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Then he'd be picked on and shoved around again. At least if he was a recluse, he'd be alone on his own terms and maintain his sense of mystery.
    The two turned a corner and went down the stairs. Orlando led him to the bathrooms near the auditorium. They were usually locked, but that was a minor problem that would be easy to correct. With a flick of his fingers, Orlando had the door to the men's room unlocked by way of his psychic abilities. Alan wasn't the only one with powers. Then again, Orlando wouldn't be able to use his telekinesis without Alan's help.
    The alien had released whatever block was preventing Orlando's powers from flourishing. A problem all of the humans on Earth had, apparently, and one of the reasons the Alturans were trying to use them in the war. There was a ready supply of super human soldiers ripe for the picking. The potential for chaos and manipulation scared Orlando. And that was one of his strongest motivations for helping Alan. His tribe seemed the most interested in not making the Alturan influence on Earth known.
    â€œSo what's going on, and why couldn't it wait for a meeting at The Apartment? Bored again?” Orlando asked as soon as the door was closed and locked once more.
    â€œI wanted your advice, actually. And it is a private matter. Rather than spark interest by pulling you aside in front of the rest of the group, I thought I would seek you out here. Besides, I know you don't enjoy this particular class.” Alan smirked.
    Orlando shrugged. “You're right, I don't. Just keep it quick because guys don't take a long time to go potty. Wouldn't want anyone to think I was ditching out on purpose or have a bizarre flu bug.” In truth, he didn't care much, but it was fun to give Alan grief sometimes.
    If he didn't know better, he would have guessed that Alan was finally picking up on Orlando's sense of humor. Instead of asking a question or apologizing, the man actually rolled his eyes and let the comments roll off his back. “My superiors do not want to focus on finding out who the Doctor is.”
    â€œUh, but isn't he the bad guy? The ring leader? The one who's controlling the actions of your ex-fiancee's group?” Orlando asked.
    â€œYes, he is.”
    â€œSo why aren't we supposed to keep looking for him? To keep looking for them?”
    Alan's lips formed a half-smile. “Because we have spies watching his underlings thanks to your discovery of Bean and Sprout's true identification as well as the information provided by our double agent. If something big is going to happen, we'll know. There are other things we are supposed to be dealing with apparently, more pressing things.”
    â€œI'm guessing your wanting to discuss this stuff privately is related to said things?” Orlando leaned against a wall and watched the young man begin to pace.
    â€œThere is a rumor on my ship, well...no it isn't a rumor. I heard it with my own ears, while I was shamefully eavesdropping. My superiors have found something of great importance to my people, an artifact, and it has a lot of power. I didn't find out what it did exactly, but I imagine it will give us a huge advantage over the other tribes,” Alan said. “I want to push for our group to retrieve it, should they be looking for volunteers. Do you think this would be wise? Are you ready for such a task?
    â€œOh? Wouldn't this be something to ask Cadence? She's the smart one,” Orlando pointed out.
    Alan nodded. “She is, yes, but she hasn't been the same since her romance with JD...bloomed. Besides, you see things in a different way than both of them. I've always admired your realism, however jaded it may be at times. Plus you have a different kind of personal connection to the war.”
    â€œI do,” Orlando agreed, the words barely coming out. Personal connection was an understatement. Bean and Sprout were the woman he loved and her twin brother, Peyton, who might as well have been his