�I�m sorry. Chairman Federov is still unavailable.�
Nervously pacing, Da�an eyed the datastream as the automated message played again. It had probably been his fifth or sixth call in the past hour� he couldn�t remember anymore. The only thing he knew was that he had to get in touch with Federov, as soon as possible.
That dreaded feeling had returned to gnaw at his insides. Da�an had never experienced anything quite like this; something akin to a hunger so painful, so desperate to be satiated that he felt as though he had no control over his body anymore.
He was at a loss to explain the sensation, and only worked to calm it.
�I will call back, then.�
Waving the datastream away, Da�an sighed shakily. He only had one kryss vial left� and if he used it now, what would happen if he couldn�t reach Federov any time soon?
Relief beckoned to him� but he had to resist! How could a mere substance have such power over him? Every time he absorbed the sparkling kryss dust, it brought a surge of pure ecstasy, a moment of glorious peace, something he had never quite experienced when taking it only to adapt to Earth�s atmosphere.
But soon, the pleasure would fade, leaving a distinctly unpleasant, nauseating feeling, and then the craving began again, bringing pain, weakness, and constant fear, fear of being discovered� of being shamed and accused�
Fear, of being unable to locate another dosage of kryss before the pain became unbearable. This was almost more frightening then being exposed. The more kryss he took, however, the more it weakened him, and Da�an was aware of the damage being done to his body.
What choice did he have? It was either death from lack of kryss, or death from too much kryss. What had he done to deserve such a horrid condition?
�Is there something I should know about?�
Startled out of his thoughts, Da�an whirled around and found himself staring at his protector.
Liam! How long had he been standing there? How much had he heard? Rather, how much did he already know?
The human merely stood a few paces away, looking relatively harmless, though Da�an felt anything but safe. Facing Liam right now was the last thing he wanted.
�Are you� spying on me, major?� Da�an asked, struggling to regain his composure, and aware that he was failing completely.
Was Liam looking to fight again? Surely he had discovered something else he wished to argue about; it seemed it was all Liam had to say these days. Only accusations, and veiled insults, and�
�Spying? I just asked you a simple question.�
Simple question? No, something wasn�t right. Liam was obviously hiding something. Any minute now, he would start accusing.
Da�an felt the beginnings of dizziness, having neither the strength nor the will to fight right now. He felt exhausted, and yet also agitated; his body was battling between his basic needs, and this newfound, unpleasant need he could not control.
�And I have given you a simple answer!� Da�an said, turning his back to Liam. �I do not wish to be disturbed.�
He had hoped Liam would get the message and leave, but still his protector relented. �You sound upset,� he said gently.
Is that concern, Liam? Da�an thought. But no, Liam could not be truly worried about his well-being. Obviously, Liam wanted something of him�
�That is because� I am fatigued, and I do not wish to waste any time answering your pointless questions.�
The hunger was becoming unbearable now� burning pangs assaulted his chest, and the dizziness had intensified. He desperately needed relief, if only for a second� if only Liam would leave him, leave him to his own private suffering�
Go away, Liam, please, go away�
�If there�s something wrong��
�Leave me alone!� Da�an finally uttered, praying that it would be enough to convince Liam to leave. �Did you not hear me?�
It seemed to work, as Liam relented and exited the chamber without another word.
Alone at last, Da�an winced.
Yes, Liam� he thought. Something is wrong. Very wrong. I hunger for something that I know is killing me. I wish for your help, but cannot ask� you cannot know this weakness. What will you say? Accuse me again? I grow so weary of our fights, Liam� It is better that I suffer this alone. Something is happening to me, and I cannot understand it. I can no longer control my body� these feelings are unpleasant, and yet so strong I cannot deny them.
He wished for a moment that he had not forced Liam away, but it was too late.
Gingerly, he reached into a tiny compartment embedded in the armrest of his chair, pulling out his last vial of kryss. The lavender crystals glittered under the light, soothingly inviting� deceptively venomous.
Was peace worth the cost?
The only peace he felt now came from a kryss vial, and that peace was not without its painful consequences. It was too much� was it worth continuing like this? Living hours of pain in anticipation of a few moments of calm?
But there was nothing to do� no one he could go to for help. He himself had no idea what was wrong.
He held up the glimmering vial between his fingers, ready to satiate his desire, but then a hand reached from behind him and plucked the vial away. Startled again, Da�an could not hold back a small cry of surprise as Liam seemingly appeared out of nowhere, to steal his last source of relief.
�We need to talk.�
More shocked than angry, Da�an straightened and tried to muster as intimidating an attitude as he could, though panic was quickly taking over. �How dare you?�
Da�an�s head had begun to ache dully. Liam had to know. He had known all along. And now he would tell everyone!
�Why is Federov supplementing your kryss allotment?�
Liam�s words felt distant, echoing from far away. The only thing Da�an could hear was the incessant pounding in his head, enhanced by the unbearable craving. Breathing became difficult as his chest tightened with pangs, almost to the point of agony; he could not wait a moment longer!
�Relinquish the vial at once!� he ordered, reaching out with a trembling hand for the vial, but Liam only pulled it farther out of reach, closing his fist around it.
�You don�t want to tell me? Fine. I�ll go ask Zo�or.�
Zo�or! No, Liam, please�
The shock and the sudden fear of being discovered were too much at once. Dizziness and a sudden nausea overtook him as he spun away from Liam, from those accusing eyes�
No, Liam couldn�t do such a thing� he couldn�t hurt him, not again�
�No� no!� Da�an pleaded. His vision blurred, and it was all he could do to form the next words. �Zo�or� must not� know about��
His last thoughts were of his child and the Synod�s reaction, of their stern and condemning glares, as his weakness would be exposed until finally, his weakened legs gave way and he sank to the floor, darkness enveloping his mind.
Liam, please�
Help me�