by James Thomas
Robert did not like Joe either, but he could see that he was a leader who was not afraid to take chances, even for a kid. Besides, if the stories were true about him, he would rather be stuck with his best chance to get back to Bandor. All he would have to do was capture two kids, transforming himself from a rookie to a hero. He was willing to wait for that, although the Bandorian society’s reaction to the arrest of two kids worried him. Let alone, one kid was a Living God and the other a local hero!
“Over there,” said Sadar in jubilation. “Those are my people.”
At the corner of the cross tunnel, the view opened to a sprawling area with hundreds of Tourians laboring. They were mining ion crystals by the thousands. The floor had been mechanically sunken by the workers excavating: its original level now only marks upon a high cavern wall.
“Under the rocks and dirt,” said Joe in a hushed voice, “An endless supply of ion crystals.” Though with the noise of the axes’ chipping at the crystal, he was hard to hear, even with the protective suits’ com.
Joe noticed Robert frozen motionless in position. He was staring forward. “Robert, are you still with us?”
“All those people are Tourians?” asked Robert.
“Yes, and those are our ancestors,” replied Joe trying to grind the point in.
“Their surroundings are dreadful,” whispered Robert. “This imprisonment is immoral. How many and by whom?”
“You mean how many slaves,” replied Sadar. “All my people are supposed to be here—by the Grax’s hand. Half in the mines, and the others on the surface exposed to the elements. And you saw what it looks like outside from our ice slide.”
Robert felt anger brewing deep inside. He did not believe it when he had overheard Joe and Sadar talking about it on the ship. Robert was not sure about the ancestor part, but he was willing to find out more. For kids, they sure had a way of surprising him.
Robert was becoming internally tangled. If Joe had released his grip when the ship had fallen over the cliff or if Sadar had not anchored Joe, he would have been deceased. But now, he was witnessing injustice committed against conceivable ancestors. But, as Joe had to choose to save Robert, Robert was confused by his choices when measured against his police oath.
“Now what do we do?” asked Robert.
“Free my people,” replied Sadar.
“With what resources?” questioned Robert. “You two are way over your head.”
“You mean three,” said Sadar. “You gave us your word.”
“But I didn’t mean . . . you two . . . kids, really,” said Robert having a hard time getting his words out. “Do you at least have a plan?”
“This whole thing has been a plan,” said Joe with a smile. “Let’s start by removing our helmets and grabbing those rags over there. We need to cover up these suits.”
Robert heard Joe, but he was still distracted by the whole experience. “The crash was part of the plan!” stated Robert.
“Well as they say, a plan only survives until first contact with the enemy,” said Joe. “And that pretty much was a few contacts ago.”
“You two, focus,” said Sadar.
“I would . . . if I knew we had a real plan,” said Robert.
“We have a plan,” replied Sadar. “First, I need to contact my governess.”
“Your what?” asked Robert.
“That’s a fancy word for a nanny,” replied Joe. “You know, a person who takes care of kids.”
“Okay, funny,” said Sadar.
“Then what?” asked Robert.
“Well . . . that’s the tricky part!” answered Sadar.
“And that would be?” asked Robert.
“We have to get everyone into the tunnels and to the ships.”
“Pardon me over here, where the adult is, but what ships?” asked Robert. “I mean, you two kids destroyed the last one into a billion pieces down the side of a mountain almost with me in it.”
“Calm down, Robert,” said Joe, shaking his head in frustration. “One thing at the time. We stick to the plan and that means find the nanny. Sadar, do you see her?”
“No, not yet, but I’m looking,” replied Sadar.
A handful of Tourians were chipping away at the crystals on the cavern’s upper rim nearest to them. Ditching the protective suits, Joe, Sadar, and Robert moved along the group’s side until they came into hearing range.
Sadar motioned to a group of Tourian slaves, four in all, as they worked to dislodge a large crystal from the wall where it was embedded. The crystal towered over the workers by half their height. Two of the group leveraged the sides to help remove, while the other two labored at its base with pickaxes.
At first no one looked, or at least Sadar did not think so, since they were focused on their work. He moved forward and into the view of the two Tourians leaning into the crystal. He did not wave again but stepped carefully forward, making sure he was in their direct sight. One was an old man, tall and skinny, old in age. The other was equally as tall, but she seemed to be the youngest of the group, in her late teens. Between them, two females wielding axes picked at the base. Their arms were rippled with muscles, clearly a result of the rigorous labor.
When the teenager looked up, she was so surprised by the sight of Sadar, she stumbled backward, tripping over a foot sized rock. She tumbled to the ground as the other three looked at her. In turn, she just pointed wordlessly to Sadar. Their axes suddenly dropped. The axes together hit the base of the large crystal with their heavy pic ends, amplifying a clangor that echoed over and above the sounds of the other slaves.
The four workers kneeled before Sadar as he approached them, causing more of a scene as others just a few meters away noticed and followed. If he did not stop this fast, the enslavers would take notice before Sadar could organize his people to overrun Grax.
“Stop!” said Sadar. “I mean, get up before others see you.”
“But my lord,” began the old man.
“All of you stand up—fast!” blurted Sadar. “Go back to your work so you don’t stand out.”
“My lord, but your presence, it would be blasphemy,” said the old man.
“All will be forgiven,” said Sadar. “Now, please stand up before the Grax see you.”
“As you command my lord,” replied the old man.
“And them too,” added Sadar.
As the man rose, he signaled for the others to stand up, which they reluctantly did out of respect for their God.
The man seemed to tower Sadar as he looked up. He had only seen his people from a distance. A price to pay as their Living God, for he was raised in almost complete solitude, spending all his time with only his governess, his only friend before Joe. But now, she was longer that person.
“I’m sorry, your name?” asked Sadar.
“Lord, my family name is Hannan.”
“But what is your given name?” asked Sadar.
“If, you ask my lord . . . it’s Aazar.”
Aazar was in disbelief that his God was still alive. The Grax had told the Tourians that he had passed, yet now his very God stood before him. This did not seem possible, but if it were a trick, Aazar would rather be on his God’s side, no matter what the price. Even if he were an impostor . . . but time would tell, and he knew what was needed as proof.
“I’m looking for Kilian. Do you know her?” asked Sadar.
“Yes, my lord,” said Aazar, “She’s here . . . a traitor many times over. But you already know that.”
Sadar remembered. Was that how his people also saw her?
“Could you show me where she is? I need her guidance,” said Sadar.
“Guidance, my lord. If you say so,” replied Aazar.
Aazar was taken back on the guidance part. Why would his God want advice after such a betrayal? But again this wasn’t for him to judge.
Aazar leaned over to the Tourian beside him, speaking in a hushed tone. The worker removed his outer garment and handed it to Aazar. Then he motioned in
the direction of the others and hurried away, to quickly return with more clothes. He handed them to Robert, Joe, and Sadar, the latter he bowed to before returning to his work.
“My lord, I apologize for the smell, but I assure you it’s the least foul of the bunch,” said Aazar.
“It’s understandable,” said Sadar as he winced from the initial odor.
“Once donned, these clothes will help hide you among us. Right now, the Grax are away and their chosen Tourians are in charge,” said Aazar.
Joe was astounded by how swiftly Sadar had changed his demeanor in front of his own people. For a kid eight years of age, he suddenly seemed old and experienced.
At first, as Sadar moved past the other Tourian workers, several recognized him and bowed. Others stopped laboring to stare, while the rest just continued with their work, too terrified to stop because it might alert the Grax.
Word spread like dry wild grass on fire. The Tourians’ spirit had been crushed, so they had been acting more like slaves, twice defeated as a people. They no longer showed the pride they once had.
To add to insult, their God was deceased, and they believed only his spirit could be walking among the living. Now the word was spreading, burning away most of their disbelief and igniting a spark of hope in the hearts of the Tourians.
The atmosphere was tense and unwelcoming when they finally stopped in front of Kilian Abdiesus. The gathering crowd let out a groan that moved quickly outward in a wave emanating from their position. The slaves did not approve of their God speaking with this woman who was a traitor, adding doubt to who he was.
“Kilian,” spoke Sadar.
“My lord, you are alive!” replied Kilian. Her heart figuratively sunk to her feet at hearing the voice of the very person she had betrayed.
“No thanks to you,” mumbled Aazar.
Sadar looked into Aazar’s eyes and saw the hatred for Kilian. Shifting his view, Sadar’s eyes met Kilian’s, where he saw regret and profound sadness. She was a shadow of the person who had raised him from a baby. Only a defeated woman remained.
“Yes. Joe, my Bandorian friend, saved me from prison and an uncertain fate at the hands of the Grax,” said Sadar.
“My Lord, a friend of yours is a friend of mine,” responded Kilian.
Aazar almost hissed at Kilian’s comment. He wasn’t too kind to any Bandorian, but Joe and Robert were sheltered from his discontent by his God. Aazar believed Kilian was up to her old tricks and she wasn’t protected from his ire.
Joe was nervous as they stood in plain sight of any Grax who could see the commotion.
Sadar spoke with Kilian in a whisper. A few yeses, followed by my Lord, and there is, could be heard before Sadar resumed his focus back on the group.
“Sadar,” said Joe, “We need to keep this moving forward.”
The slaves nearest to them, who had heard Joe calling Sadar by his first name, seemed confused about how a Bandorian could speak to their God so casually. It was an act of blasphemy. But Aazar saw what was happening and quickly acted.
“My lord, we are not used to seeing you in person, let alone hear an enemy call you by your given name,” said Aazar.
“He’s not my enemy,” replied Sadar.
“My lord. I don’t doubt it, but they don’t see it that way,” replied Aazar, glancing towards the Tourian slaves.
Sadar understood. He reached down and pulled out the Black Medallion. The slaves bowed at the sight of the Medallion. They soon came into view of other slaves, who also followed suit. Sadar knew what he had to do before the Grax came back. However, with his people bowing at his feet, he noticed a few still standing. They were Tourian guards, and they seemed to be confused as to what to do. Should they bow or arrest him?
Sadar realized his legitimacy as their Tourian God was at stake. “You see what I have here,” he spoke loudly enough to be heard, but waited until his words were spread like a wave throughout the entire group.
Sadar turned in a complete circle so everyone could see what was in his hand. Whispers buzzed throughout the group at the sight of the Black Medallion. Upon seeing the medallion, the guards that where still standing knelt and bowed with the rest of the Tourian slaves.
“That’s amazing,” said Robert. “Who are you to them?”
“Robert, quiet,” said Joe.
“Really, you’re not going to tell me what’s happening. Do you really want my help?” replied Robert.
“He’s their God,” responded Joe in a hushed voice, “And they just recognized him after believing he was dead.”
“Oh!” said Robert. “Yes, that lord thing again. But he’s just a kid.”
Sadar gave them both a look of concern, but Aazar understood right away. “You two need to bow,” said Aazar.
With thousands of Tourian eyes staring at Robert as he stood, his knees went limp from the sheer astonishment of the situation, and he fell to the ground with a thud. Joe followed him with a controlled descent.
Sadar stretched out his hand high into the air with the Medallion. “You are Tourians, not slaves. Stand with me and trust my guidance,” he said before adorning his neck with the Medallion.
He repeated, “Stand with me,” as the Tourians rose to their feet. “Have pride in yourself once again.”
18
FOLLOW THE TRAITOR
The escape began hastily, bewildering many of the Tourians as they moved deeper into the unfamiliar mines. Most just followed the person in front of them, without much thought to exactly how they would gain their freedom. Initially, when the elders saw that Kilian was leading them into the tunnels, there had been a few grumbles about her being a traitor. This this was swiftly snuffed when they saw their God, Sadar Tourian and the Black Medallion, greeting them as they moved further into the mines.
“How well do you know these tunnels?” Robert asked Kilian.
“Well enough,” replied Kilian. “No one from either side cares about what a traitor does or goes, so long as you stay clear of them. I was a joke to the Grax guards and a leper to my own people.”
“And now they should be thankful for what you are doing for them,” stated Robert.
“No . . . Tourians are a proud people. I will always be a traitor to them,” replied Kilian. “Something I have rightly earned.”
Robert did not disagree with Kilian. He took her at her word. He had other worries about getting back to Bandor, and he preferred not want to run into any more animals on his way.
“Have you ever run into any large creatures that, uh, say . . . um . . . live in the dark down here?” asked Robert hesitantly.
“You mean the Ice Vekoon,” said Kilian. “They are mostly on the surface, but over the years several have escaped into the tunnels.”
“Should I . . . I mean . . . should we be concerned about them?” asked Robert.
“Only when they’re hungry,” replied Kilian.
“Oh!” said Robert.
“But they’re always hungry,” added Kilian in a monotone vioce. She was not one to joke after hitting the bottom of her humanity as a traitor and estranged mother and wife.
Kilian could sense Robert’s apprehension about the animal as her motherly instincts kicked back in after a long slumber. With Sadar’s return, she felt awakened within and wanted to reassure Robert. She added in a cheerful tone, “But don’t you worry, Robert. They’re not the brightest animal and can be easily distracted by any noise.” However, she purposely left out, only for a moment or so.
Kilian’s lamp lit the path in front of her, allowing them enough vision to see any creatures that might lie in wait ahead. With the large group of people walking through such narrow tunnels, it would be better if they did not run into the Ice Vekoon.
***
Aazar was walking behind Robert and Kilian, listening. When Kilian looked back, Aazar smiled uneasily. “I’m watching you Kilian,” said Aazar. “You know these tunnels too well for your own good. I won’t let you double-cross my God again.”
&nbs
p; “Our God!” replied Kilian.
“No, I said it correctly the first time,” retorted Aazar. “Remember what you did!”
“How could I ever forget with you around, Aazar,” replied Kilian.
Joe had entered the tunnel last, along with Sadar, behind several thousand Tourians. Sadar had wanted all his followers to see him as they entered the passageways.
“So, is this God position very serious?” asked Joe.
“Not sure how to answer that,” replied Sadar.
“I mean, will you always be their God?”
Sadar understood the question and was not offended by the it. “Yes, until my first-born kid takes over like I did from my father,” answered Sadar.
“Can it also be a daughter?” asked Joe.
“Yes, but it hasn’t happened yet, but mostly due to males being born first.”
The path was lit by lanterns and fire torches of all different types and sizes. The group had already been in the tunnels for a while by the time the Grax guards had discovered that the slaves were escaping.
***
The Grax security had relied upon the Tourians to police their own, so no Grax soldiers were stationed in the mines overnight.
“Sir, we need to go after them,” said the sergeant with a tone of urgency.
“It will only be a matter of time before we find them. They have nowhere to go without ships,” responded the lieutenant. “Even with ships, they would need at least a hundred to carry all them off the planet.”
“Let’s make sure we find them before word gets out of what has happened,” ordered the sergeant. “Vi Ryant will not be pleased. Should we at least tell Vi Ryant’s brother?”
“Your right, Sergeant, release it! Time to flush them out,” said the lieutenant.
“Aye, aye, sir,” replied the sergeant. “Corporal!”
“Yes, Sergeant,” answered the corporal.
The corporal loosened his grip on the chain, allowing the Ice Vekoon to move closer to the main cavern’s inner tunnel opening. At the same time, the other guard pulled on the second rope to help align it with the entrance.