The Ethereal World

Yesterday, Rome had her prosthetic PPT transceivers, injected into her by agents of MASAL, reconnect her to the Sipre's samanda. Despite Rome's protests, Rei had himself reconnected too. Bonnie requested the same but was denied. It was time for Rome (and Rei) to go out and do battle. Aason, who was just rescued, was understandably upset that his Mom was now leaving him again. This broke Rome's heart but it had to be done:

     “Aason, I love you so much,” Rome said, “but it’s too dangerous. Let Daddy and me go. We’ll be back as quick as we can. But I have to keep you protected. Do you understand?”
     “No,” he said at first. Then Aason nodded sadly. “Yes, Mommy,” he said. “I understand. But please be careful.”
     Rome leaned forward to rest on her knees. She put her arms around her son and hugged him tight. “We will, baby,” she said. “This is so we can all be safe. Now and forever.”
     “OK, Mommy,” the little boy said bravely. He turned and walked over and hugged his father as well.
     Rome stood up and turned to face Reema. “We will release your hands and remove your T-suppressor as soon as we are clear of the ship. I cannot have my son in harm’s way.”
     “I understand,” said Reema. “Whether I trust you or not, you will be in my domain so regardless, that will suffice.”
     “OK, MINIMCOM,” Rome said. “Don’t go far.”
     “I will be overhead, awaiting word,” the livetar replied.
     Rei tucked the Beretta into the waistband behind his back then reached forward and pressed the blue stud. They waited until the cargo hatch raised up and the ramp lowered then together, the three humans strode down the ramp. As soon as they were clear, the process reversed and MINIMCOM shimmered and disappeared. The air whipped around as an unseen MINIMCOM activated his EG lifters, presumably to rise up in the air.
     Once the air had settled, Rei turned Reema around and released the elastic band binding her arms. At the same time, Rome lifted the T-suppressor off of Reema’s brow. Reema nodded and pointed ahead. As soon as she did that, Rome heard shouting off in the distance. The three of them started walking forward toward the noise.
     “I’m going in,” Rome said, reaching for Rei’s hand.
     “Me, too,” Rei replied and both of them allowed their connection to MASAL’s samanda to come alive.
     To Rei, it was the strangest sensation. Even though his eyes could still see the real world perfectly well, a second, more ethereal world became visible. He looked down at Rome. He could see her physical body but he could also see her as a magnificent spirit, bright red, almost like a flickering flame. Right beside her was a tiny pink spark, flitting around, even brighter than Rome.

In case you haven't guessed it, that pink spark was Lupe who was conceived only a few days ago. Now it was time to take on MASAL's Sipre.