The Castellan

Meanwhile, the entire test-taking area was crawling with all sorts of IE personnel. There were many doctors but also many many men and women in uniforms with the logo of IE emblazoned on the front.

A few people wore casual clothes. One man, wearing branded jeans and t-shirt with a leather jacket on top, was strolling towards the pod in which Lance was taking the test. He had long white hair till the small of his back which was tied loosely. His also had a white mustache and a sharp goatee which he was stroking with his hands. His eyes contained a wisdom in them that seemed infinite.

All the doctors and people in uniform respectfully bowed or saluted, making way for him.

After traversing the many feet of distance in seconds, he laid a hand on Attok who was standing with a look of grief beside the pod.

Startled, Attok turned around. Very few people had the ability to sneak up and even lay a hand on him.

Seeing the man, he exclaimed:"Master! You are here! Its my descendant. He was taking his test when this happened. Please, you must save him!". He grasped the man's hands as if he had found a savior.

This man was simply known as the "Castellan" by all who knew him. The IE station was his castle, and he existed to take care of it. He had been present since the very beginning of mankind's struggle against the outsiders. While others of his time had left or perished in battle, he was one of the few who stayed back as the last line of defense. Although he had never taken part in battles in any member's living memory, he was known to be the most knowledgeable man that existed. Medicine, technology, training, there was no aspect that he wasn't skilled in. Occasionally, he took in initiates who he saw worthy to groom. Each and every one of his disciples had at least reached the rank of Legend.

"My dear Attok, you know that I and the whole of IE would use any means necessary to save a seed of such potential. Step aside and control your emotions. You always did have the expression of a squirrel when in anguish."

Attok nodded before chuckling a bit and moving aside. This was his master, who loved comparing people's faces to those of animals. Across millennia, there were very few cases where his divine skill in medicine proved futile in saving someones life.

After Attok moved aside, a bloody pod could be seen. The fluid inside which was supposed to be transparent was now a ghastly red.

Inside was a body which was almost completely devoid of skin. It was as if an explosion had taken place under the skin which had blown it apart from the inside. Even on Lance's face, the skin was blown off presenting just a skeleton with muscle and red matter. Although the eyes were closed, the horrible expression of pain in the face could still be seen.

Such a sight even unnerved the Castellan.

He touched the pod before both of them disappeared into thin air.