Solitary Differences
The weather tingled to the buildings sides, the night was silent the sound of the cars erupting the cold
silence, all is quiet in the Venus capital of Venouslea. The hours of late night staring the city's sight of turn. The
Command deck was quiet as the rest not the faintest movement to the inner sides of the structure of the tower on
the high tower of the city.
"Thitaya… are you awake…?" Thitaya Markson heard a soft voice coming from the doorway. "Yes…"
Thitaya said silently, she was laying on her bed staring at the pitch black ceiling, cold thoughts seeping through
her mind, she could not think as well … she had a headache for almost weeks. Thitaya sighed then she stood up
solemnly to the night sky sighing again. "What's wrong…?" the voice from the door said slowly
"The dream again…" Thitaya said slowly and softly as a soft wind filled the calm air.
Thitaya heard footsteps coming towards her then a soft hand resting on her shoulder.
Thitaya knew whom it was right away she knew the soft touch of her dear friend Rogan Thealle, her long friend
from since the war ever escalated and came to a hard end.
"The dream again…" Thitaya heard her friend mumble softly. "Yes…" Thitaya turned around and faced her
friend, she was wearing her uniform as always, Rogan's soft light red hair running freely on her shoulder, Rogan
had a concerned look on her face though it was dark in the room she could still tell it was her friend.
"I'm all right … it's nothing serious …" Thitaya said softly to her loyal friend.
"Are you sure…?" Rogan said softly. "Yes… I'll be out in a second," Thitaya answered in a low tone.
She saw her friend nod and walk out the doorway, Thitaya sighed softly as she saw the door slide closed.
What is wrong with me…? Thitaya thought to herself in her mind.
Thitaya flicked the lights on and she saw herself after such long while, her blonde hair was in tatters all
over her face she must have been tossing and turning around bed, she looked terrible Ever since…Thitaya
thought in her mind as images from her past flew through her hard and tired mind, she saw herself in a room
plants all around and a green fluid seeping into herself and her name being yelled at her several times then she
saw nothing as if her memory had been erased from that day on.
When Thitaya was done dressing she peeked outside the door at first, she saw nothing at first then her eyes
adjusted to the damp reddish morning of Venouslea.
"Thitaya…" she heard the soft voice of Rogan Thealle, she looked towards the calm voice; her friend was
sitting on a bench staring out bright sun.
"Rogan…" Thitaya said softly, Rogan Thealle turned to her voice, her face was a soft as ever, not like in
the earlier times of the war, she was stiff and often showed no emotion at all, it surprising to Thitaya how much
she changed since then.
"Are you ready?" her friend asked softly, "Yes…" Thitaya answered lowly her eyes slowly adjusting to the
bright lights of the far. It was morning as Thitaya could tell, the solemn silence of the building told her no one
else was awake at the time, as she felt more awake in the hour, her fiend walked up to her slowly and put her hand
on Thitaya's shoulder. Thitaya nodded slowly then they both walked off into the corridor, the twinkling lights of
the city gleaming the outside window, and cars making a solitary appearance at times and time. Thitaya could tell
her friend was stressed, a harder look filling her friend's face and mind Something's happened… hasn't
there…Thitaya thought in her waking mind.
The two stopped moments later at the doctor's office the quietness of the place tingled Thitaya's spine, it
was always a place with activity almost no one was there, she only saw a couple of the staff members at time and
time walking around and working the electronics. Rogan led Thitaya to an observation table and laid her down
there.
Thitaya's eyes bursted into some sudden teary ness of the bright light the shown in her eyes, she looked
away and saw another figure coming towards her, she was dark in her eyes at first but her eyes slowly adjusted
from having the bright light in her eye, she knew who it was, it was Nicole Heartland, another one her old time
friends from back then in the war, Nicole had been the Doctor onboard their old ship, the Sovereign
"Hey Thitaya…" the doctor said slowly. "Nik… Nikki?" Thitaya answered with a small grin. Thitaya heard
the doctor giggle slightly at her old nickname.
"I didn't think you were still calling me that, after such a long time…" Doctor Heartland blurted "Now…"
the doctor continued "Just the normal brain scan … nothing to worry about" Thitaya nodded slowly then she
relaxed on the table and closed her eyes, she heard the sound of the several masses of equipment rotating swiftly
around her body then a small pinch in her neck, she fell asleep soon after. Thitaya was plunged into dreaming her
mind wandered from end to end, she saw bright lights as if she was flying through the universe
It was hours later when Thitaya finally awoke her mind was at ease the table light seeming like the beaming
sun from the afar. Thitaya heard mumbling at first but later as it appeared as people were talking, at first it
seemed like she was in heaven then her mind slipped back into reality she was on the table, she had been asleep
for nearly four hours. She saw her friends at the desk, who seemed to be arguing over something, Rogan had
teary eyes and was banging on the desk; Nicole was trying to calm her.
Thitaya was confused at how long she was sleep for, but she was even more puzzled at what Rogan was
shouting at.
"I can't believe it!" she heard her best friend shout aloud, Rogan slammed her hand on the keyboard as she
slid down the panel and on the floor, Nicole ducked down with her and held her.
Thitaya blinked several times then she sat up rubbing her eyes, her two friends didn't pay attention to her,
they were to busy themselves. Thitaya's first reaction was to get up quickly and see what the fuss was about but
she found she was too weak to even stand up properly, she leaned on another table and slowly worked her way to
were her friend had been
"What's wrong…?" Thitaya said finally at Nicole and her sobbing friend, her face filling with concern.
Nicole was very silent and just stared at her, then in what seemed like an eternity she spoke lowly.
"Admiral Thealle has been murdered… Thitaya…" Thitaya blinked and stumbled back hanging onto the
desk, Nicole immediately got up and steadied her, Rogan was still under the desk curled up sobbing to herself.
The doctor gently lifted Thitaya up and rested her on the nearest vacant table.
"Please rest for now Thitaya…" Nicole said softly as she turned back to attend to Rogan.
Assassination … not a pretty thing in life… the thought ran through Thitaya's head as she rested in her
room, she had been taken back to her room to rest while Nicole was taking care of Rogan. I should be there
with her… Thitaya told herself but she remembered the good doctor pleading that she stay and rest until she was
at full strength. But why was she asleep for such a long time, normally she was only asleep for a half hour, but 4
hours? Thitaya imagined Nicole having been called over before she would have been awaken to the scene of the
murder… but she knew the anesthetic wore off.
Thitaya puzzled herself for over an hour until she finally fell asleep.
In her dreams she saw a cold face of her own staring at her, she didn't know what it meant, but she didn't want to
find out, blurry at first appeared in the darkness of her sleep. Thitaya tried to run but she couldn't, she was frozen
staring at a cold evil face of her own.
Morning struck her alarm clock, the soft beeping sound the device shook Thitaya from her slumber, at first
she was dizzy, and then she was scared by what she saw in her dreams. Thitaya rubbed her head several times,
then she got up and looked at herself in the mirror. Thitaya was puzzled to see that she had a strange scar just
under her ear, she didn't remember getting one the days before, but she just sighed and dressed up.
Though slightly tired, Thitaya was anxious to get to her best friend in her life. Thitaya rushed out the door
and headed to the crew's quarters of the command structure. Thitaya stopped at the door and knocked softly, not
wanting to bother her if she did not want her presence. The yellow light beside the door turned green indicating
she was allowed entrance, the door slid open slowly, Thitaya peered in with a concerned face. Rogan had been
lying on her bed face down into the pillow.
"Rogan…" Thitaya said softly "Are you all right…?" she continued.
Rogan just rubbed her face in the pillow and lifted her head up to her friend at the door; Rogan's face was red
with tears. Thitaya immediately rushed over to her and hugged her tightly.
"I'm so sorry Rogan…. I really am" Thitaya projected mournfully. Rogan took deep breaths and held her
friend tightly.
"It… It wasn't your fault..." Rogan said with a shaky voice, her words jumbled and blurted out.
"So… I was asleep the entire time" Thitaya said softly as she sipped her coffee. The two had been up for a
long time talking things over and what happened when she was asleep. Apparently Rogan's father was killed by
having his throat slit; the evidence left behind revealed that he had been slashed perfectly at the neck area with a
sword or knife. The murderer did not leave any footprints no finger prints … nothing at all, it as if the Admiral
had killed himself. An investigation immediately took place but there was not the time or money to find out who
killed Admiral James Thealle. The Earthen alliances were in devastation of the event, Venus's military grew low
in power, due to the death of Venus's head commanding officer for all operations. It was a jab to the throat as the
reporters said to the worlds of Mars and Earth, some said it was Jupiter's Special forces unit that might had
survived years ago, but it was not possible, only one this was certain at this point, someone is trying to take over
the Earthen alliances by means of assassination of the great leaders of their societies. Every major commanding
Admiral, General, Commodore, the President were all put in high security defensive places to ensure their
safety. The Earthen alliance's Venus allies were corrupting and under siege by their own political societies
demanding the next courses of action.
"So we're in deep hell …" Thitaya said slowly, Rogan nodded softly and sighed drinking more of her
coffee and starring at herself in then coffee's reflection.
"So are you going to look for the murderer?" Thitaya asked suddenly, Rogan looked up slowly and stared at
her for a moment then she spoke slowly.
"I don't have a choice… I cannot let my father die this way without trying to find out who kill him… I want
to get revenge … Thitaya…"
"I know you better than that Rogan-""But this is different!" Rogan interrupted suddenly.
"Look I know you're angered but you can't let this get so close to you… you don't have the time to now…
Rogan… you are to be the next Admiral of operations …" Thitaya said slowly.
"But I have no right to take that position… I'm only 25, Thitaya" Rogan said softly.
"But your Venus's only hope! Rogan you can't try now … Venus will fall without a leader." Thitaya argued.
"Then let them fall!" Rogan cried out lowering her head down; Thitaya could hear her soft whimpers.
Hours later Thitaya sighed staring out the window at the large city below, she saw the nasty old cold face
of hers again, she shook it out of her mind. She went with finding out… I'm not sure how this will go with the
planet… Thitaya said in her mind, she heard footsteps approach her from behind, she glanced over her shoulder
and saw another one of her friends, Virgil Miguelen was his name, an early friend from her days in the space
academy years and years ago. Thitaya was happy and a bit sad at the same time, then she turned out to her friend.
"Virgil?" Thitaya said acknowledging his presence. "Hey Thitaya…" Virgil responded lowly. "So… how is
Rogan?" he continued.
"She's pretty hard on herself… I don't blame the girl…" Thitaya answered with a crude sigh.
"Where is she now?" Virgil asked blinking "She's gone off to investigate the murder… she should be in the
Admiral's office" Thitaya explained slowly.
"Shouldn't you be with her Thitaya?" Virgil said quirking an eyebrow.
"I have other things to attend to…" Thitaya answered back sighing again and turning back to face out the
window.
"Thitaya… she's your best friend…" Virgil added suddenly. "She'll be alright…" Thitaya grunted.
"Your hopeless sometimes… you know that?" Virgil commented turning off and walking back down the
hall. Thitaya sighed and turned around to watch him leave. Maybe he's right…Thitaya pushed away from the
window and headed into down after Virgil.
Thitaya looked around the at the lighted corridor, uniformed personnel past her at times, breaking her thinking. Thitaya sighed and paused suddenly, she blinked and looked around, in her mind she saw the cold face in her eyes, her spine tingled. Thitaya didn't even realize she had bumped into someone, she was on the floor blinking as her real life became her reality.
"Watch it!" she heard the female officer yell at her. Thitaya screeched and winced at the woman's yell, she slowly opened her eyes and saw a stiff looking lady, her face was emotionless not even a tingle of expression ran through her. Thitaya just stared at her, the officer looked like the cold face of her dream.
"I… I'm sorry…" Thitaya said shakily, Thitaya looked at the officer closely, she read the tag on her uniform it designated her as "LT.JG FALLS"
Thitaya never heard of the Junior Lieutenant before in her life ever.
"You better" the cold officer said quirking an eyebrow and walking right over Thitaya.
Who in the world… the thought went through her mind as she turned to stare at the woman who was now walking away in the distance. Thitaya got up again and dusted herself off, she sighed softly and continued down her to her original path, she knew she had to get a record on the Lieutenant she just encountered, somehow, she had a bad feeling about her and didn't like it very much.
"So what's the verdict?" Virgil said looking out the window of the Admiral's room.
"There is none… the murderer didn't leave a finger print… nothing… as if he had been killed by a ghost" Rogan said shuddering as she scanned through the logs.
"What have I missed?" Thitaya blurted as she entered the room. "nothing in particular … just stuck in our own mess" Virgil added sighing out the window.
"Hey Thitaya…" Rogan said quietly in her father's desk. Thitaya saw she was scanning through her father's log entries.
"No investigation team?" Thitaya said quirking an eyebrow. "We were told we had to work alone this…unfortunately. funding cause of the murder has gone to an all time low now… and there's nothing we can do about it" Virgil explained turning around to her. Rogan sighed and put her head down on the desk.
"What am I gambling?" Rogan mumbled. "Not really what… more like who" Thitaya added embracing her friend. "So what are the facts we have so far?" Thitaya continued, looking at Virgil.
"The murderer hacked into the door lock with some type of the fake keycard … doesn't seem possible since that system's almost impossible to crack with a fake card. No footprints or fingerprints found at all, the victim was killed with a metal object or some sort, maybe a sword of some type. Also the murderer came in when all the guard's were gone … strangely one guard was supposed to be there at the time… but she was not there" Virgil explained again slowly.
"Who was the guard?" Thitaya asked rubbing Rogan's back. "Umm… Corporal B. Winters I believe … she's still missing, she's a prime suspect but… there are doubts. In her record she's been here on Venus the whole time, and she's never had any contact as far as we've checked her communications records and she's no were near a computer's expert to get the fake keycard used to open the door. I just don't know why she's missing."
"Maybe she was killed? Then her body hidden like any ordinary spy or assassin would?" Thitaya added.
"That's a possibility … but the entire building's been checked, anyway I'm going to retire for now. See you two later" Virgil yawned and walked out the door.
"Rogan? Are you all right?" Thitaya said looking back to her friend on the desk.
"I'm fine Thitaya" Rogan's voice was shaky as if she had been weeping the entire time.
"Here… I'll get you too your room" Thitaya slowly lifted Rogan from the desk and supported her as they walked out the door.
