Chapter Text
In a far, hidden corner of the Sphere of Doug was a dinghy bar, not known for its reputation, but rather the lack of it. This world might be called the “sweetest of all Spheres,” but some humans have their favorite memories in unsavory places, the kind where children of Sphere Movers shouldn’t be seen.
The kind of place no one would recognize him
There was an imperceptible tremor in Olenus’ hand as he reached for his drink, downing it swiftly and welcoming the burn. It helped take the edge off, but wasn’t enough to stop his mind from wandering back to his machine. He was on a low again, the kind of low that made him look at travelers and consider them as targets instead of people. A vague, but persistent plan was forming in his mind, one he was trying not to give into.
Hence the drink.
There were two humans seated at his side, ignoring him, finishing their own beverages. He was about to ask for another when a familiar voice cut through the haze. His blood ran cold.
“Excuse me, I believe you are in my seat.”
It wasn’t directed at him, but rather the man next to him. He turned to protest, but whatever he saw made the argument die in his throat. He silently vacated the seat. A tall, hooded figure with dark flower stitching replaced him, her presence sudden and imposing.
His gut clenched, and it had nothing to do with the liquor. He kept his eyes fixed on the mug’s contents, every muscle locked. He knew who she was, but did she know him?
No, of course not. No one ever remembers him, let alone someone as high as mighty as her. This had to be some mistake, a crazy coincidence.
He took a tentative sip and waited with bated breath.
Unfortunately, she seemed to be waiting too. Openly staring at him, in fact. Her eyes bore into him, unrelenting, until he couldn’t pretend to ignore her anymore.
He exhaled, defeated. “Lady Xochiliticue, it is a surprise to see you here.”
“As it should be,” she clipped. “this place is detestable.” Her cloak shifted, and he got a glimpse of her dark, ashen face. It was just as cruel as he remembered. “I’ve been looking for you for a long time.”
His spine stiffened, and his mind went blank, dread flooding him. If she had been looking for a long time…
Well.
There could only be one reason for that.
He had only dealt with the lady Sphere Mover only briefly during CASH’s exchange, and once again after the android’s betrayal. Though Xochiliticue was certainly vengeful, she had already ruined his career ages ago. She wouldn’t go through all this effort to revisit an old grudge. This had to be more personal. It had to be serious enough that she needed to pursue him herself.
She must’ve found my machine.
A cold sweat broke through his hairline. The air in the bar vanished, freezing his lungs. The walls closed in, locking him in a corner. If she knew , then she could’ve told anyone…
He searched the room. Humans were everywhere, more than he remembered. Was this a trap? Were they here for him?
The chatter of the bar swelled, warped, heavy as guilt. The shadows of the patrons seemed to stretch, accusatory eyes honing in. They weren’t just strangers anymore. One by one, their faces morphed into those of his past victims, now his jurors. heat rushed to his throat, igniting his chest. He could almost feel their judgement closing in.
We know what you did,’ they seemed to say.
We know what you are.’
He clenched his mug so tightly that it hurt, knuckles white, breath shallow and painful. Still, he clung to the fragile hope that maybe, just maybe, this was a misunderstanding. He forced himself to breathe, voice too tight. “You… have?”
She nodded, eyes resentful slits. “I have. You are very difficult to track. I hate that I had to come here to meet you.”
She was keeping him in suspense, whether by mistake or for pleasure was yet to be seen. the grain of the mug bit into his fingers, tone too breathless to pass for casual. “And… for what purpose did you put so much effort into finding me?”
She leaned close, voice a scathing hiss. “My army . The one you and your family still owe me.”
He froze, afraid this was a trick, but when she continued to glare he realized she was being serious. The crushing weight dropped suddenly from his chest, the air returning in a rush. The bar brightened, the accusing voices faded, leaving only the faintest echoes of his own heartbeat. She was clueless. This wasn’t about his machine at all, it really was just petty, trivial revenge!
Relief surged through him, so intense it almost made him dizzy. A laugh escaped before he could stop it. First as a chuckle, then louder, delirious with the realization that he wasn’t about to be obliterated. “Well! Sorry to disappoint, but I’m completely cut off from my family. Practically disowned.” He turned to face her, just to let her get the full view of him, the glorious pinnacle of a family's disappointment. He would make her see what a ludicrous waste of time it had been to find him. “I don’t have the resources to build you another army, even if you threatened me. Word of advice, why don’t you try blackmailing my siblings instead? They’re still in my father’s good graces.”
She withdrew, wrinkling her nose. “As if I would trust your family’s creations ever again. No, I do not want you to create another army. I want you to destroy the old one.”
He let out a quiet huff, masking his surprise. He drummed his fingers, still shaking off the nerves. “And why in the plains would you want to do that? Last I heard, those bots scattered themselves across the Spheres. You must surely know they are useless without a commander.”
“Ah, yes. General CASH.” She balanced a chin on her fingertips and smiled without warmth. “You don’t like me, Olenus, and I certainly don’t like you. But I think we do share one common trial: CASH lied to us both.” She faced him, eyes gleaming with something sharper than mere animosity. “You must hate her for that.”
Olenus grimaced. “What she did ruined me.”
“And it almost ruined me. She… can’t be controlled.” Her tone turned sharp, delicate hands clenching to fists.
She leaned in, casting a shadow that made the room feel smaller. He shifted, uneasy, her voice dropped low and secretive, as if the weight of her words alone could crush him. “I am nearing the next step in my plan. It is guaranteed to succeed. With the Prime Mover gone, no one has the numbers or the organization to stand against me. No one, except General CASH.”
This time he did withdraw, a sense of wrongdoing striking suddenly. Last time Xochilitcue planned something, it threw the Astral Plain into chaos, what did she have up her sleeve now? And did he really want to add another atrocity to his long list of bad decisions?
Those were thoughts she didn’t need to know about. Instead he asked, “You think CASH would care enough to stop you?” He might not know Xochiliticue’s full plan, but he knew his robot was quite happy with where she was now. He couldn’t imagine her abandoning post for any reason.
She flicked her hand dismissively. “I do not know what that computer cares about, but I cannot risk it. There are only two existing armies in the Astral Plane, and I plan to dismantle my opposition while it still sleeps. That’s where you come in.”
“Lucky me,” he muttered, taking a sip.
“Yes, lucky. If you succeed in helping me, I will make it well worth your while. Whatever you want. A palace? Your own lab again? Honor, prestige, travelers?”
He nearly choked on his drink. “Tr-travelers?”
“As many as you want,” she promised, expression pinching in confusion before sharpening with clarity. She moved close, smiled soft, “Travelers who will never leave you, not like your family did,” her head tilted knowingly, “That’s what you really want, isn’t it?”
That weak, reedy voice he called morality vanished, and he realized he didn’t give a single hoot for what Xochilitcue’s evil plans were. Hot avarice seized him with a coil and the ever-starving part of him surged to the forefront. As many meals as he wants. No risk of being caught. Offered by none other than Xochilitcue.
How befittingly ironic.
And the thought of having a human family— well…
He nearly snorted his drink.
He’d let her think that, sure. Whatever made the cover more convincing. It was better than the truth, anyways.
His throat tightened, a tremor of excitement running down his spine. The offer was too tempting—an escape from his endless cycle, staring him right in the face. He wouldn’t have to hide, wouldn’t have to run. A life without fear of discovery... and maybe, just maybe, he'd finally be satisfied.
Olenus leaned forward, desperate. “What are you asking me to do?”
“I want you to find General CASH…”
Easy, already done. He had known about her residence on Desert Skies for ages.
“…transport her to my sphere, and I will destroy her. As you said, the army is powerless without its commander.”
Ah, the tricky part. Though he knew that she was controlling the register on the station’s counter, he had no idea where her real body was. If he confronted her without proper precautions, she would flee the scene.
But in the grand scheme of things, that was hardly a hiccup. Olenus was a genius, he’ll figure it out.
“In exchange for travelers, I can do this. But I must know…” he hesitated. He wasn’t reputable, barely reliable. A ‘poor investment,’ his father would say. “Out of everyone, why ask me?”
She looked at him like he was stupid. “As her creator, you know General CASH better than anyone. You are one of the few who are even aware of her existence.” She frowned. “Unfortunately, you are my only option.”
He nodded, unsure why he felt disappointed. It made sense, at least.
She extended a hand. “I hope you won’t disappoint.”
Olenus didn’t hesitate. He shook on it. “I’ve already got a lead.”
Time to get to work.
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