Surprising no one! Maybe after romance becomes a more prominent theme people will start showing me love?


~ CHAPTER 7 ~

Research and the Dreaded Quadrants

The mother grub had psychically directed Dwayne down a hall that lead to half a dozen rooms. Some of them were single rooms, some were doubles and one large room had about eight beds lined into two rows. As this was the first room he found Dwayne went to the closest bed, kicked his shoes off and buried himself under the covers. His body was a bit sore from all the walking he'd done but quickly his unsettled mind drifted into unconsciousness. When Dwayne awoke he hadn't for a moment forgotten where he was. He wondered if his first impression should have been that he was dreaming, yet he remained just as sure this was his true calling as when the mother grub found him. Dwayne had that sluggish feeling in his brain you get when you know you've slept too long, he rolled over in his bed and noticed a small window at the end of the room he hadn't spotted before. The light filtering through seemed like a bright yellow-orange. Throwing the sheets off his body he sat up and rubbed his eyes. He got to his feet and walked between the rows of identical beds. Black sheets, blankets, pillow cases and the room was a dull grey. Trollians may have been technologically advanced but they were surely lacking in the aesthetics department of their designs. Dwayne reached the window and saw bushland outside strikingly different to the forest they'd been in while he slept. There were no large trees blocking out the bright sunlight and there were wide patches of yellow dirt between the prickly shrubs. It looked very hot outside even if the hive remained at a comfortable cool temperature. Just where the hell had they teleported to now?

Dwayne stretched with a yawn before turning to the exit and heading back to the front room.

Good morning, Dwayne.

'Morning,' Dwayne stared at the empty front room. 'Where are you?'

We are in here. Her psychic pull lead Dwayne through a different opening and hall, some of the doors were open and he saw showers, toilets and other amenities. He went right to the end which opened up into a large living space, at one end was a kitchen and beside it a long dining table. Wesley sat there immersed in a book, on either side of him were stacks of other tomes presumably one pile having been read already. Guessing by the bleariness of his eyes Dwayne figured it was the larger pile. Upon seeing the other boy he felt the strange warm stirrings inside himself and fought to control them. It was just the mental connection, he told himself. That and possibly their bizarre genetic mating urge. Dwayne spotted the mother grub sitting in a corner at the other end of the room by a bunch of comfortable lounge seats.

I trust you had a pleasant sleep?

'Yes, thanks.'

"Morning," he then said out loud and walked over to the alien cupboards in the kitchen.

"Ah, morning." Wesley looked up but then returned to his reading.

"Is there food in these?" he asked while studying the metal rectangles.

"Yes..." was the distracted answer. Dwayne pressed the handle-less compartments and nothing happened. "You have to wave your hand by the circle thing." Wesley stated and Dwayne complied, a grey shelf gently swung open. Inside were canned rations.

'Did you gather all of this for us?'

Yes.

'I don't suppose there is a microwave?' Dwayne thought after pulling out a tin of baked beans.

There is a heating unit but I wouldn't recommend using it before reading all of the instructions. There is cereal and fruit in the shelf above, bowls and spoons are in the corner drawer left of the sink.

"Do you want anything to eat, Wesley?"

"No... thanks." he answered a little awkwardly. After the drawer didn't budge when he tried to push it closed Dwayne swiped his hand in front of the circle and it slid back automatically. Alien technology. He began getting his breakfast ready.

'So where have you teleported us while I was asleep?'

Up north, three hundred kilometres south of Darwin.

'To find another troll?'

Yes, but this time you both won't be looking for your newest member without a plan. I believe taking a few days rest here while I teach you both what I can will make your next mission a much easier success. The troll in this area is fairly low on the hemospectrum meaning it is likely they possess a psychic power. I will teach you both how to deal with this so you will be able to handle the situation if it becomes... dangerous.

'Hmm neat.' Dwayne took a seat at the table opposite to Wesley after finding milk. He began pouring his cereal.

"So did you not sleep at all?" he asked Wesley, studying the other boy's messy ash-brown hair.

"I didn't go to bed at all." he mumbled, not taking his eyes off the page he was reading.

"Hmph." Dwayne was unhappy with his continuously dismissive attitude, then he spotted the 'Comprehensive Guide to Troll Romance' underneath a few books in the read pile.

With a sudden wave of embarrassment he added the milk and then started eating in silence.

"Is there any sugar here?" he asked after a few mouthfuls. Wesley shrugged. Dwayne went back to eating.

I recommended that book on your species' romance to Wesley, the mother grub stated. Dwayne choked and the other boy looked up at him while he coughed before swallowing properly.

'I keep forgetting he can't hear us.'

You have nothing to worry about.

'It sort of feels weird communicating with someone else in the room who doesn't know what we're saying.'

It does frustrate him a bit. If you'd rather I wait for you to finish your meal you can sit over here afterwards while I explain a few things.

'No, no. I'm fine. Explain away.'

It's about troll romance. Gulp. Wesley has a much broader understanding of the subject now.

'Did he seriously read all of those books in one night?'

Yes.

'I didn't actually think he was that type of guy... he tends to surprise me.' Dwayne instantly felt embarrassed by the ridiculously corny thought he just sent. It was a lot harder to watch what he said while communicating with thoughts.

There is no need to be embarrassed, Dwayne. In a species that is so volatile and dangerous the relationships you all will form have a vital role in keeping your group together. Your waxing feelings for Wesley aren't just natural at this point, but expected.

'WHAT?' he blushed furiously and kept his eyes on his breakfast. He really hoped that wasn't Wesley studying his face in his peripheral vision.

You don't actually understand the nature of your feelings at the moment. That book is an essential read for you as well.

'I am so embarrassed.'

There is honestly no reason to be.

'I don't think I'm hungry anymore.'

It's more complicated than you think, but he feels the same way.

Dwayne sat bolt upright and stared at the boy across from him.

"Okay what the fuck are you two talking about?" Wesley suddenly shouted. "Should I just leave the room? Would that make it easier for you two?"

"Woah, calm down Wesley." Dwayne held his hands up. "If you could hear us too that would be great, but you can't. So that makes me the only one she can talk to..."

"Yeah, yeah cause you're a Jade Blood. You have some kind of connection with the mother grubs..." he stated angrily. "That's also why you're so passive, your kind are supposed to be almost entirely women. Like caretakers or some shit."

Dwayne felt his fury bubble at the derisive tone and was about to snap back before the mother grub stopped him.

Dwayne. Don't. You must remain calm.

'Why don't you get him to calm down!?'

Because you are the reasonable one! It might be tough, but to succeed in future missions you're going to have to learn patience even when the troll you're dealing with is being unreasonable. Wesley is very mild compared to the other trolls you will meet, you are going to have to learn to keep the peace. You will have to lead the others when I am gone.

'Well I can't wait for that!' he responded with bitter sarcasm.

It is essential for the survival of our species. It may be a burden, but it is of the highest significance. Had it not been for Wesley's inclination towards you he would have been a much greater challenge to recruit and you would have been at high risk of harm. Come over here when you're ready, and I will explain it better.


What do we have here? Will someone, preferably a wise psychic moth creature, shed some light on this peculiarity?