"Why did you opt for it?"
"Same reason you did."
"You sure there's nothing else?"
"If you already know something just spill it," Kinze sat on the railing of Nomad's upper deck, watching Eve stood as she stood silently against the golden evening horizon, unaware of how many of her crew watched her.
Planet Bazmera was a wrap. The enemy had been defeated. Nomad dropships were settling down in the hangar bay below.
The smoke had settled, skies were clear and air had the scent of scorched metal and fuel.
Some fine hundred meters below, open plateau offered the sight of the military camps, compounds, barracks and vehicles, all teeming with life again.
Elara had just discovered something about Kinze's past and he seemed weary talking about it.
Elara, wearing a casual sports outfit, put her hands on his, "isn't she beautiful?"
"Yes, we all love the queen."
"Like your great great grandfather did."
"So you know," he looked down at the rovers driving into the hangar bay, "what's the point anyway Elara. I serve the queen, serve my land and that's that."
"From what I know. Your ancestors had a lot to do with Eve's legacy as much as Mira's bloodline."
"They are diplomats, we are soldiers. How else should it play out?"
"You trust me Kinze?"
"On the battlefield? With all my life. With this. I don't even know what this is."
"This is Saiyara's secret guard. A legacy of warriors loyal to the crown, never asking for recognition."
"Eve's probably got a lot on her mind going on. Look, I am here and I am happy doing what I do."
"I have always envied that good heart of yours mister. And I've hated it."
"Since when?"
"Since the academy."
"So alright, my heritage plunged me into this. What about you?"
"Me, oh I just followed my high-school crush all the way to the recruitment center."
"Stop messing around."
"Fine. I was a hot gym girl with a lot of energy and no purpose."
Elara was athletic. Voluptuous. Hot. The sports trousers and zip up shirt barely held her womanly assets in containment.
"You fought bullies in college. All Boys." Kinze reminded her.
"And you never did?"
"It was just one fight."
"It is about who you fought that day."
"That guy was a nobody."
"That guy was no nobody."
In few few hours, Nomad lifted into the sky.
Kinze and his crew didn't dine with the queen's inner circle, but Eve never overlooked him. She greeted him with warmth, smiled with sincerity. That was enough.
She'd often pass by the training halls in Nomad and stop by team Charlie's drills. Always had time for Kinze whenever he wanted to talk about something. Which was mostly mission-oriented.
Mira on the other hand, always kept team Charlie in the loop. She was genuinely frank with them. Proud as well… of her Andromedan roots.
Even Mira didn't know about Kinze's past. Or perhaps she knew and never showed. Elara only knew because they were long-time high-school friends. And she had seen pictures of his great great grandfather in his locker-room. Only later did she learn who colonel Hamad was and eventually joined the dots.
Elara did have feelings for him, but she was too shy to speak with him about what she felt. For all that mattered, they were always together.
Then one day, Kinze received a call from Vayne.
"Hey Kinze, this is Vayne. We were just heading for Saiyara and commander Mira was wondering if you guys wanted to visit home early?"
"Aboard Soul Drifter?"
"Yup."
"Hell yeah. we were due anyway. Count us in."
"Thrilled man. I'll save co-pilot's seat for you. Usually that's reserved for Jax, but I'm glad you will be replacing him this time."
Kinze laughed as Vayne did too. Vayne, Jax and Kinze had grown close. Battles forged their bond, the brotherly vibes just matched.
"Jax can take the cargo room."
"ha-ha. I can't wait to see the look on his face. Alright dude, we leave in two days."
.
.
.
The trio — Kinze, Vayne, and Jax — were on a vacation. The rest of that week was a blur of Saiyaran nightlife, coffeeshops, hotels.
When one morning Vayne woke up Kinze, "rise up sunshine, you are required at the royal palace."
"What? Already we leaving?"
Vayne watched the city view as he pulled away the curtains brushing his teeth. "I don't know man. Commander Mira said you have to be there in two."
Kinze shot up. Showered. Dressed. At the door, he paused. "You guys touring without me?"
"We're hitting Dilameer tomorrow. Make it back by then and you're in."
"Quick mission, nothing more. I'll be back."
.
.
.
Mira walked him silently through the palace's lower chambers. She hadn't told him why. Kinze followed without question. Reverence came easy with Mira.
They reached a great hall. Memories projected from holographic walls, pictures lining its circular perimeter. At the entrance, Mira stopped and gestured Kinze to go inside.
He nodded and slowly walked towards the center, where a woman stood near a fountain.
He turned around once to see if Mira was still there. She wasn't. He kept walking. 'Perhaps some royalty? A new local mission consignment?' He thought to himself. 'But why would she want to meet him in the queen's palace?'
She turned around. It was Eve.
He hesitated for a moment, then instantly straightened his posture and saluted Eve. "Commander! Kinze reporting for duty."
"Kinze, this is the reason why I like to be on Nomad or on the battlefield. Can you drop the uniform just for a sec?"
Kinze smiled, "Of course, commander. You look awesome by the way."
Eve looked at her gold-laced dress and huffed, "this dress feels like I'm cosplaying some empress.."
"Looks good. Feels terrible." He chuckled.
"Want me to take it off?" Eve teased him.
He blushed, "maybe not here."
Eve laughed.
"I like you soldier."
"My queen needs a ladies day out. I can secretly sneak you out of the castle. If you want Elara and I can hit the mall for you... grab you some outfits," He blinked at her.
"So Elara huh? Sounds like you know her measurements a little too well." She sat on the fountain.
He sat by her side, "We are just friends who just can't get rid of each other."
"You've never hit that chic? I mean I would. She's so damn hot."
"I'm old school, ma'am. Besides... I don't know how she really feels."
"She's all over you. The way she looks at you? You can't be that blind."
"Maybe we're both shy. Maybe we're just scared to break what we already have."
Then there was a moment of silence.
"Walk with me Kinze," Eve smiled and got up. He followed her.
Walking by the pictures in the wall and they finally are at a corner. A picture of late retired colonel Hammad.
Kinze suddenly felt a grip of centuries hold his heart.
Eve looked at him and softly smiled with her eyes. He instantly knelt down.
He dropped to one knee. "My queen."
Eve placed her hand on his face, kissed his forehead gently.
"Don't do that. You're making me feel ancient. Stand up."
He rose slowly. Eyes glistening. "You always knew."
"Your father. His father. And his. I knew them all. I served beside Hammad. We were friends. I was at his daughter's wedding. It's been centuries, Kinze... but it only takes a moment to return."
"So this... this is the Memory Chamber?"
"Don't change the subject."
"What was I supposed to do? Walk up and say, 'Hey, Queen Eve, I'm Hammad's descendant. How's eternal monarchy treating you?'"
She laughed. "Exactly that."
"Well, I'm glad we got through it."
They walked out of the memory chamber, out of the palace towards the garden. Elara and Mira watched them from balcony.
"I wonder what they are talking about?" Elara muttered.
Anya dropped in holding Mira's baby girl, "they are definitely talking about Elara."
Elara blushed, "For a thousandth time, we are just friends."
This time Mira spoke up, "friends who can't wait to get in each other's pants."
Elara changed the subject, "How long have you guys known?"
Mira put her hand over her shoulders, "Eve is a walking encyclopedia of galactic history. She knows everyone aboard Nomad. All twelve thousand crew members. Sometimes even I forget she's part AI."
"Well, that's Eve." Anya sighed, "You better be a careful woman or she'll steal your man."
"What about her love life? I mean Hannah is running wild all the time."
"Let's just say, the queen's been sober for centuries," Mira responded and asked. "I mean where do you find Eve, someone like her?"
"Shouldn't we be worried she'll all be alone forever?"
Mira and Anya looked at each other. They had thought about it before but it was the first time the question had deeply hit their thoughts.