“No. I won’t let you kill my friend!”
My head spins to face Ron.
“You have to agree to Zho-Zho’s proposal. Ron, if you don’t, I’ll never forgive you!”
His mouth parts open, but Roxie once again buts in.
“That’s it. Finn, your insubordination is an embarrassment to all The Citadel!”
That’s when Ron’s face goes red with rage.
“Shut up! Both of you!”
Roxie and I fall silent.
“You heard what I said, Zho-Zho...I agree.”
His fangs flash behind a wicked grin. “Good.”
Zho-Zho forces Naki to take five steps towards Ron and Roxie. She stumbles due to a crude shove from her perpetrator. Just when I thought I couldn't hate this jerk anymore than I already do.
That’s when Kiwok taps me on the shoulder. As the enemy approaches Ron to finalize the deal, he whispers in my ear.
“Create distraction. Human.”
My brows furrow.
“What? Why?”
“Just trust. Teachers say fellow soldiers important. Now we save little girl. Ok?”
I’ll be the last to admit I don’t have a plan, so it slightly damages my pride to hear that the usually-moronic, Kiwok has one up his sleeve.
Not like I have any other choice.
Zho-Zho is several feet away from Ron and Roxie. They holster their weapons. Ron raises his arms in surrender...Kiwok steps out of Zho-Zho’s line of vision as I shout the enemy’s name.
“Wait! Zho-Zho, over here!”
He twists his head to growl at me. His pistol is slightly lowered towards Naki’s shoulder.
“What do you want, stupid Aster? I’m busy conducting an important business transaction.”
“W- what do you call a bagel that flies?”
Everybody has gone dead silent. It’s as if they are mind-boggled by how stupid I sound. Ron looks to be the only one to recognize I'm trying to make a joke. His mouth is slack-jawed in awe but he let’s me continue.
“A plane bagel!”
Raising both arms to either side of my body I- whoosh! Them through the air like the wings of an aircraft. Everybody is stunned. Zho-Zho’s pistol lowers completely.
“Are you humans...really this dumb?”
Those are the last words to ever leave his mouth.
Kiwok rears up on Zho-Zho’s blind side. His large scaly hand grips his gun. He pushes Naki to safety and the Tra’vaneer woman falls into Ron’s arms.
Just as Zho-Zho is processing this surprise attack, Kiwok rears his fist...and punches Zho-Zho in the face. Spit flies from Zho-Zho’s mouth, his head- snaps! On an uneven angle and the Raider general goes flying across the clearing.
He lands in a heap with his legs twisted under his collapsed body. The glass shards from his mask lay scattered on the ground. My entire face is contorted in shock. I twist my head to get a closer look at his face.
Zho-Zho’s eyes are staring off into oblivion...
No way! Kiwok just killed Zho-Zho!?
I wish I could say “that was my kill!”, or “he was mine!”, but I'm too relieved to see Naki safe to care about my silly revenge. Kiwok beats his chest like a gorilla and declares...
“Nobody hurt Altair friends! Nobody!”
Goodbye...Ron
Immediately after Zho-Zho’s demise, the remaining Etis troops arrive on the scene. Phillia orders her squadron to take the remaining Raider troops into custody.
Meanwhile, we go to work returning to our Aqua Class transport ships. Naki and I use our Jericho Watches to make the A.I on our battleships re-group in a clearing.
An hour later, Ron, Roxie, Naki, Kiwok and I are standing at the edge of the clearing beside the Eastern Sectors Landing pad. The clearing looks to be a parking lot made of crystal. Multiple cracks have formed revealing jagged lumps of sand. In the distance, between coral buildings and broken towers, I spot Crillish citizens crawling out from their hiding places.
Defeated Raider troops are being led into an Etis underwater Transport Ship. The vessel is similar to ours, but coated with dark green paint instead of blue. Thankfully the Jellyfish-flowers have returned, and they light the way into the ships.
A wave of relief washes over me. We’ve done it...we saved Dree!
A vast number of Crillish soldiers come to join us. Most are ordered to aid the Etis troops. Meanwhile the captain of the guard makes his way towards my brother and my companions with a look of dismay.
“Aver Ron...sir…”
The captain gives a curt bow.
“We are grateful for the Citadel’s help in saving our capital. We’ve received news from your Godsonion, Ulmu, that our Queen is safe within the Altair Outpost. Yet, something troubles me…”
My heart sinks in my chest...that’s right, Bub in in Odiums clutches. Naki has a similar look of sadness.
“...our dear prince Bub is nowhere to be seen.”
Ron nods as a look of regret tightens his face.
“His majesty was captured by Odium despite our best efforts.”
My brother squares his shoulders.
“We will do our best to return him to you unharmed.”
Ron’s Jericho Watch alights like a beacon, with the name of the caller projected as ‘unknown’.
Roxie snarls, “That’s not possible. Unknown radio frequencies can’t by-pass Citadel Tech.”
I raise my brows and shrug.
“Well somebody has...”
Ron eagerly answers the incoming message. A cone of light projects the callers face. His mask reflects little light. Behind his cloaked figure is a window showing space and the planet Dree in the distance.
“Odium!” I growl before anybody else has a chance to say anything. There is no mistaking my rage.
Ron shushes me. I manage to contain my anger and concentrate on the unfolding conversation with increased tension.
“Bravo my little friends.”
Odiums singsong voice mocks us beneath the crackling of static.
“You managed to save Dree. Congratulations! Really I’m impressed. You Altarians, specifically, never cease to impress. But the battle isn’t over yet, you see...I have a proposition. For you...Ron Bates.”
My elder brother nods.
“I’m listening…”
“The Dree’ish Prince is on my ship as we speak. He’s unharmed I assure you but will not remain that way for long. I will kill the boy if you don’t agree to my terms.”
“What terms?”
“I want you...Ron. Come to my vessel alone and surrender yourself to me, and I will send the child in an Escape Pod to the rest of your troops to do with as they please.”
My eyes widen. Why the hell is Odium suddenly obsessed with Ron? Dammit...I’m not going to lose my brother again!
I step forward aiming to interject, but a gentle touch from Naki stops me.
“It’s ok, Finn,” she whispers. “Your brother knows what he’s doing.”
Her hand remains on my shoulder. She tugs me to her side. Like a tamed animal, I can’t help but listen to her. Odium and Ron’s conversation continues.
“Do we have a deal?”
Odium teases. My brother's brows are creased with concentration.
“It seems the obvious thing to do, Ron. Your life is worthless after all, compared to royalty.”
“I...accept, but I have one question.”
Odium chuckles.
“And what is that?”
“How did you get access to my Jericho Watch?”
“Oh...I have my ways. See you soon, Ron Bates.”
The transmission cuts out. Ron lowers his wrist and stares into the distance. I assume he’s thinking of a plan to get both him and Bub safely out of Odium’s deal. I bounce on my toes and fire off a series of questions.
“So, what’s the plan Ron?”
Adrenaline is coursing through me.
“I can hide on the ship, and shoot Odium when he’s not looking? Or- or we can dis
guise a Raider troop as you and trick him.”
“We won’t be doing any of that little bro’. I’m going in alone.”
His words feel like a punch in the gut. Ron makes stern eye contact with me.
“It’s my job as an Aver to ensure the safety of the galaxies and the planets within them. If giving myself to Odium to save the future generations of Dree is what I must do...then I will.”
“B- but…”
That’s when Ron’s calm facade breaks and, for a brief moment, I see that innocent-dorky looking kid from my childhood. He smiles wide yet the look in his eyes is riddled with remorse. He wraps his arms around my shoulders and pulls me into a hug. It’s the first one we’ve had since he found me on Earth all those months ago. He gives a quick squeeze then let’s go.
“I know you don’t want to let me go again,” he says, “But I’ll be ok. I promise.”
He spins on his heels and walks past Roxie. She’s remained silent this entire time...the look on her face is unreadable. As they pass, Ron cracks a dark joke.
“Guess you won’t have to worry about my review anymore, huh?”
She rolls her eyes and her lips remain shut. Her eyes soften. Roxie mutters,
“I’ll make sure everybody returns to Altair safely.”
Ron taps his Jericho Watch and triggers the first Aqua Class Transport Ship to lower a fresh battleship from its underbelly. The engine whines and the cockpit opens. My brother adjusts his helmet and enters the ship. He sets up his intercom before making an emergency launch out of the city. His ship quickly disappears into the darkness of the sea.
“I've let him go again...”
What was supposed to be an inner thought accidentally slips out. Naki looks at me and I gulp.
“Sorry, you weren't supposed to hear that.”
“It’s ok.”
The two of us fall silent. My fists ball and I feel a familiar stinging sensation as my nails dig into my gloves. For some reason, I feel the urge to share my thoughts with Naki. Maybe it’s because she’s always so kind? Naki’s never judged me, and I get the feeling she has complete trust in me.
“When I was a kid in Elementary School, I was really quiet and shy. Not at all like I am now…”
Naki nods, and doesn’t say anything. Perhaps this ramble will sound like gibberish to her? But I continue anyway.
“Ron used to help me be brave. When I saw him hanging out with other kids and gaining popularity, it gave me hope that I could do the same. I looked up to my older brother like he was my hero. To me, he was flawless. He was never rude to me and always treated me with kindness. But when I turned twelve, Ron was abducted by Raiders…”
Naki remains silent. I risk a glance in her direction. Her emerald eyes are soft and filled with compassion. She nods, urging me to continue.
“After Ron was abducted, I tried telling my parents that it truly was aliens that took him. They didn’t believe me, and they were so...so angry that I couldn‘t help them find him. I was just some traumatized kid with a big imagination. Mom and Dad told me time-and-time again...aliens don’t exist.”
I take a second to steady my accelerating heartbeat.
“That’s when I started getting angry. I picked fights with other kids at high school. Especially this one bully, Chad Brunestick, because I hated the way he talked about Ron. Rumor got around that I believed in aliens and the bullying only got worse. The rage kept growing. Without Ron, I was left with a deeply seated trauma that couldn’t be fixed.”
My eyes snap shut. A memory rears its ugly head; one of my Dad and I shouting at each other. I’m trying to tell him why I’m hurting, and how I know Ron was abducted by aliens….but Dad won’t listen. He locks me in my bedroom because I’ve- “made mother upset…”
“What I'm trying to say is...so much of my life struggles have revolved around Ron. His disappearance and reappearance. So what the hell will happen to me if I lose him again?”
I don’t expect her to have an answer. She takes a moment to ponder her response.
“I think I understand what you're saying, I have an elder sibling too, you know.”
She gives me a soft smile.
“A lot of who I am now is due to Kisoi’s influence. Although, instead of seeing him as a hero...I see him as a rival. Kisoi’s always been so smart.
He’s the pride of our family. I've had to push myself to be like him every day of my life. Without him as a hurdle to overcome, I don’t know how I’d motivate myself.”
Naki pauses.
“Sometimes we underestimate the effects that family has on us…”
The two of us share a moment of silence, before the whooshing of an incoming escape pod breaks through the barrier. The oblong, dark-red pod hovers above the ground for a moment before landing in the clearing kicking up dust. Multiple Etis troops stare in awe from the mouth of their transport convoys.
Roxie and Kiwok rush forward. There is an audible click and the pod door releases. Out jumps Bub. Tears stream down his face but thankfully he looks unharmed. Bub leaps into Roxie’s embrace without permission. I’m half expecting Roxie to throw the kid across the clearing. Instead, she scoops him up in a motherly embrace.
“It’s ok, you're safe now…” she croons.
The Royal Guard Captain marches smartly towards them.
“You’re highness!” He cries, taking Bub from Roxie’s arms. “I am so glad to see you safe. We must leave here...quickly.”
Dashing across the clearing, I stop the Captain in his tracks.
“Wait, I need to ask him a question.”
“Hasn’t the young prince had enough trauma for today?”
“Please.” I beg. “It’s important.”
Bub stares up at me with his eyes wide as saucers.
“Bub…” I say gently. “Can you tell me what happened? Did you see a man on the ship with you? He has medium long wavy hair and burns on his face. His name is Ron, do you remember him?”
Bub nods.
“Good, good! Can you tell me what happened to him?”
The mention of my brother makes Bub tremble. His face tightens and he starts to weep. His reaction makes my stomach twist with anxiety…
“R- Ron came in and the bad guy hurt him. Started kicking him and calling him a traitor…”
That’s odd...how is Ron a traitor to Odium? This sudden change in motivation doesn’t make any sense!
“That’s when...the bad guy locked Ron up. He came and put me in the pod…”
Naki gasps.
“Odium is going to torture Ron for information.”
This time, it’s Naki’s turn to face Roxie.
“We can’t leave him.” Her emerald eyes are alight with resolution. “Ron is our best friend. His life is just as important as anybody else's.”
Thank god Naki is on my side. Roxie shakes her head. I roll my eyes. My face flushes red with rage. She spots my rising fury and barks an order in my face.
“We aren’t going on a rescue mission to save Ron.” Her fists are clenched on either side of her body. Is she going to hit me? I remain unflinching. She continues. “If his life truly is important to The Citadel, Ulmu will plan a rescue mission back on Altair.”
“If that happens, we’ll be too late!”
Roxie snaps back at me.
“I’m the leader now and you need to listen to me! Both of you should get that through your thick skulls!”
I match her aggression and tone.
“You’re really going to just leave him to be tortured and killed?”
The tip of her forked tail- stabs! Into the sand. It must be her species' sign of aggression. If I wasn’t so blinded by rage I’d say it’s working. Her skin grows a brilliant red, as if it couldn’t get any-more-so.
“Finn, do you really think it’s a good idea to go flying into Odium’s open arms? We’ll all end up dead. It’s reckless, and stupid. The only reason you two want to save him so badly is because you care about him...this is why I told the H
igh Council not to let you two brothers work together in the first place!”
It’s an obvious slip of the tongue. She reels back in surprise at her own inability to keep her mouth shut. Her tail pops free from the soil and goes limp across the ground. I growl…
“You told the Citadel Ron and I shouldn't work together? But why?”
“Because…”
She whispers.
“Working with the people you care about in a job like this leads to making bad decisions, decisions based on sentiment, not logic. In a situation like this, people will always choose family over duty. But that’s not responsible. As members of the Citadel, we are supposed to risk our lives for the galaxies not for our personal attachments. If Ron wants to die for Altair and not his loved ones then that is the way things should be.”
Naki responds to Roxie. Her voice is sharp as a knife.
“Sounds like you’re talking from personal experience.”
Roxie is silent.
“That’s what I thought…”
The devilish-alien turns her fury towards Naki. As if the poor girl hasn’t already had a rough day.
“Yes, maybe I have had somebody I love die on the battlefield! He was supid for doing so. If he hadn’t risked his life to save me. We could have had a family...we could have!-”
Her entire face grows stiff. Roxie closes her eyes, presumably to stuff away all of the rising emotion.
“You Altair idiots have me so unnecessarily riled up. Never in my life have I been so insulted. I’m a soldier, not a cry-baby, for god's sake!”
Naki grabs onto my shoulder and squeezes.
“Well, Finn and I aren’t going to make the same mistakes you have. We’ll save Ron, even if we die in the process.”
Her words are almost too good to be true. I’m so lucky to have a friend like her….
“W- well.” Roxie stammers. “I forbid it! With Ron gone I’m your new commander. If you two go off on a mission to save Ron, then it’ll be insubordination. You’ll have your memories wiped and replaced!”
“Whatever.” I snarl.
“You can get rid of my memories and replace them with whatever you like. I’ll never forget my family or my friends.”
Naki and I turn and head towards our battleships, leaving Roxie stunned and looking all-around mortified. We make it out of the clearing. I raise my watch and trigger my damaged cockpit to clamber open...but a voice booms behind me.
Hypernova Series: Worlds At war Page 15