Kinson sat back, feeling a bit overwhelmed. He felt he had a fairly decent relationship with Kael, now. It was rocky when they started, but she'd warmed up to him since then. Hopefully, she would accept his apology, and they could move on. But Luthier, on the other hand, was a different matter altogether.
"You're awake," a deep voice interrupted his thoughts.
He looked up to find Griffon standing in the doorway.
"Yeah," Kinson gave him a subdued nod.
"You don't look so hot. I heard your discussion with Andres. Mind if I take a seat?"
Kinson shook his head, so Griffon sat down across from him where Andres had been sitting. "Always nice to get a warm seat," Griffon laughed.
"I guess," Kinson shrugged.
Seeing his mood, Griffon's lightheartedness disappeared, and he cleared his throat. "Just so you know, your contributions are not to be underestimated. Although Andres is right, and we might not be able to stop their use entirely, we can at least give the government and military a warning."
"But we don't even have evidence," Kinson protested.
"That's not entirely true. Do you remember the events of the university competition?"
"Of course! Did they find out what happened with Trevor?"+
"Something like that. The psionic enhancer he was using provided a direct link to the psionic dimension. The disturbance it would cause in that dimension would be directly fueled by his soul, instead of the nearly nonexistent probing of a machine. Aside from the mysterious brainwashing going on, he would likely have been tainted with the influence of a nightmare as well- one intent on finding his location in space."
Kinson's face paled. "You mean they were trying to use Trevor to open a portal on Titan?"
"It's likely. Fortunately, he passed out before they could. After that happened, the rest of the contestants were thoroughly searched, and several more devices were found, distributed mostly among the first and second years. Investigations are still underway, so there's no way to be sure what exactly they were trying to do. Given the circumstances, it seems unlikely they intended to call nightmares there, and that was just an unintentional side effect. I did a little private research on the matter and figured out that those psionic enhancers were developed several years ago. They had unpredictable results, and often resulted in negative effects on the user, so they were banned. It seemed someone wanted to continue the study and development, so chose the university as the perfect place to do it."
"That's terrible!" Kinson gasped, "What if a student died?"
Griffon shrugged. "Don't know. But there will be serious charges either way. Now, I'm more focused on what happened in that deathdream. You said the guy's name was Konga, right?"
Kinson nodded, and Griffon sighed, then said, "I knew the man. We worked together about 10 years ago on a military operation. One of the best men I've ever trusted my back to. He disappeared shortly after. I guess we know why, now."
"I'm sorry," Kinson said, not knowing how else to respond.
Griffon waved his concern aside. "Life's dangerous in our line of work, so things happen. Still, to think he got killed so simply… Never mind, tell me more about Keyser. He seemed like an interesting fellow."
Kinson nodded, and explained everything he had seen about the man, from his mannerisms to his abilities. His memory wasn't perfect, but the strange relationship between him and Rena had lodged the man deep in his memories. He wished he had time to ask Rena about it, afterward.
"Fascinating. I don't recognize Rena, but she seemed to have some powerful abilities. I'll ask around, and see if I can dig anything up. If that ship really was the same one from the pirate base, then this must have been orchestrated by them in some way. Perhaps a third force is emerging," Griffon scratched his chin.
"A third force?" Kinson asked, confused.
"Huh? Oh, pretend you didn't hear that. Well, it's too late now, isn't it," Griffon smiled ruefully.
"What's going on," Kinson asked, "about everything. Andres said tensions were high. Is there going to be a war?"
Griffon looked at him for some time. "I don't know, but there might be. Terran forces, accompanied by a detachment from Luna, recently had a display of force right outside of Europa's atmosphere. They claimed it was a drill, but the intent was clear. The Titan Council then demanded Terra abandon its military base orbiting Titan and remove its armed troops from the near vicinity. So far, Terra has refused to do so."
"What will happen if the alliance breaks apart?" Kinson asked with no small amount of trepidation.
"Those waiting for a chance will make their move. Titan and Europa want complete freedom from Earth's grasp. Earth wants to monopolize the alliance and increase its control over resources. The pirates obviously want some benefit from the war, and the nightmares just want to kill everyone, as far as we know. Things might get hectic soon, to say the least."
Kinson's eyes flashed, recovering his resolve. "Then Griffon, I want to know more. I thought I was ready to fight, but I barely did anything in the deathdream. I lost control over my own body, and barely managed to hit one person. Once again, I had to hide behind others."
Griffon eyed him curiously. "You know, most people run from conflict after their first fight. Are you sure you're feeling alright?"
Kinson nodded vigorously. "Yes. The next time I meet a pirate, I'm going to kill him."
"Bold words. I suppose it's about time we move on from firearm training. Tomorrow, I suppose I'll begin teaching you some of those ancient martial arts with the power to break the skies you've always wanted to learn," Griffon grinned.
"I'll be there. Now, I'd better get going. School's about to start soon, and It's the last day, so I don't want to be late," Kinson said.
"Go, this summer will be hell for you," Griffon waved him off.
"Wait, What?" Kinson looked back.
"Nothing. You're going to be late."
Later that evening, Kinson met Trevor and Celeste for dinner. It was a special one, as they were parting ways for the time being. Trevor decided to return home and take some time to sort things out in his mind, while Celeste's family was planning to Travel for a few months. Kinson had originally planned to go home to his family, as well, but the past few weeks convinced him otherwise.
"I guess this is it," Trevor said softly, looking between Kinson and Celeste.
"Yeah, at least until the next year," Celeste nodded.
"Still, your trip sounds fun," Kinson said.
Celeste shrugged without any real energy. "I guess," she muttered.
"Aren't you looking forward to it?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Well…" Celeste brushed her hair out of her face.
"Of course she is! Who wouldn't want to travel around the solar system? I'm burning with envy!" Trevor said loudly.
Kinson ignored him, but Celeste wouldn't look him in the eye. "Are you sure everything is fine?" he asked gently.
She hesitated, then said, "I'm just not that close with my Dad. He wasn't really there when the whole kidnapping thing took place, or afterward. It was like he didn't care. I think he wants to use this vacation as a chance to make up, but it just doesn't feel right," she said softly, her eyes a little moist.
"Did you tell him you don't want to go?" Trevor asked, but she shook her head.
"He wouldn't listen, anyway," she mumbled morosely. Then she forced a smile on her face. "That's enough about me, what about you?"
"If you say so…" Kinson relented.
"Not too many plans. Just trying to get this nightmare off my mind," Trevor shuddered.
"We've had a crazy year, haven't we," Kinson shook his head.
"Uh-huh. Anyway, I'd better be going. My roommates are waiting," Celeste stood to leave.
"Okay, glad I don't have that problem." Kinson grinned at Trevor.
"Lucky," she rolled her eyes.
"We'll be thinking about you. Hope your trip is alright, and keep in touch if you stop at a place with service!" Kinoson called as she walked away. She turned and waved, then disappeared down the passage.
"When did you two get so close?" Trevor eyed him across the table.
"Jealous?" Kinson laughed.
"Hah, not really. She's got the whole summer to forget you. Meanwhile, you'll be pining away in unrequited love. Sounds like torture, to me," Trevor stuck his tongue out.
"Knew it. I'll let you know if I find someone special for you!" For some reason, he suddenly recalled that girl he met on the science ship. She would have gotten along well with Trevor.
"Everything alright?" Trevor asked as a dark shadow passed over Kinson's face.
"Yeah, just remembering someone I once met."
"Oh? Perhaps a forgotten love?"
"She's dead. I didn't even meet her," he replied flatly.
"... I'm sorry," Trevor apologized, "someone in a deathdream?"
He nodded, but didn't say anything. Trevor must have understood, because he stood up and walked off. "I'm stopping by the apartment to grab my things! Tomorrow, I'll be off."
Kinson raised his hand in farewell, unaware of just how much things would change before their promised reunion.