Capítulo tres:
Pedro De Mendoza: Serpiente y fundadora.
December the 28th, 2040: Washington DC.
Companion Embassy.
“A job interview hunny, that’s the term for it” Rose murmur, her hands tightened on her husbands arm as she gazed into the ancient, yet oddly youthful eyes of the Companion. -He’s putting us both on the spot, but doing it in a way that allows us to refuse as a couple without risking our careers?- And it would have been suicide to refuse a job offer from the Companions in this political climate. Especially for her, she realized, working as a lawyer for Doors international tethered to the Taelons if her husband refused, without a very “public” show of deference from Da’an even she wouldn’t be safe from the fallout. The Companion was giving them that, by putting them in a position where they could explain their reasoning and do so as a family. Of course, that didn’t give them a complete shield from retribution. She’d heard the stories; it was akin to the bad old days before the war where if you went against the old social justice narratives you ran the risk of having your bank accounts shut down after you were unceremoniously fired. Things were different now, she told herself, it was illegal to close a person’s bank account or deny them a mortgage or seize their assets based off politics. But the Companions transcended politics, as did Johnathan Doors and it was hard to tell which among them was the greater power. -Would he protect me if my Billy refuses? - She thought. Sandoval’s eyes were harsh, they seemed to sense her nervousness and Rosanna Boone steadied herself. -She doesn’t like me, but its not hate, it’s like she’s sad. - There was something wrong with that woman. William Boone stepped forward, his mind was swimming with questions, his eyes flickering with the gravity of this. Like his wife, William Boone was also considering the consequences of refusal, how badly the department would react, how badly everyone would. But he was also thinking of the consequences of acceptance. For years, William Boone heard stories about those who accepted employment with the Companions, whereas people like Captain Marquette tended to remain public, remain with their families it was the protectors who seemed to become almost total recluses. As if, serving the Companions had consume their entire lives, he’d read up on the silly conspiracy boards too and mostly dismissed it except one thing now rang out in his mind. -Companion Protectors enter the service and lose their souls-, Sandoval’s body language, her reactions, her facial ticks all felt off. Admittedly, the Detective had no idea if he was merely being paranoid or not. A couple days with someone a decade ago was not enough to form a total psychological profile, but Boone’s instincts were seldom wrong. Sandoval’s bloody form firing that, thing kept repeating over in his head and it formed a pit in his stomach.
The world was silent, his wife squeezed his shoulder again and he could see it in her eyes, she realized what Da’an had done and it made him really annoyed at the being, but also continued to add to his respect of the creature before him. -It could just as easily have strong armed us, or asked me alone, it cornered me, but it’s being deferential. – It was hard not to respect it, even when the old snake was being a total bastard. Taking a breath, Boone paced himself before he began to pull his wife from his arm only to hold her hand by his waist and step forward. “Da’an, we stood beside each other in battle. However brief, in that moment I learned a lot about you, enough to know you’re one of the most dangerous beings I’ve ever met, but also the wisest”
Something tugged at the corner of the Companion’s mouth, it wasn’t quite a smile, it wasn’t quite a sneer, it wasn’t quite hostile, quite cold, it wasn’t quite warm or friendly either. It was all of the above and when Sandoval moved as if she was going to speak, Da’an raised its hand. “Is that not presumption? To claim you can view the totality of one’s being based upon a brief interaction”
“It would be the height of presumption had I indeed said such a thing” Boone responded with a look that said -Don’t play cheap word games with me buddy, I’m married to a lawyer-. To his surprise Da’an’s mouth curled into a broad genuine smile and an odd pattern of lights seemed to flow under its skin again, this time more bright and vivid. It was very clearly enjoying this game the flicker in its eyes seemed to suggest it was apologizing for such a lame rhetorical trap. -I hate that I like this one so much- Boone thought, he barely made friends with his fellow humans this easily it made Da’an so dangerous but at the same time. Only an idiot would deny the chivalry that walked hand in hand with its cunning. “But that is not an answer” It continued, it’s left hand snaking through the air only to turn slightly as if to grab something illusive.
“No, it’s not” Boone took a breath again, centering himself. “What Agent Sandoval did was unnecessarily brutal, I also don’t like how she put herself in harm’s way to”
“The safety of the companion’s take priority over our own lives Boone! It’s no different than when you served” Sandoval’s voice was so vehement it startled Rose and made Boone uneasy and then her saw the look in her eyes and his blood chilled. -That’s not Sandoval- it was a thing that wore Sandoval’s skin and knew how to pull off a fair imitation of Sandoval, but that wasn’t Sandoval. “We both know what isn’t what you were doing though” Boone answered, slowly, digesting how thoroughly unsettling it all was. “Are you implying I was”
“Agent Sandoval”
Da’an’s tone was so light, on the surface it was so gentle. But there was so much presence in it that Boone was suddenly feeling guilty, as if he was back in school provoking a kid to act out of turn only to flinch when a teacher threw the book at him. Sandoval stepped back, something flickered in her eyes, traces of the girl he knew during the war, for a second her countenance came close to shifting and he thought he could see the real Sandoval below which made his heart pound -What happened to her?!- “You are very perceptive Detective Boone” Da’an’s voice was even, as much it clearly enjoyed the verbal sparring the moment Boone called that out the consummate professional took over and Da’an became decidedly serious. “However, you are mistaken in your implication?”
Oh, Boone thought, it caught me. Well, I knew he was clever. “Am I?”
“Agent Sandoval acted on an interpretation of her mandate, one I, admit I did not fully agree with” There was that honesty again, defusing him attempts to remain on edge. “I can’t work with people like that S..sir?”
The being’s features seemed to flush again, energy dancing under its skin. “You may call me Da’an, nor would you”
Boone raised an eyebrow “But you want me to be a protector do you not?”
“You misunderstand, William Boone. I do not wish you to be a protector I wish you to be the protector” The inflection in it’s tone caused Sandoval’s hand to twitch, something in her eyes flickered again, indignation? “What do you mean?”
“You are correct in your assertion that our reaction was, disproportionate” Da’an continued, it’s right hand now moving through the air, around him the building seemed to reciprocate whatever emotions it was feeling for its coloring suddenly grew a softer, darker hue. “in the coming weeks, months perhaps years. As we remain on your world, as we, seek to master our evolutionary course and facilitate your journey, it may become necessary to have one guiding force over our protectors. One who is, outside our circle yet bonded to it”
Now that was weird, everything about that sentence was weird. What was Da’an trying to tell him? Master our evolutionary course? Seek to facility ours? What? The fact that this info dump which may have been a library’s worth of intel(if Boone could just make sense of it) was used as segue into offering him a position comparable to a police chief was an incredible gesture of trust. One that was almost, gross in its immensity. -It’s trying to bait me, clever bastard-. This changed things though, Boone was always a soldier, always a beat cop even when he earned his shield. “I’m not political” Boone immediately regretted saying that because he had a feeling Da’an was about to get really cheeky with him.
“Nor was I, in the beginning” It smiled, its left hand weaved a harpsichord notes in the air, playing that invisible instrument that revealed so much without making a sound.
-yup, called it- “I have trouble believing that” Boone found himself smiling again and surprisingly Da’an’s façade of professionalism fell away for the briefest of seconds. “You are no fool, William Boone all soldiers are political”
-Damn, it’s good-
He shouldn’t continue to be surprised. “If you want to say no, Bill” Rose put in, her eyes were beaming with pride that he’d held his own so well, but also a myriad of other emotions concern among them. “Any business, that retaliates against you, for your integrity shall lose all Taelon patronage” Da’an cut in causing both husband and wife to gawk for a second. Whatever Da’an was, whatever it might have been, it’s committal to the Boone’s autonomy in this decision was admirable and also, curious. “Thank you” the couple murmured in unison. “One more question”
“You may ask detective Boone”
Boone hesitated, Da’an made a gesture and Sandoval remained for a second before turning and departing having lingered just long enough to voice her displeasure in a way that wasn’t insubordinate. “Will I have to do terrible things and order others to do terrible things for the Companions?” Boone asked, his eyes were focused, narrowed, his wife squeezed onto his hand like a vice, but she as well sensed the other foot about to drop and remained stoic outside of the gesture.
Da’an turned its head and Rose gasped, those faint lights that shimmered below its skin seemed to replace its skin, a brilliant figure of pure light, of blues and pinks and light purples flickered into being before them as if the question caused an intense emotional reaction, one so deep its entire being couldn’t contain it. At last, it returned to “normal” and with a sweeping motion of one hand it answered the question. “No”
“Will I have to do that for you”
Da’an smiled, it was proud of William Boone. What happened next, historians would say sealed the fate of entire galaxies. Da’an was nearly fifty thousand years old, it was a being by all accounts of immense cunning and experience, more than that it possessed wisdom. In it’s youth it had been a cleric, in its adolescence a scientist, shifting casts as it’s sire Ma’el had then its maturation it became a master of War even the mighty T’than would acknowledge as a superior and kindred spirit. In its seniority it became one of the greatest diplomas and politicians in the known universe. Knowing all this, it could have lied to Boone, or spun him a yarn about how he would do all he could to avoid that eventuality, or feign insult at the mere thought that It’s agenda might be different than that of it’s race on some level. Or that it’s loyalty to its race and its future might have compelled it to act contrary to the main plan. Or perhaps, because of its versatility in experience, it knew the only correct answer was one devoid any platitudes.
“Yes”
Boone nodded his head slowly. He looked at his wife, who looked at him, she had tears in her eyes that were unshed. Both understood the weight of this and understood it was going to bigger than either of them, both were scared but neither was willing to back down. No one had ever been so entrusted by a Companion. Whatever Da’an was, whatever its plans were, it wanted William Boone badly and that meant that Boone had to walk headfirst into the serpent's jaws.
Slowly, Boone raised his hands mimicking the gesture of greeting.
“Then I accept”
William Boone was a very good cop.
Da’an knew enough not to allow itself a triumphant smile, but to incline its head as though he was honoring a peer.
Or a worthy foe.
Boone couldn’t tell which and much as he found himself liking Da’an.
That scared the hell out of him.
Pedro De Mendoza: Serpiente y fundadora.
December the 28th, 2040: Washington DC.
Companion Embassy.
“A job interview hunny, that’s the term for it” Rose murmur, her hands tightened on her husbands arm as she gazed into the ancient, yet oddly youthful eyes of the Companion. -He’s putting us both on the spot, but doing it in a way that allows us to refuse as a couple without risking our careers?- And it would have been suicide to refuse a job offer from the Companions in this political climate. Especially for her, she realized, working as a lawyer for Doors international tethered to the Taelons if her husband refused, without a very “public” show of deference from Da’an even she wouldn’t be safe from the fallout. The Companion was giving them that, by putting them in a position where they could explain their reasoning and do so as a family. Of course, that didn’t give them a complete shield from retribution. She’d heard the stories; it was akin to the bad old days before the war where if you went against the old social justice narratives you ran the risk of having your bank accounts shut down after you were unceremoniously fired. Things were different now, she told herself, it was illegal to close a person’s bank account or deny them a mortgage or seize their assets based off politics. But the Companions transcended politics, as did Johnathan Doors and it was hard to tell which among them was the greater power. -Would he protect me if my Billy refuses? - She thought. Sandoval’s eyes were harsh, they seemed to sense her nervousness and Rosanna Boone steadied herself. -She doesn’t like me, but its not hate, it’s like she’s sad. - There was something wrong with that woman. William Boone stepped forward, his mind was swimming with questions, his eyes flickering with the gravity of this. Like his wife, William Boone was also considering the consequences of refusal, how badly the department would react, how badly everyone would. But he was also thinking of the consequences of acceptance. For years, William Boone heard stories about those who accepted employment with the Companions, whereas people like Captain Marquette tended to remain public, remain with their families it was the protectors who seemed to become almost total recluses. As if, serving the Companions had consume their entire lives, he’d read up on the silly conspiracy boards too and mostly dismissed it except one thing now rang out in his mind. -Companion Protectors enter the service and lose their souls-, Sandoval’s body language, her reactions, her facial ticks all felt off. Admittedly, the Detective had no idea if he was merely being paranoid or not. A couple days with someone a decade ago was not enough to form a total psychological profile, but Boone’s instincts were seldom wrong. Sandoval’s bloody form firing that, thing kept repeating over in his head and it formed a pit in his stomach.
The world was silent, his wife squeezed his shoulder again and he could see it in her eyes, she realized what Da’an had done and it made him really annoyed at the being, but also continued to add to his respect of the creature before him. -It could just as easily have strong armed us, or asked me alone, it cornered me, but it’s being deferential. – It was hard not to respect it, even when the old snake was being a total bastard. Taking a breath, Boone paced himself before he began to pull his wife from his arm only to hold her hand by his waist and step forward. “Da’an, we stood beside each other in battle. However brief, in that moment I learned a lot about you, enough to know you’re one of the most dangerous beings I’ve ever met, but also the wisest”
Something tugged at the corner of the Companion’s mouth, it wasn’t quite a smile, it wasn’t quite a sneer, it wasn’t quite hostile, quite cold, it wasn’t quite warm or friendly either. It was all of the above and when Sandoval moved as if she was going to speak, Da’an raised its hand. “Is that not presumption? To claim you can view the totality of one’s being based upon a brief interaction”
“It would be the height of presumption had I indeed said such a thing” Boone responded with a look that said -Don’t play cheap word games with me buddy, I’m married to a lawyer-. To his surprise Da’an’s mouth curled into a broad genuine smile and an odd pattern of lights seemed to flow under its skin again, this time more bright and vivid. It was very clearly enjoying this game the flicker in its eyes seemed to suggest it was apologizing for such a lame rhetorical trap. -I hate that I like this one so much- Boone thought, he barely made friends with his fellow humans this easily it made Da’an so dangerous but at the same time. Only an idiot would deny the chivalry that walked hand in hand with its cunning. “But that is not an answer” It continued, it’s left hand snaking through the air only to turn slightly as if to grab something illusive.
“No, it’s not” Boone took a breath again, centering himself. “What Agent Sandoval did was unnecessarily brutal, I also don’t like how she put herself in harm’s way to”
“The safety of the companion’s take priority over our own lives Boone! It’s no different than when you served” Sandoval’s voice was so vehement it startled Rose and made Boone uneasy and then her saw the look in her eyes and his blood chilled. -That’s not Sandoval- it was a thing that wore Sandoval’s skin and knew how to pull off a fair imitation of Sandoval, but that wasn’t Sandoval. “We both know what isn’t what you were doing though” Boone answered, slowly, digesting how thoroughly unsettling it all was. “Are you implying I was”
“Agent Sandoval”
Da’an’s tone was so light, on the surface it was so gentle. But there was so much presence in it that Boone was suddenly feeling guilty, as if he was back in school provoking a kid to act out of turn only to flinch when a teacher threw the book at him. Sandoval stepped back, something flickered in her eyes, traces of the girl he knew during the war, for a second her countenance came close to shifting and he thought he could see the real Sandoval below which made his heart pound -What happened to her?!- “You are very perceptive Detective Boone” Da’an’s voice was even, as much it clearly enjoyed the verbal sparring the moment Boone called that out the consummate professional took over and Da’an became decidedly serious. “However, you are mistaken in your implication?”
Oh, Boone thought, it caught me. Well, I knew he was clever. “Am I?”
“Agent Sandoval acted on an interpretation of her mandate, one I, admit I did not fully agree with” There was that honesty again, defusing him attempts to remain on edge. “I can’t work with people like that S..sir?”
The being’s features seemed to flush again, energy dancing under its skin. “You may call me Da’an, nor would you”
Boone raised an eyebrow “But you want me to be a protector do you not?”
“You misunderstand, William Boone. I do not wish you to be a protector I wish you to be the protector” The inflection in it’s tone caused Sandoval’s hand to twitch, something in her eyes flickered again, indignation? “What do you mean?”
“You are correct in your assertion that our reaction was, disproportionate” Da’an continued, it’s right hand now moving through the air, around him the building seemed to reciprocate whatever emotions it was feeling for its coloring suddenly grew a softer, darker hue. “in the coming weeks, months perhaps years. As we remain on your world, as we, seek to master our evolutionary course and facilitate your journey, it may become necessary to have one guiding force over our protectors. One who is, outside our circle yet bonded to it”
Now that was weird, everything about that sentence was weird. What was Da’an trying to tell him? Master our evolutionary course? Seek to facility ours? What? The fact that this info dump which may have been a library’s worth of intel(if Boone could just make sense of it) was used as segue into offering him a position comparable to a police chief was an incredible gesture of trust. One that was almost, gross in its immensity. -It’s trying to bait me, clever bastard-. This changed things though, Boone was always a soldier, always a beat cop even when he earned his shield. “I’m not political” Boone immediately regretted saying that because he had a feeling Da’an was about to get really cheeky with him.
“Nor was I, in the beginning” It smiled, its left hand weaved a harpsichord notes in the air, playing that invisible instrument that revealed so much without making a sound.
-yup, called it- “I have trouble believing that” Boone found himself smiling again and surprisingly Da’an’s façade of professionalism fell away for the briefest of seconds. “You are no fool, William Boone all soldiers are political”
-Damn, it’s good-
He shouldn’t continue to be surprised. “If you want to say no, Bill” Rose put in, her eyes were beaming with pride that he’d held his own so well, but also a myriad of other emotions concern among them. “Any business, that retaliates against you, for your integrity shall lose all Taelon patronage” Da’an cut in causing both husband and wife to gawk for a second. Whatever Da’an was, whatever it might have been, it’s committal to the Boone’s autonomy in this decision was admirable and also, curious. “Thank you” the couple murmured in unison. “One more question”
“You may ask detective Boone”
Boone hesitated, Da’an made a gesture and Sandoval remained for a second before turning and departing having lingered just long enough to voice her displeasure in a way that wasn’t insubordinate. “Will I have to do terrible things and order others to do terrible things for the Companions?” Boone asked, his eyes were focused, narrowed, his wife squeezed onto his hand like a vice, but she as well sensed the other foot about to drop and remained stoic outside of the gesture.
Da’an turned its head and Rose gasped, those faint lights that shimmered below its skin seemed to replace its skin, a brilliant figure of pure light, of blues and pinks and light purples flickered into being before them as if the question caused an intense emotional reaction, one so deep its entire being couldn’t contain it. At last, it returned to “normal” and with a sweeping motion of one hand it answered the question. “No”
“Will I have to do that for you”
Da’an smiled, it was proud of William Boone. What happened next, historians would say sealed the fate of entire galaxies. Da’an was nearly fifty thousand years old, it was a being by all accounts of immense cunning and experience, more than that it possessed wisdom. In it’s youth it had been a cleric, in its adolescence a scientist, shifting casts as it’s sire Ma’el had then its maturation it became a master of War even the mighty T’than would acknowledge as a superior and kindred spirit. In its seniority it became one of the greatest diplomas and politicians in the known universe. Knowing all this, it could have lied to Boone, or spun him a yarn about how he would do all he could to avoid that eventuality, or feign insult at the mere thought that It’s agenda might be different than that of it’s race on some level. Or that it’s loyalty to its race and its future might have compelled it to act contrary to the main plan. Or perhaps, because of its versatility in experience, it knew the only correct answer was one devoid any platitudes.
“Yes”
Boone nodded his head slowly. He looked at his wife, who looked at him, she had tears in her eyes that were unshed. Both understood the weight of this and understood it was going to bigger than either of them, both were scared but neither was willing to back down. No one had ever been so entrusted by a Companion. Whatever Da’an was, whatever its plans were, it wanted William Boone badly and that meant that Boone had to walk headfirst into the serpent's jaws.
Slowly, Boone raised his hands mimicking the gesture of greeting.
“Then I accept”
William Boone was a very good cop.
Da’an knew enough not to allow itself a triumphant smile, but to incline its head as though he was honoring a peer.
Or a worthy foe.
Boone couldn’t tell which and much as he found himself liking Da’an.
That scared the hell out of him.