Conscious, Conscientious

Exiting Deanna’s hut proved even more uncomfortable than entering it, despite the fresher air. The chorus of murmurs buzzed all around.

Pang and the team followed Pyper’s stride. As she began the way towards the garden, Deanna emerged to update the worried crowd.

“They’re doing WHAT?!”

“Yeah, right. That’s impossible.”

“It was either that, or they take me now,” Deanna explained.

“Nah, I say we take them OUT—”

“Just give it a chance. I…I have a bad feeling about this group. They’re not…ordinary fighters…”

“Deanna, listen to yourself…”

The not-so-subtle protests faded behind the team. Pang shrugged to herself.

At least that lady’s not stupid, she thought. She wondered how many consciousnesses Deanna had seen come and go over the years for her to be able to detect this team’s strength, and take their warning seriously.

“Wait…are we gonna get poisoned and stuff by going in there?” Irma worried behind her.

The endless weeds and bushes were only a pace away now, and many were so overgrown they’d twisted together into colorful forms taller than the group.

“Sure hope not,” said Benton. “Now will ya’ quit draggin’ your feet?”

He slowed to intercept Aoi, who had unconsciously been matching Irma’s sluggish pace.

Pang shook her head. But now that they’d all grown distant behind her, she could hear Pyper’s carefree hum just ahead. She could practically see the non-existent teacup in the leader’s hand as she enjoyed the view.

Her vibe earlier, when I offered this plan to Deanna…Pang contemplated. What was up with that…?

What was on her mind?

Pang sped her pace a bit until she reached her green-haired instructor.

“Ready to wrangle some canines?” Pyper asked her in greeting.

“Goofy way to say it,” commented Pang. “I thought you couldn’t fight for a few hours? Don’t you have to heal?”

“That’s sweet of you to worry. Yeah, I’m sitting this out,” she replied. “But I wanted to send you off with some pointers.”

“Once those bozos catch up,” muttered Pang.

Pyper giggled.

They were nearly at the garden, now. A blend of flowery scents hit their noses like a wall.

“I’ve been wondering,” thought Pang aloud, “why didn’t any of you guys think of this idea? I mean, it seemed pretty obvious: they have a problem that keeps them from letting Deanna leave, but we have to take her…so we solve the problem for them. Nobody dies. Everyone’s—well, not ‘happy,’ but—”

“But taken care of. Supported,” Pyper finished for her.

“If you wanna make it sound all warm and fuzzy, sure.”

Pyper snickered again, but it evened out quick. “Pang…the rest of us have been doing this kind of thing for a while, now,” she said. “Making sure the people we affect are ‘taken care of…’ that’s not a luxury we’re used to. Where we go, we have to leave destruction behind. We have to break up families. That’s the usual gig, time and again.”

She paused as they reached the start of the garden and awaited the others. Her eyes were filled with the past.

“I can tell your teammates are like me: they still want to care. But we’ve done it so long it’s hardened us. We’re so used to how it usually plays out, that we go through the motions now,” Pyper said. “That’s why this team needs someone like you.”

Returning to the present, or perhaps seeing the future, her eyes landed on Pang.

“You have the fresh perspective, the conviction, that we’ve almost forgotten,” she told her. “You can still see light. And I have a feeling you’ll be too stubborn to lose that any time soon.”

“I don’t know, Tea Lady. ‘Need’ is a strong word.”

“It is. But we do need someone like you,” Pyper insisted. “Not Proscious the organization—I mean us. We need you so we can stay human.”

‘Not Proscious…’ Pang repeated in her head. There it is again.

She wants nothing to do with them. Well, she’s got the know-how, and I’ve got the fresh ideas.

Irma groaned from behind, her voice much closer now. “Alright…ugh, let’s kick some animal butt, I guess.”

“It’s like I’m taking y’all huntin.’ We’re bonding, girls!”

Aoi nodded.

…And we have these weirdos, Pang finished as they finally caught up. Fine…we’ll do this mission. Maybe more, if we have to.

But we WILL get out.

The team naturally formed a semicircle around Pyper, awaiting a game plan. But when they heard shuffles approaching through the grass, they opened the circle wider: Deanna rushed to join.

“Don’t you want to know what you’re up against?” she judged.

“Weird evil dogs with powers,” Irma shrugged off. “Seems easy enough.”

“But you need to understand what those powers are.”

Pyper perked up even more than before. “I, for one, would love to learn more about them.”

Staring between the group with the disappointment of a jaded teacher, Deanna sighed. “I understand you all must be very strong. But a lack of strength hasn’t been our problem against these species,” she explained. “The coyotes live amongst the Alpedal plant. Generational exposure to its toxins have mutated the coyotes, so anyone who gets too close to them will start to forget why they’re there.”

“Fascinating…it’s like animals with unintentional Remover powers,” Pyper remarked, eyes sparkling.

“Yes. And it’s similar for the wolves,” Deanna added. “The toxins from the Obspedal plant they live amongst gave them a mutation causing anyone who approaches them to grow apathetic. Eventually, you’ll stop caring entirely.”

“Ooh…then it must be especially dangerous when you encounter both!” guessed Pyper. “Exciting…”

“Yeah, easy for you to say when you don’t have to go…” muttered Irma.

“Both effects take only a minute of exposure to kick in fully,” Deanna warned. “And once you forget why you’re they’re, and stop caring about it…you become easy prey—standing and waiting to get eaten.”

Her expression had grown so damning, Pang couldn’t help but chuckle. If this were Horror Country, thunder and lightning would’ve rumbled for effect.

“So it’s just gonna take speed and strategy,” she brushed off. “Then I think we’ve got the perfect team. Thanks for the tips.”

Deanna nodded stiffly, clearly uncertain if she should be thanking or sneering at them. She turned and began her way back towards her unnerved community, who were probably far from done listing their concerns with this endeavor.

“One last thing: please avoid killing them if you can. Both are vital parts of our ecosystem,” she added as she departed.

“Easy. I’d hate to see an animal hurt,” Benton assured.

“Says the Barbeque King himself,” jabbed Irma. “And you were just cheering about hunting like two seconds ago.”

“That was before I knew! I was lookin’ on the bright side,” Benton defended. “Besides, some animals are meant for the hunt. But wolves and coyotes are like dogs, and dogs are man’s best—”

Pyper cleared her throat with the gentlest of coughs, but it was more than enough to command silence.

The team regrouped around her once more.

“It seems like the objective is to drive them out of their territory and cut them off—at least until Deanna can do her thing,” she briefed. “This is probably more of a Rank-B mission now, but that’s nothing to worry about. Think of all the resources you have between just the four of you.”

She stretched and let out a yawn, wincing a bit as she remembered her still-healing injury. “I’m gonna go learn about this community. Tootles! Have fun!”

“That’s it?!” Pang remarked.

Pyper caught herself, bringing a hand to her chin to improvise further guidance. “Hmm…how about this: I read Danek and Gage’s files on your sessions, and there’s still so much more you could be doing in this configuration,” she hinted. “And Pang: keep that private conversation of ours in mind…”

As if oblivious to the ambiguity she left behind, Pyper resumed her hum from before and took her leave.

She’s like an old lady in a young body…Pang remarked. Come to think of it, Pang wouldn’t be surprised if Proscious had actually pulled off an experiment like that.

“Well girls,” rallied Benton, “here we go!”

~

To Pang’s annoyance, the damp, sloshy ground was already beginning to seep through her shoes. The team had been brushing through the endless leaves and vines for long enough, but there was no telling where the swampier patches of the garden would emerge. They redirected twice now, doing their best to continue in the same direction they’d started.

Pang sneezed—a minty scent overwhelmed her all at once, watering her eyes. A long leg in neon shorts reached before her and stomped down the clingy weeds in her path.

“Those got me a second ago, too,” said Irma.

“Thanks.”

“So, ‘private conversation?’” Irma brought up. “What did Pyper talk to you about?”

“Good question. Your guess is as good as mine,” Pang shrugged. “That chick’s a weird one…but I think I like her.”

Irma laughed. “Everyone does. That, and we’re a little terrified of her.”

“Huh.”

Pang nearly asked why, but it simply seemed too bothersome. It probably had to do with her rank, anyway, so it didn’t really matter.

“How long until we see one of these things?” Irma wondered.

“Who cares,” came Benton’s grumble.

“I’m with the old man. Who cares,” Pang concurred.

Irma’s multicolored eyes narrowed. “Huh? What’s with you guys?”

Benton shrugged, and Pang couldn’t even bring herself to do that. It wasn’t worth it—communicating was too much of a bother.

“Hey…are you guys picking on me…?” Irma pressed, arms crossed. “Come on, I’m like, not that bad. You act like I’m…”

Her eyes shot wide.

“Crap.”

Irma whirled around, eyes like daggers until they evidently hit the target she expected.

“GUYS!”

Her lightning speed brought her face directly before Pang in a blink, her hair whipping against Pang’s cheeks.

The heck is her problem? Pang wondered.

“SWITCH: ILLUSIONIST!”

She rolled her pink and yellow eyes up, and they returned green and black.

The ensuing sting in Pang’s head was practically nonexistent—apparently, they’d drilled this enough times that she’d conditioned herself to respond, even before she knew or cared about why she should. Her Manipulator senses released from Irma’s Dampener ability, and latched back on to detect Illusionist powers in their place.

Must faster than Pang felt necessary, Irma spun to reface their apparent stalker: a blue-spotted wolf. Pang yawned as it crept into view, purple goo dripping from its hungry fangs.

Then, she felt Irma’s ability activating as she made her move. An illusionary black bear appeared before the team at her command, and the wolf barely stood a glance before darting away into the camouflage of flowers and weeds.

Irma dismissed her defensive mirage and sighed. Normally, Pang would be impressed with her mastery to form such a detailed illusion so fast. But this time, she simply rolled her eyes.

“You’re welcome,” Irma said to the group.

“For what?” uttered Benton.

“Wait for it.”

Pang shrugged. “No idea what you’re talking ab—”

The pounding rush of adrenaline and relief hit all at once. Her eyes shot wide open.

She was nearly a wolf’s lunch.

“Oh…whoa. Nice save, Irma.”

“Golly…that lady wasn’t jokin’: the effect hits strong,” Benton realized with the shake of his head. “I almost just stood around and watched. Good job, kid!”

She posed, pressing a finger to her head. “You guys are lucky the wolf didn’t affect me yet. I must have a pretty tough mind!”

“Nah,” Pang dismissed. “Pretty sure it’s cuz you’re always apathetic to start with.”

Irma glared at her, but found herself unable to deny it. “Well…you’re welcome,” she puffed before storming ahead.

Reluctant for more muddy travels and looming mental threats, Pang and the others followed close behind.

“Now Pang, just ‘cuz you thought it, don’t mean you gotta say it,” Benton taught.

“Fine, my bad…Irma: you do have a tough mind.”

A laugh broke Irma’s pout.

~~~

Pyper pulled her sweater closer, retreating her hands into its sleeves as a breeze swept by.

“Hmm…”

She pivoted with a twirl not unlike a ballerina’s. Her stroll had brought her to the widest part of the commune’s perimeter, just before the start of the hill.

She paused to take one more scan of the makeshift village.

“Alrighty.”

Having taken in the overall layout, Pyper wandered back into the community.

She yearned for a conversation with one of the inhabitants—there was probably so much insight to gain from a proper talk, like how they built these huts, or better yet: if there were any non-poisonous leaves they used to make their own tea.

But a chat seemed understandably unlikely.

After all, each of the thirty-three fighters from before were still eyeing her every step from all over the commune. They watched her with eyes like the scopes of snipers, some behind huts and tents, and others up on the hilltops.

Pyper hadn’t yet decided if they were going for subtlety or intimidation, but either way, none seemed particularly keen on a discussion about tea.

“You’re extremely confident,” came a voice.

Behind her, Deanna stood with arms crossed. She presented an air of busyness, yet nothing was around to prove she actually was. The two of them were utterly alone in the clearing.

Pyper gave a disarming smile. “Is that a compliment or a critique?” she asked, her voice fluttering like fall leaves.

“An observation,” came Deanna’s quick reply. “You seem wise enough to understand what your team promised us might be impossible. But you’re all certain you can do it.”

Her attention wandered to her own crossed arms for a moment, as if picturing them in shackles.

“If you’re all so powerful, yet you’re here capturing me against your will,” she reasoned, “then your captors must be unimaginably strong.”

Pyper’s smile went stiff.

Her lack of reply left the commune so silent, she could hear Pang barking something in the distance.

Pyper rubbed her wound and shifted.

“You wouldn’t believe it if you saw it,” she said. “So I hope you never have to.”

Deanna received the words quietly, but her slight frown failed to conceal the thoughts now coursing through her brain.

Still, despite her scrutinizing focus, Pyper found her presence gentle. Between that and her healing abilities, Deanna was truly the goddess of this valley—a place she was now doomed to leave behind.

“Will you ever try to get out?” Deanna asked.

Pyper’s smile widened at her curiosity. She gazed up into the overcast sky, and a laugh escaped her.

“It might be a little late to be asking that,” she shared.

~~~

“Uh…you guys, what are we doing again?” wondered Irma.

Pang stopped in her muddy tracks.

That can’t be good.

“Wuh-oh,” uttered Benton. “Pang: look alive!”

While he hopped over to Irma to guard her, Pang sprung into action, scanning the surrounding plants for danger just like Irma did earlier.

Given how recently they’d encountered the wolf, Pang had anticipated more of the same. But this time, it seemed a memory-wiping coyote was on the prowl. It made sense, considering the two species were warring for territory.

However, there was no coyote in sight.

“Me and Pang must have stronger memories than you…don’t worry, we’ll explain later!” Benton assured. “Just hold on, darlin’—”

“I was joking.”

“Huh?!”

Benton flipped Irma’s sunglasses down over her face and marched away from her with a huff.

“Little brat.”

They continued on their way, the terrain getting a little more solid underneath them. Pang noticed what appeared to be roots tangled together in the mud, their string-like form padding the earth.

“Uh…guys?” said Irma yet again.

She’d pulled ahead of the group, but had come to a stop before a series of thick, towering bushes. Irma lifted her sunglasses and gazed ahead.

Then she turned to them, her face relaxing at the sight. “Oh, there you are,” she discovered.

“Come on, we ain’t fallin’ for it twice,” griped Benton. “Quit tryna—”

“Wait,” Pang stressed. “Irma, back away from there.”

“Why?”

Knowing she’d need to be quick, Pang leapt forward and seized Irma’s hand.

But just as she did, she forgot which direction she’d come from.

“Oh—you ain’t kiddin’!” came Benton’s realization from behind.

There. Backwards, Pang relearned.

Yanking her startled teammate, Pang rushed back to regroup with Benton and Aoi.

“What’s going on?!” Irma demanded. “Where even are…oh. Thanks.”

Though grateful her effort wasn’t in vain, Pang shook her head. “This really isn’t working.”

She gazed deeper into the garden, beyond the spot where Irma had started losing her memory. Pang could see it: nearly luminescent, pink pedals were past the leaves. They were huge, each nearly the size of a bush on their own and clustered together in a sphere.

“Well, at least we found the first mega-toxic plant-home,” she detected.

“But the plant doesn’t cause the memory loss,” Irma remembered. “The coyotes do. Which means…”

The creatures began appearing like an acceptance to her invitation. Poking through the wall of bushes, a dozen pink-spotted coyotes zeroed in on the team.

“Is it just me, or do they look sorta hungry…?” Benton commented.

“BOOK IT!”

Irma was the fastest to act on Pang’s cry. The two of them launched in the direction their hike had taken them from.

“Follow us, Aoi!” noticed Irma.

Unable to keep up on foot, she began hovering after them like a ghost.

Pang pounced off of a branch and ducked under another. This pumping adrenaline was normally her fuel to fight—not to flee. If they could simply take on their prey, she knew it would practically be over by now.

But Deanna was right: this task wasn’t about power.

We’ve gotta do this without getting close, she knew.

“Girls, I forget: why are we runnin’ again?”

“JUST RUN FASTER, OLD MAN!!” shrieked Irma.

“I’m tryin’ but why—oh yeah…”

Thankfully, they were accumulating distance from the coyotes as their escape raged on. But she could still hear their howls loud and clear—and she could’ve sworn a deeper chorus of howls was emerging from ahead.

This really, REALLY isn’t working, sulked Pang.

Irma slowed a bit to keep pace with the others, checking to ensure they were all still there.

“So…what happens if we can’t actually do this?” she dared ask.

Benton’s response came heavy and slow, even despite his rush. “I think you know, darlin.’ Back to the ol’ fashioned way.”

Irma looked away. But Pang could feel the weight of the reality pressing down on her.

“That would suck for these people. But at least we’d get home for dinner,” Irma shrugged off.

“Yup. Is what it is. Gotta feed my girls.”

It was back again: that fake nonchalance. It was enough to convince Pang back when they first captured her, but now it was as obvious—and grating—as glass shards pressed into her ears.

“Can it with that!” Pang shot. “Look: I said if we have to do this, we’re doing it our way. And I’m sticking to my word.”

Though still distant, the howls grew more widespread.

“Pang…this is how the gig is,” said Benton.

“Then why did you all follow me out here?!” challenged Pang.

Nobody spoke.

“Because you guys aren’t Danek. You’re not Gage,” she pressed. “So if you’re sick of pretending to be the bad guys, then let’s get this done!”

Cautiously, like rescued strays, Benton and Irma allowed themselves to meet her fiery gaze again. She could see a hint of that same drive in their eyes.

“Well…I never said I was ready to give up…” muttered Irma.

“Yeah. Let’s make it happen,” agreed Benton. “So what’s our move?”

Pang’s thoughts froze as both seasoned Proscious members watched her in expectation. Even Aoi peered down at her from the air above.

What the? They’re the experts here! They have no plan??

Another chorus of howls made her mind storm again. Pyper was right: they had so many options at their disposal. Even Gage had pointed it out in his training.

So the first step was to simplify, and do what they did back then.

Okay: we’ll run it like a consciousness team.

Pang flipped backwards, landing close to Benton to run alongside him.

“I think I’ve got something, Pops,” she declared, “but I need to bounce some ideas off a veteran.”

“Hit me with it, kiddo.” His smile went ear-to-ear. “Y’hear that, girls? Pang’s got somethin’ cookin!’ NOW we’re in this!”

~~~

Again, Pang’s voice echoed from the garden and tickled Pyper’s ear. Her call to ‘book it’ sounded awfully desperate.

The team was on their heels.

“I take it you’re the leader?”

Deanna still remained nearby. But by now, she’d surrendered any pretense of coincidence. She stayed a few steps off to the side from Pyper, following her as a shadow as she paced the commune.

“That’s right,” Pyper confirmed. “Say, do you guys make any special teas here?”

Deanna turned mute—just like every other time Pyper asked her questions about this place. Understandably, she must have seen it as a threat instead of a thirst for knowledge.

Pyper sighed. It couldn’t be helped; her research evaded her, and boredom came to take its place.

This time, Irma’s distant shriek filled the silence as she commanded the ‘old man’ to run faster.

“Then if you’re the leader…are you sure they’ll be alright in there without you?”

Pyper hoped her smirk didn’t appear condescending. Clearly, even as a captive, Deanna was the one asking the questions around here.

“This is a pretty good way to find out,” said Pyper. She massaged her wound and continued her stroll.

But when she no longer heard Deanna’s steps behind her, she paused.

“Will they be able to uphold that girl’s promise…?”

Deanna’s now slightly distant voice had gone thin.

“That I can’t say for sure,” Pyper admitted. “But I think it’ll work out.”

“And if it doesn’t?” Deanna pressed. “If they fail…you’ll all take me anyway, won’t you? And you’ll leave my home to die...?”

This time, Pyper was the one to resist a reply. Gently, she turned to face Deanna directly.

She knew no answer was necessary. Her silence said enough.

Boots planted into the earth all around her in a flash. At the top of the hills behind Deanna, fighters stood, spears in hand and fighting stances ready.

Pyper didn’t need to turn around, or even move her head, to understand they had her totally surrounded. All of the commune’s warriors were set to strike as one.

All thirty-three of them, to be exact.

“Then this is our only chance,” Deanna resolved.

Once more, Pyper massaged her injury. It twitched, still healing, and the fighters seemed to know it just as well as her. Their grips tightened on their weapons in assuredness: they had the weakened alpha surrounded.

Pyper nodded, her smile curling her nose as she greeted her many executioners.

“I understand.”