PART II: The Needs of the ManyCSS LEGEND, GENERAL’S OFFICE (1 WEEK AFTER SIRELI’S CAPTURE)

  “I swear, too much sugar will kill you before any Rebel or alien, Val,” Bull chastises. “You should at least work out more often to burn those calories.”

  Right now, the two are on a break, sitting at a small coffee table while enjoying their beverage of choice. Bull holds a bitter iced coffee while Valerie has a caramel and vanil milkshake.

  With a pout, Valerie responds with the first thing that comes to her mind: “Are you saying I’m fat!?”

  “No, of course not! I–” Bull stammers. Valerie giggles at his flustered face.

  “Because you seemed to love my waistline st night~” she flirts. “Mmmm… Just thinking about it is giving me shivers…” She pushes her breasts together to exaggerate their size, nearly ripping her shirt in the process.

  “You’re hopeless,” Bull sighs. Valerie childishly sticks her tongue out. “And you don’t need to break down my door if you’re lonely. Just text.”

  “So you can leave me on read? My way is faster.”

  Bull doesn’t enjoy sex as much as Valerie, so the two usually sleep in separate quarters. While this keeps the tter more pent-up than she’ll admit, Valerie would never cheat on him. Still, she’s been tempted many times, especially when the Legend takes Human prisoners.

  Of course, this doesn’t include all the times she and Raine (even though Raine identifies as asexual) and their other female comrades get handsy in the showers. Valerie may be straight, but being a squad leader and big in more ways than one makes her very desired by other women. Luckily, aware of his lover’s need for “girl time,” Bull chooses to allow it.

  “Did you see the test from Arkedonia? Congresswoman Knightley lost the election.” Seeing Bull desperately trying to change the subject, she instantly regrets making him uncomfortable and fixes her shirt.

  “Really? Dang, I forgot to vote again,” Valerie responds half-heartedly. “What was the other guy’s name? Weller or Walce… something?”

  “You’re way off, Val,” replied Bull, frustrated at his girlfriend’s ck of political knowledge. “It’s Warren, Benjamin Warren.”

  “He’s a newcomer to politics, but he’s already made it to the top. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, I heard he has roots in Taecho.”

  The Taecho Sector is the most backward region of the Gactic Confederacy. Overpoputed and underfed, it wasn’t known for rags-to-riches stories. While it may be a cynical notion, Valerie believed a Taechoan could never gain so much power without foul py. She makes a mental note never to trust this Warren guy.

  “Our colleagues in other Sectors say he’s awfully conceited. He isn’t that nice in front of the media either,” Bull continues.

  “Gd I’m just your 2IC and don’t have to deal with him,” Valerie admits. “He and the rest of Gactic Congress will be too busy obsessing over dumb rich people shit anyway. Like the upholstery in the Patine Building, or the Human condition. Whatever that is…”

  “Not exactly,” Bull disagrees. “Maybe I should have you join my meetings with our Congressman. I’m sure you’ll learn a lot.”

  Even with telepathy, Valerie can’t tell if Bull was asking or threatening her. “That would make you a workpce bully and an abusive boyfriend,” she replies. Bull wasn’t amused.

  “Onto a more important topic, what’d you do to Sireli? The information she’s shared over the st week has been invaluable.”

  In the week following her capture, Valerie has “interrogated” Sireli almost every day. Of course, these sessions usually segued into long, secret conversations, but she did acquire lots of information for the war effort.

  “Progress on the Veriyan front is better than ever. Hayton Industries even sent me a note of thanks for all the scrap we’ve been sending them.”

  “She’s just been very cooperative,” Valerie fibbed. “Can we keep her, please~?”

  “She’s a prisoner of war, not a stray kitten!”

  “But I’m a dog person, Isaac. Cats scare the juice outta me…” Bull was once again unamused by her humor.

  “Besides, intelligence says a leader in the Ghiio Tribes called Aralna Kresha Ghrian is pnning to negotiate for her return,” he adds.

  “That’s great! I wonder if you can get them to trade one of their Arrowheads. Imagine what we can make with a perfectly intact cloaking device.”

  “You know I’m not a diplomat. Take up your suggestions with the representative I send.”

  While Bull was talking, his cell phone buzzed in his pocket. There was a text from an unknown number:

  In case you don’t follow the news, I am the new Gactic Congressman of the Regis Sector and Eliza Knightley’s successor, Benjamin Warren. I request a private meeting with you immediately.

  “Sorry, Val, our tea break will have to be cut short,” Bull apologizes. “Congressman Warren wants to talk.”

  Valerie frowns. Like always, Bull was putting his work before her. Plus, she already decided she didn’t like Warren.

  “Don’t worry about it. Sul asked me to help whip the newbies into shape anyway,” she answers, resorting to sour grapes.

  “I’ll take my leave, Isaac.” Then, with lightning speed, she pecks him on the cheek. “Love ya~”

  Valerie chugs the rest of her drink and throws the cup into the trash on her way out. Bull thinks he can hear her muttering to herself, something she tends to do when angry.

  “I love you too…” he answers about five seconds too te.

  Bull lightly touched the spot where Valerie kissed him with a smile. It was slightly sticky from the sugar on her lips. She may be frivolous and immature, but these little moments will always brighten his day.

  After locking the door to his office and covering its windows, Bull turns on his desk’s computer to video-call Warren. At the same time, he shakes off his prior emotions and assumes his usual professional expression.

  After two rings, Warren picks up. His face is smooth with few lines due to his youth, and he wears a crisp bck suit with no tie. His only accessory is a small pin on his colr shaped like a sword and shield, the symbol of the Ares Party, a political faction founded and led by him. Based on his confident appearance, no one would guess he was from Taecho.

  After deciding he was mentally prepared, Bull takes a breath and starts with a standard polite greeting. “Gactic Congressman Warren, I am General Isaac Bull. I look forward to working with you and–”

  “I’m going to stop you there, Mr. Bull,” Warren interrupts. While he spoke somewhat slowly, his diction was powerful and reserved at the same time. The fact he didn’t call Bull “General” also spoke volumes. “These formal introductions are a waste of time, and I am a very busy man.”

  “…My apologies,” Bull quickly backs down. As a soldier, he knew better than to start arguing with a politician.

  Wasting no time, Warren curtly reveals why he called:

  “Now, I took time out of my schedule to talk about the Ghiio Tribes. I have decided to change your pn. You will use these talks to assassinate Aralna Kresha Ghrian. Keep the prisoners until they have no more information to share, then get rid of them too.”

  Bull couldn’t hide his look of surprise. For politicians to give orders to GSAF wasn’t unheard of, but they never issued commands in such a btant way. And most of the time, their suggestions to the Defense Cabinet get gradually pushed to the bottom by bureaucracy.

  “With all due respect, the Veriyans are the only race without a predisposed hatred for Humanity,” Bull debates. This was the very thing he reminded himself not to do, but he couldn’t stop himself.

  “We haven’t wronged them on a cultural level like with the Scythe and Deldraka. This action will only give us another enemy. Between the alien states, the Rebellion, and organized crime we’ve got a lot on our pte. So, I’ve elected to deny your changes.”

  “Do you think I’m an idiot, Mr. Bull?” Warren asks in a passive-aggressive tone. “You and I both know the Veriyans aren’t going to consider peace with us ‘faithless Humans’ because of their religious pride.”

  “Meanwhile, if someone like Ghrian is killed by Humans, it’ll send a very clear message to them. Best case scenario, they interpret it as a bad omen from some higher power and stay away for good.”

  Everything that just came out of Warren’s mouth was pure conjecture. Yet, Bull knew this wasn’t a sign of naivety. Rather, it seems Warren is subtly trying to test him.

  “I still must object,” he asserts. “I won’t risk the lives of my soldiers on your assumption.”

  Warren gres coldly at Bull, a clear indication that he failed the test.

  “Mr. Bull, regardless of your rank, you’re still one of those soldiers. Your job is to carry out the will of Gactic Congress, regardless of your personal feelings, right?”

  “Actually, GSAF’s true purpose is–”

  “I don’t care,” Warren cuts him off again. “Your purpose is what I decide it is. So, do as you’re told, or I’ll find someone who will. You aren’t indispensable, is that clear?”

  In a few seconds, Warren had trapped Bull in a prison of words. “Crystal,” the General answers hesitantly.

  Warren’s chapped lips curl up in a wry smile. “Excellent. I know you won’t fail, Mr. Bull. Have a good day.” And with that, the Congressman hangs up.

  After his talk with Warren, Bull realizes two things:

  One, Warren was clearly a malicious individual. Bull may not know his true goals, but it’s safe to say it isn’t “to contribute to society and Humanity.”

  And two, the st few minutes just reminded him of all the reasons why he avoids politics. Bull realizes he should apologize to Valerie for suggesting that she meet Warren too.

  Deciding to not think about it further, Bull quickly types an urgent email and sends it to all the necessary personnel:

  Report to the wardroom for an update on the Ghiio Tribes negotiations immediately.

  CSS LEGEND, WARDROOM (AFTER AN EXPLANATION)

  Expectedly, the meeting quickly turns into a chaotic all-out battle between opinions. One of the majors manages to cut through the chaos and speaks up.

  “This is absurd!” she cries. “We ought to inform the Defense Cabinet about Warren’s cockamamie scheme!”

  “Even if we tell them, what difference will it make?” Valerie shoots her down. “Only Bull will be affected, and they won’t care about the troubles of one officer. We’d be wasting our breath.”

  Meanwhile, a practical propaganda official also throws in his two cents. “Maybe Warren’s pn has some promise. If we can’t get out of it, shouldn’t we just go with it?”

  “You mean to send more men and women to their deaths!?” the major shrieks. “I don’t think so, you fu–!”

  “Everyone, quiet!!” Thankfully, Bull’s angry shout immediately silences the room.

  “We are soldiers of GSAF, protectors of the Gactic Confederacy and Humanity. That is our purpose,” Bull starts.

  “But, as a commander, I have to ensure the safety of my subordinates. To be blunt, Warren’s pn is stupid, both tactically and diplomatically.” Many of the other officers agree with Bull’s rational argument.

  “While I don’t pn on killing Ghrian, he did present a valid point,” he goes on. “Ever since we encountered them, the Ghiio Tribes have pushed us around and will likely continue to do so. That is why we must push back.”

  “Yet, an assassination and massacre will only piss them off, not make them afraid. So, I called for a specialist who can help.”

  Bull gestures to a man who had been silent until now in the back of the room. Unlike the others, his suit was gray instead of blue with the crest of the GSAF Independent Special Missions Unit (G-ISMU). As a military division dedicated to testing experimental weapons, it’s uncommon to find members of G-ISMU aboard a warship.

  “Mr. Khan, please come up,” Bull commands. As he walks to the front, each step makes a small whirring noise, indicating his legs are mechanical prosthetics.

  “This is Jamar Khan, some of you know him as Hoarfrost. Before his transfer to the Legend, he was a Psi-Hunter for the Silencer Initiative.”

  “His former assignment required him to have advanced knowledge of the principles of psionics. He also has access to cssified documents on the subject.”

  “Without going into the specifics, I believe we can permanently shut down the Veriyan synth-psi weapons using a modified EMP device,” Khan expins, knowing most in the military have little scientific knowledge if any.

  “The shock of suddenly losing their ability to fight mid-battle will be an effective statement,” he adds. “Yet, we’ll need to coerce them into a single engagement to inflict maximum psychological damage.”

  “To do that, we’ll set up a temporary base two klicks from the arranged meeting pce,” Bull decres. “We’ll fire artillery from there, it should get their attention.”

  “All assignments will promptly be sent to your commanding officers. Our deadline isn’t for three days, so that gives you two to finish preparations.” Bull salutes his officers. “Glory to Mankind. Dismissed!”

  Soon, everyone clears out except Valerie whose usual smile has been repced by a scowl.

  “This is wrong,” she says.

  “How many times do I have to expin this, Valerie?” Bull scolds. “Aliens don’t understand morals, we shouldn’t treat them like they do.”

  “Still, is it necessary to feign peace to get an edge? There are better ways to win, Isaac.”

  “Believe me, if there was a better way to protect the Confederacy and keep everyone alive, I’d take it. But that’s not how the gaxy works.”

  “There is a way, you idiot!” Valerie shouts. “Disregard Warren’s orders and make peace with the Ghiio Tribes. Be the general that starts a movement to reform the Confederacy.” Bull sighs and shakes his head.

  “Over my dead body and the bodies of everyone on this ship! I swear, you’re sounding more like a Red every day!”

  “Like it or not, peace with other races is impossible. More importantly, it’d mean that those who id down their lives for us died for nothing.”

  “Look, the way I see it–” Bull puts up his hand, signaling that he wasn’t in the mood to argue.

  “We can debate ethics another time. For now, head to Sireli’s cell and get some technical information out of her. It’ll help Khan build the weapon.”

  “Tch, fine…” After taking a step, Valerie turns back. “But this conversation isn’t over!”

  CSS LEGEND, MAXIMUM SECURITY BRIG

  “Greetings,” Sireli says politely as Valerie enters her cell. After a week in Human captivity, Sireli’s English has greatly improved, allowing her to communicate with Valerie much more effectively. And while Veriyans as a race are naturally intelligent, especially females, Valerie thinks Sireli would be considered well above average.

  “Hello, again,” Valerie says, trying to appear curt.

  “What do you ask of me this time?”

  “Technical information.”

  “What for?”

  “Can’t answer that.”

  “A shame. I thought we’ve grown close–”

  “Shut it, you monster!” With that, Valerie abruptly sps Sireli across the face. However, she intentionally hits her with her fingers to reduce the pain.

  Then, she leans toward her Veriyan friend’s pointed ear, speaking in a very small whisper. “Watch what you say, friend. Cameras are still on.”

  Sireli nods knowingly. “One of the officers you captured is my engineer, she is called Aiotarn,” she reveals. “Take me to her and she will comply.

  “Fine. On your feet.” Sireli does as she's told and holds her hands out to be cuffed. “Uh… there’s no need for that.”

  “Did you not just–”

  “It’s fine, really,” Valerie reassures.

  UNCLAIMED TERRESTRIAL PLANET

  With neither a name nor a fg, this pnet was an uncimed world without intelligent life, making it neutral territory.

  Using advanced prefab kits, the Humans were able to construct an entire military base and a dozen artillery cannons in a matter of hours. While Ghrian and her aids wait two kilometers away, GSAF prepares for combat.

  With Sireli’s unknowing aid, Khan and the Legend’s engineers were able to create a “synth-psi incapacitation pulse bomb.” While it can disable all Veriyan technology within 50 kilometers, it required time to fully charge.

  UNCLAIMED TERRESTRIAL PLANET, GSAF CAMP, 2ND BARRICADE

  It didn’t take long for Ghrian to discover the Human military camp, and she realized they intended to betray their agreement. She scrambles all her warriors to storm their position with her personal guard, Rivartro, leading them.

  While the Ghiio Tribes had numbers on their side, GSAF was more experienced in atmospheric warfare and had an entrenched position. Naturally, Mirror Squad were the primary defenders of the pulse bomb.

  SNAP

  In two deft motions, Valerie breaks a Veriyan’s neck under her arm while shooting another. She then spots a soldier bleeding out on the ground with a glowing Veriyan spear through his chest.

  Approaching him, she takes off her helmet to reveal a gaze of compassion. “We can be stronger together,” she encourages. “Let me help you.”

  After pulling out the weapon, she presses one hand on the wound while keeping the other on her chest. She closes her eyes to focus, and when she opens them, they’ve turned completely purple. The soldier feels a rush of strength as his wound closes, and Valerie winces as she feels pain in the same spot. In time, a perfect bance was achieved between the two.

  “That should do it,” she sighs. The soldier smiles at her under his helmet, picks up his weapon, and jogs off to rejoin his unit. “Heh… you’re welcome, Benny.” Of course, she read his mind to learn his name.

  As Valerie continues to fight with Mirror Squad, the comm inside her helmet beeps. “Yes, de– er, I mean, General?”

  “Be advised, Star. My scouts detect another wave approaching,” he announces. “Khan says the pulse bomb will be fully charged in just a few minutes. You must hold out until then.”

  “Fine by me, my team can do this all day. Star out,” she says while deactivating her comm.

  Then, Lewis comes running up to her, returning from a scouting run. “I picked up more hostiles, Vice General,” he confirms. “A hundred meters away and closing fast.”

  “Hahaha!” Raine ughs at his words while reloading her rotary rifle. “Time to give these four-armed zealots what for!”

  BANG BOOM BANG-BANG

  As Mirror Squad holds their position, a powerful Veriyan warrior carves his way through another barricade single-handedly.

  “Know my name, Laveg Rivartro! Hand of Ghrian!” he roars.

  Rivartro sughters Humans left and right with his spear-rifle while shrugging off bullets and explosives. Seeing a V-10 tank aiming its cannon at him, he calmly switches his weapon to its rifle form. After taking a moment to aim, he fires a bolt right down its gun barrel, destroying it in one shot, and thumps his chest in celebration.

  “You Humans are past forgiveness! Ghrian mekis tayis’vurand!”

  Not far away, Raine watches the entire scene through her recon visor. “Holy shit, did you see that, V!?” she excims. “That guy’s an animal! Our troopers are dropping like flies around him!”

  Hearing that, Valerie snatches the visor to take a look. “No… that’s not good,” she mutters. “They won’t st much longer over there, and we can’t let even one Veriyan through.”

  While handing it back to Raine, Valerie also takes one of the frag grenades from her belt. After priming it with the press of a button, she lobs it at a group of Veriyans. It hits one and explodes on contact, turning them into piles of dull green gore. Raine just watches in awe at her little sister’s precision.

  Fuck, she’s hel cool…

  “Raine, you’re in charge,” Valerie says while drawing her pistols. “I’ll take care of Rivartro.”

  Raine quickly grabs her friend’s armored shoulder. “Nuh-uh. I’m going with you.”

  “Not a chance, sis. Stay here, and hold this spot. That’s an order.”

  “Screw your goddamn orders, I’m your big sister!” Raine protests.

  “Lani!”

  “Okay, fine, I’ll hold down the fort! But if things get too hot, call for us right away!” Valerie nods knowingly at Raine and teleports away.

  *fsh*

  “Heya.”

  “Oh? Another challenger?” Rivartro sneers. “I have gotten this far. What makes you think you can stop me alone?”

  “Andara vun’avek!” she cries in Verispeak, using the phrases Sireli taught her. “Kayzata, barok lek vaxa’kiv, Valerie Star!”

  She speaks our nguage!? Rivartro thinks. And to challenge me in such an insulting way… this “Valerie Star” is no ordinary Human.

  Valerie couldn’t help but smile from Rivartro’s bewildered thoughts. Luckily, telepathy negates nguage barriers since she was nowhere near fluent in his nguage.

  Valerie charges up psionic energy in her left hand. Then, she unches a huge wave of psionic fire, igniting a munitions crate near Rivartro.

  KABOOM

  “Guk–” The explosion unches the Veriyan warrior into the air. He nimbly tucks and rolls as he hits the ground. “You are aralrax, Human?”

  “If I had a nickel every time I was called that, now I’d have two nickels,” she jokes. “Plus, to my people, I’m the most powerful one there ever was.”

  Rivartro slowly gets back up, using his spear-rifle to help him stand. For the first time, the proud warrior is impressed by a Human.

  “Alraka…” he growls, spinning his weapon with all four hands. Valerie draws her pistols in response.

  “Yeah, let’s go, bastard!”

  Valerie lets off a volley of shots from her pistols. Rivartro manages to deflect some, but the rest end up doing little damage.

  “Your puny weapons could never scratch this armor!” he yells proudly.

  He then recklessly charges at Valerie. Swinging his weapon, he knocks away her guns with the club end. Spinning it, he tries to stab her with the spear, but Valerie catches it just in time.

  “Maybe not, but my fists will!”

  CLANK

  After snapping Rivartro’s weapon over her knee, Valerie jabs him in the face, denting his helmet. Then, she shocks him with psionic lightning, the most powerful ability in her arsenal. Rivartro screams from the pain, twitching and spasming with violet voltage.

  Summoning her pistols back to her hands, Valerie points them sideways at his head.

  “So, do you yield?” she asks coldly.

  Rivartro sighs. “Yes, I am beaten,” he concedes. “However, I was also stalling. And this will be your st victory.”

  Rivartro then whispers into his wrist communicator and signals for a retreat while running away himself. Valerie could sense this was a tactical retreat, not a cowardly one.

  “Hey! Where you going, coward!?” she yells, even though Rivartro is out of earshot. “Dang, he’s a pretty good sprinter.”

  Valerie spins her guns and holsters them with finesse. Then, her comm beeps.

  “Vice General, we have received word that the synth-psi pulse bomb is ready,” said one of the majors. “But there is a problem.”

  “A what?”

  “The hostiles began clearing the area,” the major continued. “At first, we weren’t sure why, but we just detected a volley of orbital missiles fired from the Veriyan warships.”

  That expins why Rivartro ran away so fast, Valerie thinks. “Can’t Desha stop them?” she asks.

  “If he could, why the hell didn’t he!?” Raine’s portrait suddenly joins the call. “Those damn space shits pulled a fast one on us!”

  “Watch your mouth, Raine! This is an open line!” Valerie snaps a little more aggressively than intended. “And you,” she addresses the major. “Alert our forces and evacuate the surface ASAP!”

  “But ma’am,” she says meekly. "There isn’t enough time to get everyone out.”

  Of course, there isn’t, Valerie bemoans during a few seconds of awkward silence. “What’re you still here for!?” she shouts to Raine and the major. “You have your orders!”

  “Yes, ma’am!” The major is first to hang up.

  “Hold on, I know that tone,” said Raine. “You got a pn, and I’m not gonna like it, do ya?”

  Valerie thinks for a moment about how to react. “Raine, send a message to the General,” she instructs. “Tell him I pn to slow the missiles down telekinetically. That way, the pulse bomb can be used to destroy them.”

  “Sure, I– wait, you’re gonna do what!?” Raine shrieks. “That’s nuts, V! Your alien magic ain’t gonna beat the ws of physics!”

  “Do as you’re told, Lieutenant,” Valerie insists. Raine knows her sister is serious when she pulls rank.

  “Aight, little sis,” she surrenders. “Mors pro vitis.”

  Raine then hangs up as well, leaving Valerie alone with her thoughts. She sits down and tries to clear her mind, something she’s always struggled to do, before her comm beeps for the third time. It was General Bull.

  “Star, do you read me?”

  “Don’t try to talk me out of this, Isaac.”

  “That’s not what I was going to do, Val,” said Bull. “I just wanted to remind you to keep your beacon on. There will be a shuttle ready to pick you up once you succeed.”

  “Thank you,” Valerie replies. “Is this a private call?”

  “It is.”

  “Then, I love you, Isaac. Very, very much,” she says passionately. “And when I make it back, let’s have dinner together once this is over. My treat.”

  With that, Valerie hangs up, not wanting to give her mind any more distractions.

  “I won’t die here. Not today,” she tells herself. “I will live. For Humanity, for my comrades… For my love.”

  CSS LEGEND, MED BAY (30 MINUTES LATER)

  Valerie’s pn was successful and all the missiles were destroyed. However, when the shuttle found her unconscious, she was rushed to the infirmary right after being retrieved.

  Having just received the news, Bull dropped everything and dashed to the emergency room. When he reaches the door, an Android doctor stands in his way. To cut costs, most of the medical staff on GSAF ships are Androids made from Human brains. Programmed to be skilled at their trade, any personality was deemed redundant and not included.

  “General, I highly suggest–”

  “This isn’t up for discussion,” Bull growls. “Out of the way, let me see her.”

  The Android hesitantly steps aside, and Bull opens the door. Inside, Valerie lies in a medical bed, hooked up to a heartbeat monitor and with an IV drip attached to her left arm. Dressed in a hospital gown, her uniform and other belongings were stored neatly on a nearby shelf. Her peach skin had turned pale and her forehead was covered in sweat. Yet, when Bull touched her hand, she was cold.

  “You awake, Val?” he whispers.

  After a bit of coughing, Valerie’s blue eyes flutter open, and she sees Bull standing over her. With much effort, she presses a button and her IV administers extra medicine, giving her the energy to form a small smile.

  “Sorta…” she moans “For now…”

  “I still can’t believe you did that. It would take an entire Silencer Corps to do a fraction of what you did.”

  “You should know we were able to move half our troops out of range before the missiles broke the atmosphere,” said Bull. “The rest are able to celebrate in the ship’s bar thanks to you.”

  “You’re a hero, Val.” Valerie ughs slightly at that st part.

  “Then it was worth it,” she replies grimly. “Like our motto says, ‘Mors pro vitis.’ A death for lives,” she adds before succumbing to another coughing fit.

  “Don’t say that, stay strong!” Bull shouts, raising his voice unintentionally. He clears his throat before continuing. “Have you been feeling any better? The Android doctors say it’s difficult to treat you given your… unique biology. You’re the first Human to get ‘psionic burnout,’ whatever that is.”

  “Means I overextended because I pushed my telekinesis way past its limits,” Valerie expins. “And you don’t gotta sugarcoat the fact I’m a Mutated freak. We’ve known each other long enough.” That final sentence was intended to have a double meaning.

  “Anyway, look at me. I look and feel like crap,” she sighs.

  “That’s just the sickness talking,” denies Bull, more for his sake than hers. “You look fine.”

  “Oh, really? Everything aches, I can barely move. And this–” Valerie coughs again. “This goddamn cough!”

  “I’ll buy some lozenges, will that help?” Bull asks, desperate to do anything to help.

  “What do you think?” Valerie responds with a heavy sigh. “Face it, dear, I’m fucking done for.”

  “Regutions say a wounded soldier who cannot be treated must be terminated to save resources. So, please use your gun, I want your face to be the st thing I see. And for my funeral, ask Mom to bake a nice big cake,” Valerie rambles with Bull on the verge of tears. “By the way, will you–”

  “I won’t do that to you!” he interrupts.

  “Wow, putting your personal wishes before your duty to the state? How unpatriotic.”

  “Don’t tease me right now,” he begs. “Save your strength, stay alive!”

  “It’s just too soon for me to believe you can’t be saved. There must be something that can be done! I’ll make the doctors double-check their reports. No way am I letting you die this way, Val!”

  Bull storms out of the room with a determined look. Meanwhile, Valerie lies back after he leaves, full of sadness and regret.

  If you had just let me finish… I could’ve left this world as your wife, she thinks sadly. Too bad miracles don’t exist… I could really use one right now.