Buried Secrets: Bygones - Chapter 5

Mylos was released from the infirm a few hours later. Fortunately, he was released back to his quarters, rather than into a jail cell, though he was advised to remain there for his 'safety'.  Word had apparently gotten out about not only about who was responsible for the Tantupe's destruction, but that Mylos' was a biotic.  Even on the short walk back to his quarters, he could feel the eyes of his fellow turians digging into his back.  That was nothing compared to the shock he felt when he opened the door to his quarters.

The place had been ransacked:  clothing drawers rifled through, pictures out of place, the bed disheveled and the comm console looked like it had been hacked.  Everything that obviously belonged to Arsenus was gone, along with a number of other things that was jointly owned.  In all honesty, Mylos found it hard to care about most of the missing things: he felt more upset over the intrusion into his own privacy.

On the dresser he saw a picture of him and Arsenus when they had graduated from boot camp.  A little surprised the police didn't take that to, he picked it up and looked at, feeling rush of different emotions as he did so.  At first he felt the joy he felt when Arsenus was alive, followed by the grief of his death.  Then, anger.

"You were always getting into trouble…," Mylos muttered.  "Always bringing things onto yourself, but you never dragged me into it…unless I wanted to."  He gripped the picture frame tightly.  "So…why now?  Why now!?"  Mylos threw the picture against the wall, the glass and frame shattering.

Mylos stared at the resulting mess for a moment before sighing and collapsing on the bed.  He felt no relief from his outburst, only more pain and confusion.  "I loved you…," he whimpered, burying his head in his pillow.  "I thought you loved me too…why do this to me?  Why?"

Somehow, despite the pain and grief, he managed to fall asleep.

--

The next few days were rather boring.  This was mostly due to Mylos following the advice of his superiors about staying in his room.  In fact, he only left his room to eat and then came straight back:  he didn't interact with anyone if he could help it.  Not that he wanted to, considering the looks he was still getting.  So far though, no one confronted him or tried to get in his face.

One thing that annoyed him though, was that communication outside the base was locked down.  That meant he couldn't contact his father and tell him why he didn't come home.  He was fairly certain his console was bugged, considering how certain Teso was of his guilt, not that he would have said anything incriminating anyway.

He was, indeed, questioned once more as well in fact, though this time the questioning was led by the Cabal that supported him before.  Her full name was Major Sethia Musan and she was very fair with him, though Mylos honestly couldn't tell her anymore than he had already.  At least the result of this round was him being officially cleared of any wrong doing, which was a big relief.

Afterward, she had him scanned for how abundant the eezo nodules were in his body and it seemed he had quite a number of them, at least sufficient to likely be useful in combat situations.  Mylos groaned at that news, as to him it just meant that the likelihood of him ever advancing in his piloting career was minimal at best.  Major Sethia told him that she may be able to arrange it so that he can at least continue to fly shuttles, but Mylos found that to be of little comfort.  She did give him some good news at least a short time later:  he was finally being allowed to go home…that day…for a whole month!

For the first time in days, Mylos felt excited and he immediately went about packing the moment he returned to his quarters.

"My, that news certainly got a fire going here." Sethia's voice said close by, making him jump.

"Major?" Mylos said, turning to see her standing in the threshold.  "No disrespect ma'am, but ever heard of knocking?"

"You left your door wide open in your rush," Sethia pointed out with a smirk.  "I see you never straightened this place up after the investigation team went through it."

"I didn't see the point…," Mylos grumbled, his mood souring just a bit.

"In that case, I hope you are able to find all your belongings," Sethia said.  "As you won't be coming back here once your leave is over."

"Huh? Why?  I thought my biotic training would start when I returned here after my leave was over."

"Normally, that would be true, but command felt the animosity toward you would get in the way of your training."

"Oh…that…," Mylos sighed.  "Despite being officially cleared of any wrong doing people still think I may be at fault.  How do we know for sure that I won't encounter the same issue elsewhere?"

"Since the incident is still under investigation, information regarding it is on a strict 'need to know' basis.  The Academy on Palaven does not need to know, so they won't, unless you feel the need to tell them yourself."

"Palaven…?" Mylos froze in his tracks.

"You seem surprised."

"It's just…Arsenus…he was born there, but he never told me much about it.  Not that I'd take him for his word to begin with now…."

"Palaven is a beautiful world, Mylos," Sethia said.  "Well, was, before the Reapers came and burned most of the planet.  It is slowly becoming beautiful again, however."

"I've heard it was rife with corruption and crime."

"Every world has its problems, some more than others.  Regardless, the Academy you will be going to is secure."

"As far as we know," Mylos pointed out as he did a final check around the room.  "There may be more like Arsenus that may do something random and stupid."

Sethia was quiet for a moment.  Before she spoke again, she stepped into the room fully and closed the door.  "I shouldn't tell you this, but, the evidence we've gathered so far is that Arsenus' act was not random, but planned."

Mylos stopped and turned toward her, mild surprise on his face.  "Planned?  You mean he was planning to do this all along?"

"Perhaps not solely by him," Setha explained.  "Shortly after the incident, we got a message from an anonymous party that essentially said that 'the Hierarchies love for the other races would only doom us, like it nearly did over eleven years ago'."

"That's referring to the majority of our Fleet leaving for Sol during the Reaper War…," Mylos said, to which Sethia nodded.  "What foolishness…from what I know, we won the Reaper War because we worked together.  All of us…every race."

"May turians still have something against other races, Mylos," Sethia reminded him.  "Especially humans."

"Yeah, I know…," Mylos muttered.  "Some for understandable reasons…other's…just because they are different from us.  This period of forced isolation is not helping any."

"That is why it is so important to reconnect with our allies, to mend the strained relations and to help each other continue to rebuild."

"But this group that Arsenus was apparently connected to wants us to remain isolated."

"It would seem to be so, but nothing is completely certain right now.  That said, do not let this investigation and the unknowns associated with it stop you from continuing your life, Mylos.  You've contributed as much as you could, so now it is time for you to move on."

"Hrmm…you're right…," Mylos muttered as he picked up the picture frame he had thrown few days before.  "The past is the past, you cannot change it…no matter how much you want to…."

"Let me know when you are ready to go, Mylos."  Sethai said as she opened the door.  "I'll escort you to the shuttlebay."

Mylos nodded his thanks as he stared at the picture once more.  With a sigh he started to put it on the dresser, but something shiny on the back caught his eye.  Looking closer, he could see something metallic sticking out from behind the cardboard backing.  Carefully he pulled the backing out to reveal a datadisk: he was fairly certain it wasn't there when the picture was originally framed.

"Major," he called out.  

"Yes, Mylos?" Sethia said, coming back in.

"I think I can contribute a little more…."  Mylos showed her the picture frame, the disk still inside.  "I just found this.  Arsenus had to be the one to put it there.

"Well done, Mylos," Sethia said, taking the frame and disk.  "I don't know how the team missed this, but if Arsenus is the one that left it, it may contain vital information.  I'll get this to Officer Esar immediately.  Did you want to know if Arsenus…."

"No," Mylos said before she finished.  "I'm washing my hands of him…I want nothing more to do with him.  I am moving on…as you suggested."

"As you wish."

It was a good thing Mylos kept more than one suitcase around, for it took three of them to pack all of his belongings.  Fortunately, he didn't have to worry about moving furniture, as those belonged to the base.  Even if they weren't, he was certain Major Sethia could arrange for their transfer to his new assignment, or put them in storage until his biotic training was finished.

"Here are your flight arrangements for when it's time to go to your new assignment and the required paperwork to get past the front desk," Major Sethia said as she handed him a datapad containing said information as they waited for his shuttle to arrive.  "The intern there is very meticulous about ensuring only authorized individuals come in."

"Sounds like you know this intern very well," Mylos said as he carefully put the datapad into one of his bags.

"I should: she's my daughter," Sethia said with no small amount of pride in her voice.

"Oh…um…is she a biotic as well?" Mylos asked, feeling awkward.

"Yes, but her powers are weak," Sethia said sadly.  "Even with an implant it wouldn't be suitable for combat."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be.  She knows being a biotic isn't everything and she works very hard regardless."

"I see.  Am I…going to end up with an implant myself?"

"The medics here felt it would be too risky with your previous history of brain trauma," Sethia explained.  "The medical personnel at the Academy will likely reevaluate you for themselves to be sure.  I must warn you though, that if they decide not to put an implant in, your training will take longer and be harder."

"Lovely.  I don't like it…but I guess all I can do is to do my best at it."

"That is all we ask of you, Mylos," Sethia said.  "Ah, there's your shuttle.  You take care of yourself, Mylos Hiroten."

"I will, Major, and…thank you…for supporting me."

"I just did what any honorable turian would do, Mylos."

"Ah, so does that make Teso a dishonorable asshole?" Mylos gave her sly smile.

At that Sethia laughed.  "Goodness no!  Teso is a good man, just…over enthusiastic about his job.  Now go on, before the shuttle leaves without you."

"Yes ma'am!"  

Mylos gathered up his bags and boarded the shuttle.  Moments later, the shuttle doors closed, and Mylos felt a wave of sadness.  The life I knew is officially over, he realized.  From this point on, I'll likely be stuck in a field unit again.  Mylos sighed mournfully.  Will I ever pilot even a shuttle again?

--

The trip was uneventful.  Mylos napped most of the time, preferring to sleep rather than to have his mind wander onto things he'd rather not think about.  Of course he couldn't sleep through the whole journey, so his mind did wander a bit, mostly about how biotic training will be.  Thoughts of Arsenus did creep into his mind a couple of times, mostly on the 'why' Arsenus would do such a thing he did.  Mylos, however had resigned himself to likely never finding out the reason.  He was finding it hard to care about him anyway:  Arsenus betrayed him and their people, so why should he?

When the shuttle arrived at his destination, he opted to take a taxi rather than to call up his dad to pick him up.  He didn't want to risk distracting Panus from his driving during the inevitable conversation about the incident.  The last thing he needed was for his aging father to have heart attack from the shock….

When the taxi pulled up to his father's house, Mylos immediately noticed that one car was missing.  He prayed his father hadn't gone out somewhere, leaving him to wait for who knows how long outside.  His fears were quickly quelled when Panus himself stepped out as he unloaded his bags from the taxi.  Panus looked shocked at first, but that was quickly replaced by immense relief.

"Thank the spirits!" Panus said as he approached him.  "I feared something terrible happened to you…."

"Something has happened, dad," Mylos said as they embraced briefly.  "Something…big."

"Must be big…," Panus said as he looked at his bags.  "Three bags?  That's so unlike you.  You're not taking lessons from Arsenus are you?"  Mylos winced at that name, which Panus caught.  "What happened son?"

"I'll explain when we get inside…," Mylos sighed as he paid the taxi driver and started to carry his things toward the house.  "What happened to the other car?"  he asked.

"I gave it to one of your mother's co-workers," Panus explained as they walked toward the house.  "Whom needed it far more then I will now."  There was a long pause before  Panus added.  "Nyla's funeral was beautiful…Many of her co-workers where there, along with some members of her family.  I…I wish you could have been there, son."

"So do I, father, so do I," Mylos said sadly.  

When they entered the house, Mylos could immediately tell the difference.  The house, while still relatively clean, was no longer immaculate.  He could also smell the distinct smell of takeout food.  "Ordering out a lot, dad," he asked.

"Yeah…," Panus said sheepishly.  "I know how to cook…but…just…."  There was a shuttering sigh, and then he finally added.  "I miss her…Mylos.  The house is just too peacefull without her."

"I'm already getting what you mean," Mylos conceded as he put his bags in his room.  "Did they catch the bastard that did it?"

"No," Panus growled.  "The trail had gone dead cold, they said.  Hard to believe such a reckless turian could disappear into thin air like that."

"Maybe he or she took his own life after they realized what they had done?"  Mylos offered.

"There have been no reports of suicide since then, so I doubt it.  Though if I was the bastard, I would try to stay alive as long as possible…as I know Nyla's ghost would be on him the moment he passes."

"I have to wonder if she's giving Arsenus the tongue lashing of the afterlife….," Mylos muttered under this breath.

"Huh?  What did you say, son?"

Mylos sighed and went to the living room and sat down.  He knew he should tell him, but he wanted to know what his father knew first so he didn't end up repeating what he already knew.  "Have you heard about anything happening on Menae?" he asked.

"I heard there was an accident," Panus said as he sat down as well.  "Several hands lost.  No details given, no matter how much I tried to pry those two officials that stopped by a few of days ago."

"Officials?"

"Yeah.  At first I feared they were going to inform me that you were among the dead, but no, they told me you were alive and well.  However, they also told me that you would be unable to contact me for some time due to the investigation into the accident."  After a brief pause he continued.  "As a former general, I knew how to read between the lines, as it where…I knew, by what they said and how they said it, that somehow you were involved in some way."

"I wasn't, not directly.  Arsenus, however…." Mylos sighed heavily before continuing.  "He's dead, father.  Blew himself up along with the Tantupe in what appears to be a deliberate act."

"What!?"  Panus straightened up in shock.  "You are certain of this?"

"Every bit of evidence they uncovered so far points to it," Mylos said.  "Worse, that asshole nearly got me put in jail over it, due to my relationship with him."

"Spirits…He didn't seem like the kind of man to do such a thing."

"He blindsided everyone, father, including me."

"Well, I certainly hope the investigation team wasn't too harsh on you."

"Initially…they weren't that kind toward me, one in particular liked to play the 'bad cop' too much.  That is…until I smashed a table in rage…a metal one that is."  Mylos smiled briefly at the memory of the look on Teso's face.

"Wait…what?" Panus looked understandably confused.

"Apparently I am a biotic, father," Mylos explained.  "The stress of the interrogation caused it to manifest briefly."

"A biotic?  Yet…you should no signs of it while you were a kid, Mylos."

"Yeah, I know.  My 'awakening' surprised everyone.  Considering how some people feel toward biotics, I would not be surprised if I did manifest earlier, only to get shot for it."  He pointed at where his scar is.

"Yes…that would make sense," Panus agreed.  "As sad as it is, that would also explain why no one came to claim you after I found you: you were essentially disowned."

"It's just speculation though," Mylos cautioned.  "A plausible one, but speculation none the less."

"So, let me guess.  That you are a biotic is the reason why you have more than one bag:  you're being transferred to a Cabal training camp."

"That is correct," Mylos said with a faint chuckle.  "I am to report to the Academy on Palaven in a month."

"A month?  That's a long wait. Why so long?"

At that Mylos shrugged, as he actually never considered asking that question: he had just been glad he was going home.  "My best guess is that Major Sethia pulled some strings to 'compensate' for the rough treatment I was under."

"I certainly appreciate it:  after what you went through, you deserve the time off."

"Yeah…."

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm hungry."

"Come to think of it, so am I.  What's for dinner?"

"Eh, I was going to just bring up a random take out menu and point at something with my eyes closed."  When he saw Mylos' blank look, he added.  "What?  I'm not picky!"

At that, Mylos just laughed.