The Prevalence: Sequel and Final Book of The Premortals (The Premortals Series 2)

by Jacqueline Wrenley

  “We have three minutes,” Nigel announced again.

  We picked up the pace, pausing at every corner to see if there were more incoming guards. We were near the stairs when shots were fired at us from behind, grazing Devon by the arm and went through one of our men. We fired back, Nigel knelt down and checked the pulse on the neck of our fallen comrade then he stared at me and shook his head. We left the lifeless body behind and opened the door to the stairs. We were running down and I could hear our heavy breathing and the footsteps of our pursuant from behind. We fired above delaying the guards following us.

  We finally reached the ground floor when Nigel said, “Three… Two… One…”

  A huge explosion shook the entire facility. A part of the ceiling beam fell and heavy smoke of dust came crashing from above. We hurriedly jumped out the door of the staircase just in time to miss it. Then there was blackout inside the building but the lights from the outside coming through the large windows of the front entrance made it easy for us to run towards the exit.

  We emerged to the outdoor grounds running towards the collapsed wall that was to be our escape out of here. Shots were fired at us coming from the Protectors who arrived and from the guards who pursued us from behind. We took cover behind a large pillar. The concrete wall cracked around the holes as bullets came flying into it. They had us surrounded in all directions.

  “We’re trapped,” Devon said loudly from the other pillar with the others. His upper arm bleeding from his wound earlier.

  We struggle hiding behind the pillars taking constant fire from the Protectors and the guards, alternately trying our best to fire back when there was an opening.

  “Should we make a run for it?” Nigel suggested in an alarmed voice.

  Sticking my head out from the pillar, I glanced briefly at the hole on the wall, and then returned quickly for cover before bullets came flying again.

  “No, the hole is guarded as well,” I said in despair.

  There were no signs of the other team who destroyed the wall. I didn’t see any way for us to get out of here, this was it then. The pillars started to crack more and barely holding its weight, part of it was slowly crumbling down by the relentless firing. Finally the firing stopped but it didn’t mean anything good, they were aware there was nowhere for us to go and soon we’d run out of ammunition.

  There was silence, hearing only our heavy breathing and the crumbling concrete from the pillar. A sudden rush of hopelessness came over. The first thing that came to my mind was Ellie. There was a heavy feeling of regret weighing on me. I should’ve been more affectionate to her when I went to see her before she left. I should’ve said more like ‘I love you’ or ‘Take care of yourself’. Instead I was contented with a tight hug and gazed at her saying ‘I’ll see you’, and hoping it wasn’t going to be our last time. My insecurities with her friendship with Devon shrouded everything I wanted to say to her and now it was too late…

  I closed my eyes and leaned against the pillar. There was no way out of this, they were too many, we’d no choice but to surrender and what happens after was they could shoot us where we stood or take us prisoners. Either way, both meant forfeiting our lives. I only hope Ellie was safe wherever she was.

  “Look!” Nigel suddenly blurted.

  I opened my eyes and turned. I saw Nigel pointing to the skies. I looked up and there was a black shuttle hovering over us.

  “I can’t believe it,” Nigel shouted enthusiastically.

  “Is that…” my voice trailed off.

  “Ambrose!” Nigel declared.

  CHAPTER 12: CROSSROADS

  ELAINE

  It was one thing shooting targets back at the shooting range but it was far more different firing at someone who was actually alive. We encountered some of the palace guards while making our way through the secret passages, shots were fired but I’ve yet to use my weapon. I followed Thomas who was quick with his gun, along with five others covering the rear. I could hear the faint sounds of gunshots and explosions on the palace grounds outside as Quinlan was trying to break through the front gates.

  The magnificent palace was breathtaking even in the dark, with its high ceilings, carpeted floors, and walls furnished with actual gold. Too bad we’re not here to admire the view. Everything Roland told me were accurate, I admit I was slightly surprised, I guess he hated his father more than anything, even the downfall of his soon to be Empire didn’t faze him.

  We were on our way to the Emperor’s private chambers. Roland told me by this time his father would be there drinking and smoking cigars, thinking by himself.

  He mentioned this was his father’s alone time, a habit of envisioning the future of the Empire. “After he sleeps with his Elite mistress of course,” Roland added nonchalantly.

  Of course, the Sovereign’s lifestyles were no different from the Elites and Alphas.

  “So you see my little flower, your Defiers are fighting for a fair world. I agree with being fair to the lower stations… being fair of course in spreading the pleasures to whoever was willing to give and accept it…” Roland laughed loudly, extremely drunk by this time. In the end, he was still making fun of what the Defiers were fighting for or maybe his ignorance was tenfold whenever he was drunk.

  We were hiding behind the secret door leading to the Emperor’s private chamber, silently waiting in the dark passage while Thomas went near the door trying to hear if there were more people on the other side. I leaned on the wall with my guard up, preparing myself for Thomas’ signal to proceed, keeping my breath as steady as possible with eyes never leaving Thomas. Then he finally faced us and nodded. I stood up alert with my handgun ready. Thomas gave us one last look before he pushed the door hard and went in first. I quickly followed behind him pointing my gun forward.

  Thomas raised his firearm towards the Emperor wearing a black cotton robe, holding a cigar and appeared to be alone standing near a window.

  “Don’t move,” Thomas demanded.

  The Emperor was clearly startled by our presence. I’ve seen him before in newspapers and sometimes in the moving holograms and he looked slightly different in person. He was bigger and taller than I presumed him to be. His built was the total opposite of Roland, stronger and powerful with his black hair and beard. Compared to Roland, the Emperor had this fearless and daunting aura.

  “How did you find out about the passages?” the Emperor bellowed loudly with a deep voice.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Thomas replied.

  The squad quickly searched the room to see if there was anybody else. They returned and announced everything was clear.

  “You are Defiers,” the Emperor stated in a harsh tone.

  “Yes, and you’re going to follow us slowly downstairs and order your men at the gates to stand down,” Thomas instructed.

  The Emperor glared at Thomas unmoved. “Do you think I am going to do that? Then you are terribly mistaken,” he said darkly and continued, “You are all going to pay for this treasonous act.”

  “I’ll say it again, you’re going to order your men to stand down,” Thomas repeated, ignoring him and still pointing his gun.

  The Emperor glared at him intensely. “Or what?”

  Thomas didn’t say anything.

  “I thought so. Your threats are empty, same as what you are all doing here. The Empire will prevail even long after I am gone. It has been for more than centuries and would never fall by the likes of you,” the Emperor said.

  “Enough talk! Let’s go,” Thomas commanded impatiently, nodding his head towards the door.

  “Whatever you are trying to do, your efforts are futile,” the Emperor said with conviction.

  Thomas walked closer to him and pointed his gun at the Emperor’s forehead.

  “Is this reason enough?” Thomas strongly threatening him, glaring with brows crossed.

  The Emperor didn’t stir and showed no effort of following Thomas.

  “I am a descendant of great Emperors. What makes you
think I would obey you?” he said with sinister intent, glaring sharply at Thomas.

  “Because people are fighting back,” I blurted firmly, tired of his arrogance.

  He turned his head towards me wearing a stern face, frowning for speaking back to him in such a manner.

  “Fighting back? You are dreaming girl. People are still hiding inside their homes. They would never dare attack their Emperor who has given them peace and order. Without me there will be havoc, hunger and depletion, and you will be lying in a ditch somewhere, homeless and starving if it was not for the Empire. We created balance and stability for all,” he declared proudly.

  “Without opportunities for the lower stations, your balance is corrupt,” I stated disgusted by his beliefs. His Empire was never just, especially to the lower stations. His balance created more suffering than stability.

  “Sacrifices had to be made for the greater good,” he countered.

  Greater good? The Elites and the Alphas didn’t deserve the privilege they had. There were a lot more Omegas who worked hard for them and should be allowed the same privilege, and they were the sacrifice? They should be given the same opportunities, not a life of servitude without means of rising above their talents or capabilities.

  “Maybe the Prince will be more receptive… ” I said.

  The Emperor sneered. “Him? If it was up to me, I would have left him with the Defiers and spare me all of this trouble but any act of defiance against me should never be tolerated. Yes, he will be Emperor one day. Will he be a great one? Far from it! It is fortunate though he would not be making the decisions when his time would come. My Lord Generals are making sure of it.”

  “The way you talk about your son, speaks the kind of Emperor you are…” I said loathing.

  He scoffed without being distress. “I care more of the Empire than my own son. It says a lot about me as Emperor.”

  “So surrender if you do care for the Empire and save it from destruction,” I said.

  “What do you think I am doing here? I am saving it from people like you who revel on disorder.”

  I was about to speak but a voice suddenly announced itself from behind.

  “And so the good for nothing son returns!”

  I turned around and saw Roland speaking in a mocking way and following him was Olfren holding a rifle and a few Defiers with weapons emerging from the secret door we came in.

  “Olfren! What are you doing here?” Thomas asked startled.

  “I’m here on Ryder’s orders,” he answered.

  “How did you get away from the Corps?” I asked puzzled.

  Roland smirked. “It is quite simple actually… We sneaked out from the Corps and came straight here. The same way you did,” Roland responded with a smug look.

  “But why?” I asked further.

  “Oh, I made a deal with your leader that I will abdicate the throne, in return for safety and security and a manor when this is all over, and of course a chance to look at my father in the face one last time,” Roland added grinning.

  I wasn’t made aware of this plan and the puzzled look on Thomas and Olfren told me they weren’t too. Roland must’ve reached out to Ryder in fear for his life or maybe Ryder did, to bring Roland here but for what exactly?

  “You fool!” the Emperor shouted.

  Roland chuckled. “Tsk… tsk… Dear father, did you really think I want to be like you? Following your Lord General’s orders and be their puppet while they think of me as incompetent behind my back. Did you really think I did not know what you were planning all this time? I do have little eyes and ears in my service, loyal to me you know.”

  The Emperor gave a menacing laugh. “What did you expect? What would you do when you become Emperor? Hmm? More parties and getting drunk? That is what you are only good at.”

  “You have not given me a chance…” Roland said frowning.

  “I gave you plenty of chances, you only squandered it away with your fashion and your… art,” the Emperor said in disgust. “The Lord General controlling you, I only did it because you failed miserably at everything.”

  Roland’s eyes were full of anger and resentment. “And who is to blame for that?”

  “Cut this family drama. It’s time for us to leave,” Olfren interrupted, annoyed.

  “No no, this might be my last chance to talk to him,” Roland said, glancing at Olfren then back at the Emperor. “You were saying?”

  The Emperor glared at Roland with anger, crossing his brows and jaws tightened. “You are a disgrace to our family, siding with them over me... You should be grateful, at least I planned to make you Emperor instead of getting rid of you and give the crown to your brother,” the Emperor roared.

  “Then why didn’t you?” Roland asked.

  “Because of the scandal it would create. I will not allow you to destroy our lineage, even if you are unworthy.”

  Roland shook his head. “So there is no chance for me then…,” he said solemnly and sighed heavily. “Oh well, my purpose here is fulfilled, time to do my end of the bargain,” Roland said with a melodic tone.

  In a swift motion, with everyone barely had no time to react. Roland turned and took the handgun from Olfren’s side waist and aimed it directly at the Emperor and shot him, one… two… three times successively on the chest and he fell back on the floor with a loud thud.

  Instinctively, we quickly pointed our weapons at Roland, stunned by what he just did and cautious he might do the same to us since he hadn’t proven he was fully trustworthy. He dropped his weapon on the floor and raised his hands.

  The lifeless body of the Emperor was now lying over a pool of his blood with blank eyes wide opened.

  “I just made your jobs a lot easier,” Roland said, grinning widely with no trace of regret.

  ***

  After Quinlan finally breached through the front gates, the incident in Kairos was broadcast all over the moving holograms while we were still at the scene, using the hacking program Nigel made. This was Ryder’s idea to stir the citizens once they saw the destruction of the Numen system and the attack on the palace. Quinlan announced the death of the Emperor and showed the lifeless body, and he used Roland to give the order to all the Corps to surrender.

  From the Emperor’s chamber balcony, the bright fire burning in the dark coming from the Numen facility seemed to be spreading throughout the area. Short burst was heard as the fire engulfed everything on its path. The sight of the flames gave me a sick feeling in my stomach, I hope Curtis got out.

  I approached Quinlan. “Have you heard from Curtis?” I asked.

  Quinlan faced me. “We got word they’re safe. We saw a shuttle from Blackard firing over the facility. I guess Curtis’ friends came through after all.”

  I was extremely relieved when I heard it and at the same time surprised a shuttle from Ambrose was here. I didn’t know anything about it since Curtis never mentioned it. Ambrose decided to help his friends after all.

  After the Protectors and the palace guards surrendered, we cleared the palace and finally arrived at the rendezvous point, the shuttle docks where we first arrived here. It was when I exited the departure terminal on our way to our air shuttle outside that I saw Curtis already there waiting to board his shuttle.

  “Curtis!” I called out to him.

  He turned, saw me and walked straight to my direction looking extremely happy. I approached him half way almost running. Then we were in each other’s arms and I held him so tight, nothing could compare to this sense of belongingness to him and him to me.

  He sighed deeply. “I’m so glad you’re safe,” Curtis said in a low voice, still hugging me.

  I smiled widely. Before this, all I could think about was his safety and if there was still a tomorrow for us, but now that we were reunited, the worry simply faded without leaving any trace to be remembered.

  We were gazing at each other, smiling, chuckling, overjoyed we were both safe. Then we made our way towards the shuttle that brought me and
Thomas to Kairos. Curtis wrapped his arm around my shoulder and I around his waist. We were walking forward when my eyes wandered and glimpsed Devon standing near the shuttle beside ours and the wound on his arm was being attended to. He stared back at me and his expression was neither cold nor happy then I quickly looked away.

  It was still dark outside but it’d be dawn soon flying back to Gelhem. Everybody was exhausted sitting silently on their seats against the wall of the shuttle. Some were asleep including Nigel and Roland or probably just closing their eyes, some were staring to nowhere in particular. Olfren sat not far from Roland keeping a close eye on him while Quinlan was in the cockpit and Thomas in his solitary corner.

  I rested my head on Curtis’ shoulder and tried to get some rest myself but the events happening today was still clear in my head and kept me awake. So I gave up trying and sat up instead.

  My eyes were on Curtis and he was focusing straight ahead. Leaning back on his seat and crossing his arms on his chest, I could tell he was deep in thought.

  “Are you alright?” I asked deeply concerned.

  My voice broke his concentration. He seemed unsure at first then turned to face me wearing a subtle smile.

  “I’m fine, just a lot on my mind lately,” he answered trying to sound sweet.

  “You want to talk about it?” I offered in a soft voice.

  “Not here… I need to tell you something when we get back to Gelhem.”

  For some reason, his tone sounded grave despite his trying to keep the smile on his face. The sound of his voice bothered me, so I decided to change the subject to a much lighter atmosphere.

  “I heard Ambrose came to your rescue,” I said attempting to sound more cheerful.

  Curtis face brightened. “Yeah, it turns out Nigel talked to Ambrose about our plans before we left for Kairos but he didn’t know he would send his shuttle. If it wasn’t for Ambrose, I don’t know what would’ve happen to us back there.”

  I smiled. “Ambrose saved the day,” I said.