Planet X Pandora

An Answer Here An Answer There

The next day was not as normal. If you could call the previous day normal. The first thing she heard when she woke was the loud, hectic alarms. There was a huge flashing red light that illuminated everything. The usual white ceiling lights were turned off. What the hell? She sat up grogily, rubbing her eyes. She was still exhausted from the past days experience. What in the world is going on? She knew it was something bad. Obviously. Just then, slam! The door banged open. Aaron.

"Get up, hurry! You know, one would think this horrible noise would wake anything up."

"Excuse you, I haven't been training day and night for this. I only got here yesterday. You people won't even tell me where I am."

"Well, you'll find out soon enough, let's go"

She followed him out the door. The hallways were all flashing red, and it was the only light source. His silhouette was dark and tall, with a brim of red. She shuddered, trying to keep up with him. He took a few more turns and stopped. Luckily, she stopped herself just in time from bumping into him. There was a set of huge, heavy metal doors, with a wheel on them. He turned the wheel, and the door opened. It squealed on it's hinges, an eerie echo.

"Aaron, where is everyone?"

"Inside."

And with that, he shoved her in. She stumbled and fell. She almost hit the floor,when she felt strong, sturdy hands wrap around her and grab her from behind. She quickly regained her balance.

"You seriously need to work on your balance. I barely touched you." said Aaron with a goofy grin on his face.

"Barely touched me?! You friggin knocked me over!"

"But I caught you, didn't I?"

She sighed exasperated.

"If you two love birds are done, I need to speak to you." came a voice from behind. Aaron gasped and squeaked, making Kashmir stifle a smile. They both turned to see Zia. Aaron turned strawberry red, and he took off, walking briskly past Zia into the darkness beyond.

"Zia, what's happening?"

"Code Red. It's emergency protocol. There's been a breach."

"A breach? Like an animal? Where are we and why would something get in?"

" Don't ask to many questions. Stay here, alright? "

" No, I want to come with you. " Kash protested.

" You're not trained in any way to handle situations like this, newbie. I suggest you stay put. " Zia said sternly, and then she turned and walked quickly towards the other end of the hall. Something's definitely wrong. Why would they all be gathered here if there wasn't? Kash was about to follow Zia, although she had been instructed not to, when she felt someone behind her.

" You know, when Zia tells you to stay, you should listen. " they said. She turned around and recognized the tall, muscular guy. Kyle, I think it was.

"Who does she think she is, the boss?" Kash said indignantly. Kyle tensed up, wincing at her rash words.

" Actually, she is the boss. Of the Alpha's, anyway. " he explained. Kash saw her chance to get some answers.

" Alpha's? What are Alpha's? " she asked innocently. Kyle paused, unsure if he should answer her questions or not.

" We are all divided into sections. " Kyle began, looking over his shoulder, as if to make sure no one was listening. No one was listening, because they were all in little groups, murmuring to their friends in low whispers.

" What sections? " she pressed.

" Alphas, Betas, Luna's, and Zeti. " he pronounced Zeti like jet-eye.

" Why? What are they for? "

" The Luna's are like the high command. They plan everything. No one is allowed to do anything without a Luna's permission. They make the Code. They lead us. " he said in a soft voice.

" What is the Code? "

" It's the rules that we live by. It's like our..... law. Think of it as a our law. " he answered patiently.

" Okay.... So who are the Alphas, Betas and Zeti? " she asked, trying to gain as much information as she could.

" The Zeti are the medics. They run the infirmary and they collect and prepare medicines from the forest. But they don't have training to fight, so they must go with an Alpha. You see that guy over there, " Kyle pointed at a dark skinned guy, wearing a doctors gown, talking to some other people dressed like him. "He's the head of the Zeti. Everyone under the Zeti division reports to him. He controls them all. But he again has to report to a Luna. You starting to get the gist of how things work? " Kyle asked. Kash was still processing the information, and replied a few seconds later with a small nod.

" Now the Betas, " Kyle continued. " The Betas are the brains of this whole place. They control all digital equipment, they make gadgets. They help Luna's plan strategy's for training. They are the smartest ones around. "

" Wow. " Kash said in a small voice. Now she was truly beginning to understand the system of this place, and she was awed with their hierarchy. Curiosity was scratching away at her mind.

" That girl over there? " Kyle nudged Kash's shoulder, pointing to a slender girl, shorter than Kash, with her blonde hair in a high ponytail. She was wearing a grey suit much like the black one that Kash and Kyle were wearing.

" She's the head of the Betas. Incredibly intelligent. She's one of the Commanders favorites. " Kyle explained. Commander..... there it is. That name again. Before Kash could ask about this Commander, Kyle started speaking again.

" I'm guessing you want to know about the Alphas now. "