“You want me to do what?” Retvik sighed as he put down his newspaper. “Please tell me I somehow misheard you.”
“You heard correctly.” Unlike most Rethans, this rather small and lightly armoured individual was not quaking in the presence of Retvik. Most Rethans would be at least somewhat nervous, standing in front of somevok who had faced down gods and was known to have literally punched the Dragon God of Time in the snout. This almost pure black Rethan though didn’t care.
“You want me to climb onto an experimental rocket, fly up to an experimental satellite system, realign its discs and upload new software, before combing back into said experimental rocket and returning to solid ground?”
The black Rethan nodded. Retvik grunted, not sure what to make of any of this.
“What is your name?” Retvik asked.
“Kasek. Captain Kasek Lepidon.”
“What Legion?”
“Legion 009, ser.”
Retvik grunted again. The 9th Legion was… a funny one. Special ops. Shadow ops. Secretive stuff. A legion which both did and did not exist. And for some reason, they had come to Retvik, the General of the 270th Legion, for assistance. Really, Retvik should have guessed that this Captain Kasek was from one of the more curious Legions from his black armour and silly little wired communicator hanging on his neck-plate where his ear hole was.
“Why are you asking me to do this task? Surely there are plenty of other beings more capable than myself?”
“There are two calculations. Firstly, when it comes to combined strength and intelligence, as well as low weight costs, a single Rethan, i.e. yourself, would be the most efficient means of getting this work done. Secondly, we believe the cause of the issues may be divine in nature, which I have been assured is your area of expertise.”
“And what is so important about this satellite in particular that I have to go up there and do it?” Retvik tutted. He was liking this whole situation less and less and, aside from the fact that a deity might have been involved, was doubting that Kasek was being completely truthful. “Surely, with the way we make satellites, we can just disintegrate this one down and send up a replacement?”
Kasek seemed mildly annoyed that Retvik had not immediately agreed to the job. “This satellite is part of a geostatic collection of satellites that ensures all Rethans can have safe and secure connections to the Olanet. We cannot simply just bring it down. Repairs must be made in orbit.”
Retvik shook his head, then stood up, towering over the admittedly rather small Rethan. While his presence had originally not bothered Kasek, the captain was visibly anxious now. “The Olanet Satellite System has backup satellites. Two for each main satellite. Why are you not telling me the entire truth, Kasek?”
“Because it is high security. General Level only. Really, I should not be telling you details…” Kasek stuttered.
“It is some sort of surveillance or spy system, is it not?”
Kasek swallowed nervously. “I cannot say.”
“Do you have any idea how long this mission will take?”
“I… I cannot say… No more than… a week, I assume…”
Retvik tutted again. A week was fine. He needed an excuse to visit his brother anyway, and this was a guaranteed trip to the Rethan capital. “If I agree to consider your insane notion, will you take me to someone who can give me all the details?”
The captain’s expression immediately improved. “Of course! You will have to be briefed in full before accepting anyway!”
“Very well…” Retvik grunted. “Let me pack some luggage and we can hea-”
Kasek smiled, holding up a bag. “No need, ser, I have already done that for you. Now please, follow me!”
With a final sigh, Retvik did as requested. He really needed to have a word with his brother when it came to the 9th Legion and their… intrusive ways.