Luan was called to meet with General Desuran on a world in the outer-rim. Which was a type of vacation for her unit, though it wasn't really a unit anymore now that she was promoted.

  The world was a tropical resort, essentially. There were no large land masses here, only islands. Some of which could be seen outside a window to the far end of the room. Boats sailed there and people could be seen enjoying the warm sun on the many beaches.

  Inside, the floor was covered in dark velour carpet. It was moss gray with thin lines of a lighter brown color crisscrossing through it. The walls were white and waist-high oak trim with beveled edges decorating it. Rectangular indents studded the trim every meter, like they might in an old-timey courtroom.

  The furniture here was matching in design. End tables, chairs, the desk. It was all made of mahogany wood. Bombé, ogee, acanthus, all these words could be used to describe the different accents the decorative furniture had.

  Which meant leafy designs, curves that flare outward, and really heavy looking. As if pulled out of the American south during the 1800s.

  The room smelled like tobacco and citrus mixed with the briny ocean air.

  General Desuran sat in a leather chair with a tall backrest and greeted Luan as she entered. Offering her one of the two chairs which sat across from him. Which were simple dining chairs—far more basic in design.

  "Major Crowley, a pleasure to make your acquaintance." he said, gesturing to the chair.

  Luan sat.

  "Sir." she stated plainly. Her gold eyes didn't betray her emotions. A beacon of stoicism.

  They shared a quiet moment as each of them appraised the other.

  Luan was dressed in her Major's uniform. A light gray and sleek suit, firmly ironed and pressed. And so was the general, though he wasn't as good of shape as the Major was. He was a strong but portly man. Large in stature and imposing. With a well-combed thick beard and hair that surrounded his face. The General began to move documents about his desk, no doubt searching for her file.

  "I... See that you've taken to your new responsibilities well." he said, grinding his jaw side-to-side in an inquisitive manner as he read.

  "Thank you Sir." Luan said, monotone. Commanding a regiment was just like commanding a unit, but instead of knuckleheaded jarheads you dealt with a handful of sergeants who knew how to get things done. There were some new nuances about handling logistics.

  Supplies. Contractors. Interacting with the private sector.

  It was a difficult job, same as before, but it was fulfilling. Once you got that itch for command, one thing sort of leads to another. Though, Luan wasn't sure what she did to earn it. Her units' success of late was barely above standard. She was cautiously expecting that was what this meeting was about.

  "I'll be honest with you, Major, we promoted you for a very specific reason."

  And there it was.

  "Sir?"

  The General pushed forward a folder on his desk, Luan took it and gave him a questioning glance. He nodded. So she opened it.

  Selene. It was a picture of Selene, holding her baby brother in her arms and smiling toothily at the camera. She tried to hide her reaction, but it was no use. Her eyes widened and her breath hitched. The General narrowed his eyes at her.

  "Selene Carrington. A young woman from Endelon, a farming colony in Zykra territory. One of the first planets to be infested, though it's been cleared now." he narrated some of what the file said.

  He took up a cigar from a box on his desk, then lit it as he waited patiently for Luan to take in the file.

  Luan read the passage below the photo.

  'IBT Division Asset One'

  'Selene Carrington. Age 20. Daughter of Ronald Carrington, Asset 'C-12', a high-level resistance operative and possible commander. Former Protectorate service member. It is theorized that Selene Carrington may have inherited Ronald Carrington's abilities that he had demonstrated during his time in the Icarus program. A highly classified telepath program created to train elite telepath operatives. It is unheard of for a telepath to inherit their parent's exact abilities. Intelligence suggests that this could be due to a potential alien artifact being the origin for said abilities.'

  The Major's eyes widened as she read. She quickly became enraptured by the information.

  'Asset One is also confirmed to be infested by the Zykra genome. See; 'Zykra Infestation' in Protectorate IBT Defense Force document OR-Z14, section 12-f. Asset One displays abilities and behaviors not typical for infested humans. Asset One can appear as human, reason and converse, but change at will. Changing her body, through some unknown means, into a Zykra infested, gaining superhuman strength and speed. It is also believed that she can command other Zykra forces using the telepathic abilities she had prior to infestation. Non-kinetic class telepathy; 'Empathy'. The ability to sense and control the will of others.'

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  It just went on and on and on. Luan glanced to the General who gave her a look almost as if to say; 'I know, right?'.

  'Asset One, Selene Carrington, currently eludes capture by Protectorate forces and remains a priority one threat. Intelligence believes that Asset One is likely planning to utilize the Zykra infestation to promote her families terroristic ideologies and aid rebel forces. The capture of Asset One is paramount. Returning her to the Icarus program could provide long awaited breakthroughs in understanding telepathic abilities and their origins. As well as removing an existential threat to the Protectorate and the sector at large.'

  Luan just skimmed the rest as it devolved into acceptable special measures to capture her. It pretty much said they could turn a planet into glass if it meant capturing her alive.

  "So this is why I was promoted."

  The General nodded, puffing his cigar. A steely look in his expression.

  "Yes, your relationship with Asset One is unique, we've attempted to locate friends and other people close to her, but you are the only one who spent time with her when she was already infested. During your time in the resistances capture."

  "I've already made my report about that."

  He waved a hand as if that didn't matter; "I know. But if there's anything else you would like to add, with all this in mind-" he gestured to the folder in her hands. "Now would be the time."

  Luan sat stiffly and glanced through the file again. Considering if there was anything she could add to this.

  "She's..." her eyes flitted around in thought. Then she looked up at the General; "Permission to speak freely, Sir."

  "Of course, Major." he offered her a cigar, which she refused. Then she swallowed in preparation.

  "She's an idiot. But I don't think she wants to hurt anyone. It doesn't sound like Selene. And I think if she's as powerful as these documents say—she easily could've done way more damage than she has if she was entirely loyal to rebels. I think she's just confused. Misled. Her father's probably been filling her head with all kinds of propaganda about puck-the Protectorate, that isn't true. She has a good heart, and—"

  Luan sighed.

  "But this, I don't even know what being infested means for her. Could she be cured when we capture her?"

  The General had stood from his chair and carried his cigar over to an oil painting of an 18th century galleon braving a stormy oceanfront.

  "Perhaps Major. Or perhaps a cure is unnecessary, if the infestation process is mostly benign. Regardless, your relationship with Asset One presents a unique opportunity."

  Luan lowered an eyebrow inquisitively; "Which is?"

  "A means to capture the asset without further escalation. We'd like to nip this situation in the bud before it grows out of control. Intelligence believes she has cornered herself deep in the outer-rim and is growing her 'brood' for an assault. I'd like you to continue as you are and lead your regiment against Zykra infested worlds. During your missions you are bound to run into the woman eventually, and I'd like you to converse with her. Figure out the extent of the Zykra's influence on her, and her influence on them. See just how human she is. As well as implore her to see reason, because if not, we will be forced to resort to more extreme measures. Understand?"

  The Major placed the file back on the desk. It was a simple mission. Keep her eyes out for a priority one target and spare no resources in capturing it.

  "I... believe so, Sir, but how? Do you think she would be open to talk?"

  "You are a resourceful person, I'm sure you'll find a way. Do what you can. I'll be waiting as well with a more forceful alternative prepared."

  Luan sat, her stoic expression and mannerisms were beginning to crumble as complex feelings bloomed within her. She had tried to forget Selene, and now she was a mission. A career creating mission. This could put her on a path towards General.

  Though, this plan also operated from the premise that Luan was expendable. It put her in danger for the sake of capturing Asset One.

  ...But Luan had to admit, it was worth it. Her life would be inconsequential if it meant taking a threat like this off the board. She'd have to really pour over these documents. Whatever they had on Zykra infestation. Whatever could be causing Selene to be so powerful and human despite it.

  'Damn it, Selene, what have you gotten yourself into?' she thought regretfully. The ditzy girl who would always panic whenever Luan said anything remotely flirtatious, Asset One. To think, the adorable farm girl telepath with a heart of gold was worth all this.

  This mission was personal.

  An opportunity to make up for her mistakes concerning Selene.

  Luan wanted Selene to see the resistance for what it was regardless. If they captured her, they could help her. And she could help the Protectorate. Further their understanding of telepathy. Use her abilities to stop criminals.

  The possibilities that her coming to their side was worth investing in. And the turth be told... She hoped for something more. If her infestation was different, that she was still mostly human, then... Maybe. It was a far fetched idea, that somehow after she is brought back to their side that the Protectorate would allow them to have a personal relationship.

  But it was a fantasy that could help motivate her to accomplish the mission at least. She realized after a couple minutes that she had been sitting there in quiet contemplation and quickly stammered;

  "I-I, you have given me a lot to think about Sir."

  The General nodded. "Of course. I'll leave you with an address you can use to contact me directly in case of any developments or inquiries you may have. And one more thing."

  He pressed a button on his desk; "Send in Agent Weasley, would you?"

  A few moments later a woman with freckles and very long and messy brown hair entered the room.

  "Sir?" she asked.

  "I'd like you to cooperate with the Major here in locating Asset One. Is your connection stable?"

  Agent Weasley looked curiously to Luan, then back to the General; "Yes. I can get an exact location now-"

  The General was about to tell her it wasn't necessary but the agent had already closed her eyes and began to concentrate.

  "She's..." there was movement behind her eyelids as the woman searched. A few quiet moments passed, then her breath became faster.

  "She's telling me... To.. No- please! I-!"

  The woman bashed her own face against the corner of the desk. It stabbed into the side of her face, breaking her glasses in the process. Blood poured from her nose and covered the collar of her puck uniform.

  General Desuran and Major Crowley looked to each other in surprise.

  She did it again. It sounded more crunchy the second bash.

  "Agent, stop!" General Desuran grabbed the woman by the shoulders but she was inconsolable. After a moment of struggling in the Generals burly arms she went limp. Probably from all the head trauma she just had taken.

  "What the hell!?" Luan asked.

  "Medic!" the General called into the hall. Then he looked to Luan; "Looks like your friend noticed Agent Weasley's ability..."

  Behind The Chapter...

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