The flight from Portalia City to Thre-Sypria had been surprisingly quiet, even by Rethan standards. Normally there would always be a little bit of chatter, some nervous looks, perhaps even the occasional late person running between flights, but this trip had been perfectly… normal. And very, very quiet. Maybe it was because there were only Rethans on the flight, returning home after a holiday break and heading back to their duties. Maybe it was just one of those things.
Retvik and Gath didn’t notice the quietness at first. It wasn’t until they climbed down the ladder off the ship and headed towards the terminal that they realised just how quiet it was. Apart from the sounds of machinery, electronics and footsteps, not a word was being said. There weren’t even any announcements – then again, this was a Rethan spaceport, there rarely were any vocal announcements, but even the noticeboards seemed quieter than average.
This awkward silence though seemed to continue throughout the spaceport and into the shuttle stations, where high speed trains would send people out to the larger cities of Thre-Vretania and Thre-Etas, or into the city centre of Thre-Sypria for other work.
Both Retvik and Gath were heading into Thre-Sypria, as Gath was due to return to his duties as General of the 271st Legion, guarding and maintaining Thre-Sypria’s outer walls and essentially running security for the whole city. Because of this, there was also some outbound traffic, as members of the 272nd Legion were moving through the city, slowly being relieved of their duties by early soldiers of the 271st Legion. Despite this movement, normally a more rushed and somewhat celebratory swap-over, things were still eerily calm.
It wasn’t until Gath and Retvik reached the main Legion Barracks though that either of them said anything, let alone commented on the journey. While Retvik had business in another city, he had planned to stay with Gath for the night, to help him get settled.
“Good evening, General Gath, how was your trip?”
Captain Fradir seemed to be the only person awake. Fradir ran the barracks while everyone else was returning to the city.
“Good evening, Captain,” Gath smiled. “It was… unusually quiet. Almost silent.”
Fradir nodded in understanding. “Been like that a lot the last few weeks. Was chatting with the vok I am replacing and he said it has been getting quieter. Nothing going on, mind you…” Gath and Retvik waited while Fradir tapped on a screen, then leant down and handed Gath a key card.
“Has it been like this for a while?” Retvik asked.
“I have been here for a week, arranging housing as requested. It has been very, very quiet, yes, ser.”
“Has everyone been like this?”
“Everyone on-planet. I am fine. Been talking to fellow vok who just got back, they all seem fine. I do not know if it is just Thre-Sypria though. Maybe everyone is depressed about going back to work?”
“That would be a shame…” Gath grunted, taking the key card. “I am rather glad to be getting back to work.”
“Me too, ser, but… this is all…” Fradir leaned forward. “This is all rather creepy. I cannot explain it truly. As if… something is wrong.”
“With us or…”
“With everyone else, ser…” Fradir shuddered. “I do not know. Maybe it is just a phase. Most of our Legion returning to the city has been fine…” Fradir paused, then went back to work mode. “Ser, will General Retvik be staying with you?”
“I am a Captain now…” Retvik muttered under his breath. “And yes, I will be staying for one day, before I head to Thre-Vretania on other business.”
Fradir blinked, not quite understanding, but deciding to drop the subject. He handed Retvik a second key card. “Oh. Very well, ser. You know where your bunker is. Here is a one-day pass for you, to save us any hassle. Have a good evening!”
“You too, Captain…” Gath shrugged, pulling Retvik away, towards the main building.
They walked for a little, down some stone stairs until they reached a housing area. Concrete boxes all lined up, each one meant to house one Rethan soldier. At the end of the first line was a small, grassy hill with one slightly larger concrete block. That was to be Gath’s home for the next year or so.
Gath headed up the hill and opened the door, heading inside the concrete house, bringing Retvik inside with him, then checking twice before slamming the door shut.
“Something is wrong…” Gath suddenly snarled. “Something is very wrong.”
Retvik shrugged. “I gathered. But what are you-”
“When you go up to Thre-Vretania tomorrow, I NEED you to talk to your brother and work out what is going on.”
“Alright…” Retvik sighed. “I will see what I can do. But I do hope it is… nothing too dramatic…”