman to fuel her response, sending far more machines than necessary, and a Mutant along with out of frustration when those machines weren’t enough to trouble them. Yes, Maraline had ordered the automatons to avoid excessive casualties by focusing on property damage and the Rangers themselves, but she hadn’t expected there to be no deaths at all.
A part of her was relieved that she hadn’t added any more red to her ledger, not that she would ever admit it out loud. The Commander liked casualties, because it always demoralized their foes. Nicole didn’t need further demoralizing, she was already on the precipice as it was.
If Commander Bartran learned of that in addition to her status as an anomaly, then he would spare no hesitation for targeting those close to her for death. Would that really be so bad? The woman was already fated to die just for being a Ranger, and accelerating that end would only be a mercy, and yet…
Maraline did not wish to see Nicole die.
That was the truth of it, no matter how she tried to reason around it. Taking a steady breath, Maraline clenched her fists. She couldn’t allow attachments to cloud her vision, she needed to continue to work towards the future where she would have the power to guide humanity in their path to true integration with the Sylan Empire.
Calm and poise, those were her mask and shield, especially when delivering a report to the Commander. As Maraline stepped up to the door, her twin escort moved ahead, flanking the rather large doorway. She knew the machines were as much her minders as they were protection, but moments such as this only served to reinforce it.
Maraline didn’t break her stride, and the door slid open, admitting her into the Commander’s sanctum. The room was lined with monitors, and Maraline didn’t miss how many of them were showing her latest blunder. She could only hope that the data gathered was worth the resources expended.
Others showed the human internet, as well as comment sections and forums for exchanging ideas. Maraline had largely discarded those as useful, but the Commander seemed to find some pleasure in reading the inane ramblings. Looking at his desk, it appeared he was typing away with his lower set of arms, the upper arms holding a display.
“General Maraline,” Commander Bartran said, setting the tablet aside before he stood to his full height. “Report.”
Maraline was tall for a human woman, but she wasn’t completely human. Her genetic structure had integrated all of the traits expected of a warrior of the Sylan people. That included the Commander, who towered over her. His lower arms crossed, muscles flexing against his deep blue carapace as he looked down upon her.
Out of all of the Generals, he was the one who stood above them. A veteran since the first war, the oldest living warrior of the Sylan Empire. If anything, he was the closest thing she had to a father, being that she was one of his creations. Combining Sylan blood with that of humans, his own blood at that, had led to her creation. She was thankful for the life she had been given and all the opportunity it granted her.
“Another anomaly confirmed,” Maraline said, knowing there would be no hiding it.
Commander Bartran stood silent for a moment, waiting to see what else she might provide. That was an early lesson that General Guiana taught her, never supply more information than needed, but never withhold anything when asked.
“The data supports this,” the Commander said. “Yet the whole team is above average as well. I trust that matches your own observations?”
It did, though they weren’t as exceptional as the anomalies, they were indeed strong.
“I can confirm,” Maraline said. “The average Ranger would struggle against a dozen blue units, yet they barely lasted longer than the drones.”
“The experiment was a success, then,” Commander Bartran said, a grin pulling at his lips to reveal razor sharp teeth. “The Prime Administrator will be most pleased.”
An experiment? This was the first she was hearing about it, but that wasn’t a surprise either. For all that the Earth was to become her world, she had little to do with the conquest the moment the Rangers appeared. Having to withdraw all forces and await the Commander’s arrival still left her bitter.
“Indeed,” a firm voice said. All the monitors shifted, their displays blanking for a moment. A plain face, not unlike the Commander’s own, took shape, the gaps of the displays vanishing as the wall revealed itself to be one unit rather than a dozen separate. “Your progress is noted and valued Commander.”
Both sets of arms dropped to his side as he bowed at the waist. “I live to serve, my Administrator.”
Maraline bowed as well, her angle far sharper than the Commander’s. “Your eminence.”
“General Maraline,” The Prime Administrator said, the image panning back. They wore a wide pauldron cape on their shoulders, with heavy armor covering their torso. The being was an enigma, never presenting the same appearance twice. Currently they had high cheekbones and sharp ears that trailed upward, a combination of masculine and feminine traits for the Sylans.
She pressed her fist to her chest, resisting the urge to bow deeper. “Your eminence, how might this servant be of use to the Empire?”
“That remains to be seen,” The Prime Administrator said. “You know our purpose on this insignificant ball of dirt?”
She recognized the trick question for what it was. “The Prime Administrator wishes to seize the planet, no further purpose is required.”
“Indeed,” The Prime Administrator said. “You have been given command to further that purpose, so tell me, how did the attack you just committed advance those goals?”
She bowed a bit deeper, already knowing she was walking a knife’s edge. The Prime Administrator could have her killed on a whim, she understood that instinctively. She refused to allow that, there was too much to life, so much to experience. If she had to kiss the heels of her master to get another day in the light of the sun, then so be it.
“On one of my reconnaissance excursions, I encountered someone I had met before. Conversation was made and it was then that I discovered she was a Ranger. Her team arrived and were set on conflict, so I retreated and sent in a sizable force of drones as well as a mutant in a bid for gathering data on the newest threat.”
“Yet, they managed to quell hundreds of our drones with minimal damage or losses,” The Prime Administrator said. “That should not have been possible in the time they managed the task. Then there was the Mutant, hardly extraordinary, yet still a substantial threat.”
The Prime Administrator wasn’t wrong, Nicole and her team of Rangers weren’t typical. The Sylan Empire didn’t fully understand the technology behind the Ranger transformation, but there was a theory being floated by Commander Bartran linking the initial transformation to the form the Ranger adopts. That this team took on the appearances of their costume play, well, the Commander had been rather excited by the finding when she passed it along.
“Agreed,” she said. “It was a sizable expenditure of resources, yet proved that the prior incursion they repelled wasn’t an outlier. I believe we might have an anomaly among them, and if so, the confirmation will make the resources worth using.”
“Agreed,” The Prime Administrator said. “Naturally this research will continue. Commander Bartran, put all attacks on new regions on hold. Focus on active teams to avoid creation of new Rangers until a baseline is formed.”
“It will be done,” the Commander said. “What resources will be allotted for these tests?”
“Commander, fret not over the resources used, this group now has alpha priority.”
Maraline almost cursed. Alpha priority meant that Nicole’s team now had The Prime Administrator’s personal attention, which meant that their fate was now at their mercy. Unlimited resources were unheard of, as even the initial invasion had set hard limits. This meant that city killers might soon be deployed, not to mention the more advanced drones…
The rest of the conversation was lost in her panic, and she was only vaguely aware of the screens returning to their prior state. Commander Bartran turned back to face her, though it was clear his mind was already razor focused on the task at hand.
“Continue to monitor this group. I understand you’ve made contact before?”
“I have,” she said simply, willing herself to remain outwardly calm.
“Continue to do so,” The Commander said. “Especially this Black Ranger. A true test must be prepared. So much work to be done, but perhaps I’ll be able to take the field for once. It has been some time since I faced a challenge.”
The last time she’d heard that tone from her superior, an entire Ranger team died, and she nearly lost her mentor. What would she lose this time? Her life, or that of someone she hoped could be a friend?
“Understood, Commander. I shall see The Prime Administrator’s will done.”
“See that you do,” the Commander said. “The Empire does not tolerate failure.”
Maraline bowed deeper, then turned on her heel and departed. The drones outside fell into step behind her without a word or command. She knew The Prime Administrator could link into any drone they wished, see with their sensors, even control them if they were on the ship. It meant that they always had to assume she was under observation.
She lived in a cage, gilded as it might be. Maraline envied humanity in many ways, for they were free to walk in the light of their star at will, to enjoy the world that chance had seen fit to gift them. That the species squandered something so wondrous did not sit well with her. It was why she had thrown herself into planning the subjugation of the species.
A world liberated of the pollutants slowly destroying it, a people free to pursue the arts and create, that was the vision she held for the world she was destined to rule in the name of The Prime Administrator. Pity she couldn’t voice that, even if she knew that Earth’s creations would be well received throughout the Empire.
She arrived back at her quarters, looking about at the bare living space. She had everything she needed to survive. Food synthesizers, water, a sonic shower and lavatory. Her bed was a simple surface, molded to fit her body optimally. Survive, but not live.
Once the Sylan Empire stood triumphant, and she was installed as overseer, then she could have proper accommodations, but not before. At least the machines didn’t follow her inside her quarters, it was her one refuge on the orbiting fortress.
Sighing, she stepped over to her replicator, getting a glass of cool water before she took a seat at the view screen and activated it. The Earth hung in the expansive void, suspended by nothing more than the primal forces of the universe.
It was beautiful.
She wouldn’t be returning to the object of her affections for several days, bringing more chaos and death with her when she did. She didn’t like being a harbinger, and the survivors would resent her rule once the dust settled, no matter how much she improved their lives. She would struggle for at least the first century to maintain order, and would be forced to withhold medical treatments to ensure the population died off naturally.
She didn’t need people alive that could recount how much better things were before the invaders liberated them, memories often were colored to only reflect the best of times, failing to highlight the hardships that came time and again. It was how many of the problems she would need to solve came to be in the first place.
At least she could spend a few hours taking in the beauty of it all before setting her forces back into motion. This time she would remain, to observe and lead as she was meant to. She wished to see if the anomaly was the fault of the Power, or the people chosen. An excuse really, all to observe Nicole further. She wasn’t sure what it was about that human that captivated her, and it almost had her wanting to defy orders, knowing it would be the end of her.
“Maraline, are you available?” General Guiana’s stern voice came over the intercom.
Maraline startled, falling from her chair with an indignant squawk. She was just thankful the view screen hadn’t been on for her mentor to have witnessed it. She would have teased her for decades to come.
Sighing, Maraline stood back up, changing the view screen from outside the ship, to the labs within. “General, what do I owe this pleasure?”
Guiana sat languidly in a chair, her bushy tail swishing behind her. Little proof of her injuries remained externally, but Maraline knew that she still had several internal issues to contend with. She was barely cleared for lab work, much less anything approaching the field. Her mentor bore only passing resemblance to the Sylan people, with the pointed ears being the main trait. Her skin was covered in a light layer of purple fur, a combination of the Sylan blue and the red furs of her own intended species.
“Is it really so strange that I may simply wish to speak with you?” Guiana asked with a raised eyebrow. “Also, when do you call me General?”
“Given I just left a meeting with The Prime Administrator and Commander Bartan, formality is my default.”
Guiana grimaced. “Understandable.
“We’ve confirmed that the newest team of Rangers contains an anomaly,” Maraline continued. “But not just that, the entire team is above baseline.”
“That explains the request for a mutant to be deployed,” Guiana said. “The Prime Administrator wanted something that would give the combined forces of the New York Rangers trouble, though it seems the target has been designated as your latest project instead.”
“That is correct,” Maraline said, already lamenting the damage to come. “Their eminence wishes to put the team through its paces to see what data can be gleaned.”
Her mentor growled, looking off to the side. “The sequencer has just the thing in the works. It will require three days to be grown, and another two for it to be on its feet and ready to deploy.”
“Timely as ever, General,” Maraline said, bowing slightly. “Due to the developments with this team, I’m afraid your plans for Kansas are now on hold.”
“Drat, and here I was looking forward to their Renfaire given I missed out on Minneapolis. Pity that the Commander insisted on attacking it, I liked that one.”
“As did I,” Maraline said, then hesitated. Did she tell her mentor about Nicole? Perhaps not directly, but some truth was better than keeping secrets. “I might have even made a friend if not for the slaughter.”
Guiana sat up straighter, a grin on her face. “That’s wonderful! Friends are an excellent way to gain knowledge of a species!” The excited outburst was nice to see given how gloomy she was during her convalescence. “Oh, please tell me she wasn’t a victim of the attack. That would be horribly tragic.”
Biting her lip, Maraline decided to put it all out there. “More or less tragic than her being our newest anomaly?”
“Shit.”
Yeah, that about summed it up.
A heavy silence hung in the air, neither quite willing to break it for several moments. Maraline didn’t have what the humans considered parents. The Commander was her father by blood, but she hadn’t met him until the invasion. If anyone could have been said to be a parental figure, it would be Guiana. The closest thing she would ever have to a mother, not that she would ever dare say that aloud.
“It may be best to break contact,” Guiana said softly. “Such a story only ends with you hurt, either physically or mentally. The more attached you grow…”
Maraline knew that, but that didn’t make it any easier to accept.
“I should rest,” Maraline said, needing time to think.
Guiana must have seen that and just smiled knowingly. “Of course. I’ll be in the lab for the next few hours but should be free for dinner later, if you wish.”
“That sounds lovely,” Maraline said. “I’ll see you there.”
The view screen returned to showing the Earth, the world that Nicole seemed so weary of. How Maraline wished she could have helped her see the beauty of it all, the way she saw the world. There was so much Maraline wished to show her, to experience with the girl that had opened up to her. A friendship kindled and ended in the same breath, torn apart by workings beyond either of them.
All she had wanted was a friend that hadn’t been handed to her, to forge a bond of her own that she owed to nobody. That was all but impossible now, with Nicole being a Ranger and Maraline’s Sylan blood, any hope for a friendship was all but extinguished.
A true tragedy.
How she wished that wasn’t the case, but there was nothing that she could do about it. Lamenting things immutable would do her no good, but she couldn’t help herself. She stepped over to her storage space and retrieved a small instrument, one she had acquired on her first visit to the Earth with her mentor before the invasion began. She hadn’t known anything about it at the time, but the pale blue frame inlaid with Sapphires and strings had seemingly called for her.
The harp was nothing special in the grand scheme of things, but to her, it represented her love of the Earth, painted the color of the skies that she adored. Plucking the strings produced a most wondrous and mesmerizing sound. Standing there, looking at the planet beneath her, playing a song only she knew, she wept for what she would do in the months to come.
All because she wished to live and grow, to know the beauties that the future would hold.
She could only hope that Nicole would come to appreciate them too, given time. Of course, that depended on Nicole’s continued survival, despite the odds. Raising her glass to the view screen, she offered a silent wish to the vast unknown that somehow, Nicole would continue to prevail where none who came before her had ever managed.
“Fight well, my one and only friend,” she said softly, and drank, before returning to her gentle strumming as she sang softly. “Live, despite your own wishes. Prevail, despite everything arrayed against you. I will see you again, sooner than you would like, my fated foe.”
