Her tablet started playing the message right away.
She sent it to the monitor in her apartments' living space instead and slowly sat down on the couch. It's been two months. And after everything that happened? This was a bit much.
The camera view on the monitor was shaky as it was setup on a counter someplace different. Not in the kitchen at their house on Endelon, someplace else.
That bugged her a surprising amount.
Her mothers face was was staring at the camera as it stabilized and she leaned away to reveal Camden sitting on her lap.
Her dad standing in the background rubbing a hand down his face.
"Hi sweetie—the Protectorate said we could send you a message now. It's ridiculous that we can't call you... They say that they still need to finish up the investigation after the whole fiasco on Endelon. What were you thinking hun?"
"We moved planets!" Camden blurted out. "There's only one sun now—and it gets dark at night!"
"Camden- please you're shouting in moms ear." Her dad said as he leaned over them into the camera frame. "We've been thinking of you Sel. Everyday. To think you'd join puck... Was it to protect me? You don't have to you know. Tell them to shove their threats up their—"
"Ronald! They said they'd review the message you know?" Selenes' mother warned, putting a hand on dads chest. He threw his hands up and walked away before pacing back and forth.
"Listen.. Selene. The Protectorate says you will be able to call us soon so... Call us as soon as you can. We miss you. They gave us your drawings you know, what was left of them. Camden's been looking at them every day."
"Moooom!" Camden whined turning pink in the cheeks.
Selene giggled. Her eyes flashing to each of their faces.
Her dad scoffed and ruffled Camden's hair. Then smiled ruefully at the camera. "Remember that time we were at the theme park, what I said if we were separated? Ever?"
Mom looked at him curiously at that.
Selene did remember. She was still a little girl at the time, but she's always had a really good memory. And he knows that.
It wasn't the only time he's told her either. Any situation like that he's always told her the same thing all the way until recently when he'd reminded her before leaving the house to go to the puck camp on Endelon.
But knowing what she knows now about his past. Something clicked.
"Anything you want to say to your sister Camden? We're running out of time." Her dad said.
Camden looked at the camera sheepishly.
"Come back, Tywin gets lonely when you're here..." he said embarrassed.
Mom flashed a bright smile and kissed him on the cheek, hugging him.
"We'll send you messages whenever we can sweetie! Until then make us proud, helping the Protectorate keep the sector safe. We love you. We'll see you soon." her eyes were watering by the time she reached for the camera and the message ended.
Selene's own eyes were watery then too. She chuckled and sniffled a bit as she rubbed her eyes. She needed to get off this station yesterday.
The next morning Selene just sat in her apartment. She wasn't working out today. Since her promotion she was told that she only had to every other day of the week. So she sat in her apartment drawing and rewatching the video her parents sent.
She couldn't go right away and do as her father said. Puck was watching her every move. It had to look like an organic decision first. And she was thinking of how to do it.
Was it even possible on the station? It must be if he said so. As she thought about it a chiming sound came from the front door.
The screen on the keypad showed Major Masuka outside.
It hissed open revealing the white marble floor outside.
The hall also had decorative beige rock faces on the walls with grey steel structs separating them which supported the ceiling every dozen yards or so. The lights that shone onto the rock decorations were buried in vibrant green garden beds below and the color of the lights themselves was a blackbody color. Which was to say they simulated organic light in a way that was based on a temperature value. Like fire.
Selene was thinking of drawing it.
"Congratulations on your promotion, Private." she said.
"Thanks." Selene said.
The majors brow furled at her improper address.
"...Major."
Masuka nodded at that. Then walked beneath Selene's arm that was leaned on the doorframe and went into the apartment.
"...Come on in." Selene grumbled as the door shut.
"Are you an artist, Private?" Masuka asked. Looking down onto a collection of pictures spread across the end table in the living space.
"Just a hobby, Major."
Masuka pushed one of the sketches of the training field aside revealing a picture of a short woman in a fine pressed uniform with a very official stance. She was drawn in an anime style with a adorable pouty tsundere expression.
The tips of Selene's ears burned a bit.
"...I see. Well I did not come for a personal visit as you likely suspect. I'm here to inform you on your new schedule and training regimen." she turned to face her.
—Finally. Selene was tired of working out. Plus she felt she was beginning to have diminishing returns anyway.
"You will be meeting the members of your division and begin receiving CQC training, as well as attending other more classified training programs. Starting immediately."
The tablet on the kitchen counter beeped.
"Was that—"
"Yes. It will guide you to the IBT divisions headquarters now instead of the training field. That is—the interplanetary biohazard taskforce division. Which I lead of course. You will learn some practical skills but begin basic training in utilizing your more 'unique' abilities."
That was a lot. It felt good to finally have some clarification on what her duties would be.
"What, we're like animal control for aliens? Major?"
"Yes Private. Though it is much more nuanced than that. But you will see once you get down to the division HQ. I expect to see you in a an hour at the latest."
Masuka then saluted Selene which she returned and then walked towards the door. Then stopped for a moment.
Selene could've sworn she saw a half grin on Masukas' face.
"And Private? I'm much cuter than that. And I'd like a copy when it's done." the door hissed open and she stepped out into the hall.
Selene picked a pillow up off the couch and put it over her face. "HRrmrmmmm!" the muffled sound came from it.
Idiot—what was she thinking keeping her drawings out in the open like that? It would be super hard to get the major to respect her now!
She went over to the tablet and swiped it from the counter then hurried into the bathroom to get ready.
The IBT division was on a floor not listed in the elevator. Instead her tablet booped and the elevator started moving. The potted plant in the elevator swayed a bit as the elevator lurched into a quick motion. She felt it moving beneath her feet at a more rapid speed than usual.
After a few minutes the doors slid open side to side revealing all black shiny floors and walls. Small circular pairs of lights were embedded into the ceiling above and there was a diamond pattern crisscrossing in the floor.
A green pathway was highlighted on the tablets map.
Selene followed it and not before long she was in a room full of people sparring. Major Masuka was there—standing all official like usual overlooking the different matches.
The fighters all wore strange slim-fitting black bodysuits that blended with the black room around them. There were strips of light embedded in the outfits. Dark most of the time, but a pulse of light would occasionally run through them. Which sped up whenever they attacked or dodged.
"Hey new girl."
A pang of deja'vu hit Selene as she looked towards whoever said that. It was a woman this time. A girl with dark ebony skin and her hair was tied up in a bun. It got a lighter bronze color towards the tips, like highlights. She had gold eyes too and was wearing one of the black bodysuits.
"Hey?" she said again, no doubt seeing Selenes' surprised reaction.
"I'm sergeant Luan Crowley.", she offered a hand. Selene took it. "Selene Carrington. Private, I guess.", "Our badass new rookie psychic I take it?"
"Maybe... I'm not sure how it works. So far I just get headaches and can tell what people are feeling. Sometimes. So, people are sparring?"
"Yep. We just put the division together so we're all figuring out what people can do. Also it's a good chance to teach the rookies like you some CQC. You have any experience fighting?"
"Literally never. None."
Luan stepped alongside her and began to watch the fights with her.
"That's fine. We all start somewhere."
The sounds of thudding impacts could be heard echoing out throughout the 20 by 20 meter room. It was like a gymnasium with a grid pattern of white streams of light in the floor and ceiling. Whenever a person collided with the ground they pulsed outwards in a red color instead.
It was like a kungfu movie. But with practical jijutsu.
After someone took a particularly nasty takedown the Major stuck a couple fingers in her mouth and whistled loudly.
Everyone stood at attention including Luan. Selene followed their lead.
"It seems everyone is here." the major glanced towards Selene then continued sweeping her gaze across the faces in the room. "We have one basic rule in divisions like the IBT. Nothing said in this department—leaves the department. That means that while we're on missions we do not discuss the mission until we're back here. Under no circumstances are we to break that protocol."
She began to take the center of the room as those who were sparring moved to the edges.
"Each of us were selected for skills which are uniquely potent concerning interplanetary biohazards. We have soldiers, researchers, containment specialists, and even telepaths."
Selene felt some glances on her face at that last part.
"Our directive is simple. We will not be sent against rebels, other nations, or pirates. We are not enforcers. We are a shield against the unknown. When a biological threat spreads from one planet to another, it is our responsibility to intervene. I'd like each of you to think about just exactly how your abilities would aid in that endeavor. And prepare yourself accordingly. I will be working with each of you individually towards that end."
She took one final look around the room.
"The divisions facilities are open to you. Train, prepare. Study. Discuss. I will share the details of our first operation soon. I expect all of you to be here and mission-ready in the hours listed on your tablets. We are an emergency response division so please read the emergency response orientation files in your tablets. That is all."
She walked away towards a glass office in the corner of the gymnasium.
The people who were sparring shared an unsure glance before meeting in the center to resume their fights.
"Straight to the facts—I like it. Solid major. Wanna go a round?" Luan asked Selene.
"Do I get one of those sick bodysuits?"
Luan chuckled. "Yeah, I'll show you to the barracks, you have a locker there with your name on it." she swatted Selene's elbow and gestured for her to follow. Selene was about to follow but then a voice came over an intercom.
"Private Carrington to my office please." it said.
Luan stopped; "Ah. You first then new girl huh? Guess we'll have to wait till after your meeting." she said, a look of skepticism on her face.
"Kay'. Be right back."