"Nonentities. That's all you are, until the day you graduate from the program. Blank slates to be written on."
"From the universe, we learn." I chanted with the other blanks. Graduation day was a sombre event; but somewhat exciting as soon we'd be able to choose a form. First, the previous generation would sort us into categories. My footsteps echoed down the empty hall to my assignment room. A Phoenix from the last generation would be waiting in there for me. They would assess my strengths and weaknesses and sort me into the appropriate job.
As I grew closer, it felt as though my nerves were fraying like old rope. I hope that I'd be deployed to a quiet planetoid where the upcoming conflict could be avoided.
I startled when the silver-haired Phoenix agent popped her head out of the doorway in front of me. I hadn't realized that I'd stopped walking and evidently, been staring into space.
"Steady, Alastair."
"My apologies, Agent." I smoothed down my stiff dress uniform and saluted, palms upturned.
"No need for apologies. We were all in your position once. Young, nervous. Inexperienced." She smiled on the last word. "Come in. Sit."
I stopped in my tracks to stare at the unexpected layout of the room. Two simple white chairs sat facing outward at the large glass wall. I could see an amazing view of the city outside, glittering towers rising in the distance outside the campus. An array of blooming plants and shrubs were scattered around the room. A large trellis covered in green, fruiting vines made a stunning centrepiece to the room.
"Were you expecting something more corporate?"
Fidgeting with the seam of my dress jacket, I nodded and walked to the two seats. I examined each one, and turned to the agent for some sort of cue.
She smiled and extended a hand toward the closest one. "Either one is fine, this isn't a test. Our meeting is more of a test for us, than for you Alastair."
Ok, I guess I could deal with that. My head was light and hazy, it'd been a stressful day. After I'd sat down we observed other students outside, travelling across the complex in light tunnels. I could see the sylph group gliding along like wisps of data streams. They were the most chaotic agents, chosen to adapt at will to what their client needed. They would change on the fly to bring in the target for training.
The only ones that were categorized earlier on, too. Sylphs showed their traits at a young age, unlike other Akha.
"I always thought they floated around like proud little clouds."
Turning to the agent, I half grinned. "That's why they're called Sylphs though right? Like air fairies."
"Probably. The nickname has been around for a long time, I think they came up with it in first gen. Long time ago."
She materialized a cup of steaming rekka tea in her hands and took a sip before setting it down.
I straightened up in my chair. "I didn't catch your name, agent?"
Laughing, as she gestured a dismissive hand at the window. "Agent Ke'rekh."
"Like the stew?" I replied.
"Yes. My family came up with the recipe, a few generations back of course. You're very quick on the mark, Alastair."
"Thank you Agent."
"Humble too."
"I give credit where it's due, Agent."
Agent Ke'rekh guffawed, spitting her tea out.
My lips pressed, I struggled to keep a straight face.
"I like you, Alastair. You have a certain confidence, dare I say, arrogance, that will serve you well in the position I've been considering you for."
"What would that be? Something peaceful I hope?"
"Depends on your definition of peace."
"Hmm. Quiet, with no bloodshed?"
Ke'rekh nodded. "They're past that."
"Ok, so where is it? Close?"
She shook her head. "Not in our system. Out on the Orion Cygnus arm. Little blue planet the natives call Earth. You'll be in a Companion role, as expected from your prior screenings." She brought up a holo of the Sol system. "They're reasonably advanced. They know where they are in the universe, and have figured out their own evolutionary
"From the universe, we learn." I chanted with the other blanks. Graduation day was a sombre event; but somewhat exciting as soon we'd be able to choose a form. First, the previous generation would sort us into categories. My footsteps echoed down the empty hall to my assignment room. A Phoenix from the last generation would be waiting in there for me. They would assess my strengths and weaknesses and sort me into the appropriate job.
As I grew closer, it felt as though my nerves were fraying like old rope. I hope that I'd be deployed to a quiet planetoid where the upcoming conflict could be avoided.
I startled when the silver-haired Phoenix agent popped her head out of the doorway in front of me. I hadn't realized that I'd stopped walking and evidently, been staring into space.
"Steady, Alastair."
"My apologies, Agent." I smoothed down my stiff dress uniform and saluted, palms upturned.
"No need for apologies. We were all in your position once. Young, nervous. Inexperienced." She smiled on the last word. "Come in. Sit."
I stopped in my tracks to stare at the unexpected layout of the room. Two simple white chairs sat facing outward at the large glass wall. I could see an amazing view of the city outside, glittering towers rising in the distance outside the campus. An array of blooming plants and shrubs were scattered around the room. A large trellis covered in green, fruiting vines made a stunning centrepiece to the room.
"Were you expecting something more corporate?"
Fidgeting with the seam of my dress jacket, I nodded and walked to the two seats. I examined each one, and turned to the agent for some sort of cue.
She smiled and extended a hand toward the closest one. "Either one is fine, this isn't a test. Our meeting is more of a test for us, than for you Alastair."
Ok, I guess I could deal with that. My head was light and hazy, it'd been a stressful day. After I'd sat down we observed other students outside, travelling across the complex in light tunnels. I could see the sylph group gliding along like wisps of data streams. They were the most chaotic agents, chosen to adapt at will to what their client needed. They would change on the fly to bring in the target for training.
The only ones that were categorized earlier on, too. Sylphs showed their traits at a young age, unlike other Akha.
"I always thought they floated around like proud little clouds."
Turning to the agent, I half grinned. "That's why they're called Sylphs though right? Like air fairies."
"Probably. The nickname has been around for a long time, I think they came up with it in first gen. Long time ago."
She materialized a cup of steaming rekka tea in her hands and took a sip before setting it down.
I straightened up in my chair. "I didn't catch your name, agent?"
Laughing, as she gestured a dismissive hand at the window. "Agent Ke'rekh."
"Like the stew?" I replied.
"Yes. My family came up with the recipe, a few generations back of course. You're very quick on the mark, Alastair."
"Thank you Agent."
"Humble too."
"I give credit where it's due, Agent."
Agent Ke'rekh guffawed, spitting her tea out.
My lips pressed, I struggled to keep a straight face.
"I like you, Alastair. You have a certain confidence, dare I say, arrogance, that will serve you well in the position I've been considering you for."
"What would that be? Something peaceful I hope?"
"Depends on your definition of peace."
"Hmm. Quiet, with no bloodshed?"
Ke'rekh nodded. "They're past that."
"Ok, so where is it? Close?"
She shook her head. "Not in our system. Out on the Orion Cygnus arm. Little blue planet the natives call Earth. You'll be in a Companion role, as expected from your prior screenings." She brought up a holo of the Sol system. "They're reasonably advanced. They know where they are in the universe, and have figured out their own evolutionary
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