Vihann holds my gaze and releases my hand. “You are bound to my son, as well,” he whispers to me as he furrows his brows in confusion.
My breathing speeds up. Bound to Javen? I know we had discussed our connection, but that sounds official.
“My son is correct,” Vihann says in a much louder voice. “This Earthling has been chosen by the Starfire, and this gives her the right to be heard.”
Each of the Council members nods in agreement and Vihaan stretches out his hand to gesture me to the people.
I turn and look to Javen whose face is full of hope.
I wish I were so confident, but I gulp down my fear since I’ve never spoken in front of a crowd of this size. Convincing the Alku isn’t going to be easy.
As best as I can, I tell the Council and the gathered people everything I know: that Hammond and the World Senate plan to mine and take the Starfire to Earth to create an Intersection to a new world; and, that there are members of the Board who are more reasonable and may help. I tell them that I know of an alternative that my father was working on: a project he called Renewal.
“Hammond knows you are unwilling to resist, so she’s just going to take the Starfire from you,” I say with all eyes on me.
When I’m done, Vihann frowns and addresses the Council. “We are aware of all of this. Scouts have been sent to your side and have seen your ships and mining equipment coming to the surface. We have nothing here to stop their plans from happening.”
“Not true,” A female voice shouts from the crowd.
I swing around to the source and watch as a young woman pushes her way through the people. My jaw tenses. It’s Beda, Javen’s cousin. She wears a pair of form-fitting cotton pants and a sleeveless tank. Scowling, she glares at me as she walks forward.
Why? I have no idea. I’m the one trying to help.
She steps between Vihann and me, looking his way now. “You know there is another way. It’s been done before.”
“Beda,” Vihann says. “You are my kin, so I will allow this intrusion to pass.”
“Uncle,” she growls and picks up her booted foot and slams it to the ground. “There are those of us willing to risk it.”
Beda still scares me, but she really is the voice of reason here. I look to Javen, but he only glances away.
Vihann puffs up. “Our ancestors were violent. Using the Starfire in the way you speak re-lives their mistakes. Our people will only use the Starfire for good.”
My heart clenches as I hear his words.
“What if you could use the alternative my father spoke of? The older Starfire can be given to help heal Earth.” I step to Beda’s side, whose feet remain planted.
Vihann returns his attention to me. “Your father is gone.”
My breath hitches at his mention of Dad. Vihaan is aware of what happened to him. But I push the thoughts away. Now is not the time. “Then come to the other side. Show yourself to the people in Primaro. Hammond is hiding your existence, but if everyone knows you are here, then there’ll be those who will stand up for you. No one will be able to deny that the Alku are real.”
“If what you say about Hammond is true, it will start a war the Council is not willing to engage in,” he says.
Beda bares her teeth at Vihann. “You are all cowards.” She flings her hand at me. “Only this stinking Earthing is not.” Beda twists and pushes her way back through the crowd.
“If the people of Earth simply knew of your existence, I’m certain there would be support to work out a solution to benefit everyone involved,” I say. “Make yourselves visible. Bring your people to our side of the Intersection.”
Vihann raises his head and studies me. “I’m very sorry, Cassiopeia Foster, but we will not cross over the Intersection to your side to prove our existence to your people.”
“But it would be better than staying here and dying,” I cry out.
Vihann tips his head. “I don’t think you fully understand. Staying on your side of the Intersection is not a permanent solution for us. We can only renew ourselves with the Starfire on this side and, without the ability to renew, the Alku will die anyway.”
Chapter 22
J aven and I are left standing in the field as the last of his people disappear.
“What did Vihann mean that your people will die on my side of the Intersection? You have been fine there.”
“You saw what happened after we jumped from that window in the Capitol building.”
“But you had been shot. That was different.”
Javen’s shoulders slump. “It was extreme, not different. We have used the Starfire for so long that it almost functions as a life-force of my people, almost like eating and drinking.”
“And you can’t do this on the other side?”
“It only works on this side.”
“Then why won’t your people listen?” I shout. “They are just lying down and giving up.”
“Because my father is right. Our ancestors used the Starfire for evil. People were enslaved, and wars were great and terrible.”
“And you think Hammond and the World Senate won’t try to misuse the Starfire themselves? The cycle will only repeat itself.”
Javen lets out a deep sigh.
“If the Alku will not save themselves then I’m going to try,” I say. “My dad wanted our people to live in peace, and I’m not going to let him down.” I think for a moment and come up with a plan. There’s probably no way it’ll work, but I don’t have time for Hirata and Cooper. “We need to go to the other side and locate Irene.”
“Irene? Why? You said she had been detained.”
“She has, but Max is working on finding out where she’s being held and then convincing Hirata and Cooper to have her released. If you can get us into the Capitol building, Irene can help me do what I need to do.”
“You can’t do this, Cassi . . . you saw what happened to your father for trying to help us.”
I gaze up at Javen. “My dad’s not dead, and your father knows where he is.”
Javen’s eyes widen. “What are you talking about?”
“On the video Irene showed me? Vihann was there, and he disappeared with my Dad right before the explosion.”
“I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t my father tell you?”
“I . . . I have no idea. But intuition tells me that he’s alive, and we must show the settlers your people exist. I also think one of the Council members had something to do with the explosion.”
Javen eases back in shock. “Who?”
“I’m not sure yet. But I recognized a man from the feed. He was in the same area the blast came from.” I steel myself and hold out my hand to Javen.
He entwines his fingers with mine, but looks away from me and out over the field, whispering, “My people wouldn’t hurt others.”
“Javen,” I whisper back, “’if I don’t try and find out the truth, you’ll die and . . . and I may also never see my dad again.” My chest tightens. “I’ve already lost so much. Please. I need you.”
His eyes return to me and his jaw tightens when a tear slips down my cheek. I’m asking him to betray his father, and his people. He doesn’t say anything, but I sense his understanding. Relief touches my pulse until another fear enters my mind. If I’m caught, I have no idea what Hammond will do to me. Kill me? What will happen to Javen if his father learns of his involvement to help me? I push away all my fears and ignore the ache of never seeing Javen or my dad again.
“It’s time,” I say with more confidence than I feel.
I wipe away my tears and then close my eyes, visualizing the two of us on my side of the Intersection. Energy pulses through me and, when I open my eyes, Javen and I stand beyond the edge of the city under a cluster of trees.
My Connect buzzes, and I tap the face. A holographic message pops up from Max.
I was able to locate Irene. She’s being held at the Detainment Center. Cell 408. That’s all the information I could get.
“S
how me the Detainment Center’s location,” I say into my Connect. The display shows our current location in relation to Irene's. It’s at least two miles away. “Can we just . . . teleport there?”
Javen shakes his head. “It would take too much energy. We need to reserve the Starfire’s strength in case of an emergency. But I can cloak us.” He takes my hand. “Don’t let go, or you’ll become visible.”
I grasp onto him, and we begin to run through the dark city streets.
On the way, my pulse drums in my ears as we pass the occasional security vehicle and person on the street. As each passes by without seeing us, I let out a sigh of relief.
I look up as we finally make it to the Detainment Center.
“408,” I say. “Can we grab Irene from inside and bring her out here?”
Javen thinks for a moment. “It will drain my energy to take you both.”
“Then I’ll hide while you get her. Then we need to get into the Capitol building.”
We race into the shadows of the walkway between the Detainment Center and the neighboring building.
Javen squeezes my hand. “See you soon.” He then lets go of my hand and vanishes.
I press my back against the wall of the building, knowing I’m now fully visible. Panting from our run, I hang my head and bring my hand to the Starfire pendant. Nervousness crushes my chest.
“I know you’re out there, Dad, and I’m going to find you,” I whisper to the shadows.
The sound of pebbles crunching nearby jolts me back to reality and my eyelids shoot open. And right next to me is Javen with Irene in his arms, his hand covering her mouth as she struggles against him. Her wide-eyes are the only part of her face I can see under the light of the moons and streetlights. If he lets her loose, she’ll scream.
I peel off the wall and turn to them.
“It’s okay, Irene, you’re safe!” I whisper.
Her eyes relax when she sees me, and Javen loosens his grip. Irene wriggles from his grasp and thrusts her arms around my neck. “Cassi,” she cries into my shoulder.
“We have you.” I look to Javen. “But it’s time to go.”
“Cloaking all three of us is going to be difficult for me,” Javen says.
I bring up directions to the Capitol building on my Connect. “It’s not that far. All you have to do is get us there and in the building. Do you have enough reserves for that, you think?” He nods, though the movement is faint.
“What are we doing?” Irene says and turns around to Javen. “And who are you?”
“Javen,” he says.
“Javen is one of the Alku. Hammond is starting the mining tomorrow, and we need to stop it. His people could die if we don’t. I need your help. I’ll explain when we get there.”
Worry washes over Irene's face, but she nods. “I’m not sure I can be in any more trouble than I’m in anyway.”
“Take Javen’s hand and don’t let go,” I say.
Irene does as I say as I grab for Javen’s other hand. Immediately, a colorful glow emits off our group. We race from the shadows and head toward the Capitol building. And, as we do, the blare of an alarm blasts behind us. The Detainment Center. They must have discovered Irene is missing.
Security vehicles speed by us and airships hover in the sky above, shining spotlights onto the street.
“Settlers of Primaro,” a voice comes from one of the ships. “For your safety, please return to your homes immediately.” The phrase continues to play as we run and my Connect buzzes with the same message.
“They’re looking everywhere for us,” I yell to Javen.
“Stay with me. I’ll get you there.”
But, just as he says it, I watch Irene stumble. She releases Javen’s hand and, instantly, the glow around her dissipates. Clinging to each other’s hands, Javen and I skid to a stop. But the light of an airship snaps to her and two vehicles on the ground stop and the doors fly open.
Irene raises her hands in surrender as officers exit their cars, weapons trained on her.
My heart stops in my chest and I almost cry out for my friend. Before I can, Javen swings his attention to me.
“Where do we need to go inside the Capitol building?”
The jumble of thoughts in my head work to coalesce. “Floor five,” I somehow manage to say, then look to him, trying to tamp down the urge to panic. “But you’ll use up all your energy.”
“I have to get you both off the streets.” With that, in what seems like slow motion, he pulls me toward Irene and holds his other hand out toward her.
When he makes contact, a cyan burst of light floods my vision, and when the color stops, I’m thrown into a wall. I inhale a sharp breath as I open my lids. I’m inside a corridor. Confused, I swing my neck around and look for Irene and Javen. Javen lies across the hall on his back and Irene is on his right. Both are moving.
I dart my attention around to see where we are and realize we made it to the Capitol building on the floor with Hammond’s office and her briefing room. I scrambled to my feet, and Irene pushes off the ground and scans the surroundings too. But Javen doesn’t get up. My heart leaps into my throat, and I rush to his side.
“Javen,” I say and grab his shoulders.
His eyes flutter open. “I have to go to my side,” he mumbles. “I need to recharge my Starfire.”
“I can give you mine. It healed you the last time.”
Javen draws in a shuddering breath. “The Alku maintain and care for the Starfire fields. In return, the crystals fuel us . . . give us the powers to teleport or protect ourselves. But we often have to use them to recharge and I . . . I can't do that in this side of Intersection . . . I must go back.”
Tears sting the back of my eyes. I have no idea what is going to happen next. “Please tell your people to come. It’s the only way this is going to work.” I tap my Connect.
6:14 AM
People should be waking up soon.
“I won’t have much time before Hammond discovers I’m here after I make the announcement.”
Javen nods. “I’ll come for you as . . . as soon as I can.”
I bend to press my lips to his. But when I release the kiss, he’s gone.
I swing to Irene who is standing behind me.
“What’s going on Cassi?” she asks.
I stand and grasp Irene's arm and pull her toward the briefing room. “I’m so sorry I involved you. But I can’t do this without you.”
I stop us at the briefing room door.
“But what are we doing?” she asks.
“I’m going to send out an emergency message to all of Primaro, and you’re going to hack me into the feed to do it.”
Chapter 23
“ And you think I’m bossy.” Irene stiffens. “Cassi, I don’t know. This whole thing is stupid.”
I look down at her shaking hands.
“And now this!” she continues. “How did that guy—Javen or whatever—get me out of my cell? Hammond is going to catch us and then what’s going happen? Will we be shipped back to Earth with nothing and no way to pay off the debt of getting here? What’s going to happen to my aunt and cousins now that Hammond knows I’m involved? They need the currency I’m sending to them.”
“Irene, the Earth is doomed if we don’t work with the Alku. Like, billions of people will die.”
Her mouth slackens as fear sparks in her eyes.
“My father had a plan to use the Starfire to regenerate Earth and still maintain the Alku’s side of the intersection,” I press. “Hammond and the World Council don’t want to wait. They want to use the Starfire on Earth for only those deemed worthy. They’ll create an Intersection there, but the only people who will pass through are those with enough to pay for the right or who have a skill needed on the other side. We have no idea who that’s going to be.”
Irene's face pales to a sickly shade. “Why didn’t you tell me before?
“Because I needed to know more first. If there was a way of saving everyone. No
w I know there is.”
“I doubt my family will be one of the chosen,” Irene says, her voice thick with anger, and color returns to her cheeks.
“This is why we have to stop the Senate. People need to know what’s really happening. Help me do this. I have a recording of Hammond admitting to everything. And then Javen will come and transfer us out of here.”
Irene nods, and I grab her arms and pull her toward the briefing room. We burst through the door and look around. This is the same place Hammond made her announcement about mining the Starfire, but it’s smaller than the room had appeared on the video. At the head of the room is a podium atop a small stage with six rows of chairs set up for the audience and reporters. At the rear are several white camera bots for recording any announcements. To the left are five touch-screen computers and control panels for the cameras.
“Can you get us into the system?” I ask Irene.
“I can get into anything. The question is, do we have enough time?” She throws herself into a chair in front of the computers and activates the system. Her fingers fly over a screen as icons pop up. She taps at several and swipes the rest away. A program begins, and it’s almost as if Irene goes into a trance while she works.
I turn from her and gaze at the podium as I nervously spin mom’s ring on my finger. I guess that’s where I’m going to need to make the announcement. My mind shifts to Javen and nausea begins to swirl in my stomach. Is he okay? I can only hope he’s convincing his people to show themselves on this side of the Intersection. It will make a stronger case for what I’ll say.
“The system is online,” Irene says.
I swivel to her, and the five screens are active. Two are showing security inside the building; two others are wide angle views of outside for street level security. It’s still early, but as the sun is coming up, people on their way to work are starting to mill on the street. The last system is the computer and screen she’s working at hacking into for the broadcast.
“I jammed the Capitol Building security. They’ll have a hard time getting in here once they realize our plan. I’ve just about got you in to make the mass announcement. You said you have a video of Hammond on your Connect?”
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