by Edward Lake
“Sir, I’d like to take Ada with me. She’s taught me so much since I met her. Having her on this mission with me would be essential.”
Vault shrugged. “I see no issues with that. But I’ll leave the choice to her. If she agrees to go with you, then she’s yours.”
I gave him a bow. “Thank you, sir. And thank you for this opportunity. You won’t regret it.” After all that I had lost, I was still stuck in the dregs of war, fighting someone else’s battle, afraid to go my own way. It’s hopeless.
He smiled. “I know.” He took me all the way down to the lowest level of the battle station. “Follow me, Zena. There is someone I’d like you to meet.”
I was a bit puzzled at first, pondering who the person could be. Little did I know he was about to introduce me to his accomplice in the takeover against Saros.
26
Zena
When we exited the elevator, Vault led me down a large, cold, dimly lit tunnel. To my right, I saw a strange-looking old man sitting at a large desk, hovering over a collection of gadgets.
“Zena, this is Vin Naas, the man who helped me deceive Pastor Saros.”
Naas stood up and studied me. “I’m honored that you’ve joined us, Zena. Your wooing of Sadie was the perfect distraction. The priest faltered, and we made our move.”
Staring at him, I felt intense pressure in my face. I wanted to say something, but I managed to hold my tongue and let out a deep sigh.
Vault chuckled. “Yes, it was blissful the way it unfolded.”
The old man turned to his desk and tapped a large metal tube that had been placed beside it. After taking a few more looks at the tube, I realized it was one of the cases of money Jax had gotten from the GGC.
Naas grinned. “The best money you’ll ever spend, Vault. A few more payments like this, and I’ll find Agnes, too.”
He exhaled and crossed his arms. “Ah yes, the wife. Any intel on her location?”
The old man appeared to be a soulless traitor who believed money would cure all his ills. I didn’t understand why Vault would align himself with someone so shallow. I wondered if Naas was associated with the GGC in any way. He looked like the type who would fit right in with them.
Even so, I hoped the old man had some information on Agnes. She had Turk, and I needed to know where she was.
Naas sat down and fumbled with his gadgets. “Not yet. She and Linus have a secret hideout—a planet they’ve hidden from the database. But don’t worry, I’ll find it in due time.”
Vault nodded. “Good. And when you do, contact me immediately.” He turned to me and touched my back. “Come, Zena.”
We spun around together and left Naas to do his work. But before we got back to the elevator, I heard a booming, growling noise down the tunnel. “What’s that?”
The rebel leader looked around. “It’s an old space station. Probably needs maintenance.”
His quick response made me think he was lying. Once we reached the elevator and went inside, I turned around and stared down the tunnel. Far in the distance, past Naas, I saw large metal doors, and I heard the growling again. There’s something or someone behind those doors. But why would Vault lie to me about it?
It was amazing to see all the pieces of the war tie together. I figured Vault and Naas had been planning this for years. The patience was incredible. Day after day, pretending to be working for Saros, when they were actually plotting to overthrow him. But I wondered if Naas was a nonbeliever like his cohort.
On our way up, I glanced at him. “Does Naas believe in God?”
“No. He believes in money. That’s how I control him.”
Control him? “So you’re just using him?”
“Correct. And when I don’t need him anymore, he will be executed.”
Are you using me, too? Jax is gone, so you need someone new to do your bidding. What happens when you don’t need me anymore? My fear of Vault was growing by the minute. If he could treat his allies this way, there was no telling what he might do to me.
When we reached the docking station, Vault granted me full authority to assemble a task force however I saw fit. He then disappeared into another dark hallway.
First, I found Sadie. “We’re going to be leaving soon.”
“Good!” She glanced around the docking station. “These rebel freaks have been staring at me ever since you left. I need to get out of here!”
I surveyed the spying troops and gave them warning stares, which prompted them to look the other way. I looked to Sadie and set my hands on my hips. “My sister Lydia will be coming with us.”
She smiled. “That will be nice.”
I checked the docking station to see if Ada was nearby. “There’s someone else—a rebel soldier who has helped me.”
“What about Evander? Can’t he help us?”
I shook my head. “Evander is gone. He can’t help us anymore.” Speaking his name upset me, and all I could do was think of my dead brother.
Her eyes glossed over. “Is he dead?”
“I don’t know.”
She leaned forward and rubbed my back. “I’m so sorry, Zena. He was my friend, too.”
I wanted to tell her the truth about what had happened between us, but it wasn’t the right time. “All we can do is pray that he survived.” Doing my best to get her mind off of Evander, I took her hand and led her to the room where Lydia was.
She seemed eager to meet her, patting her hair and admiring her outfit as we entered the room.
“Sadie…this is my sister, Lydia.”
She stepped forward and knelt to her level. “Hello. I’m Sadie Saros.”
“Hello, Sadie. I’m Lydia.”
I stood there and watched them, smiling. I had lost so much in a short period of time. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to go on. I thanked God for blessing me with their presence, and I prayed that we would survive the danger that awaited us.
The three of us went back to the docking station. This time, Ada was there, standing outside a docked ship, sorting through a stack of weapons. When she saw me with Sadie, her face grew somber. “Zena?”
“Hey, Ada.” I turned and held my hand out towards her. “This is Sadie Saros.” I looked at her, then back to Ada. “And Sadie, this is Ada Quinn. She’s the rebel soldier who will be joining us.”
She tossed the gun she had been holding in a crate on the floor. She gradually moved towards her and scanned her from head to toe. “Hello, Sadie.”
She seemed intimidated by Ada, shocked to learn that the rebel soldier I had mentioned was a woman. Fidgeting with her hands, she moved behind me. “Zena tells me you have been a big help to her.”
“I have.” Ada glared at her for a moment, which eventually made Sadie look the other way.
I turned to Sadie and tapped her arm. “Why don’t you head inside the ship with Lydia and make yourself comfortable. I have to talk with Ada.”
She groaned and folded her arms. “Fine.” She looked down at Lydia and gestured at the open ramp with her eyes. “Come on.”
They left us and went into the ship. I spun around and studied Ada. She still seemed a bit bothered by Sadie’s presence. I was hoping that it wouldn’t stop her from coming with us.
“Listen, I need your help.”
“Help you with what, blue eyes?”
“Vault has given me clearance to destroy the GGC and their members. He wants me to assemble a task force, but I don’t know these men like you do. Will you help me?”
She smiled and gave me a nod. “Of course I’ll help you.”
“Thank you, Ada.”
We stood there for a moment, staring at each other. Everything that had transpired thus far rushed through my mind like a sharp, cold wind, numbing me all over. The war was changing me, eating at my soul bit by bit. Surviving the battles wouldn’t be enough. I had to learn how to survive the mental scars, too, and keep fighting for the things that mattered most. My family, my friends and my freedom.
Our
eyes still connected, I stepped closer, ready for the next challenge.
“Shall we begin?”
The End.