Prossia Revolution : Prossia Book 2: Prossia : A Coming of Age Space Opera, #2

Prossia Revolution

by Raphyel M. Jordan

––––––––

Copyright © 2014 by Raphyel M. Jordan

Artwork Copyright © 2014 by Raphyel M. Jordan

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This is a work of fiction. Names , characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was created in the United States of America.

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Darkest Voyage – Prossia Book 4 - the conclusion to the Prossia Series

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The revolution has always been in the hands of the young. The young always inherit the revolution. Huey Newton

Prologue

Prossia Revolution: Day 643

Ioweth Moon Noufa: 2 hours 47 minutes before noon

The City of Hensauf

Niali Hospital—Room 1307

Cy woke up shivering, a chill filling the room. Even though it was the middle of the day, he was baffled at how dark the sky was beyond his window. He tried to sit up in his bed to get a better look, but stopped the instant he felt pressure in his chest. He heaved over and coughed. He covered his mouth when he couldn’t stop, his eyes watering from the pressure of his spurts and the pain. He gasped, hoping that alone would be enough to make it end. It helped, a little. He wheezed, his heartbeat trying to slow down as he cleared his throat. He didn’t bother looking at his bloody palm, but grabbed a nearby cloth. After wiping his hands he lay back down, exhausted from that one brief episode and knowing he’d probably have another ten before the day was over.

The holograms and screen hovering around his bed said he was improving, and he chuckled at the simplicity of their infographics. Sure, numbers always looked better than the actual weight, the feel of knowing his insides were a mess. Still, Cy knew it could’ve been worse. At least his genus had built up enzymes to handle radiation, unlike the Wethans.

The Cyogen/Requin hybrid closed his eyes and tried to trouble his thoughts with other concerns. No good. The Wethans—those poor, foolish geniuses. So much ruin in so little time.

He called for a mirror via the HUD installed over his eyes, and a clear disk formed in front of him seconds later. His blue skin wasn’t as pale as it had been the day before, and the many spikes protruding from his head weren’t peeling as much, either. Cy breathed through his nose and rubbed his eyelids. Another thought came to him as he did. No. Not her. He couldn’t think about her. He couldn’t do anything about it now.

You’re awake.

Cy jolted when he heard the voice. The person had been sitting in the chair beside his bed the entire time. He couldn’t understand how he could’ve missed the dark figure from the corner of his eye. The person was draped in a black hood that covered the bandages wrapped around the body. A cracked mask, looking like a skull, covered the face.

Cy pressed himself out of the bed, ready to attack, but the pain in his chest forced him down.

The dark figure didn’t budge. How do you feel?

Cy pointed a finger. Who are you?

People call me Vuro, Cyleroa. Vuro took off her hood, crossed a leg, and rested her chin in a palm. I figured we could talk.

Cy understood. He’d heard people call her name before. She was now the most wanted criminal in the galaxy, and for good reason. History would never forget how many lives she took. Cy focused all of his attention into tossing her away telekinetically. He got as far as nudging the creature before he stopped and grabbed his head. No, he was still too weak to do that.

Don’t be afraid, Vuro said, I could’ve killed you the second I came in here, and no one would’ve batted an eye. I’m still the acting governor right now, you know?

Cy slammed his fist on a pillow. That doesn’t give you the right to murder all of those people! I think you’ve done enough of that so far, eh?

I didn’t have a choice, and you know it, Vuro said passively. I might be a monster, but I still like to think that I have a code of conduct I try to follow, when possible.

Cy couldn’t keep his hands from trembling. You’re insane. The Galactic Order was right about you. All of those people are gone, Mastra. He covered his mouth, as if the epiphany had finally struck. Truth’s Grace. You killed them. You killed her and you don’t even care.

Which ‘her’ are you talking about?

Cy gritted his teeth. You know exactly which one.

Vuro chuckled. You ended the life of that one yourself when Alytchai died, Master. And you had a hand in that a long time ago.

Chapter 1

One Year Ago

2nd Galactic War: Day 7013

Location: Unknown

Time: Unknown

Area: Unknown

How could you? Hufra said to Cy. Have you creatures no soul or pity for these Sungstras?

The short Ioweth native watched from a balcony behind some windows, disgusted. Cy fixed his red eyes on the green body on the floor. Ten creatures, similar-looking to him, were too busy ripping and breaking the corpse’s body to give the audience above them any mind. It was beyond brutal.

Hufra tugged Cy’s top with the suctions on his hand. What more do you need?

Cy crossed his arms and tapped his side. He didn’t blink, not even once. Hufra called his name again, but the lad still acted like he was ignoring him.

It was only when one of the ten High Cyogen below was tripped that Cy looked like he honestly couldn’t care less. Then again, the Cyogen that fell got back up, apparently angered, and kicked the green creature in the head even harder.

Cy patted Hufra on the head. Nah. She’s still got a lil’ fight left in her, eh? Can’t be helped.

But it can. So far, only five of the two hundred of these creatures have survived these...‘tests’.

If we’ve had survivors, it isn’t impossible, then, eh Master?

Cy fanned off Hufra’s swear before he heard a groan from the prey below.

Nothing beyond the cold air hissed through the vaults of the dark sparring board. The floor was freezing, as everything from the walls to the ceiling was metal. The High Cyogen, their red eyes flaring, took their leisure when one of them gave the next blow. Many spat and swore at the Goolian girl while in the midst of their attacks. The mastra’s small, frail body didn’t budge, given it hurt to move, even breathe. They had been at it for only two minutes, but the brutality felt like a lifetime to Alytchai of the Kutenbriun Tribe.

Another kick in the ribs forced Aly onto her side. Instinctively, her body tried to curl into a tiny ball, but a set of three stubby fingers picked her up by the gray cloak draped over her shoulders.

It’s hard to think this thing managed to take my brother’s life, the High Cyogen gripping Aly hissed.

Indeed, said another. And to think my father was to be killed by a simple child. War is a strange thing.

One of the others growled as he strolled up to Aly. Aye, it is a wretched thing. And war is full of wretched creatures like yourself, Goolian alien.

He examined her. Blue blood dripped into Aly’s swollen right eye. More of the thick goop oozed down her busted lower lip and dirtied chin. Two gashes were slashed across her forehead, and the High Cyogen smirked at his craftsmanship.

The Young One tried to look up at the Adult as best she could. A sudden look of despair drew onto her green, purple, and blue face.

We all...can’t be that bad, Master. For surely, all of you can’t be that good, either.

The brute holding her tilted his head, along with the rest of his peers in the board. They shrugged and started to laugh.

The Cyogen rammed the back of Aly’s head into the wall. Her eyes were about to roll back, but he slapped her in the face several times before she could pass out.

You have an interesting proverb, Young One, another High Cyogen complimented. Too bad you lucked out with having us. I guess you’re now having second thoughts about killing our family members.

Aly hissed, I told you already! You’re all being played. Your Lord Cyleroa set me––

The Cyogen made her gag as he squeezed her neck. Don’t you get it? It doesn’t matter if the lord tells us the truth or not. You’re still a greenie, one of those monsters fighting with the so-called Allies. One less of you means another win for us.

And know that you, along with the rest of the Allies, have brought this upon yourselves, a younger High Cyogen added. If you had just stayed on your miserable little rock in the stars... Why couldn’t you all just leave us alone? Did you even acknowledge the lives you took?

Aly did think about the lives, but not in the way the Cyogen hoped she had. In actuality, she found herself wanting to relish in the deaths she had caused. She treasured them, tried to keep a detailed memory of the final look of terror in those people’s faces before she filled them with a soulless vessel. To Aly, killing was a craft, an art, a horrifying pleasure she didn’t even know she needed until she had killed for the first time back on Planet Argutas, six months ago. Ever since then, the whisper of her desire had grown louder. To the aliens, she was dubbed a monster, but her people apparently had a word for it for quite some time: a Sungstra. Aly looked away, ashamed.

Your silence speaks for itself, the lead High Cyogen hissed. You, along with the rest of this damned galaxy, have been brainwashed to lack emotion. This is why we’re in this war, because of beasts that do not care—like you.

A fist struck the Young One in the jaw, but her eyes never caught a glimpse of the strike coming. The blow was actually a small amount of telekinetic energy one of the High Cyogen struck her with. She had little time to think about the familiar phenomenon due to the sudden tenseness that overtook her body a millisecond later. Aly was then tossed around the board, banging into the walls, ceiling, floor; everything.

Cy squirmed when he heard Aly’s right shoulder ram into one of the walls. Ouch. Pity she wasn’t already dead before that one, eh?

Hufra jumped up, grabbed him by the neck, and forced the lad’s eyes toward the glass-like covering in front of them.

Have you gone mad, boy? That creature is beyond dead! Truth’s Grace, she is damned beyond overkill! Did you not once call her ‘comrade’?

We can’t let personal titles get in the way of business. You said it yaself. The others had to go through this too. Can’t play favorites. Besides, watching another one won’t kill you.

Some laughed while others cried, thrilled at the sight of Aly’s broken body, the torture taking place drugging them to insanity. She jolted herself awake when she felt her mind slip up again. Blacking out. Nay, keep awake. Can’t die. Don’t want to die. Please. Don’t want to die. Too much to do. I’m scared. The battered shoulder didn’t hurt as bad as Aly thought it would when she first felt her arm explode. The cartilage had absorbed about half of the shock, and the sudden emission of patterned markings on her face indicated her body must’ve felt it was on the last brink of survival. She sensed the very drops of energy rushing into the broken parts of her body as it tried to heal itself. Even so, Aly was coming to terms; the inevitable was still the inevitable.

Her blurry sight caught the High Cyogen aliens sauntering toward her at their own leisure. The flames in their eyes danced and flickered in the air. She couldn’t see it, but she knew rows of fangs were giving her hideous grins. Death would strike her soon.

Aly looked up and managed to catch a final glimpse of the one who betrayed her. Cyleroa’s face was unmoved, untouched, completely lacking any emotion. Her death, to him, was apparently nothing more than business. You... Kill you.

That was the final promise she had made to Cy. After all the horrors they had shared, after all of the trust earned, this was his form of gratitude. The thought alone made Aly sit up again, in spite the pain. She gave up so much in order to follow this alien creature across the galaxy. Her family, her friends, maybe even her honor; she was willing to throw it all away, trusting him. And now he had abused it in the worst manner. Cy’s betraying her so passively didn’t only trouble her. No, it hurt her. She stood up to her father—her very own father—for him, and Goolian or not, that was the boldest act any child could do on any world.

The Cyogen stopped walking when the Sungstra’s eyes darkened with pupil dilation. There was still some fight in her, after all. Aly looked up at the balcony, straight at Cy, and the lad stopped smirking.

Good, Cy said, knowing she couldn’t hear him from inside the sound-proof room. That’s what I needed to see.

By Truth’s Grace, what are you talking about? Hufra asked.

Cy didn’t answer, but kept studying Aly. He knew the look she was giving him. It was marked with more than resentment. Aly must have come to grips with the fact that she wasn’t going to come out of this ordeal alive, though she didn’t care. She wanted Cy to know he might have won whatever sick game this was, but she wasn’t going to let him leave without knowing the very last purpose she had in her life was to take his with it. Perfect.

Aly eased her breaths as her executioners drew closer. There had to be some open window of opportunity left for her. On Argutas, she saw Cy use his speed and agility to his advantage, and took out several High Cyogen hand-to-hand. She didn’t have his speed, and her broken body couldn’t handle moving too much. Still, there was something Cy did that she could possibly... That is it! As soon as she got the thought, Aly felt her body tense again and levitate over the floor. She tried not to panic this time, but waited.

The main Cyogen growled, eyes flared more, and tossed the mastra back toward another wall. She waited, waited...now!

* * *

Aly let the push’s momentum move her until she flipped over, pressed her feet into the wall, and bounced back at the main Cyogen at an alarming speed.

What? was all the Cyogen could say before Aly aimed at him.

The Goolian, still soaring, wrapped her thighs around the High Cyogen’s neck and twisted. She heard a single crack, and Aly tumble-rolled out of her kill. The two Cyogen closest to her were too shocked to move. Aly saw the split second of hesitation and grabbed it for all its worth. She roundhouse kicked the one to her left and regretted the decision. Pain sensors shot an array of info into her immediately. She decided to finish off the one to the right in a similar fashion to the first. She hopped up, landed on the creature’s shoulders, broke his neck, and flipped back with all of her remaining might into two more Cyogen. Aly didn’t budge afterward; all of the moving was too much to take.

That split second of delay was just enough time for the remaining Cyogen to either get back on their feet or grab the Sungstra again telepathically. Aly knew they weren’t going to make the same error again. This time, the Cyogen raised their gauntlets, charged their barrels, and aimed. Aly could only watch, but she still felt her body tremble.

The lights in the entire board shot on, making the High Cyogen yelp and shield their eyes. Aly fell back to the ground, both confused and surprised at the same time. The lights didn’t hurt her eyes as much, so she was left standing in a room filled with aliens swearing and tripping over themselves.

Cy grinned as he moved his hand away from the light switch. Whoops.

It didn’t take long for Aly to grasp the fact that she might be able to come out alive, but only if she acted that very instant. So, while most eyes were still closed, the Cyogen could hear the lethal blows being made around them.

Fire! one of them yelled. A mistake in itself.

Aly’s swollen eyes widened before she dropped to the ground and covered her head. The Cyogen shot everywhere but down. They fired at the ceiling, at the walls, and then they fired at each other. The Young One, her eyes now shut tight, felt the bodies and limbs drop and roll around her. Stay down. She just needed to stay down, and hope her pathetic and final attempt at self-preservation would manage to beat the odds of a random beam zipping through her head.

The screaming and firing stopped, and everything went quiet. Aly looked up. Not a single Cyogen standing. She rolled over onto her back and let the adrenaline subside. She trembled. Alive. She was a mess, but alive!

Aly sat up so she could evaluate her surroundings. It was horrible. So much death, and it came with the greatest of ease. She clawed her head, bent over, and tried to keep herself from laughing and crying. She couldn’t believe it. She was alive.

The Sungstra was about to lose the ability to contain her outburst before she heard the door behind her open. Cy came through it, looking repulsed. Aly’s eyes instantly shot to straight black at the sight of him.

Pain

Cy nudged one of the nearby bodies with his foot. A tad sloppy now, eh? No worries. We can work on that.

Aly dashed at Cy, ignoring the pain in her body. The half-breed smirked at her and placed his hands behind his back. She went for his throat, but the lad tilted his head away from her swatting hand. He grabbed the extended arm and swung her into wall, face first. Aly spun around but took a knee instantly. She tried to shake off the blow, but her body went stiff without warning. Before she knew it, the Sungstra’s feet floated effortlessly above the floor.

Aly would’ve growled and sworn at the calm blue creature approaching her if her lips had the will to move, but Cy’s telekinesis stiffened every single muscle in her body. He gazed into her darkened eyes, reading her emotion well. How could you?

The Goolian gritted her teeth as she tried to overpower the invisible grip entangling her, but Cy balled up his three, short, stubby digits into a tight fist, chambered and locked it way behind his back, and shot the punch dead into her temple. Aly dropped to the ground and slumped over. Her vision faded, but she still managed to decipher Cy’s face looking down over her. She heard him utter something to someone before everything faded into black, and her very last thought was that of a tiny village on another world, where she didn’t have to face any of the ordeals she had had to confront over the past six months. Home; she wanted to go home.

Chapter 2

2nd Galactic War: Day 7018

Location: Unknown

Time: Unknown

Medical Board

The image of a middle-aged Goolian in a gray cloak was the final stroke that shook Aly’s bright eyes wide open. The dream made her sit straight up, but a sudden pain in her sides and head forced her back down instantly. It didn’t take the Young One long to figure she was in a medical resting board due to all of the high-tech medical instruments humming around her bed. The artificial sunlight coming from her window glowed across the white of the clay-like walls, but she could still tell she was on the ship; the gravity felt a little off.

After taking the time to survey the dull décor of the room, Aly checked herself. Odd; her arm was held stiff by some alien brace, and she could still feel a terrible soreness in her right shoulder and sides. She shivered as flashbacks of red eyes ripping her frail body to pieces were overshadowed by a mysterious dark being with the cruelest of eyes. Did that truly happen, or was it a hallucination? No, she never had symptoms of daily hallucinations, unless she was seeing the first signs to a terrible new illness. She decided the flashback indeed happened after reevaluating the images with her wounds.

So, Cyleroa actually did toss her into a room with ten large High Cyogen ready to break every limb on her body, and they were apparently thorough with their attempt. A humerus destroyed in one arm with a radius and ulna broken in the other arm were complimented by both tibias sharing a shattered femur in the left leg and a broken left clavicle. That had nothing to do with the ache in her ribs and sternums, nor throbbing from her head.

Aly was a mess. Time only knew how long she had been out, and there was no telling the lengths it would take her body to heal, or even if these odd gadgets beside her bed were designed to accelerate the process.

Thoughts were canceled when the Young One’s ears shot up. Her hearing implants mimicked the sounds of footsteps coming down a hallway. Some...thing came through her door exactly twenty-seven seconds later. It was the oddest looking creature Aly had ever seen. The alien was probably a near meter shorter than her and had the most bizarre body proportions.

Its large head was somehow supported under the weight of a frail body that looked nearly one half times out of proper set. Nine of her heads would equal her height, while a mere three would make its own! Not only was the alien’s height eccentric, but the very make of its face was unnatural. Its eyes were a tad larger than hers. Its nostrils were vertical, while hers had an angle to them. And where on Gooliun was its mouth? She reckoned it had to be hiding behind the tentacles under the nose.

The creature’s dull, tanned skin looked rather sickly, given Aly could see some of the blue and red veins running through its body. She figured the long white cocoon it was encased in was its form of clothing. Instead of feet, the lower portion of the body ended with a tail it used to slither along. If anything, at least it still had arms, but even then, suction cups were on the palms instead of three fingers and a thumb. When Aly used to imagine what aliens looked like before she was drafted into the war, the creature staring back at her from the doorway had to be the perfect example.

Good day, Mastra Alytchai. The alien’s eyes. There was a certain twinkle in them indicating it was probably smiling at her.

The voice also took Aly by surprise, because it didn’t fit its...his appearance at all. It was quite natural and deep; pleasant. All the same, the mastra scooted back in her bed and pulled her covers closer to her chest.

The creature’s brows went up, as if frowning. Don’t be startled. I know you haven’t met a Wethan before, but I can assure you, we mean you no harm. Look. Breakfast?

A silver-like saucer filled with different colored wheat, grasses, and fruits hovered into the room. Aly’s eyes lit up at the sight of them. The Wethan rubbed his bald head and examined the food.

Wait. These are indeed fruits and the like from your home world, right? Oh, or are these from Planet Optues? The second question was more directed to himself. Damn it be. I guess I should go and che––

Nay! Aly replied with a reassuring shake. I mean... No. Sorry. Yes, they are from Gooliun, but I thought we were regions away from my home. How did you manage to––

Let’s just say we have connections and leave at that, shall we?

Aly’s ears flopped down. Secrecy and more secrecy had been the theme for some time, and now she was getting even more of it. The Wethan didn’t seem puzzled by her sudden posture as he welcomed himself into the room.

Come on in, the mastra mumbled.

And I must say you do have a very pleasant voice, by the way, the creature said nonchalantly. "Just as beautiful as the others. A little prettier in the face too, according to your genus’ aesthetics."

Aly rubbed the back of her neck as she blushed. I’m afraid I don’t understand any other language beyond general Goolian and Universal, so I didn’t catch that last part.

Don’t worry. I was just saying you have unique features.

Oh. If you don’t mind my saying, I’m surprised at how well you can speak with those tents in front of your mouth.

He paused and rubbed one of the tentacles on his face. Actually, Wethans don’t have mouths, Mastra. At least, not the sort you’re familiar with.

Aly tried to keep her jaw from dropping too far, and found herself feeling around her lips.

Before you ask the obvious, the Wethan said, we have thousands of tiny beaks on our tentacles that allow us to eat. As far as talking is concerned, I’m engaging a conversation with you telepathically.

Aly sat still for a moment before she grabbed her head. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths.

All right. I’m not going to freak out. I’m okay with this. She blew out some air and reopened her eyes. Does this mean you can read my thoughts?

The mastra was a little startled when the creature laughed.

That’d be too much trouble, I’m afraid. Besides, your thoughts would all be in Goolian! Your usage of the verbal orifice will do. I can, however, sense your emotions. Every organism emits a variety of pheromones when they’re in a certain mood, and I can see what they are by color.

Aly crossed her arms. That’s pretty neat, actually.

I guess, but I think being able to switch to infrared vision, like your kind, would be nice.

Aly shrugged. To each their own. So, what mood am I in right now?

The Wethan slithered a little closer to her. Afraid. Lonely. Sad. Really sad.

Oh. Aly’s ears drooped. I guess you really can sense emotions.

You don’t necessarily have to see colors all the time to know how someone is doing, Mastra.

Aly looked out the window, not wanting to say anything else.

I’m Chufa, by the way. I’m an astro-biological priest and xeno-psychiatrist here on the ship and on the second Ioweth moon, our capital.

Astro-xeno-wha? Priest?

Aly had never laid eyes on the creatures before, but no species could hide the qualities of age no matter how unique they were. Such qualities weren’t evident in this Chufa person at all. He looked like a Young One, far from being old enough to be any sort of priest.

Well, not exactly, the lad corrected himself. I am only twenty-four years of age, after all. That would make me about...thirteen or so in your years, right?

Aly raised a brow. What makes you think I know?

Chufa popped himself on the head. How silly of me. I forgot what I was talking to.

Nice to meet you too.

Chufa paused. He then went to setting Aly’s food in front of her. Cy was right. You do have an attitude.

Aly didn’t even see the point in asking for a translation. She could tell when someone was being an ass.

But no, I’m too young to be an actual priest. I’m being mentored under Master Hufra. He’s the High Engineering and Medical Priest of the entire Wethan nation, and a very kind being, if I am free to say so. He’s onboard because our government was getting a little apprehensive over General Thumui’s evaluation methods for Sungstra recruits, like you.

Truth’s Grace. Aly covered her mouth. You mean to tell me there are others who had to go through what I did? I thought my people were supposed to be the uncivilized ones of the galaxy!

Chufa tried to pat her leg, but she jerked it away, still being cautious of the unknown creature.

Relax, Mastra. As of yesterday, you will be the last one. Hufra immediately sent word to the Wethan government about what was happening, and our Council demanded the military to cease the practice altogether.

Aly saw it safe enough to set her one leg back where it originally was, but she still kept her cover close.

Chufa held his palms up for her to see. "We’re not your enemies, Sungstra. I know things must be very confusing for you at this time, agreeing to get tossed into an unknown world, only to get trapped into a corner. But we’re trying to make this transition as comfortable as possible.

That’s why my Teacher brought me with him. He insisted that you have someone closer to your age nurse you. Perhaps then you wouldn’t feel too uncomfortable in such odd dwellings, no?

Aly eyed her tray and picked up a piece of fruit. She sniffed it; it seemed real. Good enough. She then set it down and gently shoved the hovering saucer to the side.

Where are you taking me?

Chufa grabbed the platter and set it down on a nearby resting cube beside Aly’s bed, not saying a word. Probably another question beyond his authority, she figured. An ill point in pushing the subject if he should not bother answering the first time. The Wethan gently grabbed her left arm, the one with the broken radius and ulna. He rubbed one of the muscles so he could measure the tenseness in it. Seconds later, he let out a disappointed sigh.

I’m afraid Teacher will not be pleased of your progress, Mastra. After all this time, the marrow still hasn’t fully healed yet.

I am so sorry to disappoint you. Aly pulled her arm away. I’ll let the Cyogen know to be easy on the attempt of killing me next time.

Chufa leaned back a little and noticed the Sungstra’s eyes were starting to dilate.

Hold on, he said, trying to hide his nerves. You don’t need to get worked up. I meant no offense, and between you and me, I’m glad Hufra was able to put a stop to what they were doing to you. I think what they put all of you through in order to prove yourselves was horrible. Malicious!

Aly studied the Wethan’s face. He seemed sincere enough. She extended her arm again as best she could so Chufa could finish studying it. The Wethan nodded and went back to his examination.

If I may ask, exactly how long was I asleep?

You were out for two and a half days initially, Universal Time. We sedated you for another three when we noticed your body wasn’t recovering as well as the others.

You keep mentioning others. I take it you mean other soldiers?

Of course. Those Sungstras I was talking about, to be exact. Didn’t Cy ever tell you... The master caught himself and examined Aly’s head before he said too much. Anyway, the other five have already passed this part of their journey and await us at our next destination, which is apparently confidential.

Aly glared. Yes. Apparently.

Don’t get too disgruntled. Teacher understands there are tons of general questions you have, so I’m here to answer whatever I can. Beyond the initial question of where you’re being taken, you folk always seem to ask the same second one.

Am I actually a prisoner?

Chufa rubbed the back of his head and backed away a little.

Wow. I’ve never heard that one before, actually. No, Mastra. You haven’t been tricked into anything. You’re here for the same reason you were told before you left. Truth be told, that’s the main reason why I stopped by today. We need to run a mental analysis on you, just to make sure you’re still good. You don’t mind if we do it now, do you?

It’s not like I’m going anywhere.

Good. So, on to the basics. What’s your name, age, and where are you from?

Aly sat up and folded her hands in her lap. My name is Alytchai of the Kutenbriun Tribe from Planet Gooliun, and I’m ten-and-seven—

Come again?

Oh, right. Sorry. I’m seventeen.

Okay, good. Chufa started to jot down some notes on a screen that appeared when he stretched out a palm. Why are you here? Meaning, why aren’t you back in Kutenbrya?

The Sungstra grabbed one of her side tentacles, twirling it around her finger. My tribe was drafted by the Galactic Order into their Allied Forces so we could defend... Because we thought we were defending ourselves from Planet Cyiaus and its natives, the Cyogen.

What do you mean ‘you thought’?

Aly rubbed her face and sat back in her bed. Are you serious? Do we really need to be so technical?

Yep. Sorry. Please explain.

The mastra shook her head and straightened up. A Cyogen/Requely half-breed in my task force on Argutas, the planet we were shipped to once we were drafted, explained to me that it was the Allies who started the war, because they were worried the Cyogen were going to rebel against the general rule of order, the ‘Great Philosophy’ called Truth’s Grace.

Aly paused and tried to keep her hands from trembling. Chufa’s look indicated he was smiling at her again before he patted her leg.

It’s okay, Alytchai. You’re doing great. So, what happened after Cy—I mean, Cyleroa—told you the truth about the war?

Aly shut her eyes, raising her hands to cover them. Chufa grabbed a cloth and handed it to her.

I’m sorry, she managed to say. Can we skip the details of this part?

I understand. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry for your loss.

Thank you. The mastra swallowed the lump caught in her throat. Okay. The remaining members left in my unit were given an invitation to join Prossia, a faction that believes in finding compromise through peaceful means—at least, that’s what I got from the brief explanation.

And that’s thorough enough. Okay, it sounds like you’re—

And then I rode off with Cy, boarded a ship, and got tossed into a board filled with ten High Cyogen ready to rip my head off, since my ‘friend’ told them I had killed somebody close to them, in which I hadn’t!

Oh my. Chufa swatted at his screen, causing it to disappear. Your eye discoloration indicates he’s still a matter of high disregard to you. In other words, I think we got everything covered.

Aly shifted her hands over the edge of her bed. Where is he? Is he still on this ship?

Before you think about shooting Cy in the face, Priest Hufra wants me to get you up-to-date on everything, please?

You’re stalling me.

And for good reason. You’re angry, and that’s understandable. But given how emotional you are, I can’t just let you out of the room.

Aly scooted her rear off the bed a little, in spite of the lad’s words. Chufa arched back on the end of his tail, sticking his hand into his cocoon.

I have darts containing Requin venom, in case you need to be sedated, the Wethan quickly said.

Aly paused, eyeing Chufa’s arm.

You seem like a pretty nice girl, so I really don’t want to use these on you.

The corner of Aly’s mouth twitched as she leaned back into her bed, recalling what those shots had done to her several times before, back on Argutas. Fine.

Chufa eased his hand away from his pocket. Thank you. I think that’s enough for the day. I’ll let you enjoy your breakfast in peace.

He bowed and headed to the portal door.

Wait! the mastra said. Are we on one of the stealth ships now?

Of course. Best of the line.

Aly leaned back onto the bed. That’s good to hear. I just remembered I was injected with tracking nanos back home before I left.

Those things? No, we already took care of them. We injected a counter to the bots, so they should be out of your system by now. Odd, that should’ve happened—

Achoo! Aly shot her palms to her nose so they could catch her sneeze in time.

Chufa laughed. Wow! I guess you spoke them up.

When she pulled her hands away, the Young One gasped at the sight of thick black and green mucus clumped onto her hands. Definitely not natural.

Chufa eased over to Aly, who had turned as stiff as green oak wood. Stay calm. Your body’s just getting rid of the—

Ew! Aly flapped her hands. Get it off get it off get it off!

Okay! Just hold still. Chufa hurried over to the mastra as he grabbed a nearby cloth. He rubbed her hands gently as another random device in the room lit up and sprayed some antiseptic on her palms.

How many things are just waiting to do something in here? the mastra asked as Chufa cleaned her hands.

Just about everything in this room has some sort of auto-capability. Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it.

Aly shook her head. I’m not too sure if I want to. The mastra froze and rubbed her head.

Something wrong? Chufa said.

It’s funny. I think I might’ve said something like that before, but I can’t remember when.

The Wethan patted her on the leg.

Be of ease, yes? he said in her native tongue. We shall make this transition as comforting as it can be.

My thanks. Aly smiled.

Chufa’s gaze suddenly went straight ahead, as if something in front of him had caught his attention. Aly couldn’t imagine what, however. There was nothing but wall. She raised a brow at the lad, since he acted like he was trying to listen to something.

Um, excuse me, Aly cut in. "Do you by any chance have—what was Catty wearing?—‘ear phones’? Oh. Or maybe someone is talking to you...telepathically?"

Aly hoped that was the case as the lad started to talk out loud in his native tongue. He turned