ch.11.1 Denial

It was a strange day.

Since morning, Pandora, Eve and Lilith, had a strange feeling. That day, their telepathic connection, felt more like a curse, rather than a blessing. Each of the 3, felt something was going to happen, and now, each, felt it, at triple the strength.

Come dusk, Pandora watched, as Attar suddenly rose from his nap, hurled. And panicky, checked up, on the four's condition. Pandora and her sisters, had known him, since the day he was born. Just like his big brother Orion, Attar had inherited their father's physique, and big stature. Yet not even at Orion's tragedy, had Attar looked shriveled, as he did now. It was a rare sight, to see the almost 2 meters tall man, suddenly hunched over his devices, frantic.

Pandora: “Attar? What's wrong? Are you sick?”

Attar: “They're gone...”

Pandora: “Are you sure? Maybe they just removed their rings.”

Attar: “See the history logs yourself.”

A minute later, Artemis came in. She was shocked at the sight before her. Attar, sitting on the ground, hugging his knees. Pandora, starring at the monitors, both with an empty look.

Artemis: “What's going on?”

Pandora: “See for yourself...”

A minute later...

Artemis: “Is it confirmed? Any eyewitnesses?”

Attar: “Eyewitnesses? No, but...”

Artemis: “But nothing.”

Attar: “According to the logs, all 4 had irregular heartbeats, indicative of a serious injury, before the signals went dark.”

A determined look on Artemis's face.

Artemis: “I refuse to believe, that my little girl, would just die like that. That they all would. I taught them better than that. Now, get off your butts, and go see for yourself.”

Attar smiled, faintly.

Attar: “You are right. Anything could have happened. I don't know why, I jumped to conclusions!”

Pandora: “Because you are in love.”

Attar: “I'm what?”

Artemis: “You are in love, boy.”

Attar: “Love? Huh! Anyway. Pandora! What's the status of your mission?”

Pandora: “The spies have been taken care of. As of now, there are only 2 more groups of enemies left, as their location is yet unknown. Our best estimate, is that at least one, is headed East.”

Attar: “Then there is no time to waste. Come morning, I'm headed to the 4s last known location. In the mean time, Artemis, you and Diana are to locate the second group, and eliminate.”

Artemis: “That's the spirit, boy. And don't worry. I've already send word to Castor & Pollux. They will help locate the four.”

Attar: “What have those two gorillas been up to these days, anyway?”

Artemis: “Oh, nothing much. They just hold the biggest chain of the fabric trade.”

Lilith: “We are coming with you, Attar.”

Attar: “Why?...Wait!...The brothers?”

Eve: “Yes. They are our men.”

Pandora: “We knew it immediately.”

Attar: “You 3 have always been more sensitive.”

Artemis: “How long do you need to get there?”

Lilith: “With the fastest horses, about 2 weeks.”

Pandora: “I just wish, the underground roads were still functional.”

Lilith: “Yeah, with them, it would take 1 week.”