Page 11 of I Married Kayog
This time, both my brows shot up. “Do you believe me a terrorist?!”
He burst out laughing. “No, not at all.”
“A Good Samaritan then?” I insisted.
He smiled, although his eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly. “Are you?”
“I don’t know. As much as possible, I try to be helpful when needed. Why? Is being good a crime?” I asked in the same nonchalant fashion he questioned me.
He shrugged. “Obviously not, except if being a Good Samaritan turns into becoming a vigilante. Then it’s a bit more problematic.”
“I can see that,” I replied in a noncommittal fashion. “But what does that have to do with me?”
“Nothing directly,” he said in a mysterious fashion. “I was merely saying that I came to this planet to look into these two matters and figured I would seize the opportunity to pay you a visit while at it. You see, we always keep an eye out for potential Enforcer recruits. And we feel that you could be a perfect candidate.”
I gaped at him, genuinely stunned. Of all the things he could have said, that one never featured anywhere in the list of possibilities.
“Me? An Enforcer?! Why would you want to recruit a singer?” I asked, baffled.
He gave me a ‘don’t be silly’ look. “You’re far more than a singer, Kayog. At only 27 years old, you already possess two master’s and are on the way to finish a third one in just a few months. You’re a very popular singer and performer, participate in pro level athletic competitions—including combat—and you speak five languages fluently without the assistance of a translator. You’re single, charismatic, empathic, self-made, and with both a flawless record and immaculate reputation.You could be anything from an Agent to an Ambassador, and everything else in-between.”
My mind raced as a billion thoughts pushed and shoved at each other. This wasn’t some impromptu chat on the spur of the moment. Granted, he mentioned I wasn’t easy to get in touch with, but this man had thoroughly investigated me in order to so confidently list this many of my achievements.
What else does he know?
By who knew what miracle, I managed to keep a nonchalant expression on my face.
“You flatter me, but I’m not really into galactic politics.”
He huffed as if I’d said something to insult his intelligence. “Really? You’re doing a master’s specifically in that field. Your first master’s was in xenobiology. The second one was in galactic history with a focus on primitive and developing species. And right now, you’re doing one in intergalactic politics with your thesis debating the pros and cons of the Prime Directive. If that’s not being into galactic politics, I don’t know what is.”
I waved a dismissive hand. “There is such a thing as simply pursuing knowledge for its own sake. That I love understanding things thoroughly doesn’t mean I want to partake in the process.”
“Right,” Colin said in a voice dripping with doubt.
“Well, I thank you for your interest. But if there’s nothing else, I will be heading out,” I said, repressing the urge to rub my temples and my nape to lessen the pressure that sent increasing stabbing pain at the back of my head.
“Out to the party?” he asked with curiosity.
“No, I’m leaving.”
He recoiled in genuine surprise. “Leaving? Why?”
“I don’t do crowds,” I said, my voice a little clipped by the growing pain his persistence forced me to endure.
“A performer and captain of two sport teams who doesn’t do crowds?” he exclaimed disbelievingly.
“That’s correct,” I said, standing up with an expression that made it clear further insistence would now be flat out rude.
He stood up as well, his eyes narrowing as another wave of suspicion surged within him.
“What are you running away from?” Colin asked, the Enforcer in him seeping through.
“Absolutely nothing,” I replied in a cool voice. “Now if you’ll excuse me.”
Without waiting for his response, I headed towards the door.
“Wait! Please take my card,” he said, catching up to me and extending it towards me.
