Chapter 1
"I am just saying that if we were allowed to live at the base, especially for those who are not comfortable with flying in and out of Las Vegas for a whole hour daily, it would be more efficient for several, actually many reasons. Firstly, it is a waste of time to reach the base; an hour which could be put to more significant use, especially since the research departments have been extremely slow in making any innovative discoveries. And don't forget the rising fuel prices! This could reduce the amount of fuel used on a weekly basis. All this extra money could be utilized for other programs which are struggling with funds. These are just a few suggestions which I could include in a detailed report if you would like to know more, General. I have written several in the past but I never got a response to any of them. Maybe I can shorten them down, might be more appealing and less time consuming. What do you thing, General?"
I knew the answer already. A negative response was going to be thrown at me once again. I was hoping this time that General Caiths Ibarra would change his mind and finally consent to this small request. I mean, how hard is it to furnish some of the unutilized rooms at the base and allow some of us to live there? Does not sound unreasonable at all to me!
He was reading a legal report. A report I knew inside out, as, of course I wrote it! It was about an attempted breach at the base's eastern boundary, close to the sector where I worked at. Nothing serious, of course. Just extra-terrestrial fanatics thinking they can escape from the many security officers placed at every corners of the base. We get at least a couple a week. General Ibarra, looking down at what I think is an impeccably written report, "Agent Dogan, as I have previously mentioned, I do not like your report system. I get about ten of them per week from you alone and I simply do not have the time to read all of them. Reports should only be made regarding the tasks I have assigned you. Where do you even find the time to draft so many of them?" He looked up for a second, and continued, "Also, are you trying to subtly hint that you are scared of flying?"
The smirk on his face suddenly made me turn as red as the sole of my Louboutin shoes. "I am not used to flying. Actually, Sir, I flew for the first time when I went to London for my studies, and I was eighteen. That was really not that long ago." He stopped smirking. I don't know whether or not to take that offensively; " I don't think it is correct to define this as a fear. Let's say, I am just not at ease. It's a slight insecurity which I am pretty sure I have almost entirely overcome." My voice was shaky and I could feel my palms starting to get sweaty as the plane was encountering slight turbulence. Like always, nothing out of the ordinary. I never like talking about my defects. I think many people can relate with me on this. However, I was not ready to have the General think I was scared of heights, leading an enormous list of things height-related which I am consequently terrified of.
Ibarra closed the report on the tray table in front of him, "Well, you better overcome it fast as it's not about to change anytime soon. Unlike us single people, Agent Dogan, many of the others are married and have families to go home to after work. I can relate to what you are saying perfectly, but I cannot impede all the other employees from their normal lives outside of their employment only because their work is, well, a little out of the ordinary. Everyone needs a bit of ordinariness in their lives."
"I understand perfectly that many have other commitments besides work at the base. I speak on behalf of those who do not have such commitments. We can still find a solution. I am sure we can accommodate those who wish to live closer in the empty rooms at the base, and this will allow us to reduce the amount of planes per day as less will be flying in and out." The General's expression started to change as he looked up at me. I could see the annoyance growing in his eyes. "Miss Dogan, I think I was clear the first time. My answer is no."
"Yes, General. Well, thank you again for listening. I will get back to my seat for the remainder of the flight then, Sir. Sorry again for disturbing you." I felt a hand grabbing me gently, "No point moving seats now. We are about to land soon."
As I peeked outside the window, making sure there was no sign of worry on my face for the General to notice, I could see the mountainous region below. We were nearing the base. I put my head back and pulled the seat to its upright position as the flight attendant passed by making sure the passengers were ready for landing. Unlike my previous statement made to the General, I have to admit, I am petrified of flying. This was not related to my childhood, in which I had never boarded a plane. I had a fear of heights. I could not fight it, nor attempted to. Apart from the daily flights, my job at the base, thankfully, did not involve extreme heights. I thought that once I started work at the base, I would have eventually gotten used to it. It is now more than a year, I could not have been more mistaken.
The General went back to reading, another one of my reports. I noticed that his hair has greyed substantially during the past year. It must be the extensive stress he undergoes. We have been having a lot of problems at the base lately. Even though I was head of security at one of the sectors of the base, I was not allowed to interfere with such matters. I was only head of security in sector 40, a very small sector of the base on the eastern side. Working there are just a bunch of nerdy biologists testing samples sent to them in special decontaminated vials. It seems like a really boring job, I know. That is because it really is.
However, that way I could concentrate on my legal affairs, which I am also in charge of at the base. Surprisingly we do not get many legal problems, being a secret government agency and all. Most of the legal disputes I have encountered in the past year involved employer terminations or drafting of employment contracts. Contract law must be one of the most boring legal fields I have ever had the misfortune to work in.
Despite how boring my job is, I like working here. Just over a year ago I was a secretary at a legal firm in Las Vegas. Terrible pay and the men at the firm were always cracking misogynist jokes, which infuriated me deeply. I was so surprised when the agency suddenly approached me. They were looking for a candidate who did not have many or any familial connections. I was perfect for the job, picked out of a sample of ten people (whose identities were revealed to me), as I was closer to the base geographically compared to those candidates. I was nobody a year ago, an orphan girl, a fresh graduate ready to be exploited. Now, I can afford a luxurious two-bedroom apartment in the heart of Sin City and as many clothes as my heart desires.
Finally, the pilot announced that the plane was getting ready for its descent at the Groom Lake landing strip, towards the infamous Area 51. In less than ten minutes we landed at the base. It was a very hot and dry day, unsurprising and absolutely normal, seeing how we are situated in the middle of the Nevada desert. Military planes were already out practicing and it was just nine in the morning. The pilots usually have to be here by seven am. I love the white smoke patterns they leave in the skies. As a child I used to lie down on the grass and watch them and imagine all the exciting places it could be flying off to, hoping someday I too would be flying with them. I take that back now. As I had the womanly bad habit of wearing uncomfortable shoes at all times, I was forced to take a buggy to the main building. I was not willing on ruining my new black pumps. The General headed towards the building on foot. I watched him as he disappeared in the distance as the buggy overtook him. He was my only companion at the base.
Actually, Caiths and I were more than just colleagues. We had been seeing each other for almost three months now. Our relationship was very secretive. We agreed that nobody at the base was to be made aware of it, especially due to his role at the base. Even our few friends were to be kept oblivious of our relationship. Even though this did not turn to be such an arduous task for me considering I only had one close friend who lived in Las Vegas.
Unlike Caiths, who hung out back home with many employees from the base, I was quite the solitary one. My need for solitude might arise from my not-so pleasant childhood. I had no friends in the orphanage I grew up in Arizona. I was a very small and unhealthy child, constantly bedridden, with interests beyond a regular child's play. I immersed myself in books, mainly those about nature and general knowledge. I just wanted to know everything. I was insatiable. I was constantly bullied by both the older and younger children for this and nobody would ever come to protect me, and consequently, as I matured into an even smarter young lady, I thought becoming a lawyer would help protect me from such rowdy people. I thought once I passed the New York Bar exam, I could finally protect myself from any mischief or torment, only to find out, yet again, how wrong I had been. Studying law and later practice made me realize that justice always comes with a price.
Also, I think it is obvious by now that my logic skills are not always functioning at its best. Either way, I ended up landing a great and well-paying job and meeting a great man with whom I can share all my secrets and thoughts.
In order to maintain this relationship secret, Caiths and I see each other on the weekends, mostly at my place. This is to avoid strange situations from evolving. He has many friends that go over to his house and it would be uselessly risky and suspicious if they saw me snooping around his place. This secrecy seemed like a difficulty at first. Beyond the secret and scheming aspect, we nurture a very normal loving relationship. I have found it surprisingly easy to relate with him on a personal level as we had very similar childhoods, me being brought up at an orphanage and him being assigned to a foster family who despised him deeply. We both became independent individuals that matured at a very young age.
The buggy came to a sudden halt at a huge warehouse filled with planes and other machinery I could still not identify after more than a year. The technology was in constant evolution here at the base. Some of them had the most bizarre shapes, something to do with aerodynamics. They were shining beautifully as the blazing desert sun entered the warehouse through the open dock doors. And just because I would like to avoid any unnecessary speculation: UFOs at the base are a myth. I have never seen one in a year of working here. Nor have I ever found any documents or heard anyone working on such a project. It was all about the government testing and manufacturing innovative military equipment.
My is the only one of its kind in the whole base. It is a small laboratory that deals with chemical and biological research. The six researchers test various plant and animal cells; mainly of those found in the area, with substances used for the equipment, to see the resulting reactions they may have. The staff under my control is very professional and in a whole year of service, we only had one problem, when a previous staff member tried to steal a sample. Caiths came to deal with him immediately. Coming to think about it, I never actually heard of that researcher again. One thing I have learnt is to never question such things here. Sometimes, it is wiser not knowing. Staff is replaced frequently, most of the times because they are found leaking top-secret documents to other agencies, or other countries. Most of the times, I get to deal with such issues and write the reports and memos on what to do in such circumstances. Other times, reports of staff are not filed and the employee just seems to disappear. Nobody questions it, we all just continue as if those individuals never existed, especially me.
As I reached the lab, I saw that the researchers were just setting up. I had my own desk at the top of the staircase that led down to the lab, with a great view of the lab. That way, I could always keep an eye on those coming into the lab and observe closely those working there. My working hours were from nine thirty am to six pm, Monday to Friday. It was very decent as we also got an hour and a half break at two pm for lunch. I always used to stay at my desk and eat something from the nearby vending machines. I did not have friends at the base and I refused to make any. The less people knew about me, the more control I had over them, and the lesser the chance of tem finding out of my relationship with Caiths. I felt that the closer I got to a person, the more they had that they could use against me. Some of the researchers have attempted to start conversation with me, but ended up with me ignoring them or advising them to keep their distance, as I was only interested in keeping it professional. I did not do it on purpose; I guess it has become more of a defense mechanism now.
The lab was fully operating at half past nine. I sat at my desk, a pile of reports read to filed and read, put on my desk prior to my arrival. The most exciting reading today was one of a teenager who climbed the fence dressed as one of the guards in the middle of the night. He managed to sneak past them for one third of a mile beyond the eastern road blockage. Quite impressive.
I was interrupted by one of the biologists, Glenda Smiths. She was a very pretty woman, forty-four years of age, very well kept, always wearing a lot of expensive jewelry. She was divorced, her son died in a car crash last year and has been working at the base for the past ten years. How I knew so much about her without making friendly contact with her? I had access to all employee files. All except Caiths'.
She looked worried, "Miss Dogan, I found a problem with one of the samples. It has been contaminated." It was not the first time I hear that samples get contaminated. Usually the samples were brought to the biologists in secured vials, minimizing contamination; but sometimes they are contaminated prepared for the researchers by those who collected it. I stared at her and nodded, "Place it here, I will give it to the General to dispose of appropriately." I went back to my reading.
However, when I looked up, she was still there, looking at me even more worriedly. She continued, "I ran the tests several times but they all seem to give these very strange results." She placed a chart on my desk. I had no idea what those symbols were. All I could understand were different types of elements present in the sample and a large amount of some element I had never seen before. I suppose I did not do enough reading throughout my childhood after all! "It has definitely been contaminated. I just do not understand with what. It is a substance I have never seen in my life and I am scared to ask the other's opinion. I would not want to get other people angry by spreading such an anomaly. Can you contact the General? I need to report my findings urgently." I was confused now. I immediately picked up the phone and dialed the number of my supervisor, Caiths. She returned to her position and was analyzing the results crucially. She seemed very alarmed at the results. Caiths' assistant, Tyler Newby, picked up. I told him that I needed Caiths to come down here urgently about some suspicious test results.
Caiths showed up shortly after and asked me what was going on. I told him that Glenda found the test results were out of the ordinary and that she needed to tell someone about it. He rushed down to Glenda. The two were whispering for a few minutes. Everyone around pretended like they were working when in fact they were trying to figure out what was happening. Suddenly, Caiths looked up alarmingly. He said something to Glenda quickly and then the two of them hurried out of the lab. As they left, I saw some of the researchers gathering near Glenda's desk and looking around, mumbling at each other. Nobody knew what Glenda found in that contaminated sample. "Everyone get back to work! I am sure it is nothing serious. They will deal with it and come back in a short while." I had no choice but to reassure the other researchers that it was only a small inconvenience. I hope.
"I am telling you this is no coincidence. I know it is meant to be a normal, daily experience but I can't explain so many oddities. This time, she was in that room again, the one made of that shining metal. I have never seen metal be so shimmery. She was wearing very eccentric clothes; they did not even cover her legs entirely, just up to her knees! And the shoes had some sort of stick at the talon that made her look taller! She is prettier every time that I see her. This time she was reading about a boy jumping a fence and escaping from some guards at night. Her job must be so exciting! She must be some sort of a guardian or advisor to the ruler of her city. Don't you think it is so strange that we see people from a distant land? Do you think they see us too? Why am I the only one who thinks this is odd?" I was staring excitedly at my friends. They just looked at their food in annoyance as we sat down having lunch. It was time for a well-deserved break from working in the fields all morning. My lunch today was a piece of bread with cheese and an apple. "I think they are hiding something from us, I am sure the Magus do not want to tell us everything about our Nai."
Cynthia replied annoyingly, "Listen to yourself, Tavis! You are talking like one of those drunkards by the tavern that I have to squat away like flies every time I try to get back home! I found this all very strange too upon receiving the gift. I have asked multiple times at the temple, and to other Magus during my travels to other cities before my husband's passing. I asked why it happened and why the person in my dreams was recurring every night. They said that it is normal. Our mind connects to an exterior being, the Nai; usually when we experience something that affects us deeply. The Magus are very wise, and you should not speak so rudely of them. It has been a whole year now since the gift was bestowed upon you. I think its time you just learn to live with it."
Cynthia has always been a great believer, unlike myself, in the magic of the Magus. She prayed daily to the Nai from her dreams. She continued, "The Nai express to us important life lessons. It is essential that we take it as teachings and not to question its existence. It is not to say we cant interpret things the way we feel best for ourselves to better live with this gift. Otherwise, how is it that I am already a widow at twenty-six, with two children to take care of, forced to go back to live with my parents, while my Nai is enjoying her time in her land drinking to her heart's content? She shows a side to life which I must never aspire to, and that is the lesson I am to learn from it. What do you think Edmund?"
Edmund was chewing a large chunk of cheese. He swallowed hard and said, "I do not know. My Nai is very strong, he is some sort of warrior for his land. He had fire coming out of a pipe, which he used to protect his people. It is very interesting to see the things people have done for their land to protect their own people. Nothing similar to me, actually, the polar opposite of what I would ever become. I would never even think of going to war. I just take it as a dream, something nice to have after a long day of work in the fields.
However, I still do not understand one thing which none of us seem to have in common with Tavis' dreams." He took another bite, then with his mouth full of cheese continued, looking at me. "Why are you the only person who has a Nai that is not a man like yourself? All of us have of the same gender. While you got a pretty brown haired lady, adventurous and with an interesting life! How come we did not get that?" He swallowed his cheese and turned to Cynthia, "You are a smart woman. Life has unfortunately been hard on you. This is why I ask how you can be so calm and not wonder why your Nai is so much more fortunate than yourself? Do you not think she might be stealing your good fortune from you? I do not know what you and all the other people in the kingdom think; but I agree with Tavis, something is not right."
I stared contentedly at Cynthia's face as she started to get annoyed. She always got annoyed when she could reply to Edmund's questions. Edmund is the thinker of the trio. On the contrary, Cynthia is more of a fighter, spontaneous and tough. She had a more difficult life than me, that is for certain. Her husband had passed away at war three years ago, when their son was one and daughter was two. She was forced to come back to live with her parents in Laal.
On the other hand, I am the troublemaker of the group. I am very curios and adventurous, but somehow I always manage to cause problems along the way. In terms of work, I have not succeeded either. I am just a farmer, still living with my parents. They have never forced my brothers and sisters to get married. They are strong believers of love. On the contrary, I still have not managed to find my true love. It's a lonely life for me, but I don't mind it. Even Edmund is leading a single life for now and does not seem to complain.
My parents have had many obstacles when it came to them being together. My mother, Frey Laaston, was actually of noble birth. She was Lady Frey of Arlais, born in a wealthy town that was closely allied with Laal. My father, Cormac Laaston, was a poor farmer. He grew up poor, to then lead the same life as his parents. It was never permitted for the poor and noble to marry. Actually, nobility and the common town folks could not even socialize with each other, only when absolutely necessary for daily work activity. Disobedience such as marriage would most certainly result in the death of both the spouses. They met one day when my mother came to visit the city of Laal, my beloved town. My mother had to travel here to meet her betrothed, the Lord of Nilam's son, Horatius. They decided to meet in Laal during a visit from the Nilamair family, as Arlais is not too distant from here. However, my mother did not have interest in her betrothed and met my dad one day while touring the streets. It was love at first sight for the two. They decided to get married at the temple before she left the city, in secrecy. Upon receiving news of their daughter's betrayal, my mother's family refused to have anything to do with her and decided that poverty would be a much harsher punishment than death.
My mother and father have been living happily ever since, with their six children and modest farm. Laal's earth has been blessed, fertile all year long, as was the weather. In Laal we did not ever have harsh winters, or any winter for that matter. It was beautiful all year long. Laal is a very small town ruled by the Laalair family. We have always managed to keep away from war in our territory. Just the occasional bandits have threatened some of the inhabitants of the town from the bordering Beryl Forest. We are not one of the wealthiest towns in the Cashesgra region, but we have managed to always be well fed with the abundant amount of wheat, cattle and poultry from our farms, and fish from the near-by Marhean Sea.
Finally, Cynthia replied, "Well, I admit my Nai is not the most exemplary person when it comes to learning valuable life lessons, but at least I have a guidance to not go down the same road. I cannot even if I wanted to. Someone has to take care of the children." After her repetitive and unintellectual response, Cynthia got up and made her way towards her small farmhouse. I think we have worked her last nerve on the Nai interrogatory. "Do you think she is angry at us, Tavis?" Edmund seemed upset at her reaction. He had a good heart and could not handle even the tiniest of conflicts. "She'll be fine." I lay back on the grass. It was a beautiful day, as always. The sun was shining bright and there was not a single cloud in the sky. It was way too hot to be wearing these linen long-sleeved shirt and pants. If only we could have the same clothes as those worn by the men in the world of the brunette. They looked so practical and comfortable. Everything in that land does. If only I could remember her name. Why can I not remember her name? "Did you ever get to know the name of your Nai, Edmund?" Edmund was now lying on the grass right next to me. He was surely going to try and eat the rest of my food. "Yes. His name is Antonio Sanchets. He says he comes from the land of Metsico, or something like that. Why?" Edmund was starting to eat the remnants of my lunch. "Then why can't I?" Even Edmund did not know how to reply to that. We lay down for another ten minutes, just enough time for Edmund to finish eating and we made our way to the fields, for the remainder of the afternoon.
Finally, the sun was starting to set. The time had come for all of us to head back home for supper. This usually consisted of only part of the family's attendance. My mother and sisters, Calliope and Bethesda, worked for the Laalairs, the royal family. They were usually kept for long work hours, often past supper. My younger brother Radley, seventeen, prepared supper when my mother would not be able to make it home on time. He was very blessed with cooking. He knew how to use the blandest of ingredients and turn them into culinary delights. My two youngest sisters, Crisanta and Ayla, the twins of the family, were still young and carefree. They were eleven years old, still living life in an imaginary world of their own. Crisanta is the princess of the family. She is the elegant and delicate one, with a passion of all things royal, currently learning etiquette and sewing from my mother and sisters. My other baby sister, Ayla, is the opposite. She is very intellectual and a strong believer in the Magus. She goes every day down to the temple to pray to the Nai. She also attends lectures by the Magus at the temple. This is hopefully just a phase, which will pass as she grows older. The Magus have always raised my suspicion when it came to their beliefs and magic, always had a feeling they are hiding something from us.
The family, or whatever of it was present, was already gathered around the table, waiting for my late arrival. "Sorry I am late. Work at the fields went on for a longer today." I could see my father was impatiently hungry. "About time Tavis, I have been dealing with the merchants all day at the market. They are all so arrogant only cause they own a few boats." He rolled his eyes and waved his hands vibrantly as to show his uttermost disapproval of merchants, especially as he was just a humble farmer with no property but this farmhouse. Well then, let's eat!" We all started eating hungrily. Must have been a busy day for everyone. Radley had made a tasty chicken stew with cornbread. Crisanta broke the silence as always; "Today I made a beautiful dress for my doll. I would love to make something for all of you. What can I make you all?" Ayla rolled her eyes. Crisanta loved to tell her somewhat annoying stories about her long and tiring day. Ayla interrupted her. "I want nothing made from you. You should put your talent to use and help at the temple."
I was about to reply to Crisanta when suddenly, the bells at the temple tower struck throughout the town. The number of strikes reveals a message that the Lords want to convey throughout the town.
One strike means that a member of the royal family has passed. Strange, I have not heard my mother or sisters talk about any sickness in the royal family. Silence hit the room. We all stared at each other, waiting for a dreaded second strike.
Two strikes. Laal was at war. That was even more unlikely. Please let the bell strike once more.
Third strike. Everyone in the room sighed deeply. The third strike signified that an important event was to take place at Laal. Usually a wedding or fair will take place. I wonder what awaits us in the coming days. Once the others get home we will get more concrete news. We all started to speculate on the upcoming event while we resumed our well-deserved dinner.