Battlefield (15 page)

“That's not going in my car,” Orlando said.

Cadence shook her head. “The proper authorities will find him. His family needs to know. They're probably worried.”

“Something—someone did to this guy,” JD said with a small gesture towards the picture. He swallowed. “That's what killed him, did all this to him, and Bean and Sprout were trying to make it hurt less.”

“Bean and Sprout?” Alan asked.

“Those are the names of the two who attacked you at my school,” Orlando said. He almost felt guilty for some of the things he said to Sprout, but what little sympathy he had for the girl faded quickly. She still chose to be a part of this, and she broke his arm.

“Peculiar names.”

“They're code names. Fake names to protect who they really are,” JD said and some of his energy started to return to him. As obnoxious as he could be, it was comforting to Orlando.

“I see. How interesting.”

“And smart. We need those.”

Orlando rolled his eyes and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Have at it Chi-Chi.”

JD groaned. “No way, man. I'm not keeping that one.”

“You kind of don't have a choice,” he said with a laugh. A small one, but it counted for something. “Bean and psycho are going to go back to Alan's girlie and say they were viciously attacked by Chihuahua Man and his sexy, suave, and dashing sidekick.”

Cadence raised an eyebrow and giggled. “Chihuahua Man?”

“You know I don't think well under pressure. Great, I'm branded.” JD hid his face behind his hands.

“Continue, please,” Alan said. He smiled, but the irritation in his voice didn't lie about his true feelings.

“What? Oh yeah, okay, so these two aren't responsible for these deaths. There's someone else behind it all. Bean said something about some guy called The Doctor? I'm pretty sure he's the one giving all the orders, even for your girlfriend.”

Alan nodded. “That could be the man she had seen the day I found her.”

“Yeah, could be. We need to start with him.”

They arrived at Orlando's car, and he was never so happy to see it before. He got into the driver's seat without another word. Cadence got in soon after, and JD and Alan took their good sweet time. Had they not heard of the concept of multitasking before? Couldn't they walk and talk at the same time? They had showcased the ability so well only moments before.

Alan hesitated before getting in, and the two kept talking. Orlando turned up the radio so he didn't have to listen. Not even the music helped his nerves though. After twenty minutes, he was finally home. Soon he could forget about the whole thing.

“Okay, tomorrow I think that we—” JD said.

Orlando shook his head. “You can do whatever tomorrow. I am not going to be a part of this ‘we' thing.”

JD frowned. “If tomorrow is a bad day for you, we can put it off, but we shouldn't for too long.”

“No, I mean, I'm done with this period,” he said and got out of the car.

“You're quitting?” Cadence asked, and JD's mouth hung open.

Orlando shifted between his two feet. “Yeah, I guess I am quitting. This isn't my problem. I did my part. I tried it. I don't like it. I'm not doing it.”

“I don't like it either, but I still know that it's important,” JD said.

“I'm still failing to see how it's my problem,” he snapped back.

“You're such a—”

He glared. “A what? A jerk? Heartless? I don't care.”

“I don't understand why,” Alan said.

“My priorities are different. You guys can still use the bat cave until you get something more convenient put together. Now if you'll excuse me, I want to go to bed.”

“But—” JD started up again. This time Cadence cut him off.

“It's fine. Let him go.” She leaned into him and whispered something in his ear. He sighed, nodding. The two walked out of the garage so they could leave, and they dragged Alan out as they did so.

Orlando closed the door, and went into the mansion. Before going up to his bedroom, he snuck through the hallways towards the living room to see if Lyssa was there waiting up for him. She lay on the couch looking as if she were sleeping until her head popped up, and she spotted him hiding behind the corner.

“Back before curfew. Impressive. Did you have fun?” Lyssa said and sat up, so she could see him better.

He sighed. “I didn't want to be grounded again.”

“I wouldn't ground you for being late.” She patted the spot next to her on the couch. “What'd you all do? Are you okay? You look paler than usual, and kinda sad.”

“I'm fine. I'm going to bed,” he said and gave her a small wave, trying so hard to act like everything was fine, but he felt nowhere near okay.

“Orly, you can talk to me. Whatever it is...”

“Maybe I don't want to, all right?” He threw up his arms in frustration and left so he could go to bed. Hopefully Lyssa wouldn't follow him. He didn't hear her get up, so he was pretty sure she got the hint. When he got up to his bedroom, he slammed the door to emphasize the point if she hadn't.

 

The last to rejoin his ship from the mission, Alan was not greeted by any of his comrades. They were no doubt tired from the events he had missed and didn't find him worth staying awake for. All the better, because he was not in the mood to converse or listen to them gloat. He went to the common area of the ship. He didn't feel much like sleeping yet, but needed the quiet. Finding a chair, he sat down and closed his eyes, exhaling slowly.

“You must have had quite the adventure,” Sir Tuliy said.

Alan's eyes snapped open, and he saw his fellow Junior sitting in a corner with an electronic notepad.

“Yes, that is one word for what happened,” he said.

“What word would you prefer to use?”

Disastrous. “I'm not sure.” He risked looking at Sir Tuliy. He couldn't figure out if the man was trying to be friendly or not.

Sir Tuliy could do no wrong, and he boasted about his accomplishments frequently. At the same time, he also came across as being genuine enough, always helpful and obedient. He listened well to others. The man wasn't much older than Alan, somewhere between a handful of months and a year older in fact. Almost everyone liked him, and those who didn't kept it to themselves because there was no logical reason to dislike the man outside of pure jealousy.

“You don't look sure. What happened? I didn't see you with the others.”

“I wasn't asked to join the main sweep. My charges are not ready for it. We were to observe, but conveniently I didn't get the correct location to do so,” he mumbled.

Tuliy shook his head. “What a waste.”

Encouraged, Alan nodded and continued. “The area was not inactive, however. The two who had attacked me recently were there with one of the Earth teens. They were trying to euthanize him.” This got Sir Tuliy's attention. “He was sick, and he died shortly after we found him without any assistance. That is not the part troubling me the most. My charges were able to get some information from one of the attackers, so we have a slight lead. I'm sure it isn't anything new, but I feel at least productive for obtaining it.”

“What does trouble you?”

“I'm not troubled.”

“You said you were. It's okay. You do know that, right?” Tuliy laughed softly.

“Not in a way everyone else can see it. But perhaps I can trust you.”

“You can.” Tuliy got up from his chair and moved closer.

It took some courage, but Alan finally admitted the one thing he didn't want to. “I've failed.” He waited to see if his comrade would say anything. He didn't, so Alan elaborated. “I lost one of my charges today. Not to death, but he quit. I could not get him to care.”

“That is not your job. Your job is to direct. Theirs is to follow you, regardless of their feelings.”

Alan didn't agree, but he also didn't feel like he had the right to disagree. Sir Tuliy was successful. He was not. “I'm not sure I could force any of them into fighting if they didn't want to.”

“Probably not, but you still have the other two. Practice with them.”

Alan nodded, but didn't say anything.

Tuliy shrugged and continued. “We found little. When we arrived where the enemy was supposedly working, we found the area completely cleaned out. They had been there, but not for some time. In fact, I think we were set up and purposefully led astray. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a leak of some kind here. Many think it is you.” He paused to stare at Alan briefly. “I don't. After all, you knew nothing of this mission we were assigned. I believe it's why you weren't told anything. To weed you out as a possible traitor.”

“I would not betray my nation,” Alan said. Then guilt washed over him as he realized he already had by letting Alona go and by submitting himself to her charms. No wonder no one on his ship trusted him. His new failure would just add to it. Perhaps he should quit as well.

“I didn't think you would. I never believed the rumor to be honest. Try not to let it bother you. Perhaps I shouldn't have said anything.”

“No, it's good I know. I will tell you everything I found out. You may tell the others I told you, or you can claim it as your own expertise. I'm sure no one would believe me. From you, it will be taken much more seriously,” Alan said with a heavy sigh.

Tiluy nodded. “You're probably right.”

With another sigh, he began to tell his story. When he finished spilling everything that happened this evening, it got quiet.

“But you don't know what this doctor is doing to the Earth youth?” Sir Tuliy asked after a few minutes passed.

“No, only that he is the one responsible for killing them,” Alan paused. “It must be some kind of biological weapon for the Gelandrosimbol to use. I'm not sure if they are using the Earth youth to test this weapon, or if their purpose is to kill them as an example.”

“Those are both interesting theories.”

“Thank you, I'm sure with your guidance and their skills, your charges will be able to find out the truth,” Alan said.

“I hope so. I envy you in a way. Sorry, I should not be so formal, but I respect you greatly. I hope we can be friends. You are one of the few on this ship who views me as an equal and not as ‘The Prodigy'. I like that. Let me get back on track though. I envy you because you are able to float so freely. The pressures are not the same for you. You do not have your every move being watched in the same way mine are.”

Envy? Sir Tuliy envied him? “You're kind. Don't be though. I'm practically worthless here.”

“But you aren't.” Sir Tuliy put a hand through his red hair. He even looked perfect for someone from their nation. Alan was considered a mutt, so to speak, and not as attractive (which is why he always laughed when Cadence and other Earth girls stared at him). Sir Tuliy had the appropriate appearance and breeding. He had everything.

“I guess time will tell us who's right?” Alan gave a small smile.

Tuliy also smiled. “You should use your ability to go back and forth to your advantage. If I was in your shoes, I would explore this world. They are watching you to prove you are not a traitor. When I tell Sir Orioltogorthan everything you've just told me, that will prove even further you aren't, and I will tell them it was you who found this information. Your ability to bond with this planet though, Alanmendiquixanimackle, is not a skill many of us have at our disposal. Your unguided travels have revealed more information than my directed ones. Be encouraged. Circumstance wants you to succeed.”

“Thank you for your kind words. I should retire to my quarters.”

“I as well. I hope to talk with you like this again soon.”

“Same, I mean, I as well.”

They both stood, each bowing to the other before leaving in opposite directions. Sir Tuliy would go to his spacious and luxurious private quarters he earned through his countless successes. Alan would return to his room that he shared with three of his comrades, one of whom was female. He didn't have the heart to tell his father about this, about how low he was thought of on the ship, to not be worth the time to be placed with those of his own sex. It would crush his spirit. The last thing the man needed was a distraction from his son.

It had been at least four months (or the equivalent of that much time by Earth standards) since he last spoke with his father “in person”via video screen, even longer for the rest of his family. The only reason he was allowed to speak with his father was because they were both serving in the military. He did send a lot of letters to both of his parents, and on occasion, one to his siblings.

He wanted his family to be proud of him, but he wasn't sure how he could earn it. Orlando quit. He couldn't keep any of his charges in line. What was he going to do now? Work the ship? He hated it there, and his skills were not in tending to maintenance needs. The last letter he had sent to his father had been such a positive one. Alan hated letting him down. How was he going to explain all of this?

The lights were off when he entered. His roommates were already sleeping. Alan pulled off the shirt JD insisted he wear, as well as his traditional vest from home, before climbing into his bed. He pulled the sheets up around him then grabbed his electronic notepad so he could compose a letter for his mother. She would know what to do. When he opened his writing program, he found an unread message from his father sent while he was out. It was roughly three hours old.

 

Dearest Son,

I hope you do not mind my addressing you as such. I am aware you are a man now, but you will always be my precious child. I will try not to baby you too much, however, because I know it will not do well for your self-esteem. These are your own personal letters, so I want to be able to speak with you in a personal fashion.

Your last letter made me smile quite a bit. It sounds as though you are training your charges well in the necessities of combat. One of my partners, Sir Holmestorgorson, agrees with me in that many of the Sirs who are taking on charges, known as these Earth youth, are not giving them enough time to adjust to the changes being made in their lives. Particularly those from what is referred to as the United States of America, where you are stationed. We have found other nations more cooperative, and a few who are less. Americans, as they are often called, are stubborn and value their free will greatly, much like our nation back home. The more time I spend learning about this planet, the more I see how much like us they truly are.

We will be leaving Earth's orbit soon, but not for long. We are to greet our new troops, and then I will be stationed close to you, and we can once more see each other face-to-face without a screen. Until then, I want you to continue to tell me about all of your accomplishments. I always knew you would succeed.

Much love.