Survival, Dark Times

by D. R. Johnson

  He chose to believe that he would.

  Sora walked through the main hold to where the rest of the crew waited. All had weapons concealed underneath their shirts or pants. Scout, Nait and Naos also wore hooded cloaks. Sora wondered if it would appear more suspicious to have a group of cloaked people running around a city.

  He would follow Natalia’s lead this time.

  All of them proceeded to the exit ramp. Sora punched a button and listened to the familiar hiss of air as the ramp descended. He stepped out of the way, holding his hand toward the ramp and the docking bay beyond.

  “Your lead, Senator.”

  The last time Sora stepped off the ramp, Felicia was standing on the other end. As unclear as their visit to Adli appeared, Sora felt relief knowing it couldn’t get worse than that. At least not for him. Seeing Felicia threw him into a tailspin and he felt that uncontrollable anger again. The regret and uncertainty he felt about leaving her on Bolton vanished.

  Now, he just felt like he wanted to do it all over again. He didn’t know whether that should concern him or not. When he thought of Felicia, rage still burned inside of him.

  As did flames.

  Natalia stepped in front of everyone else and threw her hood up. She strolled down the ramp as if they were taking a leisure trip to this place. The others followed. Naos, Scout and Nait threw their hoods over their heads and stood between Talek, Fi, Viktor and Trika.

  One red-haired, slender man, dressed in all-white armor, stood in front of the Killer. His armor looked light and a visor covered his eyes. Sora spotted white stone along the walls of the docking bay, just like the exterior of the city. Workers in blue uniforms stocked various supplies.

  “Is there a problem, officer?” Natalia said, halting a few feet away from the man.

  “We were just surprised to see this ship in Idil, ma’am,” the man said.

  What did that mean?

  “Is there a problem?” Natalia repeated.

  “What is your business here?” he said. His tone sounded kind enough, but Sora still found this suspicious.

  “I am here to see Governor Jet Arbol,” Natalia said, motioning to the city beyond the docking bay. Sora could see sunlight peeking through the door.

  The officer took a second to reply. “That’s a high demand.”

  “Please send him a message for me,” Natalia said, bowing slightly. “Tell him that Nat is coming. He’ll let me in.”

  “Very well, ma’am. I’ll pass along the message.”

  The officer turned and walked away, leaving the exit open on his way out. Sora considered that a good sign, but the officer’s original hesitancy still seemed odd. What alarmed him about the Killer?

  “That was easy,” Trika said, scratching her back. “You sure it’s not a trap, Valie?”

  Natalia laughed. “No. It’s just the way things are done here. I can tell that this is foreign to all of you,” she said. She walked toward the bright light. “Come. Let’s head to the Consortium.”

  “Consortium?” Talek said, grunting. They all kept in step with Natalia as she walked through the opening. “What do you mean?”

  “The capital was named the Consortium,” Natalia said. Sora led the rest of the crew through the opening and winced as sunlight hit him. As his eyes adjusted, he saw a row of small, square, stone buildings. None looked very secure, but people didn’t seem to mind as they crowded the streets. “The people of Adli want it to represent the fact that the government represents the whole population. The population works together to benefit the city.”

  Natalia still appeared unaffected, but the rest of the crew crowded closer together as they strolled into the fray of people. Sora enjoyed seeing normal citizens. He heard laughing and chatting as they passed people dressed in simple robes and casual pants. However, the amount of them seemed to take most of the crew off-guard.

  Sora noticed that Fi immediately tensed. Scout, Nait and Naos clung to the middle of the group. Talek stuck out his armored shoulders to keep others out of his personal bubble. Viktor stayed close to Sora’s back. Considering the situation, Sora didn’t blame them. He almost felt the same way but he wanted to remember this place had not threatened them.

  “Bettina never mentioned any of that, Natalia,” Scout said. Sora glanced back to see her throw her hood back down. She squeezed herself past Talek and beside Viktor. “It feels weird to be in society. Not hiding.”

  “Scout,” Naos said, trying to pull her back. “Be careful.”

  “Chill out, Blondie, we’re fine.”

  “We encountered instant tension on our last two planets, so it’s natural that peace would make us uncomfortable,” Viktor said. Sora watched Viktor’s eyes examine the city and develop an opinion. Sora knew him too well.

  “Nothing like Con, that’s for sure,” Nait said, scoffing. He walked beside Naos and kept his hood up. “Everyone hid in their homes. Always.”

  They passed a line of small, wooden carts along both sides of the busy streets. Sora saw multiple types of food, knickknacks and other valuables dispersed among the group. Local commerce boomed here. Sora enjoyed seeing that, too.

  “You wanna buy something, Sora, or look at where we’re actually going?” Trika said, slapping him on the shoulder. He looked forward again.

  He saw a tall, bronze tower in the distance. Sora didn’t see any other tall buildings, so this tower overlooked the rest of the city. The tower looked slim, but Sora saw one landing pad that stuck out to the left of the tower. It seemed to sit at the head of Idil as well. Sora assumed this sparkling structure served as the Consortium.

  “The walk isn’t long,” Natalia said. None of this fazed her. She wiggled her way through another group of people. Sora heard Trika grumble as they did the same.

  “It would be unwise to be in a busy environment for too long,” Fi said, eyeing each citizen that bustled past the crew. “Greater risk of exposure.”

  “Yeah, probably unwise to be in it as long as we already have been,” Trika said with a groan. “Get us there, Senator. I’m a little claustrophobic. That or I just don’t like people.”

  “Has your sister always loved to act like the queen of the universe?” Scout said quietly, leaning toward Sora. She rolled her eyes in Trika’s direction.

  Now, that made Sora laugh. “Yeah, she has. I think growing up without adults can do that to some people.”

  Scout snorted. “Don’t use the orphan excuse on me, Sora.”

  “This is one of the few places untouched by everything else in the nebula,” Talek said. He stepped closer to Sora, Scout and Viktor. “Untouched by the havoc. Considering galactic circumstances, it can’t stay that way for long.”

  “For these people’s sakes, I hope it holds on as long as it can,” Sora said, frowning as he looked at the people around them again. He saw a mother skipping with her toddler. A man carrying his daughter and holding a bag of food from one of the stalls. A middle-aged couple escorting an old man into his home. “It’s good to see that innocence still exists.”

  “Innocence always meets its end,” Talek said. He looked at Sora and grimaced. “You and I both know that.”

  Sora couldn’t disagree.

  “Yeah, well, let’s just hope this innocence holds on long enough for Nait, Naos and I to grab a bite to eat,” Scout said, turning sideways as they passed through another cluster of people. “Getting tired of ship food. No offense, Sora.”

  Natalia picked up the pace and the others followed suit. Sora tried to stay beside Scout, reaching into his pocket. She had mentioned their plans to break off from the crew and relax. Sora wanted them to do that because they rarely had a chance to.

  They needed to have caution, though.

  “Speaking of which,” Sora said, pulling a small, slick dagger out of his pocket. He also pulled out a small, square communicator. “I grabbed these for you before we left.”

  Scout grabbed the comm but raised an eyebrow at the dagger. “I have a gun.”

  So
ra held the dagger out farther. “A dagger is a little less conspicuous, don’t you think?”

  “Packs a better punch, too,” Talek said, chuckling. “Swords and knives are less messy than a gun, you know. Just as much blood, but less burns and holes in the wall.”

  Scout eyed Sora, grabbed the dagger and fiddled with it. She looked down and twirled it in her left hand as sunlight glistened off the clean silver. Finally, she smirked and stuck it in her back pocket.

  Sora looked forward again. Natalia stopped as they reached tall, black gates. Two men with red armor and spears guarded them. Natalia gave them a nod of respect and one stepped forward. His clunky boots rattled as they moved across the stone below. He pressed his spear to his chest.

  “Nat is here to see Governor Jet Arbol,” Natalia said. Her hood still hid her face.

  “Landing control informed us of your visit. Permission is granted, but Captain Nelson requests that you speak with him first,” the guard said, stepping out of the way. Sora heard a creak as the gates swung open.

  Natalia strolled onward. As the crew followed, Talek nudged Sora. Sora detected an uneasy feeling in his stomach as he focused on that name. Captain Nelson. “That doesn’t sound like a good sign, Sora,” Talek said. “Could be an officer.”

  Talek’s statement made sense, but Sora wanted to hope for the best. He stepped closer to Natalia, walking by her side. “Friend of yours?”

  Natalia glanced at Sora, pulling her head back. Sunlight highlighted the perplexed look on her face. “No. I’m not sure who he is.”

  “Whoever he is, Captain, speak wisely,” Viktor said. He still walked behind Sora. “The man is up ahead.”

  One gray-haired, six-foot-tall man stood in front of the red double doors to the Consortium. Three other guards stood behind him and they looked identical to the gate guards. This older man, however, wore silver armor. Sora spotted black padding underneath his chest plates. A gray beard outlined his face, but it didn’t hide the wrinkles underneath. A scar marked his right eye.

  Sora also spotted a heavy assault rifle on his belt. This man came prepared.

  “Remove your hood, ma’am,” the rugged man said. He motioned to Nait and Naos in the middle of the group. “Those two as well.”

  Talek shook his head at Nait and Naos. Natalia kept her hands at her side. “That depends, sir. Does Governor Arbol know that I am here?”

  The man, presumably Captain Nelson, didn’t move. “That won’t matter if you don’t follow my orders.”

  Viktor tapped Sora’s shoulder. “Captain, I would advise that Senator Valie do as the officer says,” he said, whispering. “We are not in a place to bargain.”

  Whether Natalia heard the suggestion or not, she ignored it. “Captain Nelson, answer my question. Does the Governor know that I am here?”

  Nelson took two steps. His face hardened more than it already had. Talek, Fi and Trika stepped forward as he did, crowding behind Natalia. Naos and Nait both hopped to Scout’s side. Scout remained still, staring at Nelson.

  “He’s aware that you have arrived and he would like to meet with you,” Nelson said. His eyes took in the entire crew. “As his head of security, I asked that I see it for myself.”

  Natalia craned her neck in Naos and Nait’s direction. “Do it.”

  “Senator—” Naos started.

  Natalia didn’t let him finish. She removed her hood and her long, curly hair flowed down to her back. Sora noticed that her tender face kept a neutral expression. Nait and Naos followed in removing their hoods. Nelson shook his head, growling again. He stepped back.

  “Senator Valie and the three kid fugitives,” Nelson said. Scout growled back, reaching for her back pocket. Naos and Nait both clung to her side, reaching for their own weapons. “Invading the tranquility of Adli.”

  Sora shook his head at the teenagers, holding his hand up toward Nelson. “If the Governor wishes to meet with us, then I’d suggest that you let us through, Captain. We don’t want any trouble.”

  Nelson glanced at Sora, grunting. He stepped to the left and his guards did the same. “You may proceed, Senator, but if it were my decision you’d all be under arrest.”

  Natalia strolled forward as the double doors opened. Scout, Nait and Naos removed their hands from their sides and pockets. As the crew proceeded inside, Sora caught Trika glaring at Nelson. The three teenagers walked close to Sora.

  “Scout, this is already too risky,” Naos said. He glanced around the foyer. “I say we make a break for it now.”

  Scout rolled her eyes, waving her hand. “No, I need to be here to see what this guy has. After that, we can go eat.”

  Nait nodded. “Naos, don’t pee your pants just yet. We’re fine.”

  Sora tuned out of the conversation to take in the narrow room. Light blue wooden walls stood on both sides of him. Three bright chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Intricate, old-fashioned paintings of trees, plants and animals sat on the walls. Interpretations of the world outside the city.

  A grand staircase encompassed the widest part of the room. A man who looked to be in his thirties stood at the top. A short, collared robe adorned most of his body. He sported a crew- cut, red hairstyle. He opened his arms and smiled. “Natalia Valie. I can’t believe my eyes.”

  Natalia climbed the steps, opening her arms in return. “Thanks to my new friends, I decided to accept your invite,” she said as she went in for a hug. They embraced. “I can’t express my gratitude you agreed to let me in. I know how risky it is.”

  Jet buried his face in Natalia’s shoulder, still smiling. Sora rose an eyebrow. Perhaps this man meant more to her than an old friend.

  “I’m just glad that you are safe,” Jet said, releasing her. He rubbed her shoulders, which made Sora uncomfortable. “Bettina wants your head.”

  Natalia laughed. “I’m aware. I hope that what you have can help with that.”

  Jet sighed, putting his arms down. He shook his head, looking from Natalia to the group that stood at the bottom of the stairs. “I’ve never seen anything like it, Nat. I don’t know what to make of it. Maybe you can.”

  “You seem so troubled by it,” Natalia said, frowning. “Tell me what it is, Jet.”

  His concern also made Sora uncomfortable. Had they come here for nothing? Sora climbed the steps, extending a hand toward Jet. “Let’s try to remain optimistic. I am Captain Sora Trok of the Killer.”

  Jet grabbed his hand. “A pleasure to have you and your crew here, Captain. I think it would be best if I showed rather than tell.”

  Jet grimaced, turning and walking away. Natalia blinked and glanced at Sora before following. The rest of the crew climbed the steps with Talek leading the way. As he reached the top, he sighed.

  “This is troublesome, Sora,” Talek said. “His lack of confidence does not bode well.”

  “I agree,” Naos said. “We could still turn back.”

  Scout shoved her way past both of them. “It’s this or nothing. Let’s go.”

  “Governor!” a voice said, booming throughout the foyer. They all turned to see Nelson stomping into the Consortium. He raised his fist as Jet again appeared between Sora and Natalia. “Are you really letting them through? Your friend and her three young accomplices are criminals of our government. We need to make contact now with the Queen. Landing control has already sent—”

  “Captain,” Jet said, cutting him off. His voice held a gentle but stern tone. “Your job is to keep this planet and myself safe. We are all unharmed. Do your job and let me do mine.”

  He turned and exited again. The rest followed and, as the foyer disappeared out of sight, Sora kept an eye on Nelson. The soldier didn’t follow, but the scowl fixed on his face remained in Sora’s head. Fi came into Sora’s view before he faced forward, locking eyes with him.

  “A snake comes in many forms,” she said. “Watch for that man.”

  Sora didn’t respond. He looked ahead, noticing this hallway did not have much width or length. A large, ci
rcular elevator sat directly in front of the crew. Jet pressed several buttons to his right and metallic doors swooshed open. He walked inside, motioning for the crew to follow.

  “My apologies for my captain. He is a dedicated man,” Nelson said, keying in a code on the number pad as the crew made their way inside. Sora did not feel as crowded as he expected upon entering. “He is not aware of what I am about to show you. In fact, no one other than myself knows about this.”

  The doors shut, securing everyone inside. Without a sound, the elevator descended. Sora moved his feet along the tiled floor, feeling the elevator plummet. When they entered the Consortium, they entered the first floor. This elevator had nowhere lower to go and yet it descended. The Consortium held something underground.

  “Okay, I’ve tried to be quiet, but you’re speaking really cryptically here,” Trika said, pushing Nait aside as she drew closer to Jet. He groaned and facepalmed. “What are you talking about?”

  “Trika,” Scout said, hissing. “Fall back.”

  “Kid, I just want to kno—”

  “No, it’s understandable,” Jet said. He sighed again, focusing on Natalia. “Three weeks ago, the day after the takeover happened, I was contacted by a man. He knew that the takeover was more than it appeared to be and he said he wanted to take action. He was building something to fight back and he needed the support of planetary governments. Financial backing and supplies. Because of our reputation, Adli was the first planet he turned to.”

  Natalia’s eyes widened. “Who is he? Where is he from?”

  “A scientist from the planet of Catalan.”

  That planet didn’t register with Sora. He had never heard of it. He looked at Viktor and Talek who both shrugged. Sora looked back to Natalia who remained focus on Jet. Her eyebrows rose.

  “Catalan? That planet isn’t under the Queen’s control. In fact, I thought that Catalanians were all extinct.”

  Jet narrowed his eyes. “Exactly. First, I wanted to dismiss it, but I have seen the consequences of Parliament’s slaughter. All remaining governors are cowering at her feet, begging for their lives. No matter how much the Queen has censored the media, most citizens know that she’s ruling with an iron hand and they are living in terror.”