Page 21 of Lunar Bound
"What's the real purpose?"
"Intelligence gathering," Lunar revealed. "While Eclipse and Solar promote the official narrative of peaceful cultural exchange, I was tasked with assessing Earth's strategic value and potential threat level."
"You're a spy," Poppy translated.
"Shadow Intelligence operative," Lunar corrected. "Though your term is essentially accurate."
Poppy considered this revelation, her expression thoughtful rather than alarmed. "So your people are what, considering Earth for colonization? Resource extraction? Military purposes?"
"All possibilities requiring evaluation," Lunar confirmed. "The shadow territories of Zorveya face resource limitations after centuries of inequitable distribution. New worlds with compatible environments represent potential solutions. If war breaks out on my homeworld, the light-dwellers would be at an advantage as they have the majority of the planetary resources."
"You can't just feed on darkness?" she asked.
"For a time, but there are other considerations necessary on my planet. When we reproduce, children are unable to process the darkness or light fully. They live in the twilight and consume meals much like you do until they are twelve years old. At that time, they adapt to their zone.
"They'll starve your children? They'd do that?" Poppy frowned.
He didn't answer. War was a dirty business.
"Do you," she bit her lip, "have children?"
"I have not reproduced."
"Can we…? I mean, should I be like on something?" she stammered. "Birth control, I mean."
"It is not necessary. If I decide to have a child, I would discuss the energy transfer with you. It takes a long time to gestate. Approximately one full Earth week."
"Human babies take nine months."
He grimaced. "That sounds unpleasant."
Poppy was silent for a moment, processing this information. "So what have you decided? About Earth, I mean. Are we a viable target?"
The question carried personal implications beyond strategic assessment. Lunar recognized the underlying concern in her voice, the unasked question about her own world's safety.
"My assessment remains incomplete," he said carefully. "Earth presents both valuable resources and significant complications. Its technological development level is inconsistent, advanced in some areas while primitive in others. Its political fragmentation creates strategic vulnerabilities but also complicates potential engagement."
"That's the official report," Poppy observed. "What's your personal opinion?"
Lunar had not anticipated this distinction. Shadow operatives were not encouraged to maintain personal perspectives separate from mission objectives. Yet his experience on Earth, particularly his connection with Poppy, had created precisely such a division.
"I find Earth unexpectedly valuable," he admitted. "Not merely for its physical resources, but for aspects of existence I had not previously encountered."
"Like what?" Poppy pressed.
"Freedom from rigid structures. Adaptation to constant change. Connection without strategic purpose." Lunar's gaze met hers in the dim red light. "You."
The simple acknowledgment hung between them in the darkness. Poppy's energy field shifted in response, creating harmonic patterns that resonated with his own shadow essence.
"That's quite a confession from a shadow spy," she said.
"It is unauthorized," Lunar acknowledged. "My superiors would consider such personal valuation a mission compromise."
"Am I?" Poppy asked. "Compromising your mission, I mean."
Lunar considered the question. "Yes. My experience with you has changed my perspective. I now hold viewpoints that conflict with my assigned purpose."
"So what will you do?" Poppy's question was direct, her gaze unwavering.
