Only War Lasts Forever

Chapter 10

Eight months had passed since the battle for Yalthoo VII had finished, and Jaan was riding in the back of a taxi with Helix more or less sitting next to him.

After the discovery of hidden pathways into Yalthian stronghold, the siege was all but over within a fortnight. The Yalthians had never expected for the HDGA soldiers to discover the pathways, and so left them practically unguarded. Once the HDGA was inside, the Yalthians surrendered almost instantly, and the largest and longest fight on the planet was over.

The months following their victory were spent establishing a tighter grip on the local government and economy, as well as wiping out small pockets of resistance formed by the most passionate of Yalthian dissenters.

Jaan had received a commendation on his file for his actions, meaning that the next time he was considered for a promotion or a medal, he had a higher chance of receiving it. However, it didn’t really matter him what reward, if any, he would receive. In the end, he was glad he was able to do the right thing.

By the end of the operation, it became known that majority of Jaan’s battalion were going to be given extended leave. Helix had asked Jaan to come to his home planet, promising that he would not be disappointed. Jaan had been reluctant to accept it partly because he had wanted to return to Fondain IV to see his parents, but Andi was returning there and promised to tell them all about how things were going. In the end, Jaan decided to take Helix up on his offer.

On the shuttle to Thoritt, puzzlingly Renfai had tagged along, but she sat in a different section than Jaan and Helix and did not speak with either them. After they had landed, though, Renfai departed and left to a different part of the complex.

“This planet is a major transportation and shipping hub,” Helix had said, “It’s possible that this is one stop of many on her way home.”

Jaan had decided to accept that answer, though he wondered why she never even made eye contact with either of them and appeared to sleep the entire journey.

However, the most shocking even Jaan experienced took place in the taxi he was currently riding in when Helix told Jaan the reason for his visit.

“Jaan, the truth is… I asked you to come along because I am scared. I ran away from home nearly two years ago. I dodged some major responsibilities—real, actual life obligations that I did not wish to fulfill—and ran away to join a foreign military. This will be the first time I have seen my family in almost a year and a half. I want you to come along because I need a friend for support, and possibly someone there to prove that I am not an incapable fool who cannot make friends. But also, Jaan, I have a wife.”

When Jaan had heard that, he would have jumped if there was room. The idea of Helix being married seemed like such an alien concept.

“A wife? What—what did you do?!” Though Jaan didn’t mean it maliciously, he was certain there was no way Helix would have married willingly.

“Nothing. Well, the whole story is that my parents are incredibly wealthy nouveau riche, and her parents are poor but honored and connected aristocrats. Our marriage was purely political; her parents would once again have access to wealth, and my parents would gain a greater foothold into the realm of the elite, and thus more ways of acquiring wealth.

“But, I could not force her to be stuck with me. After the ceremony, I left. I waited until the documents had been finalized so that our parents would not lose out on their trade agreement, and then I snuck away so that she would not lose her freedom.”

“I think I understand. At least, a little bit. So then why are you returning?”

“In truth, I miss my mother and my father. I am similar to them in many respects; I have my mother’s attention to detail and my father’s wild nature. Actually, to be fair my father is not involved with the money at all. When I was very young our business was struggling and so my father had to work, but since then every penny we make is thanks to my mother and her sharp business acumen. My father, bless his heart, is even more wild than me. But my mother loves him very much precisely because of that, and he loves her because she’s not afraid of him.”

After their conversation had ended, neither of them spoke, and the taxi ride was quiet. There was sound-proofing material between the driver and the passenger area, and so the only way to speak with the other was through an intercom system. The chance that the driver heard their conversation was slim to none.

Jaan was busy taking in the new information. Helix had always been vague about his past, and in a way Jaan found that to be easier to comprehend.

The time that passed between the point where their conversation stopped and when the taxi stopped was not very long. However, there wasn’t a building in sight. The taxi driver turned around and spoke.

“I’m sorry, but this is as far as I can take you. The Trunt estate property line starts here and only drivers with the proper permits are aloud to pass through here. Unfortunately, yours truly isn’t one.”

“That wasn’t a rule the last time I was here.” Helix raised an eyebrow skeptically.

“You must have been gone for a while, then. Within the past year or so the Trunt family has risen to greater political power, and now there are laws made especially for them. They’ve gone from successful business owners who gave back to the community to ego-tripping, power-hungry sons of bitches.”

Helix raised his eyebrow. “I understand. Jaan, I’m sorry, but from here must walk.”

“That’s fine. I’d prefer to walk at this point. I’ve been sitting for nearly 15 hours.”

“I’m afraid you can’t do that either,” the driver said, “the Trunts don’t want anyone on their property without permission. I suppose it’s always been like that, but before you would just get lectured, not thrown in jail.”

Helix visibly cringed. Obviously, something was different about his family, and it clearly made him upset. “We’ll take our chances, don’t worry.”

Helix and Jaan departed from the vehicle and took their small amount of luggage with them. Helix paid the driver and thanked him, to which the taxi driver finally asked,

“Say, just who are you folks anyway? Why are you visiting the Trunt estate?”

Jaan shook his head. “I’m no one special, just a friend of their only son.”

Helix laughed out loud. “I’m the only son.”

The driver’s eyes widened in horror. Though he hadn’t said anything too offensive, his tone when speaking about Helix’s family was not the nicest. He seemed to be afraid of what Helix might do to him.

“I-I’m sorry, s-sir. I didn’t mean to… um…” The driver’s voice trailed off as his eyes looked down.

Helix reached through the window and gave the man a pat on the shoulder. “Do not fear. I have been gone for over a year, and I had no idea that my family had changed so much. I promise that your criticisms will be safe with me. But, I will admit that now I am very concerned.”

The driver smiled very slightly, clearly relieved. “Thank you. I’m sorry, even if I meant what I said, I wouldn’t have said it in front of their family, no matter how forgiving they might be.”

Helix nodded in understanding, and motioned for Jaan to follow him. The driver drove off, and the two of them began walking.

Concerned about being arrested, Jaan spoke. “Helix, does your family even know you’re coming?”

“Honestly, no. I’m sure that after I had left they spent some effort in looking for me and they probably did find out where I was, but the chances of them being aware of my every action are negligible. Part of the reason I chose the HDGA was because I knew they would be unable to fetch me once I was enlisted. The HDGA is an entity which they can exert none of their influence over.”

“That makes sense,” Jaan said, “but I’m still worried that we’ll be arrested before you even reach your house. How do we even know that you will be welcomed back?”

“I thought that my family hadn’t changed, and I was banking on the fact that they were still the happy people I had left.”

Jaan wanted to press Helix some more, but he knew it would only make him uncomfortable.

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