Zyric returns to her room after a few minutes. He finds her all dressed up ready to go out. "I have secured a permit from the compound allowing us to visit the city."
"Oh wow! Security here is pretty tight." Elzilaura mentions.
"Yes indeed. It's very meticulous." Zyric explains. "Our id cards are programmed only for permission to attend the assembly tomorrow and also for complimentary meals in the dining hall. That's why I asked Admiral Mirtaz for a permit to leave. I told her we needed a little relaxation. She was about to offer a special escort but we're not going that far away so I got the permit earlier than expected." He grins.
"That's nice. So, what are we waiting for then?" The princess jests.
"Oh right, if you're ready then let's go." Zyric escorts her to the halls and they soon leave the compound.
"Where are we going?" Elzilaura asks.
"We'll just go to a coffee shop just a few blocks from here. Just showing you around and giving you a taste of my life as a trainee." The Fliskan guides her through the streets.
"It seems pretty interesting. It just might be what I need." Elzilaura stretches out her arms as she was saying that. "I don't get to walk down the streets like this in Fliska without proper escort. So now, I'm glad I'm here with you. Thank you, Zee." She faces him.
"Well, there's more." She didn't notice they have reached the destination. He then opens the door for her. "Welcome to Temnder's Cafe and Cocktails." Zyric smiles as he stretches his free arm. The place looked like a spacious restaurant filled with customers. Aside from the tables, there were two bars. One looked like a polished diner serving breakfast meals while the other appeared to have wines and spirits. Despite the two clashing concepts, the tone and appearance of the interiors still appeared cohesive and the ambiance was perfect for all walks of life.
To Elzilaura's surprise, there were so many mutants inside. Zyric then explains to her. The mutants originally reside in Agcar to receive treatment. Most of them don't survive. So far, the experts have not yet found a way to reverse the mutations or find an exact cure for them. However, those who respond to the medications given and reach stable conditions are discharged.
They are then brought to Techton for further study. Doctors and experts have discovered that after surviving the mutation, they become endowed with special skills. At Techton, scientists and experts run tests on them. Most of these mutants are from budding planets like earth who were abducted from their worlds by the Mudrogos Vel empire and its allies.
Mudrogite scientists particularly from RAXA tech perform experiments on their captives. They try to mutate them into their species to populate conquered planets. Most of the time, they end up scrabbling the genetic makeup of their prisoners.
These mutants chose to stay in Minthria and Techton to be of assistance. Because of their increased capabilities, most of them hold special positions. If they return to their planets, they would risk being killed or unaccepted. In turn, the Patara created mutant laws and rights to legalize their stay and protect them from further harm. They are also offered Techton or Minthrian citizenship once they have completed a certain tenure of service.
Elzilaura sees them as partly hideous yet the gleam in their eyes and the smiles on their faces make them such hospitable beings.
Zyric brings Elzilaura closer to them. They looked happy to see him. "Guys, this is Princess Elzilaura of Fliska. She is here to give a speech tomorrow at the Patara assembly."
One of them approaches and welcomes the Fliskans. "Zee, it's been a while! I'm so glad to see you." He then turns to introduce himself to the princess.
"Your highness; my name is Snxeba and welcome to Minthria." He resembled a reptile and avian creature with small horns near his ears. "I'm originally from Planet Kadaman but was abducted by Mudrogos Vel. Their scientists used me as a test subject on board while on the way to a slave trader. They were supposed to auction me." His eyes were filled with pain.
"Luckily, Pataran troops rescued us. When I got discharged from Agcar, they brought me to Techton and discovered my agility has increased. Now, I work for a special unit of Patara defense." He shows his id to the princess. "Back then especially when I was still receiving treatments, I wanted to die. But now, having this amazing job, I feel that I'm lucky to be alive." Those around him clapped after his sharing. Snxeba tries to bow before all of them. Some laugh at his gestures.
Zyric then adds. "Yes, and I'm glad you're alive. Otherwise, I would never have met one of my best friends in Minthria. That joint exercise of Patara Defense and Elitea improved our team when we were just starting."
"You still remember that!" The mutant exclaims. "Well, for the record, I do remember it too because I thought you were so good at those exercises. I asked you to lead and let Lem take a back seat for a moment. I also asked the third pilot to take the lead in the next few exercises but it was just for formality. I didn't want anyone to notice I was impressed by you." The group reacted hinting and teasing that maybe the mutant was in love with Zyric. With that, Snxeba immediately responds. "Oh, get a grip! He's not my type." Everyone laughs.
Zyric then changes the subject. "But you are a remarkable officer. Plus, your Pataran unit would have had a hard time without you. Are you still with them?"
"Occasionally, I train the newbies but I'd rather go back to Agcar and console those who are still undergoing treatments from mutation."
Not far behind him was Zezberindos, who approaches the Fliskans. "Greetings, I am Zezberindos, the longest-serving mutant of Techton." He looks like a cross between a mammal and a reptile with Human facial features. He even has a large tail and his legs are like that of a dinosaur. His hand looked humanoid.
"I am of Secrarian species. We are amphibious creatures but as you can see, I am now mixed up due to the mutations. My hand is a Scanderian or what people of earth call humanoid. My face was once smooth and colored now I'm starting to look Scanderian too. I used to be the most handsome Secrarian on my planet, now I can pass for a humanoid heartthrob." He then laughs. The others follow him.
"I'm a scientist once and just like many, I was turned into a mutant upon abduction. I escaped and sought help from the nearest planet. Luckily, troops stationed on the said planet brought me to Agcar. I was almost dead when they brought me to the hospital. The mutation was killing me swiftly. Luckily, I survived.
During my time, the technology wasn't as advanced as now so it was a miracle I survived. When I got better, I got recruited in Techton by Techton-Galacore. I used to train the new pilots." He breathes and looks at Zyric.
"I used to give Lem and Zyric difficult drills as they were the leaders of Elitea. They needed to be better than the rest. I am pleased to tell you that in all my years with them, Lem and Zyric were the best I ever trained." The crowd claps. Elzilaura taps on Zyric's forearm. She whispers. "Wow, I didn't know that."
"He's too modest, my dear." The mutant replies before Zyric could. He then proceeds with his story. "I retired immediately after I trained Lem and Zyric's team. I too had a chance to build my own company at Techton as well. But now, I am in Patara Headquarters to attend tomorrow's session. So, I'm looking forward to seeing you take the floor."
Elzilaura just nods in approval but the mutant senses her discomfort. "What is the matter, my dear?
"It's nothing." Elzilaura explains."Just some stage fright that's all."
"But you know I have a story for that." Zezberindos shares an inspiring story. "I once had a friend whose daughter dreamed of becoming a public servant but was afraid of speeches. She was so nervous that she'd faint when she addressed her audience.
Luckily, through constant practice and also her perseverance, she became one of the best leaders that ever lived so I'm sure you will do well dearest. But for now, I must retire. I do need rest. If not for this aging mutated body of mine, I would have stayed longer but it was a great pleasure meeting you." He tries to bend down, takes Elzilaura's hand, and kisses it.
"The pleasure is all mine and I thank you, Zezberindos." The princess responds. He then bids the rest of them farewell and takes leave.
Another mutant approached them accompanied by a coworker. It was Benra, the bluish-purple-skinned mutant, and his work partner, Syfdin, who is not a mutant but a Quatza, an amphibious race. He needs a special breather otherwise he cannot last long on land without it. They both greet Zyric first.
"How are you, Zee?" Benra asks. The former Elitea pilot replies. "I'm good. Hopefully, you are too."
Syfdin steps in after his partner. "Yes, and you're looking good. So much better than before." He motions his hand in a salute. Zyric responds by thanking him and salutes back.
Benra then continues and introduces himself to the princess. "It's so lovely to meet you, Princess. My name is Benra and this is my workmate Syfdin." Both aliens bow before the princess and then Benra continues.
"I'm from Planet Taliam and I stayed the longest in Agcar for the treatments. My skin was blue as we are the ice people. Now, the mutation turned my epidermis purple. The blue melanin that aids my body to keep warm is now gone and this makes me a bit more sensitive to extreme temperatures plus, its disappearance from my skin was agonizing.
Thanks to Agcar treatments the pain has ceased. Though my condition is not reversed, I am glad to have discovered my abilities have become greater. I'm now a part of the Pataran Intelligence Division. I became partnered with Syfdin just last year.
Syfdin then continues the conversation. "Yes, we were partnered together." He looks at Zyric. "Zee and I were classmates at Minthrian National Defense and Tactical Institute. When he got absorbed by Elitea, I got a job at Solcorp. When my contract ended, I applied for Patara Defense and was lucky to get in."
"Congratulations classmate," Zyric says and Syfdin thanks him.
Then the aliens from earth came into the shop and were surprised to see Zyric that they flock towards him. Two of them hugged the Fliskan simultaneously. Zyric almost lost his balance but luckily regain footing. He assures them he was fine and that he was so glad to see them. He then introduces Elzilura of Fliska to them.
They were Ryxande, Lifolo, and Jade. Ryxande has slight greenish discoloration but most of the right side of his body has some scales.
"Princess, my name is Ryxande. I'm having difficulty at times being on land as my mutation turned me into a sea creature as you can see." He tries to stretch out his arms. "Though the Agcar experts manage to bring some of my features back, the scales are here permanently.
Once a month, I go back to Agcar for follow-up treatments to prevent my scales from evolving and my body from turning back into a sea creature." He was rolling up his sleeve so they can all see his scales better.
"Back then, I was known as Andre Thomas, a scientist in search of alien life only to discover that they are real and they abducted me too. Rather than return to earth, I stayed in Minthria, assumed an alien name, and find work there. Since I used to be a scientist, I work for the Science and Technology Division of the Minthrian government. Sometimes, we have joint ventures with Patara.
Lifolo's face is somewhat disfigured but a part of it hints at her human features. Nevertheless, she looks better than most of the mutants from Agcar. Her body has greater mass than the average human's. "Hi, I'm Lifolo. I'm from Earth too. I used to be a very famous pilot back in the day."
Elzilaura gasps in amazement. Before the princess could speak, Lifolo cuts in. "Don't say it." She points out her index finger. "Unlike Andre, I don't enjoy hearing my former name. I'm happy with my new identity here."
"What happened to you?" The former earth pilot tells her tale.
"As we made the journey, my copilot and I were abducted by the Teneres, or space pirates near our solar system. They engulfed our plane and bartered us with Mudrogos Vel. In their laboratories, my copilot died of the mutations while I survived. When I got rescued and subsequently recovered, I joined a livelihood program for refugees in Techton. During training, we discovered I have heightened aviation skills.
I aid Patara Defense initially as a pilot but now I am an aviation consultant working alongside Commodore Vanera. I also worked with the technology department of the Chrysmons, a sovereign nation located on Planet Yaraen. We developed a jet fighter space vessel for long-distance travel that can be loaded with lots of weapons. It came to be known as the Noonan. "
"You named them..." Elzilaura utters.
"Yes. The team allowed me to choose a name so I named them after him. He would have been happy with that." Lifolo grins and then continues.
"In a way, this mutation is a blessing because if I were still human, I'd be an old woman by now. Somehow, the mutation stopped the aging process. My physique might have changed but my skills and strength have developed so I chose to stay here. My time on earth was indeed one I will never forget. I may not be as popular as I am back on my home planet but I know I'm needed here. Fame is nothing compared to the fulfillment of my mission here."
Elzilaura was impressed with Lifolo. The mutant then had something to add.
"By the way, I also met Shiolen of Cressendi during my time on Planet Yaraen. After learning that I am from Planet Earth, she invited me to her house because she claims to have ancestors from Earth and wanted to learn more about the planet. When I arrived in her abode, she told me she came from the line of Cleopatra, the last Queen of Egypt."
Elzilaura was astonished once again. "How can that be? Cleopatra died through a snake bite and was buried in Egypt." The princess asks.
"That's according to Earth's historical accounts but Shiolen says differently. In the history of the Miroguna, one of their soldiers made an emergency landing on a primitive planet called Earth. As he waited for rescue, he blended as one of the Egyptians and served under Queen Cleopatra as a military officer. His long-awaited rescuers came for him just as Anthony and Cleopatra were defeated. He asked them for some time to wrap his business on Earth. He watched closely as the Romans closed in on Egypt. When Cleopatra was bitten by the asp, he administered an antidote that countered the effects of the poison. Before they sealed her tomb, he brought her with him as he left Earth.
She was then revived and lived among the Miroguna. As a military leader, she established her kingdom. Her son, Ptolemy Antonius Shinderio, wanted to journey to Earth and find his siblings. Unfortunately, he was deposed by his best friend and the woman he intended to marry. When he recaptured his kingdom with the help of a warrior woman who then became his wife, they focused on rebuilding their kingdom that he changed his plans. Since then, his descendants are curious about their Earth origins but have never pushed through with their visit for they believe earth people to be a bit more sensitive to alien life forms."
"Whoa! I wonder what Earth Historians would say to that." Elzilaura says.
"I thought about that too." A woman approaches the Fliskan Princess.
"Hi, I'm Jade Chan." She extends out her hand to Elzilaura and they shake hands. The princess was surprised Jade was still human and unaltered.
"You're not mutated." The princess blurts out.
"No, I'm the lucky one. I got rescued before the mutations began. Patara offered me a chance to go back home but I feel there are more opportunities here. Besides, you know earthlings. They'll think I'm crazy if I tell them I've been abducted by aliens. So, here I am as a lab assistant for a great scientist. Aside from that, I am a reserve officer for Patara."
Ryxande then cuts in. "And she's a great assistant."
Jade smiles. "Thanks, boss. Can I get you anything?"
"You can get me cool space drink and can you also ask the staff to serve us all?" The mutant looks at his companions. "Drinks are on me." The group was shocked but thankful.
Ryxande responds. "Well, we have much to be thankful for. We are graced with the pleasure of meeting the Princess of Fliska. We have Zyric whom we haven't seen in a long while and to my upcoming projects with the Patara. Let's drink to that."
He laughs but then also adds. "And also, to Jade, my sweet, lovely hardworking assistant has been engaged recently." The people then congratulate Jade and the girl was all smiles as she thanked everyone.
Jade then shows Elzilaura a ring on her finger. "I believe the stone on this ring is a crystal from your home world, Fliska, the jewel planet of the galaxy."
"Yes, it is. It's a Fliskan diamond which is the highest quality diamond in the universe." Elzilaura explains to her.
"Yes, my fiance, Naifo, told me so. He is not human but a mutant from Planet Folrae. He made this effort to know earth customs so he purchased a ring with a diamond and proposed to me under the Tri-Derudorian moon. It's a phenomenon wherein the three moons of his planet align themselves. The result of this lunar eclipse turns the night sky pinkish purple."
"Well then, you are a lucky girl. Wishing you and your future husband all the joy and gladness this universe could offer." Elzilaura says.
"Gratitude, your highness. Likewise, I hope you find someone who will care for you as my beloved does. For now, please excuse me for a moment. I will get our drinks and will be right back."
Jade moves away and just before passing Zyric, she whispers in his ear. "Now, I know why it didn't work out with Enna or the others." She winks at him and continues on her way.
After ordering the drinks from the staff at the bar, she returns to the group which had already shifted to several topics of discussion. The former earthlings and the Fliskan princess share their memories of earth.
Lifolo says she missed her plane and the chance to complete her mission. She missed her family and friends as well. Ryxande, aside from missing his family, craves food. He loves hotdogs, pizza, spaghetti, and French fries. The others agree with him that earth food was indeed delicious. Jade misses earth movies and other forms of entertainment.
Of course, the aliens have better forms of entertainment but she can't help but be nostalgic about the stories of earth. She claims that she loved chick flick movies while Ryxande enters the conversation claiming that he loved action and adventure. Elzilaura claims she loved all genres but she truly adored romance like most girls. Lifolo had a hard time catching up with this topic so they all explain it to her.
Their conversations somehow have added ease to Elzilaura's troubled heart. She drew further inspiration from these men and women who chose to fight and carry on living instead of wishing to die. They were heroes in their own right. Meeting these brave souls warms her heart and makes her look forward to what she must do tomorrow. Hopefully, her efforts would all bring them one step closer to peace and free the universe from the cruelties of empires or institutions such as the Mudrogos Vel and RAXA tech.