The Distance Between

by Blair Cousins

  Another explosion could be heard in the background and the image quality faded to snow. The audio of the broadcast could still be heard as the sound of explosions boomeranged around the room mixed with the sound of shattered glass and screams.

  “We’ll—be—back—EVACUATE!”

  The transmission cut off, and in a panic, Taxes flipped to another news station.

  “It looks like Station Tower 13 has been hit. If you look in the sky you can see the shapes of ships! It looks like three of them. Holy smokes!”

  Ester and everyone held their breath at the sight of three looming shadows breaking through the clouds. They watched the newscaster flinch as vibrations from the shields radiated through the building. Ester’s stomach churned. This couldn’t be happening.

  “Wow, that was right above us!” The newscaster looked up, then back at the camera. “The shields are up, but for how long I’m not sure…”

  Taxes muted the tele as Wildgrass swallowed hard. Wildgrass could see the rangers fighting above the shield. There were too many explosions bringing back too many memories for him to stick around. He turned to his husband, his eyes hard and brow tensed.

  “What’s your plan?” he demanded with his back facing Pisces, but it was clear he was talking to her.

  “I have the maps of the main ship.” Pisces pulled them up on her wristband. “There are three total, but it is the main ship in the middle that is the most important. I need to get on that ship, disable the shields, so I can destroy the weapon.”

  “What kind of weapon is it?” Wildgrass asked.

  “We are not sure how Tozork got the technology or how it works, but we do know how to destroy it. It is a risky plan, but our only option. See, the source of its power comes from within the planet. Mines riddle our planet in search of a crystal, our sources say, and somehow Tozork has turned those crystals into a powerful weapon. None of our forces or attempts against him has worked, so our only option was to come to Rean and stop him here.” Pisces looked around at the skeptical faces. “There are others. There are Reformers on the other two ships lying and waiting for the main ship’s shields to go down so that they can take over and weaken the main ship, but they cannot move without the shields being disabled on the main ship.”

  “Okay,” Wildgrass nodded as he paced and rubbed his chin. “So this big bad weapon, how are you going to bring it down if all other attempts have failed?”

  “By focusing on this,” Pisces zoomed in on the blueprints and showed the barrel of the weapon. “It is true we cannot directly destroy the weapon, but if we target the barrel, combined with the shields being down we will have a better chance. On our home world his forces proved to be impenetrable in our weakened state, so this plan combined with the help of the rangers we should be able to bring him down.”

  Wildgrass looked at the hologram. “Okay, so how come there isn’t any back up on the main ship?”

  “That is Tozork’s stronghold. His loyalists are only on that ship. It would have been impossible to get anyone from the Unity Reform on board.”

  “And you think you can do the job when others have failed?” Wildgrass looked at her.

  “With your help. Your people have the power of electricity. With this power, I can short circuit the board and get to the shields faster. I have memorized these maps; I know all the routes like I know the paths of my homeland.”

  “Sounds like a whole lot has been left to chance, and they sent you a kid to take down a war mongrel?” Wildgrass said.

  “I have trained for over a year for this mission and many years prior in combat in servitude to our leader. I am no child, and I would not be standing here before you if I did not need your help. A distraction is needed for this plan. Tozork knows Rean has strong warriors, and it will be his arrogance that will open up a blind spot for me. Trust me, this is the only option.”

  “Sheesh. Alright, so you need a Reanian on the inside. Got a plan for that? And explain to me again how you’re going to sneak on because I’m sure your body is going to burn up as soon as you get close to those shields.”

  “I am aware of this Captain—”

  “Please, it’s just Wildgrass.”

  Pisces nodded. “In the confusion of the distraction, I will board using my sensory disruptor bombs.” Pisces held up two gray balls in her hands. “These will allow me to sneak on the ship undetected. They work by burning a small hole in the shields, but it only works for a few minutes and only something small like a person can pass. From there, I will make my way to the shields, disable them using the deciphered code, then I will plant a bomb on the barrel, which will disable the weapon.”

  “Heck, those would have been a real game changer if you would have come with more.” Wildgrass marveled at the disruptor balls.

  “Yes, if you like to die a slow and painful death. In large concentrations this stuff is radioactive. Our technology is new and largely untested. This is why we have struggled against Tozork for so long.”

  “Okay, we have a plan laid out.” Wildgrass paced the den. “But you still haven’t answered my first question. Who is going to be your number two to help you get on the main ship?”

  Pisces stared at Wildgrass, then looked away. “I was hoping that you would have someone to recommend.”

  Wildgrass could feel a headache coming on. He grabbed the bridge of his nose. “So, let me get this straight, your great leader trained you, gave you maps and shield thingys, and sent you along your way without a second person to complete the plan? I know you need a Reanian, but it seems a tad bit risky.”

  “It was hard enough smuggling one person onto the planet. I sat in a crate for two months on route here.”

  Wildgrass threw his hands up in the air as Pisces started to growl.

  “I’ll go,” Ester said.

  Garnering confusion from Wildgrass, he looked up at Ester. She didn’t look a day over seventeen, just a year older than his oldest daughter.

  “Uh, no, that’s going to be a negative for me.”

  “What?” Ester watched him roam around the room and look through stuff. “Why?”

  Wildgrass looked up from the drawer where he was bent down at. “Hey, I respect your bravery, but you’re just a kid. I mean a real kid.”

  “Hey! I just turned nineteen.” Ester placed her hand on her hips.

  “Teen.” Wildgrass stressed the word.

  “Teen my ass. I got into ranger academy. I know how to hold my own.” Ester flashed her fiery eyes.

  Wildgrass stood. “You, um, what’s your name again?”

  “It’s Ester.”

  Wildgrass paused then returned to searching around the room. “Okay, Ester, if I remember correctly second semester should still be in session and this is post festival season, so you should be in school.”

  Ester huffed and rolled her eyes.

  “Right, so you’re either lying, or you got kicked out.”

  “I’m not lying.”

  “Right.” Wildgrass picked up an old address book, then called Taxes into the room. Taxes nodded without a word and took the address book. “I’m not going to let a child get herself killed.”

  “I’ll go then.” Taxes said.

  “No,” Wildgrass said a little too loudly. “And no to you, too.” He pointed back to Ester. “Taxes, can you call around?”

  Ester’s blood started to boil as Wildgrass and Taxes talked amongst themselves. She was not a child, and if she was in ranger academy right now she would be preparing for the attack. She didn’t have much training in the art of combat, but she was sure she could be an asset to the team.

  “I can do this!” Ester yelled to the room.

  Wildgrass crossed the room and stepped into Ester’s space, his face just inches from hers. “This is not a game or a simulation. This is real life, real weapons, real chances of death, so unless you’ve seen a battlefield and looked death square in the face I’m going to have to ask you to sit down.”

  Nothing but passion flowed thro
ugh Ester’s eyes. Her heart raced as the electricity in her body began to rise; the surge was so powerful it could be seen coming off her body.

  “I have seen plenty of death in my time, and this time I’m sure as hell not going to sit back and let it happen again. So think what you want about me, but I’m a lot strong than I look.”

  Wildgrass stepped back and looked at her. Her eyes said it all, burning with unwavering conviction. He sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Alright, you can come, but it’s your funeral.”

  “Wildgrass,” Taxes protested.

  “We’re out of time, and no, I’m not going to allow you to put yourself in danger,” Wildgrass said as he pushed his husband long.

  “No,” Taxes wiggled out of his grip.

  “I can’t. No, I won’t,” Wildgrass grabbed his husband by the shoulders. “One of us needs to stay behind.” Wildgrass looked past Taxes at their children. Taxes followed his eyes, then sighed. Wildgrass smiled then turned to Ester.

  “I like your heart, kid. So how far did you get in academy? Did you take combat 101?”

  Ester shied away from the question.

  “So, I’m guessing you don’t know how to us a CuCore either?”

  Ester looked down at the floor as Wildgrass pinched the bridge of his nose.

  “Your passion is admirable, but you’re probably going to die.”

  Taxes punched his husband.

  “Ouch.” He rubbed his arm. “We don’t have a lot of time, but I know someone who can help. Amber, you’re in charge, sweetie. Think you can handle it?”

  Amber nodded.

  “Thanks.” Wildgrass kissed his daughter on the forehead. “Taxes, pack us a bag, please. I’m going to call Odie.”

  “Odie?” Pisces eyed him.

  “Don’t worry, he’s the best damn mechanic the rangers ever had.”

  Pisces and Ester looked at each other. Things were heating up, but at least they had Wildgrass on their side. Ester walked to the window; it was calm and peaceful in Cha-la, but if this plan failed what would become of her world?

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The cadets sat in a large classroom watching the chaos unfold on the screen. Hundreds of people ran the streets in terror as giant armored ships flew above them. Flashing lights and emergency officers shouted for people to return to their homes, but some had no homes to return to. The city was a fire, but it would recover, but only if help from the rangers came and came soon. The shields were up all around Ans-on, protecting them for the time being, but the officials had no idea how long they would last. All states were on high alert, as all forms of transportation shut down. The cadets watched helplessly, passing worried glances between their fellow peers.

  “This is not happening.” Fermit grabbed his head. “My family lives in the Fortuna locale.” His face reddened as he fought back the tears.

  “You don’t think the Here-saw locale has been affected?” Bue said aloud. “They haven’t shown anything about Here-Saw.”

  The chatter built as worried cadets started to panic. Soon the entire class was on edge eagerly wanting to check on their families.

  Oh my gosh, Ester, I hope you’re okay, Angel thought to himself, knowing his friend was all alone out there.

  “Alright, cadets,” Captain Pole limped in quickly with a tablet in his hands. “I won’t waste time sugar coating anything. We’re on high alert, and we could use every hand we’ve got. Evacuations of the people of Ans-on is now the top priority of all cadets here at Ranger Academy.”

  “Evacuations?” Kiakit blurted. “We should be fighting. Enemies are attacking the city!”

  Captain Pole’s expression did not change. “You are not trained to handle this level of combat. Your expertise will be best utilized on the ground, getting people out through the underground rail system.” Captain Pole looked at his cadets; he knew they wanted to do more, but saving lives were just as important as fighting.

  “It is the prime objective of the Rean Coalition of Rangers to protect the people of Rean. You are not expendable; you will follow your orders as assigned.” Captain Pole pulled up a holograph of the list of assignments for the cadets. “Some of you will be assigned to ground work, others will be stationed in safe locations located outside the nation state. We are not sure how long the shields will hold, and evacuating people on this scale will produce a lot of chaos. It is your duty to keep the people calm and flowing. I understand this is your first mission and some of you will not be prepared. Remember why you became a ranger. Draw on that strength to help you get through this night because tomorrow will come whether Ans-on is here or not and Rean will need you.”

  Names popped up on the screen placing cadets in different groups and assignments. In an instant, the assignments were sent to their wrist bands.

  “This is not happening.” Fermit collapsed to the floor. “I don’t know if I can handle this.”

  “Get up, come on.” Angel helped Fermit to his feet. “It’s going to be okay. The rangers always win, and this time will be no different,” Angel said as he rubbed his friend’s back.

  Fermit sniffled and wiped his face with his arm then nodded. Angel and the others filed out, but there was a knot growing in Angel’s stomach. He wanted to be brave, but he was shaking in his boots. The capital area looked like it was hit pretty hard, and that’s where his parents lived. He was worried about Ester and Samay and all his friends. Part of him hoped this was a dream, but in his mind he knew this was real.

  More than half of Angel’s class was assigned to helping with the evacuations on the ground level. The academy built secret underwater tunnels that led to different coastal cities in Ans-on. Everyone assigned to the ground was packed tight into shuttles and sent underground. It was quiet, painfully so, and crammed full of cadets who would be seeing a battle zone for the first time. Angel sat squished next to Zime and Fermit in silence as the shuttle hummed along. Some cadets were shaking at every bump, worried they would be sunk at any minute. Finally, after what seemed like forever, the cadets emerged from the tunnel to a station that looked more like a military base. Rangers ran everywhere as the cadets stood on their tippy toes to get a look outside.

  “Attention Rangers, please report to your crisis location at once. Crisis location and directions will be sent through your wristbands.”

  The message repeated many times before the doors opened. Then the rush of noise drowned out what was left of their calm reality. For Angel, it was the smell of something burning that pulled him back into reality. It was light, but somehow it found its way to wherever they were underground. Shouting, and loud footsteps, and announcements occupied every inch of Angel’s mind.

  “South locales! South Locales! Your shuttle is leaving in twenty minutes! South locales!” A man shouted across the platform.

  Angel could barely hear as a hand reached out and grabbed him.

  “This way, Angel,” Fermit said.

  Angel snapped out of his haze. Behind him Zime followed with the same overwhelmed look on her face.

  “South locales!” The man shouted again as Angel and his friends hopped in line. “South locales only! Train leaving in fifteen minutes! Have wristbands out to be scanned!”

  Angel looked at his wristband. He was as ready as he was ever going to be. He scanned his wristband and soon his friends were onboard. The shuffle took them up to the surface and when they arrived, the images on the holo screen could not compare to the fiery nightmare that had become his city. Buildings had collapsed in some areas; while other places were crowded with people walking with their families in tow through mazes of rumbled. He could see smoke in the distance in places he used to visit, and the thin translucent light blue shield breaking the horizon. He looked up and a true horror formed in his heart at the sight of the humongous ships above him. They dwarfed the size of Ans-on’s tallest skyscrapers. He shivered in his bones, as his knees started to get weak. Fermit stood beside him and grabbed his hand and Angel turned to see his horrified
expression as he looked up too. Everyone was looking up. As Angel looked around, he felt the terror grip his heart. Was this what he signed up for? Angel looked back to his childhood. He admired Grand Commander J’Chives, but he also remembered his scars—the bold reminders of the reality of being a ranger. Angel wasn’t scared back then when he saw them. He remembered hugging him and running his fingers down the Commander’s ridged face. He remembered Grand Commander J’Chives saying that his scars were earned protecting Rean and that he didn’t regret a single one. A tear ran down Angel’s cheek, and he quickly wiped it away. Angel took a deep breath and clenched his fists.

  “Don’t you worry, Grand Commander, I am here to return the favor.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Ester and Pisces sat in Odie’s shop and watched Odie and Taxes run around and gather gadgets and items. It was late, but Taxes managed to get a hold of a friend of theirs they knew who could help. Time was limited, but Odie was more than willing to help. Odie was a mechanic and pilot before he retired from the Rean Coalition Rangers. He had been friends with Wildgrass long before he was even a ranger. Middle aged with golden blond hair and near balding, Odie rocked the stubble, beer belly look. He and Taxes talked and finalized plans as Ester and Pisces waited for their next move. Ester tried to watch the news updates, but it was getting to be too much. Things looked grim as reports flooded in that the shields would not hold for long, and this was the place Ester was heading to. The place she would be fighting. Her hearted pounded in her chest.

  “Ya’ll should get some sleep.” Wildgrass walked over to them.

  “I’m fine, really,” Ester said.

  Wildgrass chuckled and looked at Pisces. “And I guess you’re going to say the same thing?”

  “Our mission takes precedence over sleep.”

  “Is that so?” Wildgrass stretched, then tossed a rag he was holding in his hand into Pisces’ face.

  She startled back as she tried to block the offensive thing, but it flew right through her hands and landed on her shoulder. Ester looked between Pisces and Wildgrass as Pisces picked up the rag and glared at it.