Star-Crossed

Part 10

We are all back in the kitchen, enjoying our second meal, when Sonya and Dom leave their seats and walk toward the head of the table.

They clear their throats and everyone falls silent.

"Cadets," Sonya begins, "now that you've all read the manuals that Xeno handed to each of you at breakfast, you hopefully understand the fact that there's quite a bit of conflict happening within the Galaxy of Seratona at the moment."

Dom picks up where Sonya leaves off and adds, "We do not have time to go into much detail about the various conflicts occurring within the galaxy as a whole right now, so we are going to focus on the specifics of the time-sensitive mission we have been tasked with completing, on a small planet called Mimba, where we are currently headed."

Sonya continues, "As neurobiologists, Dom and I are particularly interested in how certain synthetic substances affect the brain and body."

"Very recently," says Dom, "there have been rumors floating around on Planet Shinar that a group of terrorists - very savvy scientists and inventors who we suspect were affiliated with our enemies during the Great War - have developed a sort of panacea that can cure any disease."

"If it's true that this substance can cure any physical, emotional or mental illness, helping people live longer while also eliminating the common, inevitable effects of old age," says Sonya, "then whomever controls this substance will, in a sense, be the most powerful person or group of people in the entire galaxy."

"Right now," adds Dom, "we don't know if this substance is actually as great as the rumors purport it to be. But, we need to find out as soon as possible."

"Dom and I need samples to run tests on," says Sonya. "And we need enough samples so that if the substance is actually as magical as people say it is, we can create it ourselves from scratch, so that the terrorists do not have a monopoly on it."

I glance at Eva, Max and Zayn, who look as confused as I do. How can a single substance make a person - or a group of people - so incredibly powerful?

"Think about it," continues Sonya, as if reading all of our minds at once, "There is no substance within the Galaxy of Seratona as of now that can cure all illnesses, that can prolong the length and the quality of life at the same time."

"Anyone who has the formula for that kind of cure-all," says Dom, "will be able to make billions upon billions of dollars by selling it, because every single person will want it, in some form or another, at some point or another, during their lifetime."

"And anyone who has access to billions and billions of dollars of capital," finishes Sonya, "can pay anyone to do anything for them."

"Money equals power," interjects Xeno. His comment sends a chill down my spine.

"If these terrorists collect so much cash that they are able to buy out the Lords of Shinar, one by one, they will no doubt do so," Xeno continues. "Over time, the Lords will become corrupted and eventually, completely obsolete - allowing dark and dangerous minds to rule over the entire Galaxy of Seratona."

"We need the recipe for that substance," adds Dom. "It could be the key to unlocking everything for the Squad, to finally securing our future once-and-for-all."

"Do you know exactly where the substance is on Mimba?" asks Zayn.

"Great question," answers Sonya. "We suspect it's being produced in a secret factory that one of our other Cadets based on Shinar detected right around the time Recruitment Day was wrapping up on Dard."

I shift uneasily in my seat as I look over at Eva and Max. For once, they aren't giving me death stares. Eva is gulping down more of Iggy's Elixir. Max is doodling pictures.