Chapter 4:
Traitor

	He was quickly taken to the council chambers upon the request of 
Larcris. He wasn't informed of why he was being summoned, not like that it 
mattered. It didn't take any sort of scientist to figure out this meeting was 
about Vu and Shivana. He sat down at the table as soon as Larcris arrived. 
"It's good to see you gentlemen again," Larcris said. "I think you know why 
we're here."
	"Yeah," Tobias replied. "So what do you need to know?"
	"You said you're friends with the two new arrivals. You should know 
them real well, right? We need you to tell us about them before we go and 
give them their psychological examinations."
	"Okay. Ask and ye shall receive."
	'J' growled. "Well, be general about them. We need the information. 
Start with the male first."
	"Vu? Don't worry about him. He's harmless."
	"Harmless?" Sven asked.
	"Well, if you call his intelligence harmless. He's pretty smart by 
human standards, so that's something you should watch out for. He's got a 
very sick imagination and will twist what you say into what you'd be 
embarrassed to say. Other than that, he's a very kind person."
	"Okay," Larcris said. "What about the female?"
	"Shivana is a kind soul. Plain and simple. She's the one you 
definitely shouldn't worry about."
	"Why is that?"
	"She'll sit there with you and chat about absolute nonsense."
	"Oh....that's pretty harmless."
	"Well, that's what he says," 'J' snarled. "The tests will prove who 
they really are."
	"It's settled then. Give them the tests as soon as they're up and 
about."
	"All right then," Larcris said. "We'll examine the results in the 
morning. We'll reconvene here tomorrow after breakfast. Okay?" Everyone 
agreed to it and left.

	He was on the computer in his quarters when Shivana and Vu entered. 
He turned away and looked at them. They were clearly spooked. "What's wrong?" 
he asked. They said nothing and sat down on the bed. "Something the matter?" 
he asked again.
	"What the hell were those questions?" Vu asked.
	"I hope we don't have to do that again," Shivana added.
	Tobias chuckled. "Welcome to the base. Now, I'm assuming you want to 
stay here for the night, right?" They nodded. "Then I'll have someone bring 
up a pair of extra beds. You can stay here for as long as you wish." They 
nodded. Tobias put in the order and went back to his work.
	"What are you doing?" Vu asked.
	"I'm trying to figure out how we got here. It'd help if I had some 
information."
	"Oh? What kind?"
	"You COULD tell me the last thing you remember before ending up here, 
if that isn't too much right now."
	"I fell into...." Vu said.
	"....A hole." Shivana finished.
	"Okay, then we all came here the same way. But that's what's got me. 
How did the hole end us up so far away?" He typed furiously on the keyboard. 
He came up with nothing.

	Tobias was still up around midnight. He couldn't sleep. He had too 
much to worry about. He eventually got up, got dressed and left Vu and 
Shivana to their rest. He strolled through the dimly lit halls and eventually, 
out into the night air. He took a deep breath. The air was crisp and clean. A 
cool breeze was passing through. It put him so at ease he was ready to 
collapse. But his will pressed him on. He walked around a little, examining 
the dark buildings and eventually came to the field and hill. "Yeah," he told 
himself. "I'd get a good view from up there." He started up. It was then he 
noticed another figure sitting there. Wondering who it could be, he continued 
up. "Shouldn't you be in bed?" he asked as soon as he got to the top. The 
figure looked at him. It was Samantha.
	"Shouldn't you?" she retorted.
	"Nah. I couldn't sleep. Thought the night air would clear my head. 
What about you?"
	"The same thing. I couldn't sleep either." She sighed and looked up 
at the stars. "They're so beautiful tonight."
	"They are." He rested his head on his knees. "And to think, I 
wouldn't be able to see the stars from Earth."
	"No? Why not?"
	"Earth's just one big city. You'd have to find one of the country 
area to see the stars. And not many people are able to do that."
	"Oh."
	"Is there something wrong?"
	"I....saw the test results."
	"And?"
	She shook her head. "Good news and bad news. You'll find it out 
tomorrow."
	"You sure you don't want to tell me now?"
	"It pains me to even think about it."
	He nodded. "I'm sorry."
	"It's okay." She slowly leaned towards him. "We shouldn't worry about 
it until tomorrow." 
	"You're right. But that doesn't solve our sleepless problem."
	"That's true."
	"Is there anything you want to talk about?"
	"Yeah," she said, now leaning on his arm. "I want to know more about 
you."
	He blinked. "Um...you really want to know that?"
	"Of course I do. Why do you ask?"
	"Because I'd like to know more about you," he lied. He wasn't ready 
to give out his life story to her just yet.
	"Oh, all right. Anything you wish to know in particular?"
	"I've got one question right off the bat, if that's what you're 
wondering."
	"Okay. So ask."
	"Well, not that it's a problem or anything, why are you leaning on my
 arm?"
	She blinked and came to the realization that she was leaning on him. 
She straightened up and blushed. "I'm sorry."
	"It's okay. You can lean on me if you want to." She nodded and 
returned to her leaning on him.

	They spent the rest of the night together, getting to know each other 
better than they already did. And through all that, Tobias gained something
he hadn't before. He gained a sense of being loved. For the first time in his 
existence, he was cared for. He felt like he was important. Eventually, 
daybreak arrived. The sunrise absolutely thrilled him. Samantha also enjoyed 
it. However, she probably had seen many. She sighed and got up. "We'd better 
get going. I'm sure they're going to start looking for us."
	Tobias got up as well. "Okay." He got up and smiled. "It was nice 
spending the night with you."
	She laughed and hugged him. "You too." A tingling sensation came over 
him. She smiled and left. Tobias stood there, stunned for a few seconds. He 
wasn't used to such affection. He shook off the feeling and started back to 
his quarters.

	"Good morning!" he said as he entered. Shivana was just sitting up in
bed as Tobias walked in. "Sorry if I left, I took a little jog to clear my 
mind. So, how'd you sleep?"
	Shivana looked at him. "You mean to tell me that yesterday wasn't a 
dream?" she said. Tobias rolled his eyes. "Oh well. Since I'm surround by 
these strange people, I might as well get used to them. How'd you sleep?"
	Tobias hesitated. He didn't want to tell her that he couldn't. She'd 
worry about him. "I slept fine," he lied.
	Vu sat up. "I wasn't dreaming then," he said. "I'm still here!" He 
looked over to Tobias. "Well, what will we do today?"
	"They got your psych-test results back. We're going to find out what 
they're going to do with you two."
	"Is that good?" Shivana asked.
	"I dunno. They were thrilled at my arrival, I'm not sure how they're 
going to take yours. Let's go and get this over with."

	Tobias lead them to the council chambers. They were amazed when they 
saw it. Tobias directed them to their seats, which they promptly took. He, 
however, remained standing. He had one of those feelings he'd need to move 
without interruption. It took some time before the council, Kaitlyn, and 
Samantha appeared. They got themselves together and prepared for the results. 
"Are we ready for this?" Larcris asked. Everyone nodded. "Tobias, why aren't 
you sitting down?"
	"Eh.....I'm not feeling too comfortable today. I'd like to stand, if 
that's okay with you."
	Larcris nodded. "Who has Shivana's results?"
	Samantha put a large manila envelope on the table. "Right here sir."
	Larcris took the envelope and opened it. He pulled out a few sheets 
of paper and read them over. "Very reliable," he read. "Talkative. Average 
intelligence. Very loyal. Not a threat. Suggested that she get a little 
education before letting her loose."
	Shivana smiled. "Thank you!"
	"Why are you thanking me? You took the test."
	Tobias chuckled. "Okay, we know Shivana's harmless to you people. 
What about Vu?"
	Kaitlyn held up a second envelope. "Here are his results," she said 
grimly. She put them on the table. Larcris reached over for them. But 'J' 
shot his hand out and snatched them up. He tore the envelope open.
	"Reliability," he read. "Inconclusive. Above average intelligence. 
Inconclusive loyalty. Should be put under watch until a second test can be 
administered." He put the papers down. "Well, that's proof enough for me. I 
want him locked up in the brig until we can prove he won't turn on us. 
Guards, take him." Two nasty looking guards stepped over to him. Tobias 
stepped in between Vu and the guards.
	"Back off," he growled.
	"What are you doing, human?" 'J' growled.
	Tobias's gaze snapped over towards him. "Who the hell are you to say 
he gets put into the brig? When it comes to these two, I make the decisions. 
You, my friend, have no say in it."
	"I'm head of security of this base. If I say someone ends up in the 
brig, he ends up in the brig. If I say someone gets executed, they start to 
dig the grave immediately. If I say you get shot, you get shot."
	"You wanna start something? I'll take your teeth out if that's what 
you want." He started to move towards 'J'. Kaitlyn and Samantha restrained 
him.
	"Calm down," Samantha said. "He'll tear you in half."
	Tobias's eyes began to glow an eerie red. He resisted their 
restraining at first, but eventually gave up and turned for the door. 
"Samantha, Kaitlyn, escort Shivana and Vu back to my quarters. Vu, Shivana, 
when you get there, lock the door and don't let anyone in except for me. 
Good day to you all." He left in a rush.

	He rushed out of the building and up the hill. His mind was dead set 
on trying to figure out what to do. He pushed himself to the top. And once he 
got there, he fell to his knees. "Damn it," he mumbled. "I thought things 
were going good."
	"They are," Samantha told him. He looked. She was standing there, 
watching him. "Things are going good."
	He smirked. "Yeah, and the war monger in there's as kind as an 
eighty year old nun."
	She went up to him. " 'J' has always been a stick in the mud. You 
shouldn't worry about him. He'll come around."
	"I think we should worry about him."
	"Why?"
	"Call it a gut feeling. Call it my sixth or seventh sense. Call it 
whatever you want, but I think that he has a motive behind his actions."
	"How so?"
	Suddenly, there was a crash from the council building. They turned to 
see 'J' standing there. A guard went over to him and started to say 
something. 'J' frowned and, with one felt swoop of his arm, sent the guard 
flying. He looked towards them and raised a gun. He fired a few shots, which 
they dodged. "He's shooting at us!" Tobias exclaimed. He picked up a rock 
and threw it at his assailant. The rock knocked the gun from 'J's hand. He
growled and raised his robotic arm. A bright glow emanated from it's palm. 
Suddenly, a bolt of energy flew out at Tobias. He was petrified.
	"No!" Samantha shouted. She dived at Tobias, knocking him out of the 
way. They both tumbled to the ground.
	"You saved me," Tobias said, stunned. "Thank you."
	"No prob-AHHH!" She howled in pain. She held her arm and fell on her 
back.
	"He hit you." He moved her hand and saw a burn mark. His eyes started 
to glow red again. "Rest here," he said in a grim tone. "I'll take care of 
our friend." He turned on a dime towards 'J'. The jaguar had recharged and 
was ready to fire again.
	"For the Raiders!" he cried as he fired another bolt. It flew at 
Tobias. Tobias shook his head and caught the energy bolt in his hand. With a 
flick of his wrist, he returned it to it's source. 'J' dodged. Something 
kicked in and Tobias dashed down the hill. In a split second, he had landed a
perfect uppercut to the jaguar's jaw. Not stopping there, he followed up with 
a number of jabs, a knee to the gut, and a flip kick to the same place the
uppercut landed. 'J' went flying. A small crowd had formed. Tobias went over
to 'J' and picked him up by the collar. "Who are you working for?" he growled.
'J' shook his head.
	"Agent 'J'," Larcris called out. He strolled up to the two.
	"Larcris," 'J' said. "Glad you're here. This one came right at me the
minute I left. Tell him to put me down."
	"No."
	"Wha- why?"
	"If I'm not mistaken, I heard you say 'For the Raiders.' Only those
who are aligned with the Raiders, not the Pack, say that."
	"You heard wrong."
	"I'm sure I didn't. Tobias, take care of him."
	Tobias smiled. "If you ever mess with any of my friends again, I will 
tear your throat out and make it into a flute. See you in hell." He slammed 
the helpless jaguar into the ground a few times before sending him flying 
into a building. The building crumbled.
	"Good job," Larcris said. "We've been wondering who the Raider mole 
was." Tobias remained silent. The adrenaline was slowly emptying out of his 
system. He grabbed his chest and collapsed.

	He found himself in a bed when he came around. He instantly knew he 
was in the infirmary. "What happened?" he said, sitting up.
	"You totally destroyed 'J'," Samantha replied. She was sitting on a 
bed close by. They caught each other's glances and smiled.
	"Thank you for pushing me out of the way."
	"Thank you for saving my life." She got up, went over, and gave him 
a hug. A doctor instantly came over.
	"Let him rest," he said. "He's still a little weak."
	"Don't worry doctor, I'll be okay. But would you be so kind as to 
tell me what happened?"
	"We aren't sure of what triggered it, but you put Agent 'J' into a 
coma with your attack. What I'm amazed at is the amount of energy you put out." 
He handed Tobias a chart. "The base's energy monitor picked your spike up. It 
was like you instantly gained superficial strength. We still don't know how 
though. Adrenaline isn't supposed to increase your strength that many times."
	Tobias shook his head. "I don't remember a thing."
	"Well, you'll be back to normal in a half an hour. Just get some rest. 
And you, Miss Samantha, should keep your hands off of him." The doctor bowed 
and went to check on other patients.
	"Ah...screw 'em. I'm strong enough to take it."
	Samantha chuckled. "You're quite the fighter. I've never seen anyone 
with this much spunk."
	"Well, I try. Now, do you know what they found when they searched the 
traitor's quarters?"
	"They found a whole communications array which is being prepared for 
recycling. Why do you ask?"
	"Just curious." He layed back down and tried to rest up.

	Tobias healed rather quickly. He was up and ready to go in a few 
hours. Save, of course, his hunger. He quickly went to the mess hall to see 
what they were serving. The door was locked when he arrived. "What the-?" he 
exclaimed as he fiddled aimlessly with the lock. Then he noticed a sign 
hanging on the door. "Go to banquet hall," he read out loud. He blinked and 
looked about. "Which one is it?"
	"The one with the long line of people," Kaitlyn answered. She had 
snuck up on him. "Heard what you did to 'J'. It's about time somebody did 
that!" She had an unnerving cheeriness to her voice.
	"Yeah, um....I don't quite remember any of it, so don't say how good 
I was."
	"Oh, all right. C'mon, they're waiting for you."
	"Who?"
	"Larcris and Sven for one. And a few of the special delegates too." 
Tobias cocked a brow. "Don't worry, I'll show you to them." She grabbed his 
arm and tugged. "Come on...."

	She dragged him to the banquet hall, where he was immediately greeted 
and shown to his seat. He didn't like the fact that it was all the way at the 
front. He still felt that he didn't deserve to sit up there. But his 
arguments fell upon deaf ears. The appetizers were served, which he found 
enjoyable between small talk with Kaitlyn and Samantha (who was there way 
before he ever got there). The main course, some sort of fish, filled that
bottomless pit he called a stomach. "I must get this recipe," he joked. "My 
father would kill to have it." That sparked a little laughter. He sighed and 
looked around.
	"What's wrong?" Kaitlyn asked.
	"I dunno. I've got a feeling this is about to get worse for me. And 
where's Larcris and Sven? I thought they were going to be here."
	"Ah, they're probably going over some speech or another."
	"True. So I'll be patient." He took another sip of the drink that was 
given to him. Tobias's attention was quickly drawn away when he saw Larcris 
and Sven approaching the table. Larcris saw him and smiled. 
	"Hello Tobias," he said. "Are you enjoying your banquet?"
	"It's nice and all, but I don't-" Something clicked in. "Could you 
repeat that?"
	"Are you enjoying your banquet?"
	He turned white. "MY banquet? As in this banquet is in honor of
....me?" Larcris nodded. Tobias's head drooped. "Don't tell me I have to make 
a speech."
	"You don't. We're just giving you an honor and that'll be it."
	"Good." Larcris nodded and went up to the podium, Sven trailing right 
behind. He tapped the microphone to get everyone's attention. They all 
quieted down.
	"I hope you've enjoyed your meals," he started. There was a murmur of 
agreement. "Good. Now I would like to make my speech and you can all get back 
to your dinners." He looked at Tobias, who shrugged. "Tonight, we are 
honoring a hero. As everybody must know by now, he's the one who fell out of 
the sky and forced us to retreat from sector 9971. True we lost that battle, 
but he was more important. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, our savior, 
Tobias." He motioned for Tobias to get up and join him at the podium. 
Hesitantly, he complied. 
	Sven got up to the podium next. "For your services to us, and for 
unmasking the Raider mole, we present you with this honor. I bestow on you 
the bronze 5-star: courage." He pinned a small, 5 point star on Tobias's 
collar. "Wear it proudly. You've earned it." He bowed to Tobias. Tobias bowed 
back, but said nothing. Everyone started to applaud. But someone else had 
other ideas.
	"Speech!" a voice cried from the back of the hall. Tobias looked 
towards the source and found Crash and the others. He had called it out. 
Tobias looked at Larcris. "Speech!" Crash called out again.
	"Yeah!" a second voice called. "Speech!" It didn't take long for the 
room to start chanting a request for a speech.
	Tobias hesitated. "Should I?" Larcris nodded. So did Sven. He sighed 
and stepped up to the podium. Everyone quieted down. "I don't know what to 
say," he started. "If I had known I was going to be doing this, I would have 
had a speech ready." There was a little laughter. "Anyway, I'm happy to be 
here tonight, and I'm proud that you're honoring me like this. I've spent 
only a little time on this planet, but I already consider you friends. And I 
think I understand now why you've pinned this prophesy of yours on me. I have 
no choice but to accept your invitation to be your champion.
	"But I do not wish to take full credit for this." There were a few 
gasps out in the audience. "I wouldn't be this calm right now if it weren't 
for the people who have been here for me since my arrival. I cannot accept 
this without acknowledging them." He turned to Kaitlyn and Samantha and 
motioned for them to stand. Not knowing what else to do, they stood. Tobias 
smiled and looked towards Crash. Swift was with him. "Um, can I ask the young 
lady sitting in the back there to stand." He pointed at her. She grew nervous 
and shook her head. With a little nudging from Crash, she stood up, all but 
beet red. "These three ladies have been with me for the few days I've been 
here. They've helped me a lot. I don't think I'd be able to do this if it 
weren't for them." Everyone started to applaud again. He bowed and went to 
sit back down. He watched as Swift sat down. He watched Kaitlyn and Samantha 
sit. He smiled. They were his family now. They would be there for him 
forever. He looked out at the cheering crowd. They were cheering for his 
friends. But more importantly, they were cheering for him. Tonight, he was 
the hero.