The Genesis Saga

“Adrian,” Reya spoke into the holoscreen on the ship, “there’s something you need to know. It’s about what’s been happening out here since you’ve been locked up.” The video connection showed Adrian still lying on the floor in the same position she’d seen him last. Several seconds went by with no change. “Adrian?” Reya asked.

Adrian slowly, painfully lifted himself off of the floor, the action seeming to require great effort. He went to the nearest wall and sat down, slouching against it, staring at the cold metal across from him. “I heard you,” he said in a ragged voice. “Is there any point in me knowing these developments, or will the choices be made for me regardless?”

“That’s what I’m here to talk to you about.” She explained to him the series of events that had occurred since they last spoke. If Adrian was surprised by any of it, he didn’t show it. He hardly even reacted. “I wanted you to know from me first, before somebody else told you. I don’t want to act as a spy and use you for information.”

“Thank you,” Adrian said softly, so much so that Reya almost missed it. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, sluggishly shifting positions. It was the most he’d moved since sitting up. Reya watched, worried. Adrian was out of sorts, at least to her he was. It saddened her to see the pain his captivity was causing him.

“They can’t keep doing this to you. I’m trying to get you out, but they’re not letting me. I managed to get Kell to side with me on the subject. With his support we might have a chance. I’ve gotten the Elders and the General to consider letting you out. I can’t let you stay like this.”

“You’ve been fighting for my release?” Adrian asked, dumbfounded.

“Of course I have. I can’t bear to see you like this. I want you back. Outside and free like the rest of us. You don’t deserve this treatment, and I’m trying to show them that. It’s only been three days, but I miss going on our walks and watching movies together. By the gods, I even miss your incessant questions about our grass. You’re not alone in this Adrian. I’m going to do my best to see you out.”

Adrian’s eyes grew hot and tears rolled down his cheeks. It had been so long since he’d had any support. So long since he’d had anybody fight for him without asking for anything in return. He wasn’t out yet, but Reya’s words warmed him and drove away the cold void that had settled deep within him. He wept freely, unconcerned that he might be seen.

Reya watched his reaction from where she sat, his quiet sobs resounding loudly in her heart. She hadn’t thought her actions would have such a profound effect on Adrian. It dawned on her on just how alone he must have been feeling. A complicated expression filled her features as she considered the events as she knew them from Adrian’s perspective. His reaction was very telling about his thoughts on the matter.

He was vulnerable, and Reya was determined to protect him where she could. He needed her and she would be there for him, as he had been there for her when she struggled with her scars. It wasn’t even a question for her.

“There’s something else we need to talk about,” she said finally. “The military isn’t going to let up until they get their answers out of you. I didn’t understand what that meant before but I’m starting to. I’m worried that they’re going to chew you up and spit you out. One way or another, they will get what they want. I’ve gotten them to consider what’s going to happen to you in the future, but more importantly, I got them to consider what you might want.”

Adrian sniffed and stopped crying. “And what would that be?”

“I don’t know. Which is why I told them to ask you. Adrian, this is your chance. Show them the price tag that their answers are going to cost you. If ever you choose to speak about your experiences to them, and I’m not saying you should or trying to make you, then gouge them for everything they’re worth. Be selfish. Use the chance to get something out of it, because if they’re that desperate, they’re going to give it to you.”

“What I want,” Adrian said softly. “I haven’t though about that for a long time. I’d given up on ever getting what I want. I’ve lost so much that I don’t even know where to begin.” Adrian shook his head. “No, that’s not true. I know exactly what I want. I want to live a normal life. I want a wife and kids and a happy family. I want to watch them grow old and make their dreams come true. My dreams never will, but theirs might. I want to give them all the chances that were taken away from me. All I want is a place where I belong and where I’m loved.

“My family was taken from me, so was my world. I no longer have a home to return to and the only one I’ve ever known is a universe away. I’m lost and so far out of my depth.” He ran a hand over his face. “I never asked for any this. Never asked to be violated in ways no being ever should be. The things they’ve done to me,” Adrian shuddered, his voice thick with emotion. “I survived, but at what cost? Can the Elders grant me my wishes? Can they truly? What I want isn’t material. Love and family can’t be bought and neither can happiness. I’m never going to be free, not truly. Your military will want my secrets and one day, one way or another, they’re going to come knocking to get them.”

Reya’s eyes grew hot as she listened to Adrian express what he wanted out of life. It sounded simple on paper, but she knew that the desire ran deeper than she would ever know. It was so achingly clear when he spoke about how much he wanted the things she’d always taken for granted. She would find a way, she swore. Find a way to grant him his dreams and give him the world that had been taken from him. Her silent vow went unheard by all. But she knew now what she wanted. And she’d be damned if she didn’t get it.

“I don’t know how much of that they’ll be able to give you, but if that’s your price, then so be it.,” Reya said. “You’re the only one that gets to decide what you truly want. The Elders are currently in a meeting. I’ll go speak to them once they’re done. I’ll bring Kell with me when I do. Give me a couple more hours and I’ll try to get you out.”

Adrian nodded wearily and thanked her again. Reya took one last look at him before disconnecting, taking in his features one last time. Her eyes searched his face but was only met with a blank expression as Adrian settled back in for another long wait.

Reya left the ship with purposeful strides and a fire behind her eyes. It was time to make good on her promise.

Orryn and Cirrus left the ship’s meeting room. The debate had been a long one, but it had been decided to at least hear out what Adrian wanted in exchange for his services. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. The Tribunal had decided to prioritize the video rather than Adrian’s life story, willing to bend, but not break over it.

“That certainly could have gone better,” Orryn said to Cirrus as they left the ship. She had been a staunch supporter for granting Adrian recompense. Swaying the others on the topic had been a difficult affair, but she’d managed. Barely.

“It would have gone better if you hadn’t been so adamant on giving the captive what he wants. I still think we’re going too far.”

“Miss Ayala raised a good point. We haven’t thought far enough ahead on how we’re going to treat his existence. We have no protective measures in place for him and keeping him here long-term is just not feasible. Not to mention a drain on our resources.”

“Giving the man some food isn’t exactly a drain,” Cirrus pointed out. The pair descended the ship’s ramp, their footsteps ringing loudly on the metal, cut silent as they stepped onto the lush grass.

“No, but feeding the entire squad assigned to him on top of it is. Face it, Cirrus. We’re completely unprepared for the future.” As they walked towards the house, Reya’s figure could be seen staring out the kitchen window, waiting patiently for them to arrive. Nessah and Kell sat around the table with her, having a discussion. “It looks like we’re not out of the woods yet,” Orryn said, spotting the welcoming committee.

“Great,” Cirrus said, following her gaze. “More work. Want to bet that this is going to be about Adrian again? I feel like that’s all we’re talking about these days.”

Orryn chuckled. “Of course it’s going to be. I wonder what she’s going to throw in our faces this time.” Opening the door, she braced herself for Reya’s inevitable bombardment. She delivered. No sooner had they entered, she was upon them.

“Elders,” Reya said politely, motioning for them to join. Orryn and Cirrus looked at each other before taking a seat at the table. She waited for them to settle before continuing. “I’d like to speak with you more about Adrian.”

Cirrus sighed. “I knew it. What do you want to talk about?”

“His release. He needs to be let out. Now.”

“We’ve been over this. It’s only for a few more days, surely he can handle it?”

“Does he know that? That he’s only there for a few more days? Because from his point of view, there’s no guarantee that you don’t renege on your promise and keep him locked up indefinitely.”

“By the gods, we’re not monsters!” Cirrus exclaimed. “We wouldn’t do that to him.”

“He doesn’t know that,” Reya retorted. “He has no way of trusting you in this situation. You’re lording your power over him by keeping him locked up.”

“As a matter of fact, we need his help for something., Perhaps we can let him out in exchange.”

Reya shook her head. “It shouldn’t have to be an exchange. He should be freed. Period. Work out something else for persuading him to help you. It’s time that we stop playing jailer.”

Kell spoke up for the first time, adding his opinion to the matter. “I’ve already said my piece about what our course of action should be. I maintain it.”

“It’s not that simple. Where are we going to put him? If you haven’t noticed, all of the rooms are full. We can’t leave him with the soldiers, that would be putting him close to a weapon. We can’t put him in our rooms, that’s a safety concern,” Cirrus said. “Not to mention that we’ll need guards posted on night watch to make sure he doesn’t do anything.”

“Our only options are to have him sleep on the ship in his cell, have him room up with a non-soldier or find a way to give him his own room,” Orryn said.

“I’m sure we can figure something out,” Reya replied calmly.

“Would you be willing to bunk with one of your old squad mates?” Cirrus asked. Reya hesitated. The others knew that she was on sleeping medication by now, but she didn’t want them to see her having her nightmares. If she shared a room with one of them, they would find out. “See? It’s not that simple. Alternatively, you could share a room with Adrian, if you’re willing.”

Reya weighed her options. Adrian wouldn’t judge her for her nightmares and understood what it was like living with them. He also understood the discretion she would want and wouldn’t speak about it with the others if he did see anything. Sharing a room with her teammates, on the other hand, meant that she would be woken up during the night when they prepared for their shifts, cutting her precious moments of sleep short.

“I guess I can share a room with Adrian while you’re here,” Reya said, not seeing a problem with it. If that was what it took to free Adrian, then so be it. Orryn wore an amused expression at Reya’s choice. Cirrus was surprised and asked her why she would do such a thing. “His freedom is more important than our sleeping arrangements,” she explained. “Now that that’s been solved, are there any other issues preventing you from releasing him?”

Cirrus looked like she was going to protest, but was cut off by Orryn. “I don’t think so. I believe that letting him out would be a good way to build some measure of trust and make him more open to helping us.”

“Fine,” Cirrus said, frustrated. “Have it your way, but I want guards following him in case he tries anything funny.”

Reya lit up at the news. She had succeeded in her endeavor. All that was left was actually freeing Adrian. “That’s great news,” she said excitedly. “We can let him out now, right?” She needed to capitalize on their permission before they changed their minds.

Orryn blinked. “I guess so.”

Reya stood up, dragging Kell out of his chair and onto the ship with her. She knew that Beor and the others wouldn’t listen to her if she claimed that Adrian could be let out, but with Kell, she would be able to convince them. Together, they got Beor to at least check in with Nessah about the change in orders. When he found out that it was legitimate, he unlocked the door and opened it, stepping aside as he did so.

Reya stood in the doorway, smiling. “Guess who’s free?” she said, her eyes spotting Adrian’s form on the floor.

Adrian lifted his head, hope filling his eyes. He drank in the sight of Reya and stood up. He slowly stumbled towards her and collected her in a crushing hug, taking her by surprise. He stayed like that for several seconds, not saying anything.

“Thank you,” Adrian said, his eyes wet.