They had been sent in to rescue a high ranking official's daughter and had, erroneously, assumed she would be some weak, helpless, demanding, little flower that not only would be difficult to rescue, but would be a major headache, and pain in their rears, all the way through the escape and on the way back to the woman's home world. What they found, instead, was a strong, fierce, self-reliant individual who was as ready with a weapon as any of their team. Which was a good thing, because the way home was not going to be easy, nor would the unexpected reception when they finally returned her to her home.
I really loved the prompt and story with this one, could we see more about the two? The warrior maiden in a world where such are not well looked upon really has a great potential to me.
@internutter/challenge-02736-g179-falling-flying -- DaniAndShali
[AN: Kudge and Liz, a match made in Hell... but in the best possible way]
It was during downtime between points of Very Interesting that Kudge finally found his usual quick mouth. "I gotta say, I always hated the whole 'delicate flower' narrative for the executive class of ladies. Like, is the line they draw between delicate flowers and walking trash how much money they have, or could earn, or what their day job is? It's so arbitrary. I always said everyone should know at least some basic defence. So -uh- where did you learn how to do all that and how can I sign people up for it?"
She looked so wonderful when she smiled. She put her whole self into it. Kudge found himself blushing more than a little as he shyly smiled back. "I'm... kind of self-taught. The instant I was away from any watchful eye, I was searching up methods of combat from unarmed to anything-goes and practising by myself." Liz blew out a sigh. "Today... well... the last few days have been a learning curve. And a half."
"Yeah, but you blew up that mountain and took names. You were awesome." Now that shy grin was all out. Showing off teeth that Kudge was only now self-conscious about. "So what if you were making it up on the fly? You were flying anyway! You soared. Hell, that's how me an' the Brutes operate most of the time."
"Yeah, it always started as a good plan," laughed San. "Then something goes balls and it's improvise or die. You could be one of us, Lady Liz."
"Speaking of improv," said Blaze, "Got some Vorax raiders headed our way."
"Hail them," said Liz. She put on the comms mic and said, "Vorax raiders having one chance. This being vessel full of Humans. We being in NO mood to take any drek. Move a-flakking-long!"
It was quite a sight to see a Vorax raiding party startle and then turn tail so fast that they could almost hear the yelping.
Luse picked up his jaw. "Kudge, I can see why you're in love with her. You're a genius with personnel, for real."
Liz turned to boggle at him and Kudge, embarrassed at himself, suddenly found his feet fascinating. "I thought that pickup line was a joke. You... actually like me?"
He tried to look her in the eye. The burning tides of mortification prevented him from going much past her armoured knees. His mouth failed him once more. The fear of rejection was like any other fear of battle. It had to be confronted. There were, after all, two ways this could go and neither of them would kill him. "What... if... I do?"
There was a pause, in which Kudge felt like he was diving into a black hole and waiting for the universe and all of time and space to stretch out in his vision[1].
"Well... considering how it's my hand and not my heart the others are fighting for, it's a welcome change. You were told that I have holdings in multiple interests, right?"
"Yeah? So?" His feet were his entire universe, now. "Time's never meant much to me. I like helping people. I never expected... I didn't want..." A shrug. "And now I do."
"Good," she said. "Because you and I can cause my enemies a great deal of trouble."
Through the ensuing conversation, Kudge learned that Liz's enemies were the very fellows who hired him and the Brutes to go rescue her. They wanted to own her, which was ludicrous. More accurately, they wanted full possession of her available resources and holdings before she suffered an "unfortunate accident" and they got on with being venal and vile.
Kudge introduced the slight inconvenience of the contract, stating that they had to deliver her, safe and sound, to a specific location. They had never failed at a contract yet, and it went against their grain to disobey the letter of their obligations.
As for the spirit... well. Those suckers deserved it. The Brutes agreed.
Therefore, when Lady Elizabeth Montgomery-Clyde was returned to an agreed pickup point, Grid accepted payment first. Then Liz descended from their ship, fully armed and armoured, and shot the instigator in his face. The rest of the crew had already scoped out the snipers and dealt with them in short order.
Kudge fought at her six, guarding her back and living his best life to date.
When the last shot fell silent, she straightened and said, "Yeah, that'll sort 'em." She turned to Kudge and offered her open palm. "Will you marry me?"
Oh, how he flew in that moment. "You gonna make me quit being a Brute?"
"Flakk no!"
He didn't need any further thought, "Then... yes, please."
[1] This is a theory, of course. Nobody's silly enough to try it and further, there's no way to send the data back out again.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / AlgolOnline]
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