The roar of a missile cut him off. When he looked up, he saw it streak through the sky above them. Bright orange against the night, it ran in the direction of the casino. Even the sounds from the slaves stopped, as it had clearly captured their attention too. A second later, it landed with an almighty boom! A large orange explosion gave birth to a black mushroom cloud.
That’s the rest of the ships gone, Sparks said.
While looking from the sky to Sparks’ map, SA said, I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t they just send the missile into the city to kill us?
It took a lot for Sparks to lose her nerve, so when Seb watched her hands shaking as she typed on her screen, his stomach clenched. After a couple more taps, a swarm of about twenty blue dots appeared on her map. They moved as a group and they were heading their way.
Reyes stated the obvious. They have more guards in stealth suits in the city. We’re not going to make it to the ship in time.
Although Sparks didn’t speak, Seb saw her concentration as she glared at the map. Smarter than the rest of them, she looked to be formulating a plan. The blue dots were a street away from the red dots and two streets away from them. They were all homing in on the shrill alarm of the ship. Impatience got the better of him. Come on, Sparks, you must have an idea.
Sparks went to work on her computer.
Seconds later, the bright glare of the city blinked out. There were still glowing patches from the fires throughout the place, but otherwise they were in total darkness, the white pinpricks of the stars above suddenly visible in the vast sky. The slaves fell silent. The blue dots stopped moving.
Then the blue dots set off again, getting closer to the red ones. They must have seen the opportunity to pass them. The ship continued its synthesised wail, so close to them, yet so inaccessible. Instead of setting off towards it, Sparks continued to type on her tablet.
Her flurry ended with a definitive tap against the screen. The slaves screamed again, the sound lifting the hairs on the back of Seb’s neck.
Sparks smiled at the others, the glow of her computer reflected in her glasses. Enigma aren’t the only ones who can influence those suits. I might not be able to prevent them controlling them, but I can control them too.
Reyes said, You just made them visible in front of the slaves?
Yep. Hopefully it’ll take Enigma a minute to react.
That’s all well and good, Seb said, but we still need to get past the slaves and the guards to get to the ship, and we can’t see a damned thing.
Sparks didn’t let him finish before she set off again. He pushed his irritation down, balling his fists as he watched her head back the way they’d come from. Just before he could repeat their quandary—now running through an alley as dark as Enigma’s soul—the Thrystian used her computer to project a red glowing schematic of what lay in front of them. She quickened her pace as she said, We can see a lot more than they can.
Chapter 32
One thing about following the red grid schematic was it masked the brutality of the massacre that had occurred on Kajan. The corpses were reduced to red-lined lumps, which Seb avoided while following the others.
When Sparks turned the schematic off and stopped, Seb and the others halted behind her. The street they were on stretched wide, although not as wide as the street they were heading for. The bright moon and the burning buildings lit their way.
I told you we’d get here, Sparks said.
As much as he wanted to be optimistic, Seb didn’t have it in him at that moment. His pulse pounding, his chest tight from having inhaled more smoke while they ran, he also had a stitch working against his hopes of escape. By here, you mean just about to step out into madness with the odds stacked squarely against us, right?
With screams of rage just around the corner, they didn’t need Sparks’ map to see where the slaves were. Seb could hear them closing down on the ship fast, the shrill alarm drawing them in. Galloping feet hailed a mob of thousands on the move again. The run-in with Enigma’s soldiers had slowed them for a minute at the most. As the sound of their charge came forward, it swelled through the main street in front of them like a raging torrent. Now they were close, it came down to who could run the fastest.
We’ll be fine, Sparks said. It’s just like we’ve planned; follow my lead and we’ll get out of here.
Maybe she knew the response wouldn’t be enthusiastic. Maybe she saw the futility of checking they were all okay with the plan. Not a good plan, but the only one they had—again. And it could work.
Sparks ran out onto the main road first. The second she broke away from cover, the slaves roared, the pace of their charge quickening.
Seb burst out behind her with Reyes and SA on either side of him. He dared not look back at the slaves. They were so close he heard their ragged breaths, their slathering need to destroy. When they yelled again, the sound crashed into him like a strong wave, and he nearly lost his legs. Their roars swelled to the point where he could have sworn the ground shook.
As Sparks ran towards the flashing ship, she pulled a grenade from her belt and tossed it behind her without looking. It sailed in an arc over them. On any other day, Seb would have watched it, but he kept his focus on the noisy vessel in front, his breaths quick, his legs burning as he sprinted.
A bang and bright spark exploded in a magnesium glare. Even with his back to it, Seb was dazzled, so it must have done something to the mob of slaves. While blinking away his blind spots, he kept moving at a flat-out sprint.
His vision back, the ship right in front of them, Seb looked over his shoulder. Sparks’ flash bang had slowed the mob down. Not much more of a gap between them, but an increased gap nonetheless.
Sparks reached the ship first, jumping into the open back and running straight for the cockpit. Although SA reached it next, she hung out of the back doors and opened fire into the slaves running towards them. So numerous, she had no other choice but to spray her blasts in the hope of slowing down as many as possible. If she’d thought about using the leveller, she hadn’t made it obvious. It would do so much damage it would hinder their chances of escape.
Seb arrived at the ship next, letting Reyes through before he pressed his blaster into his shoulder to help SA slow the chaos coming towards them. Or at least try to. His teeth clenched against the kick of his weapon; his trigger finger ached from where he clamped it so tightly.
The slaves fell to their blasts, but for every one they took down, twenty replaced them. We’ve not got much time out here, Sparks.
Nearly there, she said, I need to break Enigma’s control over this ship so they can’t do anything to us in the air.
Ten metres between them and the slaves, Seb looked at SA. A scowl of concentration, she continued to indiscriminately fire on them. If we don’t get out of this, he said, I want you to know—
Shut up and keep firing.
The light on the top of Seb’s gun had turned orange. It got darker by the second.
Then the ship’s engine started, the loud roar of it replacing the shrill alarm.
As Reyes lifted them from the ground, SA and Seb continued to fire on the slaves.
Both of their weapons failed at the same time. Several slaves took the opportunity and leapt at them, hanging onto the ship as it rose into the air.
Although SA kicked one off, two managed to get into the back with them. A world in slow motion, Seb saw the weak spot on the one he faced. Taller than him by a few inches, the creature had leathery skin covering its vulnerability on its chest. A hard jab, he drove the air from the creature and it stumbled backwards, falling from the ship, spinning over until it landed in the horde below.
The creature SA faced stood no taller than about three feet. After burying a knife in the top of its head with a wet squelch, she kicked the now limp thing out of the open back.
They shared a look with one another before Seb pressed the button to close the hatch. As he let go of an exhausted sigh and wiped sweat from his brow, he called to
wards the cockpit, “We’re good to go.”
The ship lurched forwards, picking up speed as it flew over the top of the dark city. The change from chaos to calm made Seb’s head spin. He looked out of the back window at the fires burning in different places like candles at a vigil.
The built-up area behind them, Sparks shouted, “Bombs away!”
A click ran through the ship, which Seb felt as a vibration against the soles of his boots. He watched out through the back window as an explosion hit the desert’s ground, swelling and rising up from the sandy plain. The shock of the blast sent them snaking left and right. While holding onto a handrail above him, he said, “What the hell was that?”
“A gift from Enigma,” Sparks said. “It was rigged to blow if we got any higher than we are now.”
Reyes then lifted their trajectory, pulling them up into the atmosphere and away from the cursed planet.
Seb sighed and met SA’s bioluminescence. “It feels like what we’ve just gotten away from should be a cause for celebration. But there was so much death and destruction down there. So much unnecessary carnage.”
A moment’s silence, Sparks called back to them, “Yeah, but look on the bright side: it’s not like we have to go to Enigma’s base or anything.”
The words took what little strength Seb had left in his legs, and he slumped onto a bench opposite SA. After a second or two, he reached across and held both of her hands with his. In her eyes, he saw the same apprehension that gnawed away at him. What would they find on Varna?
Chapter 33
The gangway between Seb and SA was so narrow their legs touched. It allowed Seb to continue to hold her hands while resting back in his seat. He released a long sigh. When he looked up, he saw her watching him. I can’t believe what we’ve been through already. Yet it feels like we haven’t even come close to facing the worst of it.
A squeeze of his hands, SA tilted her head to one side in inquisition. Who’s to say this is going to be the worst of it? It might be a walk in the park.
Enigma created what we’ve just fought our way through. And now we’re going to step into their base. I can’t see it being anything but hellish.
But they’re hiding like snakes beneath a rock. Maybe that’s a sign of how little strength they have.
That’s true. But what if I can’t do it?
Why does it have to be on you?
Because I’m supposed to be the chosen one. What does that even mean? I’m not my ancestors. They could move moons and manipulate planets. What can I do? Slow time down and punch people. Act first and think later. Hardly the skill set of a hero, is it?
SA leaned closer, her brilliant gaze fixed on him. What you bring is greater than any magic trick your ancestors might have had. You’re a leader. We’re all here because of you.
Although Seb opened his mouth to reply, SA cut him off. Even when you can’t do something, you’ve learned to trust in us to get it done. Sure, you’ve made mistakes; we all have. But you have integrity in everything you do. That’s inspiring. That’s why we follow you, and that’s why I love you. We’ll bring Enigma down as a team. One way or another.
Unable to reply because of the lump in his throat, Seb felt the warmth of his love’s hands squeeze that little bit tighter. He pulled in a deep breath, rested his head against the wall behind him, and closed his eyes.
Chapter 34
It felt like just seconds had passed when Seb woke to Sparks saying, “We’re here.”
He came to with a start, his heart surging. A similar reaction to when his alarm clock went off too early, his pulse galloped towards panic, and he felt like he couldn’t breathe.
After a couple of seconds of blinking and rubbing his face, Seb looked at SA. She stared calm bioluminescence back at him, a gentle smile as she waited for him to level out. One final deep breath, he nodded, and both of them stood up at the same time.
Although he moved on weak legs, Seb stepped into the cockpit first, grabbing the headrest behind Sparks with both hands to keep him stable.
Aware of SA moving to stand behind Reyes, Seb stared out of the window and gasped. A vast desert of glimmering crystal stretched out below them. The same mineral they’d seen in the Pillar of Peace, it reflected the sun like a mirror. A structure rose up from it that sent his jaw south. A huge and ornate palace. The one he’d seen in his vision back on Kajan.
“Wow,” Sparks said, her voice distant. “You can’t see any of this on the scanners. Enigma must have some kind of cloaking tech around the whole place. I’d normally be able to pick up a structure this large.”
The sprawling palace must have had at least fifteen bedrooms. Dotted with tall spires that shot into the sky, they pointed up as sharp talons in defiance of the galaxy beyond.
For some reason, Seb’s attention fell to one particular spire. Not the widest or tallest, but the most important of the lot. It had a large open space in front of it. Almost like a balcony but bigger than any he’d seen before. It looked like it probably had the best view of the planet around them. An image then punched into his mind, and he stumbled, his legs turning weak as he held himself up with the back of Sparks’ seat. The same woman he’d seen when he’d touched the stalt in the Pillar of Peace: a slightly older woman with white hair and clothes; human, despite the green glow to her eyes. Maybe, like him, she simply looked human.
As the vision rescinded, Seb felt SA’s hand on his back. Still rattled, he looked at his love as he tried to make sense of what he’d just seen.
You okay? SA said.
Seb nodded. What could he say to that?
Sparks then raised her computer, showing Seb the screen. A schematic of the palace. Although he could feel SA’s attention on him, he continued to watch the small Thrystian’s device while she spoke.
“At least now we’re close, I can see where we need to go.” She pointed to a room at the building’s heart. It appeared to be a large hall. “Enigma are sending their broadcasts from this room here. I’m guessing they have some kind of technology that can harness the energy in the stalt on the planet. They must use the entire palace as a transmitter. We get in there and we’re golden. At least, that’s what I think anyway.”
All the while Sparks spoke, Seb looked at the grand structure. It appeared to grow larger the closer they got to it. At first, he’d taken it to be mostly abandoned. A building like that should have an army out in front of it. Then he saw them. Only three creatures, they stepped from one of the many archways leading into the place. “I’m guessing there’s more where they just came from?”
Sparks winced. “I was waiting to show you that.” A tap on her screen filled the schematic with blue dots. Hundreds, if not thousands of them. Normal service resumed.
Tension gripped Seb’s stomach, and his heart beat double time. As he let go of a long exhale, his cheeks puffed out. He finally found his words. “Is it too late to turn around?”
Instead of replying to him, Sparks said, “But look.” She showed Seb a green dot on the screen.
Not sure what it meant, Seb simply stared at it. It certainly hadn’t changed his mind.
“Bruke’s inside,” Sparks said. “I couldn’t trace him from Kajan, but now we’re close, I can see exactly where he is.”
The first good news he’d heard in a while and the motivation he needed to push through his fierce trepidation. A nod to himself, Seb closed his eyes and filled his lungs, his entire frame lifting as he inhaled. When he reopened them, he saw more guards had come from the palace. Maybe thirty already, maybe more. Only a fraction of what Sparks had shown him. He reached across and squeezed Reyes’ shoulder. “We’ve come here with a job to do. This is the final run, so let’s get in and out as quickly as possible. Hit them with everything you’ve got, soldier.”
Chapter 35
The entire ship shook when Reyes pulled the triggers on her flight sticks. Red lasers—several inches thick—flew away from them and rained down on the palace at the emerging guards. Bipeds and
quadrupeds in all different shapes and sizes. They all fell, ripped apart by the brutal assault.
The blasts that didn’t take down the creatures crashed into the palace and ground, sending showers of stalt crystals exploding away from their impact. To watch the place get torn apart lifted relief in Seb, and he almost smiled when he said, “Maybe we don’t need to leave the ship to get Bruke out of there. We could just blow our way through.”
More guards rushed out, and Reyes mowed them down. Insignificant compared to their firepower, the guards had no chance. A pack of them resembled large cats and were nimbler than the others. They avoided her first few shots, but even they fell in short order.
The ferocity of the continuous cannon fire shook Seb’s vision. Some of the stalt—so completely obliterated—turned to white clouds of dust. In other places, the shattering palace sent a storm of dagger-like shards raining down on the guards.
While Reyes destroyed the place, Sparks worked on her computer. Not unusual for the screen to mean nothing to Seb, it took for Sparks to look at him with an ashen face before he realised they had a problem. “What?”
“They have another phase planned.”
The noise of the battle rang out, and the ship shook more than before as the ever-increasing swarm of guards shot back. Their blasts did little against the ship’s force field other than to wobble them in the sky and add to the chaotic sounds of war. Seb shouted so Sparks could hear him. “What are you talking about?”
Enigma have a three-phase plan, Sparks said.
Seb turned his hand over to encourage her to continue. Go on.
The Shadow Order - Books 1 - 8 + 120 Seconds (The complete series): A Space Opera Page 125