The lure of gold brought out thousands, all hoping to make themselves rich. For many, the prospect of good fortune proved to be quite enticing: descendants of Vicky’s sea voyages and those recently on the good graces of the ticket-of-leave sought to turn around their cursed fates. Others still relied on the lay of the land and became bushrangers, throwing caution, law and order to the wind. Indeed, it was an exciting time to be under the Southern Cross. Even as innovation advanced, the rugged bush was still no less merciless. The civilisation wasn’t much better. Shows of might were more valued than diplomacy. The recent discovery of piezo-electric capacitance and laser discharge outclassed gunpowder and made things that much more brutal. A quoll woman stood at the door of rather ornate building. She didn’t seem very imposing, and recoiled a bit as a sliding window opened and a gruffy, masucline voice didn’t seem too happy.

“State your business.”

“Matilda’s my name. Matilda Cassidy.”

“Don’t you have a companion? Aren’t you worried about bushrangers?”

“I travel just fine alone.” She patted her hip reassuringly.

“Right then. So what do you want?”

“A proposal.”

“A proposal? What do you take me for? This is a bureau that handles the most important—“

“I’ve been hearing a rumour that up in the hills they’ve found gold.”

“You and all the others. Quit wasting—”

She produced a small piece of ore in front of the door’s window.

“Well, that’s a bit impressive.”

“Wouldn’t be absolutely wonderful if the Crown could have more of this valuable resource? I want a claim and licence to dig along Haversham Hill.”

“One hundred pounds.”

“I don’t have that much...”

“What’s the good then?”

The quoll smirked, leaning up to the window. “You can spend a little time with me if you want. After I strike it rich, you’ll have your one hundred pounds and a bit more than that. Don’t worry, I’ll come back and find you.” She winked.

A document emerged from the other side. “Bear your signature and turn over that ore immediately. This will mark your good faith that your word’s true.”

She signed the document and after a few more questions, she surrendered the small lump of ore.

“There’s your licence. Good day.” The window slammed back into place.

*

Matilda walked carefully to avoid detection. It was nightfall, inching ever so closely to Haversham Hill. She found a nearby cave and once she was sure that she was out of sight, she shed her clothes. She pulled out the laser and flipped a switch and the crystals inside began to glow.

“For the Crown?” Matilda began to mock herself from before. “What an oaf! They’re so easy to wrap around your little finger. As she began to walk down the dimly lit path of the cave, the dull sheen of fur yielded to the glisten of scales. The dull brown with white spots glimmered into vibrant bands of ebony, violet and saffron. A pair of wings emerged and Matilda had now doubled in height. Clutching the laser tightly, she found a small crack in the wall and pulled the trigger. As the debris settled, the lustre of thousands of crystals shone around her.

She grinned. “Everything’s going to plan. They will bow to me as their queen or be laid to waste.”

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Character © SilverdaHedgehog13
Irwin the Croc/Art © Me
Writing © tenza