Otherworldly Vistas

--Gatix--

--Three weeks later--

I heard the whir as the last tentacle snaked into the roof, the port closing with its soft click afterward. Two metallic steps echoed in the room as I moved off the platform. Legs moved perfectly, and the hum sounded normal. Good. Swinging my arms made the whoosh as they circled through the air. Good.

“Nev?”

“All systems operating normally.”

“And my head?”

“All emitters functional, compensating for neural anomalies as we speak.”

“Good.”

“Agent?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you feeling unwell?”

You're out of chances, Gatix. There might not be any waking up next time...

“No. How is my brain holding up?”

“Some small anomalies, but compensating. Agent Dax is providing remote support as we speak.”

“Thanks. Is there anything else I should do?”

“No. I will continue monitoring your brain waves until your deployment tomorrow. I will notify you should I find anything of note.”

“Good.”

She can't stay here, and you can't stay there.

“Then please tell me where I can find our guest.”

***

The elevator gave a single ping before the doors split apart. Satellites, stars, and celestial bodies colored the heavens while man-made lights dotted the horizon. A helicopter thundered in the distance, but the sound faded with each passing second, so I didn't worry.

“You can find Ms. Queen on the southern end of the roof.” The diamond-shaped indicator appeared at the edge of my visor.

“Thanks.” I walked around the dome-shaped protrusion housing the elevator, finding the still-armored queen leaning on the railing while lazily surveying her surroundings. I had no doubt she heard me as I walked closer, but she never turned her head away from the landscape.

“Enjoying the view?”

“It is the first time I've come here since arriving.” She watched as I joined her on the railing before turning her attention back to the horizon. “I thought it would be a fitting place to spend my last night.”

“I understand the sentiment. What do you think?”

“The difference is staggering. You can travel throughout Compolot for five years and never find anything like it.”

“I'd wager there are more inhabitants within thirty minutes than half your country.” She nodded her head slowly. “But not every place is like this. You can find the countryside half a day's travel from here, with nary a building in sight.”

“Is the countryside similar to my world?”

“No bone yards, but the forests are not dissimilar.”

“I see.”

“You okay?”

“Why do you ask?”

“You seem a bit homesick.”

“Can you blame me? I'm not a stranger to travel, but having your entire point of reference removed is an uncomfortable feeling.”

“I can guess.”

“Don't misunderstand, the hospitality has been most generous. But...” She looked up at the sky. “Your spirit guide tells me the floating orb is called the Moon?”

“It's Luna, the place I told you about earlier.”

“Imagine waking up one day and finding yourself trapped there. You will always find something amiss, no matter how nice everybody is.”

“You'll be back home soon.”

“Please don't think I'm not ungrateful. I owe my life to all of you.”

“Don't worry, Ms. Queen. How are you feeling?”

“A lingering sensitivity in my chest, but I am otherwise healed. My magic levels are filled about halfway, but that will fix itself once I return.”

“I'm glad to hear.”

“And yourself?”

“Physically, I'm fine. I passed the fitness test yesterday, and Boss has given the go-ahead for the mission. Mentally, I'm not too sure. Nev and Dax are adjusting the suit to compensate for the holes in my head, which is why I'm already in my combat armor. It's going well so far. Hopefully, it stays like that.”

“Let me know if I can help in any way. We've seen my magics work on you.”

“That I'll do.” Both of us stayed silent for a few seconds, merely enjoying the sounds of the night. I heard the sound of fluttering wings below us, but I couldn't spot the creature that made it. “I guess you have no idea who's pulling the strings.”

“No, they are exceptionally careful in that regard. I gave Cafi some openings for an assassination while we were waiting, but he never reacted. Either it's a faction in the Order, or they're playing it smart.”

“Could be either-or. Have you figured out who the mole is?”

“I do not understand this reference.”

“The traitor in your forces.”

“No. I've dealt with one before we went to the Seer, a quartermaster named Lokta, but I'm convinced there's more. Lokta rarely left the castle, and if he did, never the city. Somebody had to influence him.” She sighed. “But the evidence points to a traitor. The Seer knew I was coming, and Donkor knew I would be at the Bazaar and Alakafor. The Seer could have told him about the latter, but nobody knew about my visit to the Bazaar or my intention to visit the Seer.”

“No chance of anybody following you?”

“No, I teleported from within my living quarters while alone.”

“What about an echo?” Nev interjected.

“Please elaborate?”

“It is possible for wormholes...”

“He means the technology we use to teleport,” I interjected. “Go on, Nev.”

“Considering the disruption created by the wormhole, it is possible for the residue to remain after the wormhole has closed. An echo, if you will. If the entry point is known, it would be possible to determine the exit point.”

“Is something like that known in your world?”

Ms. Queen replied with a shake of the head. “Not that I've heard of. Given the rarity of teleportation, I doubt anybody has considered it seriously.”

“Then let me change the question. Who has access to your living quarters?”