Chapter 12 - Museum (2)

Quin perked his head up at Ashur’s question.

“Museum?” he pondered, “I dunno… it seems like you guys are more like roommates than an actual organization.”

“That’s just for now,” Ashur rejected Quin’s assertion as he adjusted his glasses, “Let me get your opinion on this, first, then. What did you think of the city that you were in when you first got here?”

“Hmm… it wasn’t exactly the same, but it didn’t feel all that different from Los Angeles back on Earth.”

“Right?” Ashur raised a hand at Quin excitedly, “I know exactly what you mean! How could a city on Talis not feel like Talis? Don’t you think that’s a problem?”

“Hmm… I guess I really did expect something different.”

“Exactly… See, Museum isn’t about to try anything insane like getting the other races off of this planet; we just want to make sure that Talis’ history and culture is remembered as it should be. Did you know that pales like myself were once discriminated against?”

“I’ve read about it, yeah,” said Quin.

Ashur raised an eyebrow, “Really? Surprising,” he looked at the back of his hand, pondering, “I know it wasn’t a good thing, but I feel like it would be alright to be looked at differently every now and then. At least then I’d know that Talis is still Talis.”

“Wouldn’t that be horrible for you?” asked Quin as he cocked his head to the side, “Ashur… are you in some sort of rebellious phase?”

“I am not!” Ashur slammed his hand on the table. He pulled his hand back and regained his composure, “Yeah… it probably would be horrible for me, but I have my pride as a pale, you know. More than that, I have my pride as a Veetan.”

“I see.”

“So, now that I’ve told you a little about Museum, do you want to learn more?” Ashur reached into his back pocket and pulled out a paper, “We have pamphlets.”

Quin took the pamphlet. There was big lettering on the front of it.

[THERE CANNOT BE A SECOND TEBIN]

The pamphlet contained surprisingly well thought out ideas. Reinstating pre-coalition Talisian history into all schools, returning to being a multilingual planet, the restoration of classical Veetan recreation and entertainment and the construction of historical exhibitions were topics present in the pamphlet.

“So, what do you think?” asked Ashur with his eyes full of expectations.

“Hmm,” Quin pondered, “None of this is too out there. Seems pretty realistic, but I don’t think it’s achievable these days. People don’t really seem that interested in stuff like this.”

“I think you’re wrong. I mean, a whole war was fought over stuff like this, right?”

“It might be bad for me to say, but I think most of the bigshots were in it for money.”

“You’re probably right…” Ashur leaned back in his chair solemnly, “but still, they could only make money off of the conflict because people cared in the first place, yeah?” said Ashur as he leaned forward, “That’s exactly why we can’t rely on some big-wig investors to support us.”

“So what, you’re gonna rely on the Coalition or something? Isn’t that counterintuitive?”

Ashur snapped his fingers, “Right and right. You’re smarter than you look. The Tebin Treaty didn’t do much for the galaxy besides just preventing the Coalition from getting involved in much of anything. Eizik Vath was on Gaia when it was attacked, right?”

“Yeah…” stared down at the table with pain in his eyes, “Things probably would’ve gone smoother if he could’ve gotten involved from the start.”

Ashur noticed Quin’s mood change, “I’m sorry, that probably was a sensitive topic, but it’s true that the Tebin Treaty has left the Coalition in a very weak state. If the Veetan Rebellion started as a result of people wanting to preserve their culture, wouldn’t it be better for the Coalition to use its vast power to introduce these ideals to the world?”

“You use a lot of big words for how young you are.”

“I’m a fully grown adult, thank you very much,” said Ashur, “Do you wanna join Museum or not? We could use someone with such a strong aura.”

“Aura?” Quin tilted his head, “Oh, you’re a Savant, too, aren’t you?”

Quin decided to look into Ashur’s aura. His eyes widened at the sight before him.

Ashur’s aura was several times denser than those of Fenres, Teek and Seil. It nearly hurt Quin’s eyes to look at it. The Arima radiation branched off and filled every corner of Ashur’s body. Quin felt for a moment as though he was sitting before a massive tree.

“If you’re that strong,” Quin pulled himself out of his daze, “why not become a Ranger?”

“Ah, now you finally decide to take a look,” said Ashur, “For the record, your aura is about this strong. I’m pretty good, aren’t I?”

“What does being strong have to do with running a political movement?” asked Quin.

“Are you dull or something?” Ashur replied with a know-it-all tone, “It’s better if we’re harder to assassinate. Are you in?”

Quin was taken aback by Ashur’s comments and forced out a nervous laugh, “Sorry, but I’m under strict orders from the captain not to join your group.” Quin hesitated before speaking his mind, “Besides, I don’t think I can work under someone who can’t shake my hand.”

“Right… that’s big on Earth, isn’t it?”

No one spoke for a while. The awkward silence was nearly audible.

Quin felt guilty for his comment earlier, but it was Ashur who was trying to recruit him in such an insistent way. He hardly knew him in the first place.

Ashur suddenly perked his head up, “Screw politics! Wanna play a game?”

**

Fenres kneeled down on the ground near the arena. 

“Take all the time you need,” said Behine, “I’m not a Savant, so I can’t detect Arima radiation like you all can.”

Fenres picked up something off the ground, and his mouth went agape as he examined it closer, “N-no way. This is…” he paused.

“What’s up, Captain?” asked Teek “You find anything?”

“This rock…” he held up what was in his hand with a grin on his face, “It’s pretty cool, don’t you think?”

Chugol’s fist hit the back of Fenres’ head not even a second after he finished speaking.

“Be serious for once!” Chugol reprimanded him.

“Ouch, man,” Fenres rubbed the back of his own head, then stood up, “There’s plenty of evidence of Savants being here. The radiation left behind is strong. This one might be a bit tricky.”

“Is that all you needed to confirm?” asked Behine.

“Yeah. Even with him being the little brat that he is, I still trust what Ashur says.”

“Ashur really did undersell it, though,” said Seil, “The residual aura left behind here is ominous. Pretty surprising considering how long it’s been. You got any ideas, Captain?”

“Yeah, it’s almost like they wanted to be found out,” said Fenres as he put a hand on his chin in thought, “Hmm… I’ve got it! The Human can handle this one.”

“Seriously?” asked Vaichehen, “That’s too risky.”

“Don’t worry, I have a plan,” said Fenres, smugly.

They walked back to the house, chattering along the way. 

They opened the door, only to find Quin and Ashur sitting opposite each other, each with controllers resembling the steering system on a starship. They both had a small screen sitting in front of them. 

Lasia was looking over Quin’s shoulder nervously, “No, no, you have to use the veil-piercing cannons, here.”

“Not now, Lasia,” Quin was gripping his controller tightly, there were beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he leaned, “I gotta focus.”

“Yeah, Lasia, don’t give him any hints,” said Ashur, “I’m having fun grinding this guy into dust.”

An explosion could be heard from Quin’s end, and he threw his hands up into the air, “Dang it, I was so close!”

“Not even,” said Ashur, “You really suck, Quin.”

“Whatever,” said Quin as he leaned back in his chair. Out of the corner of his eyes, he spotted Fenres and the rest standing in the doorway, “Oh, hey, Captain.”

“What’re you boys playing?”

“Star Rumble,” said Ashur, “I would say that we were having some one-on-one fights, but I’m not sure if I could even call it that.”

“Oh, don’t be mean, Ashur,” giggled Lasia.

“Getting down to business,” said Fenres as Quin and Ashur turned off their systems.

“Quin, we’re entering you into the arena, okay?”

“Huh? Why me?”

“You’re the only one who’s not well known as a Ranger yet, perfect for going undercover in such a place. Don’t worry, we have a way to keep you safe.”

“Wouldn’t I get into trouble for something like that?” Quin raised an eyebrow.

“Rangers aren’t allowed to undergo such illegal activity, true, but it’s a bit different with you. You’re brand new, and the reception of Humans has been very good so far. If things go well, the worst you’ll get is a slap on the wrist.”

“Lasia and I are going with,” said Ashur, “We were already planning on going if you guys decided to go through with participating.”

“Perfect. You’re always one step ahead, Ashur,” Fenres grinned and went to pat Ashur on the head, only to be stopped by another glare.

“Huh? Lasia’s a Savant?” asked Quin.

“This is why I told you to always look out for Arima radiation, Quin,” said Seil, “You’ll get caught off guard one of these days.”

Quin stayed quiet.

“I’d like to make it perfectly clear, Quin, you are under no circumstances to wear your armband on this mission, in fact, for all practical purposes, this isn’t a mission at all. Take it off now, to be safe.”

“Bummer…” said Quin as he removed his armband and put it in his pocket, “I was hoping to wear it out for this.”

“Ashur, Quin, Lasia… let’s go get you signed up for the arena,” said Behine, “We’ll show those Partition bastards that they’re way out of line.”

“First order of business, though,” said Fenres, “We’ve got to get the newbie his Manifest.”