by Andrew Gates
Jallah shrugged.
“No. What happened?”
“Oh, I assumed that’s why you seem nervous,” Dan said. He leaned back, putting that thought out of mind. “Apparently Sanja fled the base last night. She snuck past a guard and blasted another with the spaceship we took to get here. Then she flew away with the ship and everything, left this whole place goodbye.”
Jallah opened his eyes wide. He shook his head in disbelief, assuming he had heard the story incorrectly.
“What?” he asked in a tone of shock.
“It’s true. I heard it from Kal Jakhu,” Margery said.
“And I heard it from Kho Ikharus,” added Dan.
“I saw the dead guard, the one with burns all over his suit,” added Ophelia. “It looked… scary.”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Jallah said, still a bit behind. “You’re saying Sanja Parnel killed someone last night?”
“A guard stationed outside,” Dan explained. “She burned him with the engine blast from the ship. The fire charred his whole body through his armor and everything.”
Jallah slowly placed his food on the table.
“Wow,” he said, not sure what else to say.
“I wonder where she went,” Ophelia muttered.
“Who cares?” added Margery.
“I agree. Who cares?” Selena added. “She’s gone. I, for one, am glad. That means she can’t hurt us anymore.”
“I agree. May we never see her again,” agreed Dan.
Grey raised his horn of water and everyone else raised theirs in agreement. It seemed Sanja Parnel was universally despised by the entire table. It was a wonder anyone ever kept her around. Jallah had to admit, while he was also glad to know that she was gone, a part of him was worried where she might be now.
The group took a drink from their horns, then placed them all back down into their slots. Jallah sighed and finally took a bite of his prepackaged food. It tasted like a tasteless moldy cookie. He wanted to spit it out, but knew he needed to eat, so he swallowed it and did his best to ignore the taste.
“Attention, Korgo!” a loud voice bellowed from the middle of the room.
The table quickly quieted and Jallah turned to face the speaker. It was Kho Ikharus. He stood at the center of the mess hall with his scepter high.
“We will all meet in the command center in 10 minutes. This is a mandatory meeting for everyone. There is much to discuss. I will see you all there,” he declared.
As soon as he was done talking, Ikharus slowly made his way out of the room, with several members of his entourage following behind. The room was completely quiet for a moment, but then the faint sound of mumbling dialog returned.
“A mandatory meeting?” Margery said, spinning back around to face the table. “What could that be about?”
“Maybe it’s about Sanja Parnel,” Dan thought.
Jallah had his own guess. He felt the weight of the vial in his pocket, but kept his mouth shut. His heart raced.
“Maybe Kho Ikharus will tell us that we’re going to spend the rest of our lives here,” added Ophelia in a monotone voice.
“That wouldn’t be so bad,” Kaitlyn said.
“Really?” Misha asked. “Don’t say that. I don’t like it here.”
“I have to admit, the mantises have been surprisingly good to us,” Grey said. “I didn’t expect it, but I’m happy to be proven wrong. They’ve given us comfortable rooms to sleep in, both here and in T’Dakho, we’ve had privacy, space, freedom, available food and facilities.”
“I agree,” Dan responded, nodding. “I didn’t expect it, but the mantises have been kinder to us than I ever thought possible. We are living better here than we ever were on the surface. Think about all the dirt and mud, the heat, the bugs, the snakes, the zombies. Here, I’ve showered, you know, with real showers. It’s unbelievable.”
“But the mantises are scary!” Misha said.
“I understand,” Grey said, leaning down to comfort his daughter. “I know it’s hard, Misha.”
“You’ll get used to them,” added Selena.
“But I don’t want to!” Misha pouted, crossing her arms before her chest.
Jallah glanced down at the food before him, suddenly realizing that he had only taken one bite of his breakfast so far. If they were to meet in 10 minutes, he would need to eat faster or go hungry. He quickly picked up the rest of the unpackaged pastry and stuffed it in his mouth, ignoring the taste once again. Then he opened the next one and the next one.
By the time he finished all his food, it was time to go. He had timed it perfectly. He wiped some crumbs from his sleeve, then stood up from his seat, along with the rest of the table.
“Ready?” Grey asked the group.
“I guess so,” Jallah replied. He was not looking forward to this.
The walk to the command center did not take long. Once there, Jallah realized that there were still a considerable number of mantises who had not yet made it. Jallah and the other humans found a place to stand off to the side and waited while the last attendees arrived. After about a minute or two, a group of four honor guards and two soldiers entered. That looks like everyone now, Jallah observed. All of Korgo’s occupants stood around the room now, spread out here and there.
Ikharus walked to the center of the room so that everyone could hear him and a hush fell over the crowd.
“Thank you all for coming,” Ikharus started. “I know many of you have already heard the news of last night’s troubling disturbances. I regret to say that what many of you have heard is true. Kal Sanja fled Korgo in the middle of the night, slaying Kho Novep in the process.”
A few heads bowed respectfully as he said those words.
“Kal Jakhu found the body last night. It is truly regretful. Kho Novep was a young warrior. He was dutiful and respected among his peers. He was a true servant to the Chiefdom. Know that it is my official decree that Kal Sanja deserves nothing but death for taking the life of such a noble Kholvari. Should she ever return, or should we find her, she will face execution.”
The room was quiet for a moment as they shared the memory of Kho Novep. Then, after nearly a minute, Ikharus continued.
“You might think that this is what I have gathered you all here to discuss, but in fact, it is not. In truth, there is something of greater importance I wish to speak upon than the actions of Kal Sanja.”
Heads rose back up now to face Kho Ikharus again.
Uh oh, he’s going to tell them about the vial, Jallah thought, worried. He instinctively felt the glass tube in his pocket.
“I have a plan to defeat the Hive,” Ikharus started. “It is bold and it is risky and there is a high chance that this plan will fail, but it is the only option we have left.”
Heads nodded. The room was as quiet as death. Ikharus had everyone’s absolute attention.
“You may be wondering how we can fight back with what we have. I admit, I cannot execute this plan with the resources available to me here. Unfortunately, with most of our major cities destroyed, I no longer believe that anyone in the Chiefdom possesses the resources needed to execute what I have in mind.”
“Most major cities destroyed?” Dan muttered under his breath.
“Since when?” added Selena.
It seemed Jallah was not the only one with secrets.
“My plan is this: to commit an all-out strike against the enemy, pulling all the resources at our disposal, and throwing what we have left at the Hive’s main ship that houses their queen. That and that alone is our target. If we destroy the queen, the mental link between the drones collapses. When that happens, the drones will no longer pose a threat to us. They will be mindless and disorganized, and we can finally destroy the swarm.”
“But, your Majesty, I fail to see how this is possible. You said it yourself that the resources are just not there!” Kozakh said. “Which ships do you plan to send in this strike?”
“We may not have the resources here, but Sorreveous has be
en preparing for this war for planet-cycles. I do not expect that their population has suffered as ours has. The Sorrevahni do not live in tightknit cities like us. They are spread out across the land. It is for this reason that I believe the Hive has not been able to strategically strike the Sorrevahni like they have done to us,” Ikharus explained.
“Even if you are right, and the Sorrevahni have not been as badly hurt, what makes you think they will agree to help us?” Kozakh continued. “The mission you described does not garner much hope, especially when you consider that you have not yet disclosed just how we are supposed to destroy the queen.”
“Because, Kho Kozakh, we have a weapon,” Ikharus answered. “And that weapon is what shall destroy her.”
The Supreme Chieftain scanned the audience until he found Jallah and stared at him.
Jallah instantly felt his heart drop as his worst fears were realized. He released his grip from the vial in his pocket and nervously stood as still as a statue.
“Kho Jallah, come forth,” Ikharus ordered.
“What? Why you?” Margery wondered.
He turned and faced her.
“I’ll explain,” he started.
“Now, Kho Jallah,” Ikharus continued.
“But, but-”
“Come,” he said.
Jallah gulped, then promptly made his way to the center of the room. He regretted that he did not have a chance to tell Margery first. All eyes seemed to be glued to him as he approached.
“This evolved-one possesses a weapon that destroys the mind. With it, we can defeat the queen,” Ikharus said, addressing the crowd. He turned to face Jallah now and motioned to him with his big heavy scepter. “Do you have it?” he asked.
Jallah nodded.
“Show them.”
Jallah looked to Margery, wondering how she would react. Then he gulped again and nervously pulled the vial from his pocket. He held it up in the air for all to see.
Gasps erupted from Margery, Dan and Ophelia, but the rest of the room was quiet and confused.
“The evolved-ones call it Metamorph. As I understand it, this chemical will reduce a mind to nothing. If we can infect the queen with this chemical, the Hive’s mind will fail and she will lose control of the drones.”
There was a long silence, followed by faint murmurs throughout the room. Jallah slowly lowered the Metamorph back down and slipped it into his pocket. Then Evirak was next to speak. He stepped forward.
“If I may, why fight through the entire Hive to get to the queen if killing the queen means killing the Hive anyway?” Evirak wondered. “I do not understand.”
“Because we will not be fighting through the entire Hive. We only need to reach the queen. That is why we need the Metamorph.”
“I do not understand.”
“Kho Evirak, think back to our mission to Vezaria. Surrounded by ruors, the only way to win was not to fight them all, but to race to the exit.”
“I recall, yes. That mission was only two nights ago. It is still fresh in my memory.”
“Then you know what I intend to do. I seek to employ the same plan here. The all-out strike is not meant to destroy the Hive, but to cut a hole through the swarm long enough for us to reach the queen’s ship and distribute the Metamorph. It is a race to the target, not a battle to kill every foe that stands before us.”
There were a few nods and grumblings as the room assessed the plan.
“It is a suicide mission then,” Ukhrani said. “Even if all goes as planned, if the Sorrevahni fleet can breach a hole in the Hive defenses and allow us enough time to deliver our weapon, there is no coming back from this.”
“Yes,” Ikharus agreed, nodding, “it is. But this suicide mission may be the only chance we have at defeating the Hive. Our enemy is willing to destroy the lives of its own people without a moment’s hesitation. This enemy is like nothing we have ever encountered. If we are to defeat the Hive, we must learn to fight like the Hive. We must fight as one, for something bigger than ourselves.”
The crowd was quiet again.
“I know this plan may not give you all hope. I understand if you are not willing to see this through. Know that should any among you desire to abandon this mission, I grant you that privilege. But for those who do not wish to leave, for those who have not given up, you may not need to believe in me or even in this plan, but if you believe in Kholvaria, I urge you to stand by my side.”
“The plan is crazy, your Majesty,” Vylan said, lowering his head for a moment before raising it again, “but it is the only plan we have. It is my duty to serve you, Supreme Chieftain. I shall do whatever you ask.”
“I concur,” Kal Jakhu agreed, nodding. “Kreed Scion is yours to command. Give us our mission and we shall see it done.”
Vylan, Kreed Scion and Flokh began to bow. Jallah still stood by Ikharus’s side all the while, overwhelmed by the loyalty of the Kholvari that surrounded him.
Jallah had never felt so invigorated, so caught up in the passion. In that moment, he remembered the bright light from his vision. He remembered the glowing vial fighting off the tentacles that wrapped around him. Something inside of him just could not part with the vial just yet. He knew he had a part to play in this still.
And then, he could not believe what he did next.
Jallah turned to face Ikharus and bowed.
“I will join you,” he said, hardly comprehending what he said until the words escaped his mouth. “I’ve been holding onto the Metamorph this whole time. I feel like it’s my destiny to do this, like I should be the one to distribute the chemical.”
Ikharus curiously inspected Jallah and was silent for a few moments, before motioning for him to stand.
“You may rise,” he said.
Jallah rose.
“You show true courage and bravery, Kho Jallah. Clearly, Kal Sanja does not represent your people. I will gladly have you stand by my side in this fight.”
“If he’s going, add me too!” declared another human voice.
Jallah spun around to see Margery pushing her way through the group.
“Margery!” Jallah said in a tone of shock.
“And me too,” added Dan.
“And me,” added Ophelia.
Dan glared at Jallah as he stepped in line next to him. He whispered, “Why did you keep it? I told you not to.”
“I… I don’t know,” Jallah replied, keeping his voice down. “I just did.”
“What you did is reckless.”
“Are you mad at me?”
“We’ll talk about it later.”
Jallah nodded and looked back up to the crowd around him. Just as the thought everyone had spoken, a new voice surprised him.
“Count me in too,” said Grey.
“No, Grey, please don’t,” Selena immediately replied, pulling on his arm.
Grey turned to face her and held her face in his hands.
“I love you, Selena. I love you so much, but this is our planet we’re talking about. Everything I’ve done for you and the girls, I’ve done to keep you safe. And with the Hive around, we won’t ever be safe until they’re finished.”
“But Grey, think about the kids!” Selena pleaded.
“That’s all I’m thinking about,” he replied. “I love you, Selena.” He pulled her forward and kissed her on the head. “I must do this.” Then he released his hands. Those were his last words before turning and joining the others in the middle of the room.
“I love you too,” Selena said back in strained words. She held onto both of her daughters tightly.
“It is settled then. We have all made our decisions. Those who have chosen to stay behind may remain here.” Ikharus paused, then continued. “For the rest of us, way we all be swift and efficient in our efforts.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sorreveous
Sup-Chief. Kho Ikharus
Thank the Chiefdom there were extra ships available in the hangar. Without them, Ikharus and the others would have
been stranded.
The time had come. The team had been assembled. Ikharus sat against the wall and faced inward as the ship elevated from the hangar floor. It was an old ship, nearly two decades past its prime, but after a bit of repair, it worked just fine.
Ikharus glanced at those around him: Jakhu, Ezenkharam, Kozakh, Evirak, Vylan, Saratti, Flokh, Jallah, Margery, Dan, Grey and Ophelia, with Ukhrani up in the cockpit. So few remained, but these were the bold few, the ones who would not quit, the ones who would stick to the mission no matter what. He would want no one other than this rag-tag group by his side in these final days.
“The flight will be long, your Majesty. I hope you are comfortable,” Vylan said, stepping toward him and stopping before his seat.
“I am comfortable, yes. Thank you, Kho Vylan, and thank you for coming.”
“It is my duty, your Majesty, one I do with honor.” He bowed.
Vylan was right when he said the flight would be long. They would be flying halfway across the world to a continent seldom traveled to by their kind. Ikharus hardly knew what he was getting himself into. He had no idea what to expect. What does their world look like? Are the trees the same? The animals? The water? The air? What does Sorreveous smell like? How does the wind feel? Ikharus had been to the moon, to asteroids, to Vigilant Behemoth and performed countless EVA missions in space, yet for him, Sorreveous was the greatest mystery of all.
None aboard this ship had ever been there. It was like traveling to a different planet entirely.
Ikharus glanced out the nearest window and saw that the ship was passing through the threshold of the hangar. The large metal doors opened to let them out, then would retract again as the ship passed through. Unending dessert sunlight quickly entered the cabin through the windows, forcing those aboard to block the bright light with their claws or hands.
Ikharus turned his head away from the windows, facing Flokh, who sat to his right. She smiled at him and he smiled back. He reflected on the night they had shared together. It was pure magic, pure love. Nothing more needed to be said between them. They were a mated pair now. That meant more than words could ever express.
“It is hard to fathom that we are actually traveling to Sorreveous,” Evirak said, interrupting the silence of it all. Ikharus should have guessed that he would be the first to speak.