by S. S. Segran
Mariah started kicking the nanomite dust onto the side of the road. “Powers are growing is all,” she muttered modestly. “Kody was the one who set the football off anyway.”
Jag and Kody swapped amused grins and joined in, then the three headed toward the truck, walking stiffly from the cuts and pain. When they reached the vehicle, they worked on cleaning themselves as best they could. Once they were done, they slammed the truck doors shut with a sense of triumph. Jag pulled away from the deserted road and sighed. “Well, hey. Could have gone a lot worse, right?”
Kody and Mariah couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of his question.
69
Tegan listened while Aari and Marshall caught up with Jag, Mariah and Kody over the phone. Her head lolled tiredly against her shoulder where she was slouched rather unladylike in the backseat. They’d abandoned the truck Marshall had hijacked after letting Josh’s contact know where to pick up the inactive pods and were now back in the rented car. Exhausted as she was, Tegan forced herself to stay awake and be a part of the conversation. They’d already reported on the success of their mission, and Jag and the others had just finished recounting what had happened with the Texas pod.
“It was nothing like the one in Ransom,” Jag said. “But yeah, we got it anyway.”
Marshall shook his head. “That’s crazy. It’s unfortunate that we weren’t able to enlist a Sentry in time to help you in Texas.”
“You guys can’t be everywhere,” Mariah’s voice came consolingly over the speakerphone. “At least it’s over. Are you and Aari gonna find a hospital and get your injuries looked at?”
“They’re a stubborn pair,” Tegan said, scowling. “When Marshall mentioned that he had more of his healing dust back in the farmhouse, Aari decided he’d bandage it and tough it out till we get back. Idiots.”
When Mariah replied, Tegan was certain she could hear her friend’s shrug over the phone. “Men! Gotta be macho.”
Both Aari and Marshall snorted. Tegan smiled briefly.
“What’s up with the other pod locations?” Kody asked. “Any news?”
“I’ll reach out to Nageau in a bit,” Marshall answered, then hissed when he missed the turn they were supposed to take. “He sounded jubilant when I told him we’d completed our mission, so hopefully everything’s going smoothly.”
“Okay.”
“Hey, guys, I gotta put you on hold,” Jag said. “My granddad’s calling.”
The line went silent for a couple of minutes before his voice returned. Tegan picked up a cold edge in it when he said, “Hi again.”
“Everything alright, man?” Aari asked.
There was a long pause, then Jag said flatly, “Gran’s passed. She’s gone.”
Tegan covered her mouth and met Aari’s eyes as he whipped around in the front seat to stare at her in shock. They both struggled to find words for so long that Marshall had to step in. “I’m so sorry, Jag,” he said softly.
“You’re not the one who should be sorry. Tony and whoever the hell he works for—they’re the ones. They’re going to pay for this. I give you my word, they’re going to pay.”
Tegan realized that Tony and his men were locked up in the shipping container at the Sanchez farm and that Jag would reach them first. He’d successfully kept his temper at bay since returning from Dema-Ki—and surprised all who knew him in school—but there was nothing to keep him in check now.
“Don’t say that,” she mumbled nervously, biting her thumbnail. “Please. Don’t do anything you’ll regret later.”
His voice was bitter and cold. “I hardly think I’ll regret this.”
“Jag—” Marshall began.
“I’ll see you guys when you get back.” Jag ended the call.
Tegan broke the silence. “Marshall . . . ”
“I can’t do much,” the Sentry said grimly. “I’ll get ahold of Nageau; maybe he can talk to Jag and calm him down.”
Tegan curled up in the backseat, arms wrapped around her knees. Aari patted her foot as if to comfort her but in his blue eyes, she saw her own fear reflected. Jag’s powers had grown and, in the state of mind he was in, would be devastatingly lethal. Even if she reached out to him with her mind, she knew he would shut her off. There was nothing they could do but pray that their friend wouldn’t act impulsively.
* * *
Nageau’s eyes snapped open. “The last Sentry team has reported in,” he announced. “Their mission was successful.”
There were indulgent cheers and the Elders felt the tension melt away almost instantly. They shared elated smiles, the glow from the flames in the pit of their assembly neyra radiating warmly on their tired but triumphant faces. Tayoka sighed. “Wonderful.”
“Except for the pod in Texas and one at another location, everything went smoothly and all the entities inside the pods were destroyed,” Nageau said.
Elder Nageau? a voice entered his mind.
“Ah, do excuse me. I think one of our Sentries is trying to reach me.”
The other Elders nodded as Nageau closed his eyes and responded. I am here, Marshall.
I wanted to let you know that the inactivated pods are on their way to my contact’s lab.
Splendid!
What’s the update on the overall mission?
The incursion is a complete success—we have ended the scourge in North America. Well done, lad.
The Sentry’s thanks sounded distracted. He didn’t speak for a moment, then hesitated before saying, Jag received bad news, Elder Nageau. His grandmother has passed and I’m worried he’ll do something reckless. There are four men confined at his grandparents’ farm and Jag said that he would make them pay. With his capabilities, there’s no saying what he may unleash on them. Could you reach out to him? He’s shut us out.
Good heavens . . . One moment, please, Marshall. Nageau returned his attention to the Elders and quickly informed them of the situation, then reconnected with the Sentry to get specific details about the men at the farm. We will do our best to take care of it. Once we set things in motion, I will reach out to Jag personally.
Marshall sounded relieved. I appreciate that. Thank you.
They severed their connection and Nageau nodded at the others, indicating he was with them once again. Tikina studiously patted down a wrinkle in her blouse with her thumb before heaving a quiet exhale. “My heart goes out to Jag.”
“Mine as well,” Tayoka said sorrowfully. Nageau felt a pang; Jag had, of course, been Tayoka’s pupil during the five’s training the previous summer and the flame-haired Elder loved the boy as if Jag was the son he’d never had.
“It will not be proper to pull Jag away from his family after such a loss,” Ashack said slowly, “but that is something that we will not have control of with the five in the near future. This is far from over.”
Saiyu looked miserable. “No. We are not pulling them away from their loved ones, especially not Jag. I will not accept it . . . I cannot accept it.”
Nageau pursed his lips tightly, brow furrowed, and stared into the fire. “Perhaps it is time their families learned the truth about their children’s true destiny. The Saplings of Aegis, our bearers of light, will soon become young trees with verdant branches. Their powers grow day by day, as will their responsibilities. We cannot keep this a secret any longer.”
His suggestion was met with silence. None of the Elders were stunned by his proposal. Each knew this day would come. They didn’t have answers regarding what was the right move, but if none of them were arguing against Nageau, it was a unanimous, though weary, agreement.
“If we are all in accord,” Nageau murmured, “then I will volunteer to resolve this.”
Saiyu tried to smile at him. “This will be unorthodox.”
“Our traditions are in place to maintain accord and to safeguard our community and humanity at large, not to blindly cling to in the face of an impending cataclysm,” Nageau said. “It is a means to an end and not an end in itself. However
, we will continue to cherish them because to discard all time-tested customs is not only foolish, it is dangerous.”
“This is no small task to undertake,” Ashack intoned, gruff as always. “The reactions of the five’s parents are not likely to be positive.”
“And they have the right to react as such,” Nageau told him calmly. “Either way, it must be done. May the universe open the doors to their hearts and minds.”
* * *
Concordia welcomed Jag, Mariah and Kody with a spectacular sunrise but the mood in the truck might have been better complemented by a moonless, arctic night. Fury seemed to seep from Jag’s pores throughout the ride back to his grandfather’s house. He’d long since shut out Mariah’s and Kody’s pleas for self-restraint; the hurt and rage that had started within his heart had spread through every inch of his body, leaving him almost begging in a twistedly gleeful way for the chance to seek retribution for his grandmother’s death.
Tony was the closest he could get to those who’d unleashed the nanomites upon the crops, pushing Julia Sanchez to the heart attack that ended her life. Her loss left Hugo without her sweet, loving presence and deprived the rest of the Sanchez family of a caring and uplifting soul. The pain of it all was unyielding for Jag. He kept hearing her voice singing softly somewhere in his mind.
Jag turned the wheel sharply and the truck skidded onto the gravel driveway to the farmhouse. He parked and, not bothering to remove the keys, stepped down from the vehicle. Two doors slammed shut behind him, followed by feet hitting ground. Kody and Mariah shouted at him to stop but he pointedly ignored them. A few jagged lengths of scrap metal rested beside the barn. He scooped one up and walked with long, steady strides to the back of the edifice. As the shipping container came into sight, heat rose up his body and his eyes grew dark with hatred.
Before either Kody or Mariah could catch up to him, he was in front of the container, waving the metal piece above his head. With a roar, he brought it down on the latch, smashing it open. Jag threw open the container doors, wielding the piece of metal like an axe.
The snarl he wore evaporated and he lowered his weapon. Kody and Mariah quietly stepped up on either side of him and gaped. Weak-kneed, Jag walked into the empty container and looked around. “Where are they?”
His friends kept silent and watched as he paced in circles, his agitation amplified. “What’s going on? The door was still secured when we got here—there’s no way they could have gotten out! Where are they?”
Using a two-handed grip, he dashed his weapon against the side of the container, gouging it and evoking a loud, piercing clang that stunned his eardrums. Mariah and Kody exited the container, wincing and covering their heads. Jag nailed the side of the container with the metal again and again. He didn’t care if his ears bled.
“How did they get out?” he bellowed. He spun around, the container a dark blur from the motion and frenzy. Before he was able to register his thoughts, he bellowed again. “I’ll find you, Tony! I’ll find you and if you don’t take me to your boss, I’ll just kill you! I’ll kill you, I swear it!”
In the midst of the storm in his head, a man’s voice entered his mind. Jag.
Clang! Jag hit the side panel again, trying to drown out the voice.
Jag, the man repeated.
Clang!
Jag, please.
Clang!
Respond to me, youngling, I implore you.
CLANG!
Jag! Please!
“What!” he exploded. “What do you want?” Then, remembering that he hadn’t been thinking the words, shot them out mentally to Nageau with just as much intensity.
The Elder sighed. I heard the news, youngling. I am so—
You’re sorry. Yeah, everyone’s sorry. Thanks. Jag swung at the container wall again but when he felt warmth trickle from his hands down to his elbows, he slowly walked over to the door and, in the light, he saw that the metal scrap he held was stained red. Still gripping the improvised weapon, he rolled his hands slightly so they were wrist-up. Streaks of blood trailed down his forearms. He dropped the metal and stared at the crimson color on his skin.
The Elder had remained quiet for a time, then said, We moved them.
Jag’s head shot up and he glared as if Nageau was standing in front of him. What?
The men you captured. We moved them. We have them in a secure location for interrogation.
How—why? Why did you interfere?
Revenge is not what we are about, youngling.
Jag bristled. You had no right to move them!
What would you have done with them if they were still there?
He raged silently, refusing to respond.
Nageau’s voice was gentle. Tayoka speaks very highly of you, you know that? He watched you grow as he trained you last summer. There is so much goodness in you. He pleads for you to shine light in the darkness, not become the darkness. Stay true to yourself, Jag. Do not lose who you are.
Jag kicked the metal scrap a good distance out of the container and stumbled outside. It hurt to hear the Elder echo his grandmother’s last words to him. Shame followed quickly at the thought that his intentions for Tony would have let her down, shadowed by indignation and the need to justify what he’d wanted to do.
Do you believe your grandmother is gone, youngling?
She’s passed on, Elder Nageau, Jag answered bitingly. She’s no longer here with us.
But do you truly believe that she is gone?
If you’re going to tell me that she’s living on in my heart, I swear I’m gonna lose my—
No, that is not what I meant. Not entirely.
What did you mean, then?
Let me try to explain. This life here on earth, this brief moment in time and space, is but a tiny piece of the entire fabric of our existence. Human language is bound by the limits of our physical experience. It is woefully inadequate to describe the next plane of existence that awaits us when we surrender this life. But there are signs here in the physical realm that gives us insights, a window if you will, to the next stage of our being, if we cared to look.
Meaning?
For example, an unborn child carried by its mother, is comfortable and snug in its own world and does not have the capability to imagine, let alone understand, the world that awaits it. Though in reality, that world is right here and right now. All that separates the child from this beautiful world where it must eventually arrive is a layer of skin. Likewise, all that separates us from the next reality is our very bodies. When we lay ourselves down to rest one final time, we experience wonders of the next world just as a child experiences the wonders of this world when it is finally born. Your grandmother has stepped into an infinitely wondrous plane of existence, not limited by the shackles of the physical world. Her love for you will never diminish and you will feel the evidence of this in a myriad of mysterious ways whenever the universe opens its portals. You must honor her by being the best you can be and continuing to walk the path you have been destined for.
And what path is that? It was a rhetorical question that really meant to say: I’ve had enough of this destiny.
The five of you have been chosen by the hand of fate to—
No, I know all that. It was just rhetorical.
Ah, my dear boy, I know that you know, but there is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Wisdom gives us lucidity so that we may use our best judgment, completely detached from impulse, and distinguish the right path to tread.
Jag slid down so he was sitting on the dirt. You’re not just talking about our destiny.
It is all intertwined. I am not saying that this will be easy. Revenge can be . . . can be in some ways an easier path to take than holding back. However, we cannot use the enemy’s means to change the world. We can only change it with light.
And if the darkness swallows the light whole?
That is impossible, because darkness is but the absence of light.
May be so. But if it weren’t for t
he people who created the nanomites, my grandmother would still be here. My grandfather wouldn’t be alone and my dad wouldn’t have lost his mom.
I am not saying darkness is incapable of inflicting pain, only that it grows when light dims. There is only so much consolation words can provide, youngling. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do to bring our loved ones back to this realm once they have moved on. If you truly wish to honor her, the best way is to put a stop to the root of this evil that is spreading through the world. You have done a great deal and the Elders will never be able to sufficiently express how proud we are of the five of you. For now, though, Jag, you need to stay strong and take care of your family, especially your grandfather.
That . . . that’s another thing. Elder Nageau, how long will we have to keep this part of our lives a secret from our families?
You will not have to hide it for much longer, I promise.
Uh . . .
Tend to your family for now. The five of you will be needed again soon as the dark clouds gather in strength and the world descends into turmoil. As bearers of light appointed by the prophecy, you, Tegan, Mariah, Kody and Aari have roles that will become more significant in the coming months. The Elder paused, then added ruefully, Especially now that we know who is the catalyst behind the storm.
Jag, startled, looked up from his bloodied hands. Who is it?
Nageau took a few moments before replying. Someone I banished from Dema-Ki many years ago.
Jag’s mind reeled. Some things were falling into place while more fell out. You—what . . . What are you . . . You have to tell me more!
I will, Jag, I will. Soon.
70
The five sat with Marshall on the steps of the Sanchez farmhouse, facing the stalks that remained in the wheat field. The sun had nearly disappeared from the horizon but the sky was a canvas of color that the hand of no man could replicate.
It had been relatively quiet since Tegan, Aari and Marshall returned to Concordia that afternoon. As they waited for Jag’s family to arrive at the farm, the friends stuck as close to Jag as they could. Though he showed little emotion, they knew he was grieving. Through persistence, Kody and Mariah had gone with him to fetch his grandfather earlier in the day; Hugo was now resting in his room.