Through the Ghost

“What do you think you’re doing?” Jaya exclaimed, upon entering the cock pit.

Tal instantly sat up in alarm. He’d only just changed the coordinates to reach Anna’s destination and hadn’t expected his sister to react so quickly. Clearly, he’d underestimated Lanie’s ability to be a digital tattletale.

“Why are we changing directions?” Jaya asked sternly.

“Relax. We’re just taking a quick detour.”

“Where. Are. We. Going?” she reiterated.

“Just a small colony that might give me some clues as to why Anna wanted that cure so badly.”

Jaya’s head tilted in curiosity, “Why?”

“Aren’t you the least bit curious who Chara is?”

She nodded. “But Praga is expecting us back soon. They might send someone after us if we take too long.”

Suddenly, the electronic device wrapped around her forearm lit up, and a foot- tall representation of Lanie blinked into existence.

Lanie was a bit different looking than Allie in more than just color preference. Her voice and mannerisms were more robotic. Whereas Allie’s avatar had messy, pixie-styled hair and a short dress, Lanie was much more prim and proper, wearing a crisp military uniform and hair pulled back into a bun. Some operatives believed that the A.C.s chose their avatars to best appeal to the thoughts and feelings of their charges.

In Allie’s case that consisted of facial features akin to his family members, specifically his mother and Jaya; as well as a voice that could easily counterbalance Tal’s more passionate nature. With Lanie, Tal was unsure how such a cold, emotionless entity could have sprung from his sister’s subconscious. Her insistence on adhering to rules aside, he always appreciated Jaya’s optimistic nature when they were kids.

“The planet you are taking us to has been quarantined. No vessels are to enter or leave until the disease has been dealt with,” she announced, virtual arms folded behind her back like an admiral addressing his troops.

“Under who’s orders?” he inquired with surprise.

“The office of Councilor DeVries,” Lanie clarified.

Jaya looked at him with concern. “I have a bad feeling about this.”

He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. We’ll wear some filtration masks and keep our gloves on. What’s-“

“No! You’re not saying it this time,” she interrupted him.

“Okay, sorry. Look, if you don’t want to go, you can stay with the ship while I go down to check things out.”

“I’m not letting you go down there alone.”

“You don’t have to, I’m going with,” Anna said from behind her. Her voice a bit raspy until she cleared her throat.

They both turn to see her leaning against the entryway. Her complexion had improved, though it was still significantly more faded than it’d been prior to getting shot. While she seemed to have had enough energy to change her clothes, and make her way down the halls of the ship, he wasn’t sold on her going into the field so soon.

“You can barely stand. There’s no way-“

“I’m going,” Anna repeated a bit more forcefully. “Besides,” she added with a suppressed whimper. “I know this place, I know these people, and you won’t get in as easily without me there.”

By the look on her face it was clear this was a fight he wouldn’t win.

“Okay,” he said reluctantly. “If anything, I’ll be able to stop you from abandoning us again.”

I highly doubt that, Allie chastised him.

“Operative Revin, you do not have the authorization to complete this mission, let alone take a fugitive as your back up,” Lanie protested.

Jaya looked at Anna, but the senior operative kept her gaze locked on Tal.

“As much as I would like to agree with my sister,” Allie said, revealing herself to those around them.

Despite the fact she took up very little physical space, the cockpit suddenly felt a bit crowded having so many personalities reside within it. “Miss West has been to this planet before, therefore her knowledge of the people and customs will be invaluable to Tal’s search.”

Lanie narrowed her avatar’s eyes, her blue jaw tightened in an attempt to simulate glaring. Tal had to stifle a laugh as she looked more like an elderly person that’d lost their glasses, than someone angry at being outvoted. Without another word, the construct disappeared. Allie soon dropped her avatar as well, leaving Tal and Jaya on opposite sides of the room with Anna leaning against the doorway.

Jaya released a heavy sigh. “Okay, fine, go on your little field trip.”

She squeezed past Anna then stopped to face her one-time idol. “If you get him hurt, I’m coming for you,” she threatened her with a distrustful glare, the older operative nodded understandingly, though her eyes refused to meet Jaya’s gaze.

Tal took a moment to evaluate his former partner. On one hand, she looked to be regaining more of her strength. Yet there was something else, it was almost as if some secret was dragging her down. He hoped that whatever they found on the planet would alleviate the burdens she kept. Another part, the pessimistic corner of his soul, thought it will just make that city of dust that separated them even bigger.

“So, you have a name for this place?” he asked, hoping to take both of their minds off the task at hand.

She shook her head, “You’ll think it’s dumb.”

“No, I won’t.”

She hesitated, then replied. “New Azariah.”

He raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“I didn’t pick it, but I thought it was an appropriate place for me to lay low in,” she replied in defense.

“I don’t doubt that,” he said with a smirk.

Tal watched from the cockpit as The Amaryllis entered orbit above New Azariah. White swirls and stretches of green contrasted the sizable orb against the blackness of space. The ship floated calmly, taking in the serene view before rocketing towards its destination. By the time he arrived in the cargo hole Anna was already there waiting for him. A black respirator covered the bottom of her face. She’d changed into a dark blue jacket and denim pants. Fastened to her hip was an Ark Industries sidearm capable of piercing standard issue body armor.

“Expecting trouble?” he asked curiously.

“Hopefully not, but after the week I’ve been having, anything is possible.” Her voice took on an echoic quality as it filtered through the respirator. “Did you bring it?”

He held up the small vial before placing it in the small pouch attached to his side. Following Anna’s example, he snatched a low-profile sidearm, albeit one with less penetrating power. Foregoing the signature head gear he wore on Theron, he instead grabbed a black respirator akin to Anna’s. There was a slight shift as the ship touched down on the ground.

Anna smashed her palm against the release to the loading bay door. The big metallic ramp descended slowly, causing him to blink his eyes as it opened directly facing the planet’s sun.

“Lead the way,” he said, gesturing towards the ramp. Anna took a quick breath, then stepped forward into the early morning sunshine. It was a short walk to the settlement. All around them uncut grass shifted in the wind. Tree leaves rustled in the steady breeze.

When they finally arrived at the town, it looked more abandoned than he’d expected. He was hoping for some sign of life, but it seemed the exact opposite was the case. A tingling sensation itched the back of his neck. He dropped his hand, finger at the ready as it hovered over his pistol. Anna craned her head left and right with curiosity and concern.

Then he noticed something running down the main road towards them, fast. Instinctively he drew his weapon, only to have Anna push it down.

As the figure drew closer he could make out its features; tufts of brown fur covered its neck and forearms. It continued its approach as it raced on all fours through the dirt road. Anna raced towards it meeting the creature halfway.

It skidded to a halt in front of her, soft brown eyes stared down a short mammalian snout. “I feared you wouldn’t come,” a synthesized voice stated.

“I was delayed. Where is everyone?”

“They’ve been moved to the town hall for treatment,” it replied before noticing Tal. Its teeth bared slightly as growl emitted from its throat.

“It’s okay Kirosan, he’s a friend,” Anna clarified by stepping in front of her former partner.

“You’re a Wolf,” Tal stated bluntly.

The Rugarugi growled once more at Tal. The operative clenched his fist anxiously.

Anna turns the alien’s head to look at her. “Kir! We have a cure, I need to see her.”

“You got it?” The surprise in its voice unmistakable despite its limited vocal range. “Quickly, this way!” he replied. All thoughts of antagonistic behavior seemed to drop away as Anna’s canine friend bounded ahead of them. The two operatives quickly tried to match the pace. Yet the Rugarugi was fast, forcing the two humans to push their bodies a bit more than they was expecting just to keep up. Orothros operatives were designed to keep up with faster and stronger alien physiology, yet even pushed to their limits it was sometimes not enough.

Town Hall was a large, white, building at the far end of the town, with grey stone pillars and a set of stairs leading up to a heavy looking steel door. Each pillar was ringed with names from top to bottom. It’s not until he saw the date engraved around the center of the pillar that he realized it was a list of all the people that were killed in Linden Swann’s attack on the original settlement of Azariah. Upon seeing them, he glanced at Anna but she betrayed no emotion or even acknowledgement of having seen them.

The great doors groaned open as she entered, followed by Kirosan, with Tal bringing up the rear. As soon as he stepped inside, his senses were hit with the stench of body odor, and the echoes of infected humans coughing up their lungs. Bodies were packed together in the makeshift treatment center. Some lied on gurneys, their chests moving just enough that he could tell there’s still life. Others were talking with their fellow infected colonists as if this was nothing more than a mere cold. Anna continued to push forward, her head scanned anxiously in every direction. An older woman with auburn hair broke away from a group of people and approached the operative.

“Anna! You’ve made it back. Did you get it?” the woman asked. She quickly embraced Anna in a hopeful hug.

“Caroline, it’s so good to see you’re okay,” Anna replied warmly.

Upon being released Anna continued to scan the room. She put her hand on Tal’s back and pushed him forward. “I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine, Tal Revin, he helped me get the cure for your people.”

“Another Orothros? Seems our little colony is quite blessed. Thank you for all you’ve done for us.” She reached out to shake his hand.

Tal reluctantly accepted Caroline’s show of appreciation. “It was Anna’s plan, I’m just a participant.”

“I can believe that. She’s quite a remarkable woman. Once she makes up her mind, there’s no stopping her. She’s done so much for this colony over the past couple years.” She tried to say more, but a coughing fit rendered her silent.

“When did all this start?” Tal inquired, taking in the size and scope of the plague.

“A few weeks ago.” Her voice became hoarse. “At first it was a few of our elderly citizens, we tried our best to keep them on bed rest, but it quickly spread throughout the colony.”

“Why isn’t Anna infected?”

“She was off world at the time, not quite sure why.”

As Tal continued to survey the room, it became clear he’d lost sight of his former partner.

“If you don’t mind, can I see the cure?” Caroline asked.

Half focused on locating where Anna had drifted off to, he unzipped the pouch containing the vial.

“You see, I’d like to get our small medical staff to begin recreating the contents for mass dispersion,” Caroline continued.

Much to Tal’s surprise, his hand reached the bottom of the pouch without any sign of the vial.

“How long do you think that will take?” he asked, stalling for time as he tried to locate the missing medicine.

“A week hopefully, maybe a month. It pains me to know we have it but won’t be able to save everyone.”

Panic gripped him upon the realization the vial was nowhere on his person. Then he remembered Anna and how desperate she was to find the cure. Chara. His stomach dropped upon realizing he’d been duped again. I told you so, Allie chastised him.

“I’m sorry, I must have left it on the ship,” he explained to Caroline.

She smiled understandingly, albeit a bit deflated. “That’s okay, Kirosan can go retrieve it.”

“No need, I’ll just find Anna and we can go get it.”

She nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer. He quickly set off in search of the other operative. All the faces, smells, and sounds blended together in a mixture of chaos. A commotion in the far corner of the room caught his attention. He pushed through the sick and the dying as carefully as possible.

At the center of the crowd, he found Anna. She’s kneeling on the ground, cradling what seemed to be a young child of about six years old. The kid’s orange hair was shaved to the point of stubble, much like the other colonists nearby. Anna gingerly removed the wires and inserts attached to the youngster’s head and arms. The child’s breaths came slowly and softly.

Anna, sensing his presence, looked up at him. Tal found it hard to place her expression. It was apologetic, yet fearful. Then he noticed the empty vial on the floor beside her. An uneasy feeling shifted through him, luckily the mob of people didn’t know what the vial contained, but he assumed they’d figure it out soon. Caroline pushed forward immediately looking forlorn and hopeless as Anna met the older woman’s gaze empathetically. Tal remained focused on the child who’d opened their eyes, they were an emerald green.