10 ▫ Checkpoint ▫

"Me riding on your saddle is not my choice. You chose to catch me. However, questions are not allowed." She bends down and taps the left shoulder of the user, which makes the being, to some extent, face her. His face was not clear, but she could see that a pale orange painted his lips on the upper and lower lines; the iris of his eyes was like endless hexagonal. He was one of those moderate ranks. Wearing a Tuscan Sun one-piece suit uniform. Baldhead and a huge swollen scar in between the back of his head. It looks like it does hurt, but she did not mind that. 

"Eyes on the Road," She warned him. He laughed and nodded. 

"I am Yriax Ike, and you must be the infamous Ciana Aolina, yeah?" He reaches his one hand out. 

"Put that hand back on the handles!" 

"Oh? But where is the fun on that?" He teased. He let his second hand leave the other handle, "You must enjoy the cycle's gift." 

"Come on now, Ciana. He is still a Xan. You are already a Qan, so do not react so furiously. Besides, you are riding at the back and standing. If I, were you, get your buttocks dejected." Additional existence inserted. The subject was screaming their words out for her to hear it. Ciana sighed not in defeat but to literally reduce livings like the crew. 

"Yan Olivi, thanks for that!" Well then, there are two stupid members teasing her. One was named Yriax, and the other was Olivi—a part of the new Warzone Young Adult Councils; her suit was the same as what Yriax was wearing; however, Olivi has a different color—a faded mixture of yellow just like her bright honey brown eyes that has three little circles as her iris. Ciana never wonders why Olivi is so verbose when there are recruits. The cycle completes her like that. 

"It is not that a big of a deal. Besides, you helped me arrange these thin bands on my braided hair and put my Bandanna on my neck. So, thank you too!" Then, without even looking at Olivi, Ciana just stood back straight to balance herself on the saddle. Sadly, she cannot use any tricks to mute Olivi. 

"We could have just abandoned you," She heard a crew member say behind them. She was not even interested to know who said it. It was not a surprising comment from the crew. She just shrugged it off. 

Moments went onward, and she decided to sit down properly on the saddle. She finally covered her face with the oversized hood. The tiny creatures on her hair dimmed out their glow. The crew also went silent. All of them were behaving accordingly. They were aware that there was an inspection on the checkpoint that they would pass on the road. So, they must do things right. The back job would be a waste. 

The Warzone Crew that Ciana mingled with has been known in the inspection sight. Their status was between an inspector and an innocent passerby. Even with those behaved gestures, they just cannot let any being get in. The new beings that got in must be afraid to face those checkers. But from the vision of the other crews, the Warzone members are not afraid of any living things. Unafraid of death and battle. 

Bell edges of the streetlights in the side of the road were tall, giving a vivid sight to the riders. 

"Qan Ciana, you must hide well. Your hair must not be seen." Yriax stated to remind her to lay low. Her hair was not the usual sight on their planet. She was that 'Different.' Glowing red hairs with miniature-like shingles floating and lighting on Cianas' strands was one of those elements that were supposed to stay only and exist in the Planetary books. She was a risky being to be with. 

As they got closer to the inspection zone, her hood moved away from the sheltered tresses. Olivi acts on behalf of Yriax as fast as she can go, "Slow down, we must cover her up!" Olivi ordered her partner to catch up and get closer to Ciana. "There. You are good to go!" Olivi declared, and the front members from the crew bowed. Delightedly, they covered her on time when the Crew Leader commanded everyone to drive fast as soon as they were finished dealing with Ciana. 

Once they arrived at the area, Yriax was trembling when an Enfortell—checkpoint officer observed Ciana. In all honesty, from Arkedss Inhabitants, Enfortells are similar to Sentries, but they do not wear heavy armors. The command they followed was a catchphrase of 'Clear the road.' But it would be the best fit for them if it was 'Clear their billfolds.' 

The Enfortell that was in front of them was particularly looking at Ciana. A look of not going to let her go that easily if she would not do what was needed to do. 

"You," 

Yriax let out a heavy sigh. On the other hand, Olivi and the rest of the members were looking at Ciana. The Enfortells footsteps were getting nearby to Ciana. A frown was regularly developing on her face. 'Cycle's sake. The planetary checkpoint should not blow my cover-up.' 

"Take your hood off." A faint noise of the Enfortell shoes stops. And so, she decided to look. "Are you not going to do it?" The Enfortell demanded. Beings looking cannot recognize their gender because they are covered with a helmet and an oversized suit. 

Cianas' eyes were just fixed at the Enfortell; this was her first time to take her hood off. Well, almost. If only the crew leader did not interfere. 

"Enfortell 11000, please be reminded that this batch of bystanders is from the Eakra's Clan. We were just ordered to give out an item. Now, I would appreciate it. If you will let us through." The Enfortell moved away. With one hand raised, they were permitted. Beings in Arkedss does not say 'Thank you unless there are some humans around them. However, they make a gesture of bowing down and closing their eyes as their way of interpreting 'Thank you.' And that was the gesture that their Crew Leader did before it hopped on its Mativeirs.