Chapter Two: Suspicion

Twelve hours after incident: Aboard the Vallentia in geosynchronous orbit around the Earth
Authenticated individual: Inreen1


Answer something for me. When you were younger, did you envision becoming the person you are today? Would your current self be the ideal of your past?2

Geez, there's something wrong with me. Talking to myself isn't a good sign of mental health. That can't be helped though. My conscience gnaws at me.3

It's ironic, eh? I began with high ideals of myself and others. Yet I've come to realize my naivety. One can't survive without compromising your own ideals; especially if you want to become well known and have influence over the course of events. How many oaths have I broken? I've lost count. It’s the first time I've broken one to myself though. Life's tough, you're forced to make choices for the greater "good." At least that's the propaganda they fed me.4

Anyone can commit terrible acts, even unintentionally. In the end, the cause doesn't matter. The act is accomplished regardless of the reason. So why do we do what we do? I wish I knew.5

If only I had some of the answers. But that's not how things work.6

I look into the mirror and see that young mans' pleading face. His screams echo in my mind, my body cringing as I think of the pain I've caused.7

Anger brews; mostly at myself. I had a choice, everyone does. Yet the choices were grim, obey or die. I would like to remain among the living; I have much to accomplish. I can't deny my curiosity. As an educated individual of science and medicine, I couldn't give up an opportunity like this one.8

It's strange. Under similar circumstances, I would place painful thoughts into the dark recesses of my mind. Yet I fail at every attempt. I can see his face, hear his screams...9

My hand that was gripping the sink, punches the mirror leaving a faint impression. A cry of pain and anger escapes me as I grit my teeth. 10

I glare at my swollen, human knuckles as they slowly return to their normal appearance; the pain subsides soon after. I glance at my pale reflection. Darkness shrouds the dimly lit bathroom failing to hide the contorted expression that frames my face. 11

Calm down Inreen, calm down. I can't let Nyaren discover this. What if she found out? What would she do? There are things she doesn't know; her father - the leading scientist and commanding officer - has been conducting covert operations on a seemingly benign mission.12

I'm his unwilling confidant and accomplice even though this is the only mission we have worked together; or I directly under him. I suppose my reputation - not unsought for but inconvenient - precedes me. Admiral Ka'ren treats me like a son and insisted I court his daughter, Nyaren. However, there are strings attached. She's the "official" reason we're orbiting this rock of primitive but dangerous race that call themselves, Human. The “unofficial” reason we're here must be kept from her.13

Furthermore, I have my own agenda, a secret mission and one besides. It's a net of finely wrought deceptions. I'm at the center of this web; in so deep that I must tread carefully. Caution and vigilance are my best friends. I must be suspicious of everything and everyone. 14

I'm suspicious of everyone except Nyaren. Even though courting her wasn't my idea, I've fallen for her. In ways, that makes my job harder. Yet, being with her has changed me. I can smile, laugh, and relax when we're together. To be able to release the pent up stress of constant vigilance is a relief. She finds my sarcasm amusing and funny. We're similar in many respects. I love her. That however, complicates things-15

-My wristwatch vibrates, wrestling me away from my thoughts. Someone's calling. The work shift is over. I had been working three days straight using stims to stay awake and focused - they do wear you down though. I quickly press the "Receive call" button. A small projection arises and expands from the watch, taking the form of my beloved. Nyaren's beautiful face brightens as she sees the projection of me, wherever she may be.16

"Hi Sweetie," she says excitedly, releasing a contented sigh. 17

"Hola Mi Amor," I reply gruffly, noticing my mouths dryness. Her smile widens, enjoying when I call her that. The corners of my mouth widen into a grin. Her smile is infectious, causing me to follow suit. 18

I must say, or think really, that it's marvelous how ingenious these Humans are. They invent rich and beautiful languages allowing them to express themselves so wonderfully. No wonder most of the other races have in one form or another adopted a Human language. Spanish is quite the romantic language; I'm glad I chose to learn it.19

"Where've you been mister? I've been calling,” she asks accusingly.20

"Really? Oops, sorry. I kinda got…distracted,” I say scratching my head uncertainly.21

"Oh really? You're not fooling around with anyone are you...?" she asks in mock suspicion.22

"What?!" I have to mask my emotions better around her. She begins to laugh as she sees my shock. I can't resist smiling upon hearing her melodious laughter.23

"I'm kidding, you'd only fool around with me," she says winking.24

"Oh really? You should prove it. I dare you.”25

“You'll regret saying that sweetie.”26

“I doubt it. So, where are you?"27

"Uh, where am I?" she asks herself. "Hold on," she says uncertainly.28

I fake a cough. "Blonde..."29

Her mouth falls open in shock. "No you didn't. You're horrible!" I laugh at her expression. "That's not funny mister." The projection shows her wagging a finger at me. 30

"What are ya talking about?" I reply innocently.31

"Meanie. I'm right outside the apartment. Let me in."32

"Yeah, hold on." I end the call, stepping out of the bathroom. The entrance to the small apartment is on the other side. Small boxes litter the living room. I walk around them, stopping before the door, making sure to brush my fingers through my short cropped hair and straighten my slightly wrinkled uniform.33

Okay Inreen, smile, be cool and everything will be alright. She won't find out what happened as long as I'm careful. I press a red button near the door, releasing the magnetic lock, allowing it to slide open. 34

As soon as the door opens, Nyaren jumps me. She lithely wraps her thin arms around my neck and her legs around my waist. All I can do is brace myself and not fall down. She isn't heavy. She laughs excitedly and I grin knowing I should have expected as much. The door automatically closes and locks.35

Her captivating blue eyes seek mine. She bats her long eyelashes at me coquettishly. Nyaren has naturally rouged and full lips and has attractive dimples whenever she smiles. Her sweet aroma assails my nose; a pleasant and refreshing scent. 36

Her lips press softly against mine and mine against hers, content to have her in my arms. It's a glorious feeling. After a moment, I pull away reluctantly. Her lips follow mine, once again brushing. Yet after another moment, she pulls away attempting to mask her sadness. Yet I notice, feeling the same. 37

We both made an agreement not to have sex until we're married. Even though kissing isn't bad, it is very stimulating. I try to keep my thoughts away from it and partially succeed.38

To get my mind off of those things, I return to the living room with her in tow. Nyaren doesn't say anything, staring at me quietly. I wonder what she finds so interesting about me.39

The entire "apartment" as Human's call them, is small. More now that Nyaren has moved in. Small boxes of clothing and accessories litter the floor. It's amazing that she has so much stuff. We still have to decide what to keep and what to put in storage. The covered walls are a nondescript metallic gray. Shelves fill them, cluttered with books and other objects - mementos of places I've visited, and pictures of my parents whom I haven't seen since I was seven.40

Despite what others may think, Nyaren moved in for many reasons. Sure...who am I kidding? I know what others think and even though my mind might entertain such thoughts, I gave my word. Nyaren is the first person that I would never break an oath to. 41

Space within the ship is like expensive real estate. I have a large apartment compared to everyone but the Admiral. I step up to the sofa, bending down to lay Nyaren onto it. As I lower down expecting her to let go, she pulls me down with her, quickly pressing her lips against mine. Her hands and legs wrap tighter around me, my heart beating faster than ever, returning the kiss. I keep my hands on her waist, despite my desire to move them elsewhere; my resolve slowly breaking.42

I try to pull away, knowing that if we go further we would reach the point of no return. Nyaren keeps a strong hold of me, kissing me urgently. My wrist watch begins to vibrate and she protests, knowing she lost her advantage. Her arms and legs loosen up as I pull away reluctantly, sitting beside her. The watch saved me yet a part of me wishes it didn't. I receive the call, curiously.43

The projection rises and expands, displaying the head of Admiral Ka'ren. My back straightens, my shoulders rise, and I put on a serious face. 44

"Ah finally, wondered if you were still awake," he begins in his deep voice. He must have conquered many females in his youth. A thick scar running down his cheek accentuates his features.45

"Hello Sir. I can't sleep. It's been a long few days." I say gruffly. 46

"It has for all of us. My my, why are you so flustered?"47

"Flustered sir?"48

"Is Nyaren there?," he says winking at me. "Ah, hello dear," he says smiling warmly. She doesn't reply. "You're both old enough to make your own choices. Just be prepared for the consequences," he continues fatherly. I feel my cheeks burn, Nyaren moves closer, pressing her body against me causing my heart to beat faster. Don't think Inreen, just listen. I find it hard to respond despite wanting to assure him nothing was happening - which is technically true.49

"Anything you need sir?" I finally manage to ask.50

"I'll keep this short," he continues, his voice returning to its usual seriousness. "Two of Them failed. The rest haven't shown any results. I want you to examine them personally."51

"Understood."52

"I expect results Inreen." The projection winks out. Nyaren presses her lips against my neck teasingly. My eyes close in pleasure. Disturbing news! Two of them died...I add two more to the ever growing list of victims.53

Nyaren notices my mixed mood, deftly moving onto my lap, snuggling closer. Her eyes probe mine, searching in silence.54

"You've been keeping things from me," she begins slowly, still staring at me. "It got to do with your past. That’s why I haven't pressed. But we agreed to tell each other everything, even the bad things. It's time you told me what's going on."55

"I...can't. I want to-" she presses a finger against my lips. There's no way I can refuse her. I promised...56

"Tell me."57

"What will I get in return?" I ask mischievously trying to make light of the situation.58

"I dunno, you'll find out when you tell me."59

"I don't know where to begin. There's so much..."60

She presses her finger against my lips once more. "Start by explaining what my father said."61

"Do you know why we're here?"62

"Uh, yeah. We're here 'cause the Galactic Senate wants me-this expedition, to study the humans in order to ascertain if they're ready to be added to our number."63

"Mi amor, that's not the real reason we're here."64

"Yes it is. That's why I'm here."65

"Yeah that's what they want you to believe. They picked the best research analyst and psychologist and sent you on a mission to study these ever popular Humans. Every galactic citizen cheers you on. You're famous and that's what they want. To dull their minds and yours from noticing what's really happening here." Many think I'm with her for fame. I'm not. There's more to her than physical beauty, they're too blind to see it.66

"To divert attention from something else," she says, slowly understanding the implications. "What is it they don't want others to discover?" she asks curiously, edging closer.67

She wants to know the truth. I don’t think she truly understand what she is asking. I trust her so I'll tell her something few know.68

"I was brought here because of my extensive knowledge of hi-tech energy. Well, that's one of the reasons. I'm a Retainer."69

She gasps in shock. "A Retainer? The Order that works directly under the Senate?"70

"Them." 71

"What do they do exactly?" She asks uncertainly.72

"What don't we do is a better question. I was trained from a young age, dumped with knowledge of everything from fighting skills to strategy, to asteroid mining, to history and so on. I'm a human encyclopedia. I use this knowledge when I need it.73

"I'm sent on missions like this one. I have done...terrible things for them. I don't care if I did good things. Innocent people have died because of me. That’s a terrible thing to have on your conscience. I'm following a case that...is classified. There are things I can't tell you for your own safety. You already know too much. I've made many enemies and they wouldn't give up a chance to get to me. Hell, if the Order knew how much you know, you wouldn’t survive the day.” Her smile falters slightly; no one wants to mess with the Order.74

"In the Order,” I continue, “I'm known as Hattori Hanzo the legendary human ninja. Don't ask, I didn't pick it. One of them called me that, and it just stuck."75

I glance at Nyaren, her mouth open in shock. "The Hattori Hanzo? The one behind the explosion of the Akegon Asteroid Mining Facility?"76

"I didn't destroy it. An informant gave me false information. When I found out about it, it was too late and innocent people died."77

It suddenly becomes hard to breath, my chest contracting as everything around me whirls in circles. I cry out in anguish as memories I've hidden resurface; flooding my mind, each overlapping the other. 78

I hear Nyaren calmly whispering into my ear. How can she stay so calm? She is strong. The information I have given her is enough to scare many out of their wits. Knowing the true identity of a Retainer puts anyone in grave danger. For endless seconds, I suffer unable to pull away from my own mind. Then I hear Nyaran. Despite sitting on my lap, her voice sounds distant.79

"Inreen! What's wrong? Are you okay?" 80

With difficulty, I relax, relying upon the teachings of my professors. The calmer I become, the more control I have over my memories.81

I listen to her whispers. "Inreen, I don't know the half of what's going on. I don't even know what's happening to you. It scares me. I realize I barely know you and that hurts more than anything. I do know one thing that's never going to change. We've only been together a few weeks but I love you."82

I concentrate on all the times I have spent with Nyaren which allows me to calm down. I push all my memories away, back into the dark recesses.83

"I'm alright," I assure her, my shaky voice betraying me. My blinking eyes scan the living room, it no longer spinning. My hand rubs my forehead, my head pounding. 84

"What happened?" she asks, her face full of un-voiced questions.85

"Side-effects," I say grimly, wishing I had something to sooth my parched mouth.86

"To what? I've never seen drugs do that."87

"It's not drugs mi amor."88

"Side-effects to what?" 89

"It's linked to everything that's going on."90

"Then what's going on?"91

"Alright, I'll give you the short version. It would take too long to explain it all."92

"Okay, hurry then." she says impatiently, leaning against me. Her disposition amazes me.93

"Might as well start at the beginning. You've heard all about your father's glory days right?"94

"Somewhat. Keep going."95

"His discoveries still affect the galaxy today even though most don't know it. He's more than just a doctor you know. Anyways, one of his discoveries was used by the senate about fifty years ago. The results were disastrous to say the least."96

"The Kelegon system crisis..." she says connecting the dots.97

"Right. Officially, the project was scrapped. Yet they kept researching secretly."98

"Okay, where are you going with this? How do you know this stuff anyway?"99

"Let me explain. They didn't just research Nyaren. They experimented on the different races. It took a long time to synthesize a diluted solution that gave promising results. With it, they created and trained us, the Retainers. What just happened to me is one of the side-effects of that."100

"Wow...I'm so sorry," she says soothingly, hugging me tightly. Fortunately for her, she doesn't know what they did to me. I shiver, pushing those thoughts away."101

"It's fine, I'm used to it." I am, after a fashion.102

"But what does that have to do with what is going on?"103

"Everything. The senate believes that Humans might be able to survive a pure dose. Explaining why will take too long. But they believe it."104

"So you're here to what? Experiment?" she looks at me searching the answer. I nod, thoughts of the young man's face returning. 105

"To destroy the lives of others to satisfy your curiosity?" she asks, her voice heating.106

"I can't say I'm not curious. But the choice wasn't mine to make."107

"I thought you were stronger than this. You should have declined coming on this mission."108

"Oh yeah? How would I do that? It was order. Besides, we would have never met...just knowing that makes this mission bearable. You have no idea how hard this is. You go on missions, people you work with die. On this one, when I was operating, one of them was awake. He begged me not to do it and..." The pain didn't let me finish. As I spoke, Nyaren's anger subsides. 109

"They used me, Inreen,” she says sadly. “If you think about it, we already know enough about the Humans. We know everything of importance. We know what would happen if we give them space travel tech even if we give them antique models." 110

Humans really are fascinating if you like their warlike nature and how they segregate themselves over meaningless differences. And yet, that isn't all they are. An intriguing conundrum.111

"We have to stop them..." she whispers.112

"Stop who? The senate? How? The senate goes to great lengths to protect itself. Every single senator has taken a dose of the solution. Even without that, they are more than fordable enemies. They control...everything."113

"We can expose them to the people."114

"We can. But what will it gain us?"115

"I dunno Inreen."116

"I will contact my employer to find out what he knows."117

"Isn't he from the senate?"118

"Yeah he is, he can be trusted. He hasn't given me any reason to think otherwise. But first, we have bigger problems."119

"What can be more important Inreen?"120

I don't respond, pushing myself upwards, the room spinning around for a few moments.121

"It's something you have to see mi amor."122

Taking her hand in mine, I walk us to the small, dimly lit room. Every wall but the one to the left is cluttered with shelves. A small cot, a study table and a couple of chairs occupy the room - outside of the shelves. I step to the edge of the empty wall, pressing on an indentation, revealing a control panel. After inserting the password, the metallic wall turns opaque and then transparent. 123

Before me is the vast expanse of space. Its unfathomable emptiness never ceases to astound me. As the Vallentia makes minute adjustments to its positioning, our view changes. A large, bright sphere dominates the darkness surrounding it; casting light similar to a single light bulb in a dark arena.124

Despite its small stature compared to others, Earth is one of the most abundant and lush planets in the galaxy. Its resources highly esteemed and sought for - one of the reasons the senate considers imparting knowledge to the Humans. 125

The planet's beauty is marred by small black marks dotting some of its surface. Plumes of smoke arise from those dark spots.126

"Ever wonder why travel has been suspended?"127

"Not really, it's only been a couple of days. We both know how the Admiral is about ensuring the Humans don't find out we're here." It's strange how she calls him admiral and not father.128

"Pay close attention to the planet Nyaren. What do you see?"129

My fingers work the panel, the transparent wall darkening as it interfaces with the console.130

"This is the artificial electric field the planet gives off," I tell her, the screen displaying. "It was taken about a day ago. And this is the electric field today."131

Nyaren gasps, as I look up at the wall. The dark screen displays two pictures of electric field; one greatly diminished compared to the other. A few moments later, the wall returns to its transparency.132

"What's going on?"133

The ship lurches, the change in view is the only indicator. It moves slightly to the left, displaying the dark void. Monolithic objects a lighter shade of black, move about. Pressing a button, the screen zooms in on one of the objects. It resembles a meteor yet upon closer inspection, the rock formations are too uniform. There were places where the hull of the ship protruded outwards, disgorging numerous smaller objects that enter the planet.134

"The Tregeani, arrived twelve hours ago, attacked as soon as they came. Been sending down troops since."135

"Why are they here? Why are they attacking? What are they trying to do?"136

"I don't know what is going on. It doesn't make sense. They just ignore us. There was one transition that you father the admiral took in his quarters."137

"We have to help the Humans somehow."138

"How? We're too far away for reinforcements to arrive in time. More of them come every hour. The Humans have about one day to live."139

"Not enough time, darn it." 140

"It's not like the Humans are pushovers though. The Tregeani seem to have underestimated them. Laser weapons and shields versus projectile weapons and body armor. The Humans know their planet well."141

"What do we do?"142

"Don't know. I do know your father knows why they're here. He might know what to do. I still have to contact my informant. He might give me some helpful info-"143

-Everything goes black, feeling my knees buckle, as I tumble to the floor. The shock of falling, blocks the pain for a few moments. I force my eyes open, my head pounding. It's not side-effects, this didn't come from me. The feeling isn't the same, it's a Psychic wave... And the strength....Another wave passes, physically pushing me backwards, knocking the wind out of me. I almost lose consciousness, if it weren't for my mind's feeble shields. 144

After a few moments, I push myself onto my knees, looking for Nyaren. Her crumbled figure lays a few feet away from me. Rushing to her, I check for vital signs. A sigh of relief escapes my lips as I feel her heartbeat. Standing on shaky legs and with a pounding headache, I walk towards the exit. I notice that the lights are blinking red - denoting an emergency. The soft almost imperceptible rumbling of the engine is missing. I reach the door prying it open with a leg. I step into the frenzy of scurrying ship mates. Some lay on the floor, unconscious being attended by others. 145

Teron, a fellow officer with his uniform out of place, walks by briskly, not recognizing me. 146

"Teron!" I cry out above the dim and clamor, my voice firmer than I thought it’d be. He looks back questioningly. "What's going on?"147

His eye bore into mine, saying in a grave voice, "They've awakened."