The Legend of Ivan by Kemppainen Justin

Author:Kemppainen, Justin [Kemppainen, Justin]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2011-02-23T05:00:00+00:00

******

"Good afternoon, Captain Onnels," I said in a voice that wasn't mine, extending someone else's hand to the man in uniform. Bars on his shoulders confirmed the title, and I recognized his face as being the subject of my recent search.

Aside from that, I remembered... almost nothing. I wasn't me. Who was I?

The captain smiled at me/not me. "Call me Josef, my dear. I apologize that we cannot meet under more pleasant circumstances. I don't care much for the ambiance of these Marxis stations." He made a face. "Too uncivilized, filthy. I may be a man on the edge," he chuckled, "of the galaxy, that is, but it does not mean I can't try to enjoy the finer things in life."

"Of course," came the reply in what I realized was a feminine voice, "but I do not wish to keep you overlong, Captain-"

"Josef," he reminded.

"Of course," I... she repeated.

I had no control. I was an observer watching through someone else's eyes. My greater sense of self was lost, missing in this dream of another life. I knew the captain was important. I knew this person whose eyes I saw through was not me, but what else?

The captain folded his arms. "Please tell me what I can do for you, Miss...?" He paused, waiting with expectation.

It appeared to be a private room, or at least repurposed to be empty for the meeting. The cold lack of adornment along with the captain's statement and light discomfort suggested she was not permitted to travel to his ship. It made sense, as they had no reason to invite non-crew aboard.

Instinctive knowledge of a military vessel struck me as confusing, as I didn't remember how I knew that.

"Dana," she replied, answering his question. "I'm looking for information on the incident reported at Atropos Garden." The Garden? Very familiar. Wasn't I going to ask someone like him the very same thing?

Raising an eyebrow, Onnels asked. "Is that all? The incident was what, fourteen years ago now? A puzzling case, to be sure, but the investigation concluded long ago. Who did you say you worked for?"

I felt my, her, lips twist in a smile. "My client wishes to remain confidential, but as always there is a curiosity towards what method caused the devastation, including the ever-present rumor of new technology." I could sense anticipation in her mind, and this was only part of her inquiry. "My sources say the entire planet, not only the research center and colony, was completely destroyed."

I continued to witness the exchange, no more than an intruder in her mind. Somehow this thought of complete destruction of the Garden was a surprise.

"Ah, I see," the captain chuckled again, "that again. You must understand that the nature of the incident remains classified under GCG law."

She frowned. "Surely it doesn't also include the simple impressions of a patrolling ship captain."

"It does, as a matter of fact. In order to not be chained to a desk for the remainder of my career or exiled to the

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