Losses

Finding One’s True Self: Part 51

By Xan Steel

Cartina woke up one morning in the flat she was renting while she worked away from home, which was on the other side of Valdoro. She hated having to work so far from home, but ever since she had been called in to work on the Council, she never realized just how serious the Derlenian situation was. What she hated more though, was having to work against her mate, and not tell him.

Her stress level was beyond anything she had ever experienced before after hearing back from a local doctor about her current health during a routine checkup. He had called her in about a week after he ran several tests on her. He told her after he retested everything, he could only come to one conclusion. She was dying, as her DNA was slowly falling apart and gave her only four cycles to live.

At the end of every day she would cry herself to sleep. Wishing she could get help in this, but there was no help. Except, The Progenitor. Only the protein he produced could hold her DNA together. The only issue was, would she be able to receive it in time.

Cartina knew the answer lay with her mate. However, getting it from him without him raising any suspicion with her involvement in the Council, well she was unsure how to do just that. Though she suspected that at some point she would need to come clean with him. Her only worry there was, would he get an annulment from her.

***

She sighed at her desk in her office, while looking over reports that were coming in. Another ten thousand Derlenians dead in the colonies along the outer rim of the galaxy. Which would put the death toll near a hundred thousand.

No one knew why or how this had started, especially when it started happening thirty cycles ago. This was around the time they gotten a small positive hit from the computer that The Progenitor had been found on Julyna’s ship. Both Captain Julyna, and Doctor Mortora claimed it was just a piece of debris that they had encountered after discovering a Quantum Vortex not far from their ship. E’Lum, had never discovered anything in their ship’s computers, other than the fact they had one not connected to the main computer.

She regretted not letting him finish his work, but she was being pressured by the other three to get things moving. However, none of them realized that Captain Darrean was already on a mission for the Midnight Order, and instead of following the orders they gave her, continued the mission she was already on. Spying on the Kres Government as a potential threat.

There had been to many mistakes on their part to get this taken care of quickly, but they were running out of time, and now it would seem that she was as well.

She put away the paperwork she had been working on just as Fariden contacted her. She sighed softly, not really wanting to talk with him, but answered it anyway.

Cartina spoke in a tired tone, “Yes Fariden?” she answered.

He looked at her for a moment before speaking in a concerned tone, “Are you all right Cartina?” he asked.

She looked at him for the first time and felt him caring for her well-being. She spoke softly, “No, I’m not, as I just found out from the doctor that I’m dying.”

His eyes went wide in shock, “What, how?” he asked in a surprised tone.

“DNA degradation,” Cartina replied quietly.

“How long?” he asked.

“Four cycles,” she replied.

He hung his head, “I’m so sorry that we failed you and many others,” he said quietly.

Cartina sighed openly, “No, it’s no one’s fault, we did our best to get this going sooner, but apparently it wasn’t meant to be.”

Fariden gave her an angry look with a tone to match, “No it’s not our fault, but it is the GrandMaster’s fault for blocking us at every turn. If he hadn’t interfered, we could have saved you and many others.”

She looked at him with her head at a slight tilt. She understood his anger. She spoke in an understanding tone, “I understand your thoughts on this, but he has full and final authority in all matters on a galactic scale. This is something we could never override him on. For whatever reason this being is very important to him, that he is willing to sacrifice others to get to him.”

Fariden nearly yelled, “That doesn’t make it.”

She interrupted him by holding up her handpaw. “I know, but arguing it hear isn’t going to change things.”

He calmed down after a moment and spoke in a more relaxed tone, “You are right of course.” He paused briefly. “In other news, I did manage to get an update.” Cartina looked at him more intently. “Even though the Kestrel was destroyed, Julyna and two of her mates did survive. They are currently enroute to Dr. Maynar Graphra’s Station.”

Cartina sat there thinking for a moment before speaking. “I’m thinking then that the Progenitor has survived. Elsewise, why would she continue going there.”

Fariden spoke in a quizzitive tone, “I do have contacts in the Sartorgan Government. I, could have a blockade setup before they reach the station.”

Cartina was deep in thought before she answered, “No, let them be. We’ve had our chance, now let’s see if Dr. Graphra can do better.” As Fariden agreed with her. It was at this point they both received a call on their Council channel. Torid was contacting them.

***

Torid waited for a good five minutes before they finally answered and appeared on screen before him. He really didn’t like dealing with these four silhouettes and taking their orders, but until he could discover who they were, it was all he could do.

He spoke, “I’m not sure if you have received this news or not, but I wanted to let you know that the Kestrel was destroyed a little while ago. Some reports are claiming that all hands were lost. Though I’m having a hard time believing it.”

The Phalynian spoke, “It’s good that you question it, because there were forty survivors that were picked up by the Sartorgan government. The ship that picked them up is headed to Dr. Graphra’s station. We believe The Progenitor survived and will be arriving in a few days-time.”

Torid didn’t question them on how they knew the Progenitor was on that ship, and spoke up, “If you are wanting me to send someone there to collect him, I’m afraid that’s not possible. Not without asking for permission to cross the borders, and that takes weeks to get.”

The female Derlenian on the far right spoke, however her tone of voice caught Torid’s attention quickly. “No, instead we will have to wait and see what happens before we make a move.”

Torid was a bit shocked, but a single word escaped his lips quietly, “Cartina?”

It was at this point everything came to a standstill. The tension in the room became heavy to the point of suffocating. The image began to reveal itself to him as he saw Cartina staring at him. She spoke softly. “Yes.”

Torid stepped back against the railing of the console. He couldn’t believe it. His own mate was apart of this Council. So many questions ran through his head, but before he could begin asking, she appeared before him. As he heard the Sylurian mention something about a planetary transporter system.

Torid was in such a state of shock, that without realizing it, he had turned from her and started to walk away. Only to hear her voice again.

“Torid, please wait.” She begged him.

He stopped but didn’t turn to look at her and spoke in a soft yet upset tone, “Why, why should I?”

Cartina heard his tone but continued. “Because I need to explain things to you.”

He turned to look at her and saw that she was on her knees with her handpaws out in a cupped expression. He knew what she was doing but stayed where he was. “Fine, explain.”

Hearing his short-tempered response hurt her deeply, but she began to explain things. “Do you remember twenty cycles ago when I got that promotion?” She asked as she watched him nod. “I thought that was going to change everything for us. More home time, which would lead us to having that family we talked about.” She watched him nod again. “However, as it turned out, this is what that promotion turned into. I’ve never been happy here, but the roll I’ve been apart of has been of the utmost importance.” She watched him cross his arms before continuing, “The Progenitor. We need him now more than ever.”

Torid spoke, “Why do you need him so badly, that you can’t wait to see what Dr. Graphra can do?”

A tear rolled down Cartina’s right cheek and Torid caught this, “Because for the last thirty cycles, Derlenians have been dying in the colonies on the outer rim of the galaxy, and I’m a youngling of one of those colonies.”

Torid looked at her before it hit him, when he spoke his tone was both soft and confused, “Wait, does this mean you are dying as well?” he asked as Cartina nodded. “How long?” he asked. She just lowered her head into her arms while still holding that expression with her handpaws. Torid moved to her and pulled her handpaws apart and gently grabbed her head and pulled it up to look at him. “How long?” he asked again.

Cartina spoke in a meek tone, “Four cycles”

Torid’s mind began to work on a solution, as he pulled her into his arms and held her there as she wept. From the link she had with him, he could feel her regret, anger, sadness, and possible loss of him.

Torid turned to the rest of the Council and spoke, “Reveal who you are to me now, if you what to get things done quickly.

The Phalynian was first, as Torid soon discovered he was a retired Fleet Admiral, named Jartan. The Sylurian female turned out to be Hueni, The head of the S.H.O. The last Derlenian female was the previous head of the Midnight Order, Deraycor.

Jartan spoke, “Now that you know who we are, we need to know how you plan to get this taken care of.”

Torid spoke again with a matter of fact tone. “First things first, I’m taking care of Cartina, then I’ll be getting in contact with the GrandMaster and talking to him about what he plans to do. From there I’ll formulate another plan to get things moving forward. Deal?”

The other three Council members nodded to him after a moment of speaking privately with each other.

***

Torid took Cartina with him, as they both headed to his transport. Along the way he used his communication device and contacted GrandMaster Kai. Explained what he found out from Cartina, and her current condition. Kai told him to head to the Central Medical Center as she would meet them there.

Upon Arriving Torid rushed Cartina into the Emergency center and told them what was going on. This is when GrandMaster Kai appeared and took them both back to a private room and closed the door.

 Kai looked Cartina over, as Torid sensed she was doing something but didn’t know exactly what. After a moment of silence Kai spoke, “I’m sorry Torid, I won’t be able to repair the damage already done, but I can temporarily halt the degradation.”

Torid asked, “Would that buy me sometime to get her to Dr. Graphra and the GrandMaster?”

Kai looked at him and knew what he was asking. “Yes, but I don’t know if they are going to be able to help you anymore.”

Torid looked at her for a moment before speaking, “I believe the Progenitor is either there, or on their way there. Therefore, I need to get this stopped as soon as possible.”

Cartina spoke up, “There have been to many lives already lost to this in the last thirty cycles.”

Kai looked at them both, as much as she wanted to help. Doing this would have dire consequences, as she explained. “One last thing, if I do this, it will shorten the last of her life. The degradation once this ability wears off will speed up. I can only hold it back for about two months. If what you explained is true according to your doctor, it would be wiser to let this naturally progress. I know that may sound heartless, but you would have a much longer time frame. Plus, if it is true and the Progenitor is on their way there, I’m not sure what the GrandMaster, and Dr. Graphra will have to do at the start, and it could go beyond the two months timeframe I would be giving you.”

Torid and Cartina looked at each other before Torid sighed openly, as Cartina spoke, “Then it is decided that we let it progress naturally.”

Kai breathed a little easier and spoke, “I’ll inform the GrandMaster to expect you both at Dr. Graphra’s station, and what your situation is, hopefully they’ll be able to help you out,” she finished.

***

Once both Torid and Cartina got to the transport, Cartina blocked Torid from entering, and got back on her knees in front of him and held out her handpaws in that upward cupped expression. Torid spoke softly, “Cartina, you don’t have to do this.”

She spoke, “Yes I do. I’m sorry for any pain I have caused you with how things have turned out. I never wanted any of this to happen.”

Torid walked up to her until her handpaws were touching his chest and took both her handpaws and separated them. He then moved closer to her and used both his handpaws to hold her head softly, and then leaned in to kiss her deeply before speaking softly. “Cartina, I love you very much, and I want you to live a long life with me. Yes, at first I was in shock but now I’m past that and my only concern is your wellbeing.”

She looked at him as tears gently flowed down her cheeks as she softly leaned in and nuzzled under his chin in submission. After her mind had finally calmed down, she could sense that he wasn’t in pain like she thought. The thought of losing him after all these cycles terrified her beyond words.

Torid spoke softly again while holding her close, “Cartina, I’m sure you’re worried that I’m going to leave you.” He gently guided her head to have her look at him directly. “It’s going to take a lot more than working against each other to cause me to leave you.”

She smiled gently at his words and spoke softly, “Then you’ll still let me bare your young?” she asked.

“I would have no other female bare my young but you Cartina” he replied.

***

After a couple of hours, both Torid and Cartina were on their way to Dr. Graphra’s station. During this time Torid contacted a friend he had in the Sartorgan immigration system and asked if he could set them up with permission to travel to the station. He said that wouldn’t be an issue and that he would have it taken care of before they reached the station. This was a good thing, as the ship Torid was using didn’t have a Jump Drive, and it would take three weeks at high warp to reach the station.

During this time Fariden contacted Cartina and updated her and Torid with information about a colony world. He spoke, “Our intel just reported a ghastly discovery.”

“What is it?” Cartina asked.

“The dual colony on Zarkor, which sits just inside the border to the outer rim. All inhabitants were found dead.” Fariden replied.

Cartina sat there stunned before speaking in a stunned tone, “That was a large Derlenian, and Sylurian colony.”

Fariden replied, “Just a little over three hundred thousand inhabitants.”

Torid spoke, “Did they discover why they had all died?”

“DNA degradation.” Fariden responded.

Cartina spoke up, “Wait that doesn’t make sense with the Sylurians. Why would their DNA degrade?”

“I’m not entirely sure why.” Fariden said.

Torid spoke again, “Is Hueni there?”

This is when the view screen split and showed her, “Yes admiral I’m here.”

Torid spoke in a matter of fact tone with her, “Are you finally ready to admit to your government that your species is not from our galaxy, but instead the Fayriden Galaxy?”

Hueni just looked at him for a moment before she received a file from him. She scanned over the file quickly, and discovered it was the last thing Mortora had written before her death. In it she states that The Progenitor’s DNA is a complete match, and that in order to test just how complete, she impregnated herself with his seed. Even though it was a complete success it nearly killed her. After continued testing she could only come to one conclusion. The Sylurian species was his genetic ancestors.

Hueni spoke again after reading the file and applying it to what was discovered at the colony. “This is going to be difficult to explain, much less accept. There are many in the government that do not want this information to surface. Only because they fear many of us leaving and going back to the Fayriden Galaxy.”

“Why should they fear that?” Cartina asked.

Torid knew why, but Hueni replied, “Splitting a species up between two galaxies and excepting them both to survive with smaller numbers and no help from the other, due to distance. It’s almost an impossibility.” Hueni sighed openly and continued, “I’ll be honest, as it stands this information is likely to never see the light of day, especially after nearly losing the species as a whole due to a virus we didn’t even know we had.”

Torid spoke again, “What do you plan to do with this information then?”

Hueni looked at him for a moment before answering him, “I’m going to keep it and share it with those that I can trust.” She paused briefly before continuing. “It’ll take time, but I believe I can slowly spread this information. Since it is coming from the one that did in fact save us, it’s likely to be more believed. I just wish I knew where Doctor Kimen was, as he’s likely to have more of Mortora’s information with him.”

“I’ll see what I can uncover for you in his location. I’ll just need some time.” Torid replied as Hueni thanked him.

***

Over the course of the three weeks it took to get to Dr. Graphra’s station. Torid took care of Cartina in the small sleeping quarters they had on his little ship. Every few days she would feel ill, and tried to rest as best as she could. She had told Torid that this was one of the reasons she had gone to see the Doctor back on Valdoro.

Over the time they traveled, Cartina could feel Torid’s worry for her. It gave her a level of comfort, only because it reinforced his words that he wouldn’t leave her.

Torid contacted Kimen during the times Cartina slept. It’s not that he didn’t trust her with Kimen’s location. Kimen only would talk with him when he was alone. During these times, Torid filled him in on what was happening and what Hueni needed.

“Thank you for informing me Torid.” Kimen began, “I’ll send you copies of all of her work to you so that you can pass them on to Hueni.”

“I take it you still wish to remain in hiding then?” Torid asked.

“Yes, as I have managed to move a few hundred of us to this new world that, quite literally is in the middle of nowhere. Which is a rare thing to find in such a small galaxy.”

Torid lightly laughed, “Starting your own government I see.”

Kimen smiled broadly, “Yes, though I’ll be working behind the scenes here.”

Kimen to continued to share the small colonies achievements with him, with farming for their first harvest, their excavation team finding rare metals that they could use in trading, to him setting up their first school for the influx of younglings.

Torid spoke, “Sounds like you’ve managed to get a good and simple life going there, which, if I’m honest, sounds like paradise.”

“You are more than welcome to retire here, as everyone here knows what you’ve done for us in keeping our location a secret.” Kimen replied.

“One day perhaps. Right now, my first concern is my mate Cartina. I need to ensure that she can be saved.” Torid answered back.

“If anyone can, then Dr. Graphra is the only one. Wish I had access to his work though, would be great for our school.” Kimen said.

Torid smiled at him, “Once the dust settles with everything, I’ll see if I can convince the good Doctor to send you all the information you want, as I don’t see it being an issue.”

Kimen thanked him again and closed out the channel as Torid sat there reading the information that Kimen had sent him to give to Hueni. There was even a small energy package that he had sent along, that contained a small portion of Mortora’s egg. This alone would explain everything in the greatest of detail to the Sylurian government. For now though, he put this information in transit to Hueni, and went to check on Cartina before they arrived at Dr. Graphra’s Station.