"The recognition in your eyes is all I need to know. This is your brother, correct?" I look at his face and then back at the picture. There's no mistaking it. The spiky blond hair and blue tuxedo coat with tails seal it. But I can't see his face. It's just a somewhat blurry shot in what looks to be woods. But I'd never mistake his silhouette. He should be dead. No, he is dead. Then who or what is this?

Alexander retracts the clipboard and taps it a few times, "Your name is Silen Stone. Your father, Chris Stone, was the leading producer in Planetary Cores until he and his two sons went into one of his main mines. It collapsed, killing him, but you two survived. Your brother contracted Core poisoning after a Neo Core exploded, destroying everyone and thing you owned, and died six months later."

He looks back at me, "Is this correct?" I reluctantly nod. I don't know how he got this information, but it's clear he's been digging into my past. He starts flicking his finger across the clipboard, "Let's see. After his death, you traveled to Calypso, where Mirin Jack rescued you from some lone sharks. He had his specialized combat trainer, Blade, teach you how to be a mercenary for six months. From there, you were employed and worked with both the main governing body of Calypso as well as the underworld. To staggering success, might I add?"

I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly. I don't usually get flustered by compliments, but I get the feeling he doesn't say them often. One thing I learned as a merc, the more someone compliments you, the more they're trying to take advantage of you.

"After a year of work, you contracted core poising," Alexander scrunches his eyebrows, "Your medical report says it was a delayed reaction. Interesting. Either way, on your deathbed, Mirin implanted a black core into your heart. Soon you were completely healed and escaped, thanks to the help of your mentor. You went into hiding under the alias " Red" and had a small stint with Sal Mary aboard her ship. Even slaying a twelve-hundred-foot Bustal leviathan by yourself. Impressive." He mutters that last word under his breath.

"That little incident caused a commotion, and you attracted too much attention, so you went into hiding. Several months later, my team got in contact with you after their blunder. No doubt making your life much harder." He stops talking after that and continues to read silently. I shift uncomfortably till I can't hold it anymore. I open my mouth, but he holds up a hand, causing me to shut it just as fast.

"You're wondering how I know all this." He doesn't look up as he says this, "Do you really think we'd let a sheep leave the pen without knowing the extensive background of said sheep?" I don't answer, though calling me a sheep hits a nerve. He hands the clipboard back to Abby and points at me.

"No, we cannot allow the sheep to leave. Not unless we believe they have the potential to become something more. If it wasn't for that core in your body, we wouldn't have taken you. I know everything about you. I know you better than you know yourself. And you are broken," As Alexander says this, he puts a hand on my shoulder.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"You are broken, but I can fix that. You have nothing left in Titan. No home, no money, and no identity. But that does not matter here. You will either live or die. It is up to you to decide for how long." He takes his hand off my shoulder and claps, "Now, as for the picture of your deceased brother, don't think too much about it. You will have no interaction with the investigation." He waves Abby over and whispers something in her ear, and she nods, " She'll take you to your apartment and to the academy tomorrow. You are dismissed."

I look between the two as Abby moves to the elevator. I can't believe this! He shows me a picture of my dead brother walking around but won't elaborate. And how did he know so much about me? Hearon and his group only came to me a few days ago. "Sir, is that all? What do you mean I won't be part of the investigation? Ho-" The man taps his sword on the ground, and I go silent. I'm not sure why. I just feel like I shouldn't speak.

"Silen, I need you to realize something. You are nothing. You have no one. What makes you think I should entertain you?" He leans toward me. I swallow hard, and my blood boils at his remark, but there's nothing I can say. He's not wrong. I ball my fist up and look to the ground. He's right. I am nothing. I feel tears start to well up but force them away. I can't break here. Not again.

Alexander turns around, "If you become someone worthy of my time, we shall talk. Until then, if you see me, do not even entertain the notion of speaking."

I walk to the elevator slowly, the gravity of my situation dawning on me. I'm in an unknown city with no connections, no money, and no choice but to stay. As the elevator doors shut, I take one more peek at the Ministry of Defense, but he keeps his back turned.

*******************

"Here is your key. Your room is on the fourth floor, suite ten." Abby hands me a basic-looking key. I look at the drab, gray, four-story building. A sigh escapes my lips. It took us about twenty minutes to walk here. I got so lost I'm not sure I could even find the previous road we were on.

"A student at the academy will come pick you up at six sharp. Make sure you are ready. There is a uniform on your bed and a clothes washer in your room. I advise you to make use of it." She turns and starts walking down the road before turning into an ally. I don't know how she walks that much in heels.

I enter the building and take the single elevator to the fourth floor. The hallway to my room is just as boring as the outside. I mutter the room number under my breath until I find it, using the key to open the door. Inside there is a small kitchenette, a double bed, and a dresser. Across from the kitchenette, two metal boxes sit side by side. That must be the clothes washer. I saw a few back in Calypso. To think a luxury item like that is just a basic part of life here.

I unfold the clothes on the bed. This must be the uniform. A basic pair of gray shorts and a gray polo with a gold EC embroidered on the right chest side. I sigh. I never thought I'd wear a polo in my life. I move to a wooden door beside ti bed and open it to find the bathroom. A small sink, toilet, and shower decorate the room.

I could definitely use a shower. Stripping off, I sit under the steaming hot water for a long time, and after, I plop onto the bed, too tired to think about anything. "Six o'clock." I mumble before my eyelids close shut.