“Free to get some rest?” I asked.

  She laughed at me. “Since when have any of us really had any rest?”

  I didn’t let on I found it funny too. I simply replied, “Sleep well,” and cut the comms.

  It was going to be a long shift, and even though I could study for most of it, it was still pretty lonely. I said that and then thought about it for just a moment longer. I couldn’t really ever say I was lonely with these two in my head. But there was something missing still. No matter how much I thought things were okay here, I did miss home. I would never stop fighting for it. There was an incoming call. When I pulled the ID up, I could see it was from Tolsa straight away.

  “Borix!” I said, answering the link. His face appeared before me, and he smiled.

  “Kyle, it’s good to see you.”

  “Do you want me to…?”

  “No, it’s okay, I don’t have time. I have come with a warning. There will be two of my operatives available to meet you at Pergelli Station; they have the freighter’s ID. You must log that you’re hiring two recruits for the next stage in your voyage. Then interview and take them on.”

  “Oh, what if others apply?”

  “Xirob will know who they are.” Borix lowered his head. “He may not be so happy with me after he sees them.”

  I knew Xirob tensed inside me, but Borix was quick. “Kyle, be careful. There’s a good few out there in Sector Seven who mean much more harm than anyone you’ve ever come across before. They may seem friendly, or of good intentions, but believe me, the whole area is a cesspit. Worse than anything you’ve experienced before.”

  “I promise we will be careful. Thank you. I know how much this might mean for them. Let’s hope it never happens.”

  Borix nodded. “Thank you. They are aware of all the consequences. I will message you once again, when you’re clear of Sector Seven. Borix out.”

  He cut the comms. What’s all that about? I asked internally.

  There’s only one reason why he’s not wanting to share any information on who is coming to meet us.

  And that is…

  They’re going to be family, Hiroto answered for him.

  I’m sorry, I said. I wish there was another way that we could safely secure the crew without the need for respawns.

  So do I, Kyle. So do I. If we can ever figure out how to grow a body without the need for it to be sentient would you ever consider moving on?

  I pushed myself back in my chair. You’re really asking if I would leave this body? Knowing that you’re a being within your own right? Of course. If I could do it now, I would. I have loved your companionship and company, but I would also like to shake your hand and look you in the eye.

  I felt the sadness inside him, or us. That is why you are unique amongst your peers, Kyle.

  I heard Hiroto cough loudly. We are. Many of us wouldn’t see another species harmed for the good of the human race. I would think if everyone here knew what was happening to your species, they would never have crossed the vastness of space to invade your bodies. They would have said no.

  I am glad you think that, but I have seen many things you have not. There are huge facilities out here you do not know of. Those who knew what they’re coming to, what they’re going to be doing. Those who would essentially sell their souls and their memories for nothing more than the gear on their backs, and a future alongside Arndale and its leaders.

  That disheartened me a lot.

  Those facilities need to be destroyed, Hiroto said. If they know at all what they’re doing, they don’t deserve to live. Here or back on Earth.

  I would have agreed with him, but at the moment looking out on the bridge of this freighter and into the vastness of space, all I could think on was that no matter how much we hurt, or Xirob’s species, all life needed to be preserved. Educated better. There were much better ways to go about this, all of this.

  I pondered with my thoughts for a while, listening to the two of them talk about family. I hadn’t questioned either of them on it much, nor spoken a lot to them about mine. But hearing Xirob tell Hiroto what it was like as a youngster and then a warrior in his family, I started to form more of an understanding of their hierarchy than before. I know he’d come from a powerful family; there was no way Borix would be lead guard at the base if they weren’t. I then learned their siblings stretched as far as Tolsa’s outer stars and then into Sector Seven. They were born in clutches, thirty or more. In Xirob’s there were ten still alive as he’d said earlier. Mostly operatives for all the right reasons, yet even with their age, only he and a sister, Ohara, were masters in their own rights. Ohara was the eldest.

  You think it will be Ohara waiting for us, don’t you? I asked Xirob.

  I tapped the side of my screen, and he could do nothing but agree with my assessment of his brother’s words.

  Yes, because my brother’s talk of her is always in such great esteem.

  But you also don’t seem like you want her here. Why? I asked.

  She is my eldest, she is also someone who I fell out with a very long time ago, for reasons I do not wish to discuss.

  When he spoke those words, I felt the pain within him. Regret and sorrow for lost years. Hey, Xirob, I said. You are lucky to have family that stands with you solidly in everything you do. Just because you don’t and haven’t always seen eye to eye doesn’t mean they’re still not family, right?

  Correct. Though that statement is painful too.

  Well, painful or not, if she joins us, you’re going to have to speak to her, or be in the same room. I can’t and won’t have it affecting our missions just because you have issues. Understand?

  Understood, Kyle. I almost felt him stand straight, determined to not let it get to him. Thank you.

  Tyto and Lara came to the bridge later to relieve me. I smiled at both of them and did notice he had been holding her hand when they first stepped aboard.

  A couple? Hiroto asked, a hint of jealousy in his voice.

  I heard Xirob chuckle.

  Aw, don’t be sad, I said to Hiroto. I’m sure there will be someone for you, one day.

  I thought being a different species…that’s all, Hiroto replied, but there was sadness there and waves of loneliness washed through me. That hurt. I was actually lost for words on what to say to him.

  I stood, moving aside from the captain’s chair.

  “Green across the board,” I said. “Should be a pleasant evening.”

  Tyto smiled at me and sat. “I have the watch, Kyle. Thank you.”

  I made my way to the door and left, not sure I wanted to get some shut eye.

  Instead, I found my way back down to the engine room, and to where we’d formed the metal sheeting. I opened the door and walked to the centre of the room, feeling the ambiance of energies inside it.

  What are you thinking of doing? Xirob asked me.

  Nothing really, I just…They both knew me too well. They knew I wanted to do something. I did, and I would.

  You really shouldn’t without anyone else here, Hiroto said. You know that, right?

  I know, I just wanted to sit, okay? Not really do anything.

  Xirob breathed out, and I knew I did with him too.

  NEGOTIATOR - RANK 7 ACHIEVED

  I laughed at this, I was moving up quickly at negotiating things my way. It was fun. I moved to the centre of the room where the runes and lines ran, and I sat cross-legged. I closed my eyes, and felt everything around me. The structure of the room, the floor, everything.

  I breathed in and out, allowing everything I was to flow around me. It seemed like colours, many colours. Swirling masses of rays.

  This is me, isn’t it? I asked Xirob.

  Yes, Kyle that is you and your energy you see. If you look inside the lines, you can also see the lines that are mine and those of Hiroto too. We are both energy within yours.

  Then if you’re energy within me, like this, why did I need Lara or Tyto to guide the mission earlier? I mean, you can work within me, as a master, I am more than sure. The energy you have access to and your knowledge can do much more than any of us three, right?

  Of course, Xirob said. I wouldn’t be a master if I couldn’t.

  So show me now. The basics. Then watch me complete it on my own.

  There’s no harm in that, right? Hiroto asked for me, and I felt his excitement. Even I am following simple instructions, when needed.

  I knew Xirob weighed it in his mind before committing to what I asked.

  Look, I said. There’s a pile of material there we need. Am I wrong in wanting to do it the best way possible? Without putting us at risk. It seems if you can teach me, one step at a time, it would be a lot easier than allowing someone else to control what they’re not actually in control of.

  I can’t argue with that. Tyto couldn’t have turned you off at all, if things had gone wrong. I don’t even think I could have.

  Well, let’s try one thing…

  Xirob began to instruct me. You need to feel the material first. Know what you’ll be combining will do what you want. Feel the properties down to the molecular level and work with it when it starts to heat, because they combine how you want them to, and you need to know and understand those first.

  So I did. I focussed on what made the metals metal. Inside the molecules, I could see and feel them as they strained against each other.

  You understand, yes. Now let's apply a little heat, see how they react.

  I was surprised the molecules sped up. What was slow and almost impossible to detect became visible. They were actually moving, now becoming quicker. Still on a very sub-level which no one but us could see.

  I got it now. The more they were heated the more they moved, and that’s what allowed them to be moved and melded together. This was pretty awesome. I wanted to combine the two elements I had, and so together I made sure I started to heat it slowly. How hot does this combination need to be? I asked.

  Not as hot as the steel, but you will need to concentrate.

  I did just that and watched out of the corner of my eye as the little temp gauge started to rise. This was fascinating.

  The hotter it became, though the harder it was to get it to do anything. This took huge amounts of concentration. Sweat started to pour off me, and I was struggling.

  Xirob was the one who stopped the experiment dead.

  I fell forwards onto the deck, palms down, panting.

  That’s why I didn’t want to let you try anything, Xirob said.

  I pushed myself back upright. I’d never get anywhere unless I started to do things. No. Let’s do it again!

  Xirob tried to protest, but I pushed his complaining to the back of my mind. Focusing on instead lifting the sheets of metal up once again and concentrating on heating them, forcing them to my will. I wasn’t going to stop this time until the job was done, even if it was small.

  The temp gauge moved higher, hotter and hotter, and I felt it. This time on the molecular level because they were listening to me, doing what I asked of them, moving, and knitting together to make a different material. One that was stronger, harder, and what we needed from them to make our ship better, so we could fix more areas and survive. We. Needed. This. And we needed it done now.

  I watched as the heat rose, but my health started to drop.

  Careful, Hiroto said. You’re pushing yourself too hard.

  I will complete this task. Don’t worry. I got this.

  And the harder I pushed, the more my health fell.

  I wasn’t letting go!

  Then as the heat reached the pivotal point. I felt something pop.

  I looked at the material, saw it was just sitting there, now cooling off.

  I did it?

  I could almost feel the pat on my back. Yes, you did, Xirob said.

  I heard several pings in the back of my mind, knowing the completed task and the rank up would be good, but I felt myself falling.

  Oh, no you don’t, Hiroto said. Get your ass up and to the mess hall. You need food, now.

  Chapter Ten

  I literally sat and stuffed food in my mouth from the tray without really even tasting it. I knew this wasn’t something I should be doing too often; burning through our stores quicker because I needed it wasn’t a good idea either. As my health replenished I looked over my stats, knowing I grinned on the inside too.

  Kyle Ranz - Contains –

  Name - Hiroto Toshiaki

  Level = 25

  Name - Xirob Veti

  Level = 111

  Name - Kyle Ranz

  Human/Denti

  Year of Death - 2629

  Class = Fighter/Sorcerer

  Age 18 + 1

  Level = 26

  Respawns = 2

  Memories = 94%

  Health = 88%

  Kenosi = Rank 15

  Nanites x 88,961

  Body Type = Unknown

  Structural Integrity = Tungsten and Alumi

  Internal AI Chip = X Class

  Skin Strength = 40

  Blood Capacity = 33

  Healing Speed = 38

  Overall Personal Level = 181

  Strength = 23

  Dexterity = 18

  Constitution = 61

  Intelligence = 74

  Wisdom = 23

  Charisma = 9

  Luck = 8

  Quick Points = 0

  Mech Warrior Operational Level = 56

  Battle Mage - Rank 17

  Mech Pilot - Rank 15

  Nanite Engineer - Rank 24

  Human/Machine Interface - Rank 24

  Mech Merge - Rank 10

  Vrolsh Coding Learned

  CAD Tech - Rank 12

  Kiain Language - Rank 1

  Shuttle Operator - Rank 12

  Freighter Operator - Rank 5

  Foot Soldier - Rank 21

  Merc - Rank 14

  Sniper - Rank 18

  Gun Smith - Rank 13

  Shadow Awareness - Rank 13

  Negotiator - Rank 9

  Deception - Rank 14

  Reconstruction Expertise - Rank 14

  Muscle Healing - Rank 17

  Viral Fighting - Rank 13

  Poison Resistance - Rank 15

  Night Sight - Rank 1

  Sword Play - Rank 18

  Animal Handling - Rank 2

  Null Gravity Management - Rank 5

  Special Traits Awarded x 4 – Any extras here do not show on your Stat Sheet Totals.

  Healer = Internal AI Chip X Class – Crystalline and Silver metal chip with integrated healer nanites led by Xe Aria.

  Intelligence = Internal prototype AI Chip, inserted on 17th birthday, with consciousness of Hiroto.

  Knowledge = Direct from Xirob if he freely gives it. Extra skills and training available.

  Shade Brain – One in a million, you managed to not only keep your memories, but you can also hide them. Your character sheet is elusive to even the strongest of will. UPGRADED - No one can penetrate your Shade now!

  Space Sickness - Unknown Effects

  Spells - Active - Minor Healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 5

  Spells - Passive - Medium Healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 20

  Spells - Passive - Intensive Healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 50

  Spell - Passive - Lightning Fury – Requires Kenosi of Rank 20 – Damage increased by 50%

  I heard someone come in behind me, and I didn’t even acknowledge who it was. Then they sat next to me, and I continued to eat without taking a break.

  When I felt a hand on my shoulder, I looked into Jai’s concerned face.

  “What did you do?” he asked.

  I blinked at him and answered with the truth; there was no point in me lying, because that wouldn’t get me anywhere. “I converted some of the metal we needed in engineering room three.”

  He rolled his eyes. “I knew I was gonna get trouble with you. Am I going to need to assign you a bodyguard? Someone to keep watch?”

  I wanted to shake my head, but I picked up a spoon and started to shove the dessert that was in the bowl in my mouth instead.

  “Feeling okay?” he asked.

  I nodded. “I feel fine. But like, I need to do more. I can’t describe it.”

  “There’s always side effects with learning Kenosi, and when you’re starting out things can be very much like you must eat. It’s the effect of using essentially magic, magic that in our world we’d never have the chance of touching. How’s your stats looking? Can I see?”

  I really didn’t like it when someone else started to poke about, but knowing Jai only had my best interest at heart, I put the spoon down for one moment and brought forward my sheet for him to look over.

  “You’ve grown quite a lot while you’ve been here. I think that shocks me the most. But it means you need to do more and learn as fast as possible. For everything you do learn, it seems to increase about double what it might for me. Seems you’re on some kind of fast track levelling with Xirob and Hiroto with you despite what is against you, and you’re coming out on top most of the time.”

  “I struggle like crazy,” I said. If this were some fast track, then it was still as frigging tough as it would be normally.

  He held his hand out. “I’m not meaning it in any detrimental way, just stating facts. Your overall length of stay is like half what I’d expect of someone who had your levels, and I know you have been out of it for a year of that.”

  That stung the most. I had known it was a full year. But still. Fuck. Hiroto, I got to get those memories back, something had hold of me.

  I can see the timeline now, Hiroto said. I can’t see anything in it, though.

  Why didn’t they just tell me? Do you think I learned something while I was unconscious?

  Hiroto seemed to shrug. It was the kind of silent thing I felt him do, but there was no actual physical thing for me to see. I really need to get you a body, I said to him. In fact, well I need to get myself a body, then one for you. Xirob can keep his.

 

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