Nikhil(44)

"I did."

"It has been completed?" Treyvon asked surprised.

"Yes. Mackenzie woke early and wished to have the treatment completed and the educator applied."

"Where is she now?"

"She wished to meet with her people, to explain what was happening. Alone."

"And you allowed this?" Treyvon frowned. If he were ever blessed with a True Mate, he'd never let her out of his sight.

"It was her wish and...”

"And?" Treyvon pressed.

"I found I couldn't deny her, not when it was something I would demand if I were in her place."

Treyvon said nothing, just stared at Nikhil until the larger warrior had to look away.

"Warrior Onp and Nroa were guarding the entrance, and I informed them they were to defend my True Mate with their lives, or I would end theirs."

"Justifiable." Treyvon nodded his support then pulled out the sword strapped to his back. "So she was able to understand the information the educator provided?"

"Yes, and Luol has guided her through the educator." Nikhil took a step away from his General and pulled his own sword out.

"She understood the information?" Treyvon asked, stretching slightly.

"Yes, very well. She was even able to associate that information with present day." Nikhil waited for the General to assume his fighting stance. Nikhil always enjoyed sparring with Treyvon. He was the only one that truly challenged him with the power of his sword, and while Nikhil was strong, the General was faster. It was always a good match.

"What do you mean?" When Nikhil just looked at him, Treyvon understood. "She knows my family helped cause the Great Infection."

"Not your family, General. An ancestor, but yes."

"I see."

Can she tell us where her Earth is now?" Treyvon asked.

"No."

"You know I will need to speak with her again."

"Yes."

Treyvon gave him the nod, assumed his stance, and the match began.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Parlan ran the portable repair unit over his arm as he watched the General and Nikhil spar. Injuries happened during drills, which was why a unit was always available, but rarely were the injuries caused by Nikhil. The Squad Leader was renowned for always being in control of his blade, of always pulling back at the last minute.

Today, with him, Nikhil did neither; driving him to the ground again, and again while other warriors looked on. It was humiliating because that was the way Squad Leader intended it to be. All because Parlan had dared to speak up to him about the 'humans.'

"It seems you have displeased the Squad Leader," Warrior Gulzar commented as he walked by.

"Shut up, Gulzar!" Parlan spat back. "You will address me with the respect I've earned, or you will be in need of the deep-repair unit after this Elite Warrior is done with you."

Gulzar stared at Parlan for a moment. They both came from the same planet of Sustus, but that was the only thing they had in common. Parlan's bloodline held many Elite Warriors while Gulzar was attempting to become the first in his. Few Elites demanded to be addressed with the 'respect' Parlan was referring to. Especially not from one that was so close to joining their ranks, but Gulzar knew he couldn't refuse.

"Of course, Elite Warrior Parlan." Gulzar bowed slightly to him. "I meant no offense, just stating an observation as is part of my training."

"You were taught to observe, not comment," Parlan fired back.

"Of course, Elite Warrior Parlan."

"The Goddess has blessed you this day, Warrior Gulzar," Parlan told him, dropping the repair unit. "I do not have the time to show you why you will never become an Elite Warrior. I must oversee the survivors. A task the General personally assigned to me."

"An important task indeed," Gulzar agreed. "Especially now that the Squad Leader's True Mate has been found among them."

Parlan was about to spin away when Gulzar's words stopped him. "What are you talking about?!!"

"You have not heard?" Gulzar gave him a surprised look.

"Heard what?" Parlan demanded.

"Squad Leader discovered a severely injured female in the mine. It seems the Zaludians were going to sell her to a Pleasure House. She is his True Mate."

"The Zaludians had a Kaliszian female in that mine?" Parlan couldn't believe he hadn't heard this.

"No. She is one of the new species. The one that call themselves hu... humans."

"That’s impossible! They aren't Kaliszian!"

"Yet she wears his True Mate bead. I saw it myself this morning when she was walking beside Squad Leader Nikhil in the corridor."

Parlan spun around and left without another word.