by SJ Moquin
“What?”
“You said you heard our names so many times over the years. How?” Gwelle’s voice came out steely, gritty, anguish ripping from her at the memory.
“I… well…” For the first time Jexxa looked afraid, unsure.
“Jexxa, I want to believe you mean us no harm. You wouldn’t have warned us otherwise. But Gwelle has a point. What did you mean?” Raiden took control of the tense situation, his charm smoothing the rippling swirl of pressure growing between the two girls.
“I heard about you from your father, Neill Airda, and from your uncle, Jefferson Beckham.” Jexxa glanced between the two teens standing in front of her. All the air rushed from Gwelle’s lungs as the forest darkened around her. Only one thing held her focus right now. How did Jexxa know her father?
Chapter Twenty
Back from the Dead
“My father is dead.” The words stung as they left Gwelle’s lips. Jexxa stared at her, the soft, kind blue eyes narrowing as if making a decision.
“Yes. He is… but before his death, I knew him. Both him and your uncle, Jefferson Beckham. Your mother’s brother, correct?” She asked turning to Raiden. If the world around them hadn’t been spinning before, it definitely was now.
“Yes. Uncle Jefferson was my mother’s brother. But how?”
“It is a long story and one I will share with you. But right now, we must focus on the danger you’re in. Someone within the colony means you harm.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know, but I do know the threat is real,” she added when Raiden huffed a little at her words. Despite the confusion warring inside her, Gwelle could sense no malice in Jexxa, no false truths. But maybe she was just as good at hiding them as her race was at hiding themselves.
“Why now? We’ve been here over a year. Why would you just come forward now? Why not at first?”
“My people are split. There are some who welcome the change your people bring to Varax while others oppose it. We are a cautious people, and do not rush easily into any decision if we can help it. Your people won respite from judgement until all observations were gathered, but there are those trying to push the date of judgement up. That is why I decided to join your colony myself.” Raiden ran a hand through his hair, nodding as he did. Slowly her words were sinking in. This world had just become stranger and so much deadlier in a matter of minutes.
“If what you say is true, we need to get back to Nova-Zera and figure out exactly what’s going on.” Gwelle agreed with Raiden, but a cold chill ran through her. Before she could even think about facing whatever waited for them back at the colony, she needed to know.
“The cave. That was you? And… he was there, Uncle Jefferson.”
“Yes. You were injured so we brought you to our home.”
“My uncle is still alive?” Raiden’s face paled at the words. “How do you remember?” He looked at Gwelle, shock clearly written on his expressive features.
“I don’t. Not really. But I’ve had flashes of voices, and blurred images since the cave.
“I want to see my uncle.” Raiden stiffened as Jexxa began shaking her head. “You can’t expect me just to take your word. I need to ensure he’s safe.”
“There’s much you need to know before you see your uncle, Raiden.”
“Then tell me.” Raiden’s voice rose, his calm demeanor from moments before disappearing like mist with the morning sun. Gwelle placed her hand on his arm. She understood, truly she did. If it was her dad, she wouldn’t drop it until she was wrapped in his arms. Her throat tightened suddenly. How had two men who were light years away from here when their accident happened end up on the same planet they colonized several years later?
“Why can’t you take us to him now?” Gwelle asked, softer, her whispered plea barely spoken words.
“You cannot come to the village where he is. Not now.”
“But you took us there once before.”
“Yes. And it had repercussions. One of those consequences being your memory of the event. We didn’t wipe your memories. The travel there and back did that. Our people live in what you would consider another plane of existence.” Jexxa frowned, taking in the confused look on both their faces. “A spiritual plane, your kind might say. Less physical than ethereal.”
“But you’re here now. And Uncle Jefferson is there.”
“We can choose our shape and plane. Jefferson cannot. The years of living in the heart of Varax has left him…unstable.” Jexxa’s voice softened as she spoke. There was a sadness tinting her words.
“Please.” Jexxa looked at Raiden, the determination set on his strong jaw, and finally nodded.
“I will bring him to you. But you must be cautious in what you say. He will believe this all a dream, as he did when I brought you over.”
“Yes, anything. Just let me see him.” Gwelle slipped her hand in Raiden’s and squeezed it.
“Very well. Follow me.” The fair-haired girl turned towards the hillside they’d slid down earlier on their trek to catch up to her. Gwelle watched as she waved a hand in the air, like sliding an invisible holoscreen away. The air before them shimmered, glowing as the hillside disappeared, and a cavern opening took its place. The glow of the blue cave walls caused Gwelle to gasp.
Was this the reason the cave they entered wasn’t on a map, because it was hidden, or maybe because it wasn’t really there, but had been placed there for them? Everything she believed to be true began spinning, this world, their life here, friends, family. It was all a lie and a blur. What was real anymore? She didn’t know, not as she followed the alien princess into the cavern, down a slanting narrow corridor deep into the ground until it evened out in an open room. It looked much like the one they’d taken refuge in.
“Remain here where you are safe. I will be back shortly with your uncle.” Raiden and Gwelle nodded and watched as the strange girl jogged down another corridor deeper into the cave. Several minutes passed as Gwelle tried making sense of everything they’d just heard.
“Is this… is this possible? Can he really be alive?” Raiden seemed lost as he asked the question. Gwelle’s heart tightened. He’d been through so much with the loss of both parents and then his uncle. She was suddenly afraid this might have been the wrong course of action. What if seeing Jefferson didn’t help their situation but done more harm than good? If what Jexxa said was true and Jefferson wasn’t himself, Raiden would have to relive the pain of losing him all over.
“I don’t know, Raiden. Maybe we shouldn’t have...”
“No, don’t say it. I know, Gwelle. I know he won’t be the same. I understand. But just seeing him will be enough. Just being able to give him a hug will be worth it.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning in against him. He was right. She would do the same. She’d enjoy the moment for what it was; a reunion they never thought they’d get.
Several minutes later, or maybe longer, time running together as they stood in the darkened cave staring at the soft glow of blue along the walls, footsteps sounded in the far corridor. One set was quick and tapping, the other slower, shuffling along. Raiden turned hands clenched at his side, nervous energy radiating from him in almost visible arcs as he stood waiting. They watched as the blonde girl appeared at the entrance of the corridor, but she wasn’t alone. A man stood behind her, tall, lean, but the shadows casted in the aqua glow hid his features until she stepped away. He took a few wobbly steps forward, wide eyes looking around before lighting on Raiden.
“Uncle Jefferson?” Raiden’s words were just a whisper as he took a step forward and then another. Gwelle watched the older man’s face light up. His hand reaching up and patted Raiden’s arms, shoulders, and cheeks, as if the boy in front of him was an apparition that would disappear in a moment. Raiden pulled his uncle into a hug, a sob wracking through him as he fought hard to maintain his composure. She felt moisture gather in her eyes as well, watching the boy she loved and the man she considered an uncle embrace.
&
nbsp; “It’s so good to see you, Uncle Jefferson.”
“Gwelle?” His wide eyes turned towards her, glancing over her as if he only now noticed her standing there. His voice sounded raspy from disuse as if he didn’t speak often. “You’re so grown up. So long… been so long. But not long at all, has it?” Jefferson’s words began to slur, jumbling together. He pulled back, looking around the cave for the first time.
“He’ll be a bit confused,” Jexxa whispered, a slight twinge of sadness in her voice. Jefferson stood tall as ever in the cavern, but time had taken its toll; even just the few years they’d been apart told on his features. His tall frame hunched a bit at the shoulders, the large baggy white pants and shirt hanging loose from his thin limbs. His once dark hair was now streaked with grey and white and hung long, tossed in different directions.
“I’m so sorry, Gwelle. I trie… tried to stop him. Said no. This isn’t right.” Jefferson placed his hands on his head, the memories his words conjured physically hurting him.
“Stop who? Uncle Jefferson? Said no to who?” Raiden spoke soft and clear, as if coaxing a reluctant child to speak. Jefferson blinked, his eyes taking on a foggy, unclear look as if he were suddenly far away.
“Maybe he shouldn’t be pushed right now.”
“Jexxa, how did my uncle and Neill Airda come to be on Varax?” The fair-haired princess sighed, her eyes taking on a knowing look. She wouldn’t be leaving this cave without giving answers.
“A small space craft, I believe you call them shuttles, came to our planet carrying three men. They arrived because a probe had scanned the planet and carried coordinates back to your home ship.”
“But that’s not possible. They weren’t gone long enough for that.”
“An anomaly they detected carried them here. It’s unique to our world, our people. They shouldn’t have used it. Traveling by it interfered with their sensors, their minds for a bit, as well as alerted us to their presence on our planet.”
“Wait you said, three men? Who was the third?”
“We scanned three life signatures aboard the vessel. We only spoke to your father, Gwelle. Our council and generals both declined the use of our planet They felt it was in the best interest of our people. They were to take the message back to their ship many, many light years from the planet. But something happened once the shuttle neared the jump. We detected two of the lifeforms in duress and rescued them.”
“In a vessel? A ship?”
“Our time, our dimension, our travel isn’t like yours. That’s how we were able to save them from space after first contact. But your father had already gone without oxygen too long. He never fully recovered. And you can see the toll, pulling your uncle into our home took on him.” Jexxa looked over at the older man who fidgeted nervously, staring into the darkness around them as if they weren’t there talking about him.
“And you have no idea who this other man was?”
“I’m sorry, no.”
“Thank you for caring for my uncle all these years. I’ll be taking him back to Nova-Zera with me, though.”
“Raiden.” Gwelle’s protest wrenched from her chest. She didn’t want to deny him this comfort. “There’s no way we can walk into camp with a man thought dead for seven years and not explain. Not to mention, there was someone else on that shuttle with them. And if we find that man, we’ll more than likely find who is trying to hurt us. But we can’t tip him off before we know.” Raiden ran a hand through his dark hair, frustration growing on his face as he looked between Gwelle and where Jefferson had walked a few steps away staring at the glow on the cave walls.
“You’re right, but…”
“I can promise he is looked after and spends his days wanting nothing. He is not our prisoner.”
“She’s right. Her home is the best place for him. At least for now. When this is over…”
“I will bring him home for good.”
“That is fair,” Jexxa said, nodding to the two who still looked in shock over all the revelations they’d heard over the course of the past hour. Gwelle watched Raiden say goodbye to the only family he had left, bittersweet in its simplicity. Jefferson smiled and patted Raiden’s cheek as he had when the tall protector had been a boy. Raiden threw his arms around the man’s neck and pulled him close before nodding to Jexxa who led Jefferson away by the hand.
Silence grew between them as they walked hand in hand back towards the entrance of the cave. Neither knew how to express their innermost thoughts at that moment. A little later, standing just beyond the tall wall, Raiden looked down at her, his green eyes narrowed, concerned.
“Who could it have been?”
“I don’t know. Someone with enough power to cover up what really happen and continue the vessel on its course towards Varax.”
“Someone who still has enough power to cover up things.”
“Someone who’s been walking around unfazed by the fact he’s killing innocent people.” They stared at each other.
“It’s the commander, isn’t it?” Raiden was the first to whisper what they both thought.
“I don’t see who else it would be,” Gwelle said, a sadness washing over her as she realized the strong chance they were both correct. Corsin had distanced himself after her father’s death. It hadn’t been noticeable until looking back now, all these years later, but she could see it for what it really was. Guilt. Or maybe fear of being caught.
“But that doesn’t answer why he’s after us? Why now, after all these years?” Raiden asked as their frustration of their situation grew.
“It means he’s had to know about the natives all this time. That this wasn’t our world to settle. He could have put everyone, including those who haven’t arrived from the other ships, at risk.”
“You’re right. And he has to be stopped,” Raiden spoke up, a firm resolve growing in his voice.
“We have to be smart about it. He has to have accomplices.” Gwelle remembered what they’d overheard while in the core.
“Who can we trust?”
“My mom.” Gwelle sighed. She’d tried hard not to bring her mom into this, but it was now over their heads. And she didn’t know what else to do.
“Then that’s where we start. Come on,” Raiden tugged her towards the fence, neither ready for what lay ahead, but both knowing they had to do the right thing, regardless of how terrifying that right thing was.
Chapter Twenty-One
Crashing Down
Raiden and Gwelle raced through the settlement, no longer avoiding being seen, but not going out of their way to be seen either. They cut through rows of houses, shortcuts, and back paths, their feet crunching on the crushed stone paths beneath them. Gwelle’s heart raced as they ran. She wondered how she would explain this to her mom without causing more heartache to the woman she cared about. Her mom was fierce when it came to protecting her daughter or caring for her patients, but Gwelle wasn’t ignorant.
Losing her dad had almost brought her mom to a standstill. The strong, independent woman she knew vanished in a pit of despair anytime she thought no one was looking. It’d taken a long time for her mom not to cry each night when she thought Gwelle was sleeping. She didn’t want to rip that wound back open by telling her mom the story they’d all heard about her dad’s passing was false and that the whole thing was a coverup for something greater. There was just no way now. Who else did she have besides Raiden and her friends that she could trust implicitly? No one she could think of. Not really. There was the Shepherd, but he was ancient, and possibly Wyn Maxon. But he was so soft spoken, she could not picture him being much use in the standoff that was inevitably coming. No, it had to be her mom. She didn’t trust anyone else on that level.
The medical center sat just across from the row of buildings they’d been skirting. Raiden’s arm came up to stop her just as she stepped into the clearing separating the buildings. She and Raiden ducked behind a small group of trees at the edge of the grassy area barely large enough to hide behi
nd. There on the front stoop of the medical clinic stood her mom and Commander Corsin. It was too far to hear what was being said but her mom looked worried. A frown pulled at the woman’s face, causing fine lines to appear around her eyes where there shouldn’t be any. She and Raiden stayed crouched there several seconds watching the two talk.
“Come on. Around back.” Raiden tugged her back into motion, sending them the long way around towards the back of the clinic. They were just about to slip in when a patrol passed by. So many times she’d watched as protectors patrolled their town but hadn’t thought anything by it. It was a daily occurrence, part of life, but now when they wanted to avoid them, there they were. Time slowed as the protectors stared at them, first just a glance in their direction, then each of the three men turning towards them with stunned expressions. Everything happened so fast, yet at a fraction of the speed it should. Shouts, guns pointed at them. Then they were on top of them, faster than either Raiden or Gwelle could fathom, with more screams to stop.
Gwelle found herself outside the scuffle which ensued, whether because she was deemed not a threat, or because they overlooked her. Each of the protectors grabbed Raiden, two holding his arms while one pushed him down. But he wouldn’t go down without a fight. He elbowed the man to his left in the throat, gaining use of that arm which he let fly with a punch to the man on the right. Raising up fast, he headbutted the man behind him, and left the other protector howling in pain holding a broken nose.
The first man was back up, having recovered faster than the others, his fist flying directly towards Raiden. Gwelle’s insides churned at the sight in front of her. She wasn’t sure what to do. When she saw the second man about to throw a punch at Raiden from the side, she couldn’t stand still. Running the few paces that separated her from the fight, she threw herself onto the man’s back, grabbing him by the hair until he pulled away from the others. Twisting and turning, he tried unbalancing her, but she dug in harder. The only reason going through her mind was to keep him away from Raiden. For all her bravado, she wasn’t a fighter. She’d never actually fought outside the holodeck a day in her life. But the lessons paid off giving her enough skills to keep the man away from the others. Not that there was much skill involved in the techniques she employed. Alternately yanking at his hair and pummeling him on top of his head required little thought or skill.