Prelude

There was an odd tension between the duo.

At a glance one of the two appeared to be a highly touted doctor, with the medical lab coat, glasses, well kept hair and even stylized shoes built for comfort, he was what one would assume to be a typical doctor. One who despite his seemingly advanced age still looked fit, unlike most doctors who made it to his age.

By contrast, his lab assistant clearly looked younger, while there were enough similarities in the face to notice a similarity, they were only noted if one stared for long enough. The reason being is that the female had the distinct features of a Cerusian. Even the hair dye used seemed to be showing through, removing the dark jet black that even the doctor supported, and showed a nearly glowing silver sheen for half the hair. At least at the roots.

The doctor just had to look down to see that the roots were already showing, despite himself having applied the chemical dye not two hours ago.

Looking at the partial hair color that was so endemic of the Cerusian people, he couldn’t help but think back to the moment he began this whole operation.

“I think this is our last one,” the Doctor said, or at least the person appearing to be the doctor said.

The shorter lab assistant just looked up with two bright blue eyes, to lock gazes with the doctor.

Just seeing those eyes caused a moment of shock to fill the doctor’s soul, for he remembered falling in love with a pair of those same eyes not two decades ago. Fortunately for the girl, her eyes were not as ice blue as the ones the doctor first fell in love with.

“We already have enough money for you to get accepted into the Military Academy in Maralla and have all years paid off even through a doctorate program.” The Doctor stated.

For her part the girl just stared stoically at the man.

Then as if trying to segway past the awkward moment, the man continued, “you know what that means right?”

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“That upon graduation I will be a full citizen of the Federation, regardless of my ancestry.” The technician said, her voice speaking slightly cold, but that was just the way of her ancestors. That was part of why they were so shunned by the rest of the universe, in that many failed to see them as anything more than uncaring automatons, instead, they just hid their feelings closer to their chests.

“Correct, in fact it is already set up. Regardless of whatever happens here, know that my one wish is for you to be accepted by the Federation, and with having a Doctorate, no one can deny you a job or state you are underqualified. Though they might push you to the front lines to fight directly against the Harbingers.” The doctor said, his voice trying to sound reassuring.

“This is because I was not accepted into the tribe?” The Technician asked.

“Yes, had you been accepted into the tribe, then you and I would have split the proceeds that we gained thus far, and I would have gone on my way.” The Doctor stated, his voice mostly joking but it was clear that there was a lot of truth to those words.

“So now the reason we are doing this one is for you?” The Technician asked.

With that the doctor just awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.

“Yeah, with you at the Military Academy, I will need just a bit of funds to get to the next town and hopefully be able to retire,” the doctor stated, though it was clear that his tone was a bit strained.

The technician seeing the man’s reaction just asked honestly, “you don’t trust this one?”

At that the Doctor paused, and held still for a moment. It was clear that he was fighting his basic impulse to lie, but for this technician he paused and then letting out a breath he answered truthfully.

“No I don’t,” the man answered honestly.

“Then why do it? Why not just leave?” The girl asked.

At that the doctor just paused and let a smile come to his lips, “one of these days, I hope you realize that answer on your own. I also hope you don’t have to find out that answer the same way I did.”

Then switching subjects quickly, the doctor looked at an imaginary watch on his wrist, though he and the technician both knew that he sold his galactic time interface two cycles back to book passage on an overfilled transport freighter heading to Myaldra.

“Oh look at that, almost time. Now tell me what you do should things go sideways?” The doctor asked unconvincingly.

Fortunately for him the technician did not press.

“My goal is to be the first one out, get to the safe, take my passport along with any and all valuables and meet you at the extraction point.”

“And if I don’t get to the extraction point in time?”

“I am to go on with or without you and meet up at destination point Bravo.”

“And if I am not there?”

At that the Technician paused as she looked into the doctor’s eyes, and that is when she saw the truth written in his eyes.

“You… you aren’t going to be there…” She said, her normally stoic face quivering slightly as she saw the truth in his gaze. Then as if uncontrollable, she began to quiver her lower lip as she realized this was his plan all along.

“Hey, stop that, we both have our jobs to do here, it’s just that we should probably say goodbye before this operation begins. Now what do you do if I am not there!” The doctor demanded, his own face and stern expression about to crack as he realized this was what he had planned for, a clean break, so she could succeed.

With that, it was enough for the technician to pause for a second before nodding her head and once again letting her cold emotionless mask take over her body as she was suddenly back in character.

“I am to proceed to the next objective and finish assimilating into society.”

“And where is the next objective?”

“The next objective is the Military Academy in Maralla, where I am to get a doctorate.” The technician stated.

At that the Doctor smiled brightly, and clasped the technician on her shoulder, “good girl. Now you know the routine?”

With that the Technician just nodded her head.

“Okay, go back and prep the chamber, and I will bring in the next subject.”

And like that the operation was underway.