When I finally arrived at the human hospital, which looks every bit as normal as any other hospital would, Ben guided me through the maze-like hallways. It's already dark outside, so that makes this little trip even more mysterious.
"Ben, I didn't expect to find you here?" I said, trying to sound cheerful.
"Just be nice, Kaya, this is extremely important. I know I can trust you now."
Wow...what a serious reply! My smile instantly disappeared."Is this about Sva? Did I do something wrong?"
"No, but you are asking too many questions right now. Stop that."
"Sheesh...sorry."
"No, you don't understand, Kaya. But okay, how did your meeting with your counselor go?"He stopped in the corridor to allow me some time to talk to him.
"Bad, very bad, Ben. She knows things, has a weapon, speaks about barracks and the military and doesn't want to talk to me about Lantosian history. She's not a counselor, Ben."
"I'm impressed. You really seem to be perfect for this line of work."
"And what would that be?"
"The kind where you know when to be quiet."
"Ah...say no more."
I silently and obediently followed him to a rather secluded area in the back. The number of guards, humans only, told me that something important was going on.
A familiar face greets me, waiting for us to enter.
"Healer Nalea...been awhile," I said.
"Greetings, Kaya. It is good to see you."
My expression immediately softens, because she's without exception always nice to me. "Nice to see you too."
"Sorry, but we don't have the time for pleasantries, Kaya." Ben said, interrupting our conversation. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, making this conversation seem even more mysterious. "Kaya, we need you. This is top secret...do you understand the implications?"
"Um....yeah? No talking to other people, or else."
"Exactly. I know you are still adjusting, and I know that we asked a lot of you tely.......but this can't wait. There's definitely a human soul in that Lantosian body of yours, helping out wherever you can.....in a human way. And it seems that we humans have a natural aversion to the Lantosian Hierarchy."
"Hierarchy? I never met them before?"
"Mmmm.....it seems you still need more time to adjust."
"Okaaaaay...whatever. Please stop the cloak and dagger stuff and tell me how I can help!"
"And that's exactly what I wanted to hear. You are still Christie. You have been nothing but patient and cooperative, passing each and every test we gave you. But now you are ready for the interesting stuff. Shall we go inside?"
"Eeeh....okay?"
"Go ahead, you may enter first. Don't worry, nobody is going to harm you."
I nodded, knocked on the door, and walked inside after nobody bothered to answer me. But the second I walked inside, someone threw something soft at me...a pillow.
"Heeeeey, stop that!" But then I saw who threw the thing at me. "No way....another Taleena?" I look at Ben and Nalea who are keeping their distance from me.
"I see someone has been gathering information." Ben said with a smile. "Well done, now go ahead...talk to her. Only you can."
The room is mostly pure white, devoid of windows and there are many soft white pillows lying around everywhere. Even the walls are covered in soft materials, meaning that the room is intended to keep mental patients safe from harming themselves.
When I focus on the one sitting on the floor, we stare at each other for at least half a minute, until she says "you are.....Taleena too?"
"I am...but it's kinda a long story."
She slowly stands up and studies me from a safe distance, mostly focusing on my ears. "Are you...real?"
I nod and then take a step forward, but stop when I see her walking backwards, seeking safety near a wall. My god, what did they do to her?!"Please, don't fear me. Yes, my body is Taleena, but my soul is not."
She tilts her head. "Your...soul is not? How can that be?" Yes, she's beyond confused right now.
I turn around, looking at Ben. "Ben, can I tell her about me?"
"You can. She's...on our side."
On our side? What the heck is that supposed to mean?"May.....may I...please have your name?" I asked as carefully and politely as I could.
"Fuheehee." She almost whispered.
"Excuse me?"
"Fuheehee....it's my name. Don't you recognize it?" She seemed surprised that I didn't recognize an apparently Taleena name.
"Sorry....but I was born a human, the same race as him." I pointed at Ben. "Some Lantosians forced me into a Taleena body, destroying my human one, so I can't go home anymore. But these people are my friends. I have learned to trust them. Tell me...why are you here? Do you know?"
She approaches me, but still keeps her distance from me. "Did they torture you so much that you don't remember what happened? We are prisoners of course! At least...I am! The Draga captured me, my family...everyone. They put me in a cryopod...and I woke up here a few weeks ago."
"It's been three months already, and she still doesn't trust us." Ben said.
I ignore him and sit down on my knees, hoping to convince her that I mean no harm. She seems to have difficulties understanding that I'm not a real Taleena like her, so I have to slow down the expnations as much as I can. "They asked me to help you. I know things are difficult right now. You don't know who to trust, just like me a while ago, but I trust these people. I told you what happened to me, so please, won't you trust me?"
"They are going to experiment on us." She pointed at Nalea.
I look at Ben and see him shaking his head, after which I reply "no, Fuheehee...they won't. Unlike the ones you met, these people are not evil. About 200 years have passed since the war on Lantosia. I only learned that this afternoon. If I'm not mistaken, you and I....are all that's left."
She blinks and tears are forming in her eyes. "Nooo.......it can't be true? Millions...gone. They told me the same...but I couldn't believe it. But you....you are like me. Even though your soul is...different."
"I know that I'm different." I smiled, because I really am different.
A cautious smile appears on her lips for a moment. She then rushes over to me, kneeling as well, followed by a tight hug. Not even a second ter is she rubbing my right cheek, and I have no other choice than to reciprocate.
"What is yours?" She asked.
"My what?"
"Your name...dummy." She whispered in my ears.
"Oh...I'm Kaya....at least that's my new name."
"What was it before?"
"Christie."
"Kiwi?" She sat down and faced me.
"Sure...why not. But just call me Kaya, okay?"
"I will. Finally....one of my kind. Wait....so ....you're not a prisoner?"
"No, not at all. And...Ben? Can she please leave this pce? This pce sucks." Well, I'm not a real prisoner, only a prisoner of my situation.
"Of course, sport. But not just yet."
"See, Fuheehee? You're not a prisoner. I'll tell you everything I know and they will keep you safe, just like they protected me. In return, please tell me about the Taleena. As strange as it may sound, I am one now."
We stared at each other for a few moments, until her smile grew wider. Her hair and furry ears are the exact same color as mine, pure white. I can't expin it, but it's like we're family. There's a connection between us somehow. Sure, her hair is a mess, but her way of speech is gentle. This can't be a bad person. She also can't be much older than I am. And let's be honest...she's cute when she smiles. 9 out of 10 points on my cuteness index!
"I will trust you, Kaya. There's something comforting in your voice and I can see it in your eyes too. You really are like us. Even if your soul is from this world."
I gnce at Ben. "Ben...when can she leave?" He approaches me, and I instantly feel Fuheehee hugging me again. She startled me, so I pat her back, showing her that she's safe. "Shhh....you are safe with me, I swear."
"Kaya....as soon as she's calmer, we'll let her out. But we first have to fix her hair color. We don't want to tip off the Hierarchy that we have revived her. As for how she got here, Nalea, would you please do the honors?"
"Of course, Ben. Kaya...listen closely.
She arrived here on a Lantosian transport, 6 months ago, in an ancient cryogenic container. Ben's team intercepted the cargo during an inspection of newly manufactured space portal components, and he confided in me. Together we kept this discovery hidden from the Hierarchy. So please.....don't talk to anyone about this."
"I promise, Nalea. But why tell me?"
"Can't you tell? You are like her. She refused to even talk to us." Nalea then looks at Fuheehee. "I hope, Fuheehee, that you will learn to trust us. We oppose the Hierarchy."
"You do?" Both Fuheehee and I said in unison, making Nalea smile.
"Another thing to keep secret." Ben said. "Suspicious activity like hiding her cryogenic pod is occurring more frequently tely. Something's going on, and we're trying to find out what. So we need your and her help. We're not sure yet, but it seems that the Hierarchy is involved. Will you two help us to protect this pnet from the Lantosian Hierarchy?"
I have no idea how I could possibly help with that, but I'll definitely try!Both Fuheehee and I nodded, after which we properly sat down next to each other, listening to Nalea's expnation.
"It's absolutely disgusting how they treated her. She was supposed to be used as a test subject 200 years ago for a cryogenic experiment. That much was clear."
Fuheehee nodded and added "Kaya, they called us filthy animals. Our supposedly animalistic behavior was disgusting to them. How we slept...ate....everything. Tell me...do you really trust those two?" Her face showed disgust and hatred when she spoke about her past.
"Trust is earned and I had the exact same trust issues as you have right now. These two have helped me from the beginning and never lied to me. But yeah...I believe they are good people."I look directly into her eyes, so she can see that my reply is honest.
Nalea kneels next to us. "Fuheehee....we need to change your hair to a darker color, so you resemble us. We will also give you a new name, like Kaya."
"I can't believe it.. pretending to be my enemy so I can survive." Fuheehee is shaking her head.
"We're not your enemy and the war ended centuries ago. But the animosity towards your people still exists."
"Alright, Healer. I trust Kaya...and therefore I will trust you. Change my hair color if that will keep me safe. But hers as well." She points at my hair.
"Sorry, but we can't do that." Nalea said. "As much as I want to, the Hierarchy is already very much aware of her appearance, as are many other people. We told them that Kaya has a rare medical condition, but we can't use the same excuse twice."
"Oh....okay, I can certainly understand that. Then please change my hair color."
"Very well. I think you'll make a great brunette." Nalea smiled. "Maybe a bit lighter in color. What do you think, Kaya?"
"A brunette? Yeah...I think she would look totally amazing like that." I couldn't suppress a smile.
Fuheehee blushed for a moment, finally showing signs of rexation and more importantly... trust.
Ben said to me "let's give them some privacy. She needs to get dressed and such."
"Please! Stay with me...don't leave me!" Fuheehee cried, while hugging me.
"Shhh.....I promise to keep you safe. We both share simir fates. But you have to get dressed, it's evening and very cold outside. After that we'll....wait...Ben? Can she join me in my quarters for a while at least?"
"Of course, I was about to suggest that. You have the space, don't you?"
"Exactly. So...Fuheehee....do you want to join me? I'll share my home with you."
She nodded while her face was leaning against my shoulder. I could hear her sobbing. "Yes.....
"I promise I will do that. Just an hour or so and you'll be with me. Just you and me. All the time you need. Are you hungry?"
"Very."
"Then you'll join me for dinner as well. It's already getting te."
Nalea smiled at the sight. "Before you go, Kaya. We still need to name her. How about....Kanhildr?"
"No....bad memories." Fuheehee said immediately.
"And I don't like how it sounds." I added.
"Okay...that's a clear 'no.' How about... Mia, daughter of Nami? Nami is my mother's name."
"Yes, that sounds cute!" I blurted out.
Fuheehee blushed again and nodded, avoiding looking into my eyes. "If Kaya agrees....so do I. I accept. My name is now ...Mia!"
I gave Mia a strong hug, showing her my support once more.
"I could also name you daughter of Funami? Do you approve, Kaya? You could be sisters?" Nalea suggested.
Ben shook his head almost immediately. "Better not, since it might raise some questions. Especially when they look at their DNA. Definitely not reted."
"Good point. Okay, Mia, daughter of Nami....now I have two daughters!" Nalea said with a smile.
"Huh?" Mia didn't understand.
"Ah, Nalea named me as well. And Funami is her grandmother's name. So I guess we're family now!"
This caused Nalea to pull us into a group hug."I'm so proud of you two. Even though we are not reted by blood, we're family now. If you two need anything, know that my arms are always wide open."
"Thank you....Nalea." We both hugged her, even though my parents are still very much alive.But what else can we do when someone says something as amazing as that?
"Ben?"
"Yes, Kaya?"
"How do you expin where she came from? She didn't exactly arrive on a transport? I mean, in the usual way."
"Don't worry, we have our ways...please don't ask."
"Gotcha," I nodded once. Sometimes it's best not to know too much.
About an hour ter I waited in my quarters for Mia to arrive. When the front door finally slid open so I could welcome her, I was amazed by how different she looked.
She's now wearing a simir uniform to mine, but that's the least of the surprises. Her hair and furry ears are no longer white but brown, and it suits her very well. I can tell that she's trying to act as normal as possible, and that impresses me, considering the circumstances.
"Wow, Mia....you look amazing! Like a whole different person!" I tried to give her a compliment, hoping it would make her feel better.
She didn't reply, but appears to be blushing a bit. Perhaps telling her that she looks great as a Draga wasn't the best of ideas.
"Please, please....come in! Ben, too!" I motioned them to get inside.
"Sorry, but I have other pns, Kaya. See you soon....in my car?"
"Your car? Ahhhhh...okay, sure."
Ben left us and I gave Mia a few minutes to look around.
"Like the pce, Mia?"
"Like? It's huuuuge!"
"Ha ha ha...my thoughts exactly. Apparently it's compensation for what I had to endure. So they gave me some luxury."
"Everything looks so...advanced. So many buttons." She pointed at the door panel and then let her fingers glide over the funky alien artwork near the door.
"Yes, I know what you mean. It took me a few days to get used to the technology. But I'll expin everything I know. There's so much I want to tell you...but I know so little about the Lantosians. I used to be human until recently. Just tell me when it's too much, or if you want to learn more. I can't believe how much you have suffered." She lost everything and everyone.
She approaches me again, stares at me for a few seconds, then pulls me into a strong hug. Now that she's standing, I notice that she's actually a bit taller than me. "Kaya, thank you for taking me in." Her voice is filled with raw emotion, telling me that she is probably about to crash...just like me back then.
I whisper in her ears "it's the least I can do. And I think we're very simir. Not just the appearance, but also how they used us. I can't believe the Taleena would ever do such a thing."
"No, we would never harm others. Never in a million years. So...Kaya?"
"Yes, Mia?"
"He he he...I really have to get used to that." She releases the embrace and looks at me with a smile, after which she uses her index finger to wipe a tear away.
"You'll get used to that in a few days, trust me. Is there anything I can do for you right now?"
"I'm hungry. Do I need to hunt for food?"
"Ha ha ha......wait...are you serious?"
"Yeah?"
For a moment I thought that I saw her fangs extending, but that must have been a trick of the mind. In any case, she wasn't the only hungry one."Okay, then let's go to a restaurant. I know the owner very well, she's my friend. She would love to meet you!"
"Then let's go!"