Legions Of War

Book 2
Chapter 11

Marc was swiftly moved from the hospital to a shuttle and up to a ship. No
one would answer any of his questions, but on the shuttle ride, Marc
recognized several fighters escorting them up to the larger cruise liner.
The room Marc was put in was a nicely laid out bedroom, with plenty of
things to keep him entertained. What Marc was missing, was clothes. He had
lost everything he owned on the cargo ship, since it had to have left weeks
ago.
The door opened, and a Cucoos girl walked it pushing a cart with food. Marc
gave her a smile, but after two days trying to talk to her, Marc given up.
Either she didnt understand standard or she was mute, or possibly even
deaf.
The worst part was he hadnt heard from Cora at all. It was starting to get
unnerving.
The girl placed the food on a table and then looked right at Marc.
Thanks, Blue eyes, said Marc.
The girl smiled. It was the first reaction Marc seen from her.
Did you understand me?
I do, the girl said.
Oh, thank the gods! Hey do you know what is going on?
I do not really know. Mom just asked that I make sure you get something to
eat.
My name is Marc, what is yours?
The girl smiled, Synnie. Are you really a host?

Marc smiled, Yes well, Im not sure anymore. You see, I havent heard from
my AI in some time. I dont feel like she gone, but something is going on.
Thats because she is being re-tasked, a voice said from behind Marc.
Marc turned and found a Cucoos male AI, What do you mean by that?
The AI looked at Synnie, We need to talk, lets start with introductions. I am
Pup Welfare Officer Merlyn. My host, Joehon, is outside the room talking with
Daysee.
Synnie smiled, I met him a few minutes ago. He's really nice.
Okay, so youre some welfare officer. What is going on? Marc demanded.
Synnie was surprised at how Marc treated Merlyn.
Merlyn sat down on a chair that suddenly appeared, A lot has happened and
I understand why you are short tempered. So lets start with why you are
here. First off we all know that your sixteen seasons old in that body. But
outwardly, you are only twelve seasons old. This has caused many issues.
Not my problem, stated Marc.
No, maybe not; but it is a problem that Host Central Command has had to
look into. They have found that there is a problem. The start of this issue is
not your fault, but you are now forced to live with what has happened,
Merlyn said.
So what, I been dealing with it for some time now.
Yes, and you have done a fine job dealing with it. But you need to know a
few things; starting off with why you are here, Merlyn said as he watched
Marc carefully.
Im here because you trapped me here.
Trapped? Synnie asked.
Yes, trapped, snapped Marc.
How are you trapped? Merlyn asked.
Marc laughed, You place me in a room, lock that door, and on top of that I
have no clothes. I lost all of my personal items when I missed my lift off date
on the cargo ship.

Synnie stood up and walked over to a plain white wall and touched it.
Suddenly a seam appeared, and a drawer slid out silently.
Mom knew of your loss. She had a few friends go and find Kuil clothing in
your sizes.
Marc's eyes widened.
Merlyn looked at Marc, The drawers are clearly marked, why you didnt just
open one?
What do you mean clearly marked? Until the drawer opened there was no
way for me to see them, snapped Marc.
Synnie and Merlyn looked at each other.
You cannot see the writing on each of the drawers? Merlyn asked.
There is no writing.
Merlyn looked at Marc and then walked over to a large display, Marc I am
going to display a range of colors, point out what you can see from left to
right.
It took a few minutes but once they were done Merlyn started to realize a
few mistakes have led to a misunderstanding, right off the start.
Well, I think I know the problem, then. Humans may look a lot like Kuil, but
they do not share the same range of vision. I will let Joehon know, and he will
have someone come in and rewrite everything in Marc's color range.
So he couldnt even read the instructions on the door, Synnie surmised.
Merlyn sat back down, Well, I can see why you thought you were a prisoner.
No, Marc, you are not a prisoner. You are, though, being placed in a foster
home.
What the fuck are you talking about, fostered? I am not some orphan or
abused child! Marc yelled as he walked over to Merlyn.
Merlyn stood up and held his ground as he said, Look, Marc, your running
around is a problem for too many beings. It has been decided that until you
are of physical age that you will remain in foster care.
Oh, fuck that! Cora, blue-blue.

Stop! Synnie screamed.

Mom said that could hurt you, explained Synnie.
Marc, you cant call Cora to get you out of this, Merlyn said.
What do you mean, Marc demanded from Synnie.
You were in real bad shape when we got here. Mom said you were in
Neurological shock. If you were to activate your AI forcibly, you might throw
your wetware back into Neurological shock, Synnie explained.
Is Cora okay? Marc knew just how bad things could go with Neurological
shock. It was one of the biggest things the center warned him about.
She is just fine. As we talk, I assure you Cora is slowly ramping up each
node. Its one of the reasons that you havent heard from her. Do you
remember what happened? asked Merlyn.
No.
I see, after you suddenly awakened in the pool, you went directly into
Neurological shock. You were rushed to a hospital and stabilized. This is
where things started to go bad. Everyone at first thought you had awoken
because and attendant left you alone, and you almost drowned. But a day
after you were in the hospital, someone else tried to poison you. Thankfully
the would be assassin did the same thing we did, and assumed that poison
that would kill a Kuil would have also killed you, Merlyn explained.
Thats when Huldies contacted the pack's Alpha. Since we were passing
through this system Alpha Donnu agreed to send Mom to care for you,
Synnie said.
Of course, all of this wouldnt have happened if it wasnt for Coraniria. While
you were recovering, Coraniria was found incompetent in caring Merlyn
said.
But before Merlyn could finish, Marc's mood shifted from listening, to outright
rage.
Over my dead body! screamed Marc and to Merlyn surprise two pitch black
blades emerged in Marc's hands.
You are not removing her from me! yelled Marc.

Synnie stood, transfixed.

Merlyn stepped in front of her and said, No one
Liars!
Those blades cant harm me, Merlyn said.
Then suddenly a blue arc jumped between the blades, You are right, the
blades can't hurt an AI; but an electromagnetic pulse will mess up your
whole day!
Merlyn stepped back.
The bedroom door suddenly opened, and Daysee stepped into the room.
I told you not to disturb him, Merlyn. Synnie, go get Marc a glass of cold
water.
Marc turned to face the new enemy, You are not going
Marc faltered, his knees going weak. The world was slowly going gray.
Merlyn vanished and Daysee stepped closer to Marc as she said, You're
going to black out, in a moment. Be assured nothing is going to happen to
you while you're out, besides being put back to bed.
Marc took another step.
No, he said weakly.
The blades dissolved as Marc body started shutting down.
Daysee rushed over and caught Marc before he hit the floor.
You are one ornery pup, Daysee said as she looked into Marc's eyes as he
tried to fight the blackout.
In the end Marc passed out. Daysee carried Marc to the bed, and laid him on
it. Synnie came back into the room with the water.
Is he okay?
He will be. It was just too much stress, Daysee said as she pulled some
covers over Marc.
I was trying to explain why he was here, Merlyn said from the doorway.

Daysee looked over at Merlyn, I will have a word with Alpha Donnu about
this! I clearly instructed you not to bother Marc!