Sonya chuckled. “Like I said, t-ball. It’s a good way to get your feet wet, no pun intended. Do you have any questions?”
Roen put down the papers and stared at the scattered items on the coffee table. “I don’t know. This is so much so soon. I feel rushed. Is this how fast the Prophus always move?”
Sonya shook her head. “You’re a bit of a unique case.” She knelt down in front of him and held his hands. “I know this is all very overwhelming, but you joined us at a particularly important time within the war. You have to understand, the Prophus have a small army of agents and all those agents would give up an arm to be a host. Some of our people have spent years fighting for the cause, hoping one day to earn a Quasing. They usually choose crème de la crème for that privilege, handpicking from the best military, scientific, and political minds. You’re very lucky to have Tao, but you’re behind the curve, so we need to get you up to speed.”
Roen nodded solemnly. “I’ll do my best.”
Sonya patted him on the arm. “I know you will. Just try not to get killed until your best is good enough.” She stood up and made another exaggerated curtsey. “There’s one more thing. And Bob, what else does Roen Tan win? A new car!” She tossed him a set of keys.
Roen couldn’t help it – and Tao would most likely never let him live it down as long as they were together – but he jumped up and down, and screamed like a little girl who just got a pony for her birthday. Ever since that night with Omer, Roen had abandoned his car. Tao had informed him later on that a Prophus cleanup crew had picked it up and sold it at an auction. Since then, he had been taking the bus and train around the city. Roen hated public transportation. Now, he got a new car!
“Call it an initiation present.” Sonya grinned. “You want to see it? It’s been sitting in the garage all morning.”
Images of James Bond’s Aston Martin flashed through his head as he scampered – faster than he ever jogged – toward the garage. Maybe it was a Porsche. Or a convertible Mercedes or BMW with built-in machine guns. And flamethrowers. And oil slicks like in Spy Hunter. He ran to the loading dock with Sonya close behind, swung the door open, and gaped. He turned to Sonya, paused, and then looked back at the car.
“You got me a brown Fiat hatchback?” he stammered. “My old car was worth twice that! I didn’t even know they made Fiats in this country.”
The Prophus own quite a few shares of Fiat. We can get them at cost.
“Color not to your liking?” She was having way too much fun at his expense.
“Yeah, poop brown sucks for a car color. I thought I’d get something nicer now that I’m an agent.”
Sonya shrugged. “Sorry, budget constraints. Besides, the point of a secret agent is to blend in with your surroundings. Driving around in a Ferrari would make you stand out like a sore thumb. Besides, can you even drive stick?” That shut him up.
She gave him one more pat on the butt as she put on her jacket and walked toward the door. Before she left, Sonya turned and grinned again. “One more thing, just a little piece of advice. Make sure you have all that information memorized before you push that button. And when you do push it, don’t be near anything flammable. Well, enjoy your ride and good luck on your mission tomorrow. Try not to die.” And then she was gone.
CHAPTER TWELVE: THE TRUTH
I did not say no when he invaded the southern Chinese kingdoms. I did not say no when he moved his armies west. By the time I ordered Temujin to stop warring, it was too late. I did the unforgivable thing and lost control of my host. Like many others before us, we both became victims of our success. By this time, Temujin knew nothing but war. The Mongol civilization knew nothing else as well. I had created the one civilization that I had hoped to destroy.
“So, what’s all this about?” Antonio demanded as Roen came home and kicked off his shoes.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied innocently.
“Don’t be a smart ass. Something is going on. You’re out every morning jogging these days. This is coming from a dude who would rather break a leg than break a sweat. I haven’t heard you bitch about work in a while. You’re working out with a sizzling hot girl, and you’re not playing video games anymore.”
Roen tried to appear nonchalant as he walked to his room to change. “Priorities, my good man. It’s just time to do more with my life.”
Antonio followed. “That’s a bunch of bull; you’re different. You’re not the fat bastard I know and love. Are you doing drugs? Are you on cocaine? You can tell me. I’m a doctor and your best friend.”
Roen smirked. “You make it sound like my lifestyle change is bad.”
“Not bad, but still alarming.”
Roen hesitated. He’d been dying to tell someone about this. If he couldn’t tell his best friend, who could he tell? He finished changing and walked into the kitchen.
Antonio trailed after him, opening the fridge and pointing inside. “Look at what you’re eating now too. I came in last week to grab a pot pie, and there weren’t any! In the three years that we’ve lived together, there hasn’t been one moment where we didn’t have enough sodas and pot pies to last through a nuclear winter. I used to be comforted by the fact that if we were ever trapped in our apartment, all we needed was the food in the freezer and an oven to survive. Now, all we have is a bunch of raw veggies and brown rice! Where’s the frozen pizza? Where’s the ice cream?”
Roen sighed. A pizza would really hit the spot right about now. He’d been behaving well this past month. Was it wrong to treat himself?
Stay on the bandwagon. Avoid temptation.
“But… it’s been so long! Don’t I get a reward for being good?”
Fitness is its own reward.
“That’s easy for you to say. Argh! Now I can’t stop thinking about pizza.”
Tao and the lack of pizza had been gnawing at Roen for weeks now. His alien secret and his angry neglected stomach were itches that just wouldn’t stop. He decided then and there to scratch both itches at the same time. He had behaved well, and by golly, he was going to eat that well-deserved pizza, Tao be damned! Besides, it was good to bond with his roommate. He’d been so busy that the two had barely spoken.
“All right, let’s go to Lou’s for dinner and grab some deep dish. We can talk about it then.” Roen closed the fridge.
Wait… talk about what? About me? This is a bad idea, Roen.
“That’s what I’m talking about.” Antonio whooped. “Hang on. Let me get my jacket. I’ll drive, then?”
Roen twirled his keys around his fingers. “Look who got a new car!” Antonio grinned and ran into his room.
Do not say anything to your friend!
After knowing he was getting deep dish pizza, Roen became more and more excited. His taste buds sprang to life and his mouth watered at the very thought of cheese, pepperoni, and butter crust. The two almost raced down to the garage in glee and moments later were driving downtown to their favorite pizza joint for some Chicago deep dish. Soon, they were waiting for their order in one of the booths, the aroma of marinara and pepperoni filling their nostrils. Roen had to keep reminding himself that this was only for a special occasion.
“First of all, what’s the deal with Sonya? I mean, come on, buddy, I didn’t know you had it in you.” Antonio squinted at Roen. “Wait, she’s not a professional, is she?”
“Professional what?”
Antonio laughed. “Get your mind out of the gutter. Professional trainer, dummy. Well, if she is, I don’t blame you. You look like half of you already. Literally. So if she is, she’s worth it.” He paused. “Is she?”
“No.”
“Then who is she and how did this miraculous transformation come about?” Antonio made circular gestures at Roen’s slimmer body.