Before she knew it, she was back in the meeting room, back in her body. Nobody seemed to notice her absence, being too engrossed with the image of Captain Trelic and the unbelievable story it had to tell. The Arm of the Emperor seemed to provide her the ability to view people she knew...unfortunately, not always when she wanted. She had only used it with Trent and Tiana, and apparently Trent could see her, but Tiana could not. Vin would need to explain more about this feature and how to use it at will. It would be very dangerous if her sight went flying away at a whim when she needed to stay in her body. The image of Captain Trelic faded and another took its place, Sasha contained a gasp as she noticed it was the cave from Earth.
"This is the record taken of the incident and saved before the destruction of TSB Earth Base. As you will see, two ASU Schnac'lasis had infiltrated the lab when the door to the containment cave was opened to allow Grand Duchess Sasha Alutia and Sir Trent to escape. The Schnac'lasis used the opportunity to access the cave..." The image began moving and two Schnac'lasis appeared at the bottom left of the screen. Muffled grunts and whispers escaped from the assembled officers who witnessed the rare sight. A few seconds later Trent came sliding down the ladder, with laser arc drawn, and Sasha close behind. The two of them were slowly crossing the cave when six of Sir Simwa's men came down the ladder as one, slowly forming before they started to follow. When Trent turned and aimed at the Schnac'lasis, who had started removing the containment tubes, Sasha suddenly pulled him out of the way of a laser bolt and mayhem ensued.
The Schnac'lasis quickly finished disconnecting the tubes as Sir Simwa's men continued to fire on Trent and Sasha, who were crawling desperately towards the cave wall. An orange plume exploded out of the pod when the last tube was removed and Trent, Sasha, and Sir Simwa's men, fell to the ground as one. The monstrous creature that emerged scanned the cave before climbing the wall, vanishing into the darkened ceiling.
The two Schnac'lasis emerged a few moments later from a small hole they'd apparently used for cover, appearing to collect samples from the opened pod before probing one of Sir Simwa's men. They quickly vanished back up the ladder as the record accelerated, showing Trent and Sasha rise and stumble out of the cave, while the other blobs continued to grow. The image suddenly faded.
"Even with self-destruct protocol implemented, we estimate that both the ASU Schnac'lasis and the HDP infected human escaped and are now on the Earth's surface. We recommend a course of action be decided immediately." Vin's sphere vanished and the room went silent.
"Your Grace, you have to forgive me for doubting your word. This is a very serious matter and I'd like permission to return to my starship and decide on a suitable plan of action. Could we reconvene tomorrow at this hour?" Sasha held her rebuke on her tongue.
"That would be fine, Knight High-Admiral Baric." He and his command staff saluted as they removed themselves from the meeting room.
"Alright, now that he is gone...we need to decide on a plan." Both Knight Admiral Bhool and Knight Captain Quinn raised their eyebrows, but neither raised any objections.
"Have there been any reports of outbreaks on the surface?" She looked to Knight Captain Quinn, who glanced over his shoulder at a young man who quickly stepped forward.
"Yes, Your Grace. A few isolated towns in the Southeast Asia region have shown, what we believe to be, an infection outbreak similar to this HDP. But we have been unable to actually verify the infection or locate any of the creatures." Sasha nodded her understanding.
"Yes, but didn't the man...what was his name...Captain Trelic I believe...say they had trouble locating them at first as well? They seem to be able to avoid detection." Vickie, it appeared, had more on her mind then debauchery.
"I do recall that too, Your Grace. I'd advise we cordon off the area and try to eliminate the infection before it spreads." Knight Admiral Bhool recalled the image of Earth, which now had two tiny red spots marking the suspected outbreaks in Southeast Asia.
"There is an issue with the governments and corporations, Your Grace. Our starships are visible from Earth and there is quite a bit of hysteria." Sasha hadn't considered the repercussions of the blockade...she considered for a moment.
"Alright...Knight Captain Quinn, can you attempt some sort of disinformation campaign? I recall Tren...I mean Sir Trent mentioning something about the world being run by corporations...could we use that to our advantage?" The Knight Captain furrowed his brow and beard, creating a unique look only a man of his size and stature could pull off.
"It is possible, Your Grace. I will place some of my best communication and engineering personnel on the task. If anybody can do it...they can." Sasha nodded and turned to Knight Admiral Bhool.
"Can you assemble a force and land them on the surface to erect a barrier around the infected regions? If we can contain its spread, we can worry about destroying it later with proper ground forces." Knight Admiral Bhool nodded.
"Right away, Your Grace...and may I add, it is good to have you back." Sasha blushed at her words and stood as they exited. Knight Captain Quinn suddenly stopped and turned.
"Your Grace, I thought you would like to know that the majority of the personnel on TSB Earth Base made it safely to the Fleet Base. About 50 of Sir Simwa's men didn't make it, but the children and the other personnel were able to escape. Sir Simwa and the majority of his men are currently in custody, so as long as we have no more defections, we should be able to properly deal with him this time." Sasha smiled broadly...she couldn't wait to tell Trent. Vickie apparently shared a similar thought, her eyes burning with pleasure.
"Thank you, Sir Quinn...that is indeed, great news." He started to exit, then stopped again, turning back in embarrassment.
"One more thing, Your Grace, may Vice Commander Daiyu and I see Sir Trent? I would like to apologize and thank him for all he's done." The Knight Captain's words touched Sasha's heart.
"You may...but not today, I plan to bring him to tomorrow's meeting." A few eyebrows rose in response, word had spread about his condition and the fact he would be bed ridden for a month.
"I look forward to it, Your Grace. If you will excuse me." He bowed again, then quickly exited with the rest of his staff.
"Shall we stop and indulge in some lunch, Sasha?" Tiana asked as she stood and stretched. It was a good idea, but Sasha had other things on her mind.
"If you could grab two extra meals...I would like to eat with Trent." An annoying cooing sound escaped both Vickie and Tiana's lips, the unison uncanny. Sasha tried to punch them both, but they jumped out of reach with a merry squeal, that Terra echoed from her bosom. She chased them around the table a few times before giving up.
"I am going to see Trent!" she stomped her feet and walked out of the room, not even looking back at her two laughing ladies.
Chapter 21
The humidity was as dense as the jungle, making movement that should have been simple...far more difficult. Sweat continuously poured off his brow and he was unable to wipe it clear before it reached his eyes. An insect swung down and landed in his ear as the temporary blindness slowed him. He stumbled over a fallen branch in surprise while trying to remove the prickly invader. Biting insects joined the assault, swarming about him and attacking any exposed skin. He waved a hand through the cloud, trying in vain to remove them from his path, before continuing on.
He worked his way through the virgin jungle, following the arrow projected by the combat PDU that sat snuggly on his ear, cursing as he was forced to break through another thicket of bushes and vines. A gully full of large ferns appeared before him, a fallen moss covered tree lying across the bottom, rotting slowly. Daniel circled the rim, grabbing on to the spotty underbrush to keep himself from falling off the narrow edge. Once he cleared the gully, he worked his way around another small pond, stopping as a hill rose before him, baring his way with an unbroken covering of dense growth. Fortunately, there were some conveniently placed vines hanging from the nearby trees that littered the hills face.
&
nbsp; An annoying buzzing filled his ear as he began to climb, another of the pesky insects coming for his blood. He waved a hand, trying to scare it away, and almost lost his grip, grabbing an exposed root just before he tumbled back down the hill. The wet vines were beginning to slide precariously in his sweaty hands when he finally reached the crest. Daniel squatted, breathing heavy as the destination icon flashed on the small display projected before his eyes.
He pulled one of the long, silver colored bars, with a clear globe on one end, out of the case he carried on his back, placing it on the ground and waited. The bars vibration told him it was set and he let go as it extended deep into the ground while simultaneously shooting a hundred meters into the sky. His display flashed again and a small arrow pointing to his next destination, he sighed.
When a request for volunteers for ground duty came through the channels, Daniel had jumped at the opportunity. Any chance for him to get some time away from Xi was a very good thing...she was running him ragged. But of course, he didn't realize that the assignment required trudging through dense jungles, planting shield spikes in the middle of summer. They weren't told the exact reason, but it had something to do with an outbreak, a couple hundred kilometers to the east, that needed to be contained.
The trip down the hill went quicker then Daniel had intended when, catching a loose piece of mud, he fell, sliding down the far side, through the damp bushes and trees. The slide ended with a splash as he landed in a small puddle...cursing his luck. He quickly pulled himself clear, checking for leeches, when a loud crash and scream came from only a short distance away. Daniel's combat PDU flashed an emergency beacon, which he considered ignoring, but in the end, decided to check it out...carefully.
He moved in the direction the icon was pointing, stepping carefully as to not make any noise as he pushed through a group of low bushes flanked by large moss and vine covered trees. He stopped, considering if this was indeed the best course of action. But again, his curiosity overtook his caution, assuming it was most likely a native Earth species giving someone a fright.
When the display flashed 10 meters he stopped and listened, hearing nothing, so he continued to creep forward. A tall bush, with large green leaves, blocked his way and he pushed it aside to expose a small clearing. Three red suited ABF personnel lay on the ground, a strange green, sticky looking substance oozing from their skin. Something covered his mouth and pulled him away from the scene, he struggled to break free, but the strength was enormous.
"Quiet!" The voice hissed in his ear and Daniel stopped struggling. The hand was removed and he pulled away, gasping for breath. An older man, with long, thinning grey hair, in the red jumpsuit of the ABF, squatted before him.
"Stay still, it's still around...we need to get to a shuttle." The man talked in whispers as he started moving away from the clearing.
"Shouldn't we help them?" He didn't actually want to, but he was always looking to make a good first impression.
"It's too late, once the bug gets ya, it's all over. I've seen it happen a couple times already." He stopped and turned, extending his hand.
"The names Tho'Mos, ABF Senior Deck Engineer, took this job because I thought it would be some easy land duty." Daniel extended his hand, eager to get moving.
"TSB Lieutenant Daniel, here for the same reason." Tho'Mos nodded and they moved away from the horrible sight. Daniel's display suddenly flashed as the formal evacuation order was received and started pointing in the direction of the nearest shuttle.
"I have a waypoint for a shuttle to the Northw-." As he spoke, Tho'Mos pushed him down and fired his laser arc over his back. An inhuman screech filled the air, causing Daniel's hair to stand on end and a shiver to explode throughout his body.
"Run!" Tho'Mos threw Daniel ahead, into a tangle of vines, as he fired his laser arc again, another howl filling the air. Daniel didn't think twice and crawled his way through the heavy vines, breaking into a run when he cleared the dense underbrush, in the general direction of the shuttle as inhuman screeches and howls filled the forest around him. What had he gotten himself into?
*********
The mushy food dribbled down his chin as Sasha partially missed his mouth...yet again. Trent had a feeling she was doing it on purpose, since she would smile and giggle, her eyes twinkling, before wiping his face clean. It was almost as if she was treating him like a baby, and he found he rather liked being fawned over...which was very disconcerting.
After he awoke, he'd been introduced to the two women sitting together and laughing gaily in the corner of the room. They were noble ladies-in-waiting, which was explained to him as a sort of assigned friend, since high level nobles were expected to only keep certain company. The whole concept was foreign to him, but he recognized it in its most basic form, they were friends...real friends. Melancholy momentarily took him as his thoughts wandered. He wondered what it was like to have a real friend, someone who would enjoy his company and him theirs. But of course he wouldn't have anyone like that...he was useless...and always would be. His sudden mood change must have caught Sasha's attention, since she stopped feeding him and instead, stared with concerned eyes, turning her head slightly.
"I was just wondering what it's like to have real friends." As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted saying them. It made him feel even worse to have voiced the thought, making his mind fall farther into despair. Sorrow began to overwhelm him as Sasha's eyes narrowed. Trent knew what was coming ...having experienced the hate and disgust throughout his entire life.
"Did I not tell you those thoughts were forbidden! Of course you know what it is like to have a real friend! What do you think a lover is? It is the best of friends!" Her outburst caused him to feel even worse and he let his head droop...he really was useless...causing pain to the person he loved.
"I'm sorry..." no emotion filled his words, causing Sasha to tense, then quickly jump on top of him.
"No! Look at me!" Trent looked up into her eyes, feeling tears on the verge of escaping. The kiss came suddenly and with such passion that Trent's mind began to melt. It was a deep kiss, deeper than he'd ever experienced...full of love ...and lust. He pushed back, pulling her closer while ignoring the rising pain.
A warmth coursed through him at her tender touch. It felt like he was being drawn into her and he grasped at the feeling, letting it engulf him. A cough brought him back to reality and Sasha stiffened, pulling her lips free, but staying on top of him. She gazed at him with eyes ablaze and face of crimson.
"I'm alright and I'm sorry." Emotion once again tinged his words and Sasha's expression softened, but still looked slightly dubious.
"Are you sure? I will not forgive you if you are lying!" Her voice hid a bit of playfulness, but was still serious.
"Yes, dear Sasha, your kiss has drawn away my demons..." He tried to flourish his hands, but the pain stopped him. He sighed and continued. "...honestly, yes, the thoughts vanished, I don't know exactly how you do it, but they're gone." he smiled genuinely and she leaned close, kissing him on the forehead before she let her expression completely soften. She rolled off the bed and back into the seat next to him.
"My, my, Sasha...if you are going to give us a show at least perform it till the climax!" Vickie's sensual voice fluttered from across the room, causing Trent to look in her direction and smile uncomfortably. She made him feel like a little boy when she spoke, and her eyes...her lustful eyes...they wanted to devour him. Tiana, on the other hand, looked at him, face of stone. But her eyes said it all. It was the same look he received all his life, the look of disgust, the same he'd expected from Sasha when he fell into despair. The sudden thought was odd...why would Sasha, who loved him so, look at him with disgust?
He turned back to Sasha as another mouthful of food was shoved down his throat. He coughed as he was unprepared, and let her raise the glass of water to his lips, which was unceremoniously poured down his throat, half escaping to soak his shirt. After the fit passed, he turned to Sasha, who had a
wicked grin on her beautiful face.
"What was that for?" Trent asked as he coughed again.
"Just a little revenge..." Sasha's smile faded and her face once again became serious.
"Promise me once more." She didn't have to say what.
"I promise I will move on and stop living in my past." Her smile returned.
"Good! Now eat." She forcibly shoved another scoop of food into his mouth as Terra's head popped out of her cleavage with an amused squeak.
*********
Medical Officer Quo'Moy had given Trent something to help him sleep and was currently talking to Sasha near the door. Vickie had vanished in search of Regalia, but Tiana thought it was more likely she was in search of more...adult pleasures. Her stare slipped back to Trent's sleeping form and her face tightened.
Why was it him, she thought, unable to force down her concerns. Sasha could have anyone in the universe, being beautiful, charming, and having a great personality. But now, she was stuck...stuck with this man that Tiana could only think of as broken. She hadn't had a chance to ask Sasha exactly what happened between them and what attracted her to him, but she had definitely noticed something...there was something wrong with him...and it was obvious.
The incident that had taken place hours earlier triggered the alarm bells. Suddenly becoming depressed over thinking about real friends...how did something like that happen? Tiana shook her head, it was obvious that he must have been an outcast throughout his entire life, not just when he was older, like Tiana had assumed when she watched the record of his enlistment trial. His courage could not be questioned, along with his apparent loyalty to Sasha...but still, he was a head case and she couldn't bear the thought of allowing her friend to live the rest of her life with such a man.
Sasha finished talking to the doctor and returned to Trent's side, checking if he was asleep, before kissing him lightly on the forehead. Tiana waved her over when she caught her eye. A grunt escaped Sasha's lips as she plopped in the chair next to her, followed by a loud sigh, full of exhaustion.
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