by Hao Yang
“I was thinking you saved me one time, so it evened out one.” Gloria said easily.
“Oh, yea, I mean, right. So it’s because I am a second species.” Jason stammered.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I asked you out and you turned me down because of that.”
“I didn’t turned you down.” Gloria said with a kind grin.
“Ah, oh, huh, huh. I see.” Jason stammered again.
“So let’s say if we are going out, where do we go?” Gloria asked casually.
“What do you do for fun?” Jason asked.
“I watch movies.”
“Me, too.”
“Oh, I always want see movies from...your species.” Gloria said as she casted her eyes down.
“You want to see our movies?” Jason asked excitedly
Gloria nodded.
“I can arrange that.” Jason said happily.
Just at this moment, Gloria’s family badge was flashing. Gloria turned it off.
“Something is up?” Jason asked nervously. He didn’t want this night end.
“Probably from my family.”
“So how about we go to see a movie next time.” Jason asked nervously, his hands sweating. “Sure.” Gloria asked, but she avoided the eye contact with Jason.
“When you want to do it?”
“Better hurry. The selection is coming.”
“Yea, I know.”
“You know about our selection?”
“I read about it. You guys are insane. I can’t believe Glycan do that to their own people. I mean tens of thousands of kid died. That…”
“Jason.” Gloria interrupted Jason and gave him a bored look.
“Tomorrow night. OK?” Jason said hastily.
“Don’t you have the ball game tomorrow?”
“Yea, right. But that is a piece of cake.” Jason said proudly.
“Sure. Tomorrow night then.”
“Great!” Jason said. They looked into each other’s eyes and smiled quietly. The silence was so peaceful and enjoyable that they just stay like that for a while.
“Jason, I need to go back.” Gloria said sadly.
“Ah, me too. It’s getting late.”
They said goodbye and parted in different ways. While Jason was running back in the ventilation shaft, he was so happy and excited that he made the wrong turn. It took him an extra hour to go back to his dorm.
Chapter 17
In the ball game, there were six matches in the first round and each match had three teams competing with each other in 30 minutes. The second round had two matches and then two winning teams went to the final. The champion could compete with first class species. Each first class species had one team consisting of seven trainees. Plus the champion team from the second class species, there were ten teams.
In the game, all players wore heavy armor suits and used real weaponry to get their hands on the ball. Two hands must be on the ball at the same time to start the time count. If more than one team was holding the ball, no team got the time. The ball was designed in a way that no team could hide it. Players in the game could use whatever methods to disable other players. If a player was shot on the helmet, even if the player was not injured, drones would take him or her out. The heavy armor provided very good protections, but accidents did happen from time to time.
Jason’s first game would start in ten minutes. He didn’t worry about the game. He was thinking about the date with Gloria tonight. He couldn’t believe it was actually happening and it seemed to him that Gloria also liked him.
“Jason, you alright?” Erikon asked.
“Yea, you know, it is the first time.” Jason said uneasily.
“Yea, I am nervous too. Some guys died in this game.” Erikon said in a worried voice.
“12 to be exactly. It’s not that bad.” Lucis said nervously.
“You didn’t count those died in matches with the first class species right?” Idi asked.
“There were eight just for last year. Class of 82 and class of 83 each had four.” Sayilin said.
“Did any second species manage to kill a first class?” Orizy asked.
“No, our weapons can only scratch their armors.” Sayilin said.
“It’s good those first species kill each other.” Titainein said without emotion.
“For them, that happens every year. Glycans, Estian and Uainanese are just killing for fun.”Sayilin said.
“And Diilres just shoot to show off their weapons.” Idi said angrily.
“They use their own weapons and if we fight them with what we have. We don’t stand a chance.” Erikon said reluctantly.
“Let’s see the good side. We are not there yet. Besides there was one team from class of 53. They made it to the second round.” Jason smiled.
“And you know what happened to that team, right?” Sayilin asked.
“Yea.” Jason nodded.
“What happened?” Idi asked innocently.
Everyone looked at Jason, waiting for his reply.
“They all died.” Jason sighed.
They all fell into silence.
The red light was flashing. It was the time.
“Alright, guys, I want to be the first one killing a first species and I need all of you to fight beside me. We are the champion!” Jason shouted and pointed his index figure at his teammates.
“Yea. Yea.”
“Yea.” Everyone yelled.
The ceiling above them slowly opened and the ground beneath them rose, bringing them up to the game ground the size of two football fields. There were hundreds of trenches and barricades and the ball was at the center platform, guarded by seven robots. Above the platform, there was a big light ball. Due to live fire, there was no audience on the site. Drones were flying around and providing the live feed of the game. Three teams were positioned on the edge of the field with equal distance to each other. Beside Jason’s team, the other two were Leseu’s team and Ruei’s team. Leseu was a Lozisusis and Ruei was a Dolanz.
“Buzz!” The game started.
The robots were shooting at all three teams.
“To the left, we take out other teams first.” Jason said and led the team to Ruei who was heading straight to the center.
As Ruei’s team fought with robots, Jason’s team ambushed them at their right flank and took out three of them. When the leftover were struggling to fight off Jason’s team, three trainees from Leseu’s team attacked Ruei’s team at their left flank. Soon, all members of Ruei’s team retired.
“Jason, we should split.” Sayilin said as he ran to Jason.
“No, stay together, that’s the only way. Watch your left and move to center.” Jason said as he proceeded cautiously.
In the center, three robots were fighting with Jason’s team and the other four were dealing with Leseu’s team. Both teams were about 20 meters to the center. Jason was shooting at the robots and he saw two robots were moving to the left of the platform.
“Lucis, Idi, watch your left.” Jason said as he ran to them.
Leseu’s team suddenly appeared at the left flank of Jason’s team. They hit Lucis on the shoulder and shot Idi on the chest. Sayilin, Erikon, Orizy and Titainein quickly came to the left and backed up Lucis and Idi.
“Where the fuck did they come from?” Lucis said angrily.
“Take cover and keep them busy.” Jason said calmly and ran away.
“What! Where are you going?” Erikon asked as he fired at the opposing team.
“What are you doing, Jason?” Orizy asked.
“Guys, trust him!” Titainein shouted.
Jason circled around the center and reached the left flank of Leseu’s team. None of them expected attack from that side. He took out Leseu first and then gunned down another three. Sandwiched by Jason’s team, the leftover only held the ground for several minutes. Jason and his teammates then focused on those robots. After another five minutes, Jason climbed up onto the platform and held the ball in hi
s hands. They won.
Jason jumped off the platform and threw the ball to Sayilin.
“Stay together, Huh?” Sayilin smirked.
“Well, you know, for the most time.” Jason smiled.
“I want it, too.” Idi said as she reached for the ball. But Sayilin held the ball above his head. No matter how hard Idi tried, she couldn’t reach it.
“Let me help you.” Titainein said as she winked at others.
They all gathered around Sayilin, lifted him from the ground and tossed him into the air. After several times, Jason made a devil look and everyone pull their hands back. Sayilin fell hard on the ground.
“Guys, that hurts.” Sayilin complained.
Everyone laughed loudly. They pulled Sayilin up and headed to the changing room.
Chapter 18
Jason was strolling back and forth in Glycan’s library. He glanced over at the entrance every few seconds. He tried to sit down, but he stood up after several seconds. As he was thinking how to impress Gloria, he heard some noise from the vent he used to get in. He slowly approached the vent and saw a Human coming out of it.
“Vampire?” Jason said in surprise.
“Hi, Jason.” Lucis said tiredly as he stood up.
“And me.” Erikon was following right behind Lucis.
“So what are you doing here?” Lucis asked as he wiped away some dust.
“I am working on the dark energy paper. Now leave!” Jason said firmly.
“Take it easy, man. We are just curious. You know. I thought you were sneaking into Glycan’s kitchen.” Erikon said innocently.
“We will do that some other time. Now leave! I need to work.” Jason said coldly.
“You know, I always want to see Glycan’s library.” Lucis said.
“Me too. Me too.” Erikon said excitedly.
Jason was about to say something, but he heard footsteps coming in the direction of the library entrance.
“Get in the vent. Now. Get in.” Jason whispered hastily as he pushed Lucis and Erikon into the vent. Lucis fought back, but Jason overpowered him and stuffed him into the vent. Erikon didn’t fight back, but he was slow. Jason kicked his butt several times.
“Ah, aaah.” Erikon screamed in pain as he crawled into the vent.
“Quiet. Quiet.” Jason wheezed.
The door opened and Gloria walked in. She smiled at Jason and asked, “Just got in?”
“Yea, I thought I was late.” Jason said nervously as he glanced over at the vent.
“I was thinking the same thing.” Gloria said
“So let’s go to see a movie.” Jason said happily.
“Sure. By the way, congratulation! You did really well in the game.” Gloria said sincerely.
“You watched my game?” Jason asked in surprise.
“Of course. I was…” Gloria paused and they looked at each other in the eyes. Jason turned his head away as he heard something from the vent.
“Let’s go.” Jason said and grabbed Gloria’s hand. He felt a warm current rushing through his body.
Gloria was surprised, but she didn’t draw back her hand. They looked at each other nervously.
“Come on. This is not like you. The one fight with me.” Gloria chuckled.
Jason pulled Gloria close to him and said, “How about now?”
“That is more like it.” Gloria said happily.
“Let’s go.” Jason said. They ran out of the library hand in hand.
The entertainment zone in the second class species area had a theater the size of a tennis court. Jason and Gloria took two seats in the middle and sat next to each other.
“What is this thing?” Gloria asked as she pointed at the screen at the front.
“It’s the screen.” Jason said in embarrassment. He knew this theater was decades old and nobody used it anymore.
“What?”
“Movies are shown on the screen. That’s how we see it.”
“I never see a movie this way. This is cool.” Gloria said happily.
“So what movie you like to see?” Jason asked.
“What do you like?”
“I like some of the very old action movies.”
“Pick one you like.”
Jason loaded the movie called Matrix. He had seen this movie numerous times. But this time, with Gloria sitting beside him, he couldn’t focus on the movie any more. He took this time admiring every detail of her beautiful face and sexy body. Her eyes, nose, lips, cheeks and chin were perfect on their own and when they came together, that was the face of an angle. The tight white uniform she was wearing showed off her long legs and ample breasts. And at last the aroma from her body was so pure and seducing that Jason almost kissed her.
When the movie was over, Gloria was lost in her thought.
“Do you like it?” Jason asked.
“Yes. Do you think somebody will risk his life to save his friends?” Gloria asked gently.
“Yes. Because I will.” Jason said decisively.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Gloria looked away. She had never had a friend since she could remember things. In her memory, her family almost had no visitors. During all those lonely years, she learned to be strong and look strong. Every step in her life was the survival of loneliness and bully.
“Gloria, you are alright?” Jason asked caringly.
“I am fine. You know you were right the other day. I don’t have a friend.” Gloria said sadly.
“I thought I was your friend.” Jason said seriously.
“You want to be my friend?”
“Well, if I can’t be your boyfriend, I like to be your friend.” Jason said in a joking voice.
“If you are my boyfriend, then I will go back to the fact that I don’t have a friend.” Gloria joked. “I think I can do both. You know.” Jason said like an expertise.
“We will see.” Gloria said happily.
“You know, this movie has a sequel. Maybe we can see it next time.”
“Sure. We will do that.” Gloria said excitedly, but suddenly she lost steam and looked sad. Jason noticed the dramatic change and said, “What is it? Tell me.”
“I will go to the selection tomorrow. I can only see you after that, if I make it.” Gloria said emotionally.
“How can I get in touch with you?” Jason asked eagerly.
Gloria removed her family badge from her uniform and gave it to Jason and said, “This is my family communicator.”
“I will keep in touch. I will make sure you make it.” Jason said as he held Gloria’s hand to his chest.
“How?”
“If you are in trouble, you let me know.”
“It is on planet Etitaeg.”
“I know that planet. I will go there and save you.”
“That is crazy. You will die.”
“I am crazy but I am not going to die. You are my friend. I will take the risk.” Jason stopped short of saying girlfriend.
“Please don’t do that.” Gloria said in a begging voice.
“Am I your friend?”
“Yes.”
Gloria knew Jason was serious. It was the first time in her life she heard something like this. She took off her necklace and gave it to Jason and said, “You keep this for me. I will be back.”
“Gloria, don’t hesitate to call me if you need help. I will be there. I promise you.” Jason said decisively.
Gloria suddenly felt relieved. It was like someone removed the black gauze that had been covering her face for years. Now everything was bright and shining.
“I have to go.” Gloria said sadly.
“I will keep in touch.” Jason emphasized every word.
“Don’t get killed in the game.” Gloria joked.
“Remember you can’t even kill me.” Jason chuckled.
“Actually, I was easy on you.”
“Oh really? After you come back, we can try it again.” Jason said in a naughty voice.
“Come on, give me so
me credits.” Gloria punched Jason’s shoulder and left.
Chapter 19
Mark got Jason’s message and spent several days trying to decode the encrypted navigation record which was protected by three layers of security systems. Mark merely broke the first layer, but he wasn’t able to crack the second one. It required a Glycan console having the access to the mainframe of military navigation database. There was no way he could even get close to a console like that.
Mark knew the vessel carrying eyeballs made a stop on Eva-1 and at least some eyeballs were transferred to the Cruiser General Klizan. He believed that whoever doing this must had been doing it regularly, because nine species had Hylocan eyeballs disposed of every month. It was possible that the cruiser made a trip to the mysterious destination every month. Mark decided to find out the destination in a tradition way: catching a ride along with those Hylcocan eyeballs.
Hylocan reserve was one of the planets orbiting the star HD143435 in Corona-Borealis supercluster. In UWII, Hylocan fought to the last minute and nine species slaughtered 99.9% of its population. After UWII, the nine species transported all Hylocan survivals from their mother planet to Hylocan reserve. For the leftover Hylocans, nine species had all their eyeballs removed and replaced with electronic ones which could function as eyeballs and tracking devices. This was also applied to all newborn Hylocan babies. All nine species agreed that they would transfer those eyeballs to planet Itue to dispose of them every month.
Mark looked out of the window as the space vessel was touching down on Hylocan reserve. Most ground was covered by forests. The trees looked like pines but had brown trunks and black leaves. Thousands of small buildings scattered here and there. According to Mark’s research, there were about one million Hylocans living on Hylocan reserve. Nine species took away everything Hylocan had and forced them to live in stone age. However, those Hylocans made their lives out of forests and managed to produce many commodities to sell.
Mark was wearing a face transformer and looked just like a Glycan. He stepped out of the vessel, following other passengers to the market next to the landing ground. Both first and second class species came here to do business with Hylocan. In the market, various goods ranging from food to animal skins were stacked on the ground. Mark had no interest in shopping. He walked to the edge of the market and darted into the forest.