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Though there are averages, Colors are diverse in co ecosystehout the Society The Grays of Venus are often darker and more compact than those of Mars, but families move The talent levels in each Color are even more variable than appearance Most Grays aren’t destined for anything o to the armies Some to the mines But then there are the Grays ere born a special breed of wicked and clever and have been trained all their lives to hunt the Gold enemies of their Gold masters Like these in the shuttle with us They call thes of Earth crossbred for unco things bigger than they are

"We’re bound for Lost City and it’s just the twelve of you?" I ask

I know they’re enough I just don’t like Grays So I push their buttons

They eye er on the road Valentin’s the father He’s built like a squat block of dirty ice carved by a rusted blade, and his sun-blasted face is dark and set with quick eyes His lieutenant, Sun-hwa, leans toward us, tough and gnarled as an olive tree

Both are Earthborn by the looks of their continentally ethnic features These Grays wear no triangular badge of the Society’s Legion on their civilian street clothes

"We’re tasked with your protection, dominus," says Valentin as Sun-hwa loads an exotic circular weapon on the inside of her left wrist Looks plasma based "My tea tioing, or if the Bellona know I’m out of the Citadel …"

"The lurchers know the situation," Victra says

"I don’t see a Gold badge Mercenaries?"

"Means we are good enough to live this long, dominus," Valentin says flatly "We’ve prepared for all eventualities Contingency plans and support have been organized"

"How h We’re just the transporters, dominus" His er proble an opportunity’s just stu, there will be a hell of a lot of third parties, dominus Shit complicates our ROI Sun-hwa?"

"Wear this" Sun-hwa tossesHer voice drones on in a monotone drawl "You’re tall can’t do shitall about that but we’ll do a quick dye job with this this and this" She tosses Victra another bag "For you boss thought you’d dress too fancy"