Bajes was gradually resuming his responsibilities. He wasn't rushing to pick up where he left off, and under Da'Lana's urging, he agreed to a five-hour workday followed by rest. Bajes found himself engrossed in drafting comprehensive reports of the recent conflict whilst juggling high-priority tasks. He initiated conversations with the empress, his adoptive brother, his brother-in-law, and several close friends. Each member of the council personally reached out over a call to wish him a swift recovery and commend his efforts. Yet, Bajes yearned for recognition in other areas; the stark count of civilian casualties tarnished any sense of achievement, leaving a bitter aftertaste lingering in his thoughts.
Today, Bajes found himself scrutinizing the prospect of recommencing the temple operations. The clandestine nature of the subterranean temple, which was meant to remain a well-guarded secret, undeniably instigated the enemy assault. His viewpoint resonated with the council's consensus, sparking an enigma. What did the temple truly conceal within its depths? Moreover, another issue that was even more disconcerting surfaced - how had the adversary come to know about it? It was among their most fortified military secrets and only a select few were privy to its existence. This gave rise to an unsettled query - did the foe possess an alternate source of intelligence, or was there a turncoat lurking within their highest military echelons?
The restoration efforts projected the temple to be open in a matter of three to four days. Bajes was acutely aware that he would have to journey there, accompanied by a select few. The thought gnawed at his insides. Their previous visit to the temple had cost them their dear friend, Abdul. How should he navigate this predicament? His most pressing dilemma was whether or not to bring Da’Lana into potential harm's way. The mere idea of losing her now was unbearable. To compound his fears, if fate were unkind and neither of them returned, their children would be left parentless.
Engrossed in yet another report related to their mission, Bajes barely noticed Da'Lana entering the command deck alongside Maria. The latter snapped into a salute, her voice resonating through the room, "Ready to assume control of operations, sir."
Bajes responded with a dismissive wave of his hand and rose from the commander's chair. As he vacated his position, Maria swiftly took over, her psi link humming as it established a connection. Her voice echoed through the deck once more as she announced her assumption of command.
Turning towards Maria, Bajes instructed with an air of authority, "Should there be any developments concerning the temple, make sure I'm informed immediately. Either forward me the report or summon me back here."
"I'm signing off for now," he added after a moment's pause. "Stay vigilant."
Maria saluted again in response but remained silent otherwise, her focus already shifting to the tasks at hand.
Bajes and Da'Lana were making their way back to their respective chambers. She cast a thoughtful glance in his direction before speaking, "Bajes, you must understand... she's grappling with it too. She's burdened by the feeling of helplessness when it matters most." Bajes turned to meet Da'Lana's gaze, offering a noncommittal shrug in response. What could he possibly say? The weight of command was heavy on all their shoulders, each likely wrestling with anxieties akin to his own.
Da’Lana responded with a shake of her head, countering his silent agreement. "I see where your mind is going," she said, "but I believe you're mistaken. Do you recall our final year at the academy?" Without missing a beat, Bajes retorted, "How could I forget? That year was a nightmare. Your abduction by radicals, the injuries we both sustained... everything that could go wrong did."
Da'Lana prodded Bajes, prompting him to add, "Except, of course, my burgeoning affection for you." Internally, Bajes began to grumble. Goodness! I'm aware she appreciates my displays of sentiment towards her, but it's mortifying. I'd rather face off against an adversary than articulate my feelings for Da'Lana.
Bajes turned his gaze towards Da’Lana and found her beaming broadly. She teased, "Despite our age, you're still incredibly bashful. You can't constantly dodge emotional confrontations by battling foes."
Exhausted, Bajes retorted, "And quit probing into my thoughts." Da’Lana chuckled at his comment and countered, "You've become an open book to me now. And I promise it's going to get more intense; I'll strive harder."
Irritated yet amused by her determination, Bajes warned her, "Don't endeavor to enhance your peculiar abilities." But as Da’Lana erupted into another fit of laughter, he couldn't help but crack a smile too.
Upon arriving at Bajes' private quarters, they nestled together on the bed and began reminiscing about their shared history, particularly their final year at university—a period that had irrevocably intertwined their destinies. Bajes had been busily preparing for the grand finale, the graduation ceremony. The Empress herself was to grace the occasion with her presence, as her adopted son, Bajes, was among those graduating with honors. The university had specifically requested his attendance and that of other top students to ensure everything proceeded without a hitch. His betrothed, Da’Lana, also held one of these coveted spots while Abdul definitely did not.
Bajes and his companions arrived at the expansive auditorium, where he immediately began scanning the crowd for Da’Lana. She was a creature of habit, always ensuring she arrived 20 minutes early to avoid the discomfort of tardiness. Bajes, in contrast, had a knack for punctuality, never early nor late. As his eyes darted across the sea of faces, there was no sign of her. This deviation from her routine was highly unusual and it unsettled him. He was just about to record a voice message for her when an instructor intercepted him, bombarding him with probing questions about the Empress. Bajes held a deep affection for his adoptive mother but despised the spotlight that came with being related to one of the most influential figures in the galaxy. His heart yearned for normalcy amidst all this unwanted attention.
Countless individuals are drawn to him, not due to his intrinsic value, but because of the significance of his affiliations. Bajes responded to the instructor's inquiries and was on the cusp of leaving a voice message when he was once again disrupted as the examination ceremony commenced. It appeared that Da’Lana would be absent from this preparatory phase, a circumstance Bajes did not envy. He had no doubt that her absence would provoke a wave of grievances from the university directed towards Da'Lana.
The ceremony seemed to stretch on indefinitely. The monotonous speeches of individuals followed by a historical lecture from the dean. After enduring two hours of tedium, Bajes finally had the chance to reach out to Da’Lana. But yet again, he was interrupted. Turning towards the intruder, he found himself face to face with a human.
"What?" He snapped, his voice edged with irritation. "Can't you see I'm occupied?"
His abrupt response startled the human who quickly apologized and handed him a letter before scurrying away. A pang of regret hit Bajes for his harsh reaction as he sighed and unfolded the paper.
"We have your betrothed," it read. "We're certain you've sensed that something isn't right by now. We present you with two choices: first, report this to the authorities and she dies. We've concealed psi-shackles in the room; third row, third seat from the left. Put them on and exit through the side door directly across from the staff entrance. Someone will be there waiting for you; heed their instructions without delay or she dies.Your second option is to ignore this message, call for help, and be responsible for her death. Be aware that we are watching your every move - if you don't start acting soon, we'll execute her and vanish."
Bajes didn't falter, despite the inconvenience. His affection for his betrothed was genuine, yet he understood that her untimely demise would spark widespread turmoil if he remained passive. Bajes navigated to the designated station, fastening a pair of psi-cuffs around his wrist and securing them to the link. This action typically suppressed one's abilities. At least, this was the case for most individuals. However, it failed to completely inhibit Bajes's psi connection.
Bajes began to methodically tread towards the designated doors, his mind teetering on the brink of exhaustion as he transmitted an emergency alert. He sent a communication to Abdul: Da'Lana has been abducted, I'm tracking the abductor's commands. Summon assistance. This is not a drill.
Bajes crossed the threshold, finding himself face-to-face with another Terellian. A grin spread across his features as he greeted Bajes, "Well done, lad. Walk with me and pretend we're just having a casual chat about the latest Terellian happenings."
Bajes responded with a nod of understanding before offering his own insight, "The pace of colonization has been lagging recently. It appears there's a dwindling desire to establish homes in different systems."
With a nod of agreement, the Terellian added, "By the way, you can call me De'Rigo. And yes, you've hit the nail on the head; people have found their places and the appeal of venturing into mixed systems is waning."
Bajes and Rigo strolled leisurely, engaging in casual banter. A few students and instructors acknowledged their presence with a nod or wave, which they reciprocated before resuming their conversation. To any onlooker, they seemed like any other pair. After a walk that spanned about two-thirds of an hourglass, they diverged from the main path into an unfamiliar edifice and made their way to a lift. Rigo activated his psi link and guided them beneath the surface to an uncharted level. Bajes was wrestling with his predicament internally; he knew he was their ultimate objective. They had descended underground because even if a stroke of luck restored his psi link, it would be rendered useless due to lack of signal, or perhaps the signal was being deliberately interfered with.
Upon stepping out of the elevator, Rigo turned to Bajes and remarked, "You're probably curious about who our intended victim is." Bajes simply shook his head in response and retorted, "Not particularly. It's clear that I'm your target, most likely because you're a radical who can't accept a human being part of the royal family." At this, Rigo's expression darkened into a scowl and he delivered a swift punch to Bajes's face. As Bajes crumpled to the floor, he could taste the metallic tang of blood in his mouth. 'Just my luck,' he thought bitterly.
Bajes, despite his position on the ground, was intent on goading Rigo. He threw back at him, "Surely I'm correct. It would be unthinkable for a member of the primary family from the Deria system to align with extremists. One small misstep and your whole lineage could be eradicated. Isn't that so, Rigo?"
Rigo's expression contorted into one of revulsion as he began to pummel Bajes with his feet, shouting at him in anger, "It's De'Rigo you worm! Remember your station! I'd give anything to unlatch those psi shackles of yours and properly demonstrate our disparity."
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Bajes feigned agony convincingly. His attire was specially designed to absorb most of the force from each blow; hence it caused minimal discomfort but no substantial damage. His psi connection was partially operational despite the shackles, providing him with a safety net.
"Halt, Rigo," commanded a Terellian who had just appeared in the hallway, where Rigo was ruthlessly assaulting Bajes. Rigo cast a glance at the newcomer but didn't stop his relentless attack on Bajes. Distracted by the Terellian's interruption, he inadvertently landed a blow to Bajes' unprotected face, shattering his nose. A gasp escaped Bajes as his world swam into a blur of pain and disorientation. Unyielding, the Terellian reiterated his command, "Cease your actions, Rigo." This time, Rigo finally complied. The Terellian approached them and admonished, "We are not savages. Your frustration is understandable; yet we must address it in a civilized manner."
Bajes chuckled at his own comment. The Terellian turned to Bajes, curiosity etched on its face, "What amuses you so, human?" Unable to contain himself, Bajes responded, "It's you...your meticulous systems, your convictions, your objectives. You profess to be cultured, yet you've abducted a fellow member of your esteemed race just to get closer to a human. You're nothing more than cowards."
The Terellian halted Rigo, who was on the brink of resuming his torment. He spoke, "Ta’Bajes, your perception is flawed. We merely took her temporarily and partially she bears blame for attempting to taint our lineage with human blood. We shall set her free; she has not glimpsed our visages or any significant secrets. We will merely brand her with a sign so all may know that she sought to mingle our pure lineage with lesser creatures like yourself. Rigo, hoist him up and let's proceed."
Bajes was playing a game of borrowed moments. It was a known fact that psi shackles were not designed for disconnection, given their interference with the operation of a psi link. Typically, an external connection would be required to unlock them. However, this didn't imply they were impervious to hacking. Bajes's psi link was semi-functional, albeit strained. The signs were unmistakable; his body was gradually becoming a furnace. His internal systems were blaring alarm bells as his body temperature rose dangerously high, and a standard psi link would have automatically shut down by now to safeguard its user, allowing the brain time to cool off. But Bajes needed five more precious minutes.
Rigo hoisted Bajes to his feet and uttered, "I trust you can manage on your own two legs." Bajes, however, was not about to make their task straightforward. He allowed his legs to buckle under him, feigning incapacity. Rigo responded with a disgusted spit in his direction, but he and another Terellian were forced to haul the limp form of Bajes onward.
As Bajes and Da'Lana delved into the memories of yesteryears, Bajes broke the silence with a profound confession. "Da'Lana, I'm not sure if I've ever shared this with you. That defining day made me understand that your emotions for me were genuine, not just born out of obligation. It dawned on me then, that I desired your presence in my life, as one of the fundamental supports anchoring my existence." Da'Lana's cheeks bloomed with a greeny hue at his words, and she gently ruffled his hair. Her voice was soft when she responded, "See? You're capable of expressing heartfelt sentiments when you put your mind to it." Bajes averted his gaze; he could articulate such thoughts indeed, but it was always an uphill battle for him. They then redirected their discourse back to the sequence of events that led to this crucial epiphany.
Bajes was ushered into the chamber. Within this space, tables were arranged in a circular formation. At the center of this configuration knelt Da'Lana. She was adorned with a sound-cancelling headset, a blindfold wrapped securely around her eyes, and her mouth sealed shut with tape. An unsettling sight indeed, for in this age it was exceedingly rare for anyone's psi link to be blocked - effectively stripping them of their other senses as well. It seemed likely that she'd been sedated, given her immobility; her head hung low and her arms lay limp at her sides on the cold floor.
A sense of relief washed over Bajes, albeit a minor one. A nagging fear had been gnawing at him, an unsettling thought he struggled to believe yet couldn't entirely dismiss. The dread that Da'Lana was entwined with some fanatical faction, plotting to sacrifice herself and leave behind the tragic legacy of a betrothed lost. This complicated twist in his predicament served only to thicken the plot, yet paradoxically, it also brought him a strange comfort. Now, he felt as though he could slip from his metaphorical chains whenever he desired. Gradually, his tension began to ebb away as he endeavored to assess the circumstances more objectively.
In the room, a dozen chairs were strategically placed, with ten of them already occupied and two conspicuously vacant. It was evident that the duo who had hauled Bajes into this situation would soon fill these voids. They positioned Bajes adjacent to Da'Lana, her unconscious form slumped in her seat. The unidentified Terellian who had ushered him into this predicament produced an injection pen from his pocket. With a swift movement, he administered a dose to Da'Lana. As the substance coursed through her veins, she stirred awake; her senses of sight and hearing gradually returning to their normal state.
Da'Lana's eyes fluttered open, and her gaze fell upon Bajes. She attempted to articulate, but words failed her. She strained to reach out to him, yet her body rebelled against her commands and she crumpled to the floor. Her eyes were wide with terror, a faint whimper barely audible as if she was trying desperately to scream. Bajes surmised that his appearance, bloodied due to his injured nose, must be more alarming than he felt. He couldn't reassure her or signal others that he was alright without compromising his disguise. As distressing as it was for Da'Lana, Bajes had no choice but to maintain his subterfuge; she would have to bear this ordeal for the time being.
Rigo, along with several other Terellians, sauntered over to the table and settled into their seats. Shortly after, they summoned an individual who appeared a minute later. The newcomer was an unrecognizable soldier armed with a sigma rifle. Bajes instantly recognized the danger. Any standard laser weapon he could easily absorb without much strain, but a sigma weapon would undoubtedly tax him. Nevertheless, this was still within his anticipated parameters. Up until now, he held firm in his confidence that he could not only defend himself but also safeguard Da'Lana.
As the guard made his appearance, the Terellian who had assisted Rigo in hauling Bajes back to this place rose once more and initiated a monologue. "Bajes Terellia," he declared, "you stand accused of polluting our noble lineage. You possess no privilege to argue your innocence. This council has already decreed you guilty."
A bitter laughter threatened to erupt from Bajes, but instead he choked on a surge of agony and fixed his gaze upon the Terellian accuser, attempting to mimic an expression of terror. The Terellian responded with a derisive chortle before resuming his speech.
"Thus, you are hereby sentenced and will face your demise in this very location, at this precise moment. Your betrothed shares guilt by association. However, due to the grace of this council, her punishment shall merely be the branding of traitor upon her forehead following your execution. Subsequently, she will be set free. Guard, commence with the execution."
The warrior snapped to attention, powering up his sigma armament. Bajes stole a surreptitious glance at it - sixty seconds to full charge. He had already disconnected his psi shackles, feigning vulnerability. His strategy was to engage his psi shield at the moment of the weapon's discharge – deflecting the attack, hurl Da’Lana towards the soldier, and then rush in to disarm him. The soldier was also armed with a psi baton; between that and his sigma weapon, Bajes could liberate Da’Lana while simultaneously distancing her from the remaining dozen adversaries. Once her psi link was fully operational again, she would swiftly regain control over her body despite any residual effects of drugs, and they could begin their withdrawal.
Bajes mentally checked off his progress, content that everything was going as anticipated. The soldier's finger tightened on the trigger and chaos erupted in an instant. Da'Lana, unexpectedly regaining her mobility, threw herself into the line of fire, positioning herself between Bajes and the incoming shot. Reacting quickly, Bajes activated his protective psi shield but it wasn't large enough to fully encompass Da'Lana - he hadn't foreseen her impulsive act of bravery. In a desperate attempt to rectify his miscalculation, he expanded the shield's radius to cover Da'Lana. But his efforts came too late. The shot had already found its mark, causing Da'Lana to crumple to the ground in pain.
A surge of fury overtook Bajes, propelling him towards the soldier with a ferocity that left the room's occupants in a state of shock and bewilderment. As chaos unfurled around them, Bajes swiftly disarmed the soldier, his practiced hand-to-hand combat skills snapping his opponent's neck in an instant. Now armed with the psi baton and sigma weapon wrested from his fallen foe, he turned his attention to the rest of the assembly. His gaze locked onto Rigo, who was conveniently seated closest to him, and without wasting a moment, he prepared to launch himself at this new target.
Simultaneously, an urgent announcement blared through the speakers, "We're under siege, complete your tasks, abandon the female and evacuate immediately." Bajes felt a pang of relief but it was tainted with unease. The reinforcements wwere probably on their way for him. Yet if Da'Lana didn't survive this, he knew he'd never absolve himself. Rigo narrowly dodged the initial swipe of the psi baton only to meet a swift roundhouse kick to his face. He crumpled to the floor. His armor was advanced but not designed for frontline combat, hence presenting several weaknesses.
Meanwhile, multiple individuals unsheathed their arms, a mix of two sigma and three laser weapons, while some opted for psi batons. The laser weaponry clashed against Bajes' psi shield, a confrontation that was nothing more than a jest to him. Yet the trio engaging him in close combat proved to be more formidable. They were adept fighters, evidently seasoned by many battles. Bajes found himself on the defensive for the most part, but he was concurrently charging his sigma weapon. Once it had reached its full potential, he made a strategic retreat with a backward leap and released the power of his sigma weapon towards one of his melee opponents. The energy bolt penetrated his adversary's shield effortlessly, leaving behind a gaping wound in his chest and even piercing through to create a minor puncture in the wall beyond him.
A new communication came through, “They've already infiltrated the base, what's your status? Fall back!” Two Terellians, armed with laser weaponry, along with three of their unarmed comrades chose to evacuate the area. Bajes had the impulse to halt their retreat, but the remaining five presented an obstacle. He began amassing energy once more.
Bajes secured his baton, attempting to deliver a swift kick to the head of his adversary as he had done to Rigo. However, his opponent was quicker, sidestepping the attack and retaliating with a swift blow of their own psi baton. A sickening crunch echoed through the air, and a wave of agony washed over Bajes. His leg had been broken in the exchange, significantly impairing his mobility. Fortuitously, he still retained some degree of movement in the injured limb.
Bajes was prepared, his psi shield primed for action. He could sense the impending onslaught of enemy sigma weapons, a scenario that would inevitably cause his two melee attackers to retreat momentarily. True to his prediction, the adversary who had fractured his leg fell back while the other who had engaged him in a baton clash attempted to do so. However, Bajes was not about to let him escape easily; he anchored his foot on the ground and delivered a powerful headbutt. His vision blurred once more but it was enough to send his opponent sprawling.
Simultaneously, he activated his shield just as two spheres of dark energy were launched in his direction. His shields absorbed the brunt of the attack, repelling the enemy shots effectively. However, this exertion took a toll on his physical state. His body temperature spiked critically; an alert from his system reported a reading of 40.5 degrees Celsius - a sign that he was pushing himself beyond limits.
The battle continued, yet Bajes was barely holding his own. His sigma weapon had recharged and in a daring move, he allowed himself to take another blow from the psi baton. This maneuver brought him within range to release the sigma weapon at close quarters. The system reported a temperature of 41.3 degrees. His protective shield faltered and he took a laser shot to the shoulder. He collapsed onto the floor as the room reverberated with an explosion's shockwave. The three remaining Terellians opted for retreat, but Bajes mustered every ounce of his strength for one final action - he hurled a psi baton. Caught off guard, the enemy who was already retreating with their back turned, was struck down and crumbled onto the floor.
Bajes remained still, immobile in his spot. He was forced to shut down all non-essential operations to permit the psi link to function effectively and for his body to regain its normal temperature. He was methodically disabling features and functions, leaving only those critical for survival active. Once accomplished, he attempted to rise to his feet, but his legs betrayed him and he toppled over instantly. His psi skeletal was no longer offering the necessary support, and the adrenaline that had been fueling him had dissipated. The agony from his fractured leg demanded attention. Left with no other choice, Bajes decided to drag himself towards the center of the room where Da'Lana awaited him.
Upon reaching his destination, a startling revelation dawned on him: Da'Lana was not dead, she was still breathing. His eyes scanned her wounded body, noting that her chest had managed to avoid being fully skewered, though it bore the nasty burns of an intense heat at its surface. It was a grave wound indeed, yet not beyond the reach of modern medicine's healing touch. He swiftly unfastened her psi link shackles and peeled off the tape from her mouth before reproaching her in a stern voice. "Foolish girl," he chided, "why would you hurl yourself into the path of a sigma weapon without protection? Its force could have penetrated both our defenses."
Bajes was taken aback when she declared, "I've chosen to share my existence with you, you fool." The gravity of Da'Lana's commitment to their relationship dawned on him, revealing that it transcended mere political obligation. A sharp pang of remorse gnawed at him for ever questioning her sincerity. He found himself lost in the depths of Da'Lana's eyes, yearning to express his feelings, but his vitality was ebbing away. Yet before darkness claimed him, he pledged to stand by her as steadfastly as she had stood by him. Regardless of the circumstances.
Within the confines of their shared quarters, Da'Lana turned to Bajes and continued her narrative. "You have no recollection of it, given that you had already succumbed to unconsciousness. Yet, mere moments after your collapse, your sibling, the heir to the throne, stormed into the room with his elite forces at his heels. Upon laying eyes on us, he promptly commanded his medics to tend to both our conditions." She paused for a moment before adding wistfully, "Why must our encounters always be steeped in such circumstances? It seems we can never simply enjoy a moment of familial tranquility."
Bajes chuckled, responding, "Indeed, you're correct. Whenever my brother shows up, I'm typically on the brink of death or he's issuing directives that could potentially end my life or those of countless others. It becomes challenging to enjoy familial moments after enduring such harsh experiences..."