[V]Chapter 97: An Old Friend

"First of all, I wanted to extend a thank you to every single one of you for volunteering here."

The female Kremel at the head of the room addressed the group of volunteers while an aide, another Human, set up a large holoscreen.

"It won't be easy," the Kremel, Dlt, went on, "but you should know that the work you do will truly make a meaningful difference. Together, we can beat nefitis."

Varyna clapped half-heartedly along with the others. 

"Yeah, yeah." She mumbled to herself. "Everyone knows that's not what you guys really want."

The news had come as a shock when she was randomly assigned a top secret mission on the nefitis quarantine planet. Even her squadmates weren't allowed to know the details of her assignment. "Corruption" was the story they told her—why they needed a COP to go under cover in such a place—but she knew there had to be something else going on. 

"Now, if you'll turn your attention to the screen…" Dlt continued her lecture. 

The first section of orientation pertained to rules and safety regulations for the volunteers. Protective gear had to be worn at all times (even though the humans gathered in this room were all supposedly immune to the disease), curfew had to be strictly obeyed, and, strangely, no off-planet communication was permitted.

The protective gear itself didn't seem too bad. Dlt's human assistant neatly demonstrated each piece and how to wear it. He then went over basic trouble shooting with the gear, changing filters, replacing straps, etc. 

"Now, before we take a short break, I want each of you to partner with the person sitting next to you and practice adorning your gear." Dlt commanded once her aide had finished.

Varyna sighed and turned to the Human girl next to her. She was short with light-colored curly hair and wild-looking eyes.

"So I guess we'll be working together," Varyna forced a smile. The girl did not return her smile but nodded curtly.

"I'm Veronia. You?" Varyna felt her smile slipping.

"...Kanda," the girl replied.

"Well, Kanda," Varyna reached out to take the pile of gear the aide had brought to them. "Let's get this over with."

Varyna went first, easily replicating what she had seen the aide do to put the gear on. When she finished, she immediately stripped it all off again and passed it to Kanda. The girl struggled a little. Judging from her roughspun clothes and untamed hair, she must have been from an extremely rural planet. 

So just how did she end up here? Varyna wondered to herself as she helped the girl tighten her face mask and secure the filter tightly to her chest. 

"... thank you," Kanda whispered quietly as the two checked the gear back in to the aide and stepped out in the hallway for a break.

"Oh. No problem." Varyna was surprised to hear something like that come from her standoffish seat partner. Maybe the girl was actually just shy. And maybe Varyna was just extra on edge from having to be so close to that stupid Runner guy and not being able to do a thing about getting Leviathan from him.

[Demonic Energy Detected]

"What?" Varyna glanced around her. Why would there be demonic energy here of all places? She finally settled on Mr. Adventurer/Chef/Idiot. He was moving his hand in front of him, staring at nothing. It looked like he was.. checking his [Stats]? Or doing something with his system on a screen only visible to him.

But what did that have to do with demonic energy?

She frowned, watching him as he swiped through invisible screens and then closed them altogether. The Demonic Energy alert went away around that time as well. 

"It could be a coincidence.." she mumbled. But something was definitely up with that Runner and his 'system'. 

She continued watching him during the next section of orientation. Even more closely than she had been before. He occasionally turned back to give her a dirty look, but she didn't care. She just needed him to call up his system again or use a [Skill] or something so she could confirm whether the Demonic Energy was coming from him or not. 

Since they were in this together as 'volunteers' maybe the best course of action would be to just ask him. Yet she doubted he would give her an honest answer.. If he answered her at all. Ugh, why was he so frustrating?!

Still, she made a silent resolve to be at least one step closer to Leviathan after the two weeks were up. Even if she had to pretend to befriend the guy.

"Alright everyone, for this next section, we have some important guests who will be speaking to you. Please show your respects to one of the galaxy's most renowned scientist, Mr. Abioeosuu," Dlt announced.

Varyna jerked up. Abioeosuu? She'd never heard a name quite like that before. Well, except of course in text books and official documents. Something like that was very distinctly-

Shamayim.

A real life Shamayim walked through the door and into the orientation room. Some people stood, some gasped, some (like Kanda) had no idea what was going on. 

The Shamayim, Mr. Abioeosuu she presumed, was incredible to look at. His skin and clothes were all so white they were practically glowing. His almond-shaped eyes reminded her of a Nemarian, with no pupil to tell where he was looking. He was tall and had glistening crystal wings affixed to his back. Varyna had learned enough about the Shamayim to know that the wings weren't just part of his attire-he could actually fly.

Behind the Shamayim scientist trailed a couple Nemarians, both male, one smaller than the other and incredibly familiar-looking.

"Quoppi?" Varyna blurted out loud.

Luckily, everyone was too distracted with the Shamayim to pay any attention to her, but the smaller Nemarian flinched. It was definitely Quoppi. What was he doing here following someone like that around??

Dlt and her aide managed to get the group under control rather quickly, and the Shamayim wasted no time starting his speech. Even his voice was other-worldly, completely foreign and strange.

"The galaxy cannot survive without individuals like you doing their part and utilizing their strengths," Mr. Abioeosuu began. "For these next two weeks, you will be doing more than attending our sick brethren, but playing an integral role in the strengthening of Cinder Rock, which has been weakened by diseases, famine, and war."

Varyna almost laughed out loud. He made their jobs as volunteers sound oh-so-important.

"The latest research suggests that the cure for nefitis is not far away, and your DNA is a key step to finding it," the Shamayim went on. As he spoke, Quoppi and the other Nemarian plugged their own cartridge into the holoscreen, and various numbers and citings popped up. Varyna noticed there was nothing like "number of people cured" or "number of doctors working on a cure" or anything that actually indicated any progress. But the numbers on the screen looked convincing, hopeful even.

"As this scientific evidence suggests, our galaxy can only progress when each of its parts is functioning according to their make up. Please remember this and how important you being here is to this noble cause." The scientist finished and everyone clapped. Well, some people were still too dazed and at least one was asleep, but most everyone clapped. 

Varyna found it strange, however. That Shamayim definitely spoke more like a politician than a scientist. He didn't actually cover anything scientific at all during his little speech. It was more or less hot air to make the volunteers feel important and dedicated to the government. Why bother having him speak at all? Was the loyalty of this tiny group of Humans really so important?

After that speech, the orientation was over, a new feeling of motivation settled over the group. As soon as Dlt dismissed them, Varyna ran out of the door. She was prepared to ask everyone she passed and check every hall for her past squadmate, but she was pleasantly surprised to find him waiting for her not far from the lounge. 

He tilted his head as she approached him. "I'm surprised to see you here, V-"

"Veronia," she cut him off. "My name is Veronia. Nice to meet you."

"Ah. Veronia." Quoppi took a moment to process the information. "Have you been sent here on a mission?"

"Uh, yeah," Varyna responded quietly, glancing behind her to make sure nobody had wandered within earshot. "What about you?"

"More or less," Quoppi replied. "I have been reassigned to a different position. I am no longer in the Crime Division."

"Oh, really?" Varyna was taken aback. She knew Quoppi was never a good fit for the Crime Division in the first place, but she never imagined he'd leave it behind. Somehow it made her feel a little strange-almost left behind. She cleared her throat. "So, uh, anyway, what's your new position then? I see you have a pretty cool coworker now."

"Yes, I work under Mr. Abioeosuu now," Quoppi nodded. "I have learned much about the galaxy and have been able to partake in several research projects."

"That sounds really nice," Varyna smiled. Even though it was a shocking change, she couldn't deny that the position sounded like it was truly a perfect fit for the Nemarian.

Quoppi nodded again, letting the conversation fizzle out as he tended to do. But this time, Varyna didn't feel the urge to keep it going. 

"Well, it was nice running into you," she waved as she backed away. "I hope you continue to enjoy your new job! Keep in touch!"

She had only taken a few steps when she felt a webbed hand land on her shoulder.

"Varyna." Quoppi's voice was low. "Be careful. And stay away from anything that looks suspicious."

"Um Quoppi..?" Varyna wanted to chuckle and reply 'but my whole job is to find things that look suspicious', but she simply nodded. "Right. I'll do that. Thanks."

Quoppi released her and they walked in different directions. Varyna found herself back at the lounge, where Kanda was waiting right by the door.

"You know him. The lizard man."

"Suns! What did you just say?!" Varyna clamped a hand over the girl's mouth, double checking that nobody else had heard. "You can't just say things like that! He is a Nemarian, not a lizard man."

"Oh. Sorry," Kanda shrugged Varyna's hand off her mouth. "Do you know the angel too?"

"Mr. Abioeosuu? No I don't." Varyna shook her head. Did this Yokel really not know the names of any other species besides her own? Again, Varyna wondered how such a person ended up here of all places.

"I see," the girl nodded thoughtfully and then turned away without another word.

"Ok, it's official," Varyna pressed her palm into her forehead. "That girl isn't rude; she's just strange."

[Demonic Energy Detected]

As soon as the notification popped up, Varyna scanned the groups in the lounge to find the Runner. She spotted him easily, parked on the couch again watching the holoscreen. Honestly, did Runner ships not have anything to watch? This guy had been glued to the holoscreen every free moment. 

But, Varyna realized, he really was just watching the holoscreen. Not calling up his system. It's possible he could have activated a [Skill], but what special talent could he possibly need to watch the weird soap opera that was playing on the screen?

"Maybe I'm mistaken about him," Varyna frowned. Then she thought of Quoppi's warning. "Or maybe I'm mistaken about everything."

The good news was that she'd have two full weeks to continue observing the Runner. And hopefully a few more chances to talk to him. 

But that suddenly seemed minor compared to her other problem. Should she do her job and look for possible seeds of corruption? Or should she heed her friend's warning and keep her head down?

"I hope these next two weeks go by quickly," she sighed.