Chapter Two

I carried a bag over one shoulder as I walked into the base of an imposing skyscraper. The building, constructed of dark metal and with no clear signs to its purpose outside, sat near the heart of the city from what I understood. From it, we could deploy anywhere we were needed within minutes, or so they told me. I wasn’t exactly clear on how that was possible, but they assured me that our transportation was easily capable of ‘such a trivial task.’

Inside, Abel and our escort led me to an elevator which took us down some number of floors. When the doors opened, I was greeted by a rather sterile-looking entry way complete with a lounge and a receptionist.

“Ah, Doctor Abel.” The receptionist nodded in our direction. “Will you be staying to meet with the professor?”

“No, no. I’m afraid I must be leaving for other appointments. See to it that Subject Zero finds her room and meets with him, will you?” Abel quickly dismissed the notion of staying and backed toward the elevator.

“Subject Zero, is it?” The receptionist sighed and rose to her feet, shrugging as the elevator doors closed and carried Abel away. “Abel gets fidgety when around survivors like us. I may not have awakened to powers like you did, but he seems to think everyone who survived could go feral at any moment. With you being the only one we know of to have truly tamed that power…”

“So, the others are still being held in isolation?” I asked, following when she motioned for me to do so.

“Yep. All are being moved here though. The bosses are confident we can’t get out even if we rampage.” She shrugged again. “The professor is meeting with some of the other survivors right now. Ill introduce you.”

“Ah, Sarah—” A handsome man with pewter hair paused, his gaze moving past her to settle on me. “Oh? A new addition? Did I let time run away with me again?”

“Subject Zero, at your service,” I stated dryly. Really? ‘Professor?’ Isn’t he a bit young for that? He’s gotta be just a few years older than me at most. Maybe he just finished his degree in the last few years…?

“That’s a designation, not a name.” The man sighed heavily, then turned to look at the two men he’d been chatting with. “‘Subject Zero’ is the woman I was telling you about. She will, hopefully, be able to teach you all to control your feral side.”

One of them glanced my way. “What should we call you?”

“I dunno. I’ll come up with something eventually.” I shrugged, then turned my attention to the professor. “And what is your ‘designation’ I wonder?”

“Zafir,” he answered with an amused smile, offering me his hand. I decided to humor him and shook it. “We can dispense with the titles here, though both doctor and professor will suffice if you insist on using titles.

“My role isn’t to study you under a microscope like Abel does. You can think of me more as your leader and counselor. As you are the only ‘stable’ Resonance victim, you and I will be working closely to stabilize the others, so they don’t harm themselves or others. We can discuss your other purpose in my office. Sarah, if you would escort…her there after showing her to her room, it would be appreciated.”

With that, we were off again, and Sarah led me to a more posh, lived-in looking area of the underground complex.

“The professor is much nicer than Abel,” Sarah informed me cheerfully, linking her hands behind her back. “He genuinely cares about our physical and mental wellbeing, beyond just keeping us alive for study. I heard this relocation effort is because he’s in charge of the program now, and Abel was ‘encouraged’ to retire.”

“Abel always seemed nice enough to me, so if this Zafir guy is even nicer, I’m not gonna complain.” I shrugged to myself and followed her over to a locked door.

“Abel? Nice? Good one.” Sarah snorted as she unlocked the door. “Didn’t take you for the humorous type…or are you serious?”

“I’m serious.”

“…maybe you got preferential treatment?” Sarah muttered mostly to herself, then shook her head. “Here, the keycard for your room. You should have time to change if you want before we go meet—”

I tossed my bag haphazardly into the room, closed the door, pocketed the keycard then looked to Sarah expectantly. “I don’t have clothes other than a nightgown and what I’m wearing. Let’s go.”

“Uh…right.” Sarah made a face. “How was Abel nice again?”

“Personal belongings were against regulations.” I stated. “Apparently quite a few subjects used them as weapons against the guards, against Abel, or to off themselves.”

“Professor,” Sarah called, rapidly knocking on a door at the end of the hallway. “Are you in—”

“Excellent timing!” Zafir pulled the door open and gave us a bright, welcoming grin. “Sarah, I’m afraid you’ll have to return to your post this time. We’ve sensitive matters to discuss.”

“Oh…alright.” Sarah deflated a little. “I’ll see you two at dinner!”

“Please tell me you’re not going to be so unbearably cheerful all the time?” I sighed and looked in Zafir’s direction as he perched in a rather comfortable looking chair.

“Hardly. The project the government assigned us to is a rather serious one. However, they,” he paused to motion toward the door, “haven’t been notified or briefed regarding it due to their instability. As of this moment, you are the only functioning member of the ‘team.’”

I crossed my arms. “And you’re aware of what my terms were?”

“Of course. I was happy to hear you questioned the offer instead of jumping at the opportunity. I don’t have much faith that the others will do the same.” Zafir leaned back in his seat and removed his glasses, rubbing lightly at his temples. Then, he motioned for me to sit across from him. “There is every possibility you will be deployed on solo missions now that you’re here. Since you were smart enough to question why our government wishes to eradicate the Syldrari, I feel that I should brief you on what has caused them to begin pushing.”

I sat across from him, crossing one leg over the other. “I’m listening.”

“We believe a Syldrari queen has emerged somewhere on this planet. There aren’t many other explanations for the rise in conflict between the V’shir and the R’selkti.” Zafir put his glasses back on and laced his fingers over his stomach. He tilted his head faintly, then a look of recognition spread across his face. “Ah—the R’selkti and the V’shir are different Syldrari clans. Their governmental structure is…much different than ours. For now, I will have to leave that at that.

“The R’selkti have always been problematic, but the V’shir were always amiable toward humans. In fact, the Syldrari Sector was originally funded and built by the empire as a symbol of our alliance and trade agreement with them, so they would have a comfortable place to make use of for shore leave. Of course, that was centuries ago now. As part of our arrangement, their elders keep the other clans in order during their visits.”

“A queen?” I raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know what Syldrari even were until a few weeks ago. I’m afraid you’re going to have to be more descriptive.”

“Ah…” Zafir gave me an odd look. “When we refer to Syldrari queens, we are not talking about a ruler—we are speaking of women born of prestigious bloodlines or who have immense amounts of power. Their presence on a planet is said to cause all available…ah…breeding-capable individuals of the species to become more agitated and combative. It isn’t dissimilar to how animals will react to pheromones during mating season, attempting to drive off other males.

“Without even recognizing what’s happening, they will begin competing and fighting with each other to prove their worth—while those who are already of high status will begin scheming or sending their subordinates in search of the ‘queen’ to find her first. From what I understand, a queen has never surfaced on our planet before. Only ever their home world. Their ‘competitions’ are like wars to us.”

“So, if a queen really has emerged, the conflicts are going to keep getting worse. What makes you think one is here?” I raised an eyebrow.

“We interrogated a R’selkti deserter recently. She claimed that the males’ behavior indicates as much, and said that the R’selkti leader has begun sending out scouts to scour the planet for information—something he has never done before.” Zafir grimaced. “I won’t ask you to kill misbehaving Syldrari on sight—but if you can break up their fights…”

“Keeping the peace and all that?” I shrugged, giving him a lopsided smile. “Yeah, I can do that.”

“Good, now regarding your duties…I’m told you have a battle suit already?” Zafir rubbed his chin.

I nodded. “Mmhmm. I uh…‘conjured’ it, for lack of a better term, when I first went feral. Now, I can use it at will.”

“Good. That will serve as better protection than anything the military could give you.” Zafir smiled, relieved. “You know how, once, diamond could only be cut by other diamonds? The material of your suit is much like that—it is the same as what the Syldrari soldiers wear. Though our understanding is limited, we have gleaned that it is tied to the abilities awoken by the Resonance. Abel hypothesized that the Syldrari use the Resonance weapon against their own people to create soldiers, though I am disinclined to agree with his theory. Ah…though I suppose you aren’t here for the science of it all.

“I would rather not refer to you as ‘subject zero.’ Shall we work out your code name so that we have something to call you?”

“Code name?” I asked, taken aback by the sudden change in conversation. Learning more wouldn’t have bothered me at all, and I doubted I was making a sour face while he spoke. Why stop? I was getting into it!

“Yes, on duty you will be using your codename.” Zafir nodded. “Ah! I almost forgot to tell you why I mentioned the queen. If we can find her and relocate her, we can avoid unnecessary bloodshed. As she is most likely in the Syldrari Sector, I’ve secured clearance for you to continue your visits there so you can search. You will not want to use your codename there. Thankfully, you as you are and you in your battle suit should be quite hard to draw a connection between.”

“Right…” I murmured, wracking my mind for interesting names I’d come across while reading in my cell over the past several years. “Gehenna, Veles…Lethe? I don’t know. The nature of my abilities hasn’t been explored much.”

“Lethe…well, it’s better than ‘Subject Zero.’” Zafir nodded. “We can go over your schedule after dinner. Tomorrow, you’ll have an opportunity to go into the city—if you need anything, I’ll pay for it. The rest you can use your allowance for.”

“Need? Well, about that…” I proceeded to explain to him how barebones my belongings were, as we made our way to the mess hall.

“Honestly! It’s no wonder most of the survivors loathe him!” Zafir exclaimed. “To be treated as samples on a petri dish, it’s horrible… And you were threatened with the danger of becoming someone’s toy as well? I’ve heard much the same from the other men and women in my care. I see it as my duty to make certain it doesn’t come to that.”

Mmm…he’s too easy to talk to. I should be careful.

* * *

I tugged at my new coat’s sleeves absentmindedly as I made my way to the Syldrari Sector. Shopping was exhausting and boring. Lunch sounded much more interesting, especially since I had a valid excuse to be there—one that wouldn’t get me into trouble with the boss.

“Huh. Found a middle ground, did you?” The cafe owner didn’t look too terribly surprised to see me, unlike his customers. Today, however, I noticed they were all in human form. The owner was only recognizable due to his voice.

“Mmhmm…” I glanced around again, then back at the owner. “Would it be rude of me to ask why you’re all wearing human skin this time?”

“Not one for watching the news?” He scoffed before beckoning me over. “A new law was passed—all Syldrari must ‘wear human skin,’ as you put it, when outside our homes. As failing to do so is considered a ‘crime,’ I imagine you’ll be briefed on it soon enough.”

“…that is a stupid law.” I rolled my eyes, taking a seat at the counter.

“It is supposedly to keep us from frightening you human’s poor, fragile sensibilities,” he remarked dryly as he set a menu in front of me. “What would you like to drink?”

“Frightening? Huh, I thought you were rather pretty, myself,” I muttered, scratching my head. “Drink? Mmm, surprise me? Let’s see if you can find one I actually won’t like.”

“Pretty?” He laughed, shaking his head in disbelief.

I shrugged. “Maybe that’s not the right word, but the point is frightening isn’t on my list of descriptors. Also, it occurs to me I didn’t ask your name when I was here last.”

“Call me Rel. You won’t be able to pronounce my full name.” ‘Rel’ gave me a smug smile as if challenging me to go ahead and ask what his full name was.

“Well then, nice to meet you ‘officially,” Rel.” I tilted my head. “Huh. I guess I can’t exactly tell you to call me Subject Numberstring or anything of the sort. Hmmm…”

“…the humans didn’t see fit to name you even after you agreed to work with them?” Rel shook his head in disbelief before setting a glass filled with ice and neon green liquid in front of me. “Am I going to have to start suggesting names myself?

“Can’t find a name I like, either,” I offered. “You’re welcome to spit out suggestions. If you find one I like, I may just use it.”

“Is that so? you’re that stuck?” Rel raised an eyebrow at me. “How about Elara?”

“Huh…that actually has a nice ring to it,” I murmured, rather surprised by how swiftly he’d given the suggestion. “Sure, why not? ‘Elara’ it is.”

“Just like that? No arguments? Rel stared at me.

“Nah, it’s a pretty name. I like it.” I paused, tilting my head. “I suppose I should ask what it means before I hop fully on board.”

“The full word means ‘song of the depths,’ or at least that is the closest translation,” Rel answered, looking rather pleased with himself. “Do you know what you want to order?”

“Mmm…” I flicked between the dishes I was struggling to decide between, then looked back to Rel with a small pout, half expecting him to tease me again. “These five, please.”

“Right. And carry out boxes again.” Rel nodded, turning to work his magic—quite literally—at the stove. His control over his human disguise wavered for but a split second, showing a flash of his true skin color, but he regained control so quickly I had to wonder if id imagined it.

“So, am I right to think that you wouldn’t mind if I was able to do something about criminals in this sector?” I inquired, earning a brief, piercing glance.

“There are…I believe you humans call them bad apples? Among any species. Here, we deal with human, Syldrari, and various other races causing trouble.” Rel glanced over at a rather muscular man. “Last night it was, what, Forseyl brawling in the streets?”

The big man answered with a grimace,“And humans trying to sell both drugs and women the night before that.” At my confusion, he added, “Without imperial patrols, it falls to us to protect our own. With all the rumors the empire spreads, all the city’s trash is trying to move into our territory. But we have to be careful how we handle matters, too.”

“Huh. I’ll keep that in mind. I’d rather go after actual criminals, not people who are protecting themselves and their loved ones.” I stirred my straw in my drink briefly before taking a sip. Though I’d expected it to be sour due to the color, instead it was rather bitter. “Okay, that one is bitter kind of like how tea is bitter. I’ll take sugar for that one—unless you have a different suggestion for preparation?”

“The tea observation is quite accurate. Sugar and cream do nicely.” Rel placed a creamer in front of me and gave me an odd look. “You know, most humans can’t stand the smell here, let alone the taste of our fare.”

“Huh. They’re missing out.” I shrugged dismissively. “How much cream?”

“Go a little at a time, everyone is different…clearly.” Rel shook his head. “Will we be seeing more of you?”

“Only when I’m off duty, most likely. I’m assigned to a different part of the city, though they said I may get sent near here depending on manpower limitations.” I answered. It was half true, at least.

“Feel free to seek my counsel should you need it. If you are working outside the Sector, you may meet Syldrari clans other than the V’shir. While most keep their heads down, the R’selkti and the Gur’dral can be quite combative.”

“I appreciate it…but I have to admit that I don’t have the first idea how to tell the clans apart, and I get the feeling I won’t be getting a briefing on it.” I shook my head.

A nearby man snarled at me. “Are you saying we all look alike?”

“Hardly. Even if I was colorblind, I’d still be able to discern the tone variance in your skin colors,” I answered dismissively. “My point was more so that there appears to be more variety within Syldrari than there is with humans. That, coupled with Resonance-induced memory loss… Well, we’re lucky I’m even aware that spoken species other than humans exist.”

“I’m afraid, for a human, it will be difficult to tell visually.” Rel motioned at his eyes briefly, allowing their true appearance to show briefly. “While the different regions of our planet, and the clans within them, each have varying styles of dress…such things can be copied with ease. It is our binding pledges to our clans that you would need to look for…but human eyes cannot see such things. I mean no offense, but human eyes are much too…simple, in their construction.”

“Even AR lenses or augmented eyes can’t see it?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“No. It is not something the humans seem to care about, and therefore they haven’t created a technology which allows them to see the appropriate spectrum.” Rel shook his head faintly, then gave me an apologetic look. “I likely shouldn’t overload you with information when you’re suffering the aftereffects of a resonance weapon. Your amnesia sounds…rather extreme.”

“Mmm, you’re fine. I sort and process information quickly.” I took another sip of my drink before continuing, “So, basically, beyond knowing what different clans’ uniforms look like, it will be a guessing game because I have no way to verify which clan someone belongs to. Due to existing tensions, it’s entirely possible that the R’selkti could pretend to be V’shir in order to redirect the government’s attention.”

“It is possible, but they are usually more direct. R’selkti like to show off their strength and prowess to…well, anyone who appears to know how to fight or hunt.” Rel motioned at me briefly. “You carry yourself like someone who has had combat training, and I imagine you will be armed when on patrol. R’selkti women, especially, rarely find females to challenge…and my, do they love to assert their superiority…”

“Speaking of, I’ve noticed there aren’t many females in the Sector. Is that due to them remaining on your home world, or is there yet another reason for me to loathe the empire?” I inquired, leaning forward against the counter.

Another man nearby snorted. He sat at the same table as the large man from before, but he wore what looked to be some manner of uniform. “Blunt, ain’t she?”

“Males are much more common in our species than females,” Rel offered with a brief shake of his head. “While it’s true that the empire enjoys taking slaves of all races, including your own, that is not why you see so few women among us.”

“Most women are elevated in status and kept safe on our home planet. The more adventurous join our military or mercantile ventures,” the big man added.

“Huh. Your home world sounds like an interesting place.” I shifted to get more comfortable. “See, this is the kind of stuff I wanted to learn. Culture. Not the ‘boo hoo it’s our planet and only we can be here’ bullshit the higher ups spew.”

“Humans are…selfish creatures.” Rel paused, giving me that apologetic look again. “That is—”

“Dude. I ordered five meals and don’t plan to share with anyone when I get back. I think selfish is an accurate descriptor,” I interrupted, then glanced past him at the food in question. “Speaking of which, it looks like some of it is trying to run away.”

Rel….flushed? blue and promptly turned his attention back to the stove and caught the runaway lobster-turtle-fish-kraken-thing.

“When do you have to leave? It may be best if I package these for you as I finish them.”

“Mmm…good question. Let’s see…” I pulled out my communicator, finding Zafir had indeed sent a message summoning me back. “Yeah, looks like that’d be the best, if you don’t mind. Apparently, they need me to come back earlier than expected.”

Rel levitated something over with his left hand, then poured it into a to-go cup. “A third drink for you to try, for the journey. Humans have only ever described it as ‘tasting like shit’ but to Syldrari…well, it is quite like how one might describe a milkshake.”

“Are human and Syldrari senses really so polarized?” I raised an eyebrow.

“I would have said, ‘unequivocally yes’ before meeting you,” he answered dryly before dropping a box of packets into the quickly filling bag of bundles. “Some Syldrari tea for you as well—on the house. The instructions are in our native tongue—but, essentially, prepare it as you would black tea.”

“Well! Now you’re just spoiling me!” I mused, taking the rather sizeable bag from him.

“I’ll consider your continued patronage and understanding as payment enough,” he informed me with a dismissive wave. “Off with you now, before you get yourself in trouble.”

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