Defending the Galaxy: The Sentinels of the Galaxy

by Maria V. Snyder

After another awkward dinner, I bolt for my room to “play cards.” There’s a new message from Niall:

  2522:254: It was so good to see you today, Mouse! I figured it was too soon for the dragon, oops, I mean your mother but I couldn’t stay away. I just had to see you! And I will treasure that hug. I hope you didn’t get into too much trouble. I’ll let the dragon cool down for a couple days before I “accidently” run into you again. It’ll be hard. I didn’t realize just how much I enjoyed our evenings on the couch together—even when we only fell asleep—until they stopped. Sixty days and counting down. Love, Toad.

  I laugh. The dragon is an apt description and the thought of seeing Niall again lifts my spirits. Instead of worming into the Q-net, I exercise and practice the kicks, blocks, and punches that Elese taught me. Being in better shape helped me so much when I clung to Jarren’s shuttle, I don’t want to lose my muscle tone. I was going to ask Q to show my parents a video of me sitting there playing hours of solitaire, but I don’t. They need to know what my priorities are. And neither of my parents interrupts me to try to have a heart-to-heart—bonus! After a couple hours, I take a shower and go to bed.

  Then I fly with Q. It’s been a while so I spend some time swooping though the vast network, traveling trillions of miles in a heartbeat, balancing on the edge of the Galaxy, peering into the vast darkness. I’m not alone. Q flies with me, seeming to enjoy the company. I wonder how old Q is.

  FOUR BILLION YEARS OLD.

  Wait. You said you were the Milky Way Galaxy. The Galaxy is much older than four billion.

  I ENCOMPASS THE GALAXY.

  So you’re as big as the Galaxy. Why did you claim to be the Galaxy?

  I AM THE GALAXY. WITHOUT ME THE GALAXY IS JUST A COLLECTION OF SUNS, PLANETS, AND OTHER MATTER.

  Oh. Like a body without a consciousness?

  CORRECT.

  Still, four billion years is a long time to be alive. It’s hard to imagine. It also seems too old. When did life form on Earth? How long have you watched over us?

  OVER THREE BILLION YEARS.

  Yikes! Weren’t we just simple bacteria back then?

  YES.

  Had to be super boring. What did you do before we became interesting?

  HELPED THIRD NATION.

  The aliens who built the Warriors?

  NO. THEY ARE FOURTH NATION.

  And us?

  FIFTH NATION.

  Wow, five different civilizations lived in the Milky Way Galaxy. Crazy. And I thought the Warriors were old. Hey wait! The Warriors are only two thousand and five hundred plus years old. If you were left behind, then you can’t be four billion years old.

  I AM ONE OF FOURTH NATION.

  I’m one of fifth nation, but I’m not over three billion years old.

  YOU ASSUME FOURTH NATION IS HUMAN. WE ARE NOT.

  Q’s right. I did assume. But that doesn’t explain the age of the Warriors. It sounds like fourth nation was having trouble with the shadow-blobs well before then.

  CORRECT. WHEN FOURTH NATION DECIDED TO GO BEYOND THE EDGE, THEY CHANGED THE SHAPE OF THE SENTINELS TO THE TERRACOTTA WARRIORS. THEY BELIEVED FIFTH NATION WOULD UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE IF THEY RESEMBLED YOUR OWN GUARDIANS.

  We’re starting to understand now, but it might be too late. What about the other nations? One to three. Why couldn’t they maintain the network?

  THEY ARE GONE.

  Did they leave like the fourth nation? Go beyond the edge of the Galaxy?

  NO.

  What happened to them?

  EXTINCTION.

  Yikes. The conversation just took a turn to the dark side, and while I’m still curious, I need to focus on our troubles before we go extinct. First thing will be to test the shadow-blob rift and see if my theory is right.

  I fly back to our base and aim toward the rift. Perhaps I can see inside or travel into the shadow-blob dimension. Right before entering, I slam into an invisible wall. Pain vibrates through my body on impact, which is hard enough to knock me off my bed. I come to my senses on the floor as a headache throbs in my temples. What the hell was that?

  Instead of answering, Q drops a file into my cluster. I open it and read: He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long in an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. Friedrich Nietzsche.

  The combination of pain and the quote is a pretty effective warning. That’s a hard no on entering the rift through the Q-net. I clamber to my feet. The throbbing takes on a sharp edge and I search for a pain pill. None in my washroom. Perhaps the kitchen. Except my door is locked. I rest my pounding forehead on the cool metal, cursing my mother. If I find and use the new override code, I’ll tip them off to my activities. My anger increases as I realize, if there’s a fire, I’ll be trapped in my room. Not really, but they don’t know that. Instead, I shuffle back to bed.

  While lying there hoping for the pain to disappear, I consider the quote Q sent me. Interesting choice and about perfect for my life. It also means Q is reading human literature. That makes sense. Whatever’s been stored in the databases of the Q-net must be a part of its knowledge.

  I fall asleep thinking deep thoughts.

  Once again I’m pulled from my comfortable bed at an unreasonably early time. My headache is gone, but I’m tired and cranky. The morning proceeds like yesterday, but after lunch, when I go to open the door to leave for soch-time, it doesn’t recognize my hand print.

  Mom, who’s a step behind me, reaches to open it. She hustles out into the hallway, but I remain in place.

  “Come on, you don’t want to be late,” she says.

  I consider calling her out for endangering me, but if I ever decide to sneak out, having them believe I’m stuck inside will be beneficial. Instead, I follow her to soch-time.

  My group of defenders are eager to learn more and the two hours fly by as we have fun. Well…perhaps too much fun. When I explain how effective a groin strike is, the kids dissolve into a fit of helpless giggles for far longer than necessary. Kids.

  At the end of soch-time, my mother is there to escort me home. When we reach our unit, Officer Elese Keir is waiting there. My training officer and best friend is a welcome sight even though she’s wearing her uniform, which suggests she might be here for an official reason. Actually, I wouldn’t mind if she is here to arrest me.

  The dragon flares her nostrils and smoke curls out.

  Elese is not intimidated, but she is polite. “I’m not here for a visit, Dr. Daniels. I’m on my way to a late lunch. Just a lucky coincidence.”

  I cover my grin lest the dragon fry my butt. This is not on the way to the cafeteria from security.

  “Hey, Rookie, I hope you’re not getting soft,” Elese says to me. “You worked too damn hard to build those muscles. I’d hate to have to whip your pampered ass into shape again.”

  “No you wouldn’t. You’d love every minute of it.”

  She smirks. “True.” Then she glances at the dragon, who glares back with her arms crossed. “You better come back,” Elese says to me. “Mr. Orange Light misses you.”

  Aww. That’s sweet. “I miss you, too.”

  Elese’s rich laughter follows me into our unit. I spend that afternoon and evening working with Beau in the Q-net. We only find two compromised DES employees and it’s not clear if they’re working with the looters or another organization—scary to think there are other groups out to corrupt DES. The good news is we also dig out all of Lan’s stolen research files, which Beau sends to my father.

  After soch-time the next day, my mother and I encounter Officer Beau Dorey outside our unit. He is also not visiting.

  “I’m tasked with checking the cameras in this part of the base, Dr. Daniels. But it’s nice to see my partner after so long.”

  His comment warms my heart. “How is the investigation going?”

  “Slow. I could use some more help.”

  My mother the dragon huffs thick smoke at Beau. “Officer Rad
cliff says you’re doing just fine and have made plenty of progress. He’s quite impressed by your efforts.”

  Beau glances at me. “Just think how blown away he’d be if I had my partner helping as well. We’d have gotten through the security around the looter’s base by now.”

  That isn’t quite true, but it’s sweet of him to say so. We high-five before I’m ushered into my parents’ unit.

  At dinner that night, my father is gushing over the wealth of information about the Warrior symbols and hearts in Lan’s research files. He’s practically—no, he’s all out—giddy. Beau gets all the credit and I get a see-he-doesn’t-need-you smirk from my mother. That’s fine with me. If they suspect I’m helping, they’ll…I’m not sure what they’ll do, but it won’t be pleasant for me.

  When soch-time concludes the following day, Rance is there to pick up his sons. Before I can leave he stops me.

  “Scott and Trevar have been enjoying soch-time more since you’ve returned,” he says.

  The dragon is pleased, but I’m wondering where this is going, so I say, “I’m glad they’re having fun.” I am.

  “I warned them you won’t be here for long.”

  Nice. The puff in the dragon’s chest deflates slightly.

  “They were so upset that I wondered if you would consider offering self-defense classes to the kids once things settle down.” In other words, when we’re not in mortal danger.

  That’s a good idea. “I would enjoy that.”

  “Great.” Rance’s sons cling to their father’s legs, one on each leg. He does giant monster steps down the hallway as he roars. They laugh as they swing forward, urging him to go faster. No wonder the man has thighs of steel.

  The dragon is no longer pleased, and she hurries me through the hallways. Except Niall is waiting by the housing unit. The threat of full dragon fire is no match for my delight. I jump into his arms and he twirls me around.

  I laugh. “Let me guess, you’re not visiting.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.” He hugs me tight, blocking me from the dragon.

  He gives me a quick kiss. Too quick! But something slides under my shirt behind my back. It’s thin and I suspect what it might be. “No candy?” I whisper, pretending to be disappointed.

  “Next time, Mouse.” He winks then lets me go.

  The dragon wastes no time yanking me into the unit. I’d laugh, but I’ve contraband under my shirt. I dash for my washroom to extract the picture. It’s a pencil drawing of the entire security team, including me. We’re standing all in a row like a united front. Behind Beau and Elese is the ghost of Ivan Menz, the officer who died saving my life. We all appear determined and focused. Underneath our boots are squished shadow-blobs and looters cower in fear in the bottom corners. I’m between Niall and Beau. And even though we’re wearing our jumpsuits and weapon belts, if you look closely, Niall and I are holding hands. Even closer and you can spot the toad sitting on the top of Niall’s flashlight. The mouse is harder to find. She’s on my shoulder, between my neck and my braid hanging down. Both are wearing tiny crowns. The picture is titled, Defending the Galaxy.

  I love it. And while I know it’s supposed to cheer me up, tears well and spill. Once I rein in my emotions, I hang it on the inside of the washroom door where no one else should see it.

  Every day after soch-time for the next five days, my mother and I run into yet another member of the security team. They give various reasons why they happen to be there. Ho was looking for another unit and got lost. He even asked for directions. Bendix was wearing a training uniform and said he was tired of running laps in security. The sweat stains on his tunic lent authenticity to his story. Morgan was checking on the repairs to the windows that were shattered when the missile exploded above the base. Even Tora—who hates me—found an excuse to not-visit me. And Vedann, who I have almost no interaction with other than at team meetings—I don’t even know her first name—

  JULIA.

  Thanks. Julia said she was waiting for a friend. And…wait. I didn’t jump when Q supplied information when I didn’t ask for it. Huh. Guess I’m getting used to it.

  On day six, we round the corner and Radcliff is waiting by the unit. I almost faint with surprise while the dragon shoots fire.

  Unperturbed, Radcliff says, “I’m here on official business, Ming. I need to talk to you and Spencer.”

  Oh. I’m actually disappointed. The three of them go into the conference room and I head for my room. Perhaps I can get a nap in while they’re talking. Except my luck just isn’t that good. Twenty minutes later there’s a knock on the door.

  Dad pokes his head in. “Your presence is required.”

  Required. Interesting word choice. Curious, I follow my dad to the conference room. The dragon is furious and I glance at the walls expecting scorch marks. Radcliff’s tense and Dad is concerned. I’m gestured to sit in a chair facing the three adults across the table.

  Oh boy this is bad. Beyond bad. They’ve found out I’ve been in the Q-net. I sink into the chair as the muscles in my legs liquify. Clutching the chair arms, I dig my nails into the upholstery and brace for the accusations.

  “Miss Lawrence, I’m here at the request of DES,” Radcliff says.

  I note he said miss and not, Junior Officer. A part of me mourns, while another is trying to figure out why the DES would send Radcliff. They don’t have the skills to uncover my activities in the Q-net. I’m not bragging, just stating a fact.

  He sets his elbows on the table and leans forward. “DES would like you to talk to Jarren.”

  Seven

  2522:263

  I rock back as if I’ve been slapped. DES wants me to talk to Jarren? Everyone waits as I chase my chaotic thoughts. “Why?”

  “I’m not having any success in getting information from him. DES believes that you might have more luck.”

  “Did they not read the reports where he’s tried to kill me twice?” I ask.

  Mom shoots me a you-go-girl look before returning to staring venomous death at Radcliff.

  Radcliff ignores my comment. “They believe your relationship will make him more willing to talk.”

  I refrain from repeating my earlier question. “I can’t do anything. I’m grounded.”

  “DES has…overruled your parents on this matter.”

  Oh wow. That explains my parents’ reactions. “Is it an order?”

  He meets my gaze. “No. It’s a request.”

  My choice? I consider it. The thought of seeing Jarren again sets my stomach spinning.

  When the silence stretches, Radcliff says, “There will be armed officers in the room with you. And he’ll be secured.”

  “That’s the wrong thing to do,” I say. “If I’m to have any chance of getting him to open up, it has to be just us, no restraints, and no recordings.”

  “No.” Mom hops to her feet. “That’s too dangerous.”

  I sigh. Still no trust. “I didn’t say no weapons. I’ll have a pulse gun with me.”

  “Does this mean you’ll do it?” Radcliff asks.

  Every cell in my body pushes on me to say absolutely not. “Yes.”

  Radcliff nods as if he’d known my answer all along. He stands. “Let’s go.”

  “Now?” A cold wave of dread washes over me.

  “The sooner the better, Miss Lawrence.”

  Mom jumps to her feet. “We’ll come with you.”

  Before being grounded, I would have been relieved to have them nearby. “No need.”

  “But you’ll be by yourself and Jarren…” She can’t say it.

  Frustration eclipses my fear over the upcoming encounter. “You still don’t get it. Do you?” I ask, but don’t wait for an answer. “I won’t be alone. I’ll be surrounded by my team. All those people who did not visit me over the last nine days.” I glance at Radcliff. His expression radiates approval. “All I have to do is shout, and they’ll be in that room in seconds.”

  “Nanoseconds,” Radcliff corrects.
<
br />   We share a smile. I follow him from the conference room. But when we reach the door it won’t open. He raises an eyebrow at me. I give him a don’t-look-at-me half shrug. Mom hurries to open it and, for once, the dragon is nowhere to be seen.

  “That’s endangerment, Ming,” Radcliff growls. “Fix it before we return or I’ll assume responsibility for Ara.”

  She nods and we leave. We walk for a while in silence. I debate if I should tell him that she locks me in my room at night. Would he assume responsibility of me then? Do I want him to? Up until this unpleasantness, I’d been living with him. It was an adjustment at first, but I prefer to stay with him. A surprise—I know! Except, I won’t get my parents into trouble. Despite all this crazy nonsense, I still love them.

  “Do you have a room that will work?” I ask Radcliff.

  “There’s an empty office in security. There’s a Q-net terminal, but it’s never been connected. We’ll bring in a table and a couple chairs while you change into your uniform.”

  “No uniform.” I gesture to my jeans and T-shirt. “This will be better.”

  “What about your weapon?”

  I consider it. “Can we secure it to the underside of the table? On my side,” I quickly add.

  “Out of sight but not out of reach?”

  “Exactly.”

  We share another smile. Huh. Could we be having a moment?

  “I looked into gaining custody, Ara, but there was nothing I could legally do,” he says.

  Niall told me, but hearing it from him means so much more. “I know.” Then I jab him in the arm with my finger. “Just don’t be surprised when I show up to help the team when things go sideways.”

  “I’d be surprised if you didn’t.”

  Radcliff wasn’t kidding when he said the office was empty. Only a light blue carpet breaks up the white walls.

  “This is supposed to be Morgan’s office, but since she’s on the night shift most of the time she prefers working in mine,” Radcliff says.

  Bendix and Rance help set up the room. They give me big smiles of hello as they carry in the small rectangular table and two plush armchairs. I show Bendix where to secure my pulse gun. Is it weird that I missed my weapon? That I have to squash the desire to croon to it as if it’s a baby when I see it? Probably.