CassaSeries

Chapter Four-3

“Officer Byron,” the commander said, his eyes never leaving the computer screen. “Please provide our guest with a tour of the Rennather while I contact the proper authorities on this matter.”

Byron’s muscles tightened further. “Yes, sir.”

The prospect of escorting Athee throughout the ship didn’t excite him. It wasn’t that Byron disliked the Tgren woman. He simply didn’t want Athee in his head again. Byron followed Korden’s orders without protest, though. Athee bubbled with excitement as Byron guided her along the passageways. She asked many questions and awaited a satisfactory answer before posing her next query.

At first, Byron played the reluctant host. However, as they proceeded on the tour, he began to enjoy the opportunity to display his familiarity with the Rennather’s functions. He didn’t get to flaunt his knowledge outside of the cockpit very often. His captive and attentive audience fueled the desire further, and Byron provided detailed descriptions that were likely beyond Athee’s comprehension. That didn’t seem to stop the flow of questions though.

After a lengthy monologue regarding the ship’s propulsion system, Athee grew quiet. They had reached the bridge and selected a position on the upper deck, away from working personnel. The Tgren woman grasped the edge of the railing and stared with wide eyes at the view screen. Byron crossed his arms and waited.

“How long have your people been exploring space?” she said without turning her head.

“Over seven hundred years.”

A spark of envy escaped her thoughts. “Our history barely goes back a thousand years. We only achieved flight thirty years ago.”

Byron dropped his chin. “I’m sure you’ll achieve space flight in your lifetime.”

“I hope so.” Athee leaned away from the railing, her hands still clenched around the top bar. “Ever since your people made contact with us, venturing into space has occupied my thoughts. This trip is like a dream come true.”

Her feelings of appreciation were genuine. Athee’s childlike innocence and candid disposition were in sharp contrast to Byron’s thoughts of cocky superiority. Hadn’t Bassa always preached humility? The stab of guilt caused him to drop his air of supremacy few notches.

Athee straightened her posture and cast him a warm smile. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

“You’re welcome.”

By adopting a more unassuming position, Byron found he enjoyed his duty as tour guide even more. He continued the tour, his attitude more positive. When the commander requested their presence in his office, Byron’s disappointment mirrored hers.

They were instructed to take a seat. Athee and Byron dropped into adjoining chairs. The commander assumed a relaxed position, his spine pressed against the back of the chair, but his brows were pulled together in consternation. He did not waste time with frivolous words. Korden got right down to the meeting’s purpose.

“I spoke with Chancellor Dentex,” he announced, “and with Prefect Orellen. After much deliberation, we’ve agreed your abilities should be further developed. We are also to widen our search for mental powers of your strength. It’s unlikely this is an isolated incident. We need to locate other Tgrens who exhibit similar capabilities and bring the most promising on board for testing.”

Athee did not speak, but Byron sensed her amazement. He shifted in his seat, still processing this development.

“Officer Byron, I am altering your duties on Tgren.”

“Sir?” he questioned, sitting straighter in his chair.

“In addition to training the Tgren pilots and assisting Officer Illenth, I am placing you in charge of instructing Athee on the use of her psychic powers,” replied Korden.

“Me, sir?”

“Illenth’s duties are about to double and he will be pressed for time,” the commander explained, leaning forward to reach his keypad. “Our primary objective, the alien ruins, is still our focus. I can’t pull anyone from their current assignment. At any rate, you are the only qualified officer in the area of psychic development.”

Byron glanced at Athee. Her brow furrowed and he shielded his thoughts. Sir, I’m hardly qualified to train…

Korden’s finger came down hard on his computer’s keypad. “Your records indicate you have experience drawing out mental abilities. Granted it was twenty years ago and during the Vindicarn War, but you’re the best I have right now.”

Fighting to control his expression, a surge of emotions gripped Byron. The commander was referring to an incident involving his navigator and a disrupter blast. At the time, Byron had relented and assisted Bassa in his recovery by allowing the man access to his mind. However, that hardly qualified him as a psychic trainer. Moreover, the last thing Byron wanted was this Tgren woman’s thoughts invading his mind.

Sir…

It’s not a request, Byron.

The commander’s firm tone was loud and clear in his mind. Byron rolled his eyes and sank further in his seat.

If the Tgrens possess telepathic abilities, then we need to develop that skill. Considering we’ve been unable to meet their demands for better communications thus far, it would greatly improve our relations with the Tgrens.

Pressing his lips into a fine line, Byron nodded. Beside him, Athee shifted in her seat.

“Byron’s to teach me how to use my powers?” she asked, breaking the silence.

The commander’s attention shifted to the young woman. “Yes, he will instruct you how to properly use all of your abilities.”

All of her powers? “Even teleporting?” Byron exclaimed. An excited jolt from Athee caused him to regret his words.

“I can teleport?” she cried, sitting up straight in her chair.

Korden’s eyes narrowed. “Tgrens do not possess the technology just yet. However, with our continued presence on this planet, it might be prudent for Athee to understand the concept. Tgren resources do contribute to our teleportation devices.

“Officer Byron, you are to focus on pilot training in the mornings,” the commander said, leaning back in his seat. “Afternoons you will assist Officer Illenth, with a minimum of two hours devoted to Athee’s training. More if necessary. Understood?”

Korden’s authoritative voice left no room for discussion. “Yes, sir,” Byron answered, his thoughts slipping further into gloom.

The commander’s eyes narrowed. Keep her manipulative powers in mind. I will instruct our crew to remain mentally alert while on Tgren. I’m sure she’s not the only one, and I don’t want any of our people caught unaware. And she may only possess a trace, but you should exhibit caution when training Athee.

Yes, sir.

“You are dismissed!”

Athee burst from her seat and thanked the commander. Byron rose slowly, his body just as reluctant as his brain to comply with his new assignment. The act of entering another’s mind and sharing his own thoughts was such an invasion of his privacy. He’d only let down his guard for one person, and that had taken a tremendous amount of trust. Byron didn’t even know Athee, let alone trust her. Every afternoon promised two hours of torture.

“Can we begin today?” Athee asked when they reached the corridor. She straightened her shoulders, eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Byron hesitated. His mind searched for a plausible excuse to delay until tomorrow. To his chagrin, he could not think of one.

“Might as well,” he replied, his churning stomach protesting that answer.

Excitement exploded from Athee’s mind. Byron winced as an overload of emotions shot through him.

And the first thing I’m teaching you is how to shield, he added, ignoring her startled look as his thoughts rang in her head for the first time.