by Hao Yang
“He is a Glycan general.” Jason said easily.
“How do you know it was a general?”
“He was wearing black uniform.”
“Name?”
Jason shook his head.
“What does he look like?”
“He is very old but strong, large build. Oh, he had a red scar on the left eye.” Jason said.
“A red scar on the left eye?” Fieute asked in surprise.
“Yea.”
Fieute strolled back and forth several times and said, “I will be right back.” He left the room in a hurry.
Chapter 41
It was a cool afternoon. Endless mountains extended to where red sky touched down. Blue snow covered the peaks of mountains, shining like blue diamonds. Thousands of buildings rested on the slopes of mountains.
The blind girl was sitting on a balcony. She had a heart-shaped face, white skin, pointy ears and dark gray hair. Her sexy hourglass figure was wrapped in a yellow knee length skirt. She turned her head to Jason while he was walking to her.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Jason asked gently.
“I am surprised this is your first question to a blind girl.” The girl smiled.
Jason smiled in embarrassment as he peeked at her tits.
“I see you like my new skirt.” The girl said and leaned forward, giving Jason a better view of her plump breast.
Jason smiled reluctantly and turned his head away.
“I am Lisania, by the way.”
“I am Jason.”
“So the man saved you was your father?” Lisania asked.
“There was another man? I didn’t know that. I have no idea what happened. Why you say he is my father?” Jason asked in confusion.
“The way he talked to you. I am pretty sure that is the case.”
Jason had no idea his father got involved in this mess. Considering the girl was blind, Jason knew he couldn’t get much information from her.
“Where are you from?” Jason asked gently.
“You have a nice voice.” Lisania said nicely.
“Thank you.”
“Can I touch you? I want to know what you look like.” Lisania asked in a begging voice.
Jason didn’t want to, but he felt bad at refusing a blind girl’s request. He thought for several seconds and said, “OK.” Then he guided her hands to his face.
“You are handsome. You really are.” Lisania said sincerely as she fondled Jason’s face.
Jason flushed red. He was happy Lisania couldn’t see this.
“It’s not a good time?” A voice struck Jason from behind.
Jason turned around and saw an old male Tizuee. He had a small build and a bald head with thin eyes, wide nose and gray mustache.
“I am Stieut from Tizuee Government. How are you doing?”
“I am alright. Thank you for saving me and my friend.” Jason said as he pointed at Lisania. Hearing Jason said friend, Lisania gave Jason a big smile.
“You are very welcome.” Stieut said and motioned Jason to follow him.
Jason tapped on Lisania’s shoulder and said, “I will be right back.” He then followed behind Stieut to another room.
“If I didn’t speak with Titainein, I won’t believe your story. I mean at least half of it.” Stieut said kindly.
“You know Titainein. Is she safe? What about others?” Jason asked hastily.
“She has returned to the training center along with your other friends. They are fine.”
Jason heaved a sigh of relief and asked, “Can I talk to her?”
“No, I don’t think that is a good idea.”
“Why?”
“Given what you have done, I am quite sure Glycans are looking for you right now. And we don’t want to get into any trouble.” Stieut said seriously.
“I understand.”
“Titainein was very happy and excited to know you are alive. Trust me, she wanted to talk to you as well. But I don’t think she knows the other half of the story. Am I right?”
“Yea.” Jason smiled reluctantly.
“Son, you just got your death warrant.”
“Yea, I can feel that.” Jason sighed.
“No, you don’t understand. The general with the red scar on the face is General Klizan. Have you ever heard this name? You must have, as long as you know a little history of UWII.”
“I see.” Jason said uneasily. He wasn’t a big fan of history.
“Now General Klizan is the chairman of offensive department and chairman of Glycan selection committee. You see your trouble?”
“Ah...”
“General Klizan doesn’t forgive and he doesn’t forget. He got this reputation during UWII. I am surprised the dagger didn’t kill you. Glycan are famous for their poisons and for some poisons, even Glycan themselves can’t neutralize.”
“That is a relief. At least I don’t need to think about the consequence of falling in love with a Glycan.” Jason chuckled.
Stieut shook his head in disbelief and said, “You need to leave here as soon as possible! I mean today!”
“I need a spacecraft.”
“We can’t give you one. If Glycans found out, we will be in big trouble.”
“Then how do I leave this planet?”
“You can steal one instead.” Stieut said with an elusive smile.
Jason knew what he meant. He thought for a second and asked, “What about the girl? Can I leave her here?”
“No, you take her with you!” Stieut said decisively.
“She is a blind girl. I can’t take care of her. I have to go back to training center and if you are right about General Klizan, I will be dead soon. Then who is going to look after her?”
“That is not our concern. This girl is a Hylocan. Do you know that?” Stieut asked seriously.
Jason recalled her pointy ears. But he didn’t think about it before this moment. That was the hallmark of Hylocan.
“There are lots of problems about this girl.” Stieut said coldly.
“What do you mean?”
“This girl’s eyeballs were removed very recently. You probably know every Hylocan’s eyeballs are replaced soon after they are born and they are born on the planet Hylocan reserve. This girl is 18 years old. Where did she spend the past 18 years? How she was captured?”
“OK, I will take her with me. But please don’t tell anyone anything about the blind girl.”
“No ask no tell.”
“That is good enough.” Jason sighed. He didn’t have a clue where to hide the girl.
“I think I have made my point clear.” Stieut said firmly.
“Yea. I will leave with the girl, today.”
“Do you know where hangars are?”
“I can find it out.”
“Good luck.”
“Thank you.” Jason said gratefully.
Later in the afternoon, Jason and Lisania arrived at the closest hangar and drove one spacecraft out without any problem.
Chapter 42
Klaycon landed his transporter on the platform in front of the building designated for Glycan selection committee. He quickly exited the craft, entered the build and rushed to the lower level where prisoners were held. Four robots and four Glycan soldiers were guarding the entrance.
“Look, who is here?” A soldier nudged another one. All four soldiers looked at Klaycon on the other side of the entrance. Robots were examining him for weapons and checking his identity. The soldiers saw his family badge and they were surprised that a member from family K came down here. They acknowledged him and smiled like blooming flowers. Klaycon didn’t even look at those soldiers. He walked directly into the prison, followed by two soldiers.
In a hall the size of a football field, hundreds of prison cells packed on each other on the walls.
“You want to visit someone?” A soldier asked politely.
“I want to speak to Gloria.” Klaycon said coldly without even looking at the soldier.
“Right awa
y.” The solder said and pressed a button on the control pannel.
One prison cell flew out of the wall and landed on the hall. Klaycon walked to the cell, accompanied by two soldiers.
The cell wall facing Klaycon changed into a large window. Gloria was sitting in a corner, her head leaning against the wall, her face covered by tear tracks.
Klaycon let out a long sigh and said, “I don’t need audience here. Leave me alone.”
“Sorry, but...”
Klaycon couldn’t wait until the soldier finished and threw a crystal to each of them.
“Well, like I said we…”
“Take it or tomorrow you will join those serving at the battlefront.” Klaycon interrupted the soldier abruptly.
Both soldiers put the crystals in pockets and then backed away from Klaycon.
“Gloria. You alright?” Klaycon asked gently.
Gloria glanced over at Klaycon but didn’t say a word.
“Gloria, I knew those Humans saved you. But for me, the most important thing is you are alive. That is the only thing I care.” Klaycon said sincerely.
“Klaycon, don’t waste your time.” Gloria said coldly.
“Gloria, I have been loving you since we were kid.” He said emotionally, his hand sweating, his heart beating out of control. This was the first time Klaycon said something like this.
Gloria flashed a brittle smile, her face cold like stone, her eyes dull and dry.
Klaycon felt his heart breaking into pieces and every piece of it was cutting into his flesh. He gazed at Gloria and asked, “You like that Human?”
“No. I love him.” Gloria said slowly and decisively.
“A second species?” Klaycon asked in surprise. He couldn’t believe what he just heard.
“Yes.”
“I am better than him in every way. Why you don’t love me? I have everything you need! I can do anything for you! Tell me what you want! Tell me what you want!” He shouted desperately.
“Leave me alone.” Gloria said coldly.
“You know they will kill you for that. You want to die for a second species?” Klaycon said seriously.
“What a surprise.” Gloria said ironically.
“I can save you. I can save your life.” Klaycon said sincerely.
“Even if you saved me, I still won’t love you.” Gloria said coldly.
Klaycon let out a long sigh and said, “You know I will always be there for you. Just like when we were kids. I will save you, Gloria, no matter what.” He turned around and left.
Chapter 43
Jason and Lisania was on the way to nowhere. He had phoned his father and left a message, but after several hours he still didn’t get a reply. He was worried about his father. If what Lisania said was true, Jason could only think of one reason why his father didn’t stay with him.
Unlike Jason, Lisania never asked where they were heading. She was quiet for most of time.
“Do you have any suggestion where we should go?” Jason asked uneasily.
“I don’t know.”
“I don’t know, either.” Jason sighed.
“You can’t go to your home?”
“Actually, I don’t really have one.” Jason said sadly. His father sold the house on the earth a long time ago for John’s hospital bill. For a second, he was wondering whether his old neighbors could help, but he scrapped that idea. He hadn’t been to earth for four years and he didn’t kept in touch with his old friends.
“You can just dump me somewhere.” Lisania said sincerely.
“Yea, I am thinking about it.” Jason said in a low tone. Jason felt shame at himself, because he meant it.
“What about your family, your friends?”
“No.”
They fell into silence. Jason thought for a while and then set the course for Eva-1. He didn’t know where else he could go.
“We will go to the Guardian Fleet training center. Then we will see from there.” Jason said uneasily and then punched the throttle.
Several hours later, they entered the perimeter of Eva-1. Jason called Lucis and Erikon on their watches using the onboard satellite. Although Lucis and Erikon had learned that Jason was alive, they still couldn’t hold their excitement when they actually heard him.
After about 30 minutes, a cargo ship docked with the spacecraft. Erikon and Lucis rushed in and gave Jason a huge hug which almost choked him. Erikon nearly cried out.
“Good to see you, man!” Lucis let out a long sigh as he punched Jason on the shoulder.
“Yes, yes, man!” Erikon cheered.
“Good to see you guys.” Jason said excitedly as he patted their shoulders.
They hugged together again.
After several minutes, they finally calmed down. Then Lucis and Erikon noticed the blind girl.
“Who is that?” Lucis asked quietly.
Jason winked at them and they went to another compartment. After he closed the door behind him, he said, “It seemed my father saved her. I can’t just dump her.”
“Your father was involved in this too? What is the story?” Lucis asked curiously.
“I don’t really know.”
“And where do you plan to hide her?” Erikon asked.
“I am thinking it as well.”
“Well, I don’t mind sharing the same room with her.” Erikon said easily.
Jason and Lucis stared at Erikon. They knew what Erikon was thinking.
“Yea, it’s not a good time, huh?” Erikon said slowly.
“Thank you.” Jason and Lucis said simultaneously.
“Sometimes, I just don’t know what are you thinking? If you can’t dump her, I will do it.” Lucis said to Jason.
“You want to kill her?” Erikon asked in surprise.
“I want to dump her somewhere. Don’t be so sentimental. You don’t even know her.” Lucis said in disgust.
“OK.” Erikon murmured. They both looked at Jason, waiting for his decision.
“I don’t know.” Jason sighed, casting his eyes down.
“There we go.” Lucis sighed.
“I will hide her in the training center for several days then we will see from there. What happened to Gloria?” Jason asked, his voice shaking.
Lucis and Erikon looked at each other.
“Tell me!” Jason shouted.
“Gloria hasn’t come back to the training center yet.” Lucis said uneasily.
“You know where she is?” Jason asked quickly.
“No.”
“That is what I worried.” Jason said in a heavy tone.
“You think other Glycans will find out?” Lucis asked.
“I think they already have.” Jason said in a worried voice.
“You didn’t think about going to Sylareon, right?” Erikon asked.
“I’ve been there.” Jason said easily.
Erikon and Lucis gazed at him in shock, their eyes bulged.
“I will tell you later. Let’s go back to the training center first.” Jason said. They walked out of the compartment and headed to the bridge.
Chapter 44
Mark didn’t go back to planet Latianium. He called Aron and explained his situation. Aron said he would call back. So for the past several days he hid on the night side of M13, waiting for the call.
On the fifth day since Mark made the call, Aron finally contacted Mark and they decided to meet at a deserted shooting range on M13.
Brisk wind was roaring on the bleak plain. Mark landed the stolen Glycan fighter jet far from the range. He looked around carefully and then exited the jet. Wearing a night vision glass, he had no problem finding his way to the range in darkness. The range had a long history and used to be an underground weapon smuggling hub. Then one day the shooting range was ravaged, filled with dead bodies and drenched in blood. Nobody knew who did it.
Standing in front of the oval-shaped entrance, Mark checked the surrounding one more time. Then he took a deep breath and went inside. The blood on the ground dried decades ag
o. Skulls and bones scattered here and there. Mark tread lightly and carefully, his ears stretching out. He passed the main hall and entered the range. There he noticed a red light blinking on the wall. Slowly, he approached the red light and saw there were something written below the light. It read “For Mark.”
Mark removed the red light and found a penny size sticker, a neurotransmitter. Mark knew Aron must be around. But he couldn’t see anyone. Mark sighed and put the sticker on his forehead.
“Sorry for the long wait.” Aron said.
“Five days.” Mark said unhappily.
“I have to make sure those Glycans didn’t follow you.”
“If I were bugged, Glycans have killed me in the past five days.”
“Yes, you are right. Based on what you said about the wound on your left forearm, maybe the tracer was removed when you passed out. But you never know.”
“Maybe they are just running late.” Mark chuckled.
“Well. Mark, I couldn’t explain everything when I called you. That is why we have to meet this way and I am afraid this will be our last conversation.” Aron said sadly.
“I understand.” Mark sighed.
“So tell me what you found?”
“You know the part Hylocans captured me. The eyeballs were transferred by Cruiser General Klizan to a remote planet. There is a Glycan facility on that planet. In the facility, I saw a huge Hylocan eyeballs bigger than a building. It seems those Hylocans were looking for some girl. Maybe the missing Hylocan girl. I am not sure. I have the coordinates of the planet and a detailed report with me.”
“I wish I can help you more. I am sorry.”
“You are currently serving in the force. I understand.”
They fell into silence for several seconds.
“I guess that’s all for us, right?” Mark said calmly.
“Sorry.”
“Well, I see it coming, but I didn’t expect it to be this soon.”
“Any plan?”
“Not really. I will call Jason first to make sure he is alright and let him know I am alright.”
“Be careful. Glycans might be looking for you. Don’t expose yourself.”