Chapter 5: Reunited At Last
While Da'an changed, Trey was busy mapping out the building Tay'jay's associates often gathered in on Wemri. Mi'en decided to indulge her curiosities.
"So tell me," she asked one of the soldiers, "how many bodies can you shift into?"
"As many as we make contact with," the soldier replied. "Like your species does with facades, we can take on the form of any being we touch."
"Is it true that you can also take their memories as well?"
"No, that's not true, but we like to span that reputation to intimidate our enemies."
"Your species is so much like ours. You are made of energy, you have no home, you can alter your physical form, and you are about as old as us."
"Yeah, but we've been without a planet longer than you. You all at least remember the name of your home world. We have no clue. We have no written record of our past. What little we know of ourselves was passed on through the oral history. The name Shape-Shifter was accepted by people who called us so."
"A lot like the Espelons."
"But you aren't an Espelon. You're a Taelon, so why…"
"…do I look like this?" Mi'en asked for him. "The Taelons used to be heterosexual long ago, but not in the male/female sense. We had two different types: primary and secondary. The primary parent has genitals that allow him to transfer his genetic knowledge to his mate, thereby beginning the joining. The secondary parent contains a womb able to accept and process the materials to make the child and then carry it for about eight weeks. Some centuries before our planet was destroyed, that began to change, however. Taelons began to reproduce without the need of a primary parent. We evolved into pure asexuality. After our planet was destroyed, our species entered a reproductive frenzy. We were anxious to create a legacy and populate our species, but the children produced by the asexual Taelons began to become defective. Many died. The worst part was that more and more heterosexual Taelons were producing asexual children. After a long time, the Taelons just lost all desire to procreate. They can still do it, but they have evolved past all emotional desire to do it. They have evolved past emotions in general."
"Where do you come in?"
"I am a being who has no distinction between heterosexuality and asexuality. I am some freak without a gender and without the ability to reproduce physically. I have no reproductive system to speak of at all, and I have no womb. I was born about six centuries after Da'an. There are many like me who were born this way. Taelons call people like me para'shims. Half-breeds. Not quite asexual, and not quite heterosexual. When the reproductive turmoil started, many of us were looked down upon because we could not reproduce. The Taelons keep my kind out of the public's eyes. We are often pilots, technicians, and others who perform jobs requiring little to no public appearances. This gave the normal Taelons an elitist mindset. My brother T'than shares that mindset, but that is not why he disowned me."
"Why did he?"
"It is difficult to speak of because it is still a rather foreign concept in the Taelon culture, but anyone who has been around me long enough knows."
"So if you have no gender, why do people call you a she?"
"Because I'd like to think that I am, and therefore I tell everyone to call me one. I am basically a female without the womb. That is what I tell everyone."
"Do you think you're a freak?"
"Do you?"
"Lady, I've dealt with freaks before, and you are no freak. You ever think you're a freak, I'll show you some. You'll never think twice about just how normal you are. So you don't have a gender. So what? I've seen species that have three genders. Search me on how that's possible, but it is."
"You're nice for saying that."
"No problem. You're a nice person yourself."
"Trey doesn't think so."
"Trey's a bastard. We all know it. He knows it."
"I heard that!" Trey yelled.
Mi'en laughed.
"Da'an! Get up here!" Trey called.
"Could you wait just a few seconds?" Da'an asked frustratedly. "I'm trying to fasten this damned top. How do you people wear this?"
"Hey, you ever try finding clothes that can reshape just like you?" the soldier asked. "Because they're hard to come by. We take what we can. Who cares how you put it on?"
"Why can't you just make it look like you are wearing clothes?" Da'an asked. "My species does it."
"Oh yeah? Then, why are you putting on clothes?"
"Well, I can't do it anymore," Da'an said rolling her eyes. "Oh, never mind. Mi'en, come and help me fasten this."
Mi'en was quick to assist her. She helped Da'an fix the top in its place and put on the rest of the uniform. When they were done, Mi'en took a moment to examine her.
"You look great," Mi'en complimented.
"Thank you," Da'an said nervously. "Um, Mi'en?"
"Yes?"
"You can let go of my hips now."
Mi'en looked down in surprise to find her hands just where Da'an said they were. She immediately released Da'an. "I am so sorry."
"It is all right." Da'an walked towards Trey and the monitor. "What am I looking at?"
"The building we're about to enter," Trey said. "I have a full technical readout of the entire building including the sublevels. From the looks of it, the associate's ship is probably here. My men will stage a diversion by setting up another meeting. While they're doing that, you and I will infiltrate the building and stow away on board the ship. Hopefully, it will lead us right to Tay'jay."
"I am going with you," Mi'en said.
"Not a chance," Trey shot back.
"Trey, don't be a snit. She has proven her resourcefulness by saving your life, and she is my friend," Da'an defended. "If she wants to come, it is her duty to follow."
"Even if you do not let me, I will follow you," Mi'en threatened, "but I think you stand a better chance of evading attention without a stalker."
"Fine," Trey said, "but she's your responsibility, Da'an, not mine."
"To the contrary, I am her responsibility," Da'an corrected.
"I thought that was my job," Trey objected.
"It is. However, as Mi'en knows, I do not like to have one of anything, including protection. You think that Liam is the only bodyguard I have on hand? Not on your life. He is merely the one I placed as head over the other ones."
"Oh, Da'an. I'm pissing myself, you're so funny," Trey said forging laughter. "By the way, you are way to short to be passing yourself off as a soldier."
"Shut up."
Trey, Da'an and Mi'en placed themselves in the storage area where cargo was being processed and organized. All they had to do now was wait for the signal from their comrades.
"If we get found out, do you have a backup plan?" Mi'en asked Trey.
"It's better if I just say don't get found out," Trey replied, "and keep your voice down."
Mi'en rolled her eyes.
Their argument was interrupted by a weak vibration.
"They're ready," Trey whispered. "Head to your right and stay down."
"All this for a relative," Mi'en sighed.
"This scumbag had better be worth it is all I have to say," Trey whispered.
"If not, it will at least make for a great story," Da'an whispered. "You got to meet the infamous Tay'jay Amo'qui, and he was a total jerk."
"True," Mi'en and Trey said simultaneously.
Da'an and Mi'en followed Trey until they came to the door.
"Okay, once we get inside, stay against the walls on your left. We'll avoid the alarm panel that way."
Trey quickly opened the door, and Da'an and Mi'en darted against the wall. They could see the lasers and weight-activated panels on the floor.
"For a simple business place, they sure have a lot of security," Da'an commented. "I do not know why they do not just hold all their operations at a bank or a trade center and get it over with. They could save millions by using someone else's security systems."
"Don't be too sure they don't have some cells in those places for that very reason," Trey said. "It is a smuggling ring after all."
For several long and slow minutes they edged their way down the hall until they came to another door as thick as a vault.
"You two stay here," Trey said. "I'm going to open the door through the other side."
"What do we do if there's trouble?" Mi'en asked.
"Shoot it," Trey replied simply.
He climbed into the ventilation shaft once more. Several minutes later the door opened.
"All right, ladies, we can count on smooth sailing from here," Trey said.
They raced to the launch pad where the ship awaited. However, once they reached the launch pad, they were commandeered by a group of soldiers working for the first associate.
"So much for smooth sailing," Da'an said.
"Kill them!" the associate ordered.
"Oh, no you don't!" Trey shot back.
Mi'en and Da'an provided cover fire while Trey pursued the associate. Before he could board and escape again, Trey shot him in the knee. Suddenly a painful cry came from behind followed by the sound of Da'an's name. He whirled around and began firing at the squad in a blind fury.
When they were all down, Trey saw Mi'en running towards a fallen Da'an. Trey did the same.
"Da'an, are you all right?" Mi'en cried in panic. "Speak to me!"
Da'an groaned and slowly arose. Mi'en and Trey were quick to assist her.
"I am all right," Da'an told them. "I just hit my head."
"Are you sure?" Mi'en asked.
"Yes, Mi'en, I am okay."
"What happened?" Trey asked.
"They shot her. I saw them shoot her," Mi'en panted.
"But you don't have a scratch on you," Trey said examining her. "How did you endure a point blank shot without a scratch?"
Da'an was staring at her hands. "I don't know." Her focus suddenly turned to the associate. "He's getting away!"
They raced after him, and Da'an grabbed him. She pulled out the sharp hairpin brought it against his neck. When she touched it, a blue particle disrupter was activated, turning the pin into a deadly energy knife.
"On the ship! Now!" Trey ordered.
They slowly pushed him on the shuttle where more of his people were waiting with guns.
"Tell your men to put down their weapons," Da'an ordered sternly.
Trey and Mi'en caught some agitated ones ready to shoot. "Back off!" they both cried.
"Do as they say! Back away!" the associate whimpered.
"Look, asshole, I came to organize a simple meeting for a simple purpose," Da'an said firmly, "but no. You had to put us through all this."
"Wait! Please! Mercy!" the associate cried. "I'm not brave enough to die. Maybe there's a way to forget all of this and get you a meeting."
"There damn well better be, slag heap," Trey warned.
"This ship docks with Tay'jay's every four megacycles," the associate whimpered. "I'll organize a meeting. I swear I will. Anything for Da'an, the North American Companion."
"That's much better," Trey said. "You see, Da'an? With the right persuasion, they all come around eventually."
"Indeed," Da'an said lightheartedly.
"All right," Trey told the associate, "here's how we do this. You will fly this shuttle to Tay'jay's ship and dock with it like nothing's wrong. Once you have, then you can set up the meeting. You get me?"
"Yes, sir," the associate said.
Da'an released him and followed him to the cockpit.
Trey ordered his men back to his shuttle. They were to follow at a distance just in case something went wrong. The ship docked with a large m'thra class battle cruiser that appeared to have been modified in a special manner.
The associate organized the meeting exactly as Trey told him to. The crew anxiously took their weapons and "escorted" them off the shuttle. They were led to the bridge of the cruiser where a crew of Taelons and Espelons looked shocked to see them. A man in a navy blue uniform with a long blue cape rose from the captain's chair.
A confused look appeared on Da'an's face when he came to them. Was this him? Was this her…brother?
"Congratulations, you three," he said in a deep voice. The whole time he spoke however, Da'an was examining him very closely, studying his every detail, and comparing it with the few memories she had of her brother. "You have successfully infiltrated my smuggling ring and laid eyes upon the infamous thief Tay'jay. It is too bad that you will not live much longer afterwards, but one must wonder. Why put yourselves through all of this just for a glimpse of me?"
"We don't intend on leaving this place dead," Trey said, "because we have some issues to discuss."
"He is a fraud," Da'an said suddenly.
"What?" Trey asked.
"He is not Tay'jay Amo'qui," Da'an said.
"What? How dare you, woman?" the male said. "Of course I am Tay'jay, and how could you possibly know my family name? No one knows my family name."
"You are not Tay'jay," Da'an repeated.
"What treachery is this?" demanded Trey. "We want the real Tay'jay, not this pathetic excuse for a fraud."
"Tay'jay is not here," the fraud said. "Do you honestly believe he would be foolish enough to stay on this ship to be captured by the likes of you?"
"From what we gather, that appears to be our situation, not his," Mi'en said.
"Tay'jay is still on this ship," Da'an said.
"Where?" Trey asked.
"He is here, but he is not you," Da'an said to the fraud. She looked around very carefully. Slowly she began to walk and examine each crewmember. She felt drawn towards a youthful Espelon. From outward appearances, he looked and sounded like he was in his twenties, but Da'an could sense the truth. "He is you. You are Tay'jay Amo'qui."
He grinned and stood to face her. For several long minutes, they just stared at each other, examining the other's assets.
"You're a smart one, Synod girl," he said in a very youthful voice. "No one's been able to see past my decoy. You've come all this way to meet the great thief. What do you propose?"
"Um…" Da'an was at a loss for words. The energy coarsed through her veins. All this time trying to find him, and she had thought of nothing to say. "Um…my…name is Da'an Amo'qui…and…I…I think…you used to be brother."
Da'an blushed when she saw him blush in bewilderment. "What did you say?" he breathed.
"I…you…are my brother, are you not?"
"Da'an?" he whispered, placing his hand on the back of her neck. "Sister Da'an?"
Da'an took his hand and joined their palms. Both began to glow blue. The DNA structuring for Da'an's façade passed on to Tay'jay, revealing a man that looked like a young boy with tanned white skin, short brown hair and blue eyes. Tay'jay brought her forehead to his and re-examined all of his memories of her. Suddenly, he jerked himself away from her. "What are you? You're not my sister."
Da'an was speechless. "T-Tay'jay…"
"No! You stay away from me. My sister's dead to me! You drop me like I'm nothing and then, after centuries, you suddenly decide you're ready to make up with me?"
"Tay'jay, please—"
"Don't speak to me. Don't look at me. You never deserved me, and you are not my sister. You wasted your time coming here, and I hope you die because you're nothing to me now."
Da'an shuddered and tried to keep her composure. She hung her head low when Tay'jay stormed up to her. He motioned like he was going to strike her, and she quickly flinched in reaction. Then, for no reason at all, Tay'jay burst out laughing.
"By the Commonality!" he cried laughing his heart out. "I can't believe you fell for that! What a goof! Oh, man!" He grabbed and embraced a stunned Da'an. "How are you doing, sis! I can't believe you, man! Come on!" Tay'jay stopped when she did not react or say anything. He gave her some time to recover, but soon the tension ceased, and they found themselves laughing with each other.
They embraced each other once more, this time with more affection and joy.
"I missed you so much," Tay'jay said. "I never thought in a millions years that you would ever remember me."
"Oh, Tay'jay, I'm so sorry about everything."
Tay'jay turned to Mi'en and Trey. "Who are your friends?"
"Well, that is Trey," Da'an introduced. "He is a Shape-Shifter and a mercenary who helped me find you. The other one is—"
"Mi'en!" Tay'jay finished. "I know you. You're the para'shim, aren't you?"
"Yes, thank you," Mi'en said bitterly.
"Yeah, I heard about your piloting skills," Tay'jay said. "You're a legend. I heard about what T'than said to you, you know when he found out you were—"
"Tay'jay, please," Mi'en stopped. "Everybody knows already. Just…you don't have to say it."
"I'm sorry. Hey, if it makes you feel any better, your reputation as a pilot supercedes your other…things."
"I know, but people still have a difficult time accepting me. Therefore, I had to leave."
"Yeah, you work with Nye now, don't you?"
"No. I work with Da'an now."
"What?" Da'an asked.
"I have sworn my allegiance to you, and I intend to serve you until the day I die."
"Mi'en, that was never part of the agreement. I do not want to force you to act on that."
"It is what I want."
"At least think about this."
"I've been thinking about it for a while. I want to help you. You could use my skills, and you will not pass judgment on me."
"Well, any friends of my sister are friends of mine," Tay'jay said. "Give them quarters. I want to talk to my sister alone."
"Yes sir," the male who had been the decoy said. He turned to Trey and Mi'en. "Come with me."
"Uh…my soldiers are in a ship not too far from you for…safety reasons," Trey said to Tay'jay.
"Well, let 'em dock," Tay'jay said. "The more the merrier, right?"
"I'll go to the shuttle bay to meet them," Trey said. "Then, you can take me to my quarters."
"Hey, no problem, and, uh, sorry you have to go through so much," Tay'jay said. "There's a lot of people who want me dead, you know."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from the greatest thief in the entire Ma'hatu Galaxy," Trey said with a smirk.
"Come on," Tay'jay said excitedly to Da'an. "I want to show you something."
He pulled Da'an and ran with her down the corridor.