26. Carter

TWENTY-SIX

CARTER

Chapter 26

" I believe you," General Dowron said two weeks later after I finally got a chance to see him in his office.

I sat there, staring at Dowron's scaled face, my mind reeling from his words. The Vakutan general's unexpected empathy caught me off guard, leaving me momentarily speechless. His reptilian eyes, usually so cold and calculating, now held a glimmer of understanding that I'd never seen before. It was unsettling, to say the least.

"I... thank you," I managed, my voice rough with emotion. "I never thought I'd hear a Vakutan speak of Jhalshagar." The name of the alien world felt strange on my tongue, a bittersweet reminder of the life I'd lived and lost. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, the weight of my experiences pressing down on me. "It's not exactly common knowledge, even among your own people."

Dowron's eyes narrowed, a hint of curiosity in his gaze. "You've changed, Reed. The man I knew wouldn't have recognized the term, let alone appreciate its significance."

I let out a bitter laugh, the sound harsh even to my own ears. "Yeah, well, living an entire life as an alien tends to change a guy's perspective. Funny how being trapped in a body that isn't yours can make you reassess your priorities."

"So it seems," Dowron rumbled, his scaled face unreadable. He leaned back in his chair, the metal creaking under his weight as he studied me with those piercing eyes. "Tell me, what would the old Carter Reed have done in this situation?"

I didn't hesitate, the truth spilling out before I could even think to filter it. "He'd have tried to manipulate you. Probably would've lied through his teeth to save his own skin. Hell, he might've even tried to find a way to turn this whole mess to his advantage."

"And now?" Dowron pressed, his clawed fingers tapping rhythmically on the arm of his chair.

I shrugged. "Now? I just want the truth out there. Whatever happens to me... it doesn't really matter anymore."

Dowron's expression softened, almost imperceptibly. "That's a dangerous attitude, Reed. In my experience, those with nothing to lose are often the most unpredictable."

"Maybe," I conceded. "But I'm not here to cause trouble. I just... I need to honor their memory. The Masari, my family... Arael." My voice cracked on her name.

The general stood up, his massive frame casting a shadow across the room. He walked to a nearby viewport, gazing out at the stars. "You know, Reed, I've seen a lot of strange things in this galaxy. But your story... it's something else entirely."

I joined him at the window, the vastness of space stretching out before us. "Trust me, I know how it sounds. But every word is true."

Dowron turned to face me, his expression unreadable. "And that's what worries me. If what you're saying is accurate, we're dealing with technology far beyond our comprehension. The implications are... unsettling."

"So what now?" I asked, meeting his gaze.

The Vakutan general was silent for a long moment. Finally, he spoke. "Now, you need to somehow disappear into the galaxy. For a broken man whose lost his soulmate, it shouldn't be too hard.."