GATE: First Encounter

Chapter 21

Once I had calmed down and could think clearly again, I stood up and took a deep breath. The shock of what had just happened still lingered inside me, and the thought that the intruder in my mind could take control of my body was terrifying. Just standing here wouldn't solve anything. I had to act.

As System's words echoed in my mind, I paced restlessly around the room. My thoughts were tangled, and I needed to ask someone these questions. The uncertainty of what deeper synchronization with the System might bring unsettled me. I still didn't fully trust it, and I certainly hadn't figured out what I was truly dealing with.

Then, Lynx came to mind. The only one who had helped me since day one. The only one I could possibly talk to about what was happening inside me. I tried to contact her in haste. Before I even had to think about how, System's voice resonated in my mind:

"Establishing communication with Lynx."

"Lynx?" My voice was hesitant and unsure. A few seconds passed, a faint static crackled through the connection, and then Lynx's voice came in. I could hear the faint sounds of a bustling environment in the background:

"Okan, now's not a good time. I'm on the training field and will be here all day. If it's not urgent, can we talk later?"

Trying to mask my disappointment, I replied: "Sure... alright, we'll talk later."

When the connection ended, I stood silently for a moment. Not being able to talk to Lynx left me uneasy. But who else could I turn to?

Then another name surfaced in my mind: Valsera. But almost immediately, I realized that talking to her wouldn't be possible right now. Without translation, how could I communicate with anyone? Who here spoke my language?

Maybe Commander Virel.

I considered it briefly... then quickly dismissed the idea. My skin tingled, and a shiver ran through me. Asking the man who interrogated me for help felt absurd. One wrong word, and I could end up back in a cell.

Right at that moment, as I was tangled in my thoughts, the door to my room clicked softly but firmly. I turned my head sharply. My anxiety spiked. Taking a deep breath, I stepped toward the door.

"Who is it?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

When the door opened and I saw who stood there, I instinctively stepped back. It was Commander Virel. His upright stance and piercing gaze immediately reminded me of who he was—and what he could do.

"Am I disturbing you, Okan?" Virel asked. His expression was as stern as ever, but his voice was calmer than I expected.

"No... I mean, yes. I mean, no, you're not," I stammered, trying to compose myself. The situation only made me more tense.

Virel raised an eyebrow slightly, scanning me. He stood on the threshold, continuing in a surprisingly measured tone:

"Are you alright? I toured the base today for routine duties but didn't see you anywhere. I wanted to check on your status."

I froze for a moment in disbelief. Commander Virel checking up on me was the last thing I expected. Trying to keep my voice steady, I replied:

"Yes, I'm fine... I just needed some time to rest. Time to think about everything that's happened lately."

He kept studying me carefully. When he stepped just slightly into the room, the atmosphere seemed to shift. The air felt tighter, heavier.

"I understand," he said. His voice held a rare trace of empathy. "Your first days here haven't been easy. But don't let that push you into total isolation. If you need anything, you need to tell me."