Two Suns: Prologue
05 May 2016Davadin
Mars. 3296. In a cold, wet alley in the metropolis of New Ottawa, Darius van Keuter was awoke lying on the ground. It was probably mid-morning. He was wide awake, but not able to move a single muscle. His eyes frantically scanned the surrounding. His mind racing through everything, anything, that can give a hint of his condition. No memory of last night. No memory of himself.
"Who, and where did I come from?
Would anybody look for me?
Am I still in danger?"
Nothing.
Muscle relaxant. It came to mind. How, he's not very sure himself. It took him another 20 minutes before he was able to twitch his finger. That's not good. After ten more grueling minutes of struggle, he managed to sit himself up, dragged his lifeless legs to the nearest wall so he can rest for a few seconds. It was then that he noticed he didn't have a single piece of clothing on him. But more concerning, there seems to be fresh blood in the middle of his chest. The second he realized this, the pain receptors kicked in. Something doesn't feel right. He can't figure out what, but he knows instinctively that this is not how a healthy human body should feel.
"They took my goddamn organ. Fu...." he thought to himself before blacking out once again due to pain.
The next experience he waking up was slightly more palatable. Queens Navy General Hospital. A blinking light above his head. Within seconds, a couple of doctors walked into the room. Darius quickly noted the medical badge on his visor. Dr. Anthony Lapong.
"Good morning, Mr. Keuter. How are we feeling today?", his tone was cheery with a recognizable old world British accent.
"....Keuter?"
"Well, yes. Do you remember your name?" Dr. Lapong said after a brief pause.
Few more moments of silent.
"Alright, that's fine, let's take it easy on your first day." he said with a smile.
"Thanks, doc."
"Let's begin with the basic. Do you remember anything about yourself?"
".... no."
"I see. Well, how about where you are right now?"
"... negative, sir. I mean, doc. Hmmm why did..."
"Ah, so you still have some instinctive memory left behind. Great, we have hope. But let's look at some of these to see if we can jog that noggin of yours, eh?"
After a few taps on the holo-screen in front of him, a few pictures were displayed along with some basic information. The screen scrolls as Dr. Lapong summarizes.
"Lieutenant Darius van Keuter, of the Federal Navy. Born July 4th, 3268, single child of Donald and Bethany van Keuter on Earth. Graduated with honors from Federal Academy in 3289. Recruited to Special Ops Division, stationed in Alpha Centaury, 3291. Deployed multiple times around the galaxy, few medals... wow, you're doing great for yourself, Mister... Keuter, I'm sorry if I don't pronounce it right"
"Just Darius, please. Darius... My name"
"Aha! Progress already! Excellent! Let's continue, shall we?
Right. Career in the military, excellent progress, up until..."
"Until?"
"3294. Two years ago. All data seems to be purged. I tried my best contacting the Navy, but seems like no one has any more record of you, not even an assigned commanding officer. No record of discharged though, so it looks like you're still active... somehow."
"Um, Doctor. I remember when I woke up yesterday, I was naked..."
"Ah, yes. You were picked up by city police yesterday, they couldn't find any info on you and your vital seems critical. That's when they dropped you here."
"So how did you..."
"Your background? DNA result, my boy. And a tricky one at that too. Usually we…"
Lapong's explanation was abruptly cut off when a few military personal walked into the room. Darius tried to sit up from his bed, as if his body is telling him somebody with rank is coming in any second. A Navy Admiral suddenly walked in. Rank proudly shown on his lapel.
"At ease, soldier." the man said quickly.
"Mornin', doctor. Thank you very much for all your help. We'll take it from here." Admiral Artrios said in a classic rigid military tone. A few other soldiers signed the good doctor with escort to leave the room. Confused, but knowing there's something going on above his paygrade, his experience told him to not question anything. He glanced with genuine concern for a moment, as he walked out the room. Darius noticed it and tried to prepare his mentality of what might comes next.
"Glad you're with us, soldier. The room is now secured. Let's cut to the chase. Did you get it? Do you have the f..." this time it's his turn to get cut off after he had a glimpse of another figure entering the room.
"Ten hut! Madame President, I thought I asked you to stay at..."
"I'm not a child, Admiral. How can I sit in the car fiddling my thumb when one of my most trusted operators is right inside after being found naked and wounded on the street?" the new guest explained herself.
“President… Halsey”, Darius muttered.