by L. Danvers
“Yes, ma’am,” Commander Ahmadi answered.
“Fortune favors the brave,” Agent Taylor said.
“Fortune favors the brave,” they replied.
The transmission ended.
“Aes,” Commander Ahmadi said, “I will escort you to the telepad so you can return to Pierce’s estate. Agent Taylor will keep you safe.”
“I would rather stay here.”
“But Aes,” Britt said, grabbing his hand.
“I can help you,” Aes assured them. “You have given me the greatest gift I could ask for. My freedom. As the saying goes, there is a certain responsibility that comes with freedom. Helping you is the least I can do to repay you for your generosity.”
The commander gave Aes a firm pat on the shoulder. “Great to have you on board, Aes. Okay, everyone. You know what to do.”
Flynn entered the coordinates for Creatius. The crewmembers took their seats. They strapped themselves in and braced for the slingshot maneuver.
Colors whirled around the room, and objects melted into one another. With a snap, they bounced across the cosmos in the direction of Creatius. The sand dune-covered planet wasn’t far from the location where the Stellix was propelled to. The crew was brimming with adrenaline and ready to avenge their beloved home planet.
To help pass the time, Commander Ahmadi agreed to let them watch the latest news updates while he navigated. It turned out there was far more destruction than the five of them could have imagined. Not only at the location where the world leaders had met, either. Major cities across the world had been hit. Los Angeles, Cairo, Rome, Tokyo, Moscow and London were war zones.
Cal was in such a state of shock, such a state of despair for her home planet, that she struggled to formulate thoughts, let alone process them.
Thousands of people across the world were dead, and countless others were injured. Reporters interviewed dust and rubble-covered victims who recounted the horrific experience. Even after everything Caelifera had done to humankind, there was a handful of protestors pleading for world leaders not to enter into a war with the Creatians. They begged for negotiation efforts and were convinced this was a misunderstanding between the two species. On the other end of the spectrum, there were numerous people who were straight up mad and declared the aliens would regret messing with humanity.
Flynn disabled the broadcast as they neared Creatius. There was a sense of relief at not having to look at the horribleness of it any longer. Cal got up and peered through the main cabin window to get a better look at the planet that, until recently, Aes called home. It looked like a scoop of butterscotch ice cream. Bland and tan. Three tiny moons speckled with dark craters flanked the desert planet. The moon in the middle was missing a chunk.
“The question,” Commander Ahmadi said, tapping his fingers against his armrest, “is where to dock the ship so that Caelifera cannot detect it.”
“Why can’t we teleport?” Cal asked. “I mean, she had a telepad on her warship. I’m sure she has one in her lair or wherever she lives.”
“Too risky,” Flynn said. “What if she spots us and shuts down the telepad system? We’d be stuck. We need access to the Stellix. We need a way to escape, if necessary.”
“I believe I can be of assistance,” Aes said. He went to the control panel and pointed to a particular spot on the map. “There,” he said, pressing his bony finger against the glass. "There is a blind spot in Caelifera’s aboveground detection system. I heard her complaining about it not too long ago. The Stellix should be able to go undetected there, for a while at least. It will take us some time to reach the entrance to the underground cavern complex, though.”
“Better to get there a little later than to die trying,” Britt said.
“Agreed,” Commander Ahmadi said. “Prepare for landing.”
Upon landing on Creatius, the five of them grabbed their gear. Aes was given a utility belt packed with tools and weapons. They filed out of the Stellix and set foot on the planet, which looked much like how Cal pictured a desert on Earth. There were mounds upon mounds of sand, and there were no words to describe how hot it was. Cal imagined if she were to crack an egg it would burn to a crisp before hitting the ground.
Relief came with strong, sudden gusts of wind. Britt had the misfortune of being mid-sentence when the first gust hit, and she choked on a mouthful of sand. Cal and Aes patted her on the back with force while Commander Ahmadi offered her water. Britt didn’t say much after that unless she was spoken to.
They trekked across the desert planet for hours. Cal passed the time by watching her footprints disappear with each step. She asked Aes if any creatures lived aboveground. He said there weren’t many in that particular region. They had rypkals, which were what he could best describe as a mix between a bird and a serpent. He said they were bright orange with long, snake-like necks, scaly skin and two wings that were much too large for their bodies. They tended to live underground for the most part and only came above the surface to hunt. Curious as to what there was to hunt around there, Cal asked what the rypkals ate. She didn’t see any signs of life.
Aes had the group stop so he could point something out.
“Did you see that?” Aes asked. “Right over there. That was a volvey.”
They squinted. Something had been in motion, surfing across the crest of one of the dunes. Upon further inspection, they caught a closer glimpse of one of the volveys. Flynn said it reminded him of a volleyball, although it was a tad smaller and was a slippery dark brown. The creatures didn’t do much other than roll around.
A rypkal burst through one of the dunes, sending sand spewing up into the sky like a geyser. It soared and dove down and chased a volvey up and over three dunes before catching it and swallowing it in one disgusting gulp. It hurled itself back into the sand.
That was about as exciting as it got for a while. Now and then, Cal would glance up at the three moons which, though small, were visible in broad daylight. The middle one looked like one of the other moons had taken a bite out of it.
Aes noticed her staring up at the sky. He told the group the story about how the center moon, Ja, came to miss a piece.
Many thousands of years ago the three Moon Sisters—Joon, Ja and Jynx—lived in peace and harmony. Together, they looked after and protected Creatius like she were their sister, and they watched her grow. They were happy, until they weren’t. After a while, Joon and Jynx became jealous of Ja, who was positioned closest to the planet. They felt Ja’s pull on Creatius was far too strong, and they worried their sister would one day have full control over Creatius, leaving them powerless. So they came up with a plan. In the dark of night, Joon and Jynx ganged up on Ja. They spun around her until she became so confused that she herself was spinning. They took turns rolling her across the sky, and Joon struck her so hard that she knocked a piece from her side and sent her back to where they saw her positioned now, between the other moons.
“Is there a moral to this tale?” Britt asked. “Some lesson to be learned?”
Aes’s eyes flickered. “It is only a story, I suppose. Caelifera used to use it as a reminder for us saveen to remember our place.”
“And does Caelifera believe in the Moon Sisters?” Britt asked.
Aes’s eyes widened. “Believe in the Moon Sisters? Oh yes, everyone believes in them. They are the ones who suggested Creatians go underground to find shelter from the desert heat. They offer protection and hope.”
“Hope?” Britt asked.
“Yes, hope. There is an ancient prophecy from the Moon Sisters themselves that on Creatius a child will be born who will change everything. Of course, Caelifera does not allow anyone to speak of this prophecy. But there are whispers.”
“Speaking of Caelifera,” Cal said, “does anyone have a plan for what we’re going to do once we go underground?”
Commander Ahmadi cleared his throat of sand and spoke. “Locate and kill her. Aes will lead us to her, and we will figure the rest out from there.”
Cal was beyond parched from walking in this sweltering heat. She sipped from her canteen, and she sweated it right out. Beads of salty liquid dripped from her brow and through her eyelashes, causing her eyes to burn. After some time blinking and rubbing her eyes, she caught sight of something that didn’t fit in with the rest of the surroundings.
“What is that?” she asked, turning to look at Aes.
“That,” Aes said, “is the entrance to the cavern complex.”
Chapter Thirty
It was a mound of dirt covered in sand with an opening big enough for Commander Ahmadi, the largest of the group, to fit through. She knew this had been Aes’s home, but from what she knew of Caelifera, Cal was terrified to see the cavern complex for herself. She worried what horrors waited for them inside.
While the threshold itself was small, once inside, the crewmembers found themselves in a vast opening. There was plenty of room for the five of them to stand with two feet between the commander's head and the ceiling. Cal pulled her hair into a high ponytail and fanned her neck, enjoying the relief from the sizzling sun.
Once adjusted to the temperature difference, the crew descended further into the cave, with Aes leading the way. They stumbled through the darkness. They had agreed not to shine flashlights for fear of drawing too much attention to themselves.
They came upon a door. It was colorless, but the thick gelatinous-like texture made it impossible to see through.
Aes turned to face the others. “Are you ready?” he asked. He glanced down at their pulse-r holsters. They each took the hint and grabbed their weapons.
Aes lined his pendant up in front of the box by the door. It glowed and disappeared. “Come. Before it seals again.”
Cal held her breath as she crossed the threshold. Aes signaled for them to stop while he checked to make sure it was clear. Once certain they were safe, he continued leading them down the dirt path. The smell inside the cavern reminded Cal of playing in the mud after a rainstorm. It had an earthiness to it, though she knew that wasn’t the right word since they were lightyears from the blue and green planet.
Far ahead, there was an outline of an expansive city lit by hovering white specs that resembled stars in the night sky. They were too distant to tell for certain, but Cal suspected these were starbursts—weapons ready to be detonated on Caelifera’s command. A constant reminder to the saveen and farokh that they were under her control. The thought of it made her shiver.
The crew approached a ledge overlooking the city, and after making sure they weren’t being watched, they stopped to familiarize themselves with their surroundings. The architectural structures below mimicked the massive cavern the city was housed within. There were specks of green, which appeared to be plant life, and there was a winding river flowing throughout the cavern floor. There was one structure in particular that caught Cal’s eye. One that towered high above the rest.
“That is the city center,” Aes whispered. “That is where we will find Caelifera. The trick will be finding a way to get there undetected. To our left is the staircase leading down to the city. The bottom is guarded by Caelifera’s men. I cannot imagine a way to get past them without a fight.”
“And after that?” Commander Ahmadi asked.
“I suggest we take their capes so that you can use them as a disguise, as there is no way you will go unnoticed in your uniforms. That will only get us so far, though, as I am sure it will not be long before someone realizes that the city has been breached. If we are quick about it, we can make it to my cousin Leiper’s home. She will have some spare saveen capes—brown ones, like mine—for you to wear. And then, I can assure you no one will give you a second glance, except for fellow saveen. But they will not dare speak up.”
Commander Ahmadi agreed this was a good plan. And anyway, it was the only one they had. The crew had to trust Aes’s judgement since he knew the city best.
The shrill squawks of the farokh grew louder as the five of them tiptoed down the staircase. Chills ran down Cal’s spine at the thought of what had happened the last time she had encountered these creatures. She had barely escaped with her life.
This was what bravery was about. It wasn’t about feeling invincible. It was about being terrified, but facing your fears anyway. It would be so easy to give up. To return home, leaving their objective incomplete. No one would blame them. But lives depended on them facing their fears.
As she took another step, Cal noticed the ground beneath her felt odd. She took another step and glanced behind her. She bent down and found a gem, a crystal or diamond, jutting up through the dirt-covered step. She closed her eyes and listened. There was a faint sound coming from far across the city. She knew at once what it was. Chisels striking into the walls of the cavern. Mining. Caelifera used the saveen to collect the gems she held so dear.
Commander Ahmadi grabbed the back of Aes’s cape to stop him before he reached the bottom step. He waved the others to lean in close as he whispered. “There is no reason to risk each of our lives at once,” he said, his words almost inaudible over the loud squawks of the farokh. “Flynn, you and I will go in first. Cal, Britt, Aes... wait here.”
“But we can help you,” Cal said. “This isn’t the time to be a hero, Commander.”
“Yeah,” Britt added. “You think because we’re women we can’t help?”
“I am not being a hero. I am doing this to give our plan the best chance to succeed. Cal, you and I are the toughest fighters of the group. If Flynn and I fail, you, Britt and Aes can have a chance to take down Caelifera. We do not yet know what we are up against with this group of guards. That is why I want you to keep watch. If we need help, you have my permission to jump in and assist. But remember, our mission is far too important to sacrifice for your ego’s sake. Getting to Caelifera is the number one priority. Above everything else. Understand?”
They did.
“Flynn,” he continued, “I am afraid our weapons may draw too much attention.”
This attack was to be hand-to-hand combat only. Cal worried about Flynn’s ability to take on the farokh. She bit her lip, and her face went scarlet when she realized he was looking at her. She felt awful for doubting his abilities, and even worse for letting him see she doubted him. She forced a smile.
Commander Ahmadi peered around the corner. On his signal, he and Flynn crept down the last couple of steps, took a turn and disappeared.
Cal, Britt and Aes followed them and watched as Commander Ahmadi and Flynn were spotted by the farokh guards. One let out a loud screech, and with superhuman speed Commander Ahmadi ran toward him and jumped on him, toppling him to the ground. He punched the farokh in the face which, by the sound of it, hurt the commander more than it did the guard. He reared his fist to deliver another blow, but before he had the chance, the farokh stopped his fist with his hand and held on tight.
Britt’s fingers dug into Cal’s flesh as they watched the guard twist Commander Ahmadi’s arm and knock him backward onto the jewel-encrusted ground. Commander Ahmadi winced, though he didn’t make a sound. Beads of blood trickled down a fresh scrape on his left cheek. Using what strength he had left in him, he grabbed the guard by the throat, rolled him over on his back and punched him until the farokh was out cold.
Flynn was doing his best to hold off the other three guards, who were amused by his efforts. Cal didn’t want to watch, but she couldn’t look away. One of the guards grew bored with the brawl and reached for a whip that resembled the kind Caelifera used to burn her subordinates.
The guard thrashed the smoldering whip in Flynn’s direction. Cal stepped forward, but Britt jerked her back. The guard’s face contorted as he snarled at Flynn, stepping closer with each snap of the whip. When he lifted his arm to sling it, Commander Ahmadi came around from behind and jumped on the guard’s back.
That was the diversion Flynn needed to take on the two remaining guards. He pulled a knife from his utility belt and stabbed one of them in the arm. The guard let out a trem
endous yelp. Two more stabs, and the farokh fell to his knees.
The other guard attacked him from behind. Flynn gave a forceful backward jab with his elbow, which was enough to throw the last guard off balance. As he stumbled, the commander punched the farokh square in the jaw, and he fell to the ground with a thud.
Commander Ahmadi scanned the area and gave the signal for the others to join them. Cal wanted to hug Flynn tight. To kiss him. To tell him how great he did. But it was a matter of time before their presence became known. They removed the purple capes from the bodies of the farokh. Commander Ahmadi, Flynn, Cal and Britt each wrapped them around themselves and draped the hoods over their heads.
They followed Aes down an eerie path lodged between two high walls, trying to not trip over the flowing fabric of the capes. They journeyed through darkness. The clanking of the saveen dislodging jewels from the cavernous wall on the other side of the city fought to be heard over the babbling river and hum of civilians squawking amongst themselves. There was a distinct whistling sound that came at specific intervals. It was from a transportation system.
Cal’s eyes had adjusted to the shadows enough to make out the silhouettes of Aes and Commander Ahmadi walking ahead of her. The walls along the path kept them hidden from the light that radiated from the starbursts illuminating most of the city. Every once in a while either Flynn or Britt bumped against Cal as they descended into the cavern.
Aes whispered to the group, “We are getting close. We will have to cut through the market to get to Leiper’s home. Keep your hoods up, and do not make eye contact with anyone. Stay by my side.”
Rays of light shone through an opening ahead. They slipped through the clearing and, keeping their heads down, did their best to blend in with the crowd. Squawks rumbled through the air as the Creatians bartered amongst one another. Some of them traded various colored gems for capes, weapons, food and art. Others traded for bubbling and steaming elixirs stored in colorful bottles.