by Luna Hunter
Rumors of the great deeds of the first Chosen couple has reached me. They too have the ability to teleport, and we need that power now more than ever.
Mother Dragica smiles. “It certainly doesn’t hurt to ask. I will send out a call at once.”
I guide Anaya back to my room, both our minds focused on the struggle still ahead of us. This is only the beginning. I want nothing more than to ease her suffering, and take her mind off the pain that is clouding her thoughts.
“Let go,” I say as I kiss the back of her neck, my hands wandering down her perfect figure. “At this moment, just be here, with me, in the now.”
She turns, her eyes filled with worry.
“I don’t know if I can do that.”
I push her down onto my bed and cover her body with my massive frame.
“All you have to do is just lie here,” I say. “Nothing more.”
“I think I can do that,” she says as she wraps her arms around me.
Using our powers has taken its toll on us, and within minutes both of us are lost in a deep sleep. I’m roused from my wonderful dreams by an urgent knock on my door.
“Davor? Theros and Anaya have arrived!”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Leah
I’m not sure how long we napped for, but it did me a world of good. Garna weighs heavily on my mind, but when Davor has his body pressed against mine, I feel safe.
Theros and Anaya are waiting for us in Mother Dragica’s room. The first Chosen couple, they are called. I’m struck by the glow surrounding the two of them. They look so… peaceful, and happy.
It’s comforting, in a way. They are okay. And we will be, too. No matter what.
We’re not alone in this, either. That means that there are probably others out there as well. We must be meant for something more, something great…
“Welcome!” Theros says, rising up.
“You must be Davor and Leah, the new Chosen. I am Theros, and this is my mate, Anaya.”
“Nice to meet you two,” she says with a polite bow. “I’m sure you have lots of questions.”
“We certainly do,” I answer. “I don’t know even know where to begin!”
“Then let me begin at the start,” Theros says. We sit down, and the Zoran warrior shares all that he has learned about the Zorashi symbols, the Rift, the Chosen and their connection with us.
“It is all linked to the Mating Star Prophecy and the Rift. I believe that we are ultimately meant to open the Rift, or stabilize it somehow, so that New Exon can connect with the Mating Star,” Theros says. “That means that there must be more Chosen — I am not strong enough for that on my own. However, that is not why you called for us, is it? My apologies — I am rambling.”
“No apologies needed,” Davor says. “The true reason for our powers is very important, but we do have something more pressing weighing on our minds right now: Garna.”
“My homeworld,” I say. “It is under attack, and we don’t have the time to fly there. We want to teleport there. And for that, we need your help.”
Theros leans back in his seat and hums. “Not impossible, but certainly dangerous. You have teleported before?”
“We have,” Davor says, “but it’s quite volatile. I pulled her to New Exon from Garna, but it only happened because she was in grave danger, and it wasn’t so much a conscious effort as much as my protective instincts kicking in hard.”
“I think we can do it,” Anaya says, “but it is still a risk. If something goes wrong…”
“It’s a risk I am absolutely willing to take,” I say decisively. “My family’s in danger. My planet is in danger. I’ll do anything for them!”
Theros nods. “That is exactly the mindset and energy you need to power a jump of this magnitude. I have heard enough. I think we can do it right here, right now. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” Anaya says as she rises to her feet. “I just want you to know that I think what you’re doing is exceptionally brave. You be careful, okay?”
“No promises,” I laugh.
“Let us hold hands,” Theros says. “And let the energy flow through you.”
All of us close our eyes and link hands. The moment Anaya’s hand touches mine, I feel a surge of energy. It’s like Davor’s, but different, like it has its own signature.
“Concentrate on your world,” Theros says. “As hard as you can. I want to feel your thoughts as if they were my own. I want to see your world as clear as day.”
I focus on my home planet. I recall my happiest memories. Drinking ice cold, home-brewed beer with Larry after a hard day’s work. Scratching a Luba’s belly as the sun set, and the clouds turned pink. Having breakfast with my folks, and watching my dad tinker with that hoverbike of us.
Our energy mingles with theirs. I can feel it flowing through my veins and tickling my skin. Our Zorashi symbols are glowing so bright, I can see it through my closed eyelids. A heavy vibration shakes the room.
“Hold those thoughts!” Theros growls. “I want to be able to touch them!”
I can feel the high grass tickling my toes. I can feel the familiar breeze, filled with the smell of Garna’s wildlife, whipping my hair around. The sounds of the chirping Anshi fills my ears.
A concussive blast knocks me off my feet and has me flying through the air. For a split second I think the temple has been hit by a SINTRA rocket, but then I realize I’m tumbling down a muddy hill, scraping my knees and elbows.
A strong hand grabs my wrist. I open my eyes and see it belongs to Davor — and I also notice he grabbed me just I’m time, for my legs are dangling over the edge of a cliff.
“W-w-hat,” I stammer as he pulls me up.
“We made it,” he says. “Look around.”
The fields, the grass, the trees, the mountains, the three moons, the growhouses… it’s all here.
Garna!
Only… it’s not quite how I left it…
Chapter Twenty-Five
Davor
We did it!
I can’t believe we really pulled it off. I had faith in Theros and Anaya, yes, but still, it’s an extraordinary feat. We couldn’t have done it without their help.
I see now that there is nothing us Chosen can’t do. I’m immensely grateful for their help, but this is only the first leg of the journey. We still have to liberate Garna. No easy task.
I pull Leah close and survey the planet’s landscape with her. We have landed on a hilltop, which provides us with an excellent view. There’s a deep frown etched into her face as survey the damages.
There are forest fires raging to the west, thick clouds of black smoke billowing upwards into the sky. The silos in front of us are scorched with fire, and riddled with bullet holes.
This is no longer the peaceful home she left, the place where time seemed to stand still, that the universe passed by without noticing.
It is now a war zone.
A large array of laser-powered fences cordon off fields of animals. There are dozens of soldiers patrolling the grounds, rifles slung over their shoulders. No sign of any aid workers. I can feel rage and sadness mixing inside of my mate, and it fills me with a righteous fury.
Whoever did this shall pay dearly.
“We have the element of surprise,” I say. “And I have a plan.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Leah
We wait until night falls.
Davor surveys the SINTRA soldiers from our hidden position, crouched in the high grass.
It takes a lot of effort to stop myself from racing down the mountain and flinging myself at the soldiers, but I resist the urge. It would be stupid and senseless, yes, but watching my beloved Garna turned into a war zone is beyond painful.
All the grass had turned into dirt and mud. The buildings I once called home are now inhabited by strangers. And even from here I can tell that the Luba herd has been thinned out.
All of that anger fills every inch of me, every single space of my body is teeming wi
th rage. They’ll rue the day they messed with Leah Booker.
When the planet falls quiet, we make our move. The soldiers have all retreated to the silo’s for the night, and we slide down the hill as quietly as possible.
We slip past every silo we have seen soldiers enter, and I use my powers to disable the locks, boxing them inside.
They’ll be in for quite a surprise when they wake up tomorrow morning.
As we creep through the settlement, a pack of Rinjin cross our path. I’m happy to see that the crafty buggers are still roaming freely, despite our past differences.
However, I do fear that they’re going to belt out their familiar shrill cries and rouse the entire camp, but instead, they move out of the way and point silently towards the laser-powered fences.
“They sense your power,” Davor whispers. “And want us to save the Luba.”
“How do you know that?” I whisper back.
Davor shrugs. “I don’t know?” He whispers back. “I just… do.”
We tip-toe towards the fences, and once we reach it, my heart skips a beat.
The Luba are looking even worse than I feared. They are pale and famished, their firm, round bodies now nothing but bones and loose skin.
“Those bastards,” I mutter. “Those bastards!”
The Luba catch my scent and start cooing. The familiar sound is somehow different, it’s… sad.
“They’ve missed you,” Davor whispers. “I think I can… hear their thoughts…”
I turn to my mate. “You can communicate with animals?!” I whisper excitedly.
He frowns. “I think I can. On Garna, at least.”
“Do you know what the soldiers have been doing to them?”
He concentrates, and then a look of pain flashes by. “You don’t want to know.”
Even though Davor doesn’t want to tell me, I catch hints of it, due to our close connection. And it fills me with rage — rage strong enough that I can’t control it. Not anymore.
“Those BASTARDS!”
I point my hands at the laser-fences, my hands shaking with anger, and I tear the entire thing down with a mighty racket using my powers. The fence is shattered, and the Luba coo wildly as they storm out, slamming their hips and butts past us both as they stampede out.
I believe it’s their way of saying thanks.
“Hey! What the hell?!”
Two SINTRA soldiers come sprinting towards us, alerted by the noise.
I am still seething as I turn towards them. This time, using my powers takes no effort at all. Using nothing but my mind I simply unfurl the metal in the Silo that they are standing next to into long tendrils, which I then snake around their legs and wrists, locking them into place tightly.
Davor is shocked, as are the two soldiers. They tug and thrash, but there’s no way they’re getting out of their predicament.
“I didn’t know you could do that,” he says.
“Neither did I,” I admit, breathing heavily. I walk up to the soldiers with purpose. “Where is everyone?” I say.
“We’ll never tell you, you freak,” one of them bites. “Aren’t you supposed to be on New Exon?!”
“Perhaps,” I say.
“Just wait till the general gets back. You’ll regret this,” the soldier barks.
I tighten the metal beams around their wrists some more, screwing their arms behind their backs, and the soldiers wince with pain.
“If you want to keep your arms, I suggest you start being more cooperative,” I say.
A lie, of course. Though I’m seething with rage, I’m not going to tear their freaking arms off. However, they don’t know that.
“The Growhouse,” the left soldier cries out. “We rounded everyone up into the Growhouse!”
I know the road to the Growhouse like the back of my hand. We rush over there, and find that the SINTRA soldiers have re-purposed it.
This was where we grew crops and stored our own food, but they’ve turned it into a prison. They are rows upon rows of barred off rooms, with the aid workers locked behind them.
“Daddy!” I cry when I see my father. I run towards him, the metal cage unfolding itself before me as I run straight towards him.
“Leah?!” he says. “What the?!”
I fling my arms around him and hug him tightly, before hugging my mom a moment later. Both of them are absolutely perplexed.
“I was so worried,” I say, my tears welling up. Now that I’m close, I see his face is bruised, and his nose is crooked. “What did they do to you?”
“Nothing,” he chuckles. “A bit of rough housing. They said we were hiding you. I wish we were! We thought… bad things. You’re alive. You’re alive!”
For the first time in my life my father cries. All around us the other aid workers wake up, and an excited buzz fills the room.
“It’s hard to explain,” I say. “You were right: I am Chosen. And this is, well, the one I’m Chosen to be with: Davor.”
My mate bows politely. “A pleasure to finally meet you,” he says.
“What about the soldiers?!” My father says. “You shouldn’t have come back.”
“Don’t worry,” I say. “I’ve learned a trick or two since I’ve been gone.”
“Yes, I see that,” he says. “The metal just… bended before you, as if it were water… How?”
I shake my head. “I can’t explain it all, it’s connected to Davor, and to the Rift, and there’s this prophecy. It’s a whole thing dad, trust me. Right now, I just want to free everyone, and then deal with SINTRA once and for all.”
“That sounds like an excellent idea, dear.”
I free the other aid workers one by one, unlocking everyone’s doors as I pass by them. I don’t think I’ve ever received so many hugs in my life, or cried so much.
I was afraid these people would think I’m a freak when my powers first manifested, but I see now that fear was unfounded. These are my people. They are my tribe.
Everyone gathers around, just like before, at my parent’s Silo. Only then, I was helpless.
Now, Davor and I are brimming with righteous fury.
The ‘general’ is on his way back from New Exon. And when he comes, we’ll be waiting.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Leah
Garna’s sky is filled with ships.
The first time I saw that, I was filled with fear. Now I am filled with nothing but sheer determination. The imprisoned my family. They starved my Luba.
I will make them pay.
The SINTRA flagship touches down in the open field before me. I am alone, my fists balled up. No more hiding. No more letting other people take the brunt of the pain aimed in my direction.
It all ends here.
A walkway extends automatically, and the metal doors slide open.
A man dressed in all black armor, with dark eyes to match, stands in the opening. The only splotch of color on him is the venomous green logo of Takeshi Biotech imprinted on his chest.
“So my readings were true,” he says. “You are here. Finally.”
In the field behind him a dozen more ships touch down. Armed soldiers pour out of them like ants out of a hill.
“I’m glad to see you’ve decided to surrender. It makes everything so much easier.”
He saunters down the walkway, feeling confident.
“That’s close enough,” I say.
He smirks at me. It makes my skin crawl. “Why? We’re going to be a whole lot closer, you and I.”
“Why are you doing all of this?!” I cry. “This destruction. What is it good for?!”
“Silly girl, you really have no idea what I’m doing, do you? The power you possess is immense. It will bring me favor with the Council.”
“What’s the Council?”
He throws his head back and laughs, but his eyes remain cold.
“That is not for you to know. It’s safe to say that there is a whole lot going on in this universe that you are not privy to. Look at
you. Garnan filth. This whole planet disgusts me, to be honest. I cannot believe you would choose to live in such squalor, in such filth. After all humanity has accomplished, you choose to live here?!”
He brushes his shoulders off. His armor is immaculately cleaned. I can see myself reflected in it.
“My business here will soon be concluded. Thankfully. I will make you pay for every day I had to shack up here, oh yes.”
He takes a step towards me, and my eyes dart to the edge of the forest. I need to stall him for another second or two.
“I was the one who busted up your weapons on New Exon, you know,” I say. “What makes you so sure I’ve come to surrender?”
He licks his dry lips. “You are aggravating, girl. I’ll give you that much. I never would have imaged a simple, country girl like yourself could carry so much power inside of her tiny body, but here we are. And yes, you got the Zorans involved.”
His dark eyes are now filled with fury.
“An unexpected complication. It risks peace with the Federation, it risks everything we’ve worked for… but so be it. If I can use you the way I intend to, it’ll all be worth it.”
He takes another step closer, and I lean back.
“How did you travel to New Exon and back so fast, though?” He says. “I still haven’t worked that out.”
“How about you tell me what you have planned for me, and I’ll think about telling you,” I say.
He smirks, showing off his perfectly white teeth. “You don’t want to know, but I’ll humor you. When I have extracted your powers — and I’m not going to tell you how, that’ll ruin the fun — I’ll be the richest man in the universe. Richer than the other Council members. I’m sure that even you have figured out this is all due to the Rift, right? Don’t look so surprised. I know. I know more than you do. I will use your power to travel through that damn thing. Untold riches await me there. A whole new galaxy for us to command, to conquer. No Federation rules, no restricting laws to comply with. Finally our research into cloning, into AI, into genetic manipulation will be unshackled!”