Beyond the Heavens

Mistrust

"So... this place..."

"It's the base."

"Wow! The walls are huge."

"Each base has its own type of protection... as you can see. The third base had normal walls, but they live in the sub---" Tadeu paused, "that base..." Tadeu paused again.

"So... your base is protected by these walls?" asked Kim.

"Yes," said Tadeu.

Tadeu and Kim got close to the big wall, Tadeu made some signals, the gate was opened and they both passed.

Kim looked around.

"This looks like a small town... full of life... different of---"

Tadeu interrupted her.

"As I said, each base is a center to place the citizens in safety. We have to take Bruno to the south side. There we have a research center and probably the antidote."

I wish he has, he thought.

"I'll explain to you..." Tadeu paused.

"What's it?" asked Kim.

"My legs... my legs are back."

Tadeu was happy. Tadeu sighed with relief.

"I was saying that I will explain the directions to the South side.

After thirty minutes they arrived at the south ward of the tenth base.

Tadeu quickly got out of the car and ran towards the entrance of the research center.

"Good---"

Tadeu passed through the reception girl.

Tadeu abruptly opened a door.

"Amilton! I need your help."

Amilton stood up.

Amilton was black, slightly handsome, wore a pair of glasses, a white coat over an uniform soldier.

"Wh---"

"Come with me!" Tadeu replied.

Tadeu ran and Amilton went after him.

"What?"

Kim and Amilton's eyes met.

Who is she? He asked himself.

Tadeu arrived in the trunk.

"Bruno was poisoned by alien fluid ..."

Amilton approached the trunk and looked around Bruno.

His condition is too advanced...

Tadeu held Amilton by both arms.

"You have the antidote, don't you ... can you reverse this situation?"

Tadeu stared at him.

"Well... I don't have the ant---"

Tadeu interrupted him.

"H..How come you haven't?"

Amilton held Tadeu by the shoulders.

"Let me talk..."

Tadeu nodded.

"I don't have the antidote, but I can make it and yes... I can reverse this situation.

Tadeu sighed with relief.

Amilton stared at him.

How can I tell him that I cannot reverse what is already done and I can only neutralize what is left of the poison?

Amilton looked at Kim again.

And who is she?

Amilton sighed, took a radio out of his pocket and called his subordinates.

After two minutes his subordinates appeared.

"Take him and drop him in room A3, talk to Sargent Márcia to prepare the AAF.

The men nodded and took Bruno.

"Tadeu..."

Amilton placed his hand on Tadeu's shoulder.

"Go home and rest. I'll take care of Bruno. The antidote takes three hours to be made. Three days after the introduction, Bruno's situation will be reversed. Focus in resting and doing the mission report. Take that car," Amilton pointed a car.

Tadeu sighed.

"I'll come tomorrow to see him."

Amilton nodded.

Tadeu went to the car and got in, then Kim and they went away.

After twenty minutes Kim and Tadeu arrived at his home.

Kim got out of the car then Tadeu did the same.

"Is this your home?" Kim looked around.

"This is my apartment," Tadeu forced a smile.

He must be sad because of Bruno, Kim looked at him fixedly.

"Let's go in," Tadeu put his hand on a panel on the side of the door.

Both entered the house, Kim followed the steps of Tadeu as she looked around.

The interior of the house was simple, the walls were cream colored, the ceiling was plaque.

"The house is well organized. I confess,” said Kim.

"Come!" Tadeu called her with his hand.

Tadeu opened a compartment's door.

"Feel free to use this room. There's the toilet," Tadeu pointed out somewhere, "anything I'm here," Tadeu pointed a door in front of him, "if you feel hungry go to kitchen," Tadeu pointed out somewhere again.

"Thanks."

Tadeu went to his room, entered and closed the door.

Kim sighed and entered the room Tadeu offered her.

The room was modest, had a bed in the middle and a headboard on each side, a large mirror on the side left of the bed and a closet in front of the bed.

Kim went to bed and threw herself.

I m in peace...

Kim looked around.

"What should I do...? Take a shower maybe..."

Kim got up, went to the closet and was looking for a towel.

"I found it," Kim held up the towel.

She went to the bathroom, took off her clothes, went into the bathtub to have a bath.

She opened the shower and rested her hands on the wall.

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Kim put on a dress.

Let me do something for us to eat

Kim went to the kitchen and opened the frezeer.

Eggs... is this…

Kim picked up a packet.

"Mixed vegetables…"

After an hour Kim finished cooking.

Maybe I should call Tadeu..., she thought.

Kim went to Tadeu's room and knocked the door.

"Tadeu...," Kim continued to knock the door, "Tadeu!"Kim opened Tadeu's room.

Kim turned on the light and saw Tadeu sleeping.

Kim sighed and closed the door.

Its okay.

Kim got back to the kitchen, ate, then turned on the television and watched.

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Tadeu woke up and looked around.

Yeah... I'm at home... what is the time...?

Tadeu turned around and looked at his wall clock.

Seventeen forty-five… I slept a lot.

Tadeu stood up.

"I need to take a shower, eat something and write the mission's report."

Tadeu took a pair of pants and headed to the bathroom.

He took his bath taking almost twenty minutes, then he left, went to Kim's room, opened the door and turned on the light.

Where is she? Tadeu looked around.

Then he went to the living room, saw the TV on and Kim on the other side.

She slept...

Tadeu turned off the television. He looked at the table.

She cooked..

Tadeu went to the table and opened the bowls.

"Vegetable rice and scrambled eggs ..."

Tadeu sat down and ate.

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Kim woke up and saw Tadeu sitting.

"Good night!"

Tadeu turned around.

"Ah! You are awake... Good night!"

Kim got up and went towards him.

"What do you do?"

"I'm writing the mission report... I'm glad you

woke up. Tell me what you saw on third base."

Kim pulled out a chair and sat down.

During almost an hour, Kim told him about what she had seen on third base.

Tadeu relaxed on the chair and crossed his arms.

"So none of the soldiers from the third base was human... or a simple human... what really is the third base.. and those aliens?" Tadeu raised his head, "well... whatever... I will give this information to my superiors.You said you copied the data, didn't you?"

"Yeah... the pen drive was in the car that we left in the center of researches."

Tadeu sighed.

"Tomorrow when I go to see Bruno I will take the pen drive.

Tadeu opened a smile.

"Thanks for the cooperation."

"You're welcome."

"Let me finish this report."

Kim got up and went back to watching television.

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Kim was getting close to Tadeu.

"It's already..."

Kim saw Tadeu sleeping over the papers.

He slept...

Kim went to Tadeu's room and took a sheet. She saw a portrait over the headboard and picked it up.

"Who are they?"

In the portrait was Tadeu in the middle of two women.

Kim returned the portrait in its place and left the room. Went towards Tadeu and covered him. Kim laid down on the couch.

I don't want to sleep alone ...

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Kim woke up and looked around.

Where is Tadeu?

She got up and saw the table set. There was a note fitted under the cup.

Kim took the note and read it.

Hey! Sorry I left too soon... I’m going to the high point and later I'm going to visit Bruno... PS: Don't go outside so you don't get lost. Tadeu ...

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Tadeu went up the stairs. He arrived at a door and knocked it.

"Come in!"

Tadeu entered and closed the door.

"Greetings!" Tadeu saluted.

The man on the other side saluted and pointed to the chair for Tadeu sit down.

The man whose Tadeu greeted was a black man from middle aged, had partially gray hair and wore a soldier's uniform.

Tadeu pulled out a chair and sat down.

"How's it?"

"Better than never. Thanks."

"How did you rest?"

"Well thanks."

"Good to know."

"Here's the mission report."

Tadeu handed him an envelope.

The man received and opened it.

"I heard that the last mission was tiring and you guys had no progress."

The man was reading the document.

Tadeu bowed his head.

"Really... we didn’t reach the mission's objective and we had losses. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," the man put the papers down on the desk, "that kind of thing always happens.The most important is to be able to save those who are really likely to be saved... I m talking about Bruno.

Tadeu forced a smile.

"And besides... I heard you brought a new refugee to our base," The man crossed his arms.

"Well... she saved my life... I believe there is place for somebody else."

The man relaxed against the chair.

"Well... under normal conditions... we should send the person to the refugee camp or third base... but---"

Tadeu interrupted the man.

"Well... about the third base... there are some things that aren't okay."

"What do you mean by that?"

Tadeu explained to him about the third base.

The man sighed.

"This is a big revelation. But is there evidence?"

"Well... we have a pen drive where it contains all the information about the third base. It stayed in the car we left in the center of researches. When I get out of here I’ll take it there."

The man relaxed against the chair.

"All right. Ah... but I said that I will leave the girl on your care."

Tadeu nodded.

"So... it's all?"

Tadeu nodded.

"Then you can go visit your friend," The man opened a smile.

"Thanks."

Tadeu got up, saluted and left.

The man saw Tadeu leave.

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Tadeu entered Bruno's room.

"Bruno ..."

Tadeu pulled out a chair and sat down.

Bruno was lying in bed and unconscious.

Suddenly Amilton entered the room.

"You really came."

Tadeu turned back and looked at him.

"I said I would come... the most important... how is Bruno?"

Amilton crossed his arms.

"He's fine... besides the AAF, I applied a sedative on him. Tomorrow until after ten o'clock he will be back to normal.

Tadeu sighed with relief.

"And that girl...?"

"What about her?" Tadeu stared at him.

"Who is she? I believe she is a refugee… but we are not receiving more refugees..."

"Ah about that. I already deal with Marco Aurélio... she will stay under my care."

Tadeu and a woman... this is new , Amilton looked fixedly to Tadeu.

"I just remembered something."

"And what would that be?" asked Amilton.

"I need something I left in the FrontLine car."

"And what would it be?"

"A very important pen drive"

Amilton frowned.

"Follow me."

Amilton left the room.

"I'll be back," said Tadeu to Bruno.

Tadeu got up and followed Amilton.

Amilton entered a spot and leaned against the wall.

"There's the car you're looking for."

Tadeu went to the car and got in.

Where did she leave it?

Tadeu looked for the pen drive with his eyes. Tadeu started to mess around somewhere .

There's nothing here!

"Amilton... didn't anyone touch this car?"

Amilton sighed.

"Why don't you ever call me lieutenant?"

Amilton was going towards him. Amilton placed his hand on the car.

"Nobody touched anything in this car... worst of all..."

Amilton started looking around the car.

"What?" Tadeu stared at him.

"This car won't start… all the weapons in this FL were removed.

"That's why I need the pen drive."

Tadeu went back to looking for the item.

"Is not here!" Tadeu hit the steering wheel.

"Hey! Hey... calm down!"

Tadeu sighed and got out of the car.

"I'll be back tomorrow to see Bruno."

Tadeu started walking towards the door.

Hmm, Amilton saw Tadeu leave.

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Tadeu entered his house.

"Hi!" Kim was approaching him.

"Hey!" Tadeu answered her coldly.

"Did something happen?"

Tadeu stared at her.

"And why would something happen?"

Kim frowned and shrugged.

"You don't look okay... so..."

"OK…"

Tadeu went to the living room, turned on the television and sat down.

Kim went towards him.

"Don't you want to eat?"

Tadeu rolled his eyes and stood up.

He grabbed Kim by the chin.

"Does it looks like I'm hungry?"

"He---"

Tadeu interrupted Kim.

"Look, girl... don't be friendly with me... our relationship is just a consequence of you having saved me... I didn’t even know you... look... my friend is in that situation because I met you.

Kim looked away.

"I'm sorry."

Tadeu released Kim.

"Yeah you're sorry," he said sarcastically.

"I m re---"

Tadeu stopped her with his hand, "Tell me something. That story about aliens, cyborgs and whatever of the third base... is it all real?"

Kim stared at him.

"What do you mean by that?" she asked.

Tadeu shook his head.

"Forget it..." he said.

Tadeu burst out laughing.

"Your fighting skills... who really are you?"Tadeu stared at her.

"I already told you that I don't remember anything... just my name that just flowed."

"Yes," Tadeu nodded, "we can lose the memory and not the skills."

"What does all this mean?"

"Nothing... nothing really. I'll take you to a doctor."

"Doctor?" asked Kim, surprised.

"Yes. Do you have anything to hide?" Tadeu stared at her.

"No," Kim shook her head.

"Great! I don't really trust you. I still have to know if you really lost your memories or if you are lying."

Tadeu sat down on the couch again.

"I understand. And when will you take me to the doctor?"

"Tomorrow. I will see Bruno then I will take you to the hospital."

"All right. I'm going to my room."

Tadeu looked at Kim suspiciously.

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Tadeu knocked the Kim door's room.

"Hey! Are you still going to be late?"

"I'm about to get out."

Women, he thought.

"Do you know that the consultation is in 20 minutes?" Tadeu shouted.

"Yes, I know," Kim was leaving the room.

Tadeu looked her up to down.

Kim was wearing a plaid shirt over a T-shirt, some light blue jeans and a pair of sneakers.

"Well... I'm here. Let's go?" she opened a smile.

"Of course."

Tadeu and Kim started walking towards the exit of the house.

-------------------------------

"Good Morning"

"Good morning Lieutenant! How are you?"

"I'm fine thanks and you?"

"I'm fine too. You have an appointment today, don't you?"

"Well... I don't... but she," Tadeu pointed Kim.

"Well, he's already waiting. Please tell her to follow me."

"Alright. Thank you."

Tadeu went towards Kim and did as the receptionist girl said.

Kim got up and followed the girl.

They both went upstairs.

"Excuse me Doctor."

"You may come in."

"Mrs. Kim... come in," The receptionist opened the door.

Kim nodded and entered the room.

"Good afternoon. How are you?"

"Good afternoon! I'm fine thanks."

"Please have a seat," the man pointed the chair.

Kim sat down.

"I believe you know why you're here."

Kim nodded.

"For today we are going to do some exercises to see what is yours situation."

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Tadeu saw Kim getting close.

"So... is it over?"

"For today, yes."

"Then let's go!" Tadeu stood up.

"Not yet, the doctor said he wants to talk to you."

Tadeu frowned.

"Okay... I m going there."

Tadeu left.

Tadeu went up the stairs towards the doctor's office, he knocked the door and entered.

"Good afternoon!"

"Good afternoon Lieutenant Tadeu!Please sit down," the doctor pointed out a chair.

"I thought there could only be results in a few days," said Tadeu.

"Well, today are not exactly results."

Tadeu frowned.

"So... what is it?"

"Well, I submitted Mrs. Kim to some mental exercises..."

"And?"

"It is difficult to explain... but I never had a situation like this..."

How... how come?" asked Tadeu, in a worried way.

"I assume that Kim can't get her memories back."

Tadeu looked at him confused.

"I have put her in a state of hypnosis and..."

The doctor paused.

"And?" asked Tadeu.

"I found out that she has no memories..."

"I'm even more confused..."

"She couldn't answer anything I asked while she was in hypnosis."

"But this is normal for someone who has been suffering from amnesia for a long time."

"I believe her subconscious is empty... as if she had been brainwashed... maybe," The doctor added.

A brainwash? Tadeu throught.

"For now she doesn't seem to be a threat."

"Less bad."

"But I will continue to work on her to get a coherent information.

"I see, anything else?

"No sir... that's all for today."

"Okay... thank you."

"You're welcome."

Tadeu stood up.

"Ah... I was forgetting... keep secrecy," said Tadeu before withdraw.

The doctor nodded.

Kim saw Tadeu getting close.

"So... what did he say?"

"Nothing much... just asked me to help you get your memory back."

Kim accompanied Tadeu.

"Just it?"

"Yeah," Tadeu got in the car, "get in."

Kim nodded.

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Tadeu finished eating and relaxed against the chair.

Kim was staring at Tadeu.

"What's it?" he asked.

"I was thinking..."

"About?" Tadeu crossed his arms.

"Do you have a family?"

That was sudden..., he thought.

"I used to have."

"Hmm... do you have parents ... siblings... a bride maybe..."

Tadeu burst out laughing.

"Bride..." he said in a sarcastic tone.

"What... can't you?"

Tadeu forced a quick laugh.

"Well... my mother passed away two years ago."

"I'm sorry."

"Well... it's past. My father... well... was from Portugal and Navy soldier. After meet my mother he gave up of the military life, however... because of the apparition of the aliens he had to return to his homeland and it is fifteen years that we have no contact with him."

"I think I shouldn't have bring up this topic."

"It's okay! I'm just not used to talk about my personal life. And I have a sister... I've sent her to a Egypt's base, and goes five years..." Tadeu paused, "my mom was there too... well she lost her life there," Tadeu forced a smile.

"I feel bad for asking about your family."

Tadeu forced a laugh and stood up.

"I will show you a picture of my mother and sister... I have one in the bedroom," Tadeu left.

So those women in the photo ...

Kim broke into a smile.

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"What are you seeing?"

"I'm watching news. It seems that Moz's situation has worsened."

"Why do you say it?"

"Looks like they found Joe Liu Chen's body."

Kim sat on the couch.

"Joe Liu Chen?"

"That's it! He is the great communist who had started the alien exploration, precisely the agreement between the Mozambican State and C.C."

"Hmm."

"He was killed. According to some rumors he was the target of treason."

Tadeu looked at Kim and saw she was pale and tense.

"Are you okay, Kim?"

"What? Pardon. I was thinking about something."

"And what did you think?"

"Nothing much. Just this situation... boring ..."

Tadeu stared at her.

She just forced that comment, he thought.

"And who is this man?" asked Kim.

"Ah... this one... Shon Hin ... it seems that he will lead the CC. I don't like this guy. It's very full of himself,” he added.

"He looks familiar," said Kim.

"You say you may know him?"

"Probably."

Really... both are Chinese... it is quite possible, He thought.

"Ah... by the way. Two weeks from now I have an exploration mission."

"Exploration?"

"Hunt aliens."

"You will leave me alone…"

"Obvious... you are a civilian and I m a soldier. Despite your skills... it's not known if you're an ally or an enemy. I can not take you with me."

Kim was disappointed.

Tadeu stood up.

"I need to sleep," he said, yawning, "i'll see you soon," Tadeu left.