The Twilights: The Basics of Secrets

Chapter 6

Jay

I sent Azura back with the training box. Livia led her and the rest back to wait on The Spirit as Brie, Tor, and I meet with the general. The room he was waiting in was in another portion of the building, safely secured by the Dissent. We sat at a small table in one of the enclosed domes, waiting for the general and his crew to come in.

"So how was training?" Brie asked warmly. Her eyes were eager to know, but Tor kept staring straight ahead.

"I think she's overwhelmed. Can't blame her, it's a lot for a kid to process so quickly." I can tell that she has the makings of a Zario inside her. Zario are all connected with the kind spirits of the galaxy, and this connection allows for Zario to be able to sense the emotions of others, or at least a slight hint of what they're feeling. I could first feel her confusion and excitement about being on a new planet. But that quickly turned into alertness and anxiety as we traveled deeper into the domes. She relaxed a bit in our private room, but she was quickly engulfed in amazement at the orbs. When she lifted the orbs on her own, self-doubt clouded her abilities and soon she was emitting the aurora of fear. The self-doubt and fear will be the hardest traits Azura will need to overcome to move further in training.

"And you still want to bring a kid into all this. A kid with unstable powers at that," Tor remarked. For all his nagging, Tor was right. It was dangerous for not only Azura, but the Dissent as well with Azura being along.

Brie counter acted Tor's negative comment. "Give her time, guys. Who wouldn't be nervous leaving home to join up with a bunch of strangers. She'll come around, and you'll be a great teacher, Jay. Just play nice and have patience."

Her reassurance was enough to warm my heart and boost my motivation. Tor mumbled an off handed comment under his breath, one that was best if I didn't hear.

Seconds later, General Bat entered the room. His real name wasn't Bat, it was actually Wolfsan Parvo. He was a tall and broad wonie with dark orange skin. General Bat was his code name, like all the Dissent generals have. I've worked with Wolfsan long enough that our greeting was tame and casual. He has assigned our group with more missions than most and he was always willing to trust us. He was followed by two male and a female carpa, their long red head tails swaying behind them. They stood behind Wolfsan as he sat down in front of us.

"So, your mission to Sugloria was a success. My people are already transferring the disk you recovered to the other heads of the Dissent. I've already given your usual amount of credits to Luna." Wolfsan said.

"With all due respect, sir; we don't take these missions for the money alone." Brie informed him.

"Of course not, captain. Which is exactly why I know you'll be willing to hear about a new mission I have for you. The Dissent is always looking for ways to get information on the Empire's movement and inner workings. We recently received a transmission from the Strone 3DE System, that a soldier is willing to report Zarion secrets in that system for safe passage. We were working out details with him when his transmission was intercepted. He needs evacuation quickly."

"And you want us to go and bust him out," I finished Wolfsan's request. Wolfsan nodded his head as Brie and I looked to Tor and what his opinion was about the operation.

Tor closed his eyes and stroked the small scruff of brown and gray beard he had on his chin. Inside his mind, he was calculating all possible outcomes of the mission. "Which planet?"

"Fesnua. The city Hallon."

Tor's brow furrowed even deeper. "The Strone 3DE System has a weaker Zarion presence than most. It's a popular refugee system, but Fesnua has a stronger soldier count. A lot of mining on that planet. And cities like Halon cause even more trouble; filled with angry refugees constantly fighting the local militia. The militia will be more focused on keeping control of the city than to deal with a back-water defector. If he's higher up in the regiment, it'd be harder, but it shouldn't be too hard to find an extraction point and make it out of the city without the Zarions getting to us."

"Sounds like good odds to me," I confirmed. Brie agreed. Wolfsan's friends handed Tor a disk with all the information on it, and we were shuffled back out to The Spirit.