‘I figured,’ Evie said. ‘You’re talking about the vision you had… or visions?’
Shosana nodded, and Evie leaned in.
’Not long before you arrived on the Angel I served as a midshipman on the Excalibur. We were holding a convict, Tommy Huckey—’
‘I’ve had the misfortune of bumping into him a few times.’
‘Yeah, I know, but I haven’t told you that I came across him when he escaped.’
‘Oh, you did?’
‘I was stationed at the landing pad, alone in a quiet time, when he came in through a latch in the wall with the intention of capturing a getaway ship. At that time, I didn’t know who he was, of course, or what he was capable of doing, and as was my duty, I took charge by pointing my gun at him and telling him to stop.
‘He talked to me about Rick, got me off balance; I see now that he had entered my head using his powers. But then another scene flashed before my eyes, and I didn’t know what it meant.’ She stopped and gazed deep into Evie’s eyes.
Evie swallowed. ‘What did you see?’
‘I saw, through Tommy’s eyes, as he stood on an elevated opening between black buildings of curling vines, two unusual characters coming together and shooting up to the dark red sky. And behind them, myself with a man I didn’t know. It was but a short flash.’
The place she described sounded like Remola, and as Evie pictured the scene in her mind, she realised it had actually happened, when Nenetl and Warrigal shot up to the sky. ‘It was me. That was the last time I saw Tommy.’
‘Yes, and that man, I later realised, was Naido.’
Evie nodded. ‘Did you see anything else?’
‘No, that was all. Confused, I ran away.’
Evie hadn’t told those details to Shosana. Naido could have, but she doubted it. Also, with Tommy’s powers, anything was possible. Then again, what if her sister had a second sight, precognition? She seemed to believe she could see glimpses of the future.
‘This is very interesting, but you didn’t explain why you left the navy.’
‘I just wanted you to understand that I’m not making this up. The number of flashes increased after my liaison with Tommy, and they were the reason that led me to you in that cell on the Angel.’
‘Oh,’ Evie said. ‘So, it wasn’t an accident.’
‘No. Unless I had seen them put you in, I would never have been there. Perhaps the incident with Tommy Huckey made me more prone to seeing things, and when I saw myself again, in an environment I knew, I had to go and see.’
‘I felt you through the wall. Did you not feel me?’
‘I did. But that’s something else… we, as twins, share a connection.’
‘So, what made you leave the navy?’
Shosana took a deep breath.
‘Did you see something?’ Evie asked.
Shosana sighed. ‘I saw Dawn Central invaded by vile creatures, killing everyone onboard. I saw creatures appearing out of nowhere, killing people on the streets. I saw you—’ She looked away.
Evie took a quick breath. ‘What did you see?’
She shook her head. ‘I wanted to take us out of that world. That’s why I went along with you. To change our futures.’
Evie said nothing. She soaked up what Shosana had said. She had seen something terrible happen to her. ‘How do you know if things are going to be different now?’
‘I don’t,’ she said, grimacing.
’Because so far, based on what I hear, your visions have proven accurate.’
‘That’s the thing. I don’t know if anything I do matters.’
Evie’s heart thumped in her chest. ‘What else have you seen?’
‘The black discs,’ she said, closing her eyes, a teardrop seeping out. ‘It all starts with them.’
Chapter Six
Henning stepped down the ramp of the Groupie, Sofia-the-curious-junior-scientist beside him on a temporary navy landing spot outside Avalon’s walls.
The remains of the collapsed tower lay scattered by the main entrance. The navy had cleared a path to the gate and left all the rubbish by the wayside. What once was a beautiful tall tower overlooking the fields of Avalon, was now a burnt stump and rubble. The rest of the walls, once smooth as metal, now damaged from the attack of Vorlar Block’s forces, looked as if nothing had changed since they left months ago.
‘They haven’t done any restoration…’ he muttered as they walked to the entrance. Henning hadn’t been back to Avalon since they’d escaped the battle. He had low expectations of the navy’s work there, but the reality seemed even lower.
‘Maybe they just haven’t gotten to the outer perimeter yet,’ Sofia said.
‘We should find out soon enough.’ While he expected little from the navy, he hoped his people would have been able to rebuild under Skyla’s leadership. If nothing else, walking on the solid ground of Eura, breathing its fresh air, was a welcome change after the artificial atmosphere of Dawn Central.
Finding the compound gate open, Henning shook his head. Anyone could walk in, as he and Sofia had. The corridor’s lights were out, with the only illumination being the ambient light from the elevator lobby at the end of the corridor.
There, they were greeted by two soldiers.
‘Mr Dal and Ms Kvantström, welcome to Avalon,’ one said.
‘Please report to Captain Regn,’ said the other. ’You’ll find him in the main camp in the white building by the lake.’
A gentle wind blew in through a massive broken window. Henning stepped up to the ledge where he could see the whole compound. The elevators were out of order and taped shut, so the soldiers had set up a temporary scaffolding with steps down to the ground level. The white building in the distance was his former home. Like its immediate surroundings, the building had remained in pristine shape, a small wonder, as everything else was like an abandoned battleground with the remains of navy fighters and Avalon’s robots scattered around massive pits and exposed tunnels. Once-green pastures were now a brown-and-grey mess. A group of soldiers marched on a path in the distance, and in the middle of the Garden lay a massive lander.
Henning turned to the soldiers. ‘What about the Avalonians?’
One of the soldiers smirked, and the other said, ‘Most of them are gone. There are just a few stubborn ones left. Honestly, sir, I don’t get why.’
Henning squinted at the soldiers. ‘Where?’
The soldier shrugged. ‘Best to talk to Captain Regn.’
Henning pushed Sofia gently on the shoulder. ‘Let’s go.’
She frowned. ‘Now, now…’
‘Come on,’ Henning said, pacing towards the scaffolding on the ledge. The metal clanked under his feet as he stomped down the steps.
Avalon had been the nucleus of the next level of natural humanity, and it pained him to see its miserable state under navy control. The intricate systems that made the compound self-sustaining had been destroyed, replaced by cold technology. It made him angry, but he had to remain composed. If he were to rebuild Avalon, he had to play it smart with the navy, but he also needed help. He had to find Skyla Almer.
The front yard of his old home had survived the attack, but it hadn’t survived the vehicles and the barracks the navy had brought. Just being there evoked memories from the depths of his mind—memories of Aino playing in the park, memories of Sara—the wife he couldn’t save—and memories of his father, the founder of Avalon. But they were just memories; real life was now, and he pushed the images aside.
‘I love the country style of these buildings,’ Sofia said, ‘and this one is the best so far.’
‘It used to be my home.’
‘Oh. I’d love to live in a house like this one day.’
‘Really?’
Sofia said nothing, only admired the view, as they walked through the front yard. The door was open, and they stepped in.
Inside, some of Henning’s old stuff was still around: lamps, paintings, shelves, and even his guitar on the stand
in the corner. But the floor was dirty, and they had installed a supply rack in the hall.
A soldier was sitting behind a desk in the living room, and when their eyes met, she rose and saluted. ‘Mr Henning Dal? Captain Regn is expecting you upstairs. You can leave your coats here.’
Henning removed his grey overcoat and set it on the hanger as Sofia dropped her bag and added her short coat to his. They walked up the stairs and past the hall, to what had been the master bedroom. Now, with everything removed, it was an office for five people.
The man behind the desk stood up. He wore the captain’s insignia. ‘Mr Henning Dal,’ he said, ‘and warrant officer Sofia Kvantström. How may I be of service?’
The other four people in the room were glued to their screens.
‘I’ve been sent here to find something you might have missed,’ Henning said.
‘I understand, however, that would be highly unlikely.’ Regn was a young Dresnean, with a long face and grey skin, and towered over Henning with an uncharacteristic shaved head that hid the streaks that would show his heritage.
‘Also, I would like to talk about the future of this compound.’
‘Very well.’ Regn eyed the room. ‘Why don’t we take a walk outside to discuss it? Your assistant can take a desk here.’
‘I’m not—’
‘She will join us.’
In a moment they were walking on the grass, enjoying the fresh air and Dom’s warm glow above them.
‘This was once a beautiful place, I’m sure,’ Regn said.
‘I hope it could be like that again.’
‘In a way it will be.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘They didn’t tell you, no? We’re about to hand over the premises to the government of Initia. We’ve gotten everything we need, and the orders are to make it a smooth transition and ship out by the end of this week. Finally, if you ask me. We’re already hauling stuff to the lander.’
Henning had feared the navy could leave Avalon, but he had hoped it would happen later. Once they handed it over to the local government, it would be impossible for him to take it back. On the other hand, the point of discontinuation was also an opportunity. But he had to find a way and fast.
‘What happens when you go?’
‘It’s not official, but I hear they want to restore the land to its natural state. Apparently, the politicians think of it as an eyesore, a wound in the land, and I get it.’
Henning shook his head. He had worked hard to gain the support of Initia government and thought they would have his back now. But as soon as he was gone, they had reneged on all promises. He was disappointed, but hid it from Regn and Sofia. They couldn’t do anything about it.
It annoyed him that neither Killock nor Atamian had told him about the navy moving out, but it was good he had insisted on going down. He turned to Sofia. ‘Did you know about this?’
She shook her head. ‘No, but it makes sense. Once you’ve uncovered the secret stash, there’s nothing else for the navy here.’
Captain Regn gave her a meaningful look. He was probably, just like Killock and Atamian, expecting to find something of value hiding in the rubble. After all, that’s why everyone thought Henning was there.
They walked through the yard of his old home. On the pristine green grass lay a piece of twisted metal, about three metres in diameter. A piece of an exploded navy fighter plane, with its shiny and matt surfaces and uneven shape, looked almost like a piece of modern art. Henning made a mental note that once he had Avalon back, he would keep it as a reminder of the battle.
‘What’s in those buildings?’ Sofia asked, pointing at the small white buildings a hundred metres away, between the wall of the compound and a barrage fence that enclosed the area.
‘Nothing interesting there, just some folk who’ve stayed,’ Regn said. ‘Suggest we head back.’
‘Ah, there they are,’ Henning said. ‘I was wondering if they were all in hiding. Let’s go and have a chat.’
Regn stopped. ‘Wait. You shouldn’t.’
‘Why?’
‘They can be hostile.’
‘Nonsense,’ Henning said, and continued walking towards the barrage fence. Behind it, a man in ragged clothes toiled the land. Henning found no entry point, but leaned against the heavy fence and shouted, ‘Hey there!’
The digging man stopped and turned to look. He ran off into a nearby building.
In moments the man came back, followed by a group of people in similarly ragged and filthy clothes.
‘What did I tell you? He went for back-up.’
‘We’re safe behind the fence, aren’t we? Besides, I don’t think they’re dangerous.’
Closer, he recognised the man. He looked older than he was—perhaps because of his condition—but he was none other than Yonatan, and right behind him was Skyla.
‘We should go,’ Regn said.
Henning ignored him and waved at the oncoming crowd. Yonatan’s face turned to wonder when he recognised Henning. Skyla ran to him.
‘Mr Dal,’ she said, tears falling down her cheeks. ‘It’s all gone wrong here.’
‘Don’t you worry, I’m here, and I will fix things.’ He turned to Regn. ‘These aren’t savages, they’re the people of Avalon, they’re my people and this is their home!’
‘I have my orders to keep them here.’
‘As prisoners? There are many buildings unscathed from the battle, and you’re not using them. I want you to open the fence and let them go back to their homes.’
‘Negative.’
Henning gave him a cold stare. ‘From whom do you get your orders?’
‘Admiral Atamian.’
Henning and Regn stared at each other for a while.
‘What happens to them when you leave?’
‘It depends on what kinds of results you get.’
‘Reminds me,’ Sofia said, ‘I should do the tests now.’
‘Good. I’ll get a few men to keep you safe.’
‘That won’t be necessary,’ Henning said.
They went back to Henning’s former home, where Regn talked to his men while Sofia perused her luggage for her equipment. Looking at the devastation around him, and the miserable state of his people, he wasn’t sure if he felt angry or depressed.
Avalon had been his home since childhood. His father had believed in humanity evolving together with nature, and with the universal energy of life they called E. There, his father had taught him science and politics far beyond the normal education; he had taught him how to lead, but as a young man Henning had been indifferent to their lifestyle. Only after his father disappeared did he realise the value of his work.
One day his father had gone on one of his trips, but hadn’t come back when he said he would. Henning had no way of connecting with him, but trusted he would eventually return as he had always done. Then, a week after his planned return, Henning received a message through a forwarding service.
My son, if you see this, I’ve passed over to light. I wish we had more time together, but I’m lucky we had time for the most important things. Now, there’s something important you need to know: from now on, you are the Starlight, and the people of Avalon will look up to you for leadership. Avalon is its people, but the place carries importance too: our home lies on one of the biggest wells of E ever observed on a habitable planet. Our work is but a beginning; a glorious future for humanity is waiting for us, but there are also forces against us. Use this key to access everything you need…
Henning had been in his early forties then. He had just married Sara, and they were planning to leave Avalon for a life among the stars, but after he opened his father’s secret chamber for the first time, he knew he couldn’t leave. The future of Avalon—and with it, the future of humanity—rested on his shoulders.
Sofia pulled out a small cone and attached it to a boxy thing with a grip and a trigger, and with a chirpy look on her face, she said, ‘Ready to go?’
‘Yes. Wha
t are you testing for?’
‘They all have it, right?’
‘You mean E? Everyone has E.’
‘You know what I mean.’
Henning nodded. ‘They’re all positive outliers, more or less.’
‘Good. Because I’m looking for the S-molecule, to have a broader range of data.’
The S-molecule was responsible for storing E between its atoms. Its workings were still a black box for the navy, and having done research on it himself, Henning doubted Sofia’s measurements could bring them new insights. In principle he favoured scientific study, though the navy had ulterior motives.
‘This would be a good bunch, but the data won’t help you.’
She stopped to adjust her glasses, and blushed. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, they’re just the same as us,’ he said, referring to himself and his FIST colleagues the navy had studied, ‘with varying amounts of the molecule—but its properties remain the same.’
‘Perhaps, but Dr Killock said this was important, so I’ll do it.’
Dr Killock must have known she wouldn’t get any new data, and this supported the idea that she had sent Sofia along to watch over Henning. He couldn’t trust her, but he had to play along, so he nodded in agreement.
Chapter Seven
Backstage, minutes before the show, Lena took Jill’s hand and pulled her to the side.
It was the premiere of the show they had been practicing for so long. Lena had the lead role. A woman ten years younger than Jill, she was the star of their group. Probably the only reason Lena had stayed with them was the relaxed lifestyle on Nanira, but to really hit the big time, she might have to move.
‘This is important for me,’ she said. ‘Make sure you don’t fumble tonight.’
‘Of course,’ Jill said. ‘Why say this to me?’
‘Piniya has played the role before, and I trust her, but for you this is the first big show, am I right?’
Jill nodded.
‘Dance is about beauty in motion. Fast but graceful, strong but vulnerable.’
‘I’ll try my best,’ she said, fixing the outfit on her chest. The tight green dress with a revealing low-cut front was a disaster waiting to happen, even though she had practiced in it.
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