Legend

AT THE BEGINNING…

The tall man sat still and tall on the floor, legs intertwined beneath him and eyes closed. Wherever he was, Daven Shepherd was quite comfortable; at least his outward appearance exuded comfort. His younger companion was trying to keep his attention on the file he was reading on his data tablet. However, Tolen Tobias admitted his distraction. Daven was completely quiet and didn’t fidget, so he shouldn’t have been a distraction. Tobias was interested nonetheless. When Daven Shepherd did…whatever it was that he was currently doing, Tobias couldn’t ignore him. Sitting in that position seemed certain to make a person, especially one of Daven’s age, stiff. The leg position looked highly uncomfortable, Tobias considered as he shook his head. Yet when Daven finished, he would pop right up from the floor and be as fresh as if he had awakened from a night’s sleep. That was the distraction.

Shepherd had tried to get his younger colleague interested in the mind-spirit-body exercises. He’d told Tobias that it would help settle him, and help him control his particularly receptive senses. Tolen hadn’t been able to concentrate enough to find that place where Daven relaxed and refreshed himself, and had given up early. Still he had to admit curiosity. Maybe I’ll try again…sometime. Maybe.

Daven Shepherd suddenly opened his eyes. They glimmered gold, calm and awake. The humanoid came to his feet directly from his folded position, not uncurling his legs first. His pale yellow face reflected contentment and joy. He smiled at something that only he knew. Tobias was slightly annoyed at that. Shepherd told him that it was jealousy of a more content state. The younger man thought that it was because he felt Daven smiled just to annoy him.

Immediately, Tolen looked back to his data tablet, moving only his eyes so as not to attract attention.

“You’re wrong,” Shepherd said quietly, a small smile still in place. “I do not smile at a private joke. I smile at a private calm.”

Tolen felt annoyance, but was determined not to show it. He shrugged slightly but didn’t look up. “Don’t know what you mean,” he said in a quiet mutter. “I’m trying to read here.”

Shepherd smiled more. He understood and would not pursue. “Your highly developed senses would not bother you with distractions if you could relax more deeply,” Daven offered as he held out a yellow hand, palm up. He knew that Tolen was often troubled by the things he saw, heard and felt, more deeply than humans were able. His additional sensory ability made him a good law enforcement official, but also left him nervous and jumpy. Early in their working relationship, Tobias had told him, “Being able to know more deeply about my surroundings isn’t fun. I can feel and hear all the tension around me…and it’s not easy to shut out. I know that people around me are very open, and not always nice, in their thoughts. I don’t have trouble trying to stay away from others’ feelings for ethical reasons.” He shuddered. “They repel me.” That’s why Shepherd continued to attempt to lure Tolen into deep relaxation and contemplation. If only you would try. It would bring you such peace.

Tobias lowered the data tablet to his lap and looked up at the pale yellow man. Daven towered over him even when Tobias stood. He kept his light yellow hair pulled back in a tie. Long and lanky and entirely too healthy for a man past the middle age of his species. Tolen felt as if Daven could read his every thought, which of course he could, but Shepherd controlled his ability and only invaded other’s privacy as a matter of performing his job enforcing law. His species strong moral character was a matter of nature and nurture, and at his age and maturity level, Daven had little problem controlling his curiosity. He was often repelled by others’ thoughts as much as Tolen was.

Tolen smirked and a sound accompanied it, but he was unable to stop it. He found it hard to believe that Daven was able to so perfectly control his curiosity that he never took a peek into other’s heads. No one was that perfect, not even Mr. Perfect, as Tobias had nicknamed his colleague. Too calm, too healthy, too controlled…perfect.

Shepherd continued to stand and stare, studying the younger man. It bothered him none that Tolen had snickered, and probably at him. Even if he was able to sense other’s thoughts and feelings, his sensitivity didn’t extend to personal feelings. Also, he was used to Tobias’ ways, after working with him several years.

Tobias was shorter, but average for his species. His skin was very slightly teal colored, shading into darker tones around scars that Tolen had gained in his job. His hair, at its longest, was short and spiky on his head, brown in color. His green eyes looked bright against his skin tone. He was seated at a desk, on which he had propped his feet, data tablet in his lap.

“You’re giving me that look again,” Tobias informed his partner. The look that made Tolen feel as if Daven were sifting through all his private thoughts.

Daven gave a slight nod and turned toward his own desk. He brushed against a tablet that hung slightly over the edge of the desk, and it began to fall. Without looking, Daven quickly grabbed and caught the tablet, placing it on the desktop. Another of his talents that annoyed Tolen. In fact, Tolen was jealous of the depth of Daven’s abilities.

“Many apologies,” Shepherd said sincerely.” I was not looking inside you. I was thinking.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. Thinking about whatever hit you when you were off in another dimension.” Though he realized that he could reach out with his senses to sample his partner’s thoughts, Tobias didn’t. He didn’t want to find out if he was right, and that the man he had trusted with his life several times before was deceiving him.

Despite the ostensible friction between the pair, they worked well together. Tobias often said if they had been more alike, they wouldn’t have been able to even speak together, much less work together. Daven had said, pragmatically, “Our differences complement each other.”

The title of law enforcement official often gave others the wrong idea of the breadth of the pair’s work. “It’s so much more than bang-bang, shoot-’em-up,” Tolen would say, but left the rest unexplained. “We uphold rules, regulations, executive orders, as well as laws throughout this quadrant of the galaxy,” Daven would take up the narrative. “It involves investigation and exploration rather than simply arresting a breaker of the law.”

The range of their duties had led them to many places, exploring a wide variety of abuse, fraud, deception, as well as violence and more common crime. In fact their job morphed often, expanding as their boss was presented with items to explore or “fix” with no further explanation. Jacks-of-all-trades he called his men; the best fixers in the Genoan security enforcement office.

The communication unit on Daven’s desk sounded. The man touched a soft button and a voice spoke, not waiting for acknowledgement. “Get in here right away.”

“The science academy here on Genoa is concerned about the outpost on Tellous,” their boss began. Captain Martin Martine, a dark skinned, balding man sat leaning his elbows on his desk. His gleaming face was not because of happiness, but a light sheen of perspiration, which told the two officers that Martine was stressed. That meant that for the moment they would listen. “There is a research station there. Scientists are studying the environment of the planet, Tellous. Very hostile place. Temperatures never get above freezing point. There are ferocious windstorms on the planet surface. The station has been there for less than a year. However, recently, their regular communications reports have not been very regular. Also, they are garbled. Even the ones that are clear are…strange.”

“Strange?” Daven Shepherd repeated.

“They are…inconsistent…odd. Almost as if the comm operator was inebriated. One of the messages did seem to be a clear call for help. The science academy is convinced that something is wrong at the station. We are sending you to Tellous to investigate.” He looked down at his desk for a second, and back up immediately. “Oh, and a doctor. We are sending a doctor with you.”

“A doctor?” Tolen responded. “Why a doctor?”

Martine looked up again, with a look that initially indicated annoyance at being questioned. Tobias stiffened for the outburst, but it didn’t come. The man’s face relaxed. “There are indications of injuries and sickness…or injuries or sickness.” He shrugged and held out a hand, as if that was part of the offering of explanation. “We are uncertain exactly what is going on. You may need a physician’s knowledge to help the researchers there. There’s a transport waiting for you, and don’t look so happy that you have your own ship. Tellous is off the main travel lanes, and as an unknown planet, there aren’t any regular shuttles to it. Whatever is going on at Tellous, it seems certain that they are in need of help…prompt help.” He paused and put a finger against the comm unit. “I want to introduce you to the doctor who will be accompanying you. He’s the best virologist that I could locate. Doctor Jenson is associated with Lux Aeterna University and its teaching hospital.” He stood in unison with the office door sliding open. Martine’s administrative assistant accompanied the doctor. He nodded to Martine and left.

A tall pale yellow creature stood inside the doorway. He was dressed simply but formally in a business unisuit. His tow-colored hair was not as long as Daven’s, but was pulled back in a tie similarly. Daven and the man were of the same species and exchanged a small smile as well as a mental acknowledgement and greeting. Tolen turned his head away and rolled his eyes. He had gotten used to Daven and his sensitivities. Now he had to work with this one, wondering if the doctor was probing his thoughts. Why did it have to be another one of those?

Though Daven Shepherd wasn’t attempting to sense Tobias’ reaction, he could imagine it nonetheless. “Don’t worry,” he said without looking at the younger man. “The doctor, I’m certain, lives up to an ethical oath. He doesn’t sift minds.”

“No,” the creature responded without insult. “It is part of my oath, and my training. Only in an emergency would I attempt such.”

Martine looked among the three and shrugged. He had missed something, which, apparently, no one was going to explain to him, but that’s the way things worked with his best two investigators. He let it go, nearly used to that sort of happening now. As if nothing had occurred, the boss proceeded with his previous intention. “Doctor Jenson, this is Lieutenant Daven Shepherd, and this is Lieutenant Tolen Tobias. These men are my best investigators. This is Doctor Liam Jenson, professor of virology at Lux Aeterna University, and researcher at LAU hospital.”

“A pleasure,” Daven said as he took the man’s hand. Much more passed through the handshake than a pressing of flesh. The species mates didn’t probe each other, but allowed a pre-determined amount of energy to pass, a traditional greeting among their people.

Tobias closed the short distance and offered his hand, not realizing how hesitant his gesture looked, or how negative his full demeanor was. The doctor was not put off by this though.

“I’m pleased to meet you,” Jenson said quietly. “I’m sure that Lieutenant Shepherd has explained to your our principles and integrities. I respect them, and your privacy.”

“Tobias, are you still making people uncomfortable with your prejudices?” Martine said in a warning tone.

The lieutenant put up a hand in surrender and was ready to launch into a defense, but didn’t get any words out.

“Please,” Jenson responded. “Don’t let me be a problem. I only wanted to reassure Lieutenant Tobias. I’m used to hesitant reactions from others.”

“It’s due to stories that circulate about our people,” Daven added. “Because we are able to sense other’s thoughts, many think we go freely searching. I signed a privacy act when I came to work for this department. Have you ever had difficulties, or implied difficulties with me?”

“Of course not,” Martine responded with a move of his hand which seemed as if he were trying to erase the conflict from the air in front of him.

Before he could continue, Daven did continue. “Each Bartone who leaves our native planet has been made aware that not all species share this gift. A Bartone must decide for himself or herself whether to control the penetration. Those who wish to live in peace in other parts of the galaxy choose to sign a pledge, or to violate it.” Martine had never questioned Daven before. Mostly this explanation was for Tolen, who had more uncertainty than prejudice.

“I re-emphasize my pledge,” Jenson responded simply.

“Look, I’m sorry this whole thing had to come up like this,” Martine glowered at Tolen. “Can you work with these people, or not? Do I need to assign someone else?”

“Of course not,” Tobias responded gruffly. “You’ve never had a problem with me before, have you?”

The boss smiled and rested his hands on his hips. “I can’t answer that the way you want. I have had problems with you before.” Martine and Tobias glared at each other. The air was thick with hostile feeling.

Doctor Jenson decided this was non-productive and didn’t wait for resolution. “Excuse me, Captain Martine. I know, professionally, the doctor assigned to the research station. We had consulted on a couple of cases before he took his current assignment. Doctor Rouhe and I have been in communication recently. He told me about the illness that is overrunning the research facility. I am mildly familiar with the symptoms, and know that Doctor Rouhe was searching for the cause…unsuccessfully so far.” He paused and a look of concern etched his face. “However, his last couple of messages to me were somewhat incoherent. I believe he has become ill also.”

“That is unfortunate,” Martine answered, calmer now. “We had hoped the doctor would be able to isolate this before it infected everyone at the station. Your abilities will no doubt be needed…more so now.”

The small, sleek intra-galactic transport rushed through folded space, exiting a few thousand kilometers from a planet with a high albedo, though the nearest star was multiple millions of miles away. The planet was ice covered, allowing the elevated reflectivity of the planet. The closest star was so far away that there was not enough warmth to melt the ice.

Daven Shepherd set a course to close the final distance at sub-light speed and set the automatic piloting system. The three passengers passed the time discussing the transcripts of messages received from Tellous and reviewing discoveries which the scientific team had made, and offering their own conclusions and speculations.

“It seems as if it is a type of illness,” Doctor Jenson said, looking over the data tablet before him. “Red swollen areas on the skin. That sounds as if it could be a rash. Weakness, fever, dehydration. All symptoms of the same illness, I presume, since they present together. Doctor Rouhe seemed confused by it though.”

“Perhaps an illness with which he isn’t familiar,” Daven offered thoughtfully.

“I suppose. These preliminary symptoms sound like any number of sicknesses that I have encountered in my work. The commonality of the symptoms was also part of Rouhe’s difficulty in isolating the cause. However, it makes sense that there may be something native to Tellous that is causing the sickness. No one has spent much time on the planet before, due to its environment. We know little of the planet…or anything that may exist there. Perhaps Tellous is not completely uninhabited after all.”

“But we read the reports on the environmental conditions,” Tolen put in. “How could anything, even a germ, survive in that harsh environment?”

Jenson smiled a wry grin. “You’d be surprised the severe conditions that some cells can survive, Lieutenant. It’s not unheard of for some viruses to be able to survive temperature extremes. If a host comes near enough for the virus to latch on, it uses the warmth to rouse itself.” He held out a hand palm up. “Perhaps that is the case on Tellous.”

“Could it possibly be mass hysteria?” Daven Shepherd asked. “The researchers have been isolated in a small group and in a small research station for many months now.” He paused, considering his thoughts. “Could an emotional issue cause a physical response?

The doctor nodded. “In acute circumstances that has occurred.” He paused and glanced down at the data tablet in his hands. “I don’t get the impression from any of the reports from Tellous that the situation was that dire.” He shrugged. “Research teams sent to such outposts generally receive rigorous psychological testing to minimize such possibilities. However,” he added quickly, “I will not rule it out until I understand the circumstances more completely.”

“Hmm.” Daven Shepherd tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Though the probability of emotional upset is small, it could explain why some of these messages are so incoherent.”

“That is a possibility. If this is due only to physical illness, the strange messages can still be explained. A fevered brain can create some interesting things. It may be that their illness is causing them to invent the things they are reporting. Most interesting hallucinations,” Jenson glanced at his data tablet again. “Very reasonable sightings and reports degenerating into…nightmarish visions and incredible descriptions. In his communications to me, Doctor Rouhe told some of the stories that were circulating throughout the station. Some of the scientists apparently believe the things that are being reported to them from a patient in delirium. They are beginning to believe the hallucinations are accounts of true events. Rational scientific people would not behave so. That is why I will not rule out psychological effects. Even if they are not the cause, they do seem to be a consequence of the illness, along with the isolation, and I would say, fear of the unknown. Perhaps when the illness first invades, it affects reason.”

Tolen glanced over the instruments as he listened to the conversation. He didn’t have much to add to the speculations. Also, the two Bartones seemed to be getting along so well that he didn’t interrupt. It was a bit of relief to think they were so occupied that he didn’t have to guard himself. There was a twinge of jealousy, due to the fact that Jenson seemed an interloper in the refined working relationship that Tobias had with Daven. He tried not to linger on that though. A serious sickness was running rampant, and whatever needed to be done to stop it should be done, even if that meant pushing one of the team members aside. He sighed. I haven’t worked this long and hard to become a sidekick. But…I know my chance will come. There will be a time when they need me. He adjusted the auto-pilot, not that it truly needed adjusting. Daven had done his usual thorough job. That gave him something to do though, something that seemed worthy to the mission.

Shepherd’s face was grave, and had turned darker yellow. “We may have an epidemic on our hands. Do you think we have enough room in this transport to evacuate the station? How many people are there?”

“About twenty or so. We should have enough room for everyone. Captain Martine consulted with me on such a possibility. That’s why we were provided a large transport, in the case that we do need to evacuate.”

“You’re the reason we are getting to travel in style?” Tolen grinned as he looked around the transport. He was used to the small planet hoppers that he and Daven usually traveled in, or the commercial liners, which barely provided room to exist, particularly for the tall Shepherd. Because the planet hoppers they often got were department property, the craft were usually dinged and aged, being kept as long as reasonably serviceable. Additionally they were sparse and Spartan. This craft…well, it was obvious that one of the planetary government departments had parted with a precious commodity. Tobias leaned back in his padded seat and sighed deeply.

Daven smiled slightly. “Material comforts are not the higher aspects of life.”

“Hmm,” Tobias responded, eyes closed and feet up. “You’re so right.” He slightly opened one eye. “I don’t crave material comforts. Don’t get me wrong!” He grinned crookedly. “But I’m not going to turn my nose up at them when they are available. A little extra cushioning isn’t evil, is it?” He lifted his head and looked at the doctor. “The extra padding is good for us in the case of space turbulence or attack. Right?”

The gentle doctor smiled a bit. “Of course, Lieutenant. It is better for us. The acceleration does press one deeply into one’s chair. It wouldn’t do for the mission if you came to harm.”

Daven felt the tickle of humor from the doctor and he smiled at him. The younger man ignored them entirely.

“It’s not the material items themselves, Tolen. It’s your attitude toward them. This is a very nice craft, but you could carry out the mission in one of our department’s transports, correct?”

“Sure. Sure.” After a brief pause he hastened to point out. “Except that I couldn’t evacuate a research station with one of those.”

Daven Shepherd hoped that the remarks were the jokes that they sounded like. Tolen was a talented investigator, but he had much to learn in other ways. However, each mission that they completed matured the man.

Lieutenant Shepherd turned to face the doctor. “So you are fairly certain that this is an illness causing the deaths and not the incredible stories of a creature invading the station, as the hallucinating patients report?”

“Most certain. The symptoms cause me to think so. It is very difficult to believe that a creature exists on a planet that has been shown to be uninhabited, especially knowing that those stories are coming generally from the sick people.”

“Shown to be uninhabited so far,” Daven added.

Jenson nodded ascent. “So, our mission should be straightforward and simple…not easy but simple. Examine, treat, and evacuate if that is indicated.”

“While Tolen and I examine the station. We could wrap this up quickly if evacuation becomes necessary. A quarantine location on the nearest planet has already been designated.”

“Then my work in isolating this begins in earnest.”