FSE

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** CHAPTER 3:** Decisions

Staring out the window, the surrounding area appeared distorted by the speed of the train that he was riding on. A long journey had begun for a young mixed breed Evo. Making his way through the immense space colony ship, the black Evo was preparing his mind to start the difficult training that it would transform him into a D.E Development Team member. It had been a long trip from the Sector where he lived, but finally he made it...

"I can't believe how massive Canis Major has become. It took me almost twenty minutes to get here." He said to himself, as he took a step out of the train in H2's station. A long walk from the station to the complex awaited him.

Canis Major is divided into Sectors. Each Sector is an immense area made to hold thousands of individuals. See them as cities. There was originally Sectors from A to Z, but this was doubled after the restoration, with the extension of each Sector as well. Different from what you would consider a city with buildings and such, each Sector is nothing but a series of gigantic corridors with occasional green zones, crop fields, resource management facilities and even a couple of artificial beaches. In these corridors the entrances for the Zone Complexes can be found. These are the living areas.

"Let's see... Zones 100 to 120." He read in the entrance of a Zone Complex. "This must be it!" The young black dog was pleased to be there at last, after that long walk from the station. Without waiting any longer, he entered the Complex that held the training Zone.

Through the beautiful green area of the complex, he walked at a slow pace so he could admire the unfamiliar place. Looking above him, he noticed the artificial sky ceiling that shined with a natural daylight illumination system, though it was starting to dim due to the late hour.

Each of these complexes are closed areas, but they feel like if you where outdoors. They have a fairly big grass field with a healthy amount of plants and trees. Some might even have a small water spring.

The young Evo was amazed and distracted because of how each Complex had its own unique look, but at the same time checked each Zone entrance to make sure he found the correct one.

"This place is beautiful. Much different from where I come from. These are the Sectors that were built from scratch after the restoration, in the past thirteen years... The design is much different from the older Sectors... Apparently, there are also less Evos living here."

The older Sectors were heavily remodeled, but kept their original feel. This was a different world he was in since everything was completely new.

"Here it is; Zone 112. No time to loose, I need to look for the ones in charge. If I'm not mistaken, the name of one of them is Rika. The other Evo is called Luke. It seems that they knew Kalem back before I was born, so I guess they might be surprised when they see me."

As he walked through the entrance in search for someone that could help him, he noticed the newly constructed Zone. Zones could be thought of as a type of house. In reality is nothing but a large sub-complex that holds living areas and all the necessaries for the daily living. My zone currently houses around fifteen Evos. But with ten large rooms fitted for five Evos to live comfortably, its true capacity is for around fifty individuals.

These rooms aren't small. They have a kitchen, a small living room and a large sleeping surface which could be called a bed.

As the young Evocanis walked through the Zone's main hall, he crossed paths with a female Evo.

The girl Evo turned around and smiled after being greeted by the young male Evo. She seemed to be a Border Collie mix. Her physical characteristics matched that breed, except for her tan and white colored fur.

"Hi. I'm not from around here. I came all the way from Sector B1 to do the D.E training. I was told that Rika and Luke, I believe, are the ones in charge. Where can I find them? Oh! Sorry. My name is Hemi."

"Pleased to meet you, Hemi. I'm Jade. And if you're looking for Rika and Luke, you came to the right place. Let me help you." She replied in a very friendly tone.

As both Evos started walking through the Zone, Jade was apparently looking for the ones in charge. Hemi just looked around admiring the place, when suddenly there was something odd that Hemi noticed about the female Evo.

"Rika is always on the move. Usually she stays here in the Zone, while her brother Luke is doing other things outside the Complex."

"Yes... I believe they are quite busy. Being the ones in charge of this Zone and also the D.E training..."_ _ He answered somewhat concerned. Hemi didn't stop looking at Jade. Something had caught his attention.

As she moved her head from side to side, as if looking for someone, she said something that intrigued Hemi.

" I know I felt Rika near... Come with me."

"Felt?" Hemi wondered to himself.

The two Evos got deeper into the main hall of the Zone...

"I think she is... There!" Jade pointed to an Evo in bright pink clothes. That Evo looked like if she was a cross between an Irish Setter, a Saluki or a Golden Retriever.

But Hemi was still concerned when he witnessed Jade's behavior when searching for Rika. He then turned around to face her.

"Jade, let me ask you. Is something wrong? I can see something in your eyes, my friend."

"Well..." she hesitated for a while. "I'm sorry. I know I acted somewhat weird. The thing is that..."

Jade was about to explain Hemi her situation, when all of the sudden, a voice was heard behind.

"She can't see...She is blind."

Hemi turned around to see who was talking to him. It was that female Evo in bright pink clothes.

"Hi. Mi name is Rika. Welcome to H2 112."

Hemi didn't respond as he felt concerned about Jade's handicap. The blind Border Collie noticed Hemi's concern, so she approached him, and gently wrapped her hand-paws around his face.

"It's fine. I've been like this basically all my life. It doesn't prevent me from living a normal life. You don't have to feel bad for me. Hemi, I'm able to see things that you can't imagine. I can see things that your eyes cannot. Even though I'm not able to see you, I can feel you. That's something I can't explain, but it is such a beautiful feeling." She explained while she gently caressed Hemi's face. Hemi finally understood.

Jade was not born with this defect. This was caused by an injury to her eyes during the first attack to Canis Major. This happened when she was very small. Because of this, she has had all her life to adapt to it.

Now, since we Evocanis have very sharp senses, loosing her eyesight wasn't much of a deal in the long term. As a matter of fact, other senses in her sharpened to an amazing level.

Her hearing, her sense of touch, her sense of smell and taste, somehow fused with another sense: The sixth sense. Some call it intuition, others call it instinct. In Jade's case, all her senses work together to form images of her surroundings directly on her brain. It cannot be explained with words, but it's almost like if she can see the basic shapes of what's around her.

It is not clear how she sees these shapes, but it has been proven that she can see you if you walk pass by her, she can also see obstacles and other elements of her surroundings. She can even see if you're waving at her, or performing any type of movement.

Jade can easily tell one from other also. Even if you're standing quietly meters away from her, she'll know it's you.

Since her sight is based on feeling, she is able to see other things impossible for the eye to see. She claims, and it has also been proven, that she can see feelings, as weird as it sounds. She can see these feelings as colorful shapes in her brain. She can sense them on her body, or even smell them and taste them. This could be considered as a very rare form of Synesthesia. But in Jade's case, this is somewhat intensified to the point were she is able to move around, and even seem more aware of her surroundings than any other. She walks normally, dodges objects on her way, and even stares at things. It is not until you see the scar tissue in her eyes that you know she is handicapped.

A short while after, Rika sat with Hemi in one of the comfy couches of the many living rooms of the Zone. They discussed about his interest on participating alongside the D.E Development Team.

"So you came all the way from B1?"

"Quite far from here, I know." Hemi replied. Rika stared at Hemi. Somehow she felt an air of familiarity in this dog.

"You know this is a very important decision what you're making. Tell me Hemi, how old are you?"

"Thirteen."

"Young, I see. Probably you don't remember what happened twelve years ago. Do you?" She asked very seriously.

"As a matter of fact, I do. I was only a year old, but I do have pictures in my mind of those horrific events. Those images bring nothing but a strong sense of fear and sorrow..."

"Is that the reason why you want to become part of this?"

"Somehow... yes. I lost most of my family in the last attack. The Evo that gave birth to me was one of them. Actually, my whole Sector was one of the worst affected Sectors in Canis Major. So that's one of the reasons, yes..."

Hemi seemed reluctant to talk about the past. Yet he reflected acceptance toward the subject. It didn't look like if Hemi was affected anymore, or at least he seemed to have learned to live with it. Not many of our brothers and sisters were like this. That surprised Rika. Yet again, Hemi was young, and might have forgotten the life he lived with his family prior to the incidents.

"You seem very familiar, Hemi. Have we met before?"_ _ Rika asked while curiously getting close to him.

"I get that all the time. I'm a very common type of mixed-breed." The young Black Labrador type dog replied.

"It's not only your appearance... It's your... scent..." She said while discreetly sniffing Hemi's ear. _ _"Tell me, someone else from your family made it after the attacks?"

"Yes..." Hemi replied after a deep sigh. "My father and also my mother's twin brother."

Rika felt relieved that Hemi still had some of his family members with him. After the last attack, not many were able to have such luck. Specially the ones that now live in the new Sectors, which are in majority, Evos that lost everything at that time.

"Kalem is someone that I admire greatly. He has done so much for us. And having Jake with me is like having part of my mother, Jaydeene." Hemi said, referring to his family members.

Somehow, these names seemed very familiar to Rika.

"Wait... You said Kalem, Jake and Jaydeene. These are the names of your family members?"

"Yes. Jaydeene was my mother. Jake is her twin brother. He's my uncle, and he managed to survive."

Rika couldn't believe what she was hearing. She knew these Evos. But the biggest surprise was yet to come.

_ _"And of course my father. Sorry, I forgot that you already knew Kalem. Although he likes to be called K9, these days."

"K9 is your father?!" Rika exclaimed.

Indeed. Hemi was son of the lead scientist in charge of the D.E Development Team; Captain of the D.E Cruiser as well. Rika was in shock, as she and Luke were good friends of K9 many years before the second attack. The three of them, including Jaydeene and the other Evo called Jake, trained together to become Medic Scientists. Since they dedicated there lives on helping the survivors, they got almost no time to spend together after the last attack. So even if they heard about their good friend having a son, they never had the honor of meeting him.

You couldn't help to notice that Rika was extremely happy. She gave Hemi a friendly hug.

The reason that Hemi didn't join K9 from the beginning of the D.E project was because of the simple reason that Hemi wanted to become a Medic Scientist, that way following K9's steps. Now that his training as a Medic was complete, he could join the D.E Development Team.

Moments later, after all the excitement about Hemi's arrival went over, they got to business regarding the D.E Project. There was not much to talk about since the day was about to end, but Rika gave Hemi a quick insight of how the training would commence the next cycle.

Since the training wouldn't start until next day, Hemi had time to relax, and get to know the place were he was staying for the upcoming weeks. Rika still had to run some errands, so she left the Zone for a while. Luke was out as well, so Hemi had nothing to do. Rika told Hemi that he could go check some information about the D.E Project in the Zone's Study Room.

Before leaving, Rika also mentioned something much unexpected, bet nevertheless, good news. He was actually not the only Evo that enlisted for the D.E Development Team that day...

Hemi made his way into the studio, which is a large and sound isolated room. Many shelves containing hundreds of books and visual material were available for anyone.

As he entered, he didn't notice anyone at first. Everything was in silence, but he suddenly heard someone in the far end of the room behind some shelves.

As he walked through the room, he finally got to where the sound came from. There, an Evocanis in a red outfit read a thick book apparently about the D.E Project. Hemi smiled, and immediately presented himself enthusiastically.

A black and white Siberian Husky sat on a big cushion that lied on the floor. The husky raised its sight towards Hemi and greeted in a less enthusiastic tone. It wasn't that the husky was being rude; it was more like something was bothering that Evo.

"It's good to meet you. You're not from here, are you?" That husky was clearly a female. The higher pitch and softer tone of voice made it evident.

"No. I'm from B1. I have come here to join the D.E Development Team. So I guess we will be partners from now on." Hemi smiled again.

After the greeting, Hemi sat by the female husky in a friendly matter. There was a moment of silence between both. Hemi felt like something was making her feel sad or worried. He started to bring out conversation to break the ice; something not usual in our species, since we tend to be very sociable with our own kind.

"... It was a long trip..." He said to try and keep the conversation going.

"... I guess... it's a long way from B1..." She replied without taking her sight form the book that she was reading.

There was another period of silence...

"... Very nice place... Your home... H2..." Hemi said. He paused heavily between each word to make the conversation seem longer.

While tilting his head and showing a friendly smile, he asked the female Siberian Husky her name.

The Husky answered quickly. She felt bad because she hadn't presented herself.

"I apologize, Hemi. You're trying your best to be nice with me, and I'm being all rude not following the conversation. It's just that I've been through a lot lately. My name is Hasky."

"Hasky? That is a beautiful name, for a beautiful Evocanis like you."

"That is so sweet of you." She smiled back.

"I wonder why such a cute Evo like you would look so sad." Hemi dared to ask. He couldn't help to feel that he was probably prying too much. "You don't need to tell me if you don't want. I understand..." Hemi said backing up a little.

We usually live in natural harmony with each other, rarely getting in conflict, but sometimes we just need a little space.

"No, don't worry. Maybe I need to tell you." Hasky let out a long, deep sigh. "Lately my family and I had been taking delicate decisions without thinking them thoroughly."

Hemi listened closely, as he was interested on knowing what troubled her.

"What I mean is that at one point of my life, after all what happened thirteen years ago in the second attack, and also six years before that in the first one, I feel like I've finally achieved complete peace together with the only two family members I have left. I felt like I finally reached the life that I was hopping for. Then, this D.E Project thing shows up." She placed down the book that she was reading. Looking at Hemi right in the eyes, she continued.

"Don't get me wrong, Hemi. I'm so happy about the creation of the D.Es, and I think it's the best for Canis Major. But at the end involving myself in this project means that I have to sacrifice the serenity and peacefulness that I've achieved in my life. After suffering both attacks, I really don't want to get involved in this... But at the same time... I don't know... I can't explain it. You know what I'm talking about... I feel the need to do this for the newer generations."

"But you're not obligated to. If you went through both attacks and survived together with two of your family members, the fair thing would be that you have a happy and peaceful life from now on. Even more important, is the fact that you have your family to share that life with. Do you understand what I'm telling you? Why would you leave your family here? I mean, if you really need to go, is it because you feel like you need to protect them from outside Canis Major?"

"You don't understand. My two family members are not here."

"What?" He asked confused.

"They are aboard the D.E cruiser right now..." Hasky didn't speak for a while. She was still resenting the fact that we left. "Everything happened so fast, I couldn't stop them. I had no right. They are both fully grown adults."

"Who are these two family members you're talking about?"

"They are the only thing I have... They are not only my two best friends... One of them is part of me, and I raised the other one since he was a new-born."

"Well, that changes things a little, but it's ok Hasky. They are doing this for Canis Major and that's a great thing. Also remember that the Retcans are always by our side, so nothing bad will happen to you or them. Remember another thing; we will be test subjects only. We are in charge of preparing everything to future D.E crewmembers. We won't be out in the lines. And even if we were, many safety measures are being taken so none of our brothers and sisters will get hurt when taking the duty of defending Canis Major." Hemi was trying to be as positive as he could be. Hasky felt slightly better after his words. She looked at Hemi right on his eyes, and smiled.

"You are probably right, Hemi. Maybe I'm overreacting... This is just a test. Plus, there's much that we can learn from this experience. But you understand why I'm worried, right?"

"I totally understand, my friend. And it's ok..."

At the end, Hasky, as strong as she always is, decided to take the challenge. Besides, there wasn't much of a choice if she wanted to be with us. And on the bright side, because of her experience and strength, she would prove valuable to the D.E Development Team.

After a while, Hemi and Hasky got more casual, and started chatting in a calmer manner. The worries that affected Hasky were slowly diminishing.

"So... Husky and Fx... interesting names. Can't wait to meet them."

"Yes... It's curious to mention that Husky's name was not only given because of the fact that he is a husky, but because I'm named after our breed too. And as incredible as it might sound, the Evo that was his father, was also named after another variation of the breed. So I thought it was appropriate to give him that name. Fx is another story..."

And so they spent the rest of the day together. Since Fx and I were gone, Hasky didn't have anyone to give her company that night, so she invited Hemi to stay with her. They both spent the night talking even more about themselves, and their lives in general. That helped both to ease the anxiousness...

Meanwhile at the D.E Cruiser, I was getting acquainted with my new duty as a D.E test subject. K9 showed me much that there was to see in the ship. We spent almost eight hours checking primary systems, tools and other equipment aboard the cruiser. At the end, we sat down at the bridge.

Only Fx, K9 and I remained awake late that evening. Without any notice, something strange started to happen. I started to feel really sick.

My head was spinning with a terrible migraine, my eyes were burning, and my stomach felt like it wanted to escape from my muzzle... I didn't want it to seem evident, as I was showing my full attention at K9, but the pain was almost unbearable.

K9 called it for that day, and ordered us to go to bed, since the next cycle was going to be a very busy one.

Upstairs, in the living quarters, I thought that I could sleep the sickness over. But the sickness was too much for me to handle, so I decided to check on K9 to see if he could do something to help me. I got into the medical lab and told K9. He seemed worried after feeling that I actually was burning myself down in fever.

It was one of those sicknesses in which you can't even talk. The nausea was as bad as it could get, and I was seeing little black spots all over my field of vision.

I tried all that I could to look strong in front in front of our leader. I wanted him to know that I was up for the challenge and nothing would hold me back. But I was completely destroyed. I couldn't even hold my dinner...

"... Forgive me, K9..." I apologized. I don't even remember speaking. I felt like fainting at that moment.

"Don't worry, Husky. I'll take care of this. You go and lay down on the table..."

I felt miserable, not only physically but emotionally. The coldness and hardness of the metallic table, made me feel even worst. I didn't even feel when K9 was done cleaning. The room was spinning around me...

"Hey, how're you feeling, Husky?" He asked me, gently putting his hand-paw in my head.

I felt terrible; not only because of the pain, but because of how embarrassed I was for looking vulnerable in front of our leader. But K9 didn't seem to mind at all. He was being as gentle and kind natured as any other Evocanis would be.

"Look... The nanobots are the reason why you're feeling horrible right now. They are fighting to convince your immune system that they are no threat to your body. All that fighting is causing you to feel sick. You'll be fine in a few hours, but I'll have to make sure everything is ok... I'll have to check your blood, and send some samples of it to the Retcans." K9 said while he scrambled through some odd medical supplies in a drawer. I almost didn't pay any attention to what he was saying due to the pain.

"You've officially completed your first duty as a test subject. Thanks to you, things will improve with the Nanobots, so this doesn't happen again. I know it sounds terrible what I've just said, making it sound like you're just an experiment, It's not like that I promise. The Retcans assured me that nothing bad could happen other than what you are feeling right now. Trust me, I would never inoculate one of my brothers with something if I'm not sure is safe." He was right about something; that did sound terrible.

"Not another needle..." I faintly uttered, as I noticed through the corner of my eye that K9 was approaching me, this time with a strange syringe.

"You don't seem to like needles, right?" He said while taking out some sort of test tube and attaching it to the syringe.

I can't remember exactly what happened that night, but what I can remember is that horrible sensation of having something driven in your veins.

My eyes were closed, when suddenly I felt something being rubbed into my forearm, right where some of my veins pass by. That rubbing ended in a cold and wet sensation. Medics usually recommend not to see the procedure, but the suspense of not knowing when the needle is about to strike is worst than the pain itself. So even in my almost unconscious state, I had to look...

K9 searched for one of my veins until he found one. Immediately he drove the needle through my skin. Inside me, I felt how the needle was puncturing through the vain...The horrible thing was that there was no way to hurry the procedure because the tube fills up with your own blood pressure.

Needless to say, it was an agonizing moment, as I saw how my red blood gushed into the test tube at the rhythm of my heart beat.

Finally, after the longest and most torturing thirty seconds of my life, K9 took the needle out of me. Again, I could feel the cold metal sliding out of me. As it popped out, it brought a large quantity of my precious blood with it.

Because the fur in my arms is white, you could see a large crimson stain were the procedure was made.

Even though K9 was being as gentle as he could be, it was one of the most unpleasant experiences that I've had. Add the fact that I was terribly sick.

"It's called Trypanophobia, Husky; the fear or intense distress of experiencing any medical procedure that involves needles. This is a very common phobia that most suffer from."

I didn't bother to answer. But somehow I felt that he said this so I didn't feel bad for looking like a coward in front of him.

K9 gave me some pills that completely knocked me out. It was a long day, and I was glad I could finally lay down with my brother and get some sleep...

It was a long day at Canis Major as well. Two new members were ready to embark on this important duty. It was a difficult decision, yes. But at the end, it was for the best for our species.