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Why you down here anyway?
Looking for my intern. He missed work today and yesterday and won’t pick up his comm, but I have his pin.
Sawa. Be right there so you can head off.
Xion, a Sable Rider brother and head of internal security on Eden II, ran a league of guards in the Pika world below ground. He and his team patrolled the tunnels often, making sure not to be a hated security force that frustrated the Pikani. Instead, they positioned themselves as a helpful unit the most vulnerable could lean on.
Regardless, crime still abounded, and Xion’s crew tried to treat the locals with respect and listening instead of senseless over-policing and brutality. It had worked. In the five years since the tunnel force’s inception, crime had dropped by half, health care had increased, and even school attendance upped for Pika kids. But there was still so much to be done.
This meant much of Xion’s role was spent mapping the movements of the constantly changing local population in the informal settlements alongside known incidents and crime waves. This allowed his force to plan for any crises. Visible and accessible, they consulted with the dispensary managers, bar owners and gang leaders to actively listen to the people, act on safety concerns and communicate often with the Pikas.
The man at Kage’s feet wriggled and moaned as a flyer with Eden II’s sec team’s white, blue and gold colours pulled up to his location.
A tall, forceful man with angular, dark features, a roughly shaven jaw and penetrating eyes stepped out of the flyer. He strolled unhurriedly towards Kage. They embraced with a quick hug.
‘Brother.’
Xion turned his hazel irises ringed with glowing sapphire flecks to the crumpled form at their feet. ‘This thekinai?’
‘’Tis.’
Xion bent one knee to examine the prostrate man, hooking a finger under the dirt-encrusted chin to explore the face. ‘Ah, I know this one. Name’s Bana. Koko head and Eden II’spapiof the year. We have at least 12 of histotosrunning like rats all over the sewers. He tries to feed ‘em when their fivemaminsgive him a hard time.’
Kage huffed in bemusement. ‘Tough going, eh?’
‘It’s rough formaskinislike these. I’ll throw him in the tank for one night. If the kid is gone, we can’t press charges. Got to let him go in the morrow.’
Kage shrugged. ‘’Tis what it is. Hope the kid gets some care for his injuries. I have him a few clinic tokens. It didn’t look that serious, but infection here ain’t like it is on the surface.’
‘Truth. How you doin’kaka? Been a moment,’ Xion said rising fluidly to his feet.
‘Miss me?’ Kage shot back.
The Riders were a brotherhood of occasional loners. While finding great comfort in each other’s company, from time to time, they took off on solo missions or periods of hibernation away from each other. Of course, they’d known each other for so long that giving each other space was no trouble. But, it didn’t mean one didn’t give the other a hard time for not seeing them in a while.
‘Missing you is my new obsession,’ Xion tossed back with a laugh. ‘Seriously though, where have you been, brother?’
‘Been busy prepping for our new project and getting Harlow settled in.’
‘Ah yes, our genius scientist. How is she?’
‘She’s something.’
There was an inflection in Kage’s voice, and Xion’s eyes narrowed in response.
‘Special something? Freaky something? Or special freaky something?’
Kage chortled. Even though they were individuals unto themselves, there was little the Riders kept from each other. Which sometimes meant enduring endless ribbing as a result.
‘Maybe something special,’ Kage confessed after a beat.
Xion reared back in mock horror. ‘Nada! Don’t tell me you’re about to do aKainanand fall for a Dunian beauty?’
Kage shrugged. ‘Day at a time, brother, day at a time.’
Xion grinned. ‘Don’t blame ya. Those Dunian women can keep one on their toes.’
‘Of all people, you would know.’
