Chapter 17: Personal Questions
“Hey Jaden, if you don’t mind me asking, what’s with that permanent eye glow? You seem like a nice woman so I doubt you suffer from Magical Overflow.”
“Trust me. I’ve been wanting to know the answer to that question. I was apparently born with this eye glow and my blindfold helps block the glow. Fortunately, the eye glow gave me the ability to see through one solid object; my blindfold in this case.”
“Interesting. A person with glowing eyes but not suffering from Magical Overflow. If you’re an elf though, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
“An elf? Why not?”
“Elves are all born with eye glows but since they’re not human, it doesn’t mean much. They do not suffer from the ill effects of Magical Overflow…at least that’s what we learn back at Machina Bunker.”
Jaden remained silent for a while, thinking about Jaina’s words. She began to think of the possibility that she may have some elven heritage in her family. What if her father was an elf, not human, and did that contribute to her eye glow without suffering from Magical Overflow? Even if that is true, why would the whole family be so confounded by her eye glow too, not just herself?
Thus far, Jaden had never encountered another human whose eyes glow as bright as hers and did not suffer from Magical Overflow, though Dark Viper’s eyes do glow faintly the last time she saw him. She then wondered if she and Dark Viper had any connection, considering how he used to be a family friend. Regardless, she discarded the thought; nothing but hatred for that murderer fills her heart whenever she thought of him.
“Sorry if I asked about a sensitive subject.” Jaina apologized out of the blue while nudging Jaden, bringing her back to reality.
“No no. It’s alright. You were curious.”
“And to prove that I’m sorry, go ahead and ask a personal question about me.” Jaina said with a smile. She was seemingly confident that Jaden had something to ask.
“Ok…….I admit. I have been curious about your hair and eye color. They aren’t natural right?”
“Actually they are.” Jaina responded. “My hair and eye color is caused by a genetic disease. It is quite similar to albinism.”
“What’s the disease?”
“It doesn’t really have a name. It is a genetic disease caused by our overuse of Omega Energies. You see, I was born…without Magical Energies within me.”
“What? Wait a minute, is that even possible?”
“Apparently so. Magical Energies not only allow us to cast spells. It is also the catalyst that allows us to feel emotions. Magical Energies is also a part of our genetic structure.”
“How does the overuse of Omega Energies cause this?”
“See, Omega Energies, though still technically Magical Energies, has properties directly opposite of Magical Energies. It is the remains of Magical Energies, should it be destroyed, and it blocks off other Magical Energies, almost like a repellent. It is also not sentient. We Mannihilators only allow Omega Energies and for that to happen, every one of us goes through our own version of the Proving, which involves destroying our Magical Energies, not gaining control over it.
As you can probably guess by now, due to my parents’ Omega Energies, I was denied Magical Energies when I was born due to Omega Energies blocking access for me to gain it. Sometimes though, people are just unlucky enough to be born without Magical Enegies”
“I see. So, your genetic structure is affected?”
“Yes and I am pretty glad that it only affects my hair and eye color. I’ve seen people who look nothing like their parents because their facial structure was not inherited.”
“Ok. So, do people treat you differently due to this disease?”
“Actually, they treat people like me with a lot of respect. They expect so much from us and we even have our own branch in the Mannihilator Military, namely the Templar Order.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, you do know who we worship right? Ariel Silver, Heartless Champion of the Light? She suffered a similar disease, which is far rarer at her time because Omega Energies were not yet discovered. Unlike us, she retains her full genetic structure but lost her ability to feel emotions and is practically similar to a robot.”
“Oh right. I almost forget. Ironically, she became one of the most powerful beings alive because of her lack of emotions.”
“Exactly. And because we worship her, our leaders believe that those who suffer from a similar genetic disease is capable of achieving as much as her. Hence, they expect a lot from us.”
“Um…is that why you’re a Captain even though you can’t really fight well?”
“You guessed it Jaden. They assumed I would be a good Captain so they make me one. I barely spend one hour as a Recruit. Honestly, I am more of an engineer kind of girl. Still, though I don’t fight much, I aim to be a Templar. It is a rank reserved for people who suffer from the genetic disease. Templars are like our modern heroes.”
“I see. Thanks for being so thorough with your answers.”
“I get that a lot. Call it strange but I like giving long-winded answers to questions, especially when the question is about my genetic problems.”
“So…now could you tell me about Vader’s sentience?”
Before Jaina could answer, Reed made an announcement through the speakers. “Ok ladies…and yes I know you’re not a lady Vader…we’re reaching Qurrentine’s atmosphere. Better prep yourself for landing. Don’t expect it to be soft. You better know what I’m talking about Jaden. The docks were crawling with Iblisan cultists before we left the planet. Oh…and Jaina…thanks for fixing the Crimson Spinner’s damned hyperdrive engine. I hope you enjoy your stay in the goddamn cargo hold. Otherwise, the trip to Qurrentine could take weeks.”
Jaina smiled and cheerfully said, “You’re welcome.” though Jaden find it peculiar that Jaina is being friendly with Reed despite their unfriendly reception at first meeting. In addition, Jaden never expected the trip to take only about an hour and was especially unhappy since she was not mentally prepared for the return to her home planet; the site of such horrors as she would have put it. She sighed and rubbed her forehead, trying to clear her mind of all negative thoughts.
“Well, I guess we can talk once we’re done here. If you need me in your shore party, I’ll be here…in the cargo hold.”
“You’re willing to stay in the cargo hold?”
“Reed and I were playing a card game and we agreed that the loser will stay in the cargo hold. I…lost and so…here I am. It ain’t that bad. There are a lot of boxes here and…more boxes.”
“Jaina…seriously. Reed can be full of it sometimes. Don’t always listen to him. You can stay in the cabin, with me if you want.”
“I appreciate it Jaden but…a loss is a loss.”
“Why are you so obedient to Reed?”
“Actually, I’ve always been obedient. My parents kept telling me that obedience is what made Ariel a great Warrior. I aim to be like her.”
“But Reed’s taking advantage of you.”
“I just like to do what people ask me to do, even idiots like him, as long as I know it won’t harm others.”
While clenching her fists, Jaden told herself, “Trust me Jaina, if he went too far, I will flatten his nose.”
* * *
Jaden rushed back to the cockpit in time to see the familiar red planet of Qurrentine outside the Crimson Spinner’s windshield. The planet appeared larger as Reed steered the ship nearer and Jaden felt anxious but fearful to return to her home planet. Unlike before, Gavin was not in the cockpit, prompting Reed to ask about possible landing spots.
“Alright Jaden, now that we’re here, we need to think about where we should land. I know I said I would land at the docks but on second thought, that isn’t exactly a good idea.”
“You could try to fly the ship closes to the docks, close enough for me to sense for any cultists within.”
“Hmm, now that ain’t a bad idea. Alright Jaden, be ready. I am not losing this ship to some bloody cultists after everything this ship has done for us.”
“Feeling attached to this ship huh?”
“Hey, I am the goddamn pilot after all. This ship’s like my kid.”
Complying with the plan, Reed slowed down the ship, reducing the amount of noise it was generating. He steered it closer to the docks, the last place they were at before leaving the urbanized planet. At the same time, he watched the planet’s surface, looking out for cultists who may be wandering around the planet’s surface; they are especially easy to recognize due to their unique clothing which stood out amongst civilians. When the docks were in sight, Reed halted the Crimson Spinner and Jaden tapped into her Magical Energies.
Jaden closed her eyes and ignored the touch from her clothes and blindfold, alienating her mind from her senses. The calmness that came allowed her Magical Energies to surge through her body, sending a cold feeling of tranquility around her body. The feeling moved all the way to her ears, Magically enhancing its hearing capabilities; coupled with the extreme focus that comes by shutting down the rest of her senses.
Jaden began to hear heartbeats, initially sounding very soft but intensifying to the point that she was able to tell each of them individually. Some of the loudest were Reed’s and her crew members, the fast beating clearly showing that they were anxious, or nervous, to land on a planet as dangerous as Qurrentine. She directed her hearing to the docks by imaging it in her thoughts and she then heard a large number of heartbeats from it, most of them very slow and calm.
To confirm that those heartbeats were really the cultists, she ceased her heartbeat hearing and turned to mind reading. Maintaining the stillness she felt, she directly her Magically-enhanced hearing to the minds of people around her. Naturally, however, she accidentally read the minds of people closest to her first: Her crewmembers.
“Screw Reed and his attitude. I can bet that he cheated that card game just so that he could laugh at me as I rot in this cargo hold. I’ll show him. Once I become a Templar, he will see that I am much better that he ever was. Accompanying one as powerful as Jaden is a surefire way to get into the Templar Order…that’s assuming we didn’t die in the process.”
“Serving with a Magic user is something which I never thought I would ever do but if it is for the greater good, then I have no shame. After all, Ariel herself had companions in her life; some were ancestors of us Mannihilators. I should relive the legacy that is the Heartless Champion of the Light.”
“So, Gavin brought in twenty stacks of rations, just in case the shore party is in need of food. There were also several lion steaks, chicken soup, wendigo legs…Mannihilators are mostly carnivorous aren’t they? Ah why should it matter? Delicious food is always welcome. I may chomp it all down once we’re done here. Oh yeah, he also brought in many stacks of pure water, and a few soft drinks. And here I thought he was one of those health-freaks. What’s the use of soft drinks to an awesome hero such as myself?”
Jaden nearly recoiled as she listened to Reed’s thoughts. She wondered how he could be thinking about food when they are on an important mission. She was so surprised that she accidentally telepath, “What!?” to Reed’s mind, prompting him to cease his rambling in his mind.
“What was that? Who…hmm…I must be imagining sounds in my mind.”
Not willing to continue hearing his nonsensical thoughts, Jaden directed her mind reading to the docks. She scanned through the brains of the individuals whose heartbeats were heard previously.
“…screw Iblisan and his ordering around. We can do better than have him rule over our asses…”
“…he really expects us to remain here until that Energy Bladesman comes back? It’s been like what? 2 weeks?...”
“…This had better be worth the time. I just spend about 2 weeks standing here, hoping for a goddamn woman to come back…”
She ceased her mind reading and had confirmed that the docks were still occupied by Iblisan’s cultists. She opened her eyes and told Reed, “The docks are now enemy territory. Let us land somewhere else.”
“Yes boss.”
Reed steered the ship away from the docks and began scanning the planet for any open space which may not garner too much attention. After a while of searching, he found a huge open area surrounded by buildings. Thinking that the building will provide good cover from the cultists, he flew straight for the opening. As the ship neared the ground, he steadily slowed down the ship, released the ship’s landing legs and hovered it down slowly onto the ground.
“After all, Qurrentine has no law. Why would it matter if I land my ship wherever I want?” Reed told himself.
Once the ship has finally landed, he turned to Jaden asked, “Now that we’ve landed, we need a shore party and a ship party, especially in a planet filled with hostiles. We have enough people to split up into two groups. Naturally, the leader leads the shore party so, you will head out.”
“Remind me again why I am the leader of this rebellion?”
“Hey you started this and you’re the one who gained the Mannihilator’s full support. Besides, I’d rather watch your back. It has a nice view back there.”
“Right…well, we’ll need to discuss who will head out with me and who will stay. Tell everyone to meet up at the briefing room…and that includes you Reed.”
“Fine fine.”
Reed turned on the ship’s speakers and spoke through the microphone, “Attention everyone. We need all of you to assemble at the briefing room. It is no secret that there will be fighting so, we need to discuss our assignments. Get moving!”
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