Briefing

The King turned towards Nyokes hoping for a salvation. Yet Nyokes had to offer none of that.

Nyokes sat next to the king, then he spoke in a quite tone, almost whispering as he did not wish the others to hear their conversation. "Sir..."

The King immediately cut in as he heard Nyokes whispering "I would like everyone to leave this room and evacuate, including you Drezz."

Drezz, the aid that had served the royal Kuttvan family for almost three decades could not believe what he was hearing "But sir this is not something to handle by yourself."

The King the frowned "You are sent off to contact, Queen Agane and to bring her to the military building." The aid just nodded as he headed off with the staff. The only people remaining were the guards. He then resumed as he turned to Nyokes "Please call me Conor from now on. Do continue." He leaned on his chair, preparing to take in the worst he could ever imagine.

Nyokes was baffled at the King's request, yet all he could do was nod and continued "We are more than certain that your daughter is infected, but she seems to have a different infectious virus to what we have discovered so far."

King Conrad stood and rose his voice "What do you mean, new virus?!" he looked at Camilla through the window as he went quiet.

Nyokes instructed some of the guards to tend to Destrulus's wounds, then broke into the King's silence "Yes, it is different on so many levels that some would question if she was infected or not."

"Why do you say that?" King Conrad asked as he looked once again towards Nyokes as if clinging on a ray of hope.

"Some of her characteristics are similar to those of the New Humans." Nyokes gave a quick glance at Destrulus "Destrulus has had a firsthand experience on combat and also her changes during the incubation period, until he comes about, I cannot conclude much after I just waltzed in and out of the hangar."

"Aren't you a New Human as well, isn't everyone in the military a New Human." Nonchalantly King Conrad replied, forgetting the situation he was in.

Nyokes glared at him then in a glimpse of a second he smiled "Sir, you are in a room with only New Humans, be careful of what you speak of." He chuckled at the king then continued "It is because I am a New Human that I can tell she has similar characteristics to us, yet she's not a New Human either." He paused for a moment remembering the king's request to bring the queen on site. "Why bring the queen here? Does she know something that you are not entitled to sir?"

The king just stared back, clicked his tongue and quickly replied "She needs to see her daughter as well, before it's too late."

Nyokes just smiled "I am sure of that." He stood up knowing that the royals of mars have their own secrets, and some were kept from the military as well as it seems. He walked up to Destrulus as he was napping for some time after the guard has finished bandaging his leg. New Humans were known for their fast recovery and regeneration capabilities, hence Nyokes didn't have to fret much over his friend's wound. He lightly slapped Destrulus's wound, smiling in expectations of an interesting reaction.

Destrulus instantly jolts up, grunting "You crazy monster, stop touching me." He pushed Nyokes's hand away, knowing her would sooner or later lean on his hand and make it worse for Destrulus. An experience he had had since they were sent out on missions, Nyokes has some unique way of having fun as he was enjoying watching others in pain.

Nyokes laughed as Destrulus reacted according to his expectations "I am a monster? After you slept with the one downstairs, please cut me some slack."

"Do you really want to get hit that badly?" Destrulus spoke in a low voice as his red eyes reflected the anger within.

"Maybe later." Nyokes turned towards the window to see Camilla, if there were any changes. "So, tell me, how did she get infected?"

Destrulus rose an eyebrow confused by Nyoke's question yet knowing it will be an interrogation "She didn't touch the alien; she just took her helmet off. I believe she was already infected when she wanted to touch the alien or the rock."

Nyokes stroked his chin as he nodded "I see. Do you think she's a New Human?"

Destrulus looked up shocked at Nyokes as he asked him, he just went silent as if running through a flash back of how the fight untangled an hour ago. It never crossed his mind that she could be a New Human, Nyokes quickly caught up on this, yet Destrulus stated his feedback, cold and distant "No, I don't think she is one. If you're going to ask why, it's because she's too strong to be one."

Nyokes curiosity just sprung up as words left Destrulu's mouth "Is she really that strong? I mean you were weakened because of the side effects of the infection. Do you think you cannot defeat her when you are in your best shape?" Destrulus just stared at Nyokes, expressionless. "One last question, would you call upon the queen or your superior if this situation rose again."

Destrulus could guess what Nyokes wanted to know. The Queen, a hot scoop and curiosity among the residents of Mars, as she never showed herself in public and very few had met her in person. Queen Agane was an important piece in this situation, despite her being a great ruler and using her husband as a replacement in her appearances, yet she withheld many secrets.

Destrulus was put in an uncomfortable situation as he was under direct command under the same person. He just didn't answer, but replied with another question "Why, is the queen coming?"

Nyokes nodded, as he could only deduct the pressure Destrulus was on as information within military cannot be shared easily. Despite both being in the same team, Destrulus was the commander of the special unit within alien space military sector, while he was a scientist in this unit.

After a while silence has set in the room as all present were just looking at the alien and Camilla. During all this time she just stood still, hugging the rock, yet so much more was unfolding on the ground floor.