Now

“Thank you for returning,” Prime Custodian 3 said.

The words were nothing less than shocking for the two interrogators. A Prime’s very existence was for the greater good of all Threnosh. His words were commands to that end and to obey was not a question. It was built into the culture and thanks was a word never spoken, nor heard.

“We obey.” Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 recovered first and saluted.

Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 hastily closed their mouth and followed suit a second after.

“I do not require obedience in this. You are free to reject the task I am about to give to you.”

“The Prime’s words are—”

Prime Custodian 3 raised a thin, delicate hand. Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 stopped so abruptly, it was forced to choke out a small cough.

“Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337, Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623. In that case I command you to accept or reject the given task based on your own personal assessments. Know that the task is of utmost importance to the future of the Threnosh.”

“I accept,” Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 blurted out.

The interrogator’s eyes widened at the slight dip of the head that the Prime sent its way. To be honored in such a demonstrative fashion, by a Prime no less, was unheard of for their station.

“Request for task details permissible?” Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 was more experienced than their junior counterpart. They were able to keep their rational mind in the face of the Prime’s awe-inspiring presence.

“Granted,” Prime Custodian 3 said. “The task requires you to serve as liaisons for an ongoing project involving the human, Designation: Honor. The project’s ultimate goal is to ascertain the viability of our two species working together for mutual benefit. It is my belief that the Threnosh will need this ally if we are to survive the coming future.”

For a Prime to express weakness so openly was unbelievable. The two interrogators now knew with certainty that they had no desire to accept such a task if this was how their Prime viewed it.

“If you refuse then I shall find others, however my calculations indicate that you two are the best possible candidates for this task.”

With those words the Prime sealed the two interrogators’ fates.

“Because of the interrogation sessions?” Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 already knew the answer.

“Correct,” Prime Custodian 3 said. “Designation: Honor indicated that he,” the word was unfamiliar on the Prime’s tongue, “desired to work with you based on familiarity and shared experiences.”

A look of open confusion crossed Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623’s face. “But we forced compliance on the subject one-hundred and seventy-three times.”

“Yes, it perplexed me as well,” Prime Custodian 3 said. “Do not be concerned. He assured me that it tickled,”

“I do not understand,” Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said.

“He claimed that compliance created a sensation that was slightly uncomfortable, but not all together unpleasant.”

“Impossible. That was enough power to tear the muscles in a Threnosh’s body.” Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 looked horrified.

“Yes. Humans are significantly more robust than the Threnosh,” Prime Custodian 3 said.

“Designation: Honor could have escaped at any time?” Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 gave voice to the thought that was plaguing his every waking moment for the past few months.

“Correct.”

“Then why did the subject remain?”

“He was building a rapport with the two of you,” Prime Custodian 3 said. “Designation: Honor’s sole stated goal was to build a mutually beneficial alliance between our two worlds.”

“I accept the task as well,” Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 said. Truly they did not want to, but the Prime’s words openly stated the necessity of success for the continued well-being of the Threnosh. They could not refuse. They could not deny that they had formed a level of understanding into the mind of the subject, however alien its, his, thoughts and mannerisms were. Ceding this position to another would mean that it would take many more months to re-establish that understanding. From the Prime’s uncharacteristic demeanor the interrogator sensed that time was a critical factor.

“Good. Details will be sent to your PID. This project will be conducted solely under my jurisdiction. Ultimate secrecy level is mandatory.”

That particular detail made the interrogators suddenly regretful that they agreed to the task.

“Due to secrecy requirements you will not receive a role change. You will ostensibly remain as Interrogators. Official records will reflect that information. When I determine it is time you will be retroactively granted the proper roles. As part of Designation: Honor’s team you will be eligible for any rewards gained. I will leave it to you to negotiate distribution.” Prime Custodian 3 locked eyes with each interrogator. “This is your final opportunity to decline the task. It will not reflect on the exemplary service with Designation: Honor that you have already performed.”

The two interrogators shared a brief glance.

“The task is accepted,” they said in unison.

Cal sat at the plain metal desk that he had Fabricator Riverport 11725 make for him. He shifted in his cold metal chair trying to find a comfortable position. The Threnosh didn’t do cushions. In fact the fabricator had implied that, as a whole, they didn’t make use of furnishings on a regular basis.

He adjusted the tiny camera on its crane-like arm stand until he figured he was centered. He moved the tiny pyramid-shaped holographic projector a little further to his right. He took a deep breath, he had delayed this long enough.

Cal gave the vocal command for the camera and then for the holographic projector. The latter beeped to life and suddenly there was a miniature version of him that looked nervous and uncertain. He noticed that his bandaged left hand was visible in the projection, so he quickly tucked it under the desk. Another deep breath and he gave the command to begin recording.

Cal smiled nervously. “Hi, Nila.” He waved at the camera. “So, lots happened. I learned a lot of important things. Like, there are legit aliens. They call themselves Threnosh, which is essentially their word for people. I’m planning to work on building a friendly relationship, cause I think we’ll need them and they’ll need us if we’re going to survive the other alien species I discovered.” He cleared his throat. “But that’s all business talk. All that super important information, my notes, recordings, numbers, and all that other good stuff. I’ll be sending that to you guys.”

He paused and cleared his throat.

“Oh, yeah… surprise! Turns out the spire has a messaging function. According to our new Threnosh allies you’ll get a notification when there’s a message waiting for you. Just have to go to the spire to get it. I’ll included instructions on how to send messages. You can even save them to any storage device, just bring one with you inside. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it works. The only drawback is that it’s ridiculously expensive.” He let out a sigh. “Anyways, I have something to tell you and you’re not going to be happy.”

This time the pause lasted several seconds as reluctance played its way across Cal’s face.

“There’s no other way to say this, but I’m not going to be able to come back to you for at least the next five or six years, give or take some months, the time conversion is wonky since this world is a bit smaller than Earth. Although that’s also kind of good news. It means that Earth is safe from higher level worlds for the same time period. I know you weren’t really happy about me coming here, but I did it for all of us and I think I made the right call. We’ve got advance warning on what’s waiting out there and we’ve got potential allies. I know you’re probably thinking of coming up here before the six years is up, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. It cost me all my Universal Points and you’ll need all you can get to keep getting stronger and getting better equipment. Besides, I think there’s a certain minimum power level required to go up world before the tutorial period is over and no offense, but I doubt you’d meet it. On that note, please let Eron know that I think it’s best for us on the whole if he didn’t follow me either. I’m sending him a separate message, but multiple voices in his ear are better than one.”

Cal felt at the missing fingers on his left hand underneath the desk.

“I’m really sorry, love. Intellectually I know that I made the right call for the good of everyone I care about, but… man, now I’m just rambling.” He struggled to hold back tears. “It hurts to be away from you, from my family. I’ve never felt more alone. I’m worried that being here on my own for so long. The things I’ll have to face… I don’t want them to change who I am. The only thing holding me together is knowing that I’ll see you again at the end of all this. So, please… I know this isn’t fair to ask… but, just please be there for me.”

Cal took a moment to wipe his eyes.

“Wow, I didn’t see that coming, sorry,” he laughed weakly. “I don’t know when I can send another message. I’ll need to get some Universal Points first, but that’s going to be one of my main priorities.” Cal looked directly into the camera. “I love you, Nila. Please stay strong, so I can do the same. Bye, love.”

Cal shut off the camera and the holographic projector with the vocal commands. He spent the next ten minutes sobbing into his desk. When he was finished, he stood up and walked out the door. It was time to begin.

Or at least it was, until a sudden chime sounded in his ears.

“After all this time with nothing? Now you give me a que—”

Congratulations!

You have discovered your first Epic Quest!

The Dominion of Immortal Light and Joy is now aware of your existence. You are deemed worthy prey. The hunt begins!

Success Parameters: Survive to return to your home world.

Failure Parameters: Be captured or killed.

Reward: 500000 Universal Points. Varied.

Failure: Pain and death for you and your world.

You will accept.

“Well… that’s not good.”