The endless depths of space seemed to swallow Sarah as she floated in zero gravity, no star, no planet, no asteroid visible. Far away from home. How had she gotten here? What to do? A flash in the distance caught her attention. Was it a ship? A rescue mission for her? She looked down. No spacesuit. How...884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZEix5aWtj
Sarah opened her eyes. She was in bed, in her residence on Ayonar. She looked at the ceiling, barely making it out in low light. In bed, not alone in space. Sarah sighed and folded back the cover. She sat up on the bedside and drank a few gulps of water from a water bottle she kept next to her bed. It was silent in the residence as far as Sarah could hear. Her phone showed the time as exactly 2 am. Ishaan was breathing calmly next to her, still asleep. Sarah got out of bed and stretched herself before exchanging her sweaty undershirt for a clean one. What was she doing here? Why hadn't she said 'No?' Getting blown up on her first day was not what she had had in mind. In the bathroom, she looked at a map of Klendana on her phone. The city was her new home and she should become familiar with it, its people and its sensibilities. Her eyes fell on the 'Robau District (Zephalan)' description, not too far from the residence. That was worth a visit. Not wanting to wait for daylight, Sarah got dressed in plain clothes and hid her Forcesword, a convertible plasma gun and sword in one, in a belt bag. The sword part of it was largely ceremonial, but effective nonetheless if self-defense was required. It wasn't an ordinary sword, but a modern reinforced blade with an energy field projection around it to protect it against extreme temperatures and other environmental influences. Along its blade's outline ran a green glowing strip from which the energy field emanated when the sword was activated. Ishaan was still asleep and Sarah was certain he would object to her running around alone in the night. Klendana was a safe city for the most part, but Sarah's husband was known for worrying about anything and anyone. Hand on the door handle, Sarah looked back at Ishaan before leaving.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACSEgglupD
A skillful evasion of unnecessary attention later, she was on the streets, heading to the Robau District. The streets of Klendana were well-lit with orange and white streetlights and the neon signs and advertisement panels all over the city provided for extra illumination. She was used to quiet streets in the night, as it was normal in Zah' City. The Imperial capital city had laws restricting night time business from disturbing the night, but Klendana had no such regulations. Street life was bristling, traffic was almost as bad as during the day and street food booths were rampant. It would be easy to disappear into the crowd if problems arose. A humming above Sarah caused her to look up and see a garbage disposal unit floating over her. These modern garbage trucks were fully automated and picked up the garbage bins from predefined pick-up points. Garbage bins that weren't placed in their proper slot would not be emptied. The high temperatures of the summer would sometimes, especially with older, more leaky bins, cause horrible stenches. Considering that people over 800 years ago already had had that problem since forever, Sarah wondered why such simple things proved too costly or too difficult to fix. Refrigerated garbage bins, smell neutralising agents and frequent pick-ups had all been deployed at one point or another, but eventually, systems broke, replacements never came and so it was guesswork which garbage bins were up to spec and which were from the middle ages. 884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtutSKKwCZ
After several kilometers of walking, Sarah spotted a sign that told her she was now entering Robau District. Almost immediately after the sign the atmosphere changed. Buildings were adorned with alien symbols and cars were often painted in complex patterns. Sarah had never really dealt with Zephalans. She had mostly learned about them in history class and there were few Zephalans on Zah'Aharon. The Zephalan streets were far more quiet than the human streets. It was said in the history books that the Zephalans were still very disciplined and orderly, owing to their whole life having been spent in the military. Sarah knew that human soldiers liked to party, but perhaps Zephalans just worked a bit differently. It wasn't long before she spotted the first Zephalan, a hulk with blue skin and an expressionless face. He regarded her as she walked by, but said nothing and did nothing. Sarah breathed in deeply and continued walking. After a while, she came to the entrance of a backyard, and a Zephalan stood in front, eyeing her with an intent look. Sarah felt as if he was staring right at her soul. With a turn of his head, he signaled her to enter the backyard. Sarah did so reluctantly. In the backyard, a group of Zephalans sat around a campfire, softly talking to each other. An old man stood up when he spotted Sarah.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1olK77Aokr
"Welcome, young girl. What brings you to us?" he asked.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD4W33Bexi
"You speak my language," Sarah said.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFjMg4LRzW
"Of course, we all do. We learned it. Do you want to sit with us? We have enough food."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHBYM9Jly4
"I'm only here to explore, thanks."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZI1i3jry0
"Is there any better exploration than to mingle with the locals?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PnUcdrtIQ
Sarah scanned her surroundings. It looked friendly enough.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR3qpuN0Hh
"I suppose there is not."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUcqi0sK8K
"Then come, there is a spot free between Julkorn and Arvint."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFpcIVVUqp
The two Zephalans beckoned Sarah over and Sarah sat down in their midst.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DdA0C1WzJ
"What is this place?" she asked.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmRb5aEhPc
"It's our home, of course," said Julkorn. "Don't your people meet at night to eat together and tell stories?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c4hFMdoEw
"Not really that much, I'm afraid."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxC0NTAiK3
Arvint chuckled. "That's a shame. It does wonders for the community."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvZ7MCQmAs
Sarah faked a smile and asked: "Why was I led in here? The guy outside--"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVlpifAo7d
"He noticed your aura," said the old Zephalan.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIWXBl87vS
"My aura?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgp0JLVnqN
"You're sensitive to the magical field energy that we call Zhuvon."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBWZSdO1mC
"And you are too, then," Sarah said and found it strange she did not detect it before. Now it was clearly there. Everyone around the campfire was one.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwN6pGyvQn
"We are. We keep it under wraps, usually. Your fellows are too scared of us already."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDkhzl1KAs
"Who can blame them?" asked Sarah.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3foxGQ1Mur
"No one. In their memory the skies opened up and rained hell."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4Tzzi6U48
"You know about hell?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6624RK2wnV
"Yes. I am a scholar. I have read much about human culture and religion, and about idioms. I found those to be especially intriguing. Don't you think the idiom I used is by now far removed from religion?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZPdUTlcTM
"It is, but it nonetheless refers to it."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc65NjDk7rD
The old Zephalan chuckled. "That is true."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dNaot7tlR
"So why am I here, even if you sensed my aura?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXfOZ4cTou
"We don't see your kind here often. Most people here are not Zhuvon. You are. And you seem familiar. Why?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrqvQywrYD
Sarah felt the adrenaline release throughout her body. She did her best not to let it show.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB8ShpKSJk
"Who were you during the war?" she asked. "A high-ranking officer?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVmy4KWF9M
"Perhaps we should discuss this inside," he said and stood up, beckoning her to follow. Sarah did so, but not without hesitation. She looked back the backyard entrance and saw the Zephalan who had initially let her in. He did not seem to notice anything from inside the backyard.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD220qyqXR
Inside the Zephalan home, the old Zephalan poured himself and Sarah a green liquid and offered it to her.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt2U5nr8rI
"It is similar to your lemonade, you will like it."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxHPYkrkaD
Sarah took the glass and sipped it. It tasted like a mix of lemon and orange lemonade, seemingly leaning towards one of the flavours before leaning to the other.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wMfKIuXaT
"It tastes strange, but good," Sarah said.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSP3wKcpk1
"Take more if you like."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPdbJtmTuM
Sarah nodded before taking another sip. "So who were you during the war?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynvnng7nGG
The Zephalan regarded her for a moment before answering: "I was a High Priest, if you will. Hmm, perhaps another, more fitting term. High Guardian. I led the Zhuvon Caste under Krazugor Orankan. He had allied us with a human girl, of Zhuvon kind. The girl had a daughter. I wonder what became of her. The plan the two had drawn up did not work in the end, as I'm sure you're aware."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvsOet4jjV
"I am. This girl, with the daughter, was Sarna Tarron, right?" Sarah asked, putting down the glass onto the table.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7zjTSAnw3
"Hmm, yes that was her name. And you are her daughter, aren't you?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLppDEXIMK
"I am."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahzSIgPEfV
"Curious that we would meet here now. A coincidence?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVMmDqSJxJ
"Probably."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrxRfUqKGb
"Coincidences are rare. Is something a coincidence or do we just lack the information that would show us it was not?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncXdNgpgrq
"So you're saying this is some kind of plan?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tA4pSrYEN
"Oh no, don't mind me. I'm just rambling about philosophical intricacies. That you are here is curious, but I don't believe anyone wanted you to be here at this very moment."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIleaebDtX
"You didn't tell me your name," said Sarah.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0hCi6Rbej
"Indeed I did not, and will not, for now. I know your name, of course. I remember it, unless it was changed, Rose?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kbO08f1SN
"No, that is still my name, but my adoptive parents put a 'Sarah' in front of it."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaABxIGSBW
"Interesting," the old Zephalan said, sitting down in an armchair and beckoning Sarah to sit down opposite of him. "I heard about the new governor of Imperial Region North. I didn't pay much attention at first but that's you, yes? I hope you survived the attack well."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnATAAbssO
"I did. An inconvenience, no more, no less."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdwlnropAz
"For someone with your abilities, an inconvenience. For regular people, a disaster."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikw9vYK9I3
"We will find and punish the perpetrator."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsrmDr2bGF
He nodded and a streak of silence followed.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpbTZqicYr
"Tell me about my mother. Please. How was she like? My parents, that is, my adoptive parents, don't talk well of her."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxMwa3PHs6
The old Zephalan looked caring. "They will have their reasons, but I feel it bothers you."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBK5XBZqbFX
"Yes, very much. I don't understand why they keep bringing her up. If she hurt them so much, can't they at least shut up about it when I'm around?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF8JgTwh86
"Do they discuss her often?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3WiomMxqS
"Well, not really. But it bothers me nonetheless."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeE5L07UMUa
"Did you ever say so?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2CmMPU0uc
"No."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q1SZ0YT8Y
"Why not?" the old Zephalan asked.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4Id83JnDc
"I'm not too keen on discussing my feelings. I've felt like an outsider for all my life. I love my siblings, but I don't feel as included as they do."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanta4dNycX
"Do your parents treat you differently than them?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8duyQn9JS6
"No, I don't think so. I think it's just me being the problem here, but that doesn't make it better."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwj4z5kmhV
"I see. Why are you wearing these gloves? Isn't it too hot for such garments?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSylknPUhK
Sarah looked at her hands. Too hot. She hadn't noticed, but it was true.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vB653eHbA
"I don't like thinking about that. I drown out the thoughts about them until I don't notice anymore," Sarah said, inspecting both her hands.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezrrBi7333
"Why are you wearing them?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1C3ITFRXK
"An accident. I was injured, and I cover it up because I don't want anyone to see."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5pZ4TfoKn
"But most know about that, don't they? Most of the people you are around all day, I mean."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLL2CE2QIH
Sarah nodded.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLppKK8sa3B
"Every time they see your gloves, they see the injuries, they see the insecurity within you. Don't you agree?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF6RLbix64
"I'd rather have it be like that than allowing them to see for real," Sarah said in a more defiant voice. "So can you tell me about my mother?"884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFGONC9lh6
He nodded, his blue face warmly lit by a small lamp on the adjacent wooden table.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUhjOJ6auK
"She was a kind lady, but ambitious. She was so ambitious, it drove most of her decisions. She wanted a better empire and would go to any length it would take to make it a reality. It made her a strong, but harsh woman. The kindness within was not easily visible on the outside. Many took her to be a, let's say, 'bitch.' They were wrong, though I see why they thought that. Near the end of the war, we lost contact and I hear she died in a fight with our current empress, Therana."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc0eCFv2vS
Sarah flinched. "No, she died a hero fixing the mistakes she had made. My aunt didn't kill her."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf73OLkBujL
"Well, it's just a tale. I'm sure it exists in many different versions, and this is the one I've heard. You'd best ask your aunt what the true story is. If you trust her to tell you, that is."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrH2CRjvKKi
"I do."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAL5wLojuS4
The old Zephalan stood up again and looked at a clock on the wall. "It's almost 5 am. Go to bed. Don't think too much of the hardships that lie before you. It will only make your resolve waver."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWozj5JWFb
"What's going to happen now?" Sarah asked.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL4FThQFdn
"Nothing. We're not enemies anymore. I'm just an old man who might have a wise word here or there to offer to you. It was curious that we met here tonight, but perhaps it was meant to be. You should return home now and sleep. You can come back, if you want. My door is open. I sense a great amount of fear in your people. They fear us and we fear them. Perhaps us meeting can be the first step of many in the long walk that is progress. I'm an old man, and I like to hope. Think about it."884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0W80ZPqAM
"I will, thank you," said Sarah. What a strange experience. 5 am. Her first meeting with Admiral Laurent was at 9 am already. If she walked back now, she would barely get another two hour of sleep before having to get up for good. And Ishaan, if he noticed her absence, he would be furious. Sarah nodded at the old Zephalan and hurried out of the house, passing the guard at the entrance before running to the next taxi stand. She wasn't sure whether to feel warm and accepted or creeped out at the thought of tonight's experience. She would need time to process all of it. A taxi pulled up in front of her and she was on her way back to the residence. Perhaps something really could be achieved by working together.884Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EpqoaNCri
Penana
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