Remembrance

by SJ Moquin

  “First, ‘we’ aren’t confronting anyone. You’ve done enough. Your super sleuthing days are done for a while. Leave it to me and the council. We’ll bring him in.” Corsin quirked a brow at Gwelle and Raiden waiting for a response. After they both reluctantly nodded, he continued. “That goes for you two as well. You all go home, stay inside, and wait for me to contact you. Raiden, see Gwelle home and should Wyn show up send me a message. I’m going to gather a patrol to bring him in now that we know where to look for the evidence.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And when this is over, report straight to me. I think I need to keep a closer eye on you.” While Corsin’s words were gruff, there was a teasing, pride filled tone to them that didn’t fool anyone. Raiden would be working close with the commander it seemed.

  Corsin walked out with the four youths intending on seeing them part way through the colony, but they’d taken no more than a few steps when a young cadet ran up. The protector-in-training delivered a plex message directly to the commander not saying anything about the group following the older man. If he thought it odd, he didn’t say a word, not looking their direction until the commander nodded, dismissing him.

  “What is it?” Raiden asked forgetting protocol for a moment when Corsin turned, a frown creasing his face.

  “Gwelle, I…” Corsin’s words trailed off as Jexxa ran up, shimmering air floating around her.

  “I am sorry to interrupt, but I must speak with you. There’s an emergency,” Jexxa whispered glancing between her friends and the commander.

  “Jexxa, this is Commander Corsin. Corsin knows about your people. We filled him in on what happened earlier. I know this wasn’t how we planned but it had to be done…”

  “Commander, I am sorry we had to meet under these circumstances. I’m sure you have many questions, but I am glad you now know. There’s been an emergency in the forest not far outside your colony.” Jexxa held herself stiff, regal, but a kindness shown in her vibrant eyes.

  “I am pleased to meet you, Your Highness, and I’m here to help anyway I can.” Gwelle drew in a relieved breath as Jexxa nodded continuing her tale.

  “We were followed from the cave earlier. Somehow, they know. They’re trying to open the tether between planes.” Corsin stared at the newcomer as she spoke to Raiden and Gwelle piecing together exactly what was happening.

  “My mother is with him, isn’t she?” Cold filled her stomach as she asked. Corsin nodded before replying.

  “I just received word a large group of protectors and scientists met up a few klicks outside the colony having all left separately. Then Maxon was seen rushing away with your mom in tow not long ago. She left word there’d been an accident with one of the expi teams before she departed. I don’t think he knew she did though. She’s smart and knew protocol to log any sudden change of plans. We were meeting this evening to discuss council business.”

  Without word Gwelle turned, taking two steps before a hand stopped her.

  “Let go, Commander. I can’t stand by and do nothing.” At that moment, she didn’t care who she spoke to, commander or not.

  “I can’t blame you and I wouldn’t expect anything else from your father’s daughter,” he replied falling into step beside her. The words curled through her, replacing the fear and impulsiveness with determination. Determination, strength, and memories. Memories of a dad who loved her and a mom she now had to save.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Race Against Time

  “We’ve assembled forces in the Eather plane should they break through, Commander Corsin. But it is my sincere hope it doesn’t come to that.” Jexxa’s words chilled Gwelle to her core. Despite making plans to leave the settlement to intercept Maxon and his cohorts, they were no closer to leaving an hour later and night was approaching on swift wings. Through the window, the streaks of orange and purple blurred closer to the horizon. Impatience grew with the darkening sky.

  Glancing across the room full of advisors and top officials both human and Zanareen, Gwelle caught Raiden’s understanding gaze. He looked like she felt as he stood at attention directly behind Corsin. The past hour had been a crash course of Zanareen-human diplomacy and interspecies relationship building. Both races had reason to help each other, so both Jexxa and Corsin decided to bring in the leaders of their communities. It was awkward at first, but once the urgency of the request was made clear plans began rolling in despite neither side having met before.

  The Zanareens’ system of hidden caverns which allowed passage to and from the Eather realm allowed the officials to travel to Nova-Zera safely. But it wouldn’t remain that way if Maxon had his way. Both sides were determined to do whatever it took to protect Varax and its inhabitants, regardless which side of the plane they lived on.

  “Good. But we aren’t going to let that happen. We’ll travel in through this pass and fan out south of where they’re gathered as planned. Your forces on this side will stand by in this tree line, if needed.” Gwelle listened as Corsin summed up most of what had already been planned, pointing coordinates out of the holomap displayed above the table everyone was gathered around. Why couldn’t they just go, move, do something now?

  After a few more minutes, she slipped out the doors behind her onto the circular balcony surrounding the command center. She couldn’t stand the waiting. The darkening sky weighed in on her as she looked out across the forest. Her mom was out there with a man determined to overthrow the native race and take over Nova-Zera. Why had she ever thought he was a good man? How had he fooled her, everyone?

  “Gwelle…” She hadn’t heard him come up behind her, but she could hear the timbre of his voice, in the inflection of that one word.

  “I’m not staying behind, Raiden. Don’t even say it. Don’t ask that of me.” After he released a heavy breath, he wrapped an arm around her.

  “I know. I won’t, but that doesn’t mean I won’t worry all the same.” Gwelle stared out over the staging ground just ahead of them. The yard was abuzz with protectors checking rovers and gear.

  “How much longer?”

  “Not long now. Then we gear up and get you fitted,” Raiden replied. Her nose scrunched at the thought, but she knew he was going to take every precaution, including fitting her with at least an armored vest before they left. “I’m not going to let you get hurt. There’s no telling what he’s capable of if he’s been planning this undetected since we’ve been here, or maybe longer.”

  “I know. I’m just ready to get out there and make sure Mom is alright.”

  “He’s using her as leverage. He doesn’t think Commander Corsin will attack if he’s holding her hostage.”

  “If he’s hurt her…” Gwelle let the rage rush over her as the words trailed off. She wouldn’t get anywhere letting her anger cloud her judgement. There were still too many questions needing answering and too much at stake. And not just getting her mother back safe or making sure Wyn Maxon faced judgement.

  The Zanareen agreeing to work with them was a huge step towards peace for their two peoples. There were still many things for both sets of inhabitants of Varax to come to terms with, but this was a start. They were there more as a failsafe. She’d seen what Jexxa’s people were capable of but Wyn was human, a settler. It was important that the people of Nova-Zera handled this situation and brought him to justice appropriately to show the Zanareens they didn’t agree with the rogue man, that they wanted peace.

  “We won’t let that happen, Gwelle,” Raiden assured, and gave her a quick squeeze before stepping away and promising he’d be right back.

  She watched him leave before looking back out over the busy grounds. Protectors rushed through the formation of rovers loading weapons and gear in the rear while others gathered in groups of fours and sixes to fill the armored vehicles. She noticed a smaller vehicle near the front of the procession just inside the gates. It’d be easy to slip through the crowd unnoticed. Just slip in and go. She knew exactly where to go thanks to the planning se
ssion. How hard could it be?

  Gwelle’s feet moved towards the stairs, slow and sure. She felt the same nervous excitement building in her as when she’d sneak into restricted areas aboard Deliverance. She could do this, she thought placing one foot on the first step. The swish of doors behind her paused her thoughts. Looking over her shoulder, Commander Corsin and Raiden walked towards her.

  “It’s time. You ready?”

  “Absolutely,” Gwelle replied, falling into step with the two men, forgetting her hastily made plans.

  ***

  Gwelle paced through the tall trees, her eyes darting towards the hillside separating her from where the protectors now marched towards Maxon’s last known position. She should have known it was too good to be true. She’d ridden in the same rover with Commander Corsin and Raiden, excitement and fear trilling through her the entire ride. But those emotions crashed when she’d stepped out of the rover and was immediately whisked away by a protector. Before she realized it, she was being told to wait with said guard.

  Now those she loved and cared about were out there, putting themselves in danger while she waltzed around the forest. She glanced around the small clearing where they waited, rovers sitting in the distance. Chaos erupted around her in the twilight filled forest. Pings and blasts of laser pistols echoed over the hill as she spun towards the sound. She’d taken no more than two steps when a firm hand stopped her.

  “It’s begun. Let’s stay near the rovers.” She could see the concern written on the protector’s face. Night was approaching fast, and they were alone in the forest with a battle raging just over the rise. Gwelle nodded despite everything inside her aching to join Raiden and wanting to see her mom. A few minutes later found her seated in one of the smaller rovers, sides open to the air as she watched her assigned guard pace a few feet away. He walked a circular path keeping watch around them.

  Her heart beat out a staccato rhythm in her chest, watching, waiting to know the outcome. The mundane routine of the protector did nothing to ease her concerns or slow her breathing. A few minutes later she watched as he paused mid step, listening to something she didn’t hear. He turned, altering his path as he walked away from the rover, just out of Gwelle’s line of sight.

  Nerve endings tingled across her fingers, racing up her arms. First one foot then the other left the safety of the vehicle. The more she tried justifying why she should stay put, the greater the feeling grew. She needed to get over that hill and this was her chance. Dashing into the tree line before the protector returned and she could talk herself out of her rash decision, she pushed through ferny brush.

  Keeping low and behind as many of the tall trees as she could, Gwelle worked her way around hoping her quickly schemed plan would bring her out beyond Corsin’s troops and the main battle she could hear still raging. She needed to get as close to Maxon’s position to find her mom, she reasoned. The tugging inside grew, guiding her, leading her in a semi-circle around the ridge. Small mushrooms dotting the rough tree bark began glowing as the sun played hide-n-seek through the trees the closer to the horizon it sank. Before long, it would be gone altogether casting her into darkness, dependent upon Varax’s generosity with its glowing plants and two moons.

  It wasn’t until she’d rounded a large tree, did she hear it. Silence. Eerie dead silence. No night animals scurried preparing for the coming darkness. No day animals hurried to their dens. But worse, no weapons fired. She didn’t realize how dependent she’d been on the sound of the battle to guide her until it was gone. Was it over? Cold dread spread over limbs as she rushed ahead, ducking behind a tree just as men came into view.

  She’d somehow angled herself directly between the two lines unseen and unnoticed despite Corsin’s troops fanning out around the deserters. She watched as Corsin gave orders to close in, protectors creeping through the trees towards the smaller group. Bodies lay broken, bleeding, littered on the forest floor like forgotten leaves. Maxon had lost a lot of men in the first wave of the fight, but she saw now why the barrage had stopped. There he stood smirking, his blue eyes which had always shown kindness suddenly made chills scurry up her spine. Behind him a cave entrance flashed in and out of sight as several men with strange devices sent a current of energy directly at it.

  He thought he’d won and wasn’t afraid of the impending arrival of Corsin’s men several meters ahead of him. Armed men stood between him and the approaching protectors, but his focus lay on a particular one who’d just stepped inside the clearing before him. Corsin’s aim never wavered, but he didn’t shoot. The Commander held his rifle still, directly at the former chief of science, both men looking confident in their stance.

  “It’s over, Maxon. Lay your weapons down, and you’ll receive a fair trial.”

  “Fair? You can’t promise that, Corsin, so don’t even try.” Venom dripped from Maxon’s words.

  “We can talk about this. You can explain why you’re doing this? We’ll listen,” Corsin coerced, his voice steady and calming. Why was the commander suddenly trying to talk to him? Why had the attack stopped so suddenly? Confusion sent her eyes darting around the opening. Despite Wyn Maxon’s focus on the commander, the men behind him hadn’t stopped their barrage of the secret caverns, still working to drop whatever shield the Zanareen used to hide them. But that wasn’t what caused her breath to hitch in her chest.

  There behind Maxon, to this side of the cave opening, was her mother. Nia Airda’s head was held high despite hands being tied behind her back and a gag in her mouth. Flickering aqua glow, the cavern cast an otherworldly sheen over her mother's copper skin. Both fear and determination shone in her mom’s dark brown eyes. A bravery poured out from the woman who’d raised her. Why had it taken this moment in time for Gwelle to see exactly where she got her spirit and stubbornness? She was more like her mom than she realized, but she didn’t have time to revel in the discovery. The large former protector holding a laser pistol at her mom’s side drew her focus the next instant.

  So that’s why Corsin stopped. Maxon was indeed using her mom as bait to lure the commander close in hopes of rescuing his friend just to kill them both. The morbid thought crept over her as her feet edged towards the next tree. If she could ease across the space separating her and her mom, she might have a chance at getting her out of the line of fire. That is if Corsin could keep Maxon distracted, and she could overpower the man with the gun. Those were big ifs but Gwelle shoved them aside as her feet continued to inch forward.

  “Listen? You were never very good at that, were you? I tried sharing my concerns with you when we first settled on Varax. You scoffed at the very idea there were natives here who could wipe out our entire civilization. What was it you said again? Oh, yes. If scans hadn’t picked up life signs at the point of discovery, what made me think there’d be any now?”

  “I was wrong. I’m not so foolish that I can’t admit that now. I’m ready to hear your concerns, Maxon. Let’s put the weapons down and talk.” She heard the commander’s pacifying tone but didn’t take her eyes off her mom. She eased between the trees, closer to her mom. Soon she’d be right in Corsin’s line of sight but hopefully behind Maxon enough not to be noticed, at least until she’d freed her mother. The man guarding her mother hadn’t looked over yet either which was a good sign.

  Leaving the safety of the trees one step at a time, she hurried across the open space. Placing one foot in front of the other towards the man who’d been trying to kill her and Raiden shook her. Her feet becoming lead weights the more steps she took, she forced them over the uneven ground, coming up directly behind her mom. Nia stiffened as Gwelle whispered a greeting, but thankfully she hadn’t jerked or drawn attention to them as her daughter approached. The dark-haired girl’s hands trembled as she stood behind her mom, unknotting the ropes with shaky fingers. Deep, angry words caused her fingers to pause despite being almost done.

  “There’s nothing to talk about. Just hand the girl and boy over, and I’ll take care of things the way
they have to be; the way they should’ve been done a long time ago. The way you’ll never be competent enough to.”

  “Why? They’re kids. They’ve done nothing to you.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. Very wrong. Enough talk, hand them over or Nia has a little accident.” Maxon’s words were harsh, cruel. Nothing like the caring man she’d come to know and trust.

  Her mother must have felt the same as a stifled cry tore from her throat against her wishes. Too late did Gwelle realize what it meant. Too late when screaming erupted around them. Too late when she looked up directly into Wyn Maxon’s pale blue eyes only paces away. The almost imperceptible sound had been enough to draw his attention. His full undivided attention as he swung their direction, laser rifle aimed directly at her.

  Chapter Thirty

  Making Things Right

  Gwelle dropped the ropes that had bound her mom, shoving the older woman towards the woods just as a shot zipped their way. She spun, ducking as the guard who’d unknowingly let her get close enough to free her mother grabbed at her trying to correct his mistake. Burning pain erupted in her arm as she dodged towards the woods. She didn’t stop as the paused battle resumed, peace talks through once and for all. The forest, now dark except for the trail of mushrooms dotting the trees and forest floor, swallowed her mother up ahead of her.

  Gwelle ran in the last direction she’d seen Nia but couldn’t see the other woman in the inky darkness. Shouts and gunshots rang out behind her, the crunch of boots chasing her, but she didn’t look back. There’d been bodies, broken and bloody in the clearing she’d just left. Protectors and deserters alike. How many of their people had they lost all because of… what? Greed? Delusion? She couldn’t make sense of Wyn’s actions and didn’t try. Not now as she ducked through trees, weaving in and out in hopes of catching up with her mom. She wasn’t even sure which direction they were running or where the rovers were parked from here.