Chapter 15

Since beginning his undercover mission as Sylor of Vulcan, Loxus had become accustomed to change. First came the Syrranite Reformation, then the war between his people and Earth, before contact with his superiors on Romulus had been lost and left him to fend for himself. He had initially thought that accepting a posting to Starbase 1, near his home territory, would allow him to return easier.

But now change had come again. The whole planet was being evacuated because of the creature in the comet. Yet Loxus felt a strange relief. Now he'd have to prolong his time among the Humans. He tried to tell himself that it was because he wanted to learn more about the enemy, to report back with greater information, but he wasn't so sure anymore. He was learning a lot about them, and other aliens, for sure, it just wasn't in the mindset of a spy.

Secrecy and deception were fundamental to the Romulan way, but was he lying to himself too? The thought that he might be sympathising with these outsiders repulsed him instinctively, and yet he could not deny they possessed admirable qualities. And, while their culture was different, they seemed prosperous, while the Romulan Star Empire was now restricted behind a Neutral Zone, and limited its citizens' space travel and communications in order to maintain order. Humans and their allies enforced no such rules on their own people, and they were thriving.

Even when he had learned that the Tellarites could destroy the comet, and the creature within, it had taken Loxus some time to realise that this was precisely the easy solution the Romulans would have taken. There would have been no concern for the large lifeform and its progeny. So why did Loxus agree with Commodore North's decision to let it live? To let nature take its course and allow new life to flourish at their own expense?

Now at the relocation site on the far side of Berengaria VII, awaiting transport to the fifth planet, he saw all around him signs of honour. Civilians were being evacuated first, with numerous personnel eager to remain until the last minute, assisting with getting others to safety. He could not honestly say that it would be the same were this a Romulan facility.

As he waited his turn to be shuttled up to a ship in orbit, sitting in one of the makeshift tents, he saw Guardsman Threv hurrying back and forth, helping direct people and carry cargo. The Andorian had barely stopped moving since Loxus arrived. The Romulan agent knew how to recognise subterfuge in others, and he had seen it in Threv early on. The young soldier put on a facade of courage and duty, but deep down he was terrified.

Now, here he was, in the middle of the action. He had a family; he could have remained safe on the fifth planet, exempt from aiding the evacuation. He chose to be here. No threats or bribes were required to coerce him, no guilt or forced patriotism. He was here of his own free will, risking his safety.

Which society was truly more advanced?

When another starbase was built, would it be as close to Romulan space? Loxus wasn't sure he'd care either way.

On the fifth planet, the storm outside the temporary habitat was worsening. Power had been kept to a minimum to prevent as much disruption as possible, leaving everybody hot, bored, and in darkness.

Azhri and Chalmos held each other close in the communal area. Everyone had been herded into the centre of the shelters, as the outer edges may not be safe. Even here though, they could hear the wind battering the exterior walls like cannon-fire. The lanterns dotted around the room flickered from the EM radiation reaching in like ghostly hands. Azhri's antennae, sensitive to electromagnetism, were also tingling.

She could see Mr. Simpson, the schoolteacher, with the huddled together children in the corner - those whose parents were still elsewhere - reading them stories to try and calm them. It didn't seem to be working, but Azhri envied Mr. Simpson's cool head, even though he was probably just as scared as the rest of them.

On the other side of the room, Sal sat quietly, her stock almost completely gone, as was her usual brightness and elegance. The Draylaxian woman, now gloomy and dishevelled, hung her head, no doubt lamenting her lost livelihood. Azhri had been one of the cooks in Sal's diner, so she too was out of a job. She may have lost more than that though.

Looking into Chalmos' dark eyes, she could see her ch'te was thinking similar thoughts. Sherene had abandoned them, possibly for good, and Threv was nowhere to be found. Someone had told her that he had returned to the base to help evacuation efforts, but he had told neither her nor Chalmos this beforehand. Azhri just hoped that Threv had not resumed his reckless, suicidal need to prove himself a worthy soldier. While she didn't doubt her th'se's courage, she'd rather have him alive. Chalmos had come around to the same thinking, but Sherene still hated Threv for his secrecy, and this more than anything would devastate Threv.

Azhri understood Sherene's offence - it was why she'd implored Threv to come forward sooner - she just wished her sh'za would be more understanding herself. She feared for the future of her bondgroup.

Would there be many of them left together by the time this crisis was over?

She squeezed Chalmos close, him wrapping his skinny arms around her, and tried to ignore the sound of metal being tested around them.

A shadow came between Azhri and the nearby lantern. For a moment, she thought it had gone out completely, but she looked up to see Sherene standing over her and Chalmos.

There was fear in the small shen's eyes, and her antennae were bent back in alarm.

No words were said, Azhri and Chalmos just opened their arms to her, and she embraced them.

The wind didn't sound as scary now.