Changes, changes.

Wow, yet another major gap in my blogging. Though not much of blog-worthy stuff has happened, just a regular PR work now. It only changed recently…

Well, as some of you know, a while ago me and Takashi have decided together that our paths have split. He wants a different kind of life than the one he could have with me, so we’ve decided it’s better to stay friends than to let love turn into hate. It wasn’t easy, on both sides, but it was for the best.
Ever since then, Viktor was following my every step, trying to keep me smiling, doing all the small things for me and so on. I swear I didn’t even think there would be something more than a friendly care in there… Up till the moment when Vik finally took the courage to try and ask me out. I know I said many times I’m not interested in poleepkwa. I do remember that. And I still say it’s true. It’s not about the species here… it’s about Viktor. And that’s all I’m ever going to say.

From the other news: Marty and Hannah got married. Of course such marriage is not legally valid, but they’ve decided to do it nevertheless. I was a bridesmaid and I gotta say that the whole ceremony was oddly touching. Especially when I remember how scared and shy Marty was when he first got to the base.

That’s it for now.

R.I.P.

My relations with Hunter Prawn have always had a weird dynamics. I can’t even explain that. According to common sense, I should have given up on him long ago, especially after his attempt to rape me. I hated him for that, true. I rejected his apologies, I broke any contact… I thought I’ve given up.

But I just can’t hate. It’s… Hate for me is like some sort of venom in my veins, burning from the inside who I am and who I want to be. So when the time of the operation got near, I decided to try and restore contact with Hunter. If only to see, if the apologies were sincere… I’m sometimes accused of being a „model example of stockholm synrdome”. Maybe, maybe not. Yet I wanted to know. I wanted to forgive. We all realised that if we’ve had any leak during the investigation, any mistake that would hint traders what we’re up to, we’re gonna suffer heavy losses. This will sound dramatic, but if I were to die then, I didn’t want to do it harboring hate to anyone.

When I finally contacted Hunter, I learned that many things have changed since my last chat with him. He and his cult followers got in some deep shit, most of them dead and the survivors have left him. Hunter himself was crippled, saying that wound doesn’t heal. Call me stupid, but I won’t let anyone die just like that. It took me a while to argue out a rescue mission from South African ARFA. I had to use all the influence I have… but finally they agreed to track him down and send a rescue unit. Short before the trade takedown I got the information, that Hunter’s been recovered and taken to the hospital.

I didn’t have time to check up any news on him for the next few days, because of all the commotion our operation has caused. So I didn’t know a thing, until I got a message from Tanukashi’s medical complex, that Hunter’s been moved to their clinic. It struck me then, that things must be really bad… I went to NY on the first chance I’ve got.

I’ve barely stepped through the entrance, when Ace came up to me… Right, Ace. I don’t know what name has been assigned for him, everyone in the R&D complex just call him Ace. He’s one of the „elders” that work for Tanukashi and he’s been sort of my doctor ever since that nanite infection got discovered. Anyways, he was the one to meet me when I got to the lab/clinic door. He wanted to prepare me… Basically he told me that Hunter was dying. His systems were failing and not even nanites could stop that process now. Even poleepkwan regeneration has its limits, and Hunter used them all up…
Now that I think of it, Ace was one of the few people who’ve never commented about my complicated relations with Hunter.

Hunter was sleeping, when I entered his room. I knocked on the doorframe, ready to leave if he didn’t wake up. He did, looking at me surprised.
- Heh. Well, you caught me by surprise.
I leaned on the wall, keeping his distance. I guess I was still afraid of him.
- I’ve just got here… How are you doing?
- So did I. Well, if 3 days counts as “just”. – he started coughing violently – Not too good, as you can see.
He coughed something up, from the distance I didn’t see… and I didn’t really want to see what it was. I noticed a bandaged stub of his arm. It must have shown on my face, as Hunter wriggled it a bit.
- Yep. Doctor says he’s seen nothing like it. My body’s just…quitting.
I took a step closer, before the common sense stopped my urge to hug him.
- Shit… I… Sorry to hear it.
- Surprised it didn’t happen sooner, frankly. I’ve had shit like this coming to me.
I lost my speech for a moment. Hunter does… did have that effect on me.
- I don’t know what to say… As usual when it comes to you…
He gave me a very meaningful look.
- …we could make out.
I lost my speech again, unsure whether to laugh or feel outraged.
- You never give up, eh?
Hunter just laughed. I could only shake my head.
- You’re impossible, Sq’awx.
- I guess I am. Surprised you kept a straight face, though. For a second there, you looked like you’d actually do it… – his laughter turned into violent cough again. I forgot my concerns, running up to his bed.
- Should I call a doctor?
- No, no, no. I’m fine, I’m fine. – His eyes widened as he gasped for breath – …Actually… I think that’d be a good idea…
I ran out to the hall, getting the nearest nurse to call a doctor. When I got back to his side, Hunter was still coughing, until he eventually managed to spit something out.
- Fok! Tell me that’s not more of it!
- More of what? – I asked out of the reflex, pretty sure I don’t want to know.
- My lung tissue. I’ve been chucking that up since this morning. – He tried to calm his breath – It was my small intestines the first day, some muscle tissue the second day, a few nerves and lymph the day after that…
Out of the reflex, I took his hand. He looked up, into my eyes.
- I’m falling apart. These things have kept me alive for so long, and now they’re failing me.
What was I supposed to say? That I knew he’s dying? I felt a tear running down.
- Yes, I know. The doctors told me…
At that moment the door opened and some medical personell came in. I was asked to leave the room…

I’m not sure how many time passed before I could go in again. Hunter was lying there, black blood staining his bedsheets, with a listless look in his eyes. His breath was slow and heavy. He didn’t react when I took his hand. I touched his head.
- Sq’awx?
He didn’t look at me.
- Did I tell you about the stars I saw?
My throat got tight and I could hear my voice shake.
- I think you did one time… But I’ll listen.
- It’s like… it’s like Heaven. All those stars, all shapes and sizes and colors, out into… into…
I nearly whispered as my voice kept breaking.
- Into what?
He turned his head to me, suddenly looking very old and very tired.
- I’ve been a monster. I’ve been nothing to you but a sick monster. I’ve done shit that would leave you running. I’ve torn apart whole lives, whole families, for a quick buck. I’ve done horrid shit to you too.
He covered his face with the good hand. I took it, making him look at me again.
- I don’t think you’re a monster…
Surprising as it may seem, it was as true as can be. Hunter looked at me with wide eyes.
- How don’t you?! I would’ve RAPED you, child! I would’ve commited one of the most despicable things a creature can DO!
- I still dont. I’ve hated you for a moment, true. But…
- You don’t even know why, do you? You’ve been worrying on all this time, thinking I just needed a mommy to hold my hand. But the truth is, all the things I’ve done are not going to… – he broke and rested his head on the pillow, gasping for breath – to… to…
I squeezed his hand.
- To what?
- … to… help… me…
Hunter turned to me again, his eyes were wide with fear. I touched his head, trying to give him at least a bit of comfort. I could feel tears running down my face.
- Shh… calm down, Sq’awx.
He took a deep breath.
- M-Maria… I’m… Forgive me.
I took all of my willpower not to start crying loud.
- I already did, Sq’awx. I already did…
His breath was getting slower and slower. I could barely hear, when he said „Thanks”. Seconds later, his eyes closed and his motionless hand slipped off my fingers. He was dead.

A while later the door opened again. They must have gotten a signal he’s dead from all that medical equipment… Ace was with them, I felt his hand on my shoulder. I just patted it, shook my head and walked away. I wasn’t really in the mood to talk.

I just hope Sq’awx is finally happy, wherever he is…

In the dark of the night…

Wow. It’s been a while. I’ve totally neglected this blog, but I had quite a bit to do. Troubles of all kinds, as usual.

Anyways, I gotta write now. My own point of view, as a person who’s been there from the start. I know it’s been all over the news, but there’s more to it than just a spectacular operation…

Anyways, from the start.

I got first informations about new trade when I found Marty Spark – a scared, lost poleepkwa that managed to escape from one of their „bases”. Ever since then, ARFA was running its own investigation, figuring out the locations, smuggling routes, load points ect. Last night it wasn’t only trade HQ that went down. There were many, many other operations… Of course we wouldn’t manage that on our own. Hopefully I managed to convince Tanukashi to help – technically poleepkwa are still their „property”. They had every right to ask law enforcement services to help them retrieve what’s been „stolen”. And with a bit of work, we managed to get ARFA involved alongside the police. After all, we had all the intel and experience with aliens.

Operation got sped up after Marty and Solomon got kidnapped. Security footage showed what happened. Kurt abused our trust and wasted a chance he’s been given. Somehow he managed to lure Marty out to the garage, where he got tased and locked in the truck. Solomon, being an accidental witness, got kidnapped too.

Ever since then, we’ve been working like crazy, getting whole ARFA on full alert, completing teams, even getting some people from South American, European and Russian bases as a support. I must say, law enforcement guys were pretty surprised how well organised and informed we are.

The trade HQ was located several miles outside Los Angeles. Several warehouses, one 10 floor office building… everything surrounded with a solid steel fence and some visible surveillance here and there.

I was supposed to stay behind in the command center (a big-ass truck), alongside Commander, Paul and police coordinators, and enter any combat only if absolutely necessary. My real job there was to deal with any press and bystanders that were sure to appear.
Red, Viktor and Alexander were in combat teams, Shawn, who got here from Japan merely hours before operation, managed to convince the SWAT team to take him with them. Kris offered his help in taking down the power grid (including security cameras), apparently having some good deal of saboteur knowledge.

Contrary to what most media say, the operation didn’t started at 5 AM. In fact, it was good 4 hours earlier as we were set and ready, and teams moved out at 3.30 AM. Right after Kris (I guess it was him), turned out the power and support cut the entry holes within fence. Except SWAT, who were going from the top of the office, and therefore used the helicopter.

From what I knew, teams moved in pitch black, using a night vision goggles. I was sitting with headphones on my ears, tracking team movements on the screen. Funny how the perspective changes, if someone you know is in the team. Alpha team was where Red and Alexander were, Viktor went with Delta. My heart stopped for a second each time I heard one of those over our communication lines. Yeah, I was worried as hell. One of the coordinators must have seen that, as he just pat my shoulder in an universal „it’s gonna be OK” gesture. It was nice of him, but nonetheless, minutes felt like ages. I was mostly listening. The orders were from Jake, coordinators or team commanders, I did not comment, even though I was tempted to sometimes. But I was just listening and looking at the screen… Listening to reports, to intel given between teams, to any information appearing on our lines…

The operation was going quite smooth. Apparently the traders didn’t know what hit them. The ringleader, woman known as Venue Val, was trying to make a desperate escape from the office building. Some time later I heard some triumphant yell, I recognized Shawn’s voice. He got scolded by SWAT leader instantly, but actually reports weren’t needed then. The victory cry said it all – they got her. Venue Val was captured. Several people from her security was injured or killed, three of the SWAT injured. They were going to evacuate back to the roof, getting traders and injured to the helicopter. I switched the line to Delta Team. They’ve had several injured, but all seemed well. They were moving through one of the warehouses, that was turned into a „sleeping room” for poleepkwan slaves, taking down the „security” there. I switched to Alpha. They moved through another warehouse, also used as slave quarters. From what I heard of reports, the warehouse was clear. Most of hostiles arrested, a few killed. Several of ours injured, one poleepkwa got it quite bad and got evacuated to our field hospital.

Out of the sudden I hear Red’s voice in the headphones. He cursed in Polish, I heard in his voice he’s pretty shocked. I joined the line.
- What’s going on Red?
He didn’t reply, but as he left his mic on, I’ve heard some noise and then, a bit muffled, some talking.
- C’mon kid, look at me…
I heard a faint squeal in the background and understood the reason why was he so upset. Red kept talking, his voice changed a bit, like from strain.
- Marty, look at me. Don’t… don’t struggle, it’s okay now… It’s okay…
I tried again.
- Red! Red, what is it? How is he?
This time my brother replied.
- He… he’s alive but… this doesn’t look good… I’m getting him out of here, let med guys know.
- Roger that, Red.
I’m surprised my voice didn’t shake. I switched the line, told the hospital to await a nonhuman patient and threw the headphones on the table, running out the truck.

Red was carrying Marty out of the building, escorted by Alexander and some human I didn’t know. He put him at the stretcher medical team provided. Marty was barely lucid. It really didn’t look good. He was dirty, his clothes were gone, and what was worst, in addition to new cracks and bruises, he had that empty look of cat food addict. All of his addiction recovery, all our work to get Marty safe, to help him adapt in a new enviroment… all the trust we gained – wasted. At that moment I wished I could just shoot someone. Could be Venue Val, could be Kurt… any of those who did that would suffice. Instead I just took a deep breath and walked along the stretcher, trying to calm Marty.

Some time later, the press started to come. I guess you’ve all seen the official statements from Tanukashi, ARFA and all the law enforcement services involved, as well as the footage of the cuffed trade members, being lead to the police cars. Most of you probably didn’t notice a small scene at the background, a scene that made my heart feel warm. Marty, leaned on Red’s shoulder, observing the bad guys getting arrested. Red did the best thing possible. Showing Marty (and many other abused poleepkwa) that traders will get their punishment should help him recover after all he’s been through.

That’s it I think.

Ask Red, Viktor or Shawn for combat based details. Or Alexander, if you manage to get him off the kitchen…