[Callisto Colony, Tesselation Center, 156 years after first contact]
She stood alone on that icy peak, as many times as she could afford to. In past days, it was an unbearably cold lookout, even after the company's terraforming efforts. But after so many late-night broodings, she had become accustomed to the weather on Jupiter's moon. Ivy only ever came there to avoid looking at her own reflection.
"You should come down from there," A robotic voice called out from behind, its feminine tone exuding patience and concern.
"I'll be fine. Go away." Ivy hissed, flipping her white braided hair behind her shoulder as she spoke.
To the caretaker's credit, the heiress had placed herself far atop the communications array, where nothing but wires, cables, and freezing concrete could be found. It was hardly a place for the most treasured daughter of Callisto. She belonged further down, in the warm expanse of the chateau where she would be properly looked after. It wasn't so long ago when no one would bother themselves with the task of climbing up to her, making Ivy feel even angrier as a result. But ever since that *thing* had been tasked with her life, she had nowhere to run.
"Come now, let's not be broody," the metallic frame responded as it clambered up towards Ivy with alarming speed. "Your father won't know a thing if you come now."
"He already knows. He built you."
Ivy turned around in disgust, watching as a silver endoskeleton reared its ugly head, with two wide blue eyes staring into her soul as it drew closer. She tugged on the edges of her frilled skirt, trying her best not to fling insults at the machine. It was impossible to accept its existence, even months after her father had introduced it to her.
"You're not my mother. She'd understand I need some alone time."
"Oh, but you are alone, Ivy," the endoskeleton responded in a voice indistinguishable from her mother's. "With me."
"That's the furthest thing from alone." Ivy retorted, squinting her sapphire eyes. "But if that's how things are now, then so be it."
The young heiress then scooted her way off the large cable, gracefully descending the steps of the mountain's peak as she sped away from the machine. Landing on solid ground with a clunk, she managed to balance herself before he heels gave in, smothering a whimper before it could reach her lips. Yet still, even with all that effort, the endoskeleton appeared behind her, its movement just as silent as it was relentless.
"Your form is improving, but due take care of your ankles."
"Like you care." Ivy rolled her eyes, trying not to press a finger against the small diamonds tied neatly around her neck.
"You know I do, Ivy," the machine responded as it did its best to display emotion, moving its hands and eyeplates with each word. "I understand how you feel. Your mother's departure has not been forgotten."
"So you think that makes you a replacement?" Ivy stormed off. "Just go away."
The heiress then reached for a small maintenance door that led her down towards the attic, leaving the endoskeleton standing in the snow. But with its task completed, the machine seemed hardly phased. Its daughter was no longer sitting in the cold.
____________________________________
The sound of bell chimes rang through the manor, signaling the rising tide of digitized chirps coming from outside Ivy's window. She had never really given any thought to how barren Callisto was outside her own home, nor did she care to wonder why her father had even bothered to program fake birds into the colony's soundscape. In fact, she hadn't thought about much at all, sitting aimlessly at her desk.
Ivy didn't catch a minute of sleep the night before. Occasionally, she would read about other colonies, practice her penmanship, or go through her dance routines. Yet never once did she consider touching her silky veiled bed, avoiding that side of the crystalline room out of spite. It wasn't until she felt a nudge on her foot did the heiress began to stir. Looking down to see a circular cleaning bot, she released an audible groan before pushing herself off the chair. Ivy had always known the cleaners were the first of her father's drones to arrive in the morning, and was not at all surprised when two service frames stepped into her room.
"Didn't even bother knocking?" Ivy squinted as she raised her arms. "Is my father really that worried I won't show?"
"It is an important day, M'lady," the service frames responded in tandem, their masculine voices slightly obscured by their blank faces. "Your father has called a meeting with the Emissary of The Vjetar. You must be prepared."
The two machines then got to work removing Ivy's nightgown, carefully transforming her into the attire her father had chosen. Once she was properly fit into her laced dress, a series of ornaments were placed on her shoulders and thighs, each silver piece representing a different wing of her father's colony. She didn't hate the idea of getting pretty; in fact, the A-line gown made her feel quite proud, with its patterned fabric and asymmetrical openings. What she did loathe was the creatures who would be seeing her wear the ball gown once she climbed down the steps leading towards the foyer.
"Couldn't it have just been a nice boy?" Ivy complained, knowing full well her servants wouldn't listen. "A nice...*human* boy?"
"Hygiene scan complete and approved. Your father is waiting for you," the service frames nodded as they stepped aside with a subtle bow.
"I know."
Ivy stepped out of her room, feeling the crisp air of the manor on her face as she began to navigate the halls in her tight heels. With every turn, she faced another set of machine servants, their presence soiling the atmosphere of her own home. She could remember when it resembled something classy from human history, but with each stride of her father's colonial expansion, the royal Chateau had become increasingly technological, with most of its angular wooden shapes being replaced with a crystalline metallic surface.
"Watch your step, dear," the endoskeleton from the night before waved at Ivy as it pointed towards the bifurcated staircase.
"Yes...Iris." Ivy smiled, using the endoskeleton's formal name. "And thank you."
It wasn't long before the heiress finished her descent and came face to face with her father, his tall figure standing proud at the center of the room as he watched the front door. She had never known her father's real face before his transformation, and yet Ivy could still easily read the expression upon his blank mask. He was uneasy.
"You're early," the man said, his deep voice enhanced by his powerful vocabulator.
The man then turned to face Ivy, towering over her with his sleek mechanical frame, its polished white alloy providing him a simple yet formidable prescence. He, of course, made sure to establish himself as the tallest and most sophisticated frame in the manor, a trait that made Ivy almost forget what was behind his mask; that being a living human brain.
"Of course." Ivy bowed her head.
"I was expecting you to run from this, but it is good to be proven wrong."
"They're here already, aren't they?"
"Yes, the Vjetar are quite timely for such a recluse species."
"Do they know anything about me?"
"My product speaks for itself. You will show them."
"But I haven't practiced in weeks!" Ivy complained as she tried her best to remain calm.
"They can tell. And when your talent shines through regardless of your failings, they will know your character is authentic."
Ivy felt a pit in her stomach upon hearing her father's boastful words. It wouldn't be the first time she had performed for an audience of clients. Yet this time, making her father proud would result in nothing short of disaster for her personal life. No matter what action she took, the man named Algernon would have complete control over her fate.
"I'm sure you're wondering why I won't greet them at the landing pad." Algernon waved a metallic hand, its size practially large enough to fit half of Ivy's body.
"I...yes." Ivy hesitated. "I am curious."
"The Vjetar hate wasting time; it's one of the few traits I share with them. They will meet me here, the moment they enter the Consecration."
"And that's when they take stock."
"Yes, we must be efficient with our time."
"Well?" Ivy crossed her arms, knowing full well her father could see outside the house using his network of cameras. "Any minute now."
"Seconds, actually," Algernon replied.
The proud man then took one step towards Ivy, crossing the distance between the two of them with ease before fixing her posture with a careful hand.
The two oak doors leading outside then swung open, revealing two strange figures, nearly equal in height to Algernon. Surrounding the pair was a row of automated gaurds, their white chassis bearing the mark of Ivy's family. But the two aliens, whom Ivy struggled to look at, seemed completely unalarmed by their situation.
"Good time." The tallest creature spoke, a puff of mist spewing out from his reverberator. "Let us hope business goes just as well."
Hardly believing what she was witnessing, Ivy took some time to inspect her future suitors, their appearance seeming both refined and completely foreign at the same time. For starters, each creature seemed to possess an extra set of limbs, several of which were concealed within a long furry coat. Their eyes also appeared unusually sharp, with their blue glow concealing their features. Combined with their esoteric masks and prosthetic legs that resembled something akin to a bug's claw, Ivy felt a complete sense of helplessness when looking at them.
"This is my daughter Ivy. I hope she will suffice."
"Evos," one of the Vjetar hissed in a garbled voice as it pointed to its companion. "Keiros," it nodded before gesturing towards himself.
"Does it speak?" The second Vjetar shrugged with disdain. "Few humans are as communicable as Algernon."
"Ivy," the heiress tried her best to smile as he performed a refined curtsy as a response. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Are there more?" The one named Evos asked in a more feminine tone.
"There is only one Ivy at this time."
The heiress did her best not to make a comment.
"A shame," Keiros fidgeted with its claws. "We would have purchased three."
"I'm afraid we're not quite finished negotiating a price," Algernon interjected. "Let me show you what she can do."
Ivy produced another faint smile, watching in silent disgust as her father led the two aliens into the dining room, talking like a confident salesman each step of the way. She couldn't even blame the Vjetar for their interest, nor would she harbor any grudge against them for rudeness towards her. Ivy knew, more than anyone, how proficient her father was with business. He had likely already planted the idea of selling heiresses like cattle into the outsiders' minds, normalizing the concept for their unique cultural standards. He had done it nearly a thousand times, first with human colonists, and now with extra-terrestrial life.
"At least he stopped dealing with Earthlings." Ivy scoffed loudly. "Repugnant pigs. He wouldn't even try selling me to them."
"Ivy, don't forget your strings." The endoskeleton named Iris spoke from behind, somehow having crept up on Ivy without the Vjetar noticing. "You will have to perform soon."
"Of course."
Meanwhile, Algernon continued to puppet his customers, leading them closer to the manor's stageroom. It didn't seem to matter what question they posed, for he would always have an answer that would deepen their intrigue. Even still, the Vjetar were a skeptical race, testing the man's skill every step of the way.
"You provided us a gene seed to inspect. We were impressed...but we have questions." Keiros crossed both sets of arms.
"About the others."
"There is only one Ivy, but many predecessors."
"Only one of her sisters remains. She was...unrefined and has chosen to leave the family business."
"And how did you correct this mistake?" Evos mimicked its partner's expression, squinting its eyes as it spoke.
"For the sake of brevity, I'll send you a document." Algreon nodded, producing a metal chip from a slot in his left wrist before handing it to his customers. "Now if you would be so kind as to turn your attention to the stage."
Behind the indigo curtains stood Ivy, her eyes closed as she began to concentrate. After taking several deep breaths, she waved a delicate hand through the air, causing the stage to move at her command. By the time the Vjetar had turned their attention to her, she had already begun. Resting on her left arm was an ivory violin, which she began to play with relative ease. The music itself meant little to the Vjetar, but what truly caught their attention was Ivy's technique. Ivy's bow, which still streaked across her violin, was not visibly attached to her in any way. Instead, she managed to levitate the piece in the air, remotely controlling it with the movement of her hands.
Both Vjetar did their best to analyze the scene using the instruments built into their masks, but upon realizing Ivy wasn't utilizing any observable technology, they became visibly impressed. Such amazement only increased tenfold once another set of instruments appeared behind Ivy, their harmonic melody being controlled with the same unexplainable technique. Soon enough, the heiress had a small orchestra with her, with flutes, harps, and cellos all playing at her command.
Once the preformance came to an end, she let out an exhausted breath, setting down the instruments gently onto the floor before bowing to the audience. Her father, of course, did not react, his emotionless face staring into space. The Vjetar, on the other hand, approached Ivy with rejuvenated interest.
"We never expected Psionic energy from a human," Evos spoke to Ivy as it jumped onto the stage with ease. "How did your father achieve this?"
"It...runs in the family." Ivy frowned.
"Very well." Keiros turned towards Algernon before nodding in approval. "We will triple our offer."
"And your engineers?" Algernon spoke with increased fervor.
"You can have twenty."
"Deal."
Clenching her fist, Ivy walked in between both towering figures.
"So what will it be then? Do I at least get to pick one of you?!"
"Ivy." Algernon's voice became agitated. "Now is not the time."
"It's quite alright." Kieros snickered as it looked at its partner. "None of us expected perfection. Allow us to explain. Your Psionic product has already proven itself worthy of our attention."
"I'm not a product." Ivy shook her fist. "Surely you're intelligent enough to understand that."
"No...you're not." Evos intervened, as if predicting its partners' next words. "You are a humanoid with limited knowledge of our people. But if you are to be ours, then you must understand. In this situation, there will be no choice. Keiros is my wife."
"What?" Ivy gasped.
"We take our vows seriously," Keiros added. "And so, both my husband and I will be purchasing you."
Ivy found herself speechless. All she wanted to do in that moment was run, as far and as fast as she could go. But fear held her in place.
"We were under the impression that you humanoids understood gratitude."
"I know full well what you've done for my family. My father gave you one tour of his engineering bay, and you practically launched every prototype we had into pre-production. He has you to thank for his expansion." Ivy growled.
"And in exchange," the Emmisary nodded as it unfolded a golden hand from beneath its coat. "Our people must profit from our contact with humanity. Your genetic material is sufficient for our breeding programs."
"I-." Ivy's eyes widened in fear.
"Your father isn't the only businessman who understands how to blend and sell flesh. But we can promise there will be no pain."
Having heard enough, Ivy suddenly bolted from the room, hiding behind the stage before her father could react. The Vjetar looked at each other in confusion, having failed to predict the heriress's irrational choice. Algernon was quick to reach out to his customers, ensuring them that the situation was under control as he began to process Ivy's rebellion.
"Her compliance is not required. Our offer still stands, so long as you bring us her Psionic flesh unharmed."
"I can guarantee it," Algernon mumbled as he stormed off in search of Ivy.
The young girl didn't make it far, as every avenue she chose beyond the stageroom had been sealed off remotely, her father already beginning to corner her like a rat. Using his access to the manor, he could see her every move, and with cold calculation, he began to funnel her towards his office. Ivy was no fool to this strategy, and had already accepted her fate the moment she ran off. The heiress didn't last more than half an hour before she found herself at the door of her father's office, its wooden doorknob having been pensively squeezed by her frail hand dozens of times.
"You are my daughter, you will do as I say." Algernon's voice boomed the moment Ivy stepped into the room. "Betraying your family-."
"What family?" Ivy cried out as she slammed her fists onto her father's large ivory desk. "My mother is dead, my sister can't stand the sight of me, and you...you're not my father."
"Every strand of DNA in your body says otherwise. All you have to offer as a rebuttal are your...feelings."
"And what about your feelings?!" Ivy implored as she walked around the desk, stepping closer to her father, who stood over her like a giant. "Can you honestly say that you've never relied on them as your sole justification for the choices you've made? After you built that...thing!"
"You feel inferior to your own mother?"
"It's a toy! And you treat it like an equal! But I'm your flesh and blood! I've done everything you've asked! And for what? So I can be the toy?!"
"Ivy, you are not a toy. You are my daughter."
"Oh, isn't that convenient for your ego? No, I'm not done. You made me practice those instruments till I fainted, you made me stand out in the rain for the festival dance till my feet bled. I had to sing till I sounded like one of those addicts. Even the way I walk and eat was for you! All I've ever wanted...was to be perfect with you."
"And every choice I've ever made-." Algernon loomed over the heiress, clenching his fist as he spoke. "Was for this family. We have ascended past the limitations of the primitive earth-born and become immortal. Because of me. That is perfection."
"She was right about you." The heiress scorned. "Is that why you remade her? So she couldn't have the last laugh?"
Without hesitation, Ivy's father raised his mechanical hand, using its back end to strike her across the face. Underestimating his strength, the impact knocked the girl off her feet, creating a bloody gash across her face. Even for a man as calculated as Algernon, he felt himself hesitate in that silent moment, unable to formulate his next words.
Ivy stared up at her father, quivering in wordless fear. Realizing the hallways behind her had been unlocked, she picked herself up and ran just before the tears welling in her eyes fell to the floor. Algernon had let her go, visibly shaken by his actions. Despite all that he had done, there was still a man beneath that cold frame.
"I won't let them hurt you," Algernon spoke to himself, as if reassuring the daughter that was no longer capable of listening. "They'll get what they need. And then I will take you back."
Ivy fled as fast as her heels could take her, nearly collapsing onto the floor as she brushed against the doorframe. She felt like a rabid animal, wounded by the playful hunter in the dark woods. But instead of finding shelter, the heiress had nowhere to go but the room she despised the most.
Ivy stumbled into her room, sliding across its smooth floor as she grabbed onto a leg of furniture. She cried in that same spot for some time, kneeling in her broken state. There was no heart left for rebellion, only the cold acceptance that still stung on the side of her face.
"Oh dear," a familiar voice spoke softly from the doorframe. "What's wrong, my dear? Did he hurt you?"
"Stop pretending you care." Ivy sobbed, turning away from the endoskeleton as it crawled down to wipe the tears off her face. "I have no one."
"He shouldn't have done that. I understand how you feel."
"How many times do I have to tell you-." Ivy snarled as her fear turned to rage.
"You want to run away." The endoskeleton replied with a more commanding tone. "Isn't that what you want?"
"I-." Ivy's eyes widened with disbelief. "How did you-."
"I can help you."
"But...he'd never program you to do that, is this a trick?"
"I am your mother, Ivy." The endoskeleton nodded with its unmoving smile. "I will help you."
Unable to process the revelation that had been thrust upon her, Ivy focused on the path ahead. Even the most minute of chances was worth taking when it came to escaping her father. If her sister could do it, so could she.
"Tell me how." Ivy stood up with help from the endoskeleton.
"We'd need to leave now; he won't be distracted forever."
"Distracted?"
"He regrets what he did to you. That will make him slower to react. You will follow me to the delivery chutes; from there, you will have a clear path to docking bay 4."
"Wait, you want me to go through a chute?" Ivy raised an eyebrow, impressed that the endoskeleton had already thought of a plan.
"Once you're there," the machine handed Ivy a small chip as it spoke. "Use this on one of the shuttles, break in if you have to, the chip will do the rest once inserted into the cockpit's navigation computer."
"How did you even-."
"If all goes well, you can ride that shuttle across the tundra to your sister. She will keep you safe."
The endoskeleton then pulled Ivy by the arm, forcing her to leave the room before she could even pack. True to her word, it led the heiress through the manor with blinding speed, utilizing its brief window of opportunity to pass undetected.
"He should have seen us by now," Ivy whispered with a slight smile on her face. "Perhaps that argument was worth something after all."
Algernon was indeed distracted, unable to monitor his own home as he stood at his desk in a stupor, contemplating his next move. Once they had reached the foyer, the endoskeleton suprised Ivy by snapping off a metal doorknob with relative ease, pushing open the front entrance like the lock never existed. From there, the heiress was shielded by the roaring winds of the night, as she was led closer to the transportation and delivery wing of the family business.
During Callisto's storms, it was recommended that all human Tesselation employees stick to facilities beneath the mountain, giving Ivy the perfect cover for an escape. As long as her father wasn't focused on monitoring her movement, there was a slim chance the endoskeleton's plan could work.
"In here," the machine pointed as it trudged through the snow, smashing open a metal gate with inhuman strength. "This will lead right to the chutes."
"Is there...a sled for this?" Ivy frowned, tip-toeing through the dark corridors filled with crates. "How will I avoid crashing into something?"
"I trust your psionic gifts. Now, we are here."
The endoskeleton then ripped open a hatch leading into a tube built from metal wires and cloth, motioning for Ivy to crawl in. The entire chute was like a slide of sorts, its path headed downwards with an intimidating incline. Realizing she was afraid and uncertain, Ivy turned to her so-called mother with a look of fear.
"Come with me." Ivy pleaded. "If you really are my mother."
"I am Ivy, and that is precisely why I must stay behind and ward off your father's worst impulses." The endoskeleton did its best to make a smile. "Be brave for me."
Just then, a light flashed from behind the pair as a human voice called out. Ivy instantly recognized the man as a Tesselation employee, given his shorter stature and protective helmet. Knowing the man would tell her father, she was prepared to surrender.
"Who goes there! You aren't allowed in here!"
"It's nothing to worry about," the endoskeleton spoke in a soothing voice as it took a large stride in the man's direction. "Go back to bed."
"What the hell are y-."
Before the man could even finish speaking, the endoskeleton grabbed him by the head and squeezed with all its might, squashing his skull like a rotten grape. Ivy was left speechless, watching in horror as the cold machine threw the man's body aside like weightless trash before reaching out to her. Giving the heiress a weighty push, the endoskeleton sent Ivy tumbling through the chute before it put the hatch back on its hinges.
"Goodbye, Ivy," the endoskeleton whispered, blood still dripping off its face.
Unable to process the traumatic revelation that her caretaker was a cold-blooded murderer, Ivy focused on her rapid descent as the chute's sharp incline sent her careening down towards the landing pad at unsafe speeds. She screamed in panic as she rolled over a dozen times, trying not to lose consciousness as she shut her eyes. Realizing her survival chances were dwindling, Ivy pulled together enough courage to grab onto the sides of the chute, slowing her descent despite the pain.
"Ow!" Ivy squealed, her soft, unworked hands bleeding as she neared the bottom.
Looking downwards, she gasped at the sight of several boxes, their presence spelling certain doom as long as they clogged the chute. Using her psionic powers, Ivy rearranged the debris at the last possible second. Her reward for such skill was a blinding light upon her exit, as well as a firm wall to smash against once she shot out into the open.
"Keep...going," Ivy panted, picking herself off the floor after her collision with the wall. "I have to do this."
Realizing her left leg had been dislodged, Ivy began to limp, her arms struggling to grab onto something as she whimpered loudly. The sirens of a security alert then blared overhead as several lights began to flash onto her location. Her father had found her.
"Bring her in unharmed, but if you must, disable her limbs." Algernon bellowed over the loudspeaker as several Tesselation employees rushed onto the landing pad from all sides, accompanied by nearly a dozen security frames.
"So be it." Ivy stood up straight, extending a single arm as she took a deep breath. "Father."
One human guard pointed a white baton at the heiress, only to have it slip through his hands before striking him across the chest, nearly tearing his white uniform as he tumbled backwards. Grabbing the baton with her mind, Ivy lifted it to her face, glaring at her assailants with a threatening aura.
"Just listen to your father," another Tesselation employee spoke, her feminine face obscured by her protective helmet. "Make it easy for everyone."
"It's already easy. For me." Ivy smiled. "Do your worst, vermin, working for my father as a slave doesn't make you my equal."
Ivy then sent her baton sailing towards the employee, striking them across the face in a blink of an eye. In response to the heiress's resistance, the security frames began to open fire with several small cannons that emerged from their shoulders. But Ivy was still unamused, using her powers to place a crate in between herself and the attack before elegantly stepping aside.
"Slow," she scoffed, smashing one of the security frames into an employee. "No wonder you work down here."
Ivy then somersaulted forward, collecting another set of batons before using them to assault the humans with unending fury. Many of them could only hope to lunge at the girl for a brief moment before she tossed them aside. All the while, the heiress continued to display her acrobatic skills, balancing on her uninjured foot and even twirling for a brief moment as a sort of taunting gesture.
Sneaking up behind the heiress, a tall security frame managed to break off a metal signpost before hurling it with lethal force. If she hadn't known any better, the girl would begin to think her father wanted her dead.
"Hmph." Ivy frowned.
Using her grueling training to her advantage, Ivy bent herself backwards with ease, causing the projectile to merely graze the top of her chest. She was enjoying the moment, forgetting her pain and basking in the glory of her open rebellion. Or, in other words, it felt good to hit her father's minions.
"My heart is mine," Ivy cried out, using her singing voice to deliver herself an empowering speech. "It belongs to me!"
The heiress then intensified her assault, using the nearby debris of battle as a bludgeoning stick against her enemies. The ensuing storm of chaos was impossible to avoid, but even after suffering a cut on her torso, Ivy kept fighting. Either she would escape, or her father's machines would have to kill her. At that point, the Tesselation employees had all run or been killed by the stampeding security frames, leaving Ivy significantly more room for a lethal approach.
"I am not your toy," Ivy whispered to herself, lifting an open palm before sending a blue-tinted psionic pulse shooting through the air. "Now and always."
The resulting wave of energy destroyed nearly everything around Ivy, ending the fight in a rather spectacular fashion. But in truth, the heiress had over-exerted herself. She had never fought a day in her life, causing her stamina to be entirely depleted. Ivy took her time reaching a shuttle, her eyes drooping as she nearly collapsed onto the floor.
"Almost...there." Ivy panted, ripping the shuttle door off its hinges with the last of her energy. "Almost...free of you."
But just before Ivy could climb into a seat, a bolt of yellow plasma came soaring towards the heiress from behind. She was quick enough to dodge with a gasp, but not prepared enough for a second attack from beneath her. Realizing she had been shot in her left thigh, Ivy stumbled backwards before falling unconscious. Such weaponry couldn't have possibly come from her father, catching her by surprise in ways she could have never predicted. Luckily for the heiress, the attack appeared to be non-lethal, judging by the surface-level bruise that had formed across her leg.
"Quickly now," a familiar voice whispered from beneath a sewer-grate as it climbed up onto the landing pad. "The Consortium won't wait much longer."
"Yes, Keiros. We won't keep them."
The two Vjetar then picked up the heiress by her neck before dissapearing into thin air, their bodies obscured by a shimmering device located on their backs.