Jules saw the boys at the table outside the café, and she nearly stopped in her tracks to turn around. Patty grabbed her arm. “What are you doing?”
“You said it was only going to be us. That we could catch up,” Jules said between clenched teeth. This was just like Patty.
“Lame. Like that would be any fun. Come on, enjoy yourself for once.” Patty dragged her across the courtyard. It was quiet there in this off hour. The day crew would be tucked away in bed for the night, the night crew a couple of hours into their shifts.
There were a few people milling about. A Bhlat couple convened near the waterfall, talking in close proximity. An Inlorian sat at a table, staring at a tablet as they walked by. Jules gave her a slight wave, and the female lifted two arms in their standard greeting.
Jules had no problem hanging out with boys at school, and they often talked about their classes and what professors they liked or disliked, but something gnawed at the pit of her stomach.
“Carl and Bryan, this is Jules,” Patty told the boys. The boys were around the same age as them, maybe a year or two older, and suddenly, Jules wanted to be anywhere but here. Her abilities began to flare up, her walls unable to hold the power away. She closed her eyes, placing a hand over her face.
“Jules, what are you doing?” Patty asked. “You’re embarrassing me.”
“Nice to meet you. I have to go,” Jules said. “I’m not feeling well.” She ran from the table, hearing a chair clatter away as one of the boys stood in shock. Patty called after her, but Jules kept going. She wasn’t ready for whatever it was Patty wanted. She didn’t want to date boys or wear unbuttoned blouses.
She didn’t stop until she was home, and she leaned against their suite door, feeling like a fool for racing away like that. Patty would never let her live it down. But did that really matter? She and Patty were so different, and this was a defining moment she didn’t think they’d ever return from.
Jules attempted to compose herself, wiping the tear streaks from her cheeks and shaking her head to clear the cobwebs. “You’re fine,” she told herself, and entered the suite, her powers subsiding as she stepped through the doors.
The sounds of the television carried through the hall, and she kicked off her shoes, making for the living room. Papa was there, and he glanced over, giving her a knowing smile. He patted the couch beside him, and she crossed the room, feeling the questioning stare from her mother. No one said a word, though.
Her dad passed part of his blanket over and held a bowl of popcorn out to her. She grinned at him, taking a handful. Here she was safe from persecution, and she was grateful for it.
It was only Friday, and she couldn’t wait for the team to arrive so they could get on with the mission. Jules wasn’t sure she’d be able to see Patty again after her actions tonight.
____________
Everyone was gathered in Horizon’s meeting room, and for the first time in years, we had an important event to discuss. We’d managed the years since the Kold attack in relative peace, but that had been broken when our hovertrain had been hijacked.
“Thank you for including me, Dean,” Sarlun said, his snout wagging back and forth.
“You know how much we value your opinion, Sarlun. We’re also going to make it over to Shimmal when this is all settled, and see the new starship,” I told him. Suma sat beside her father. It was hard to believe they were the same people we’d met years ago, when Suma was a teenager herself. She was so smart and headstrong. Jules reminded me a lot of Suma at that age.
“We’d all appreciate that very much. Perhaps your family would like to use our vacation property again?” he offered.
Mary winked at me, and I had to laugh. It was the same spot where we’d honeymooned. “I think we’d be happy to take you up on that,” I told him.
Magnus sat beside his wife, who’d worn a frown since she’d entered the room. I hadn’t found an opportunity to talk to Nat privately yet, and I knew she was probably blaming me for Magnus wanting to come to Earth to assist with the Restorer mission.
“It’s been a while since we were on board,” Paul said. His wife Sammy was next to him, chatting quietly with Suma.
“How do you like it?” Magnus asked the colony leader.
Paul shrugged. “I prefer the sunlight on my face in the mornings.”
“Fair enough,” Mag said.
“Speaking of sunlight on your face, let’s get to business,” I said. “Earth has seen a few years of peace since the Bhlat returned her to us, and since we removed all of the potentially dangerous Kold from its surface. But that time seems to be at an end.”
Slate entered the room, wiping his forehead with the back of his arm. He was sweating, and Loweck was right behind him, appearing fully rested and relaxed.
“Sorry, everyone. We stopped for a workout and lost track of time.” He pulled a chair out for his wife, and Loweck accepted it. Slate poured himself a glass of water and downed it before refilling it and taking a seat himself. “What’d we miss?”
“I was telling everyone that Earth has a new threat.”
Slate’s face went through the expected expressions, starting with shock and ending with anger. “Who the hell is trying to mess with us now?”
“Humans,” I told him.
Loweck leaned forward, arms resting on the table. “I’m sorry? Humans? Another look-alike kind of thing?”
“No. Real humans.” I stood, walking to the end of the table. “They call themselves the Restorers. We had an altercation with them in France.”
“What happened?” Sarlun asked.
“They sabotaged our hovertrain and arrived in a modified Bhlat dropship, taking the train at gunpoint. It was like something out of the Wild West, only with flying trains and no horses,” Mary told them. The reference was lost on the aliens in the room.
“What did they want with the train?” Natalia asked, her hard stare meeting my gaze.
“We don’t know,” Paul answered.
“What’s with their name? What are they trying to restore? A sixty-nine Chevelle?” Slate asked with a laugh at his own joke. No one joined him.
I steepled my fingers, trying to be as blunt as I could. “They blame technology for our downfall. They claim it was ruining our world before the Event, and it’s doing the same now. They want an Earth without technology. Pre-Industrial Revolution.”
“So they want to live in cabins, hunting game and growing carrots in the backyard?” Slate asked.
“Something like that,” I said.
“How are they going to do that?” Natalia asked.
“That’s what we don’t know. From the rumblings Paul’s heard around the world, the Restorers are growing braver, making themselves known to the general population. Paul, can you explain this in more detail?” I motioned to him, and Paul stood at the table, resting his hands on the top of his chair.
“At first, we thought they were nothing more than people who didn’t want to be in the colony life. Those who preferred the country to our cities. We’ve molded them after the Terran sites on New Spero, and they’re full of glass buildings with streets, hovercars, and industry. There will always be those that prefer the company of starlight and crickets at night to light pollution and the press of people.
“We were okay with it, with the understanding that they stayed out of our way and we remained out of theirs. We’ve even offered to assist some of the rogue colonies with food and supplies, but have always been rebuked. Now we understand why.
“These groups are linked with the Restorers, who’ve been spreading their political platform around the world. It appears the groups are buying in, which has inevitably created an army,” Paul said.
“If they don’t like technology, what can they really do?” Slate asked.
“They’re using it as a means to an end, or so they told me. I suspect when they get their way, they’ll dispose of it, or keep their weapons under lock and key until they should need them again,” I told them.
“Kind of hypocritical, isn’t it?” Suma asked.
“I agree, but they’re passionate about their cause, which leads me to believe we have to take this threat seriously,” I advised.
“Is this a knee-jerk reaction, Dean? What if they’d hijacked a different train that you and the family weren’t on? Would you be putting your energy on this?” Natalia asked, making a solid point. She was playing devil’s advocate, and rightfully so, since her husband had told her he was joining me on my mission.
“I couldn’t tell you, Nat, but I do think we need to nip this in the bud before they grow stronger. I have a feeling they’ll stop at nothing to meet their goal. I could see the fervor in their eyes,” I said.
“What’s the plan?” Sarlun asked.
“Magnus and I will head to Earth, move to Spain, and begin our quest to locate their head office, which we think is either there or in Italy,” I said.
“Why are they located in Europe?” Nat asked.
“We don’t know. Paul thinks it has something to do with Old World living. Italy was already a thriving society far before the revolution, and still was at the Event. Their infrastructure lasts for centuries, and there’d be a lot of sustainable villages with proper growing conditions there. But part of it’s a blend of a hunch and rumors.” I hated going in with such little information, but I didn’t feel like we had much of a choice. If we banged on too many doors demanding answers, we’d blow our chance at infiltrating their enclave.
“This could be big,” Magnus said. “Once we gather the intel we need, which boils down to their plan, we escape and, with everyone’s assistance, we stop them.”
“Shouldn’t Jules be joining you?” Slate asked.
I shook my head. “She’s been having some issues lately, as you know, which she claims are under control, but I’d prefer not risking it under cover. What would happen if we were among the Restorers and her eyes began glowing bright green? I think we’d have some questions that we couldn’t answer.”
Mary tapped the table. “Plus, we’ve decided to allow Jules to join you on Menocury.”
Suma’s snout whipped to the side. “You have? I thought she wasn’t coming.”
“We’ve changed our minds. She’s deserving of the opportunity, isn’t she?” I asked Slate, who nodded.
“She sure is, plus I can tell she’s growing bored of classes again. That girl was born for adventure,” Slate told us.
“Promise to keep the adventure to a safe minimum, and keep a close eye on her for us,” Mary said.
“What could go wrong? The evacuation is nearly completed,” Suma said.
“Something can always go wrong, Suma,” I said quietly.
“When are you going?” Sarlun asked.
“Tomorrow.”
“I wish you’d reconsider,” Nat told me, but I felt the words were meant for her husband.
“With any luck, we’ll only be gone for a few days,” I said, not believing my own words.
Nat placed her hand on Magnus’ big paw and patted it. “You may borrow my husband, and the captain of Horizon, but you’d better return him in one piece, for the sake of his children, myself, and the crew. Magnus, you’re not the same free-wheeling young mercenary you once were. Remember that.”
Magnus gave a gruff nod. “I know, my dear. I will return with the enemy vanquished and celebrate with a cup of mead. Isn’t that right, Dean?”
“Whatever you say.”
Slate stopped me as the room began emptying out. “Maybe I should go instead.”
“I need you to watch over my daughter. Be to her what you’ve always been to me, Slate.”
He appeared ready to argue with me over this, but stopped himself. “I’ll make sure nothing happens to her.”
Six
Jules felt nervous energy coursing through her. It was nothing like the Iskios powers. This was the polar opposite, the kind of energy that left you feeling weak and unsure of yourself. She let a dribble of her powers through her barrier; the remnants of a long dead race pumped through her veins with her rapid heartbeats while she pressed her eyelids closed.
Once it reached her toes and fingertips, she was reassured once again. There was nothing to worry about here. She was only going to the surface of a safe and stable planet to confirm the entire Nirzu population had been transported to their new home aboard the massive colony ships still in orbit. There were only two of the vessels remaining, and they were rapidly filling up with the local population.
“Is everyone ready?” Suma asked the gathered classmates, and they all said yes in a messy chorus.
“Good, then please line up. Seniors at the rear, freshman at the forefront,” Slate said.
Jules was young for a freshman, but she was in that category, the only student under fifteen years old allowed on this academic excursion.
“I’m glad you could make it,” a voice behind her said, and she turned to see Dean behind her. His hair was shorter, no longer falling in his face every few seconds, and she thought his eyes were all the brighter and more aware now.
“So am I. I heard your dad and mine are heading out today on their own mission,” Jules said, trying not to worry about Papa and Uncle Magnus too much.
“Who knew the old guys had fuel left in their tanks?” Dean said with a sideways grin, and Jules laughed at his choice of words.
She never thought of her dad as being an old guy, but she guessed he was. “He’s not as old as your dad, so the captain may have a hard time keeping up,” she joked with Dean.
He chuckled at that. “If you can believe it, there was a time your dad needed his help a lot. I’m glad they’re able to spend some time together. You should hear how often Dad drones on about the good old days when Dean and Mary and he and Mom were racing around the galaxy saving the world.”
“Tell me about it,” Jules said. “I’ve heard my fair share of that.”
“Don’t forget Uncle Zeke in your memoirs,” Slate said as he stepped from the dropship’s entrance. He was in full armor, a pulse rifle strapped to his back. His treads were heavy as he neared them, and Jules thought that for such a kind man, he cut an imposing figure. She was glad to be on the same side as him.
“How could we ever forget the memorable and cherished Slate?” Dean asked. “Even my dad thinks the world of you, though he thinks you’re a kid, which I don’t understand because you’re like… ancient.”
Jules was enjoying this new side of Dean. He was in good spirits, so much more talkative than normal. Maybe the idea of a planetside mission was enough to break him from the funk he always seemed to be stuck in.
“Ancient… jeez, kid. As if I didn’t take enough lumps from your dad, now you too?” Slate threw a light punch at Dean, who took it without flinching.
“Good, everyone is lined up.” Suma walked across the hangar floor, making notes on a tablet. She was taking charge of the operation, and Loweck entered, nodding to Suma. She was armed as well, coming to stand next to her mate. Jules considered them a great power couple, and could see the affection emanating off her uncle every time the orange-hued woman stepped near him.
Jules glanced at Dean, who averted his eyes, staring at his feet as they started to shuffle in line onto the dropship.
“Could you imagine having to leave your planet like this?” Jules asked him.
“It’s happened many times, even on Earth. Remember the lessons? When Patrice Dalhousie led half of Earth away to New Spero? What a time to live in. I’m glad we’re living in the here and now,” Dean said.
“Or when the rest of Earth had to be evacuated because of the Bhlat attack.” Jules said this quietly, not wanting to draw attention to the few Bhlat Gatekeeper students on board with them.
She took a seat beside Dean and strapped herself into the bench. Dean leaned over, tugging on her strapping to confirm it was secure. She gave a small smile of gratitude. She wondered how much of Dean’s actions were protective because he saw her like a sister. Maybe, now t
hat she was growing older and they were in the same classes… but she dismissed the thought. There was enough to worry about.
Soon everyone was filed onto the dropship, and Suma started giving instructions to the cadets. There were twenty of them in total, some of whose names Jules couldn’t remember. They were older ones she’d never had the pleasure of meeting. The ship was full of Bhlat, Inlorians, Shimmali, humans, Keppe, and a Molariun, as well as two Padlogs. It was a scattering of the Alliance members, and the fact wasn’t lost on Jules. She wondered if they were the best of the best, or if the Academy was choosing the mission members for more political reasons.
Either way, she was happy to be among them. The ship took off from the hangar, passing through the energy field and into space. She couldn’t see this, being strapped to a metal bench inside the dropship, but she pictured their flight from the Horizon toward the planet below.
Her father was leaving through the portal with Magnus, and she wished she could have spent more time with him before they split up. With her school schedule, they hadn’t made enough time for adventures, just the two of them. Jules missed the days when he’d take her for ice cream alone, without Hugo tagging along.
Or the excursions to Earth, where they’d head to his old home, ride horses, and read books under the old family oak trees. She promised herself that when her dad had stopped the Restorers and she was returned to the Academy, that she’d ask him for a special weekend away, only the two of them.
“Are we going to meet any of the Nirzu?” the petite blue girl across from Jules asked her.
“I think I overheard Suma telling Slate there was a group below that we were convening with,” Dean said. “This your first trip in a dropship, Kira?”
“It is,” Kira said. Her white eyes blinked a few times. Even to Jules, the Molariuns were tiny. The ship jostled slightly, and the girl let out a brief whimper.
“You’ll be fine. This is nothing. Right, Jules?” Dean asked.
“Totally. You should try it without the ship,” Jules said, meaning it as a joke, but the girl turned a paler blue.
Old World (The Survivors Book Eleven) Page 5