Disclaimer: I'm not repeating myself.

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BEYOND HEROISM OF MEN

Chapter 2

Beginning

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"Ok, then, when you have those town decrees ready, send them to me, and I'll sign them."

The Governor had an unusually heavy day today. It seemed like the weight of the Celebration, the new decrees, the meetings, and the pressure from the higher-ups was raining on her at the same time. She still managed to juggle everything, and even make it look far too easy. She was just finishing an important phone call when she heard someone knocking at her office door.

"Come in." She called while she was organizing her papers.

"You rang, Governor?" A familiar female voice ringed as the door opened.

"Oh, Jade, so glad that you could make it!" The Governor beamed at Jade's general direction. "Please, take a seat. Want some tea? It's herbal."

"Well, maybe a cup." Jade gladly accepted, and made herself comfortable. "Now, may I ask why you called me?"

"Certainly. you see, I was addressed by System 4's Representative, and asked me to ask you to go to his office, situated on Algenib F. He's said to have a very important mission for you."

Jade just sat, eyes unblinking, trying to understand the situation brought upon her. "Eh... wait... wait a minute... what?"

"Ooh. Perhaps I laid it on a bit too thick for you." The Governor apologized.

"Yeah. No kidding."

"Ok, System 4's Representative, which overlooks this area, has called me, and told me that he wants to meet with you for a very important mission." The Governor explained carefully, and looked at Jade to see if she got it all. After a few seconds she opened her mouth to talk...

"But why me? Can't he just call someone more capable and leave me alone? I'm just some freelance news reporter!" Jade protested, much to the Governor's frustration.

"Don't sell yourself short." The Governor recovered and tried to negotiate with Jade. "Now, the Representative didn't tell me much about this mission he has for you, but he told me that you were the most capable person he could find, and you were the only one with the required experience." The Governor looked intently into Jade's face, but only a look of uncertainty met her. "Oh, come on. Do it for me." No response. Jade was still mighty uncertain about the whole thing. "Ok, ok. If not for me, then do it for Hillys. For the kids. For your loved ones. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Jade mulled over it for a moment. She looked at her cup of tea, untouched through the short meeting. She had mostly remained local since the institution of her freelance reporting company, and suddenly she was being called for an international travel. This wasn't going to be easy, she knew, and she had to be careful not to fall into any traps. She was trying to lay low from anything DomZ for a while, so this could really carve a hole on her idea.

"I... I'll have to think it over... in my house." Jade finally said. "I will give you an answer soon." She then stood up, and walked away.

A few hours passed, and the Governor was about to leave her office, when she got an e-mail warning beep.

"I accept the mission. Send me the coordinates and I shall leave as soon as possible. Jade." The e-mail read.

"Excelent." The Governor uttered, and hastly sent the coordinates before finally locking the office for the day.

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"So you're going on a weeklong trip to a new galaxy you don't know about, to people you don't even know if they speak the same language, just because some representative had the brilliant idea to ask you for help?"

"Yep. That's right." Jade batted Double H's question like nothing, and kept loading the Beluga for the long trip.

"And you know, you're bound to meet some hostiles on the way. Are you sure you want to go on alone?" Double H insisted, but still helping Jade loading the packages.

"Who said I'm going alone?" Jade said. "You're coming with me, right?"

"Eh... "

"What's the matter, Double H?"

"Well... I'm afraid I will not be able to join you this time, Miss Jade." Double H said sadly. "I have been called for a new mission by the IRIS Network. I will also be leaving the planet soon, but not too far away, though."

"Oh. I see. Well, I always have Secundo!"

"Don't worry, Mia Bella." Secundo proclaimed has he projected himself out of the S.A.C. "I shall always escort you like a Knight in Shining Armor escorts his princess."

"Secundo..." Jade whined. "Now you're making me feel uncomfortable!"

"And that's why I'm goin' with you!" Pey'J bursted into the conversation like nobody's business, talking in his gruffy, southern accent. "'Sides, you don't know the first thing about mechanics! If she breaks down in the middle of space, then who's gonna fix it for you? Metrohologram over here?"

"Watch it, bacon breath!" Secundo retorted.

"Or what? You're gonna megabyte me to death?" Pey'J said. Feeling triumphant, he turned to Jade. "Well, what are we waitin'? Let's go!"

"But... what about the kids? I can't just leave them alone here."

"The kids can take care of themselves!"

"That's not what I'm talking about. I will not risk leaving the kids alone again after that incident."

"Oh, come on. We've been at peace for almost a year now. I figger we ain't gonna have any attacks anytime soon." Pey'J tried to persuade her, but her steel look said it all. She wasn't moving unless he or someone else stayed with the kids. "Ok, you know what? I'm gonna make a call."

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"Thanks for coming on such short notice." Jade thanked the new babysitter.

"No worries, Jade." said Babukar, who agreed on babysitting for her... for a good, shiny pearl, no less. "Before I started working on the Garage, I babysitted a few kids in my time, and kids love me!"

"Ok, then. I have to go. Emergency numbers are on the fridge. If you have problems with a kid, ask Kip about it." Jade took one look at her watch, and her eyes opened like a pair of saucer plates. "Oh, I'm late! Bye, everybody." Jade entered the hangar and disappeared from view. Within a minute, the Beluga thrusted all the way out into space, and well underway to its destination.

"well, then." Babukar said to the kids after seeing the Beluga twinkle out of view. "WHO WANTS TO PLAY WITH UNCLE BABUKAR?!?!"

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Jade's Personal Journal

Entry # 209206

We've been on this trip for almost two days already. Thankfully, the Mammago Garage was easy to part with its Hyperspace Motor for us... for a small fee. We're currently in the middle of a Hyperspace jump. Everything is so shiny outside that it makes it hard to see out the window. It's truly a magnificent view to behold. I wish everybody had the chance of seeing this.

I'm worried for the kids. However, I left them in good hands. I wanted to have Nouri take care of them, but she has her shop to keep and all. Regardless, Babukar is really trustworthy, and the kids just love him, so I shouldn't worry.

What I worry about is what is about to happen to me when I get to Algenib F. I am supposed to meet the Representative there for my mission. I hope he pays good for this trouble. He did say I am the one with the most expertise in the camp he seeks, which is very worrying for me. I am only experienced in reporting, taking pictures, Dai-Jo and the whole DomZ deal. I doubt he wants to take Dai-Jo training, or that he'll want to know about my reporting or photography techniques, so that only leaves one option. I wish that weren't my final answer, but there's nothing else on the board that makes sense. And it worries me a whole lot, because this could go anywhere from a simple interview, to some excruciating probing and experimenting if they know anything about... well... the hidden me. The "me" that not even I can tap.

I must talk things out with my Uncle Pey'J in case such a scenario occurs. I just hope he's feeling well. He just hasn't been himself for a while. He thinks I haven't noticed, but he has been looking weaker, more tired, grumpier, more distanced, and... I might be crazy, but he also looks a bit thinner! I hope he doesn't come down with anything. Then again, the Pey'J that I know is very strong, and never in the 21 years that I know him has he gotten sick enough to stop working or go to the hospital in an emergency. I just hope he holds it together long enough to make the trip back... OH, what am I talking about? I'm speaking of Pey'J as if he were 80+ years old! He has gotten through worse. I don't think this little trip will shake him up much.

Well, it's only a few hours until we reach Algenib F. To tell the truth, I'm a bit excited to go there. It's one of the biggest cities of the known galaxy, and I'm hoping to stay there a good day and take a look around. Hey, I'm young. I can do it!

I close you for now. But we'll meet again.

Jade.

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Algenib F was in sight already. Pey'J had taken the Beluga out of Hyperspace and was setting his coordinates to the main space port.

"Well, there it is. Ready, Jade?" Pey'J asked.

"Ready when you are, Uncle." Jade answered. "Don't forget what we talked about."

"No, I won't, Yade" Secundo butted in.

"Secundo, butt out" Pey'J blasted at the Hologram

"Look who's talking, Nostra Porka" Secundo retorted.

"Guys, break it up!" Jade shouted.

"Stay out of this, Jade!" Pey'J said. "This virus of an OS has been cruisin' for a bruisin' for a long time now!"

"Come on, Butterbean!" Secundo taunted. "I am right here!"

"Prepare to be downgraded to Windows XP!"

"Prepare to be served with mashed potatoes!"

"GUYS!"