The Mistwalker

Chapter 14

Milly awoke feeling well rested. She must have slept through the night, although the room itself remained unchanged. Natanashi was gone, probably in the adjacent cave room. Milly got up and tried to stretch a little. Oh boy, was she sore. The cave floor didn't do her any favors. She went down the other lite tunnel.

"My medical expertise was correct. She is alive!" A man boomed as Milly entered. He was in his mid-fifties with graying hair, beard, and mustache. He also had brown skin, and emerald eyes.

"Our medic, Solomon." Natanashi introduced.

"Nice to meet you." Milly said.

"The pleasure's mine, ma'am." Solomon responded.

"Milly is fine."

Solomon tilted his head back and laughed. "I see. I can play that game, Milly."

Milly smiled. Another charming personality. Milly saw that the two were gathered around Ace. Ace had some color back to his face, so he was improving. He opened his eyes. "Good to see a familiar face." He groaned.

"You're quite the sleeper, Milly. You got fourteen hours in." Solomon said with admiration.

"Fourteen?" Milly was surprised. "What time is it?"

Solomon shrugged. "Who can say? Sometime in the morning, but we need to cut to the chase and figure out what we are going to do with the two of you."

"Don't lump us together Doc. She's a Hyperix citizen." Ace stated. That got a reaction.

"What?" Natanashi asked.

Solomon stared at Milly. "My god." He whispered.

Milly was alert. "Is there something wrong with that?"

Solomon shook his head. "Quite the opposite. It's a token of good fortune. Just a surprise at what the Empire would do to its own children is all."

"How is it good fortune?"

"Because you don't have to get thrown to the wolves in the Outlands." Solomon explained. "You can get back to a civilized life. You can go through the orphan program and get going with your life. Although, it'll be tough to put this in the past."

Milly frowned. A civilized life? In The Empire? But they had to be hunting her. How could it ever be close to normal? And back to the orphanage program?

Solomon also frowned. "You seem more troubled by this news."

"I got here through the orphanage program." Milly replied. That led to everyone pausing for a moment.

"I told you they were fucked up." Ace said.

Solomon thought for a moment. "The program you two were apart of is top secret, right? Then, we just need to add a bit more attention to your profile."

Milly didn't like the thought of that one bit. Wasn't she hiding from The Empire? "Why can't I just go with you? Your taking Ace, aren't you."

Natanashi just shook her head. Solomon answered. "He's a famous bounty hunter used to the life. Any sane person would avoid Outlandee life if they had the choice. Any normal Empire life is better than that." Solomon pivoted to his original idea. "Besides, if we add some flare to your profile, say a medical and military seal, which should be enough for you to not disappear again. It would raise questions that would reach the top, hence ruining the secrecy of the project. They wouldn't risk that for a child."