The man, Celeste's father, looked nothing like her. He had short brown hair and a stern face. His blue eyes shifted around and seemed to be calculating something. He had a rather large frame, but covered his figure with a tidy business suit. He was the very picture of control.
"Ye-yes. Sorry we're late," Kinson mumbled, intimidated.
"No point lingering on that. My name is President Coromen, president of the BPI branch on Titan. We've invited the heads of the AFF stationed in the outer ring, as well as several representatives of Earth. We'll begin without further discussion. Tell us about the deathdream you experienced. Be very specific, and don't leave anything out," the president said in official tones.
Kinson felt his mouth go dry. He had never been in a situation like this before, and found himself going blank.
"Uh, well, you see, it started as an accident. I was simply practicing my meditation, and was somehow drawn into the deathdream of a man who had been located in the room I was in. One thing led to the next, and I found myself in the company of Captain Ashton, leader of a team of the Sons of Scarlet," Kinson began after collecting his thoughts. His distant mood had evaporated from the shock of standing before so many important people, so his mind was working quickly again.
"Accidently sent into the deathdream? Isn't that incredibly dangerous?" one of the men broke in right as Kinson felt like things were flowing smoothly.
"Well, it was an accident," Kinson said, feeling embarrassed.
"Please, no interruptions," President Coromen said sharply.
For the next few minutes, Kinson continued to tell the story, right up till the moment Ashton ended up dying. He hesitated, not knowing whether to describe the part where he met with Ashton's remnant soul, but ultimately decided against it. He was still pretty sensitive about it, and didn't feel like talking about it yet, especially to the group he currently faced.
"Judging from the fact that Ashton's corpse was found in space, I guess that they either killed everyone on the ship when it exploded, or opened the hangar doors and jettisoned them out. Either way, everyone should have ended up dead," Kinson finished, summarizing what he had learned from Ashton as a theory.
"Interesting. Thank you very much," the president said, then said, turning to the council, "Are there any questions?"
The council was quiet for a moment, but then someone spoke. The speaker was a tall, thin man with thick-rimmed glasses. Curious, most eye impairments could be easily fixed with surgery.
"I have a few doubts as to the veracity of the experience. Trauma, especially as this inexperienced kid encountered, often twists the minds of those who experience it," he explained in nasally tones.
The council was silent for a moment, then broke out into frenzied whispers. Some seemed opposed to the idea, while others supported it. As the discussion grew, Kinson looked around in confusion, then glanced at Griffon.
"That man's one of the lead advisors of the Terran General who is most vocal in supporting the cause those pirates were planning for. Just do you're best and don't mind the consequences. I'll protect you if anything happens," Griffon whispered to him softly, his eyes riveted on the General.
Kinson wondered what could possibly happen. What would they even arrest him for? Or perhaps an assassination? While his mind wandered, the dissension continued in greater intensity.
"Enough! We haven't gathered to bicker like housewives. What would you propose, Advisor Kent?" President Coromen broke through the commotion with an iron like voice.
"Simple. I've brought with me a psionists skilled in reading memories. It would be a simple thing for him to ascertain the truth," the Advisor explained.
Kinson felt chills race down his spine. For some reason, the idea of someone poking around in his mind reminded him of the time he first entered the deathdream. The feeling of his consciousness being erased was horrifying, and not one he wished to reflect on.
"Hmmm, that seems feasible. Let's take a vote," the president decided.
Kinson held his breath as each person cast a vote. The final score fell in favor of mind reading. Advisor Kent looked at Kinson with a look of vicious mockery for some reason.
Confused, Kinson looked at the people around the advisor, wondering who the psionic st might be. His gaze locked onto a man standing behind him, one who had escaped his notice when he entered the room.
He took a few shaky breaths and wiped away the sweat which had gathered on his forehead. No, it couldn't be, it just couldn't. But there was no other explanation. The cruel smile the suspicious man offered him validated his fears.
"Very well, we shall have his memories scanned after this council ends. Until then, we will discuss it as though it is true. Please, excuse us," President Coromen directly excused Kinson.
"Come, they have much more to discuss," Griffon took him by the arm and pulled him away.
Kinson followed, his vision shaking a bit. Griffon instantly noticed his condition, and pulled him to a nearby chair as soon as the door closed behind them.
"What's wrong?" he asked hastily.
"Tha-that man. The one behind the advisor. His name is Tarken, and he was the leader of the pirate alliance. He ordered the death of the Sons of Scarlet!" Kinson exclaimed in a shaky voice.
Griffon frowned and his face darkened. "Are you sure?" he asked seriously.
"Yes, I'm sure. We made eye contact, and he smiled horribly at me. He wasn't in the deathdream, so he wouldn't recognize me, but he knew I would recognize him!" Kinson explained with certainty.
"This complicates matters a bit. It seems our enemies are more unified than we thought," Griffon mused. "I'm going to report this, so sit tight. Nothing should happen until the meeting finishes."
"Okay, please hurry," Kinson said worriedly.
Griffon quickly departed, headed to the elevator. Kinson caught his breath and looked around. He was in the hallway right outside the meeting room, where the council was meeting. The hallway was similar to all the other one's he had come across in the BPI, except that there were a few portraits hanging up every twenty feet or so. The closest one to Kinson looked very familiar. The picture showed a man standing tall, holding the flag of the alliance in his hand. His eyes peered into the viewer, glinting with a cold light. After a moment, Kinson recalled where he had seen it before. It was the first deathdreamer, the same man in the picture in the downstairs office.
Kinson looked at it for a while and wondered if it was a coincidence. Deathdreamers aren't that well renowned, and Kinson had never actually seen a picture of one before, even in his textbook at school. But out of all the pictures in the BPI, the two Kinson had stopped to really look at happened to be this deathdreamer, who he didn't even know the name of.
His curiosity getting the best of him, Kinson pulled out his phone and started searching the internet. After only a few taps, he found a portrait, and looked for the name. "Joseph Stewart," he read aloud.
"A fascinating man. One who has proved quite troublesome for us, in the past," Kinson jumped as a familiar, cold voice cut through his thoughts.
"Tarken!" he hissed, looking up to find the man standing before him, flanked by two large bodyguards in suits.
"Hmm, so you did recognize me. That only increases the importance of this mission then," Tarken said and gestured towards him.
Kinson leaped to his feet, hands balled into fists, as the two men strode forward, reaching for him. "Stay back!" he warned desperately.
"Heh, we're just going for a little walk. No need to look so worried," one of the men smirked.
"No, stop!" Kinson glanced down both sides of the hallway but found no one around. He shouted louder, hoping to draw attention. Maybe Griffon would come back!
"It's useless. The walls around here are completely soundproof. Knocking barely works," Tarken chuckled, rubbing his knuckles.
The man on his left grabbed at Kinson, but Kinson leapt to the side. He clipped the chair, sending it crashing to the ground. Unfortunately, his tactic backfired, and he ended up in the arms of the other henchman. The bearlike man wrapped his arms around him, pinning his arms to his side.
"Stop resisting, it's pointless," Tarken calmly rebuked him.
"No! Someone, help!" Kinson renewed his struggles, calling out even louder.
"Kinson?" a new voice appeared, "What's going on? Let him go!"
When Kinson first heard the voice, hope surged through him. He looked over, and his heart plunged into his gut.
"Celeste! Get away from here!" he cried anxiously.
"The President's daughter. Things are getting troublesome," Tarken put a hand on his forehead. "Don't let her get away," he sighed regretfully.
"Quick, run!" Kinson yelled at her.
Unfortunately, Celeste seemed frozen in place, confusion and fear plain on her face. She only woke up as the henchmen reached her and grabbed her by the arm.
"Ahhhh! Let go of me!" she screamed, beating at his hand.
The henchmen grimaced, but his grip was firm. "Stop struggling. I don't want to beat a lady," he said indignantly.
"Some gentlemen you are! When my father finds out…" Celeste threatened, but the tears in her eyes gave away her fear.
"Let her go! I'll go with you!" Kinson grit his teeth.
"Fine, but only after we get away," Tarken said with a satisfied smile. "It is rather convenient that you're acquainted after all."
Kinson gulped. It seemed he had played right into his hands. Well, it wasn't like he was some saint or something. He'd betray that vow the moment Celeste was safe. Still, for the time being, it was better to behave.
"We've wasted enough time on shenanigans. Let's get going," Tarken said, and began walking towards the elevator.
The guard holding Kinson let him go, but kept a close eye on him. Kinson shook himself and straightened his clothes, then tried to follow with dignity. He glanced at Celeste, and made eye contact with her. Her face was pale, but she gave him a quick nod. Her confidence was betrayed, however, by her eyes, which shone with fear.
Kinson's face hardened in resolve. He would do whatever he had to in order to make sure she was safe. With that conviction, he stepped onto the elevator looking at Tarken with defiant eyes.
"Wow, so brave," Tarken laughed sarcastically. "Don't worry, we won't hurt her. Or you. Much."
For once, Kinson was grateful for the cheesy elevator music. It distracted from the atmosphere, and seemed to make Tarken and his goons slightly uncomfortable.
'What the heck is this music?" the grunt who held Celeste grimaced.
"Ignore it. Perhaps they planned this out to throw us off key," the other one said seriously.
Kinson almost chuckled, but restrained himself when he saw Tarken frowning. "It appears the you've truly mastered the cliche of the cunning master and dumb servants," he said snarkily.
"Hold your tongue," Tarken scowled. "I didn't request these two," he said defensively.
"Heh," Kinson smirked.
'Kinson…" Celeste said with a worried look.
He nodded, clear on her meaning. It was best not to antagonize their captors. He already knew what this pirate captain was capable of.