Fiction:Tzhrhokia/Part1/Varshk's Quest

This is the TIAF's story in Tzhrhokia.

The Sting Operation Begins
A lone soldier was waiting in the lobby of the military center of Sipprella. As other soldiers and officers were walking around him, going to their destinations, he sat there, waiting for someone. Soon, he saw a woman approaching him.

??? - Colonel Jonathan Pearson? Pearson - Yes. Draccard - ''Admiral Ariana Draccard. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.'' Pearson - ''As for me. I assume you're here to brief me on the mission?'' Draccard - ''Yes. Follow me to the central command office.''

Pearson followed Draccard to the command office, passing by some of the military facilities on Sipprella. He took a seat in what he assumed to be Draccard's office, and she pulled out a file labeled "Confidential".

Draccard - ''This is the mission dossier. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to infiltrate the inner workings of the Kraw Empire and interfere with the recent union between the Kraw and Galactic Empire of Cyrannus.'' Pearson - ''How will I get in? I hear Kies has tightened security during his reign.'' Draccard - ''Our bioengineers have recreated a fully operational Kraw body, which you will be using through consciousness transfer. Your alias will Varshk Daahk, an officer in the Kraw intelligence agency. We have been able to insert your false identity into the Kraw identification system, so there should be no worries about that matter.''

Admiral Draccard then displayed a digital map of the Kraw central intelligence center on Horehronie.

Draccard - *pointing to various rooms* You will have to access their central intelligence and alter the database as to undermine relations between the Kraw and GEC. Pearson - Is there anything else I need to know? Draccard - The Federal Intelligence Coalition will not be held accountable if you fail, so if you do, you're on your own. Pearson - All more the incentive to succeed.

Draccard smiled, then gestured to Pearson to follow her. They arrived at the biotechnology chamber, where a fully-outfitted Kraw was lying on an operating table, lifeless. Next to it was the characteristic Consciousness Transfer machine.

Draccard - ''We're just going to have to record your memory bank for security and mission purposes. But you'll be all right.''

Pearson sat himself down in the machine and fell asleep as he was injected with anesthetic. He woke up feeling much different, and looked around before noticing his body was a shade of soft blue. Draccard and the other scientists in the room were excited.

Draccard - ''Hello, Pearson. Or should I say... Varshk. How do you feel?'' Varshk - ''I feel... shorter. And blue.'' Draccard - ''*smiles* Excellent. We'll need to run a few regulatory tests and accustom you to Kraw culture, but after that, you're ready to make the Federation proud.''

As the scientists prodded him with all kinds of tools, Varshk was now thinking about his mission. It would be a great success for the Federation, and a new beginning for him.

Warm Reception
After a few days of training and learning, Varshk was ready to go. He would have to go to Horehronie under the cover that he was returning from a confidential assignment in the United Lanat Empire. Hopefully that would not be enough to raise any eyebrows, and Varshk would be able to successfully finish his mission if there wasn't any kind of divine intervention of sorts.

Horehronie Space Traffic - ''The glorious Kraw Empire welcomes you to the beautiful Horehronie. Be careful of space traffic in the area, and have a nice day.''

Landing his Kraw craft in the parking lot outside of the intelligence agency's headquarters, Varshk took a look around the great capital city of Yorg. It wasn't nearly as sprawling and towering as some other great capitals he had seen, such as Orbispira and Mirenton. It was sort of a refreshing change from the metropolises he'd seen all the time in the TIAF. He grabbed his coat from his ship, as it was going to be a cold day, even for the frigid standards of Yorg.

Varshk entered the building and found exactly what he had expected: an average business building lobby. There was a Kraw with a fedora reading a newspaper sitting on the couch. There was a lone receptionist sitting at the reception desk. Varshk remembered from the dossier that her name was Zkahiva Vrook, and she worked for the Kraw intelligence agency.

Varshk - Hello. Zkahiva - ''What? Oh... uh, hi.''

Kraw did not normally greet each other.

Varshk - I'm here to inquire about a recent shipment from the ULE. Zkahiva - Sir, the Kraw have banned trade with the ULE since 403 KRE... Varshk - ''You don't understand. See, I was told, "The Lanat Cruiser flies at midnight."''

That was his password into the intelligence agency. Now all he had to do was wait for Zkahiva to produce the response. She smiled before responding.

Zkahiva - ''"They will meet the Brood by morning." Welcome back, Varshk.''

She pressed a concealed button in the desk, and a doorway opened behind her, which Varshk assumed was the entrance. The man in the lobby showed no signs of suspicion; he must be an agent too. Zkahiva guided Varshk through the hallways of the intelligence agency until they reached the main command room.

Zkahiva - Well, director, he's back. Director - ''*walking over to Varshk* Good to have you back, my friend! How did the ULE treat you?'' Varshk - No better than they were treating the Asgord. Director - ''There's the Varshk I know! Welcome home, buddy!''

Varshk spent most of his time that day wading through other intelligence agents that were welcoming him back. He finally made it to his office, a roomy space with a state-of-the-art computer and numerous file cabinets. The Federation must've really shown their work here if they can get this many people excited over me, he mused to himself. Indeed, the Federation had. The mission was off to a great start.

At the end of the day, Varshk retired to the agent quarters, which were contained inside the actual agency itself. He was forced to try to lull himself to sleep with Kekta and Hekta playing in the background. He had never learned to like the duo, as much as he was trained to during his cultural lesson before the mission. Nevertheless, he coped with it, and soon welcomed the sweet embrace of sleep as the sun disappeared over the horizon of Horehronie.

That Feeling
Waking up from his slumber, Varshk saw the sun rising over the horizon of Horehronie. It must be early morning. He dressed himself and quietly entered the hallway of the agent quarters. Hopefully no one was awake yet and he could make some progress on his assignment before the other Kraw agents flooded the main office space.

As he was making his way down the stairs to the main office, he suddenly encountered Zkahiva as he turned the corner to the main atrium.

Zkahiva - ''Oh... You're up early.'' Varshk - ''Oh... Uh, yeah. Wanted to get started on my work early.'' Zkahiva - What kind of work? Varshk - ''Oh, you know... Workful work.'' Zkahiva - ''Ah. That kind of work.'' Varshk - ''Oh, uh, yeah. I'll see you around then.'' Zkahiva - Okay.

Varshk rushed by Zkahiva through the doorway into the intelligence facility's main atrium. He looked behind him to see Zkahiva staring at him oddly, then just sighing and looking to the ceiling. He felt an odd feeling in his stomach. ''Could it be? No, that's impossible.'' he thought. ''Never mind that. I have to stay focused.''

Varshk entered his office and booted up his computer. The seal of the Kraw Empire appeared briefly, then faded into the login screen. He remembered the password from the dossier, and was granted access to the computer. He immediately got into what he did best: hacking databases.

Kies had definitely done a good job of revamping the system, and it was going to be difficult to hack such complex encryption.

Not for Varshk, at least.

Varshk entered a string of code, and soon the system responded with a huge wall of computer code. He was in, he knew, but it could take a while, he didn't know how powerful Kraw computers were compared to TIAF computers.

By now, the building was alive and very much awake, and Varshk could hear the bustle in the atrium outside. Suddenly, he noticed someone waiting outside his doorway. It was Zkahiva again. She casually strolled into Varshk's office, taking his notice of her presence as an invitation. Thinking fast, Varshk quickly minimized his hacking program and opened a picture of cat faces.

Zkahiva - ''So. Whatcha doing?'' Varshk - I didn't invite you in here. Zkahiva - ''Something secret, huh? You know at the Espionage Agency we don't keep secrets.'' Varshk - It's nothing.

Zkahiva took a glance at Varshk's computer screen and only saw the glaring picture of faces of cats.

Zkahiva - ''Hm. Only cat faces. Well, the Director says that even though it's your first day back on the job, you need to stay on task.'' Varshk - ''Will do. Gladly.'' Zkahiva - Yeah...

Zkahiva turned around and headed out the doorway, but quickly glanced back at Varshk. Varshk noticed and turned his head to show, and Zkahiva quickly turned back, as if embarrassed. Varshk turned back to the code program, and found that he now had access to the entire Kraw intelligence database. He opened the KrawNet browser and began searching for files on the Kraw-Cyrannus alliance.

While he pulled up files on the alliance, his mind began to think about Zkahiva again. Yep, that settles it, he thought. It's love, then.

The Zaknak Rynshakterak (or The Hidden Hacker)
Varshk was working away at his computer, trying his best to stay focused on his assignment and not on Zkahiva. He finally found the papers on the GEC-Kraw alliance. Varshk could tell the bonds between the Kies regime and the GEC were tight, almost suspiciously so in such a short amount of time. Nevertheless, Varshk was sure he could crumble it almost as quickly as it had formed.

He began typing up a paper designed to look like official Kraw papers. He knew it would be far too easy to spot if he tried to imitate the GEC, as the GEC would see right through it if it had supposedly come "from the desk of the Emperor" or the Senate, or something like that.

Instead, he began typing up a statement that would appear to have been released by Kies, containing inflammatory notes about the GEC. As long as he was able to spoof the KrawNet address it came from to match the address of Kies' network, it would be difficult for Kies to work around unless Kies was far more sane than he appeared. He didn't worry about the GEC examining it too hard; the TIAF knew the GEC had other interests than allying a species so insignificant compared to the Empire.

As he was finishing the statement and copying Kies' signature onto it, he felt a presence in his office space. He looked up slowly to see a Kraw agent, wearing a fedora and trenchcoat. This was the same agent that Varshk had seen in the lobby, and he recognized him as a high-rank agent, Shrakara Valesh.

Shrakara - You seem to be working diligently. Varshk - Why do act surprised? Shrakara - It's Casual Friday. Varshk - They have Casual Friday here, too? Shrakara - ''Yeah. Ever since 406 KRE.'' Varshk - Wait, so if that's your casual clothes... Shrakara - I don't wear the trenchcoat for my offical uniform. Varshk - Ah.

Shrakara attempted to look at Varshk's computer screen, but Varshk quickly minimized to the desktop screen. Shrakara seemed disgruntled that Varshk was supposedly hiding something.

Shrakara - ''Whatever. Just take it easy today. It's casual.'' Varshk - I was told to immediately get back to work today. Shrakara - Sounds like someone didn't get the memo. Varshk - Sounds more like someone's making up Casual Friday.

Shrakara muttered something under his breath before storming out of the room. He assumed this meant that Casual Friday was indeed made up. He checked the clock and noticed it was about lunchtime. He quickly saved the file, and decided to leak it to the KrawNet after lunch.

As he walked down the hallway alone, as he always had when he was a kid in the TIAF, he was quietly thinking about the assignment. Suddenly, a voice called to him from across the hall. It was Zkahiva again.

Zkahiva - ''Hey, Varshk! Wait up!'' Varshk - Oh, hi, Zkahiva. Zkahiva - ''Hi, Varshk! So...what's up?'' Varshk - ''Oh, nothing. Just going out to lunch.'' Zkahiva - ''That's nice. ...Say, Varshk, I want to ask you something.'' Varshk - What? Zkahiva - ''Would you, I don't know... Go grab lunch with me?'' Varshk - Oh, uh, sure! Zkahiva - Great!

Varshk began having that odd feeling again in his stomach. He knew what it was. Now all he was hoping for is that he could perhaps stay as Varshk even after the mission was over...

Shrakara was sitting in the Director's office, speaking with the Director.

Shrakara - ''I'm telling you, Krasnarg. Varshk seems very suspicious to me.'' Director Krasnarg - ''Varshk is one of our best agents. Perhaps even better than you, Shrakara. He couldn't possibly be a double.'' Shrakara - ''I think he's hiding something. And I myself have no recollection of him ever being with the agency before, and you know that I would be aware of anyone who is at or near my level.'' Krasnarg - ''You've just simply gone mad, Shrakara. He was away for a while on a highly confidential mission to the ULE. I wasn't allowed to know about it either. But he's just probably been away so long we forgot him.'' Shrakara - Is that not suspicious? Krasnarg - ''...You may have a point, Shrakara. Tell you what. I'll keep an eye on him for suspicious activity. If I don't notice anything, then it's nothing. But if I do notice something, you'll have full permission to lead an investigation.'' Shrakara - With eagerness, Krasnarg. Krasnarg - ''Very good, then. We shall see how loyal he really is...''

Keeping An Eye On You
Varshk was returning from his lunch break with Zkahiva. As he wandered down the main hallway to the atrium, his mind was centered on Zkahiva. He didn't notice Shrakara was there until he physically bumped into him.

Varshk - Oh, here we go... Shrakara - So what are you doing? Varshk - Nothing. Shrakara - Ruining my plans? Varshk - What kind of plans? Shrakara - My plans to make sure you're not doing anything out of line. Varhsk - Huh, those kinds of plans. Shrakara - So are you ruining them? Varshk - ...No. Shrakara - ''Good. Because if you were, that would be bad.'' Varshk - How bad? Shrakara - I'd have to kill you. Varshk - That's illegal. Shrakara - *eyes narrow* I would take pleasure in it.

Shrakara patted Varshk on the shoulder before heading off. Varshk looked back at him with a suspicious glare, and made his way to his office. Varshk wiggled the computer mouse a little to coerce the computer monitor out of its screen saver mode, and opened his forged document. He opened his hacking program and got to work on spoofing his KrawNet ID to that of Kies' private network. As the wall of text greeted him again, he relaxed in his chair a little. Looking through the blinds of his window, however, he could see Director Krasnarg eyeing him with a hostile glare. A little intimidated, Varshk stared the other way. Soon it will be all over, Varshk thought to himself.

Soon he checked his hacking device, and it had managed to successfully spoof his KrawNet ID. He pulled up the document again and prepared to release the document on to the KrawNet. Here goes nothing, he thought, and he clicked. A short string of text appeared on the hacking device, telling him that the document had been successfully released. He shut down his hacking software and pulled up the picture of cats again in case anyone was going to pay him a visit.

He got up, stretched a little, and walked out into the atrium to get a cup of Vzak, the Kraw equivalent of coffee. As he was pouring kjarra milk in with his vzak, he noticed Krasnarg standing at the vzak table right next to him, glaring at him.

Varshk - Is there something wrong, Director? Krasnarg - ''Oh, don't mind me, Varhsk. I'm just...surveying.'' Varshk - The vzak is perfectly fine, Director... Krasnarg - You never know if someone's going to use too much kjarra milk. Varshk - We have limits on that?

Varshk soon realized his cup was overflowing, as he had poured too much kjarra milk in his distraction.

Krasnarg - You're lucky you don't have to pay for that. Varshk - I could if I have to. Krasnarg - Is that so? Varhsk - Sure.

The two were soon approached by Zkahiva, who sensed a conflict brewing between the two.

Zkahiva - Is there a problem, Krasnarg? Varshk - Zkahiva- Krasnarg - ''Everything is perfectly...fine, Zkahiva. Get back to work, or whatever you do.'' Zkahiva - ''*glares at Krasnarg* Very well, Krasnarg. Just don't bother Varshk. He's busy.'' Krasnarg - *looks at Varshk trying to clean up the mess* I'd say so. Zkahiva - Just leave him alone. Krasnarg - ''I will speak to you later. In my office.''

Krasnarg walked off with his cup of vzak, while Zkahiva took to helping Varshk clean up the spilled kjarra milk.

Zkahiva - Here, let me help you. Varshk - Zkahiva, please, I can handle this. Zkahiva - ''Well... Okay. You're sure you've got this?'' Varhsk - ''Yep. *dumps a bunch of soggy napkins into a trash can*'' Zkahiva - ''Listen, if Krasnarg or Shrakara are bothering you, just tell me. I can knock some sense into them.'' Varshk - Zkahiva, that's not really necessary- Zkahiva - ''*pulls out what appears to be a rock in a sock* No, really. If they're getting on your nerves, I can whack them with this sack of frozen kjarra butter. It really does the trick.'' Varshk - ''Uh... Thanks, Zkahiva.'' Zkahiva - I'm on your side, Varshk.

Zkahiva smiled before walking off, concealing her sock full of frozen kjarra butter in her bag. As Varshk wiped up the last of the kjarra milk, he couldn't help but think that all eyes were on him. It felt as if the entire agency was keeping an eye on him.

No Safe Haven
The entire Kraw intelligence agency had gone into uproar as soon as the forged files were discovered. Kies had ordered an immediate investigation to find the source of the files, and Varshk knew it was now only a matter of time before he was rooted out.

''Damn. Kies is smarter than he looks.''

It was another chaotic day following the discovery, and Varshk was doing his best to stay under the radar. He knew Krasnarg and Shrakara were going to be all over him soon. As he typed away at his computer, pretending to work, Shrakara appeared at his doorway.

Varshk - Get the frak out of my office. Shrakara - Hell no, bitch. Varshk - What the frak do you want? Shrakara - ''I knew I shouldn't have trusted you. Just after you come back from your "oh-so-secret" mission, we get Kies screaming at us about some sabotage in the system.'' Varshk - Have you made sure Kies isn't just having another aneyuresm? Shrakara - Bitch, I'm talking. Varshk - So? Shrakara - I have reason to believe you're behind this... Varshk - ''Really? Could you back up that statement?''

Shrakara simply glared at Varshk before walking away. Varshk sighed a little in relief. None of the evidence was pointing towards him yet. He got up and made his way to the exit corridor. As he was walking, he encountered Zkahiva.

Zkahiva - You okay, Varshk? Varshk - Not now, Zkahiva. Zkahiva - Where are you going? Varshk - I just need some fresh air, okay?

Varshk stormed down the hallway, and Zkahiva looked back at him with a worried look.

Varshk was sitting outside in the agency parking lot, next to his spaceship. He bowed his head and groaned in frustration. But then he remembered which side he was working for. He picked up his cell phone and dialed the TIAF spy agency on Sipprella.

Varshk - ''Hello?... Anyone?...'' Operator - ''Greetings, sir, you have reached the Federal Intelligence Coalition, Sipprella Outlet. How may I help you?'' Varshk - Please redirect me to the central command office. Operator - ''Certainly. Please hold.''

Varshk waited a few minutes, while hold music played on the phone. He looked up at the agency tower, and noticed Krasnarg arguing with another agent in his office. Varshk cautiously scooted to the other side of his spaceship.

??? - Hello? Varshk - Is this Admiral Draccard? ??? - No... Varshk - Who is this then? Ahsokas - ''This is Admiral Sydney Ahsokas. Admiral Draccard was transferred to Andromeda and I am taking her place at Kraw Command. You must be Pearson, right?'' Varshk - They call me Varshk these days. Ahsokas - ''Right. So, what are you calling about?'' Varshk - There's been some trouble with the mission... Ahsokas - ''Ah, yes. It's been on the Kraw news channels.'' Varshk - Any chance that you guys could, you know...help out? Ahsokas - ''I'm sorry, Varshk, although I'd really like to help you out, the Federal Intellgience Coalition really wants to distance themselves from this as much as possible. We don't want Kies raging at us. So sorry, you're on your own.'' Varshk - ''...Huh. Okay. Thanks anyways...''

Varshk hung his head in defeat. Now his only choice was to see if he could wait out the storm. He looked up to see Krasnarg eyeing him spitefully. Varshk quickly got up and walked back inside the agency.

Now there is no safe haven for me, he thought to himself.

Picking Up the Pieces
It was another day of anticipation for Varshk. Although the investigation was far from complete, it was still painful waiting for the inevitable. Varshk was trying to relax in his quarters, while his quarter neighbor was blasting Kekta and Hekta through the wall. Varshk heard a knock on his door, and answered. It was Zkahiva.

Zkahiva - Hey, Varshk. Varshk - What do you want? Zkahiva - You just seem very stressed out lately. Varshk - What's it to you? Zkahiva - ''I just don't like to see you so unhappy every day. Can I come in?'' Varshk - Uh, sure.

Varshk stepped out of the way to let Zkahiva in, and closed the door behind her.

Zkahiva - I think all you need is to wind down a little. Varshk - Zkahiva, I just really have a lot on my mind right now... Zkahiva - Well then, maybe I can at least help you take those thoughts off your mind for now. Varshk - Hm? Zkahiva - ''Varshk, do you want to, you know... Do something together tonight? Like maybe go eat somewhere and watch a movie?'' Varshk - You mean like a date? Zkahiva - ''Well, I mean- *sighs* Yes, like a date... *smiles shyly*''

Varshk's mood brightened a little. It wouldn't hurt to go out with her, he thought to himself. Might as well enjoy what I can while I'm still here.

Varshk - ''Alright, then. What did you have in mind?'' Zkahiva - There's this really nice restaurant in downtown Yorg, and maybe we could go see Asgordak Asrudiis (Asgordian Perils) at the movie club. Varshk - That sounds good. Zkahiva - Alright then. Varshk - Let's go.

Varshk grabbed his coat and headed out the door, trailed by Zkahiva.

At dinner, Varshk and Zkahiva discussed Kraw events over their food.

Zkahiva - I've heard Kies has a new girlfriend. Varshk - *chuckles a little* Heh, I wonder what she did to get that far with Kies. Zkahiva - ''They say they met at Imperialfest, which I guess explains everything. *laughs*''

Varshk and Zkahiva laughed and talked with each other throughout the meal. Meanwhile, Shrakara, who happened to show up at the same restaurant, watched them with disgust.

Shrakara - ''Frakking Varshk. May Tyraz smite him.''

Later, Varshk and Zkahiva were watching Asgordak Asrudiis. Varshk found his arm wrapped around Zkahiva's back for much of the movie, and a particularly surprising part jolted Zkahiva into Varshk's lap. Zkahiva smiled at Varshk before sliding back into her seat.

At the end of the night, Varshk was seeing Zkahiva to her quarters.

Varshk - ''That was awesome! We should really do that again!'' Zkahiva - ''I know. I really enjoyed being with you, Varshk.'' Varshk - *embraces Zkahiva* I really enjoyed it too.

Their lips met each other, though as soon as they realized this, they both pulled back shyly. The awkward moment was dispersed when Zkahiva uttered the three words:

Zkahiva - ...I love you. Varshk - ...I love you too.

Varshk hugged her goodbye, and she retreated into her quarters. Varshk was ecstatic as he walked down the corridor to his room. He encountered Shrakara in the hall, but brushed him off easily.

Shrakara - Where do you think you're going? Varshk - ''I dunno, but don't let me interrupt your moment with your imaginary girlfriend. *cocks his head in a taunting manner*'' Shrakara - I swear, I will beat the living crap out of you... Varshk - ''*sarcastically* Oh, oh! What a great comeback!''

Varshk marched down the hallway while Shrakara was left seething with rage. Varshk could hear the sound of Shrakara kicking a trash can over.

Why didn't I think like this before, he thought. ''My days are numbered, sure. But I'll make the most of it before I'm brought down.''

The Spark and the Fuel
Varshk woke up to the morning sun of Horehronie. He went through his normal morning routine, grabbed a datapad with info relating to the Forged Papers controversy, and headed out for his office.

It had been a few weeks since Varshk had started going out with Zkahiva, and they were already quite close. The investigation was still advancing, though at baby steps at a time. At least, that's what he thought.

When Varshk arrived in the central atrium, Varshk saw total chaos, with papers littering the ground and agents frantically running from place to place. The 3D display screen in the center of the atrium was connecting dots between points on a map of the Kraw Galaxy - this was normal, but coupled with the frantic pace of the atrium, the display itself seemed anxious.

Varshk - Director, what the frak is going on? Krasnarg - ''I don't have time to talk, Varshk. We've made a major step in the investigation, but it's very, very bad.'' Varshk - What do you mean? Krasnarg - It threatens the very stability of this agency.

Krasnarg ran off, crashing into a female agent and accidentally spilling vzak all over her. He quickly apologized and handed the agent a few silk-like napkins before traversing the stairs to his main office. Varshk smirked a little, but it was erased when Shrakara came up behind him.

Shrakara - What the frak are you doing standing around? Varshk - Well, excuse me, Emperor Workalot, but I just woke up. Shrakara - The entire agency's being rattled by this controversy, and YOU JUST WOKE UP?! Varshk - What, can't a Kraw get a good 9 hours of sleep around here? Shrakara - ''Why the frak would you only need 9 hours of sleep? The day is 24 hours long and our hours are the 29th frakking longest in the frakking galaxy!'' Varshk - Well, then that explains it. Shrakara - ''*Growls, then displays a printout of something* This is huge, Varshk. This could mean the end of the agency if Kies is in a bad-enough mood. And you're complaining about sleep!'' Varshk - Well, actually, Inhraahk is repl- Shrakara - Shut up!

Shrakara shoved Varshk before slipping over some wet napkins on the floor that were soaked with vzak. Varshk waded through the crowd and eventually ended up at Zkahiva's office. He knocked and was greeted by Zkahiva.

Zkahiva - Oh, hi, Varshk! Varshk - ''Hi, Zkahiva. I honestly just woke up, what the frik is everyone freaking out about?'' Zkahiva - Here, come inside.

Zkahiva closed the door behind Varshk, and Varshk seated himself in a comfortable office chair.

Zkahiva - *Sighs* They've managed to find the general origin of the forged papers. Varshk - *Nervous* They found the exact source? Zkahiva - ''No... But they've confirmed the source was from within the agency. *begins to cry*'' Varshk - Zkahiva, they haven't found the exact source, why are you crying? Zkahiva - *crying* The Empire's investigation agency recently released a list of suspects, and... Varshk - And what? Zkahiva - ...I was on that list.

Varshk was a little shocked. He thought that he would have been number one on that list, and couldn't think as to how Zkahiva ended up there. He debated it over in his mind a few times, and finally decided what he was going to do.

Varshk - ''Zkahiva. C'mon, let's go to my quarters. We need to go some place private.''

Varshk guided Zkahiva through the crowded atrium and into the quarters hall. An agent walked by and suspiciously glanced at them before running down to the atrium. Varshk opened the door to his room and quickly shut it once he and Zkahiva were inside, being sure to lock the door firmly.

Varshk - ''Zkahiva, I'm about to tell you something that I have kept secret for a long time. But you have to promise me you won't think of me differently when I tell you.'' Zkahiva - *nods* I'm listening. Varshk - You have to absolutely promise that nothing about us will change when I say this, okay? Zkahiva - ''Promise. *Shyly kisses Varshk on the cheek*''

Varshk hesitated for a second, collecting his thoughts and building the nerve to say what he was about to say. When he was ready, he exhaled deeply and opened his mouth.

Varshk - You must know that...that I was the one who forged the files.

Zkahiva frowned and looked very shocked.

Zkahiva - Why, Varshk, why? Varshk - ''I...I am actually an agent of the TIAF. I was sent here to ensure that Kies and the GEC would not grow too close.''

Zkahiva began to tear up again, and Varshk felt a huge amount of guilt welling up inside of him.

Varshk - ''...But falling in love with you was not part of my mission... I did that on my own accord. There was nothing faked about that.''

Zkahiva was still crying, though it lightened a little when she heard Varshk say that last part. She sat down on Varshk's bed, very shaken but not broken.

Zkahiva - I...I don't know what to say... Varshk - ''I'm here for you, Zkahiva. I'm on your side.'' Zkahiva - ''Well, I mean...that also makes you a traitor to the Empire! What if the agency found out?'' Varshk - They won't find out. Zkahiva - *Stands up suddenly* I'm sorry, Varshk... Varshk - Zkahiva, where are you going- Zkahiva - I just don't know what to think right now!

Zkahiva slammed the door behind her and stormed off, sobbing noticeably. Varshk could only sit in his room and contemplate what had just happened.

Someone was watching this from somewhere, unseen. As the door slammed and Varshk lay in despair, the watcher smiled maliciously.

??? - Good, good...