The Coati base was near silent, aside from the few night patrols. The rebellion hideout was well hidden, dug into the hillside and sheltered by dense woodland. Amelia had called this place home for almost 2 years, and in that time hadn’t made much in the way of meaningful connections with others. She’d performed well when it came to taking the fight to the enemy, of course, and had even been praised for her ferocity by some of the commanding officers. But it all just felt empty.
The sense of comradery the rebellion recruiters spoke so highly of just wasn’t present here. People either kept to themselves or stayed in small close knit groups, not sharing much more than small pleasantries with others. The war had taken its toll on everyone.

The only person she’d consider close enough to call a friend was Cassidy, a combat engineer who’d taken a particular liking to Dominance. The two had spent hours talking shop and deployed together multiple times. She’d miss her; but she just couldn’t keep going like this. It was getting harder to stay focused on “The Cause” when it barely felt like they’d made a dent in the seemingly endless tide of Imperial forces. Amelia tossed her belongings into Dominance’s open cockpit. She had a long trip ahead of her A mercenary outfit had been open to new workers and it seemed like a good idea. Maybe it would help her feel less like she was going nowhere.

She’d thought the hanger empty until she heard footsteps rushing toward her. “Thought I might find you here.” The engineer’s voice echoed slightly in the spacious hangar. “Weren’t in your bunk, knew you were gettin’ itchy feet but didn’t think I’d be seein’ you off so soon.” “Woulda’ hoped you’d at least come wake me to say goodbye Ammy.”

“Cassie! I wasn’t even planning for it to be tonight really, just, couldn’t sleep and it felt like the right time. Sorry about not waking you, I didn’t wanna draw attention.” Amelia clambered down from the cockpit, embracing the shorter girl. Her hair smelled strongly of machine oil.

“Won’t be quite the same without you and your girl around.” Cassidy gestured towards Dominance. “I’ll miss fixin’ her up for ya’. Such a pretty thing, one of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure of workin’ on. Sure I can’t convince ya’ to stick around a lil longer?”

“Sorry Cassie, I just, I can’t keep going here, I feel like I’m stuck. Gonna see how mercenary work suits me.” It was hard to turn her down like that, but she had to. “You could always come along with me. Skills like yours would be good anywhere.”

“Nah, Ammy, I’m stayin’ put. Folks need me here. Got new engies on staff and I gotta show 'em the ropes, y’know?” She slapped Amelia on the back. “Come back an’ visit sometime, ya’ hear? If we ain’t upped sticks and left by then.”

Amelia put on a brave face as she climbed back up to her cockpit. She could easily stay, but she had to do this for herself. “I will, I’ll come back. I promise you that much. I couldn’t leave you forever, Cass, you’re special to me.”

The sun had just started to rise as she left the hangar. If any patrols saw Dominance leave, they didn’t say anything. She wondered what the others would think of her when they woke up. She hoped they wouldn’t harbour grudges.

 

 

 

Within a week Amelia knew she’d made a mistake. The entry tests for the “Havel’s Heavies” mercenary outfit had been simple, and she was hired right away. The people however were even less willing to be friendly than the rebellion pilots, to the point of some being openly hostile towards her. She wasn’t sure if it was her abilities as a pilot, her gender identity, or something she didn’t even know about, but it wasn’t a nice place to be.
She thought about just packing up and heading straight back to Coati, but she’d been picked for a job tomorrow. Maybe after that. She’d get her pay and leave without saying anything, go back to Cassie. Coati wasn’t perfect but at least it was better than this. Even the Empire probably treated their lowest rank troops better than this.

The thought made her shudder somewhat. Anyone who threw in their lot with the Imperial forces was either desperate or not the kind of people she’d want to know. Sometimes it seemed like they barely trained their pilots: just gave them a briefing, a handbook, and a pat on the back, before putting them in a HECTOR and sending them off to die.

The contract for the next day was simple. An Imperial supply caravan was going to be passing through unoccupied territory. The rebellion needed it dealt with but couldn’t spare anyone. Amelia was pleased she could still work against the Empire. Even if it wasn’t directly for the rebel cause it still felt good to put the bastards in the dirt. She smiled at the thought as she got herself ready to sleep.

She was jolted awake by a sharp pain in the arm. Captain Havel was standing over her. “Get up, new blood, it’s time to go. You oversleep in the rebellion too? Useless.” Havel was a heavy set man, middle aged. Amelia was yet to see him without a cigar in his mouth. He was ex Imperial, and hadn’t changed his buzz cut since. “I’ll be in the hangar, get there in 10 or get out.”

He slammed the door on his way out, Amelia rubbed her arm where a bruise was already forming. This wasn’t the first time someone here had been physical with her, but it would absolutely be the last. Do the job, get her paycheck, and get out. No putting up with this any further.

It was just the two of them heading out for the job. Havel’s machine went in front. Avalanche he called it. Cobbled together from salvaged parts and painted a dull grey, with a pile bunker adorning each arm. Such an ugly thing, the rebellion did a nicer job with aesthetics with far less resources.

The location wasn’t far from the headquarters, barely an hour away in fact. An unimportant stretch of wasteland, barren of resources, that neither side of the war had any use for. It made sense to send a supply caravan this way if nobody was keeping watch Of course that wasn’t true if the pair of them had been sent here.

“You keep watch down here kid, I’m gonna get up on the cliff, see if I can’t spot ‘em,” Havel drawled as he turned away. Despite its bulk, Avalanche was surprisingly nimble as it scaled the cliff.
Amelia headed towards a nearby canyon entrance. If the target was going to come from anywhere, that seemed like the right place. Just as she reached the base of the cliff, her comms crackled to life.

“Hey meat, wanna know why I called ‘er Avalanche? You’re about to learn.”

“What do you-AGH!” Her words were cut off by her own scream as the other machine slammed into her from above, taking an arm off of Dominance. Amelia didn’t have time to recover from the surprise attack. A pile bunker drove into her cockpit, almost piercing the light armour. She tried to retaliate, but the second strike broke through and completely disabled any control she still had.

Before she knew it, Dominance’s cockpit was pried open. There stood Havel, knife in hand.

“Why? What the fuck did I do to you?” Amelia panicked as she scrambled for something to defend herself with.

She screamed as her shoulder was pierced.

“Isn’t anythin’ personal,” he scoffed, “You had quite a bounty on you y’know. Seems like some boys in the rebellion think yer a turncoat. Course I know better, Imperials wouldn’t take a fuckin runt like you. Unlike me they got standards.”

Amelia couldn’t fight back, she could barely breathe. Blood spilled from her mouth as the knife was thrust into her chest again and again. Her vision began to fade as he pulled back, pulling out a notepad.

“Maybe you can still be useful after all…”

 

 

 

 

 

Amelia drifted awake. Her head throbbed as she adjusted to the light in the room, still sensitive from her injury. The surgery had been fairly minor, but Handler had requested anesthetic for her regardless. Slowly, she pushed herself to her knees and took in her surroundings. She’d been lying in her crate. This was her quarters, sparsely decorated save for a small bookshelf, a table, and a couple of chairs.

It was then that Amelia noticed something out of place. There was something tall covered with a large sheet in the corner. She hadn’t asked for any new things, it felt rude to do so when She had already blessed her with so much. The curiosity was enough to make her climb out of her crate and investigate.
Removing the sheet from the new object revealed it to be a full length mirror. Amelia jumped slightly upon seeing her reflection. She didn’t get to see it often, and it was strange to look over herself.

Her dirty blonde hair fell in a messy ponytail over her shoulder, long enough to pass her chest. Brown eyes stared back at her from a face marked with fresh cuts and old scars. She’d been dressed in an outfit that had become standard for her: a standard black imperial pilot jacket with no insignia, a once white cropped tank top long stained with oil and dirt, black combat pants and boots.
It had become something of a uniform. Handler had told her that it was important she wore clothes she felt comfortable in, and so she did.

It clicked in her head then that something was missing. Her muzzle. Anxiety made her chest tighten, where was it? In her crate? No. The table? No. How could she have lost it? Panic started to set in, it felt so wrong to not feel the cold metal against her face. Tears welled in her eyes as she searched the same places again and again. It was gone. She needed Handler. Handler would fix this.

CLUNK

 

The sound made her spin to face the door as it slowly opened. As if answering a prayer not yet made, there She was. Stars danced around Her as She made her way into the room. Amelia stood to attention as her Goddess approached, even though she loomed almost a foot taller, she felt small in Her presence. The knowing smile on Her face calmed any anxieties she was still feeling.

“Good morning, my beautiful hound. It seems you’re already recovered.” Her smile faltered slightly as She noticed the tear streaks down Amelia’s face. “Oh my poor dear. I know I should have come sooner but things were just so busy. Don’t worry. I’ve got just the thing to make you feel better” Amelia’s eyes widened as She revealed the muzzle She’d brought with Her. This was her muzzle!

“Sir! This, th-” her words were cut short by a finger pressed on her lips.

“Hush now, hound. We can talk after. Kneel for me.” Amelia did as she was told. Gently, the muzzle was pressed to her face. The 3 straps were delicately fastened, avoiding any chance of pulling stray hairs. “Such a good girl. I see you’ve discovered my gift to you too. I thought your little home could do with something new, and I think it’s important to be able to look upon oneself. Now, let's get you debriefed. Up.”

She stood and followed her Handler over to the table, kneeling once more at Her feet as She made herself comfortable in Her seat.

“You performed admirably during yesterday’s sortie, even after the fall you took. Dispatching 11 rebellion machines is something to be proud of my pet, and I am very proud of you.” She reached down and began lightly scratching Amelia’s head. “Your injuries weren’t too severe, and Dominance took insignificant damage overall. You’re both in good shape, well done.”

Amelia beamed at the praise, drooling slightly as Her hands massaged her. “Thankyou Sir! Just, mm, following your orders. I always will!” she panted, struggling to think through the pleasure. “You’re so generous Sir, I love the gift! I’ll cherish it.”

Handler stood and looked down upon her. “You will, now, there is another matter we must discuss” She lifted her hand away, Her smile had faded. “You didn’t return from the mission. Despite my orders you once again ended up back in that crater. Why do you keep going there? We’ve seen no sign of rebel activity, nothing has been present on any scans. My superior has given me one last chance to prevent this from happening again, and I intend to make sure it does not. Up.”

Amelia rose. Any joy she had felt from the praise had faded, replaced with fear at her Goddess’ harsh words.

“Follow, hound.” She turned and began making Her way out of the room. Amelia followed, she had to. “I have thought this over time and time again, and have come up with an ideal solution to fix this little defect of yours.” Handler lead her deeper and deeper into the kennels. She knew where she was being taken and the fear in her mind grew. There was only one room this far into the place.

The interrogation room.

Amelia had waited outside of it for her Handler before, and heard the screams and whines as she’d dealt with an uncooperative prisoner, or a disobedient mutt. Her heart pounded in her chest. She wasn’t a mutt, she was Her hound. She always listened, always obeyed! Except she hadn’t. Handler’s words were sacred, especially so the orders She gave, and she hadn’t followed them. She was no better than a mutt.

Her heart pounded in her chest as they reached the door. Handler turned to her with an expression that made her wish she would turn to dust, never to displease Her again.

“Enter. You will wait by the wall and not move until I return, dog.” Amelia obeyed, she would not move.The interrogation room was unsettling, specially designed to cause discomfort in detainees. Each wall was a large mirror. The interrogators often found great joy in being able to view their prisoners from every angle as they cracked.
Amelia had been here before. It was when she first saw Her, and learned that She had fixed her, that She had saved her life. It was where she learned that she would be made into so much more than she ever had been.

She had listened, awestruck by this woman who seemed to be draped in the stars themselves. She didn’t remember much of anything before Handler had saved her. She was told it was because she’d been severely injured, but not to worry about the memories. If they were truly important, they would return in due time. She was told that she would be safe here, under the care of her Handler. She was so grateful to her Goddess.

Her Goddess. A Goddess that she had angered, and that she now awaited the wrath of.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lavinia smiled to herself as she took her time heading back through the kennels towards the veterinarian’s office. It wasn’t a long walk, but letting the hound stew in her anxieties would make what she had in mind all the more effective. By now what she’d requested should be prepared.

A different mixture to the usual cocktail of drugs used in the hound training process. Something to keep the mind sober, but to still allow for easier conditioning. Amelia needed to be fully present in both mind and body for this to work. She would learn. She needed to learn.

The head veterinarian clearly hadn’t heard her enter, as he nearly fell out of his chair when Lavinia made her presence known. She stifled a laugh as he scrambled to his feet.

“Oh! Hello Sir, apologies. Here to pick up your special order?” He made an attempt at a salute as he brushed himself off. Lavinia didn’t correct him on it, the man was skilled enough at what he did that some leniency could be given,

“Yes, that I am. I do hope I’m not too early.” She smirked as she thought of the creature anxiously awaiting her return. “Though of course, I’m in no hurry.”

“Actually you’re right on time, Sir. Everything was finished up not too long ago. The preliminary tests we performed went well, though testing on mutts isn’t exactly going to give us the full picture with what you’re wanting from this. If you’d like we can move to prisoner testing, I’m sure we could-”

“No, no. This is more than fine.” Lavinia knew he’d go on endlessly if she didn't’ cut him off. The man was nothing if not passionate about his work. “I’ll be sure to update you on how things turn out with my pet, of course.”

She studied the syringes as she made her way back to the interrogation room. The liquid inside them was a far cry from the green sparkling substance she’d seen her mentor use. It was translucent, a pale orange that had iridescence to it. ‘A sunrise in liquid form’. Lavinia chuckled at the thought, a fitting descriptor for something made to keep her hound awake and aware.

 

She paused outside the door. It was time.The defect in Amelia’s conditioning would be corrected. Her abilities would be proven. The wretch she was forced to call “superior” would be forced to admit that her “needlessly kind” methods worked just as efficiently as the traditional process.

 

The door screeched on unoiled hinges as she slowly pushed it open. Revealing the anxious mess waiting within.

“Hello, Amelia dear. It’s time for your reward.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reward

The word hit Amelia like a bullet. She was being rewarded? Her mind was still wracked with anxiety and guilt, had she not displeased Handler? She couldn’t make sense of it, she’d disobeyed orders and yet here was her Goddess with promise of a blessing.

It was hard to even bring herself to face Her. Her form was perfection that should remain unsullied by the gaze of a worthless beast.

“Handler, Sir, I don’t understand.” It took her a moment to find the words. “I should be punished. I don’t deserve you, I don’t deserve anything.”

“Oh nonsense.” The divine being’s words echoed in Amelia’s ears as She approached. “Nobody has ever truly learned from punishment. Unneeded discipline only furthers distrust, and I assure you my hound, there is not a living soul who cares for you more than I.” She smiled as She tilted Amelia’s head to face Her, Amelia felt her worry begin to drain away.

She had feared for nothing. How could she have ever thought that such a benevolent being would simply throw her aside? She was loved and cared for. She was safe with her Handler.

“Now, hold still for me puppy.” Amelia did as told, as Handler brought forth a syringe with an unfamiliar orange liquid in it. It wasn’t the medicine she’d been given in the past, but she trusted Her. She knew what was best for her. The needle stung as it entered her neck, the viscous liquid burning slightly as it flowed into her.
Everything seemed suddenly brighter, more vibrant, noises were louder. It was like every sense she had had tripled in intensity. Despite the heightened awareness, everything seemed slower, and her body felt more sensitive. The feeling of Handler’s touch was still lingering on her neck.

“Very good. I hope your new medicine isn’t making you feel too uncomfortable, dear. It’s just a little something to help make your reward feel even better. Now, on your feet.”

Amelia stood as instructed. “I feel…Weird? Everything is so intense, Sir.” She staggered slightly as she rose, dizzy from the effects of the drug.

Her Goddess smiled as She reached a hand up to scratch behind her ear. “It sounds like it's working as intended then.” Amelia leaned into Her hand as She petted her, the touch was electric. “It’s time we began.”

“Mmmn, began?” Amelia was in a state of complete bliss. “What do-”

 

The air was pushed from her lungs as the fist connected with her stomach.

She almost fell to the ground from the sudden impact. The pain radiating throughout her core wasn’t like anything she’d ever felt. She locked eyes with Her, looking for any kind of comfort.

“Good girl!” Handler continued to pet behind her ear, running Her fingers through her hair. The pleasure from Her touch matched the intensity of the pain. She could barely focus. Not on the room around her, not on Her, not on the hand being raised.

CRACK

 

The slap connected hard against her cheek. Amelia’s vision blurred as she staggered. Handler held her gently beneath the chin, gently stroking. Agony and adoration mixing once more.

“Good girl!”

The praise made her shiver, as did the punch connecting with her arm. The intensity sending her to her knees.

“Good girl!”

The boot driving into her ribs sent a shock through her whole body, the gentle caress that followed after even moreso.

Kick

Kick

Kick

She was lying on her front now, her breaths mere rasps. The mirrored walls showed every bruise from the repeated strikes. Drool and blood dripped from her mouth. The mix of pain and pleasure overloading her mind. Handler had stopped petting her after each strike, every bit of contact had begun to feel good. Each punch on her shoulders, each heel pressed into her back, every nail digging in and scratching down her body. All sent waves of bliss coursing through her. She felt herself getting warm between her legs.

“I’m glad to see you’re enjoying your treat so much, dog.” Handler laughed as she reached for Amelia’s ponytail, gripping tightly. “Know that every mark on your body is a blessing from me. Every wound to be treasured and displayed with pride.” Amelia saw her new gifts reflected as she was pulled to her knees, she smiled. Her Goddess had been so generous.

“I-thankyo-aaa…” A sharp jab in the back cut her off.

“From today, my orders will be followed to the letter. You will under no circumstances disobey, or act without my permission during a sortie. You will return to the hangar after every outing no matter what happens.” Amelia’s head was turned so her eyes met with Hers. The pale green stars that stared back bore into her soul. “Are my words understood, hound?”

“Y-yes.” Amelia squeaked out between laboured breaths. “Yes Sir.”

“Excellent, I believe we are done here.”

The mirror shattered as her head was slammed against it. The last thing she saw before blacking out was her own reflection in the shards. Her face was covered in fresh cuts. Yet more gifts from the Goddess that stood over her. Amelia smiled as she fell into a blissful, dreamless sleep.

-

Amelia awoke in her room. She winced as she sat bolt upright, feeling far more energised than usual. Handler was sitting at the table by her crate, reading through some sort of report.

“Ah, wonderful to have you back with us Amelia. You seem like you’ve energy to spare, you’ll need it.” She set aside the papers. “You’ve been given a special assignment to eliminate an insurgent causing us problems. I’ll be accompanying you to assess your performance, a request from my superior who seems to have doubts in your capabilities. I intend to prove those doubts unfounded.”

She stood, making her way to the door. “I’ll be waiting for you just outside, my pet. Once you’re ready we’ll head to the hangar and get you properly briefed”

Dominance and Wake-The-Dead were ready and waiting as the two made their way into the hangar. The briefing was mostly what Amelia had already been informed of. Head to the location, and ambush a rebel mech that had become especially troublesome.

“There’s further details on Dominance’s computer, pet. Oh, and one more thing. While you were recovering, I arranged to have some small modifications made to your cockpit, I’m sure you’ll enjoy them. Perform well for me, and there’ll be further rewards for you.” Handler patted her on the shoulder, before making Her way towards Her machine.

The changes to the cockpit were immediately apparent to Amelia as she saddled into it. Small mirrors had been attached to the walls. It was impossible not to catch sight of herself if she looked away from the viewport in front of her. Impossible not to see the wondrous gifts that she’d been given.
Happiness washed over her as she began to read over the sortie information. Location data, expected timeframes for travel, weather conditions, nothing new or exciting aside from a possible dust storm. Finally, specifics of her target.

[TARGET DATA]

 

///HEAVILY ARMOURED///

 

//CLOSE RANGE FIGHTER///

 

///NO LONG RANGE CAPABILITIES///

 

///CALLSIGN: AVALANCHE///