“What’s going on?” Arkay dozily asked as several nurses unclipped the wheels on the bottom of his bed and began to wheel him and his IV drip away.
General Kaldoran appeared, with a handful of Rethan soldiers by his side. “We’re moving you to a different facility. Nothing to worry about.”
Arkay thought for a moment and tried to sit up, only to find he was strapped to the bed. He’d forgotten, he was due to have some minor surgery to remove some potentially infected skin from his legs. “I don’t know if it’s just a… me thing, but whenever someone gives me a simple statement, follows it up with something along the lines of “nothing to worry about” then doesn’t give me all the information, I begin to worry and panic and stuff.”
The General sighed. “Fine. Some Rethan Purity extremist tried to get in to the hospital and try and harm you for some stupid reason. And with the non-Rethan media swarming to get more information about you, we believe it’s safer to move you to the Ksa-Only facility. At an undisclosed location.”
“We have a Ksa-only hospital?”
“It was a former Ksa training and breeding facility, but about a hundred years ago, it was rebuilt into a proper hospital.”
“Why?”
“We don’t make Apogen Ksa any more. The creation techniques to make specimens such as yourself were rendered illegal. The Ξ-Class Ksa will be the last true Ksa for a long time…” A nurse interrupted, informing General Kaldoran that they needed a bit longer. Even though Arkay was only half awake, he quickly picked up on the word ‘decoy’ and immediately asked about it.
“Why do you need decoys?”
Another sigh. “The Ksa-Only Facility is a secret facility. We don’t tell vok where it is unless it’s absolutely necessary. The media though are making things very difficult.”
Arkay shrugged. “Then say that we have a gas leak and something and force everyone to move away for a bit until the situation is clear.”
“We have this under control, little one. We have a fleet of decoys travelling to other hospitals, while you’ll be taken in a cloaked ship. I will have to sedate you though, it makes you easier to move, harder to track and less obvious when you’re covered by a sheet, while minimizing any struggles if you dislike flying.”
“Hey, I used to be a pilot! I have no problem with flying!” Arkay protested. “Do I really need to be sedated?”
Another nurse appeared, whispered something then hurried off. Kaldoran smiled. “Yes you do. But the ship will be ready in five minutes, so we can talk as we move.” The General moved behind Arkay’s bed and started wheeling him down a corridor, into the nearest elevator. The doors swiftly closed, leaving them in artificial light. Arkay though was not amused.
“What’s so special about this damn hospital anyway?”
“For starters, each room is specially built with reinforced walls, lock down systems and plastic windows in case you decide you want to lose control of your powers or something.”
Arkay blinked. “That sounds…”
“What?”
“Somewhat discriminatory against Ksa. You’re suggesting I’m dangerous.”
“You are…” Kaldoran replied bluntly. “Unbelievably so. Don’t you agree?”
“I… guess…”
“You have so many amazing abilities. If it wasn’t for your programming, the Kalsa Warrior Rebellion you helped resolve earlier this year would have been far more deadly.”
The doors of the elevator opened up. Arkay hadn’t even been aware that they were moving, and now they were suddenly on the roof. He felt a sharp prick in his neck, as Kaldoran swiftly injected him with a sedative.
“You’ll be fine, kid…” Kaldoran smiled as he wheeled Arkay onto the ship, and signalled for them to prepare for take off.