“You know we’re going to have to change our appearance, right? Someone is bound to notice, especially since those rebel savages are looking for us. I’d bet you any money we’re on some wanted posters somewhere.” Kahree stated as a matter of fact. Her statement was met with silence as Sakiya drove the mail carrier ship through an astro plane. Meteors floated by as Sakiya made sure they didn’t collide with any of them. After a few moments, Kahree repeated the question.

  “I heard you the first time. How can we change our appearance on this ship? There’s barely a bathroom. Besides, how did you manage to get around Eval without being noticed?”

  Kahree sat down in the passenger seat and took a big sigh. She ran her fingers through her thick bronze curly hair, untangling any potential knots. “Well, there was a time when I could walk around without anyone knowing. Those stupid essence stones ruined everything. The people I hung around never bothered to ask. I always brought the top of line shit and the best booze so no cared about who they really were. Heck, my alias was Tiffany. No one in my group used their real names... it was a whole vibe.”

  Sakiya sighed with her sister. “Well, I don’t think bringing drugs and alcohol will be a good enough cover...”

  Kahree jumped out of her seat and walked back into the main area. On the table, there was a small box, she grabbed it then opened it placing the lid back on the table. “This is how...” Kahree held up a small pill size chip with her fingers. “These bad boys were inside the briefcase. I can’t believe the Counsel got ahold of this kind of tech.”

  “What it is?” Sakiya peeked over her shoulder.

  “The best cloaking device you’ll ever find...” Kahree replied with a big smile. “It’s called the Born A New chip. Meaning it’ll make you ‘new’ again with a whole new appearance. This right here is top of line high tech equipment. Only the elite and super rich can afford such things.”

  “How does it work?” Sakiya got up from the pilot seat and walked over to her sister. She stood next to her and examined the chip for herself. “Do you swallow it or something?”

  Kahree burst into laughter as she held the small chip in her palm. “No! So, you can shit it out later? You have to insert it somewhere under your skin. You only one chance to change your appearance once the chip is inserted. You have to think real hard about what changes you want to make then the chip will make it happen. I’ve heard people say it’s a way to start a new life with no one knowing who you really are without surgery. Shit, if the fucks we were sent out to assassinate had these things, our jobs would have been damn near impossible.”

  The chip was the size of a pea. This flat small thing looked too fragile to be this important, thought Sakiya as she held it in her palm. She thought about what changes she would make once the chip was inserted. She turned to her sister for more answers, “What happens if you take it out? The new look is permanent?”

  “Rumor has it, once you take it out, you go back to the way you looked before. Father obviously wants us to go deep undercover. He didn’t even mention anything about the chip in his last message.”

  “No...” Sakiya replied while picking up the Vix glass necklace. “But he did say we were going into the ‘belly of the beast’, and he wants us to become ‘one of them’. I thought this special glass was a rumor too.” She held the gold chained close to her face as she could almost see her reflection from the pendent. It wasn’t rough on the edges, but it did have a pointy tip at the bottom. The black glass pendent resembled a gem carved into an upside-down 3D triangle.

  Kahree watched as her sister put the necklace on then tucked it under her shirt. “These Junith people, who were they? What makes you so sure this glass is going to work?”

  Sakiya smirked and replied, “You hear your rumors, and I hear mine...” Kahree shrugged in agreement. “This special black glass is volcanic material. It comes from a very small moon in the Twelve Sector called Vix, just like Father mentioned. The whole moon is covered with small explosive volcanoes that never stop pouring out its hot material. So much so, that there really isn’t any land or solid ground. Only certain creatures who can withstand the extreme environments can go there. We got lucky you see,” Sakiya continued, “The Junith people live on our medicine planet Lotus. They’re really valuable and are special super doctors and scientist. They go out into the universe to find anything that could be used to help others. Without the Junith people, half of our medicines would not have been discovered.”

  Kahree shook her head in disbelief, “You are such a geek... I guess what all have our quirks.” She smiled at Sakiya as her smirk faded.

  “So, theoretically, we should be able to blend in with the rebels without being noticed. Do you already know what changes you’re going to make?” Asked Sakiya.

  “Of course, I do.” Replied Kahree while flipping her hair. “I’ve always wanted to dye my hair jet black and have it straight all down my back. And I’m going to change my eye color from light hazel to light green. What about you? I’m sure you haven’t gotten that far...”

  Sakiya turned her back and examined the Born A New Chip once more. She didn’t want to admit it, but Kahree was right. She didn’t know what ‘changes’ she wanted to make. She didn’t want to make any changes at all really. “I guess you’re just going to have to see, won’t you?” She quickly pulled her small knife from her a small sleeve that was stitched in her right boot and held it up to her forearm. “Where are we putting this chip?”

  “Whoa! Hold on, we’re doing this right now? The upper arm underneath the shoulders is the best place. The skin heals faster and won’t scar as easily as the lower arm.”

  Sakiya proceeded to pull her left arm from her sleeve. She tucked it under her arm pit then lifted it to her skin. Slowly she pressed the silver blade into her arm allowing it to bleed slowly. “Hand me the chip.” Sakiya held out her hand to her sister. Kahree placed the pill size chip in the center of Sakiya’s palm. They both glanced at one another as Sakiya placed the chip inside the small incision. “There’s gotten be a first-aid kit around here somewhere?” She looked around while holding her bleeding arm.

  “Here!” Kahree handed Sakiya a towel then placed a small box on the table. When she opened it, she pulled out a small needle and thread, white bandages and medical tape. “Gesh, if you would have told me you were going to cut yourself open this would have been ready. Now sit.” Kahree pushed her sister into a nearby seat with a bit a frustration behind it. “Close your eyes and think really hard on what you want to look like.”

  Sakiya did just that. She closed her eyes tight while trying hard to only picture in her mind what this alternate look would be like. She would have to stomach this look every day until this undercover mission was over. Would she forget what she really looked like? She thought to herself. There was only one image that came to mind that she could live with. Sakiya closed her eyes and stood still as she pictured her new appearance.

  Sakiya squeezed her arm as Kahree stitched her up. At first Sakiya didn’t feel anything until she heard a male voice pop into her head. The voice said, “Are you ready?”

  She looked up with surprise and asked Kahree if she’d asked the question until she heard it again. “Hello? Shit, Kahree I think the damn chip is talking to me.”

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “Are you serious?” Asked Kahree. “Well, answer the damn thing back!”

  The voice coming from chip asked Sakiya once more if she was ready. This time Sakiya answered, “I am ready...” She looked around speaking into the air since the voice was being sent directly to her brain.

  “Ok. Allow me to explain what is going to happen.” The gentle male computer voice said. “Once I change your appearance the only way to go back to your original appearance is by taking the Born-A-New chip out. If you are ready, think clearly and precise for I will get the image from your mind. Say ready and I will begin.”

  “Is this going to hurt?” Sakiya shouted a loud to the air. After first the male voice did not answer until she said, “Hello?”

  “The Born A New chip’s purpose is to change your molecular structure without cutting and slicing into your skin. It is safe and easy to use. To answer this question, yes it could hurt. Are you ready to begin?”

  Kahree looked at Sakiya with serious interest. “What did it say? Is it going to hurt?”

  Sakiya took a deep breath and said, “Begin. I guess we’re found it won’t we?” There was a warm sensation that overwhelmed her body. It made her squirm and moan. The feeling was indescribable... All of sudden, Sakiya jumped to her feet holding her stomach as her long braided locs began to shrink to the length of her shoulders. The color also changed from jet black to a light brown. Sakiya moaned as she transformed into someone else. Her light tanned skin flashed different shades of brown then stopped on a dark caramel brown. She felt her body shrink in some places and grow in others. The freckles on her face disappeared but a lot of her facial features stayed the same. Sakiya’s light brown eyes, her medium muscular build also stayed. When the transformation was completed, Sakiya heard the chip say ‘complete’ in her head. She felt her body cool down and relax. When she looked up to her sister, Kahree jaw was wide open nearly hitting the floor.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?” Sakiya asked in a panicked voice.

  Kahree blinked a few times while shaking her head. “Sorry, it’s just you look so much like her... like your grandmother Queen Iya. It’s like I’m looking at someone from the past.”

  Sakiya walked over to a small, faded, cracked mirror that was on the wall. She touched her face in surprise for she saw what Kahree was talking about. She was staring at a younger version of her grandmother the Queen of the planet Sage, Iya the Great. The one who convinced the Star Counsel to split the Star Lord’s power into four Star Children. Those four, after intense training for many years, became the Angels of Death. During her time, before she was queen, she had discovered the chosen to be Star Lord was working the enemy. He had no intention of protecting the innocent, keeping order and peace. The battles she fought were legendary. She saved everyone from centuries of pain and suffering. In the end, she killed the newly appointed Star Lord. The years of peace and prosperity followed once Iya was named queen. The Star Counsel was bent on not repeating the same mistakes. They asked Iya the Great to assist in choosing who she felt was the most qualified. It was her idea to divide the Star Lord’s power in four parts. Each bringing something different to the table. Sakiya was the first Star Child chosen...

  “She was the first person that came to mind.” Sakiya said. “I don’t totally look like her but I for damn sure look one hundred percent Sagen.” She turned and looked at her sister who standing behind her. “I still remember the first day she brought me along with her. It was the day she recruited you... my grandmother found you hiding behind your mom and stepdad.”

  Kahree huffed at the memory. “Well, your grandmother was intimidating.” She laughed. “The one thing I remember the most was how beautiful and strong she looked in her decked out formal military robes. She knelt down and told me how special I was and how I wouldn’t be alone. When I saw you, I thought you were a strange little girl.” She laughed out loud.

  When Sakiya was about to respond the mail carrier’s emergency system alarm sounded off. “What the hell is that?” Sakiya ran into the cockpit to discover what the blinking light was.

  “What is it?!” Kahree rushed into the cockpit to look over her sister’s shoulder. “What’s going on?”

  “We’re almost out of fuel...” Sakiya replied as she continued flipping switches on the dashboard.

  “On my God! What are we going to do?” Screamed Kahree as she bounced around behind her sister.

  “Let me think!” Sakiya slammed her fist on the chair. “Go and put that chip thingy in your arm. I’ll have something figured out by the time you’re done. Go!”

  Kahree nodded and ran into the other room. She quickly opened the second Born-A-New kit and began her transformation. Sakiya looked around and checked other areas where she could bypass some of the fuel. She could Kahree moaning and making the same sounds she made as the chip changed her appearance.

  A few moments later, which felt like seconds to Sakiya, Kahree returned to the cockpit and sat next to her pilot. Sakiya doubled looked her sister in shock of her new transformation. “And I thought you said we were supposed to blend in Ree, not stick out.”

  Kahree flipped her new long black silky hair over her shoulder. She changed her bronze copper thick mane for a long silky-smooth look. She changed her eye color to a light green just as she said but changed her beige skin color to the same dark caramel as her sister. “It won’t matter if we don’t make it the damn planet! Tell me you have a plan?”

  “I do... we have about two more hours before we get there but only about half hour left of fuel. I can use the rest of the fuel to power the hyperdrive. Just before we get there, I’ll lift the emergency brake, so we won’t stop. The force of the hyperdrive to boost us into Temrack’s gravitational pull. Hopefully from there the damn carrier will get sucked into the planet’s orbit.”

  “Okay... I like that plan but what’s the flip side?” Kahree asked as she watched Sakiya turn switches on and off.

  Sakiya at first, didn’t answer as she tried to concentrate. “The flip side is hyperdrive doesn’t work and we blow up or float in space until we die...” Putting in the last codes to start up the ancient and outdated hyperdrive, Sakiya began her countdown. “Just cross your fingers this will work. If not, it was nice knowing you, Kahree.” She pulled the last switch and pull the gear down to hyperdrive speed. The old mail carrier jolted into a light moving speed. “The carrier is holding up... I’m pulling us out in three, two, one.” Sakiya pulled the gear back up to automatic and carrier blinked back into focus. Sakiya held the brake with her right hand as she waited for the right time to switch it back on. Temrack’s atmosphere sucked in the small mail carrier at speeds Sakiya wasn’t expecting. A ring of fire nearly engulfed the front as the wings began to fall apart. Pieces of metal ripped off as Sakiya tried to keep the carrier from shaking itself apart.

  The girls screamed together for their dire life as they headed straight for the ground. “Sky, please don’t kill us!”

  “I’m trying not to! I’m going for the sand banks! Hold on!” Sakiya pulled the steering wheel as far back as she could. The mail carrier only slowed down a little bit but not enough to count. “Go grab the briefcase and our bags. If I can get the angel right, we’re only get half buried in the sand.”

  “I don’t care what the fuck you do as long as we don’t die!” Kahree screamed as she held on to the sides because her life did dependent on it. She managed to grab the bags and returned to her seat before the carrier hit the ground.

  “Here we go! Hold on to your panties!” Sakiya pulled the emergency brake hoping it would do something however, it did nothing. The mail carrier bounced up and down slipping and sliding on top of the sand dunes. Before slowing down, the carrier took a nosedive spear heading downward into the sand.

  Both girls flung into the air upon landing. Sakiya climbed back up to her feet and managed to sit in the pilot’s chair. The whole window was covered with brown and red sand. “Well, the only part of the landing that went according to plan was the carrier getting buried halfway.” Sakiya stated. “Ree you, okay? You flew to the back when the carrier hit the ground.”

  Kahree walked into the cockpit holding her head. Both had scrapes and bruises, but she got it the worse. With a big gash on her forehead that went down to her left eye, she felt a bit dizzy. As soon as Sakiya saw the blood she stood up and pressed her hand against it. “Shit, my head is pounding...”

  “Hold still. You’re going to need stitches. We need to get out of here first.” Sakiya stated as a matter of urgency. Just as Sakiya picked up the first aid kit the carrier began to move and shift further into the dirt. “Did you feel that? The carrier moved...” The now smoking mail carrier slowly kept sinking as it moaned and shifted further into the sand. “We need to get the fuck out of here!” The girls climbed over the debris and broken furniture as they made their way to the door. The carrier shifted deeper with every step they took. “Stand back, I’m going to blow the door open.”

  Sakiya formed a fireball in her palm and released it with full force before getting to the door. The girls were able to jump out and roll to the ground before sand dune swallowed the carrier whole. “What the fuck just happened?” Kahree asked as she tried to catch her breath.

  “Quicksand... It’s fucking quicksand, that’s what happened.” Sakiya replied while also catching her breath.