The following day...
Selene managed to survive her first mission. If barely.
What happened on the refinery colony of 'Lamda 4' changed the Interplanetary Biohazard Taskforce overnight.
First they were all shuttled back to the station 'Alexandria' which was abuzz with activity. Including Raymond and some other colonists who'd insisted on joining.
The entire force there was being mobilized.
They went from primarily a research and containment division to a full on war-fighting one.
The original branch of the IBT was absorbed into a larger Defense Force branch led by General Desuran.
The research and containment division which they belonged was only a tiny portion of the IBT now. Most of the IBT was now dedicated to killing and exterminating Zykra, whereever they're found.
Capturing and experimenting on them was very low on their list of priorities.
After hearing about the humans converted into Zykra drones—all of the IBT that survived Lambda were tested extensively for any abnormalities. To Selene's surprise, she passed this test.
Eventually they finally got around to awarding the survivors accolades, for their impressive defense of the colony against impossible odds.
Which meant a juicy bonus.
And promotions.
Selene was now a Corporal. Which came with the clearance she'd been waiting for. After a brief meeting with Major Masuka to discuss her new role in the new IBT, she ran back to her apartment. Excited.
Her new apartment
(Apartment description.)
The front door was dark maroon color, with a rectangular tall window in the side that was blurry. Her tablets notification light shone green as the door unlocked and she entered.
Her dogs ran at her and literally dogpiled her. She chuckled and gave them headpats.
But as happy as she was to see them, she had something important to do. And so she wrestled her way out of the pile and made her way to the bedroom. But she had to find it first.
This one was far more spacious. Dark hardwood floors, shiny and smooth. With smooth white drywall and a dark red trim. Wall scones in the shape of tulips gave the space an ambient lighting. With central lighting to handle the rest of her lighting needs.
From the front door there was a small entryway to store her shoes if she so chose. If she was one of the people who refused to wear shoes inside. She wasn't, but it was nice to have the option.
Beyond that was the living space. About twenty meters in diameter. A sectional cream colored couch sat in the center, with a couple single seating couches on either side of it.A laminated old tree trunk had a smooths surface for the coffee table. There were a section of cubbies and shelves embedded in the wall to hold different bits and baubles. Along with the hundred inch or so monitor.
A closet sat near the front door. A decent place to store coats, or cleaning supplies.
There was a wide open archway at the far end of the living room that led into a kitchen space. White tile squares about 16inches wide covered the floor. A central counter was surrounded on all sides by stoves, dishwasher, garbage disposal, refrigerator and cupboards. This room was about half the size of the living room.
There was a hallway to the side, which led to two bedrooms, a bathroom, and laundry room. There was a back padio door that led to a mock outdoor setting, with a very convincing holographic screen that could display different exteriors. Of course, she chose a field of golden wheat with two familiar suns.
The bedrooms were carpeted in a dark maroon color. With a cream colored bedspread that she'd probably personalize later. If she stayed here long enough that was.
She'd set up a art room in the free bedroom most likely. Computers, canvas's, stuff like that. She also had to set up her pet stuff. Cat tower, dog beds, etc.
(Apartment description over.)
She leaned against the wall in her fake 'padio' room and let the events of the past week—months—catch up with her. She was only Corporal, but being a telepath came with certain perks as well it seemed. She doubted other corporals were accommodated like this.
She was an entirely different person now it felt like. Important.
She scratched Podrick's head. That was what she named the orange cat. He'd been laying on a lounge chair near her. Selene then went into the kitchen, got a drink and then came back and plopped down into that lounge chair. Setting the orange juice on the glass table.
She picked up a purring Podrick and placed him into her lap. Her many dogs surrounded her attempting to give her their wet kisses over her tablet.
To distract them she waved a chew toy and tossed it into the kitchen behind her. A few chased after it—the sounds of claws on tile followed them into the kitchen before they slid and a dull 'thud' was heard as they smacked into the kitchen counter. Growls of them wrestling over the toy followed.
She pressed 'call' on her tablet.
And the phone icon appeared. It rang for long moments that seemed to stretch forever.
God she was so nervous... It's been over 5 months.
"Hel- Selene!"
Her mothers face glowed as she flashed a bright smile. The background blurred behind her as she ran through the house. "Selene's calling!" she shouted.
"Sel? Finally. Camden get in here!" her father shouted.
They all came into their living room and sat on the couch. Propping moms tablet up on it's built-in foldout stand on the coffee table. Her dad was wearing something like an enforcer uniform minus the armor. Which surprised Selene to say the least.
Mom pulled Camden into her lap, who didn't seem as enthusiastic before to see Selene as last time.
"You finally called! It's been so long, you look beautiful! So grown up!" she said, fawning over her.
"We had to celebrate your birthday without you..." Camden muttered.
'Oh yeah. Birthdays still happened.' she thought. Time outside the IBT still passed. In fact, Camden looked older. He was at that age where kids grew rapidly from kids to preteens she supposed.
Selene didn't expect this reunion to be so awkward for her...
"Yeah! They finally gave me clearance! Though, it took me nearly dying!"
Their smiles dropped.
Her dad spoke then; "We've seen footage from survivors on Lamda... Selene, you were amazing. I'm proud. You really came through for those colonist. Saved a lot of lives."
"Well, regarding my work with puck... The good news is I can reach out to that special number now..." Selene said. Unsurely.
Her eyes flicked away from dads face on the tablet, gauging his reaction. He was stern though.
"You should. But there's no need to rush, timing is everything with something like this. I don't want you risking your life doing something you don't want to do. What do you want? Is what you did on Lambda—"
Mom interrupted him, swatting his arm playfully; "You two can talk about that later! We've been waiting months to speak! Camden, do you have anything to say to your sister."
Camden looked to the screen annoyedly.
"Whose that?" he murmured. Glancing to the orange tabby on her lap looking at the screen with her.
"Oh him? This is Podrick. I've been taking care of him. He's-"
Camden wiggled out of moms arms and point towards the kitchen space behind him.
"You already have Tywin at home!", Selene's breath hitched; "Camden I—"
He left the camera's view.
Mom and dad were giving Selene a sympathetic look.
"Sorry... Time is different for kids his age.. He- uhm, took your time away pretty hard. He got into a fight at school the other week when another kid talked about you being in the army.."
'He did?' Selene smirked. She'd never actually expect innocent lil' Camden to ever ball his fist let along hit someone.
"I'll talk to him and let him know he can message or call you at any time now." dad said.
Selene swallowed; "Uhm, yeah..."
"Soooo, is that a new apartment I see?" mom asked.
Selene smiled, grateful for the segue and stood up.
All the dogs who'd been waiting patiently for attention suddenly spurred into action then running around her legs and jumping at her. She turned the tablet outwards to show them the living room and kitchen spaces.
"Oh damn... You running a pet sanctuary?" her dads voice came from the tablet.
"Eh, something to do with my.. Abilities, which by the way... Is something else we should talk about."
Mom gave her a confused look. Then looked towards dad.
He nodded. "Yeah... I thought that might have something to do with pucks interest in you..."
Selene went into the living room and sat on the couch, holding the tablet close to her face. She'd suddenly remembered an unpleasant fact.
"How... Long?" she asked reflexively.
Dad gave her a confused look that slowly turned sad as he'd realized what she meant.
"...Probably 10 years or so I'd wager. I'm not a very high class telepath, so the degradation isn't so intense for me. Plus I never used my abilities."
"Telepath?" mom asked, still looking between them.
"I didn't want to worry you." he said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Worry me with what? What is fucking a telepath?"
Selene raised her eyebrows at that. Did her mom just cuss?
...Suddenly this interaction sucked. She instantly regretted bringing it up, but it had to be brought up eventually. She deserved to know.
"Mom... Me and dad have a rare... 'Condition'. It gives us mind powers, basically. And mine can control Zykra. Or influence people to do things. And I can feel their feelings, kind of."
"Selene, what you're saying doesn't make any sense-"
"It's true, mom. And another thing is.. Uh, fuck. I'll just say it. Telepaths live shorter lives. We make it to around 50 if we don't use our powers and take care of ourselves. 40 if we do use them..." Selene looked around the room as if it held any answers to how to better explain this.
But her moms eyes widened in horror and disbelief. Tears welled up.
"Are you telling me, that you and your father have a terminal hereditary illness?"
"..Basically? I'm sorry mom, I was scared at first, but it's really not so-"
"Behueh~" mom made a weird sound halfway between a sob and a word. Then she covered her face with her hands and got up.
"Hun, come here." dad said sorrowfully. She swatted him away and went into a bathroom and closed the door behind her.
And then there were two. Apart from all the animals who were sitting around Selene looking up at her giving 'Why mom sad?' vibes.
"Sorry dad..."
He ran his hands down his face in a tired expression.
"No, I'm sorry."
He looked mad now. Mad at himself.
He put his elbows on his knees; "God I'm such an idiot. I thought this day would come much later, but time just flies by, and when you're young you think you'll live forever. Fuck me..."
"I'm coming home. Right now. I'll get ahold of those people you said and-"
"No Sel. Relax. I'll talk to your mom... You just keep going, after your first mission—especially one like that—puck will be paying attention."
"But mom, and Camden- he, our time—you just said—"
"I know what I said. But it's a sensitive time. Do one more mission, maybe two. Then contact them. It'll give me some more time to prepare anyways. But know—that when you push that button there's no coming back kiddo. You'll be a rebel for the rest of your life."
Selene felt a wetness on her face she hadn't realized, and wiped away the tear. Then chuckled.
"A rebel, huh... Well, I learned from the best."
Dad smiled; "You did."
Selene scooped up the dark persian cat now named Pisces who'd began nuzzling her.
"So. I saw you stomp a bug then use it to hit another bug." he said.
They each shared a laugh at that.
"I did, didn't I? ...Jesus, it feels like someone else did all that." she said, leaning back into the couch.
"Yeah, it feels like that sometimes... Damn, now that you're a soldier do I have some stories for you! Hehe.."
They shared a comfortable silence then. Then the bitter realization that their call was coming to it's natural end.
"Well... I better talk to your mom. I'll call you later, okay?"
"Okay..."
"And try to cheer up, you're a badass super soldier now, ain't ya?"
She nodded.
"Love you dad." she said. "Love you too Selene."
He reached over and hung up the call.
She hugged Pisces close and wiped her eyes on her. Then set her to the side where she did a full cat-stretch.
Selene better start setting up the dogs food bowls she supposed.