Basic Instincts

"Welcome to Foreas, recruit! It's home to the AFS: the biggest, baddest fighting force planet Earth left behind," Commander Elvers's voice echoed over our heads, vibrating everything around us. "And that's enough for the pleasantries!" He walked swiftly in front of us with a unpleasant air about him. The eyes were the thing. They were so deep. "My job is to get you geared up, toughed up, and ready to help us take back our base - and for right now, your job is to listen and do what I tell you. Got it?"

The soft, almost timid "Yes sir's" were not good enough for the Commander. Within seconds the small group called out strongly, and he nodded with approval. He gave out the objectives with strict action and simple words. Each one different than another. Each one teaching one more thing to learn about this new world. And each one so much simpler than what it was down the road.

"Deoradhan, front and center!"

I swiftly move toward Commander Elvers with confidence. I had done everything asked. I had blown things up, I had shot things that reminded me of a bad movie from Paramount, and I had even cleaned my gun the right way for the first time! I felt better about being here. I felt like I had a better purpose. "Yes, sir!"

"Time for you to head to Alia Das."

My eyes widen as the Commander points to the drop ship that is coming close. "Get to that and you can get the hell out of here."

My sly grin was slow in coming but it was also thankful. It's about time I got to get out of here. I load up, check my gear, and head off to get on board the drop ship! I haven't seen Commander Elvers since...

"You saw her again, didn't you?" The kid threw a rock into the water of Lake Elinor as he asked the question I knew was coming.

"Yeah," I sigh and look around absently expecting her to show up again. The woman was obviously tracking me, but I have no idea why.

"Well, you may not believe this, but I saw her back over at the Research Facility just after it was hit bad by that Bane invasion," his pause was emotional, and he was very hesitant. I watch his eyes swirl with an emotion he normally didn't have, caution.

"You can tell me anything. I won't bite." I say this softly, but he chuckles and watches me carefully. He knows I do bite, and that's the reason why he's being cautious. "Well, you started this and can't keep me waiting with this curiosity."

The kid squinted his eyes as he watched the water below us. "She has your surname."

What he said didn't really sink in until after the fifth or sixth ring of water, from the kid's rock, lapped against the rocks below. My head tilted to the side as I waited for it to fully register. Then everything inside my head seemed to light up, as if plugged into a circuit of some kind. "My surname?"

The kid nods and watches me closely. He's got this "I'm going to run that way if he comes after me..." look on his face. I look at the ground and study the sand and dirt there without really seeing it because the information is chasing other thoughts in my head about the woman. If she's got my surname that means she's married to Jag or Mabon, which means they're alive...

I calm this thought immediately because my mind shifts. Or she could be what's left of their DNA...and they're both dead...and she's a piece of them......

I shake my head. I'm not sure really, which bothered me more, not seeing her name before all this, or knowing she won't be around anymore. At least not yet. I felt it earlier, this time, when she was here. She just watched from way over there and then turned to go. And I know now that she's not looking for me. She's looking for something else. My eyes widen a moment. "...or someone else!"

I swiftly stand up, startling the kid, who loses his balance slightly as he's attempting to back away and stand at the same time. He flops down upon the ground and stares up at me with part worry and part laughter. I lean over to hold out my hand to him, chuckling. "I have to go do something," I say this as I help him up off the ground. "I'll come back later. I really have to check something out."

The kid nods and watches me take off. I start heading toward the Teleporter over on the edge of the forest. Yes, I definitely need to check something out.