Byron and Myssa

Skuyua, homeworld of the Skumans. Also where the Earth Empire sends troublesome 'citizens'. Like me - Byron Khash. This world is surrounded by Empire ships, all technology stripped off this planet eighty years ago, down to simple hand tools. Society finally collapsed here thirty years ago. Most people - Skumans, Humans, whatever - live isolated from others, afraid. Me and thirty others - eight Skuman men, three Skuman women, four Human men (of whom I'm one), one Human woman, an Equil man and the remainder being split between six Kaapech (Human-Wolf) women and seven Sepuute (felid) males - patrol this area, dealing with of those who threaten others. We've been doing this for four years now.

Our leader is Myssa, a Skuman woman. Her mother had been an expert on pre technological weapons, and had taught Myssa all she knew. At 38, Myssa's thirteen years older than me. It's hard for others to believe we're lovers and have been so for two years. Myssa's the one who's devised our most ingenious weapons. Bryff, an enormous Equil male, is the one who builds them. Raiders killed Bryff's wife three years ago. At 60 now, he's the oldest of anyone in this group by 17 years, but with more endurance and strength than any of us. He's also incredibly quick moving. The newest - and youngest - recruit is Myllie, the Human woman. She's 16. She created her own form of martial arts from the dancing her parents taught her as a child. I have never seen anyone move so fluidly, so quickly. Her martial prowess is formidable, and she's devising more - and teaching us about it - all the time.

I'd been here six months - sent here for sending covert messages from the Humol Dalek Empire to my resistance cell - when I encountered Myssa's band. There was only her and the Skuman men at that time. Our band has grown since then, Myllie joining us nine months ago, a day after she turned 16.

"So, what to do today, Byron?", Myssa says, waking me up. "I suppose it'd be too much to say what we usually do every day? Righting wrongs?", I ask, grinning. Then, before Myssa can say or do anything in reply, someone runs towards us. Sitting up, I see it's Van, one of the Skuman men. "Myssa, something strange has appeared at the edges of the camp!", he gasps. Myssa sits up. "Strange?", she asks. The Skuman man nods. "A blue box.", he says. That rings a bell. "A blue box? Does it say 'Police' on it, Van?", I ask. Myssa looks at me curiously. "You know of this?", she asks. I nod. "If it's who I think it is, it's because of the box's owner that I am here.", I explain. Myssa frowns. "Then he means us harm. Van, is there anyone guarding the box? If there is, tell them that whoever is in it is to be captured.", she says. I shake my head. "No, it wasn't like that, Myssa. He was trying to help my resistance cell, but inadvertently gave me away, although we never met.", I hurriedly explain. Myssa nods. "Have this person brought here at once anyway, Van.", Myssa says. Van nods and leaves quickly.