《The Pawn》


 Prologue

    "What great irony, from hero to traitor. How does it feel to be exposed, no longer shielded by the identity of Orion Voss? Your planet lies in ruins, and what little remains is now under our control. Your betrayals did nothing to change your planet''s fate, only burning bridges." Her voice was hoarse, a discordant melody to Bryce''s ears. In the past, they had shared chemistry, often exchanging banter.


    Bryce remembered when they visited the north sector for the first time. She was not used to the snow, and on their day off, she begged him to accompany her into town where they sold handmade dolls. All the other troops were sleeping, and he knew that she had asked him last. They were still on relatively unfriendly terms, but she began tolerating him more at this point.


    ¡°How could you force a delicate woman like me to walk alone?¡± Bryce had scoffed. ¡°I didn¡¯t know weapons could feel fear.¡± If she wanted, she could wipe out a squad without breaking a sweat. She pouted at his comment.


    ¡°I will give you one honorary favor.¡± Bryce grinned, knowing that this was a big deal. She never gave out favors; those dolls must be really important. Suddenly, he remembered his younger sister back home. Julia might want a doll; this isn¡¯t a bad exchange. ¡°Deal.¡±


    She grinned and led the way towards the shop. Fast walking due to her excitement, she slipped and fell on her bottom. Embarrassed, she quickly got up and slipped again. Bryce couldn¡¯t hold back his laughter. ¡°The great ice queen has a weakness¡ªice. How fitting.¡±


    Slowly, she stood up without saying a word and continued towards the shop. Her ears were bright red, something Bryce hadn¡¯t noticed before. Bryce felt something sprout within him that day; something warm and unfamiliar. He became more aware of her from that point on, and little things she did became endearing, the warmth growing.


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    Now, that warmth had been extinguished by the revelation of her role in the assault on Brightington, his beloved hometown.


    The siege, meticulously timed, brought an end to the war but unveiled Bryce as a spy. His files were seized, leading to his immediate arrest. Bryce hadn''t had the chance to check on his family''s fate, his thoughts in turmoil. Images flashed of the scene he witnessed on the monitor: women and children running away from the onslaught, their screams piercing through the transmitter. Neighbors and friends shot down, buildings he knew from childhood blown to bits, unrecognizable. The place from his memories was no more; Brightington had fallen.


    Behind bars, he remained silent, offering no reaction. The evening light filtered through the misshapen window, casting a gentle glow on Bryce''s unruly blonde hair.


    "Even with such untamed hair, you look striking. I understand why they sent you to deceive me,¡± she said, stepping closer, her tone cutting through the silence. The corner of Bryce''s mouth twitched. She seemed to have a preconceived notion about his intentions, but he didn''t bother to correct her.


    ¡°You are such a bad man. Why did I ever let you into my heart?¡± Her voice quivered, holding back tears. ¡°Maybe if we were born on the same side, our fate would have been different. This may have been naive on my part, but I always imagined you proposing to me at the awards banquet in celebration of the war ending. A silly thought now, I know.¡± She took another shaky breath and let out a self-deprecating laugh. ¡°We would have a parrot named Groover after that drone you crashed on the first day of training. I do not know why you kept that broken drone in your room for so long, insisting that you could fix that broken hunk of junk. If it were me, I would have tossed it the moment it became defective.¡±


    With a weary sigh, Bryce shifted his weight, facing the shadowed corner of his cell. The heavy chain on his leg scraped against the grimy floor, the metallic rattle echoing in the prison''s stillness. Sensing that she would not get a single word out of him, she shook her head solemnly. As her footsteps faded, Bryce gazed at the cracks on the wall, pondering the twists of fate that had led him astray.

 Chapter 1

    Five years earlier, Bryce Mov had worked as a communications officer for a small fleet on planet Vecarro. He had recently graduated from Baro Military Academy, a decent mid-ranking school outside the capital of Dralon. Bryce had fluffy blonde hair, light blue eyes, twenty-three years old, and possessed a face that made people want to trust him. His body was lean and slightly muscular from his training days at the military academy.


    A few years back, Bryce''s father, Arthur, was injured on the front lines during the war and lost both his legs. Thankfully, a soldier close by was able to drag Arthur to safety and stop major bleeding. While Bryce''s younger sister, Julia, finished school, she acted as a temporary caretaker for their father, while Bryce worked as the primary earner. Today, Bryce received a message from Julia that his father did not have any night terrors last night. This was a first, as he had been having them since he came home. This had been hard on his father''s health and had also caused Julia to lose a lot of sleep. Bryce was in a good mood as he clocked into work. Heading straight to his office corner, someone was already inside.


    This was a strange sight; no one visited him this early in the morning without calling first. As he entered the room, the man''s face came into view. A huge scar streaked across his mouth, and his hair was buzzed, highlighting the sharp features of his face. The man observed Bryce as well, looking him up and down. Finally, after a long silence, he nodded and said, ¡°I¡¯m Frank Morall. I was sent by General Brobit.¡± Bryce shook his hand, ¡°Nice to meet you, Mr. Morall. I am Bryce Mov.¡± Looking back down at his clipboard with a serious expression, he sighed. ¡°You might want to sit down for this.¡± Bryce nodded and sat in the chair across from Frank. ¡°You are being transferred.¡± Bryce''s eyes widened. He hadn¡¯t worked for more than a year at this location and was already being transferred. ¡°Where am I being transferred to?¡±


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    Frank¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°We were looking through soldiers'' profiles and came across yours that fits the image that we need.¡± Bryce stared blankly, unaware of where this was heading. ¡°To put it simply, we need you to work as a spy for us.¡± Bryce''s mouth hung open, heart thumping loudly. ¡°We got word that one of our units was able to capture a person known as Orion Voss.¡± Frank handed him a file.


    It was Orion¡¯s profile, his picture clipped to the corner looking eerily similar to him. His information stated that he was a new graduate of Nolo Academy, an elite academy for rich kids on the enemy planet Aitania. Orion was twenty-one years old and in the process of getting a position with the new team called Jonado, run by Captain Bing. ¡°I want you to get a position on that team as Orion,¡± Frank handed him some more documents. ¡°If you decline this offer, let us just say that you will no longer be employable on this planet.¡± Bryce felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as he scanned the document.

 Chapter 2

    Orion Voss, twenty-two years old, has no parents and a large inheritance. Described as a playboy, he often goes out to party. Despite their somewhat similar appearance, Bryce and Orion were nothing alike.


    Vecarroes and Aitanian people had noticeable differences, each uniquely shaped by their respective planets. Vecarroes tended to be lankier, with sharper facial features, and had an enhanced sense of smell and touch. The most distinctive trait, however, was their bioluminescent teeth and eyes, which glowed in the dark. This unique adaptation was a result of Vecarro¡¯s generally dark environment; low light levels necessitated the development of glowing teeth and eyes to see and communicate nonverbally by flashing light signals. Vecarroan society had even created a complex system of signals, turning their glowing smiles and eyes into a subtle yet powerful language of its own.


    On the other hand, Aitanians'' most standout trait was their large feet, specifically adapted for their marsh-covered planet to prevent sinking and ankle injuries. They weren¡¯t particularly tall, and their disproportionately large feet often gave them an unusual appearance in Bryce¡¯s eyes. Orion Voss, for instance, had a shoe size of seventeen as outlined in the report, while Bryce''s was no more than twelve, a noticeable difference.


    Another key physical difference was their skin, which had a slight sheen, resistant to the constant moisture, preventing infections common in swampy conditions. Since Vecarroes were more dry and dusty, they didn¡¯t have any shine.


    Aitanians were skilled in water-based activities, with homes built on stilts and floating gardens, reflecting their deep connection with their aquatic surroundings. Aitanian society placed a high value on resilience and community, necessary traits for thriving on their planet.


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    In contrast, Vecarroan society had evolved to prioritize stealth and efficiency. Their homes and cities were designed to conserve light and energy, using technology optimized for low-light conditions. The Vecarroes valued quietness and subtlety, traits essential for survival in their dimly lit world. These differences weren¡¯t just physical but deeply ingrained in their cultures, influencing their daily lives, communication, and even military strategies.


    For Bryce, these stark differences presented numerous challenges. Not only did he need to adapt to the physical traits of an Aitanian, but he also had to immerse himself in their cultural habits and societal norms, all while maintaining his cover as Orion Voss. This mission was more than just a test of espionage skills; it was a plunge into an entirely different way of life.


    Frank explained to Bryce that there wouldn¡¯t be any issue blending in, as they had already planned some workarounds. First, he could minimize the glowing of his teeth with a solution agent their lab manufactured. As for the shoe size, Bryce could use specially designed insoles or customized footwear to increase his shoe size, making his feet appear larger to match Orion¡¯s size seventeen. As for his glowing eyes, he could simply wear contacts. The skin could be mimicked by taking Xeon pills made by the planet Trovi, which admired the shiny skin of the Aitanian people.


    Bryce felt there were many holes in this plan, but Frank reassured him, ¡°We will do our best in giving you the most advanced support possible on this mission. I know this is very last minute, and you have not been trained in any sort of infiltration tactics, but we can¡¯t miss this opportunity. You needn¡¯t be worried, and I will be right by your side.¡± Frank smiled to ease Bryce¡¯s worries, but it was more threatening if anything.


    Bryce smiled back politely and reluctantly agreed to the mission. ¡°Good. You¡¯ll get a call soon from the holding area of Orion Voss. You will make an appointment with them in order to meet with Orion and get a better idea of who exactly you¡¯ll be impersonating these next few years.¡± Frank handed Bryce a few more papers and said his goodbyes. Bryce stared at the door, devoid of any expression. A small voice crept up in the back of his head yelling at him to run; he should have listened.

 Chapter 3

    Upon returning home, his sister Julia greeted him happily and handed him a piece of paper. It was her most recent report card. ¡°Look, what did I say? All 100s.¡±


    Julia was a bright student, and Bryce loved to brag about her to his coworkers, saying, ¡°Once Julia is in the workforce, I¡¯ll quit my job and take care of my father.¡± He had the utmost trust that she would do well in the future and that he could depend on her.


    Snapping out of his daze, he praised her, ¡°That''s amazing! I¡¯ll definitely cook something good tonight to celebrate.¡± She did a little spin and an exaggerated bow. ¡°Why, thank you, good sir,¡± she said with a smirk.


    Bryce shook his head and greeted his father, who was watching an old rerun on the couch. ¡°I¡¯m home,¡± he said lightly, trying not to trigger his father''s PTSD. His father slowly turned his head, nodded, and returned to his show.


    Bryce glanced at the television screen, which depicted a heartbreaking scene between a couple saying their goodbyes as the boyfriend was deployed to war. Tearing his eyes away, Bryce headed into the kitchen to make dinner. He was clumsier than usual, his mind preoccupied with how to bring up the job transfer to his family. He couldn''t detail the mission but could reveal he¡¯d be gone for up to five years. Bryce had never been away from his family for more than a month, making this news shocking.


    After dropping the pan for the third time, Julia peered into the kitchen. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± she asked worriedly.


    ¡°Nothing. Could you help me set up the table? I have something to talk to you and Dad about.¡± Julia nodded and set up the table as Bryce sighed, trying to figure out how to break the news.


    Julia wheeled their father over to the table, who did not look too happy about eating away from his show. Bryce gave him an apologetic nod. His father gruffed in response. ¡°Let¡¯s eat first; I don¡¯t want the food to get cold,¡± Bryce said, stalling. They ate in silence, the only noise being the television''s soft sobs of a woman. Bryce could not taste anything, feeling sick with guilt.


    Julia spoke first, ¡°What is it that you have to tell us? You are making me nervous by dragging this out. Is it bad?¡±


    Bryce put down his utensils, took a deep breath, and cleared his throat. ¡°I have been transferred. Not by choice, but I¡¯ll be away for some time.¡± Bryce paused to let them digest this. ¡°For how long?¡± his father asked dryly.


    ¡°They said no longer than five years.¡±


    Julia shot up from the table. ¡°Five years?! You have to be kidding me!¡± She was enraged. Bryce covered his face with his hands, resting his elbows on the table. Julia started pacing and asked, ¡°What kind of job are they making you do? Is it dangerous?¡±


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    Bryce remained quiet, not wanting to reveal how dangerous the job could be. His father patted his shoulder, the first time since his accident. Tears welled up in Bryce''s eyes. ¡°I am sorry¡­¡± he choked out. Julia hugged him from the side and sighed quietly. ¡°Just be safe,¡± she said with grief.


    A vibrating sound came from Bryce¡¯s pocket, an unknown number, most likely the person Frank was talking about. Shakily standing up, he said, ¡°I have to take this.¡±


    Stepping into his room, he clicked the accept button. ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°This is Lorris. I work with Frank, and you have an appointment at the penitentiary for Orion Voss.¡± Bryce confirmed. ¡°Are you available tomorrow at 9 a.m.? We can give you thirty minutes max and a car will be waiting for you afterward, where you will meet with Frank.¡±


    Bryce checked his calendar. Tomorrow he was supposed to take the day off for his sister''s final track meet. He sighed, hating to break promises, ¡°Can we meet another time?¡± He could hear Lorris typing swiftly on her keyboard. ¡°The only other open spot is at 2 p.m. tomorrow. Does that work?¡± Bryce hoped that she would have slots for another day but it seemed that Frank wanted to work more quickly than he originally had thought. ¡°I¡¯ll just do the 9 a.m. slot.¡± He hoped to get it over with as fast as possible and at least make the awards ceremony.


    The call ended, and he heard retreating footsteps. Julia had been eavesdropping, which didn''t surprise him. Entering the dining room, Julia was clearing plates and putting leftovers into containers.


    ¡°I got a call from work. They need me to go in at 9 a.m. tomorrow.¡± Julia nodded silently and kept busy. His dad was already dozing off by the television. Bryce smiled at the illusion of normalcy and started helping Julia with the dishes.


    "Are you going to miss my track meet tomorrow?" Julia knew the answer but wanted to hear it from Bryce himself.


    "I¡¯ll try to make the awards ceremony but I can¡¯t make any promises. Sorry- I am such a terrible brother."


    Julia huffed and said, "Stop apologizing. It¡¯s this good-for-nothing war that''s the problem! We clearly are not going to win with how few resources and technology we have compared to the other side. This war has ruined our family, and now they¡¯re taking you too. It is not fair." She poured out her grievances.


    The war between Vecarro and Aitania had lasted seven years. Vecarro struggled to get resources as more planets sided with Aitania. By the third year, Vecarroan citizens called for an end to the war, but they were quickly silenced. No one dared to publicly oppose the war since then, but behind closed doors, everyone agreed it was as good as over.


    "Perhaps the tides will turn?" Bryce said lightly. "What if the government has a master plan to reveal soon?"


    Julia laughed and elbowed Bryce¡¯s side, clearly taking it as a joke. "Let¡¯s just finish these dishes. I have to put Dad to bed." Bryce nodded, also tired and wanting to end this disastrous day.


    "Inmate 296B, you will have a visitor tomorrow morning. Behave." A prison guard knocked on Orion''s cell bars, making a loud clanging sound and waking Orion from his unpleasant sleep.


    "Lovely, can they take me out of this shithole?" he said with a forced grin, annoyed about being woken up.


    "Prepare 296B for more community service in the yard," the prison guard said into his walkie-talkie.


    "Crap," Orion covered his body with his thin blanket, in a more foul mood. "Damn Vecarroes."