“I’m glad you’ve all volunteered,” Moran said. “You’re about to take on one of the most important jobs in this rebellion, whether others believe so or not. It’s you who’ll be assisting the units in the city by calling in enemy positions. I'm not sure how many units there will be yet, but I don't want my men ambushed because the cameras we’ve set up malfunction in battle. Thanks to you, it’ll be the rebels who’ll be doing ambushing.”
“How will we work?” The young boy asked.
“You’ll work alone. Each of you will all spread out throughout the city. Try to get to the highest vantage point you can so you can see everything. There are going to be a lot of crodillians, and I want you all to see every last one of them.”
“Who's going to help you?” He asked. “Don't you need someone to warn you of incoming enemies?”
“I’ll be fine,” Moran assured the boy. “I’m fighting on open land. They’ll see me because I won’t be trying to hide. You all worry about the rebel units in the city, not those of us in the country. Grab what you need now, you’ll be leaving by the end of the day to find a place to stake out. Once there, get comfortable. This is going to be a long and bloody battle.”
The group turned around and left the Mess Hall, except for the young boy. Moran looked at him and turned his body squarely to face his. He looked like he was ten years old with his shaggy brown hair covering his pained hazel eyes. That wasn't the only thing he saw though, there was determination despite the losses of loved ones he’d seen over the past few months. He wasn't sure if the boy was going to live, but he knew he would give it everything he had until that time came. The boy was fighter.
“You're a brave kid. What's your name?”
“Ezio,” he answered.
“You're going to help us win this rebellion Ezio, I know it.”
The boy smiled and Moran turned him around so he could get ready to leave. Ezio would now be on his own and the entire rebellion would be counting on him. What he saw and reported would directly affect how many of the rebels survived and just how successful they were. Men and women would be fighting on the ground, but it was up to the kids whether they stood a chance or not.
Kanti opened the door to the small home one of the rebels had offered up for her, Anlon, Nimesha, and Falcone. She’d urged the rebel that it was unnecessary, but it was a useless effort. The rebel and her entire family had found out she was the Princess and had refused to let Kanti decline the offer.
She saw Pyrrhus' big frame standing in the doorway as she looked up. “Is something wrong?”
“All the other planets have been conquered now,” he revealed with a grim face. “The Council and leaders are meeting right now and I thought that you might want to be there. They’ll surely go over new developments they have arisen.”
“Sure thing,” she said, turning around to get the others from the house. “Is the plan being put into action now?”
“Soon. The ships have arrived back at Hera and they should be here within a day or two.”
“I have to give my speech now?”
“Yes, we need you to do it soon. We want the message out before the crodillians depart to come here. If it doesn’t get out quick enough, we may be fighting more of those things than we want to.”
She walked in the living room to see the others sitting on couches talking. This was the first time they’d relaxed since leaving Gaea for the Deimos Brotherhood and they were all aware it was only for a short time.
“Hey guys,” she said. “Pyrrhus wants us to go to the Capitol building to sit in with the Council and the planetary leaders. The remaining planets have been taken over and the rebellion is about to start.”
Anlon and the others quickly got up from the couch. “Let's go. I'm ready to do something besides sit around. It doesn’t feel right with everything that’s going on,” Anlon said.
“We've barely escaped death several times,” Falcone moaned with a sly grin. “How could you possibly be ready to leave the comfort and safety of this home?”
Pyrrhus chuckled. “The meeting is about to start, so we need to hurry if we're going to make it on time.”
Anlon put on a pair of shoes and walked out of the door with Kanti. A large cruiser was waiting at the edge of the street and they both go in next to each other. Their bond had grown much stronger since leaving Gaea and had evolved from a friendship into something greater. Neither one of them was sure what it was and didn't think it could be love, but they had almost died many times together. Each time, bringing them closer. They were almost always together now and seemed to always know what the other was thinking, which would be crucial during the rebellion if they were fighting alongside the rebels.
Pyrrhus and the others got in the cruiser and he lifted off. The Capitol building wasn't far from the house. It would've been a fairly short walk, but Pyrrhus was clearly in a hurry with all the other things he had going on. Once they arrived, they walked up the stairs and briskly skimmed down the halls to the Debate Room. When they entered, they could see arguments going on between some of the leaders as the Council sat on the stage in silence. It was obvious from a quick look, something was going on.
Pyrrhus took them up to the stage and walked over to the Council. Kanti and Anlon stood next to each other and waited for Pyrrhus to motion them to come over.
“What's going on?” Kanti asked. “Has something happened?”
“They're second guessing our plan,” he said. “That's what’s happened. All the planning and now they’re letting fear get the best of them.”
“Who?” Kanti asked.
“A few of the planetary leaders. They’ve spread doubt throughout to the others and now that an attack is imminent, they're panicking. None have ever faced anything like this and they believe surrendering is their best option.”
“But they were okay with it a couple days ago!” Kanti clenched her fists. “Why are they worried now?”
“It’s what fear does to people,” Pyrrhus said. “They're just afraid of dying. They've seen what the crodillians can do and now that they're about to face them, fear has consumed them. The realization that they may die is setting in for the first time.”
“They can't back out now! It's more than just their lives that are at stake here. The entire galaxy is in peril. This battle is bigger than them,” Kanti said.
“It only takes a few to spread fear like this. The Council doesn't know who did it, but this is what it's been like since they've arrived in the Debate Hall.”
“Then I'll change it. I'll show them we stand a chance, even the few who don't think we do.”
Kanti walked to the front of the stage and the room quickly quieted down. All the leaders knew who she was now. They all shifted their focus to her and what she was about to say.
“I hear that fear has spread amongst you. I hear that you no longer believe in this rebellion. How could you possibly want to back out now?” She asked. “We’ve come too far to give up now! Every survivor out in Orion is counting on us! We are their leaders; we are supposed to protect them. Together, we’ve set a plan in motion that cannot be stopped and will not be stopped. Thousands of rebels have gathered around our cause to get rid of the crodillians and now we must carry through,” she walked across the stage and looked to the leaders before her. “I know you’re afraid, and that's okay, I am too. You can't let that fear control you though, we can defeat the crodillians.”
“But Princess,” someone from the crowd said. “What if our numbers aren't as large as we have been led to believe? What if no one but Ares rebels when the time comes?”
“Our numbers are larger than we know,” Kanti replied. “How could any race sit by idly as these monsters are burning their homes and killing their families? Every race in Orion will be by our side when the call to fight comes. I promise each and every one of you we’ll have more than enough rebels to win this war. Yes, the crodillians are strong. Yes, the crodillians have powers we haven't witnessed in person yet. But we have s
omething to fight for, unlike our enemy. We have a cause to fight for and we have everything to lose if we don't fight. The Queen wouldn’t tell us to rebel unless she truly believed we stood a chance. She’s been their prisoner, and she believes in all of us. She sacrificed her life in order to make sure we fought for our freedom. How could any of you deny her wish? She told us never to surrender to these monsters and we must obey.”
“The Princess is right,” Hildereth said. “The Queen knows what she’s doing. She knows we stand a chance and has ordered each and every one of us in this room to do exactly what we’ve planned. We are the rebels' leaders, and without us, there’s not rebellion.”
“If you don’t want to fight, then leave. After I’m done talking to you, I want only those who’ll fight in the rebellion to be in this room. I want leaders who truly believe, like my mother, that we’ll win this war. The phoenix will prevail! I’ll rise and take my mother's spot as Queen. I will not let Orion be conquered by these monsters! The phoenix will live and Orion will break free of crodillians’ grasp!”
The room erupted in cheers as she finished her speech. Not one of the leaders left the room, and there wasn't one who sat quietly. She could tell she’d cast any shred of doubt from every one of the leaders' mind, even the ones who’d originally cast that doubt. She turned around to Anlon who was smiling and clapping for her and walked up to give him a hug. Without him, she wouldn't be here, and she knew that. Everything had started with them, and it would end with them.
Aldrick came over. “You did good. Now, you need to make a speech that's even better than that for all of the rebels. Grab their hearts, give them hope, and show them that you too are one of them.”
Kanti nodded. She knew she could do it, especially after this speech. This was totally unplanned, but she now understood her job as Princess. She didn't necessarily have to fight side by side with the rebels, though she would when the time cam. Instead, her primary job was to make sure they had the courage and hope to succeed. The crodillians may have thought taking over Orion would be easy, but they hadn't seen anything yet, and she and Anlon both knew it. Merikh was about to see the full strength of the rebellion, and it would be led by her, the Princess that had escaped their grasp.
Chapter 27
Jahdiel landed her ship in the Palace dock. The crodillians had obeyed her the second time she’d sent them down to Hermes, but tensions had escalated since then. It was clear from a glance in their eyes that they wanted to rip her to pieces. Because of that, she’d decided it was best to lock herself in her chambers the rest of the journey, just in case one or more of the crodillians decided to act out of impulse. It’d been silent the entire time in seclusion, not a word from any of the crew. That made her want to get away from this all the more.
She got off of the transport ship and walked slowly down the blood stained halls, knowing there was a good chance her own blood would be added to those walls. She entered the room her leader was in silently and came up behind him. The Queen was chained next to him and looked up to Jahdiel as she came to a stop. The chains rattled and Merikh jolted, turning around to look Jahdiel in the eyes.
“You're back,” he said, glaring at her with his evil red eyes.
“The remaining planets have been conquered. Ares is the only planet left,” she informed him.
“So I’ve heard,” he stood and hovered over her. “Was there any trouble?”
“No. There were no rebellions of any sort. The rebels gave their planets up with ease,” she avoided his intended question.
“Interesting,” he stroked his chin with his dark and scaly hand. “Any other problems I should know about?”
“There was a pilot that defied me and I made sure it would never happen again.”
She saw the Queen look to her with a slight grin crossing her face. Merikh's eyes were filled with rage and were drilling through her. His mouth opened slightly, revealing his sharp teeth, and he sounded like he was growling.
“I heard you killed him. I hope that rumor is not true. I can't have a human killing my own. You know that as well as I do.”
“He attacked after I said not to!” She defended herself and inched closer to him. “He defied my direct order and then called me weak in front of a group.”
“And you killed him for it?”
“I showed them who the weak one was,” Jahdiel said through her gritted teeth. “You can't have soldiers defying your Commander's orders, can you?”
“You killed one of my own,” he stared with hatred. “I won’t put up with that.”
“I killed one who was defying your orders, not just mine. He defied you. And I showed every crodillian what happens to those that defy you.”
Merikh clenched his claws into a fist and put his snout on her face. “Don't ever kill one of my own again or I will kill you.”
“None will dare defy me again,” she grinned and took a step back. “They know what will happen if they do.”
She looked down to see the Queen smiling. The time to cower at the sight of Merikh was over, she was going to die soon anyway. Fortunately for her, she was guaranteed at least a few more days since Ares had yet to be conquered.
“There’s still one planet left,” she said. “Let me take it over.”
“We’ll wait before we go to Ares.”
“There will be no rebellions, if that's what you're thinking. I’ve seen the invasion of these planets first hand, and I can assure you that no one in Orion is going to rebel.”
“I don't care if they rebel any longer,” he said. “I want to hear from the rest of the crodillians what they think of you before you’re allowed to depart.”
“What they think of me?” She asked. “I’m their Commander! I’ve earned my place among their ranks and I won’t stand down because I’m human.”
“You’ll never truly be among our ranks. You’re a human after all. It’s impossible to fit in when you’re so different. I’ve allowed it for some time, but I think that time has come to an end,” he said with a snarl. “I’ll let you take over Ares, but after that, you’re demoted. You’ll no longer command a Colchian, not after killing one of my own. You’ll be nothing after this war is over.”
“I am the reason you’re here right now!” She protested. “Your crodillians would've never gotten you this far if it weren’t for me!”
“You are mistaken. If anyone is responsible for our current position, it’s myself, not some human. You’re lucky I’m letting you take Ares after what you've done and the way you’ve just spoken to me.”
She clenched her fists until her nails dug into her skin. This had been coming for some time, yet it still infuriated her to hear the words come from his mouth. All this time, she’d been helping a bunch of monsters with no intentions of accepting her. The entire time their plan had been to dispose of her when her use was up. It wouldn't happen though, they would pay for it dearly, but she'd have to wait for the right time to act.
“Thank you, Merikh. I know my actions were wrong, and I acted out of fury. I’m sorry and I know this is what I deserve.”
“Leave me,” he waved his scaly green hand. “Wait for me to tell you to go to Ares, and keep out of sight of any crodillians. They all know what you’ve done and I haven't ordered any of them not to kill you.”
Jahdiel tried to hide the fear on her face and saw a look of encouragement from the Queen. Adira knew she was trying to break free of his grasp after so many years of being in it. She wasn't sure if she could escape alive, but she'd do everything she could to make sure she hurt him as much as possible.
She turned to leave the room and walked down the marble halls. It was her who’d brought this upon Orion. If it hadn't been for her, the crodillians may have lost back in the other galaxy and would never be here. Hate had blinded her and she’d brought bloodthirsty monsters back to her home with a chance to take it. Merikh could think she wasn't responsible for any of his success, but that'd be his fatal mistake. Without her, he was nothing, and it
was time to prove it.
Donnchadh saw Ares quickly approaching through the cockpit window. The entire tribe had left him and Leilah alone in the cockpit as they gathered in one of the bunkers. He didn't mind though, Leilah was the only one that liked him and the only one that spoke to him. It was because of her that he was even in this spot. He’d taught her a few things about piloting, and surprisingly, she had picked up quick. He hadn't expected her to learn anything, but her abilities extended far beyond what even she knew.
A few ships approached them and the comline came on. “What’s your business?” A voice asked.
“We’re here to help the rebellion,” Leilah answered. “Please let us land, we’ve traveled a long way to come here.”
“You may land,” the voice said.
Donnchadh piloted Cerberus towards Ares. As he entered the planet, he saw Leilah taking in the surroundings of the beautiful landscape. He knew this was her first time leaving Erebos, and seeing a planet as beautiful and natural as this was mesmerizing. He flew over the ocean of trees and neared Lacedaemon, where Leilah had said to go.
He didn't know how she knew to come here, but she’d been right about everything else so far. She was stronger than any he’d known and would help the rebellion, he could feel it. A force field surround the city as they neared and he knew the rebellion was on the horizon. The spaceport was filled with ships and he squeezed his ship in a tight spot. He and Leilah got up from their seats and went to get Reamonn and the others from the bunker, but were surprised to see them already waiting by the ramp.
“Are you sure this is what you want to do, Leilah?” Reamonn asked. “We can always go back. It’s not too late.”
Rise of the Resistance (War for Orion Trilogy Book Two) Page 27