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⬅️ Previous capture (2022-04-28)
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Story continuing from Chapter 2 - Marcus.
Kendra is determined to go out on her own again on the alien planet. Matthew pushes back against the idea. Their argument goes in an unexpected direction.
"I feel like I am being watched everywhere I go. I'm always in range of the patrols, of the machines when we survey the valley."
Matthew put down the equipment he had removed from the rover, placing it in a stack of other hardware. They had gotten back from another survey mission, this one closer to the rim on the eastern side of the valley. He turned to his friend, half amused by her inability to control her wanderlust, half worried that she would cause more trouble.
"That's because you *are* always being watched," the young man said. "I don't want to remind you, because I don't want to fight, but you were caught away from base, and the higher-ups probably think you are going to do it again."
"I *AM* going to go out alone again, as soon as I get the chance."
"That chance may not come for a while."
"You are with me a lot. Have *you* been asked to watch me, to keep me in line? To report on me?"
Matthew sighed deeply.
"Yes, Lieutenant Kylis asked me to keep an eye on you, and to report if you disappeared right away."
"So, the reason you are being so friendly these past couple of weeks is that you are spying on me?!"
Kendra's face tightened with anger. *She is a very emotional young lady*, he thought to himself. *And... beautiful.* She was beautiful when happy, sad, and angry. The anger gave her a certain, unpredictable fire. He suppressed the thought, knowing it would just get him in trouble if spoken.
Matthew tried a weak smile.
"Better me than Sarah - she obeys the rules more than we do. Besides..." the man approached Kendra and put his hands on her shoulders, "I enjoy keeping an eye on you."
Kendra tilted her head and looked at her friend quizzically.
"Are... you trying to flirt with me? If so, you're not very good at it." Her eyebrows were lowered as though angry, but the corner of her mouth curled up into a smile.
Matthew laughed. "Not good at it? Obviously not. I'm always flirting with you, and this is the first time you noticed?"
It was Kendra's turn to laugh, something that Matthew had not heard much lately. She smiled up at her big friend, flicking her head and sending her long, dark dancing about her shoulders.
"Okay, why would you want to flirt with me? We're just friends. No one thinks of me more than that. The base thinks I'm both a worthless non-Hybrid, and a troublemaker. Most people just pity me."
"They are right about being a troublemaker," the man goaded, "But, I don't have any tech, other than that location and health stuff, in me either. Unfortunately, they know where we are at all times. That's just what being human means."
"Not necessarily," Kendra said, lowering her voice conspiratorily.
"What do you mean?" Matthew asked, unsure that he wanted to know the answer.
"I might not hear their 'Song'," this she said with distain in her voice, "but I do hear people talking aloud sometimes. Beyond the rim the electronics stop working. Out there, they can't see us. They can't watch us! It is why the colonists stay in the valley. If you and I left the valley, we can do what we want, and they wouldn't know."
Matthew had heard the of the reports as well, how, on this beautiful new planet, the colonists were *trapped* in the valley, with no use of their technology beyond it.
Still, Matthew wasn't convinced.
"And we would be completely unprotected... transport doesn't work, weapons don't work. Our scanners couldn't tell us if anything was coming. The last time you went out, something happened to you, and I had to drag you back..."
Matthew was interrupted, and bewildered. The woman stepped forward, and wrapped her arms around his neck. He looked uncertain, placing his hands on her hips, and squeezing lightly.
Kendra leaned in, looking up at her friend, and brushed his lips with her own. She then pressed her lips against his, kissing him warmly. He reponded in kind, kissing her back. There they stood, half a minute, maybe more.
Then Kendra stepped back, and smiled.
"I know you care about me Matt. I'm sorry to tease you about flirting. Thank you for coming to find me when I couldn't make it back."
"You don't need to thank me," Matthew said, conflicting emotions running over his face.
"What's wrong?" Kendra asked.
"We're... not allowed," he answered. "Non-hybrids, I mean. There are sensors, cameras, everywhere. The sensors inside us will give something away too," Matthew answered, blushing.
Kendra's smile brightened.
"Come, explore with me! This planet is so beautiful. This valley is just the start. There is so much more! And when we are beyond the rim, they cannot see us."
Kendra and Matthew turned. Watching them, from ten feet away, was Sarah. She had a disapproving... no, an angry look on her face. More than that, when she spoke, she appeared to be suppressing rage.
"You ... two. I cannot believe this. You're not allowed... we're not allowed. What are you doing!?"
"Nothing. We're doing nothing," Matthew muttered under his breath.
Sarah wasn't convinced.
"That kiss wasn't nothing, Matt! Just..." Sarah paused, struggling to find the right words.
Kendra didn't understand right away, but when Sarah huffed and put her hands on her hips, the other woman began to get the idea. She looked between Sarah and Matthew, and back again. Sarah... was jealous.
Sarah's blonde hair tossed as the woman turned away. She walked out of the bay without another word, her footsteps echoing behind her.
"What was that about?" Matthew asked.
Kendra's determination grew. She was under a microscope here. It was stifling.
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