Chapter 2 – The

He was awakened, apparently, hours after he fell asleep. But not by the whir of the station, or the call of the announcements. Two men were standing in his room, and they looked as if they had been observing him for some while. The odd thing was, he was at a very small and isolated space station, and he had never seen these people before.

"What are you doing?"

"We need you in the other room, Bean." What did they want?

"Due to the state of Andrew Wiggin after the defeat of the Buggers, and your state last night, I believe that it is imperative that we should…"

"My state last night?" He was more curious now. "I did nothing but sleep last night."

"Make this easy for us, Bean," Why were they doing this investigation? "We need to know if you have been felling any different lately, and"

"Okay, I'll comply, but I need to know things first!!"

"There's no need to yell Bean," said one. The other was writing his actions down on a hyperpad. "Oh." He realized it. They thought the same thing that had happened to Ender was happening to him. They thought he was going insane, because of the buggers.

"I'm not insane."

"Good to hear," One said. Bean was far too tired for this. This was the most simplistic type of psychology in existence. He decided, however, to make it work to his advantage, which was just the type of thing he was good at. "Do you have any food? I haven't eaten yet today."

"No Bean, not this time." What? This must be very important. They're pushing him. He wasn't experienced at manipulating this. They needed the information. Now.

"Okay. What?"

"Good. Still as quick as ever." Although he said it as if it didn't sound so good. "We think the buggers have a weapon, or a side effect, some unknown variable that might drive people to insanity."

"I don't think so." He had a sudden urge to go see Ender. "Ender didn't want to kill the buggers. Didn't Rackham tell you? It's actually their fault he's out of it. They tricked him. He couldn't take it."

"Of course. You just realized that now, Bean. You seemed to deny that before. We believe you're becoming unstable.

"I want to know what you're talking about."

"The lack of sleep, the obvious denial, and the recent anger fit."

"Anger fit? Petra…"

"Mrs. Arkanian had nothing to do with our knowledge. We heard you." Heard him? That was laughable. These two weren't even here before today. I shouldn't have trusted that there would be no surveillance here. I'm never secure. I think my quickness is slipping. I can't provide an excuse.

"I have been – very - homesick lately, and maybe, Ender is too." The words came out like water dripping awkwardly from a faucet.

"We can't send Ender home. We can't send you home, either.

"Why not?" This question had been bugging him since the defeat of the buggers and the almost immediate transfer to the Station, but it wasn't until now that he had asked it.

"Various security reasons." And that answer was the exact reason he had been neglecting to ask the question. He had the general idea anyway. It was probably so they wouldn't be able to release classified information on the Dr. Death and other secret things. He began to feel very uncomfortable and impatient. Get it over with.

"Well that's the reason."
"Anything else?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."