Author's note: Helios’ undercover name is “Odysseus” and that is what the other Brekkens will call him. "Arrowhead" is his comm codename. However, for all intents and purposes, the “omniscient narrator” and Cara will still refer to him as “Helios.” Again, this story belongs to me - please do not reproduce without my permission or claim it as your own work.
Constructive feedback is always appreciated. :D

Orion Guardians, Inc. (Location classified)

“Will they be okay? What if they get caught?" Aiden worriedly muttered under his breath.

He was staring intently at the viewscreens before him, one with Cara’s point of view and the other with Helios’. "Those guards looked like they mean business with all those muscles and guns and stuff. I knew I should have worked harder at finishing the full-body defense cloaks. What if they die because of me? Or get seriously maimed or something?” He rubbed his face. “I have a bad feeling about all of this... ”

Dr. Zen chuckled as he laid a fatherly hand on Aiden’s shoulder. “My dear boy, one of the lessons I learned when I started this job was that once the agents leave the base, it’s out of our hands. Everything is up to them. We’d like to think that we scientists and inventors are the ones that keep them safe and bring them home, but in the end, it often comes down to their instincts and training. They come up against all sorts of crazy scenarios, Aiden, that we can’t possibly begin to imagine or prepare for. So, our job is just to...to give them a hand in a way, and then sit back and watch them shine.”

Aiden still looked a little puzzled and uneasy. “Yeah…I guess that makes sense…but it’s easier said than done." He looked down at the desk. "I...I had a nightmare last night that one of my inventions failed just when Helios and Cara needed it the most, and then they got captured. I couldn't sleep after that." He looked back up at Dr. Zen. "So...I guess it’s going to take me a while to become like you, Doctor.”

Dr. Zen smiled, which looked a little strange on his reptilian face, and said cheerfully,“Don’t worry, Aiden, you have all the time in the world. Now, where is that android friend of yours? We have to prepare for the next mission. ”

“The next mission, Doctor? But they’re not even done with this one…”

“Optimism, my boy, is the key to getting through the day. Especially in this line of work.”

Brekken Military Base, Terra V

The General’s dining hall was intimidating in size with a high arched ceiling and Brekken war carvings on the wall depicting great warriors and battles of old. The room was dark in color and décor, much like the rest of the base. A large black marble table surrounded by imposing stone chairs dominated the room.

Helios raised an eyebrow at the various wax candles flickering from their perches around the room. “A little outdated, don’t you think? And a bit of a fire hazard.”

The General smiled, her red lips parting seductively. “I like the ambience. And it relaxes me after a day of unifying the galaxy in the cause of the Brekken Empire.”

“The Brekken rebels would call it pillaging and plundering.”

“Short-sighted ingrates. I hope you’re not one of them. That would be a great pity." She looked at him sideways, the light reflecting in her gaze. "Please sit down. My slaves have put together a meal for us. It’s not as good as the galactic feast I shared with your father thirteen years ago at the peace talks, but it provides sufficient nourishment.”

“Little good those peace talks did,” Helios said quietly as he sat down, careful not to begin the meal before the General did as was customary.

“Only because the Galactic Alliance refused to recognize the Brekken Empire and her right to the bordering territories…if they had, the universe would be at peace now. Until the Galactic Alliance agrees to a new, revised treaty, we’ll simply take what is ours.” She sat down as well before signaling a slave to pour the Bergha wine.

“That will never happen, of course.”

“Then it’s up to us to bring peace to the chaos. A toast,” She raised her crystal glass, and Helios did the same. “To…new alliances.” They drank, and the meal began.

When they were finished, the General leaned back in her chair as the slaves cleared the table and looked at Helios, her eyes glittering and her finger making a low hum as she traced the edge of her goblet. “So...what is this information you risked your life to bring me?”

Helios raised an eyebrow. “Risked my life? Hardly, General.”

She laughed, deep and throaty, and leaned back in her chair. “You have no idea, Odysseus. You have no idea.”

Cara paced back and forth, feeling the room close in around her. She sank into one of the chairs, and glared at the door. She could hear the guards talking outside with each other. Their laughter grated on her nerves. Figures that a military base would have thin walls and thin doors in their guest quarters. Guess privacy isn’t exactly top priority in this section. Well, if Helios doesn’t want me to leave the room, fine. But he didn’t say anything about eavesdropping on the guards, so... Cara snuck over to the door and quietly pressed her ear to the door, listening carefully…

“-- hear about Colonel Thor? It seems he's actually a double agent for the Outcasters. ”

“Really? I thought he was up for a commendation and another promotion. ”

“Yeah, it’s always the ones you least suspect." Pause. "So what do you think about this Odysseus? Think he’s trustworthy? Kinda shifty eyes if you ask me...”

“I don’t know. He seemed really protective of that slave of his. He might be up to something. ”

“If he is, his slave is in on it. Did you see the fire in her eyes? Such insolence in a slave…”

“Personally, I like a little fire in my female slaves. Makes things more...interesting.” Ribald laughter filtered through the door.

“How long do you think we’re going to have to stand here? My mistress threatened to bring me before the Elders if I came home late again...the witch...”

“You can tell her that while you’re on the job, the General is your mistress. And speaking of which, I think we might be here a while. Did you see the way she looked at Odysseus? This might take all night...”

“You don’t suppose we could sneak off and get a quick bite to eat, do you? I’ve been on duty all day.”

“Probably. The lock’s activated, and if we make it fast, the Captain won’t even know we’ve been gone.”

“All right then, let’s go. We’ll tell the sentry to check on the room when he makes his rounds, just in case. He owes me a favor.” The sound of echoing footsteps faded down the hallway.

Cara smirked and moved away from the door. She ran her hand along the wall until she came to one of the panels. It took some prying, but the panel eventually came off with some coaxing, revealing many wires and flashing lights. Thank goodness for that technical seminar Harkow made us all take. With some tampering and rearranging, she heard the locking mechanism deactivate with a loud click. She smiled, and pushed the door open a crack. Seeing the coast was clear, she carefully snuck out.

Time to do some snooping. I’ll be back before Helios returns – he’ll never even know that I left the room.