Siege - Sci-Fi (M/M)

22. The time is now

Izander

'Ready men?' The Captain was waiting patiently to take us to the meeting which would determine our future.

We followed him quietly the the vehicle and sat in silence the whole journey. I feared that it I had opened my mouth, I'd be sick. I guess Jax had a similar bad feeling - he couldn't even look at me.

We arrived at a building unremarkably like every other building, and entered through the back entrance. Obviously they did not want the public to see a Secaro and human enter this building together - it could lead to panic amongst the passers by. No wonder we didn't see too much of what happens to inter-galactic relationships.

A sense of fear gripped me and panic overtook as we got into the building.

'Izan?' Jax gripped my shoulder. He walked around me so he was standing directly in front of me. His eyes found mine and that was instantly calming. 'It's ok. I'm scared to, but I need you to take a deep breath and calm down.'

I did as he instructed and let the air rush to my lungs. 'Thanks. I am ok now I think.' I pretended to believe myself for the sake of what was about to happen. 'Let's go.'

We were chaperoned to a room and were told to wait. It was only moments before a panel of Secaro joined us, sitting at a table directly in front of us. They were giving nothing away and I could tell this was going to be gruelling.

'Gentlemen, you know why you are here. Now we must deduce the risk and decide what to do with you.' The first Secaro spoke. I took a deep breath because I knew this wasn't going to be easy.

He continued. 'So we understand, I will go through the information at hand. Jaxenayo Celestia and Izander Stottle developed a romantic relationship with each other aboard the SST Gallanther, reported it to the Captain who then reported it to this council. Is this correct?'

Both Jax and I nodded in agreement. The second Secaro now spoke up. 'Although strictly frowned upon, we cannot expect our races to mingle without something happening. It is only our natures to form bonds and become connected.

However, you both knew there was something between you and failed to report it before the relationship could take place. I see this as problem. Although I do understand that relationships take time and you may not know what it is until your already in it. Is this the same case here?'

Again, Jax and I agreed. We were in no position to start talking or try to explain ourselves. They wanted to establish facts and if they wanted to hear from us, they would ask. I still couldn't judge the situation or figure out what they were going to do to us.

The final panel member took a turn. 'Now this all seems pretty straight forward and in usual circumstances we would separate you both aboard the ship and allow you to see each other in your own time.

However, Jaxenayo Celestia will understand there is a more pressing question on ours minds which will completely change our decision today. So I shall address is to Izander Stottle -' he looked directly at me 'do you know?'

Did I know? He could only mean one thing - had Jax told me about their secret. I was struggling to come up with a clear and concise 'no'. But everyone in this room would see the lie and I had come up with something better.

The Secaro meant business today and what I said now could have serious repercussions. I went with what felt right. 'Yes.'

The look on every ones faces, including Jax, spoke volumes. Secaro never showed emotion or anything, yet here they were completely astounded. I took this silence as an opportunity to expand on my answer.

'Yes, I know. And it was only right for me to tell you the truth today. If I had have said no, it would have been clear that I obviously knew because you can't fake knowing the answer but pretending to play dumb. So I thought I'd save us all the hassle of lying to protect myself.

That being said, your secret is more than safe with me. I love Jax and would do anything to protect him and keep him out of harms way - including keeping this secret. I understand what you are doing here, even if grim times have come out of it, and I know it is for humanities own good.

You may not be able to trust me when I say that what I know will never leave my own thoughts, but it is the truth. There are many humans who would not understand and it could be disastrous if they found out.

On a final note, please don't punish Jax for this. It was all my fault that he told me - I forced him.' This was all a lie of course but if we were going to be punished today, I would rather take all the blame so Jax had a chance of a normal life after this.

I could see the hurt and confusion on his face. 'Is this true?' The second Secaro spoke.

Jax rose to his feet with a defiant look in his eyes. 'Of course it is not. I hope you can see how much this man cares for me - enough to lie to all your faces about forcing me. He most certainly did not force me - this man is practically and Angel.

So when you make up your minds about what to do with us, please consider the fact that he cares so much about me that he would lie to protect me. Surely that shows you he cares enough to never spill our secret!' His voice had turned to shouting.

'Very well. I think we have heard enough.' I couldn't read him as he spoke, but then again, the whole panel had that empty look on them once more. I was scared now - I think both our outburst could have harmed our chances of a happy ending.

The panel left the room to deliberate, leaving just me and Jax. 'I love you.' He had to know that before we were potentially split apart forever or worse.

'I love you to Izander.' He smiled weakly at me and we remained in silence the rest of the wait.

It was a good hour before one of the panel members returned. 'Stottle, come with me please.' He looked completely emotionless as before. 'And say your goodbyes quickly.' This was not good - they were already separating us.

Jax ran up to me and crashed his lips to mine. 'Goodbye...' I could see the tears in his eyes - he probably understood what this all meant. I think I was about to be taken to my death... I couldn't say anything - I just coldly walked away into the next room.

The minute I got inside, I wasn't given more than a second before I felt a jab in my neck and everything went black. I could feel myself hit the floor as I started to lose consciousness...