Sarhea’s thoughts were conflicted as she stood behind Aleena and waited to collect her breakfast. Aleena had contacted her on the sat-com earlier that morning to give her directions to yet another dining hall. The tone in the Kalatian’s voice told her Aleena was still distressed over yesterday’s confrontation with Kaden, and seeing her friend now only confirmed this. Sarhea sighed quietly as she picked up her food in silence and followed Aleena over to a dimly lit area in a secluded corner. The nearly unbearable silence continued as they sat and began to eat. Sarhea finally could not bear the tension any longer.

“Aleena, I want to apologize for putting you in a bad situation yesterday. I should have thought beyond my anger to see how my actions would affect you. You are my friend, and the last thing I want is let my troubles spill over onto you.”

Aleena’s hazel gaze found her and watched her in silence for a moment before she finally sighed and put down her fork. She offered a half-hearted smile.

“There’s not really much to apologize for, but thank you anyway. It’s not like that was the first time I’ve been in Raith’s crosshairs. I suppose it was worth it to finally see Kaden given a taste of what he deserves,” she replied quietly.

“I still should not have responded the way I did. I fear all I did was further stress a situation that has been brewing long before I arrived.”

Aleena fell quiet once more as a critical scowl formed on her face. “Do I want to know what you are talking about?”

“I-I heard that you used to be good friends with Bud and Raith. I already suspected there was some history there from our past conversations, so it only makes me feel worse about what I did.”

“What you heard? From whom was this information obtained?”

“I ran into Nakyla last night.”

Aleena’s eyes widened briefly before she glanced down at her half eaten food. “I’m afraid to know what she said,” she finally replied spitefully.

“Actually, she didn’t say much, other than the group of you three used to be good friends, that you, Bud, and Raith were the life of any gathering. It made me realize that I’ve been focusing so much on my own issues that I’ve not given much thought to this new place that I’ve found myself in, and that if this place is to be my home, I need to correct this little problem.”

Sarhea watched as Aleena simply looked back at her with a critical gaze. She sighed quietly as she pushed her own half eaten food off to the side. She folded her hands before her on the table top as she considered how to proceed. She had questions for Aleena, but she could tell her friend was in no frame of mind to respond. She’d known that eventually, she would have to allow Aleena a deeper glimpse into her own troubled life, and it appeared that now would be a good time to do so. She looked at her clasped hands before her thoughts drifted to the safer points of her past.

“You asked me once what sub-race of Cassarian I was,” she started quietly without looking up.

She felt an immediate break in the tension. Sarhea finally glanced up to see Aleena’s wide-eyed gaze was now questioning and curious. She sighed before looking back to her hands and shaking her head.

“In all honesty, I really don’t know the answer.”

“Don’t know? I don’t-how do you not know?”

Sarhea briefly looked up to see Aleena’s expression matched the confusion she noted in her friend’s voice. She simply shook her head.

“The world I came from was very primitive. We lived in semi-nomadic tribes that moved around with the seasons. We were hunters, gatherers-we lived simple lives compared to anything I have seen since. Nothing you have here existed in my world and we never even considered there was life beyond the stars. We did not identify ourselves by species, but by tribes. My tribe, the Damiri, was the oldest and most respected, and in a way, after what I have seen, I guess one could say that my tribe was the governing force for our world. My parents…my parents were the leaders. When they died, things fell apart and my world fell into chaos. I-I was made to disappear. I suppose it was for my safety, but something went wrong. Earlier when I told you my main goal in life was to simply survive, I meant it. I lived as a vagabond orphan, scrounging off the leftovers of others.”

“I don’t understand. If your family was in a position of leadership, how were you allowed to grow up so…poorly? It does not make any sense.”

Sarhea simply sighed. It was a complicated story, one in which she could not fully share at this time. “I was very young and even now I still don’t remember much from that period. In the chaos of the troubled years following my parents’ deaths, I somehow slipped through the cracks. My earliest memory is of the elderly woman who cared for me on the fringes of our tribal lands. When she also died, I truly was alone, but I guess I was old enough to somehow survive. It was much later before it became necessary for me to face my past and remember who I was. The fragile peace that had been achieved was being eroded away from underneath, and I was made to realize that only by reclaiming my birthright would total destruction of our way of life be avoided. It was a bitter, brutal battle, but in the end, I did reclaim my tribe and the unity was restored. I led my people in peace and prosperity for two years before the fire rained down on us from the sky.”

The memory of that day years ago cause her to pause. She’d worked hard to bury the events in the far reaches of her thoughts and had no idea why they were surfacing now. The rest of the story was not part of what she’d been willing to give to Aleena, but now she had already started and felt led to continue. She didn’t look up at Aleena, but could sense her friend’s anticipation. She sighed quietly before continuing.

“We did not understand what was happening. Creatures that I had known and cared for were dying all around me in the chaos. I-I did all that I knew and trusted to do, but it was all for nothing. I found myself wounded, disoriented, and thrown into a strange contraption. I-I remember…” she paused briefly as she shook her head. She was too far into the story to stop now. “I remember looking out beyond my small prison, remember being startled to see my world from the heavens…I could only watch helplessly as my entire world, along with everything and everyone that I had ever known and cared for, was literally vaporized before my eyes.”

Sarhea didn’t look up as she heard Aleena exhale sharply. It had been many years since she’d recounted even this small piece of her story to another living creature. The emotions she’d buried so long ago were threatening to break free of the walls she’d hidden them behind.

“Are-are you saying that you were the only one to make it off your world?” Aleena finally asked.

Sarhea would not look up and could only nod her answer. She saw and felt Aleena’s hands fall over her own.

“I can’t-can’t even imagine what you went through. I knew your story had to be rough, but I never could have known it would be so…dramatic. To be in a position of leadership, helpless to do anything…and be the only survivor? How-where did a ship come from? I assume it was a ship…”

Sarhea finally found the will to look up at her friend. Aleena’s sympathetic gaze was locked onto her as she leaned partially across the table. Sarhea shook her head once more.

“In the chaos, I did not see where the…I guess it was a ship-a very small one. But I did not know where it came from, and there was no one else on board. I only remember being grabbed and thrown aboard, and the next thing I remember was watching my world disappear.”

Sarhea released a trembling sigh as Aleena’s hand tightened over her own. She glanced back to see her friend’s compassionate eyes still locked onto her. The Kalatian sighed quietly before easing her grip and removing her hand.

“Why have you decided to tell me all this? After hearing your story, I completely understand why you reacted the way you did when we first met, why you have kept to yourself. I know it must be difficult to recall such a painful story, and I’m grateful you have shared it with me. At least you ended up here, where it is safe.”

Sarhea allowed a weak smile. “Something Nakyla told me last night made me realize that keeping my past buried within was preventing me from living now and this was never going to change unless I could find a way to release it. It will take much more time, but even this first step has lifted some of the burden. Thank you for not giving up on me.”

Aleena allowed a wide smile to spread across her lips. “Well, that’s what friends are for. Thank you for telling me. I feel like I understand you a little better, and if you ever wish to share more, I’ll always be here to listen. And don’t worry-your past is safe with me.”

Sarhea allowed her own smile to widen. She may have left out several important details in her tale, but even the small amount she’d shared really had eased some of her burden. Nothing she’d told Aleena would endanger her friend’s life. Now she had to consider how to bring up her own questions. In the end, there was nothing better to do than just ask her question outright. Sarhea sighed quietly before looking intently over at Aleena.

“Aleena, after yesterday and visiting with Nakyla, I find myself curious about your story. Why are you no longer friends with the Alpha team members?”

Aleena’s smile faded and was replaced by an uncertain grimace. Sarhea’s ears swiveled back as she glanced away with a hint of disappointment.

“I’m sorry…” she started.

Aleena’s eyes widened as she sat upright. “No, no…don’t be. You’ve told me your heartbreaking story, and it’s only fair that I tell you mine…I just don’t know where to begin,” she stated quickly.

Silence fell between them as Aleena’s gaze became distant. “I suppose it’s hard to explain what happened if you don’t know how it started, but I must warn you, it’s a rather long story,” she mused absently.

“I was six years old when my parents decided to pick up our lives and join the exodus to a new world teaming with new opportunity. I remember my father telling us about an exotic place called Talos, where advancements in all sectors were exploding, and new blood was needed to bring fresh ideas to the mix. My parents were dreamers and medical geniuses-their specialty was nano tech. I think they saw it as a prime opportunity to make a name for themselves. I met Bud on the several months long voyage. He was seven and kind of alone. The other kids-they picked on him because he was not like most Kalatians. As you have seen, he is much larger than most of our species, and he did not have the mind for the advanced stuff that most were interested in. Their loss was my gain. He had a gentle, honest quality about him and turned out to be one of the most loyal friends I’d ever had.”

Sarhea couldn’t help but smile at the distant, fond look that Aleena now wore. The way her friend talked about the broad shouldered Bud suggested there was more to learn there. She remained silent for now, waiting on Aleena to continue.

“When we arrived at Keylar City, it was every bit as strange and fantastical as I had imagined stepping out onto a new world would be. Everything was warm and green, and the humidity was enough to nearly choke you. The buildings were strange, seemingly made of large sheets of glass, and I quickly discovered there were many more species here than just Kalatians. We had only been here a week before we were started to school. After the first few months, I was worried that Bud and I just would never fit in. I think every kid there picked on us constantly. I remember one day in particular, where Bud and I were encircled by a particularly nasty group of bullies out behind the gym and out of adult sight. I was doing my best to verbally defend us while Bud was doing all he could to physically protect the both of us. Just when it seemed we’d be receiving a severe beating, in swoops this skinny, wild-eyed kid not much bigger than I was. Neither Bud nor I had seen his kind before and we could only stand there and stare as he fearlessly began to drive the bullies away. Bud finally jumped in and kept one from ambushing our savior. We did not make it out of that mess without our wounds, and we all got into trouble for fighting, but we’d made another friend. That was the day that we met Raith and our lives were forever changed.”

Sarhea allowed a smirk as she shook her head. “And he had the nerve to glare at me for defending a friend,” she grumbled.

Aleena could only shake her head and chuckle along.

“We got into a lot more trouble as the years went on. Raith was not your typical Leonian. We found that out later. His species has to be the most strict and disciplined there is. There is no such thing as fun or free time. They are a very militaristic species, and I do in fact think they lived for warring.”

Sarhea’s ears perked at the information. Leonian…so that’s what Raith was. She’d been meaning to ask Aleena about this, but the right opportunity had not arisen before now. She scowled as she shook her head.

“That sounds about right from what I’ve observed from him,” she replied with a huff.

“It was not always so. You see, Raith came to Talos as an orphaned toddler barely able to speak from what I have heard. The first Leonians arrived on this world as they sought refuge from a bloody civil war on their home world. Sarsan took him in.”

“Sarsan? The same Sarsan who rules this city?”

“Yes, though back then, Sarsan was just a simple mayor in charge of keeping Keylar City running smoothly. Because Raith was technically the mayor’s son, he knew a lot about everything and got away with so much more. We learned that city like the back of our hands. Raith was the street smarts, Bud was the strength, and I was the book smarts. Nothing could keep us out or keep us down. I think our crazy escapades is where I acquired my love of electronics-I became really good at hacking electronic locks and disabling or enabling various electronic devices to use at our whim and pleasure. Life was so fun and free. We were able to discover ourselves without the pressures placed on us by our respective species,” she mused absently with a hint of fondness.

Sarhea couldn’t help but smile as well. There was such a fondness in Aleena’s distant gaze. She found herself wishing she could have seen them back then, back before things changed for her friend.

The fondness faded from Aleena’s gaze as she focused once more on Sarhea.

“What happened?” Sarhea finally asked.

“In the beginning, we avoided the hassle from our families to follow in our respective kind’s ways. But as we got older, the pressures increased, at least for me anyway. I really didn’t care to go into the medical field like my parents. Yes, I enjoy helping everyone when I could, whether physically or simply helping to lift their spirits, but my parents were not satisfied with that. They steadily began to pressure me to abandon my wild, care-free ways. They finally demanded that I go to medical school. After enough fights, threats, and constant nagging, I gave in, if only to shut them up. I hated it. Bud was lucky. He did not have the mind for anything overly advanced, so his parents never pressured him. He fell into an image of rock solid strength. He was the voice of reason that kept me sane during that time. He looks large and intimidating, dangerous even, but he’s the kindest soul you will ever meet-unless you mess with his friends. Then his attitude will match his image.”

“And Raith?” Sarhea asked before Aleena’s thoughts could drift off again. She found herself engrossed in the tale.

Aleena sighed quietly. “Raith was always a natural leader. He has-had-this infectious charm about him that could convince even his few enemies to enter into civil conversation. It was hard to ever be mad at him. Sarsan never pressured Raith, but he faced ridicule from the other Leonians. They just could not understand how he could be so care free, how he lived without their structure and rules. I think as he got older, he began to realize that isolation from his kind would not be in the best interest for his future. He began to slowly reach out to them. He joined the city guard and eventually was able to get into the military academy. He worked hard to gain any hint of recognition from them, but it changed him. It was as if there were two personalities battling for control of his mind. He was not as outgoing as he’d been and even became a little secretive. Bud and I were both worried about him.”

Aleena’s tone turned sorrowful and Sarhea got the strong hint that the story was about to take a dark turn.

“It was a little over four years ago. Tensions were high due to the unusually heavy influx of refugees. It was mainly Bud and I those days as Raith’s time was tied up between the military academy and his duties with the city guard. Bud and I volunteered at the incoming camps to assist new arrivals with the stressful transition. We were also helping to get the word out for the upcoming Celebration of Light. Normally, I avoided the festivities, but I had needed something to keep me busy so I didn’t get into trouble. I helped the medical team set up a small field station here in the mountain in case of altercations-fights among species was common, and with so many in one area, all of them nervous and defensive, we were preparing for the worst.”

Aleena paused to take a drink. Her eyes were weary and her hands were slightly trembling.

“I was somewhere in the tunnels when the first deafening explosion shook the entire mountain. Everyone began to shriek and panic as chaos erupted. I struggled to make it out to see what was happening, but I was not prepared for what I saw once I emerged. It looked like the sky was on fire. Creatures were being trampled as the masses blindly ran towards the mountain. I rushed out to help, but then fiery debris began raining from the sky. I was almost crushed by one piece. I learned later that it had been pieces of the Leonian ships that had been in orbit around Talos to monitor the expanse. I’ll never forget the beams of burning light that began to rain down from the heavens. I’ll never forget the terror of seeing someone in the path before me being vaporized in an instant.”

Aleena paused again, her hands trembling freely now with more force.

“I know what you saw, and yes, it was terrifying,” she said quietly.

Aleena could only nod. She remained quiet for a moment as she appeared to try and collect herself. She finally sighed quietly and closed her eyes.

“I remember looking back toward Keylar as I helped guide panicked citizens to the mountain. I could see the bright beams of energy raining steadily down on the city, could see the fire and smoke billowing up off the horizon. I set to work getting the citizens inside. Pieces of burning ships were raining down on our heads and killing any unlucky enough not to make it inside. I was trying not to wonder when the whole mountain would come down on our heads, trying not to worry that my friends were missing. I remember Bud suddenly reappearing, covered in blood. He was yelling for Mouser. I’d never seen such a frantic, dazed look in his eyes. I knew something was very wrong. I was the closest one to him when Mouser arrived. Bud simply turned and took off down the tunnels; all we could do was follow. I was not prepared…”

Aleena paused, her voice cracking and trembling. Sarhea could tell she was having a difficult time containing her emotions.

“Aleena, if it is too painful, you don’t have to continue,” she started, but Aleena cut her off.

“No, it’s alright. I’ve started the story and now must finish it. Besides, maybe it will help you to understand some things, answer some of the questions that I’ve seen in your eyes that you have not asked.” Aleena sighed and took a deep breath before continuing.

“When we emerged from the tunnels, we found ourselves in a war zone. There was blood, massive injuries and many dead-everywhere. I’ll never be able to forget that image. This was also the first time I noticed the energy shields and that the enemy’s weapons could not penetrate it. Those citizens who made it past the shields toward the mountain survived, depending on their injuries. Those who didn’t…We continued to follow after the dazed Bud. He led us straight towards the shield’s boundary. I first remember seeing a group of terrified children of all kinds huddled under a piece of destroyed ship. Just beyond, at the very edge of the shield, we found what remained of Raith.”

Sarhea’s eyes widened. “Remained? I-I don’t understand. He seems plenty alive to me,” she stammered.

“You see what he allows you to see. What I saw that day was the broken, bloodied body of one of my best friends. From all appearances, Raith was dead. Parts were ripped and torn, twisted in the wrong directions. His right arm…I think only a few strands of ripped tissue were all that was keeping it attached, if you could even call it that.”

Sarhea was stunned. She’d seen plenty of gruesome sights in her time, some almost as bad as what Aleena had just described, but none of those creatures were still alive today.

“How…how is it possible that he walks these halls?” she finally asked.

“Dr. Mouser. He is one of Sarsan’s closest friends and helped him raise Raith. I’m not even sure what all Mouser did, but it is solely because of his medical genius that Raith is alive today. What is even more shocking than seeing Raith like that was when he was lifted from his crumpled position, we found a small child alive-injured, but alive. He’d nearly given his life to save that one small soul.”

There was nothing Sarhea could say to properly express the mixed emotions that nearly overwhelmed her. She was quickly beginning to see why everyone acted so reverently around Raith, why Aleena spoke so highly of him. The commander was a hero and a walking miracle.

“There were several times over that first month that we thought we had lost him. Luckily back then there were still a few Leonians remaining to donate blood. I cannot remember how many transfusions we had to give him…”

“Wait…Are you saying that he is the last of his kind?” Sarhea suddenly interrupted.

Aleena hesitated and shot her an incredulous glare.

“Really? With as many questions as you have asked about this city’s species, you’ve really never noticed a lack of Leonian presence?”

Awkward silence fell before Aleena sighed and shook her head. “He’s not the very last, but close to it. Besides Raith, there are a group of five orphaned children. They are two families; one comprising of a brother and sister, and the other two brothers and a sister. The Leonian species’ survival rests on those two families and the hope that somewhere out there, another group remains. They are too proud, too intelligent a group to have been completely wiped out.”

Silence fell once again as Sarhea looked away. This story was more than she had bargained for. She’d simply been curious about the group’s past history. She could tell by the way Aleena spoke that she greatly missed her friends. There was still something important missing from this story.

“What happened after that? How did things become what they are today?” she finally asked.

Aleena offered a forced smile. “I’m getting there. I told you it was a long story,” she replied and paused to take another sip of water.

“We endured seven painful months of wondering if Raith would survive. I don’t know how many operations Mouser had to preform to put him back together. Just about every major bone in his body was broken. I’m still not sure what all Mouser did to repair his arm, but I know it involves a highly experimental, lightweight alloy metal, lots of synthetic fibers, some circuitry and nano tech. The entire shoulder is synthetic, but Mouser managed to repair the tissue and blood vessels, and put it back together in a way that looks amazingly natural…except for the scars. I’ve only seen them twice, but they are quite frightening. But it was seven months before Raith awakened from his coma. We had to be very careful. He couldn’t remember anything beyond his last actions and had no idea where he was. Mouser kept him pretty drugged up. He didn’t want Raith to know the extent of his injuries.”

Aleena paused again as she closed her eyes. A deep scowl formed as she shook her head.

“Raith changed as he slowly began to figure out what happened to him. He became quiet and withdrawn, even depressed. It was all Bud and I could do to engage him in conversation. We were all worried. It was not until nearly ten months after that first attack that things began to look up. Citizens that Raith had saved began pouring in to thank him for what he’d done for them. The most influential visitors were the children. I believe it was them who helped return his will to live. But he was never the same. He learned that the Leonians who’d survived the attacks had all since perished because they had been too stubborn to accept help outside their ranks. He vowed to not let that happen any longer. He began to organize the guards, the few remaining troops-all of them right from his sick bed. It gave him purpose again, but he’d lost what had separated him from the other Leonians. He settled into that militaristic mindset that he’d despised all those years. Gone was the carefree, adventurous, jovial friend that we had grown up with.”

Aleena’s scowl deepened as she shook her head once more. “I just couldn’t believe, couldn’t accept that my old friend was gone. I took it upon myself to try and help him remember the old days. It only seemed to piss him off. I guess I’m as stubborn as he was as I just could not leave well enough alone. Bud tried to warn me, but I did not listen. One day, Raith snapped, and all his pent up rage, frustration and pain came spewing out. I’d been the one who pushed him so I was the receiver of his wrath. It was horrible…the things he said…it hurt so badly.”

Sarhea could feel her friend’s pain even before Aleena’s eyes began to water and she began to struggle to keep her emotions in check. She smiled as Sarhea’s hand settled over hers. Aleena allowed a weak smile as she wiped away the tears.

“I know he spoke out of the heat of the moment. No one can possibly know the demons he dealt with. I know he was having nightmares. But the stress of the outburst caused a setback in his healing. I stayed away for a week to let him recover, to lick my own wounds, but when I tried to come back and apologize, he would not see me. Bud tried to be supportive of us both, but in the end, his devotion to Raith and Raith’s newfound cause won out. I suppose I unraveled after that. I fell into what many would call destructive behavior. I quit working at the hospital and started falling in with the wrong crowds. I was so desperate for social interaction that I did not care with whom I associated with. I often got into trouble with the city guards and my new friends always seemed to conveniently disappear, leaving me to take the fall for our group’s mischief. I even got caught by Bud once-that was quite the awkward moment. About a year and a half ago, I finally got the chance to face Raith again. It was an accident really. A party was being thrown to welcome Kaden to Raith’s elite new task force. Kaden was of coarse Kaden-he pissed me off, and before things got out of hand, Raith shows up, much like he did yesterday. He had that same stern look on his face, then told me that it pained him to see what I’d become. I was speechless, and when I think back, I could have told him the same thing. But it struck me deep. The encounter, however brief, prodded me to change. I ditched my destructive group of friends and started volunteering at the hospital again. I’ve had brief encounters with Raith and his crew a few times since then, and though we’ve still not spoken other than cordial greetings, he’s not been giving me that disappointed look,” Aleena finished with a sigh.

Sarhea’s gaze dropped to the table top as guilt flooded over her.

“At least not till yesterday. I wish I had kept my anger under control,” Sarhea replied spitefully.

Aleena only smiled. “I told you not to worry about that. Besides, the glare was aimed at you, not me,” she said with a chuckle.

Sarhea couldn’t help but allow a small chuckle of her own. “I guess it could have been worse,” she mused.

A clatter arose from behind them. Sarhea jumped as she turned and watched a member of the cleaning crew eyeing them impatiently. She suddenly realized she had no idea how long they’d been sitting there.

“I suppose we should be leaving before we get carted away with the trash,” Aleena joked as she stood.

Sarhea was grateful for a lightening of the mood.

“I suppose you’re right about that. And if we don’t get going, we’ll have to deal with the oldsters hogging the equipment again,” she replied, referring the frustrations of past weeks when they’d arrived at the rec center much too late.

Aleena groaned and rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’d really rather not deal with that hassle again,” she replied as they turned to leave the room.