Hey! bestknight32 here! er srry for the delay In May i managed to get my hands on a Ps5 so funds had to go to that instead and as for the June chapter i accidentally procrastinated and forgot to upload it on Saturday srry. Im also srry their might not be a july chapter im trying to think of way to transition to the next arc with Tim. A thousand apologies i understand this is unprofessional. I hope the next chapter will come out well! That should be all i would like to thank Tim and dahliingg for making this story happen you two are the best! until next time! "I put a next chapter in your next chapter so you can next chapter while you next chapter!"
One Year Later
Amiya reached for the door to Engineering. Her slim fingertips touched the mechanism and she paused, eyes narrowing. Very gently, she cracked open the portal and looked inside. Just as she suspected, she saw a tripwire and a bucket above. Gently closing the door again, she backed up and cupped her hands around her mouth. "Fire! Fire!"
On the other side of the door, someone jumped out of a chair, sending it noisily sliding away. Footsteps slapped, coming towards the door. It was flung open, revealing Closure in a panicked state, extinguisher in hand. "Fire? Wh—?" The bucket tipped, and water poured down onto her head, drenching her black hair and dark clothes.
Amiya covered her mouth with one hand and laughed.
Closure glowered with embarrassment and wiped the water out of her face.
Amiya cocked an eyebrow. "Don't get angry at me just because you fell into your own trap."
Closure grumbled. "It was meant for Hayden." She turned and went back into the offices.
"Oh? Were you expecting him?"
"He had some ideas for upgrading a medical device, and I agreed to check it out."
Amiya followed Closure into Engineering, where there was a hum of activity. AI robots were busy at work on various things. Other engineers were tinkering with repairs or at computers, modelling projects. "It's been a year since we rescued him and he lost his memories, starting his life over. I can't believe how fast time flies."
"I know, right?" Closure reached for a towel and dried herself off.
"What do you think of his progress?" Amiya watched the other woman's face, studying her expression as she replied.
Closure shrugged, looking thoughtful as she pulled her chair back to her desk. "Hmm. Well, he's very observant, same as before, but that's to be expected; he lost his memories, not his capabilities. He likes to experiment. He's obsessed with originium and finding a cure. Honestly, more so that I remember him being."
"How so?"
Closure waved her hands in indecision as she reconsidered and plopped down into her chair. "Ok, maybe not more obsessed. He always was. But now it's different. Well, you know him better than I, but the old him used to be so cold and analytical. I understand how many people found him heartless in pursuing his goals. It felt like the science drove him more than anything else. But now? It's like saving people is the only thing on his mind. Like his base motivation has changed."
Amiya pulled a chair over from the desk next to Closure's. "Is he learning a lot?"
"He won't stop. You've seen him. Has his nose buried in a book or tablet or computer monitor every second of the day when he's not actively working on something. He never rests, never takes vacation time." Her face turned smug. "He almost works as hard as me. Give him another two decades and he might be as good at medical science as I am at engineering."
After saying goodbye to Closure, Amiya made her way to the classroom area. Doctor Hayden had spent a lot of time with Effy and Rosmontis, so she also wanted their opinions on his changes and well-being over the past year.
She found Effy at the front of her classroom, watching (or, rather, listening) to her students work at their desks, her blind eyes closed. Amiya knocked and announced herself, as she always did around Effy. "Hey. It's Amiya. Got a minute?"
Effy's head turned and opened her eyes, the irises not quite lining up with Amiya. Her smile was as sweet and welcoming as ever. "Hi, Amiya. Come in. How can I help?"
Amiya entered the classroom.
Most of the students ignored her, focused on their work. Rosmontis was bent over one student's desk, helping solve a problem.
"Well," Amiya began, speaking softly to avoid disturbing the class, "Kal'tsit asked me to do a performance review of Doctor Hayden since it's been a year since he lost his memories. And you and Rosmontis were teaching him a lot, so…"
"Ah. I see." Effy giggled, fingertips on her lips. "Well, it was very weird to have him in class with the kids. But of course he was a model student, and I think some of that rubbed off on the kids, so that was good." She paused, thinking. "He was very curious and insightful. He was always asking questions. Needless to say, many were beyond the level I teach here. But he seemed happy to have whatever guidance we could offer. He outgrew us in a few weeks, though."
Amiya nodded in understanding. "Did it seem like his memories were coming back at all?"
Effy shook her head. "Not really. He did seem to grasp concepts and knowledge quite quickly, faster than I might expect. I'm not sure if that's because he already knew them, somewhere in his mind, or if it's just a measure of his intelligence. He really is a genius."
Amiya laughed. "That's to be expected."
Effy tilted her head. "What was unexpected was how…different he was."
Amiya paused, no longer laughing. "Different?"
"Mm. I didn't really know him before, but he did have a reputation that was…unpleasant. It's hard to believe. Watching him with the kids, he talked to them, played with them. Even gave some of the younger ones rides on his back."
Amiya's lips split in a smile, and her chest filled with pride. "Good. I'm glad. I was so scared when he lost his memories. Especially when he forgot…all of us. And he lost so much knowledge; I know it set our research back. But it seems like the experience has had positives as well."
Rosmontis finished helping her student and joined them. "Hi, Amiya."
"Hi, Rose!"
"You're discussing Doctor Hayden?"
Amiya's smile faltered. A lot of people had blamed Hayden for those who'd died rescuing him. Many had been lost. Rosmontis had been one of those with a grievance after Ace had failed to return.
The other woman sensed Amiya's distress and gave a weak smile in return. "It's ok. I don't blame him anymore for Ace's death. I—I made peace with that. Eyjafjalla helped with that. We talked a lot when he was coming here. At first, I was very uncomfortable around him. But Eyjafjalla helped me understand that blaming him for Ace's death wasn't fair. And Melantha helped too. We talked about what happened on that mission and who Ace was, and it helped me remember that Ace wouldn't have wanted us to blame Doctor Hayden. He was just doing his job, what he chose to do." It sounded like she was still trying to convince herself of her words as much as Amiya, but there was determination there, not weakness.
Amiya was relieved. "That's good."
Rosmontis shrugged. "It helps that he wasn't his old self. I heard what Eyjafjalla said about him. It's true; he was much friendlier and humbler. It was hard to hate him, seeing him get along with the students so well. If he'd been the same person he'd been before the trauma, I don't think I could have forgiven him. But now, hmm. I don't think we'll ever be friends, but I'm not scared of him or wishing he was dead anymore. Though I still miss Ace." Her face twisted in sadness.
Amiya reached over and hugged Rosmontis. Then she pulled Effy into the embrace, and the three shared a moment.
Her next stop was the infirmary. She spotted Warfarin and Ansel chatting outside an empty patient room not far from the front desk and went over to them. She waved, her voice cheery. "Hey, guys."
Ansel bobbed his head in greeting. "What's up?"
"Just wanted to get your thoughts on Doctor Hayden. Specifically, how he's been over the past year and where he's at now?"
Warfarin looked knowing, her weight on one leg, one hand on her hip, the other holding a tablet. "Performance review?"
"Yeah."
Warfarin sighed. "Doctor Kal'tsit loves those. Um…let's see. He's been excellent. He studied medicine again on his own for the first six months. But the last six he's been coming here and working with us, mostly with originium patients because of his research. And he's been doing regular nurse work as well, maybe trying to learn more about the human body or just to help out."
"Any problems?"
"No," Warfarin insisted. "He's been a model student and practitioner. I mean, it's a learning process, and we all make mistakes. But he's made fewer than some I could name." She playfully nudged Ansel.
The young man's expression turned sour. "Hey. It's not fair. He was already a doctor before for who knows how long."
"But he lost his memories," Warfarin countered.
"I guess. But he doesn't always act like it."
Amiya frowned, very curious. "What do you mean?"
Ansel hesitated. "I don't know. Just…he seems overly intuitive, you know? Like, I'll be showing him how to do something, and he'll jump two or three steps ahead before I even get a chance to explain." There was a hint of jealousy or resentment in Ansel's tone.
Amiya picked up on it. "Everything ok between you two?"
Ansel shook himself. "Yeah. We're good. Sorry. Just kind of frustrating seeing how good he is so easily, you know? Like it takes way less effort for him. While I'm…struggling sometimes." He sighed. "At this rate, I don't know if I'll ever become a full doctor."
Amiya put a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. She knew that some people have skills and natural talent that seems to make them shine brighter than others. For some of us, it feeds our insecurity and competitiveness and leads us to want to tear those brighter stars down, to make them less successful. But there was a better way to react. "Doctor Hayden's performance has nothing to do with yours. You're your own person, right?"
Ansel shrugged, not looking at her.
She tried to meet his eyes. "Don't see his presence as a reason to get down on yourself. Try to use it as a goal to work towards or a reason to push yourself harder. Do your best; don't worry about how others do. It's not a race. At the end of the day, the more we all grow, the better off we are as a group, right?"
He sighed again, but less heavily. "I know. A rising tide lifts all boats. I get it. Some days are just harder than others." He ran a hand through his hair.
A call came out over the intercom for Ansel.
He gave them a half-smile and waved, walking off.
Kal'tsit strode by in her fast, clipped gait, her open lab coat flowing behind her. She slowed to a stop as she saw Amiya and Warfarin and arched a brow. "Problem?"
Amiya hurriedly replied. "Uh, no, Doctor Kal'tsit. Just interviewing people. For the review on Doctor Hayden."
Kal'tsit betrayed no emotion, as she rarely did. Her voice was always so serious. "Keep it brief and don't waste anyone's time." She made to continue her walk.
Amiya reached out as if to stop her. "Uh, I really should ask you about him, too, if you have time. You've been working together a little bit, right? He's learning from you?"
The older woman looked like she'd rather chew nails than talk about Hayden, let alone say something nice. "He's…earnest. I suppose." She stalked off.
Once the director was safely out of hearing range, Warfarin leaned in and spoke softly. "Well, that's progress. A year ago, she would have said something much harsher."
Amiya practically glowed. "Yes! I was so worried about them. But if she's finally thawing towards him, that's wonderful. And not just on a personal level for them both. Before Doctor Hayden lost his memories, and before they had their falling out, they were both our guiding lights."
Warfarin nodded. "If we're ever going to find a cure, we need them working on the same team again. Two geniuses pushing each other, complimenting each other, instead of working alone."
On the way back to her office, Amiya fell deep into thought. Her mentor, Doctor Hayden, had made a lot of progress over the past year. It wasn't just in relearning all that he'd forgotten due to amnesia, either. She wasn't the only one who seemed to find Hayden more approachable, friendlier, and more caring than before.
She passed by a certain doorway just then, however, and snapped out of her happy thoughts, coming to a halt. She stood outside the training gym.
If there was one group of people that had yet to forgive Hayden or give him a second chance, it was those who had lost precious comrades in the field due to his strategic choices in the past or in rescuing him. This was partly because he'd spent the vast majority of his time these past months in academic and medical pursuits. Amiya knew that Hayden played chess and other strategic games now and then to relax or clear his mind, but he hadn't been invited back into field operations to give his input on missions, nor was she aware of him trying to make inroads there on his own. Thus he probably hadn't spent much time with the soldiers there. Few would be aware of the changes he was going through. She felt a stab of regret at that, wishing everyone could get along better. She peeked into the room.
Melantha and Steward were sparring. Others were doing the same, and Dobermann was lecturing a few about formations or field strategy in one corner, the digital board on the wall next to her covered with diagrams and Os and Xs.
A niggling uncertainty pushed Amiya away from the door. There would be little point in interviewing anyone here about Hayden. She'd likely just get into an argument again. It had happened more than once over the past months whenever she'd brought his name up in the cafeteria or in conversation. The soldiers weren't going to think any differently of Hayden until they'd had more of a chance to see his new side and perhaps work alongside him again.
Amiya returned to her office with mixed feelings but was overall positive that she would be able to give Doctor Kal'tsit a promising report on Doctor Hayden.
Sitting at her desk, she saw the open windows on her monitor and the to-do list with so many items still unchecked. With a frustrated sigh, she put her elbows on her desk and rubbed her face. There was so much work to do. And it was never-ending. She'd been so busy recently that she could feel the stress eating her up inside. A bath, a massage, some ice cream, and a week off in the sun would be ideal. Too bad that was never going to happen.
She lightly slapped herself on the face. "Focus. Focus."
One of her jobs had been searching for a new logistics company to deliver medicines in one of the mobile cities. The previous company they'd partnered with had been wiped out by rivals. It was a shark-eat-shark world out there, and normal delivery companies were a thing of the past. In this age, even getting much-needed medicine into the hands of regular folk required the help of organizations with at least some martial strength, just as Rhodes Island required a military branch.
The organization she'd landed on was called Penguin Logistics. It was a small team, but their quote was reasonable, and she'd heard they were efficient. Checking the clock, Amiya saw that it was almost time for her interview with their lead rep. In fact…
A light knock on her door, and it slid open. One of the clerks saw Amiya nod and then waved in the Penguin rep.
Emperor, colloquially known as the rap god of Columbia, waddled into her office on wide, webbed, yellow feet. Though not a member of the liberi bird race, he had all the physical features of a tall penguin, standing about a head shorter than Amiya was. He wore a white bandana in the hip-hop style he was famous for. His face was black with orange marks on his cheeks and on the sides of his narrow beak. He wore a loose t-shirt printed with the face of some musician Amiya didn't know; below that, his body and legs were fluffy white.
She stood to greet him and came around the desk to shake his flightless wing. "Welcome. Glad you could make it."
He spoke with a hip-hop flair, his speech reminiscent of his lyrical style. "No probs. No probs. It's business, right?" He squirmed his way into a padded chair.
She returned to her desk. "I was surprised by your bid. You're a musician. And you have a side business as well."
"That's right. Gotta hustle to make that money. Then when you make it, you gotta put that money to work too. I'm not the type to just sit around and nest in luxury. I'm always on the move."
"You haven't been in the delivery business long. In fact, I'm…not entirely sure what it is that your company does—"
"LIttle bit o' this, little bit o' that. We do what needs doing. And we get it done, no matter what. Our word is our bond, you know?"
"Right. Um, so you're confident that you can handle the volume outlined? Do you expect any problems with delivery?"
"Nah, nah, man. We always deliver. 'Course there's gonna be friction. Is in any city, right? Rival gangs and all. Lots o' people jealous of our success. Haters gonna hate. But we can deal with them."
Amiya straightened in her chair. "Wait. Rival gangs? I thought Penguin Logistics was a business."
"'Course it is!" he assured her, leaning back in the chair, wings on the arms. "We ain't like those rag-tag gangsta types. We're professionals. That's what I'm saying."
"I see. Ok." She wasn't entirely sure that hiring this person and his group was the right thing to do. However, options were severely limited. Legitimate and trustworthy companies were increasingly hard to find. If Rhodes Island was going to succeed in its humanitarian efforts, it would necessitate working with…interesting personalities. And of all those entities she'd been able to get info on in that area, his seemed to be the least problematic. Emperor was someone who lived via his reputation. Perhaps the desire to maintain that rep is what drove him to make good on his promises. She wasn't sure how far she could trust him, but he seemed earnest, despite his vocal style.
She gave what she hoped wasn't too awkward a smile. "Ok. Well, why don't we start a trial period then? Let's see how things go over the next two months and then re-evaluate where we go from there?"
"Excellent!" Emperor crooned. He looked back towards the open door. "Hey, yo!"
Two human assistants quickly entered the room, one male and the other female.
"Yessir?" the male asked.
Emperor waved a wing, a twinkle in his black eyes. "Bring on the bubbly. We're celebrating a deal!"
Alarmed, Amiya waved her hands. "Bubbly? No, no. We can't drink in the middle of the day. I have so much work to do!"
"Bah!" Emperor waved her concern away as he got out of the chair and took a bottle of sparkling wine from the female assistant. "World's gone to hell and burning a little more every day. Gotta take the wins and celebrate when you can, right? Right." Struggling with the cork, he put the bottle under one wing and, with a growl, tried to pull it out with the other. The cork seemed to be well stuck, though, and he bounced up and down on his flat feet in frustration.
Amiya tried to intervene. If Kal'tsit caught her drinking, no matter the reason, in the middle of the day… She jumped out of her chair and came around the desk, trying to stop him. "Please, Emperor—"
The cork came free with a triumphant pop. Unfortunately, in the mishandling of the bottle, a great deal of pressure had built up.
A jet of foaming, sparkling wine hit Amiya right in the face. She was too shocked to move. Only when the spray had stopped did she open her eyes, feeling wine dripping down her face and soaking her top. She gasped.
Both assistants stood frozen, mortified.
Emperor looked up and blinked once. He held the bottle up, now half empty. "You…got any glasses? Or should we just pass the bottle around?"
