Nina touched its face. “Help him. He will need your guidance.”
“If this is a cryptic reference to your father; yes, my young mistress, this humble robot is your servant and will endeavor to do so.”
“Silly machine man, you are no servant and I wasn’t talking about my father.” She turned her head and looked at Breeze.
Ray cleared his throat. “I think we’re all pretty tired and wet. Can we go back to the house?”
Raza nodded. “Go shower and get a fresh change of clothes, then rest. We will all meet later this evening in the barn. We have to discuss about our future plans in light of recent events.” She then took Nina by the hand and marched up the steps as others followed.
The storm had long passed as the evening brought with it a chill to the air. Sally, Breeze and Ray stepped out of the farmhouse and made their way to the barn. No words were exchanged among them as they walked in silence.
Sally was the first to break the ice. “Thank you for not leaving,” she said to Breeze.
“Nice of you to say that, but I’m still not sure what I’m doing here. It’s not that hard for me to just take off and leave.”
She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly. “If you really wanted to leave, you would have been gone by now. And I’m sorry about how I reacted to you after seeing Ray’s burns. I know that it wasn’t your fault.” She then grabbed Ray’s hand and brought everyone to a halt. “I just want us all to be friends. Can you two promise me that?”
Ray placed a hand on Breeze’s shoulder. “I’ve been an ass to you since the day we met. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
Breeze looked the other way. “Yeah, it’s okay. We’re even.”
“Breeze,” Sally pleaded.
He looked at her and his scowl melted into a smile, and then he turned to Ray and held out a hand. “Ray, my father always said problems are like metal; no matter how hard it appears, you can always melt it down,” he said, then laughed. “Okay, that’s another one of my dad’s lame foundry expressions.”
“I would like to meet your father. He seems like a good man,” Ray said as he shook his hand.
Breeze nodded. “Yeah, he is. I guess you have to be separated from someone for a while to appreciate them.”
“I hope we can find our parents again,” Sally said.
Breeze sighed. “Sally, it’s too dangerous out there to go searching for anybody. But I promise that I will make it a point to help the two of you reconnect with your families, just let me just go home and reconnect with what little family I have left.”
“Of course.” She looked away and sniffled.
“Come on guys, we’re teammates. Let’s go to this meeting with Raza and get it over with. In the morning I’ll decide if I should stay or go. But no matter what, I will come back for all of you.”
“Okay.” Sally shrugged as she turned to Ray.
“Sounds good buddy, whatever you want to do.” Ray then jerked a thumb toward the barn. “Let’s get this over with.”
They entered the barn where Achilles and Excort were making adjustments to the comm equipment and Raza and Nina sat close together while speaking in hushed tones.
Raza stood up upon seeing them arrive. “Come all of you. There is much to discuss.”
“What are they up to?” Breeze asked and pointed at the dwarf and the robot.
“They are adjusting the comms so we can contact Oslo. Please do sit down.”
They each took a seat as Excort and Achilles stood back from the equipment and surveyed their work. The dwarf then leaned forward and began spinning and flipping a sequence of dials and switches when the machine hummed to life and began to whine loudly while the lights throughout the barn flickered haphazardly.
They immediately pulled off paneling from the sides of the comm unit and examined the multitude of circuit boards and wiring as they searched for the problem when Achilles called out to Raza. “Mistress, my analysis shows no known reason for this disruption.”
Excort nodded. “Will have to agree with the robot. I can’t pinpoint what’s behind the power surge.”
Breeze stood up to help when Sally grabbed his hand. “Wait-,” she began to say when a loud bang was heard throughout the barn, followed by a blackout.
Nina cried out. “Mother?”
“It’s okay, child, I’m here,” Raza assured her. “Achilles? Excort? A little light?” she called out.
Achilles’ eyes glowed in the darkness. “This is all of the light I am capable of providing for the time being, but I will labor alongside Excort to remedy the situation immediately.” It turned to Ray. “Master Verhesen, your abilities would be appreciated at this juncture.”
Ray lifted a glowing hand and lit up the room when Sally cried out, “look!”
Above them, black clouds swirled and began to coalesce when a figure emerged from it.
Breeze stood in his tracks while Sally clung to him as the figure looked slowly about the room. Its featureless face began to morph and the faint outline of a nose and mouth appeared. It floated toward Achilles and came to a stop a few inches shy of it. It reached out as if it wanted to touch the light coming from the robots’ eyes, then withdrew its hand and held it up, turning it back and forth and studying it before shifting its attention to Breeze.
Sally gripped Breeze tightly as it glided towards them. The air behind it crackled and a sphere of energy appeared.
The dark figure stopped its advance and turned to watch the sphere expand as a man materialized within it. His eyes were a pure white and when he opened his mouth, shafts of light spilled out with every word he spoke.
He pointed at the dark figure. “You have performed well, hound. Now heel.”
The dark figure rushed to him and crouched at his feet.
“Good hounds are difficult to come by. Most of them fail me consistently by never obtaining whatever quarry I wish to pursue. This one has performed quite adequately, though.” He patted the head of the dark figure.
“What are you?” Raza challenged him as Nina cowered by her side.
The man tilted his head as he hovered. “Such a familiar voice, and one that I have not heard for such an expanse of time.” He shut his eyes briefly, then opened them. “Who I am is not important, but if a name is important to you, you may address me as Lacifel. It is what I possess that is of much interest to you,” he said.
Achilles stepped next to Raza and pointed at him. “We are unable to pinpoint the source of your broadcast, nevertheless, identify yourself immediately.”
Lacifel’s jaw dropped. “My goodness, what do we have here, but a Robot Fighter? The true genuine article? Allow me a closer look, for I have not seen one in ages.” He lunged toward Achilles. The robot made a motion with its hands which flung him back.
“Telekinesis? Impossible!” Lacifel bellowed. “Or are you using a shield I cannot detect? Regardless, you are not an ordinary machine. What are you exactly?”
The hound tugged at his hand and motioned toward Breeze.
Lacifel nodded. “Yes, hound, you shall have your prize soon enough. Patience.”
Breeze pushed Sally away. He walked quickly to stand in front of Achilles and Raza. “I’m done here. I’m not scared by any of this. What the hell do you want?”
Lacifel stared at Breeze for a moment. When he spoke, streaks of light peppered the air around him. “There is always a bold one in the pack and it is usually the one who has nothing to lose, because everything he cares for has been stripped away,” he said.
“What are you talking about?” Breeze hovered up and brought himself to eye level with him.
“Find out soon enough, you will.” Lacifel scanned the room. “What I see before me is a pathetic attempt to mount a rebellion where there is no cause, as Oslo’s futile attempt to shelter paran
ormal children will amount to a massacre, one that will stain his soul for an eternity.” He laughed. “If he could just let go of the past there would have been no reason for so much death and destruction.” He waved casually toward Sally.
She put her hands to her face as Ray stepped in front of her. “You leave her alone!”
“You,” Lacifel roared, “dare to speak? For someone who fancies himself a pillar of strength, you are truly the weakest of the lot.” He held his hands in the air with his palms down as he wiggled his fingers. “Like a puppet on a string, could we not agree?”
Ray seethed as his hands pulsated with energy.
“Stand down, Raymond. A blast of energy from you would only put a hole through this rat trap of a barn,” Lacifel said as he loomed over Raza, “owned by a country mouse that lives in a quaint little farmhouse.”
Achilles swatted at him and missed.
“Defend her, tin man, but you will regret it. Assuming you feel anything.”
“What do you want you monstrosity,” Raza said as she held Nina close to her.
“I wish to end this charade. I have Oslo. He is my prisoner. You will come and surrender to me so you may see your pathetic husband one last time before I eliminate him.”
“You lie, he is safe and on his way here.”
“Oh, how you wish for that to be true. Ask the troll then,” Lacifel replied and pointed at Excort.
The dwarf shook his head. “Forgive me Raza, I can’t tell you whether or not he speaks the truth. I left Oslo in the middle of the battle while he and the RF were up against impossible odds, and we still can’t raise him on the comm unit…,” he trailed off as he looked at her with sheepish eyes.
Raza whirled back to Lacifel. “Whoever you are, whatever you are, if what you claim is true you better listen to me. You release my husband safely or else—”
“Or else what, witch!” he thundered while the hound cowered and covered its face. “You have no leverage here; let me assure you of this. I have Oslo and I hold the reins of power here and all of you will surrender yourselves to me!”
“What proof can you provide to validate your claim that Oslo is in your custody?” Achilles said.
“Ah, the robot who doesn’t behave like one wishes to be logical. I will not provide you with anything; instead, you will do as you’re told. Understand that I can find others who can be persuaded to adhere to my demands.” He turned to Breeze and Sally.
Sally cowered and hid behind Breeze.
“Yes, the two of you could easily be swayed to do my bidding,” Lacifel mused as he glided toward them. “Perhaps you are the rational ones here, unlike the adults. If either one of you wish to know the fates of your families, then come and surrender yourselves to me.”
Sally gripped Breeze’s shoulder as she stepped out from behind him. “What do you know? Why won’t you just tell us?”
He tilted his head. “My child, you must learn a thing or two about negotiating. Here, allow me to sweeten my offer; if you come to me, I promise to release your family unharmed, and you will take their place and serve me.” He leaned closer to Breeze. “I extend this offer to you as well.”
Raza cried out. “No Breeze, don’t listen to him! He’s bluffing.”
Breeze stepped up, prompting Lacifel to laugh. “Ah, I see I have your attention now.”
“What do you know about my father? What have you done to him?”
Lacifel leaned his head back and sniffed the air. “I can smell victory, so close,” he crowed, then returned his attention to Breeze. “I will give you the instructions needed to find me. Upon our meeting I will determine whether or not to release that information to you. Consider this young man; what more do you have to lose? I can assure you that you have nothing to go back home to. Oh, yes, you will doubt me, of that I am certain. You will rush across the Bad Lands and risk your life to verify my claim. From there, your anger will build at the injustices of life and you will seek me out for revenge. This is the story of humanity, for what has happened before will happen again.” He then leaned forward and whispered. “I can even tell you about what really happened to your mother.”
Breeze trembled and shook as his eyes narrowed to slits. “I was about to walk away from them. I wasn’t going to stay to help, but now,” he clenched his fists, “you’ve just given me a reason to do something right for once in my life.” He jabbed a finger into Lacifel’s face. “Destroying you is the only thing I care about now.”
Lacifel threw back his head and roared with laughter. “That’s the fighting spirit I was looking for! Oh, how delicious it will be when I suck the life right out of you boy, for it will be a classic fight to the death. There is nothing better than a desperate opponent, as it only makes victory taste so much sweeter.” Then he whooshed over and stuck his face into Ray’s. “And I thought you were the weak link in this pathetic group.” He then pulled back and pointed at Breeze. “Now, go back to your dusty, desert home. Go and bear witness to the ruins of your sad life and when you have become sufficiently enraged, you will come to me.”
“How will I know how to find you?”
“I am hiding in plain sight, high above you as I have been watching and observing this world. The map you will need to find me lies close to you and it will lead you straight to me. Now go and complete your journey, then come and surrender yourself at my feet.” In an instant, Lacifel and the hound disappeared.
Sally cried as Breeze hugged her tightly. “No Sally, no more tears, it ends now.” He turned to the rest of them. “Everything ends now.”
Raza walked over and stood next to him. “What are you saying?”
“Exactly what I mean, I’m not putting up with this anymore. We have been taken from our homes and sent to some disaster of a school that is falling apart. We were supposed to be trained to better handle our powers by instructors who can’t even keep us safe. Then we come to find out our homes and lives were being destroyed in the process. We run away to hide here in Appalachia, only to be harassed and assaulted again and again. I’m done. My whole life,” he squeezed Sally’s hand, “our lives, have been turned upside down. Where do we go from here? What do we do? Well I’m telling you what I’m going to do. I will track down this man, and I will get to the end of this.”
Achilles’ eyes glowed. And he will lead them out of the quagmire…
The robot shook its head.
Raza cradled Breeze’s face. “Son, I said some harsh things to you and I treated you terribly upon our first meeting. I made you see things that you shouldn’t have. You don’t have to do this.”
Breeze took her hands and gently lowered them. “Raza, I don’t care about that anymore. I know what has to be done. Your fight has become my fight and I won’t live like a rat hiding in the dark forever.”
“Brave boy,” she whispered.
“Breeze, how will you determine his location?” Achilles asked.
“He said the map I will need is close by.” As soon as he said it, he felt something pulsating against his chest. He reached into his jacket and pulled out the disk where a pinpoint of light immediately appeared on the screen, then rose up and hovered above his head, startling everyone with its brilliance as images began to pour from it. The images consisted of the sun and the moon against a backdrop of stars while below were massive jet black cylinders in orbit above the Earth. One cylinder in particular had a glowing line drawn from it to an island in the ocean.
Achilles cocked its head. “Based upon the land masses as they appear, the inclination of the earth to the moon, the location is—”
“Perihelion. The line leads straight to Perihelion,” Excort cut in.
“I was just about to inform our comrades of this,” Achilles said.
Excort waved him away. “You take too long,” he retorted, then turned to look at Breeze. “There is something v
ery wrong here. This map points to the island. Does he think we’re still there?”
Breeze shook his head. “However he found us, he said something to Raza about being a country mouse. Raza, do you know this guy?”
Raza sighed. “Oslo, Bram, and I trained so many younglings in our time. It could be anyone. I can’t imagine any of our students who would seek our destruction, and almost everyone we know died so long ago, as few knew the secrets to longevity that allowed us to live for so long. I just can’t say.”
“Look, whoever he is, he has some clue as to where we are, and who we are.” Breeze pointed at Ray. “Ray obviously had a hitchhiker until it was flushed out. Who knows what it reported back to Lacifel.”
Excort wagged a finger at Breeze. “Yes, but why no direct attacks? If he wants us, why not just scoop us up right now? The fog is the reason why. The electromagnetic shielding surrounding Perihelion and Appalachia is confusing him and making it difficult to pinpoint our exact location.”
“Not so sure about the fog anymore, after all, how were you ambushed at Perihelion? And what I don’t get is how does he expect us to get into orbit? Can we go back to Perihelion and use the ships I saw in the hangar? Do they have space flight capability?” Breeze wondered.
The dwarf shook his head. “I’m sorry to say most of those ships have long ago been stripped down to the point where we only use them for atmospheric flying. I know when Oslo reopened Perihelion he did have the RF rebuild some of the ships for space flight, but I don’t think they got very far and we just don’t have the parts we need.”
“The scout ship can’t reach orbit,” Breeze mused, “and I know back home we don’t have anything that can fly into space.” He began pacing the room. “No, it doesn’t matter. I have to go back home first, I need to know if my father is alive because if he is, he can help us.”
“Breeze, it’s probably a trap. Lacifel was being pretty cryptic about your father and besides, it’s too dangerous to cross the Bad Lands just to call his bluff,” Ray said.
“Ray, you still don’t get it, I’m not staying here to hide. I’ll do what I want.” He turned to address the rest of the group. “I’m flying out in the scout ship first thing in the morning. Those of you who want to come, meet me by the river at sunrise. I’m heading home to see if that monster is right. And if it is…well, I’ll figure out-, no, WE will find a way to get up to that cylinder and confront him.”
Breeze Corinth (Book 1): Sky Shatter Page 53