Rescue Part 1

                                    

                                          
Darkness. All I see is darkness. Hate. All I know is hate. Pain. All I feel is pain. Sorrow. All I hear is sorrow. Death. All I smell...is death.

                          
It's been three weeks since Mileena was removed from her throne. Although Mileena was in a dire state of depression ever since, her talk with Kitana seemed to have affected her spirits as of late. She's been training. No longer was she trying to be the assassin she was born to be. She could no longer rely on her weapons, including her teeth. Those are to be a last resort; a form of execution.
                          
Mileena's new talents were focused on her magical prowess and intimidation tactics. While no one would usually cross her without the mask, she no longer possesses daunting presence she once had. She also needs to gain the respect and love of others. She was never the most likeable individual in Outworld. Finding these qualities isn't something she can do on her own. That's what she has Kitana for.
                          
"Sister." Kitana called out. Mileena looked her direction and noticed Jade was with her. She was surprised as she hadn't seen Jade since the Coup D'état against Shang Tsung. "I found her." Jade frowned upon seeing Mileena.
                          
"Is there something on your tongue that you'd wish to spew?" Mileena snapped. Jade remained silent.
                          
"Jade?" Kitana placed her hand on Jade's shoulder.
                          
"I don't know where you've been all of this time, but your...sister...hasn't been a very admirable person." Jade responded.
                          
"What was that?" Mileena questioned.
                          
"Enough!" Kitana shouted as she removed her hand from Jade's shoulder. "Jade, you know why you're here." Jade looked to the ground.
                          
"My apologies, your highness."
                          
"Why is she here?"
                          
"We've found Tanya's location. It seems that she's been in the Cobalt mines this entire time." Kitana stated.
                          
"The cobalt mines?" Mileena questioned. "I've been to the mines for years and I've never seen her there."
                          
"Has Shang Tsung taken you to the torture room?" Kitana mumbled. Mileena was puzzled.
                          
"I never heard of such a room." she responded.
                          
"Did Shang Tsung ever tell you how he found out about the realm of Arnyek?" Jade asked.
                          
"Dare I want to know?" Mileena questioned in disgust. "Why would she be in the torture chamber?"
                          
"That's what we all want to know. He wouldn't need information to betray you, especially when we all knew where you were." Jade responded.
                          
"We can discuss this once we retrieve Tanya. If we want to reclaim the throne of Outworld, we'll need her power." Kitana explained.
                          
"And what if she somehow found the location of the Portal Spheres?" Mileena asked. Kitana closed her eyes as she attempted to come up with the best way to approach her question.
                          
"We kill her." Jade concluded bluntly. "I'd rather she not be around than not be on our side." Mileena grinned and looked at Kitana who seemed a bit troubled. Kitana opened her eyes and nodded.
                          
Later that Night
                          
Mileena, Kitana, and Jade hid in the bushes on a cliff that oversaw the entrance to the Cobalt Mines. Upon observation, they spot a total of 16 Centaurs walking in and out of the mines during each of their shift changes, thus only 8 centaurs are actually guarding the mines per hour.
                          
"It's been 20 minutes since the last shift change, sister. What are we waiting for?" Mileena questioned.
                          
"Patience, Mileena. We need to do this as quickly and quietly as we can. Besides, you're going to stay behind while Jade and I deal with the rescue." Kitana responded quietly.