Suki bent down so that she grasped the front of her glider. Bates copied her and gave her a challenging smirk. Lena stepped closer to the railing, her heart pounding in excitement. She loved the excited energy bouncing in the air. A horn sounded and the racers took off in a flash. Lena leaned over the railing trying to see who was winning but only could only see the empty track they’d left behind. People behind her pushed into her back trying to see the track. Someone pulled on her shirt. Ollie stood next to her now. He gave her a big smile, looked down the track, and started to cheer Suki’s name. She heard that noise again, of air being forced, and Suki flew past in the opposite direction from which Lena was looking. Suki was ahead, but only by a few glider lengths. Bates was catching up. Around and around they went. Lena wasn’t sure how long the race would take, but Suki stayed in the lead the whole time with Bates moving between second and fifth place behind her. He was fearless but less consistent in how he moved through riders.
The final lap was announced. Suki flew over the finish line triumphantly raising both hands in the air. Bates came in second. Lena didn’t recognize the rest of the riders. Lena cheered for Suki as the music got louder. It had a heavy beat that got the crowd jumping. Suki jumped back over the railing. Pulling the helmet off her head, she shook out her hair. She motioned them to tables arranged in the corner of the hanger. As they pushed through the crowd, Lena couldn’t help but bounce on her feet to the music. She felt Gideon’s hand on her shoulder as they navigated the crowd. Sitting down, Suki motioned to a waitress who brought them all drinks.
“Put it on my tab, Titus,” Suki called. The server smiled and gave her a small salute.
Lena took a sip of her drink. The fizziness burned her nose and made her cough. Gideon and Suki laughed and took a swig of their own.
“What is this?” Lena asked.
“Do you like it?” Suki asked. “They had it in the old world. It’s not particularly healthy, but it sure is tasty.”
Lena took another sip. She did like how it tasted. Gideon turned back to the screens showing the races. As Zoons passed, several slapped him on the shoulder and welcomed him to the Zoons. They’d nod their heads at Lena, point to their eye, and give a lazy salute—their way of saying they were watching out for her. Lena felt safe for the first time in a long time. She watched Gideon, trying to judge his thoughts without asking. His shoulders relaxed and he sat slouched back in his chair. He looked calm and after a while he scanned the room less frequently. She sat back in her chair, staring at the screen but not really caring about who was winning or losing. Tern was the most alert, watching the crowds come and go. But even he didn’t seem worried about where they were or who surrounded them.
The music stopped and the announcer called for open racers. “What’s that?” yelled Gideon.
“It’s for anyone who wants to race. Mostly a chance for newbies to get noticed,” Suki replied.
Gideon smiled and jumped to his feet. “Suki, if I may,” he said, grabbing her glider. He didn’t wait for a response as he bolted through the crowd towards the racetrack. Suki laughed and grabbed Lena’s arm.
“Come on,” she called, dragging Lena towards the racetrack.
What in the world was Gideon doing? He still wore the protective riding outfit. And by the time Lena and Suki had made it to the front, someone had given him a helmet and pair of goggles.
“Gideon,” Lena yelled. “You’re crazy.”
Gideon gave her a boyish grin before bending down and grabbing the front of Suki’s glider. The starting bell sounded and the racers were off. Gideon was the last off the starting line. He crossed back and forth trying to find a way through the gliders. When they rounded the corner, Lena lost view of them, so she stepped back to watch the races on the screen overhead. Gideon had pushed through one rider and with a sudden jerk advanced in front of another. There were five more riders in front of him. The race was close. Lena heard them, then felt the swish of air as they flew past her. Gideon was third to the last now. Four people in front of him. Lena couldn’t help but stare. He was doing so well, moving from one position to another. The crowds had noticed, too, and anytime he increased his lead, the Zoons started to go wild. They were on the last lap now. Gideon was in third place. The racers increased their speed. Gideon moved his glider higher and lower trying to find a way to the front. Lena could hear them coming. She turned to look. Gideon was flying sideways. Crouched low to his glider. He passed into second place just as he crossed the finish line. Lena was cheering so loud. She jumped over the railing along with Suki and a crowd of fans.
“What were you thinking?” Lena screamed, as he came over to them. She couldn’t hide her smile.
Gideon shrugged his shoulders. “You seemed safe enough with Suki. I thought I’d have a little fun before smuggling you off planet.”
Lena held her smile but stepped back. Gideon’s words stung. She forced a congratulations then slipped back towards their table before she had a chance to ruin Gideon’s fun.
***
Standing around a hologram, Lena rubbed her eyes as she listened to Evren. They’d stayed out late the night before, watching races and relaxing. Lena was so exhausted that by the time Suki had shown her where to sleep, she crawled into bed and didn’t wake up until late afternoon.
She walked down the halls of the Opera House until she found Evren, Tern, Gideon and Suki in the same room Ollie had first brought them the day before. Gideon smiled at her as she walked up to stand next to him.
“I’ve accessed the footage of the attack on the Defence Facility,” Evren said. “But I’m afraid you won’t have much luck trying to find where they took your friend. They cloaked their planes. You’d have to access the Priestess’ system to find your friend’s location.”
“Do you have access to her system?” Lena asked.
“No. But I happen to know there is a system in The Port that has that information,” Suki said.
“A system you sold to someone in The Port, no doubt,” Gideon added.
“A system not guarded by the Priestess or her Defenses,” Suki added.
“Where?” Tern asked.
“The Genossian consulate,” Suki answered.
“How do they have access to the Priestess’ computer system, and you don’t?” Gideon asked.
Suki smiled. “He paid us more for exclusive rights. Doesn’t mean we can’t get them back when the price is right. Or in your case, the cause. But even if we get you to the computer, I can’t guarantee you’ll find what you’re looking for,” Suki said. “Neither the Zoons nor the Consulate have been able to break through the Priestess’ security.”
“That’s not a problem,” Lena said. “I can get Tern past the Priestess’ security.” All eyes turned towards Lena. “I can access the Priestess’ system undetected. It’s a long story, but I can do it.”
“No, Lena,” Gideon said. “We’re finding Tarek and leaving Mir.”
Lena bit her lip, she didn’t want to fight him. “Gideon, I’m not arguing with you. This is a way we can help my friend. My friend who was captured because of me.”
“You should let her help. If she has a way to bypass the system’s security, then the most dangerous part is getting into The Port—which you have to do anyway,” Suki said.
Gideon gave Suki an unappreciative look.
“Dorry did something to my insignia. I can do it,” Lena explained, holding out her hand for them to see the Priestess’ insignia. She surged with hope. She had found a way to help. And stay on Mir a little longer.
“Dorry?” Evren’s eyes went wide. “Do you mean Dorrijan?”
Zeke had also used the name Dorrijan when referring to Dorry. “Yes, I believe that’s his real name,” Lena respond. “I only knew him as Dorry.”
“Dorrijan is only the greatest inventor of all time,” Evren went on. “I mean, he’s brilliant. Most of the technology used today have elements he invented in them. He’s a genius. Absolute genius. His tech is the reason I can’t
break into the Priestess’ system. It’s also the reason I can break into the IMA’s.” Evren chuckled. “Kind of funny if you ask me.”
Gideon crossed his arms over his chest and stood with his feet shoulder width apart. The creases in his forehead furrowed. “Fine,” Gideon said. “I’ll help you break into the Defense’s system. Then we’re leaving.” Gideon gave Lena a pointed look.
Lena smiled unabashedly. She was excited they were staying and this would give her more time to find a way to stay permanently. “I’m assuming 1 that the Zoons have a way to get into The Port unnoticed,” Lena said.
Suki smiled. “Of course I do.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lena stood on the edge of the cliff. The wind blew around her. She looked down and noticed she was in a dress. What was she doing in a dress? And why was she on the edge of the cliff? She searched the span. Had she been here before and why was it all so familiar? She gazed into the chasm below her. A group of people stood at the bottom all looking at her. Their screams terrified her.
“You must save them, Evangeline.” Lena looked to her right. Xenia the mystic, stood next to her.
“I don’t know how,” Lena whispered.
“Destroy her technology and she’ll have no way to control them. Give them something to fight for, and they’ll free themselves,” Xenia said, her voice humming through the air.
The world started falling away from her. The ground below her gave way. She started falling into the chasm. She gasped.
“Evangeline, wake up.” Lena jolted to a sitting position. Suki sat across from her. A table sat between them. Lena clenched the medallion in her hand. It took a few seconds before she remembered where she was. She sat up and looked around.
She was in the room in which she first met Suki. Only a few Zoons sat amongst the worn out furniture. Their conversations sounded like a low hum in the background. She must have dozed off. Lena looked across the room. Evren stood beside Gideon in front of a hologram. The hologram was replaying the scene at the waterfall. They were still analyzing Zeke’s behavior. Evren’s arms flew wildly as he talked. Gideon nodded and asked something inaudibly. She couldn’t have been asleep long. She noticed the box in front of her still filled with the broken pieces of the device. Lena fiddled absentmindedly with the box. She and Evren had examined the contents together before Evren asked to see the footage of Zeke to get a better understanding of what the device’s purpose was.
“You were screaming in your sleep,” Suki said across the table.
Lena hunched in her seat and looked to see if anyone else noticed.
“No one here cares,” Suki said. “We all have nightmares.” Lena looked at the Zoons around the room. Seeing their physical scars verified they must have emotional scars to accompany them. “What were you dreaming about?” Suki asked.
Lena looked back to Gideon. His arms were crossed in front of him and they kept flexing like he was ready to hit something.
“The night Everleigh was attacked, Gideon and I, met a mystic. The same one who gave me this necklace.” Lena grabbed at the necklace around her neck. “When I touched it, I was thrown into a vision. I saw Gideon on the other side of a cliff, but I couldn’t reach him.”
“And now you’re having this same vision in the form of a dream?” Suki summed up. Lena thought for sure her friend wouldn’t believe her, but Suki didn’t look phased by the confession. She looked interested, like she wanted to understand what was happening.
Lena shrugged. “The same, but a little different each time. Am I going crazy, Suki?”
“Probably,” Suki said with a nonchalant smirk. Her accusation made Lena relax and laugh. Suki still acted so much like she used to. Free with her thoughts and her words. Suki’s face grew serious. Leaning back in her chair, she looked as if she were searching for the right words. “People on Mir, are very science-based,” Suki finally said. “But my parents came from another world so my thoughts aren’t as streamlined. I personally think dreams are a form of communication,” Suki said. “They help show you things you can’t see when you’re conscious. They can help give you direction; help you find solutions to the problems that plague you while awake. Do you happen to know the name of the mystic you keep dreaming about?”
“Xenia. Gideon and I met her the day Everleigh was bombed,” Lena said.
“I’ve heard her name before,” Suki said. “Never met her myself.”
“What was Xenia doing on Mir in the first place?” Lena asked.
“Mystics, in general, follow their own spiritual pull. They go where they feel they should. I imagine she was in Everleigh because that’s where she felt the pull. When you saw her that first time, what happened?”
“Gideon and I we were on the square in Everleigh. He’d promised me my best day ever. Now I look back on that day, and it’s clear that Gideon was having his worst day ever.” She looked to Gideon who was now watching footage of Zeke in slow motion analyzing each movement. Evren had set up some type of flow chart he would input each movement into. Gideon pointed out various points on Zeke’s body as if clarifying each movement.
“Anyway, Xenia was peddling jewelry. Both Gideon and I saw the crystal necklace at the same time. We touched it at the same time. The next think I knew, I was looking across a cliff. Gideon was on the other side fighting the darkness surrounding him. There were people below us calling for help. As I left the dream, Xenia’s voice told me to reach Gideon. That it would take both of us together to accomplish our destinies.”
“I think she’s giving you direction,” Suki said. “From what I understand, up until this point, your visions have been centered around closing the gap between you and Gideon,” Suki said. “You’ve taken that step so it’s only natural she give you the next one.”
“I think Xenia is telling me to go to Everleigh,” Lena said. “That’s where our friend Thora is. I had another dream that said Thora was waiting for me.”
‘I was thinking more along the lines of her telling you how to destroy the device and overthrow the Priestess. But yeah, I guess starting in Everleigh might work.”
Lena looked at Gideon again. He was pointing to his father on the screen to the device in the box.
Suki looked at Gideon then Lena then back to Gideon. “You’re studying Gideon as much and he’s studying that holo,” Suki said. “What’s up with you two, anyway. You talk like your destinies are linked, but you’re acting all weird around each other?”
“Nothing,” Lena responded. She felt herself blush. She quickly looked away from Gideon and back at the table in front of her.
“Don’t tell me ‘nothing’. The way he looks at you. The way you look at him. The way you protect each other. You dreaming about him. It’s way more than nothing. Why aren’t you guys a couple, yet?” Suki placed her good hand under her chin. She blinked expectantly at Lena as she waited for her to reply. Lena focused on the scars around Suki’s ear. It was bumpy and wrinkled like aged skin, but at the same time, Suki wore it with confidence. Suki cleared her throat urging Lena to refocus and answer the question.
“You’re changing the subject. And not eloquently, either,” Lena said.
“I’m just trying to understand the whole situation,” Suki said. “And your relationship is the most confusing part of all of it.”
Lena let out a loud puff of air. She knew Suki was right, but how could she explain something she hadn’t taken the time to understand herself. “Look, Jonah—the last guy I dated— betrayed me, and then died horribly in front of me,” she said, hoping that would satisfy Suki. It didn’t. Suki gave her an unconvinced purse of the lips. Lena continued, “Besides we’re leaving Mir, and he’s going to do his own thing. I don’t really know what he’s going to do, but he’ll be doing something. And, in case I didn’t tell you, Gideon shot me.”
Suki shook her head totally unconvinced.
“Oh, and Gideon has a girlfriend. Azara,” Lena blurted.
Suki lifted her head from her hand. ”First of
f, we both know you’re trying to find a way not to leave Mir.” Suki glanced at Gideon then back at Lena. “You may be keeping your thoughts a secret from Gideon, but I know you’re grasping at any reason to stay. As for Gideon’s girlfriend?” Her eyebrows rose in disbelief. “I don’t know who this Azara is. But Lena, Gideon has always loved you. From the time you were kids. There’s no competition.”
Now Lena was really blushing. “Did you know that the Priestess is Gideon’s mom?” Lena said, purposely turning the conversation away from herself.
“What?” Suki shouted dropping her arm to the table with a dramatic slap. “The mom who abandoned him?”
“You knew, didn’t you?” Lena said.
“Yeah, I may have heard. I didn’t know it when we were kids. I guess only a few people knew her real identity back then. But you can stop her. The prophecy says you can stop her. And the dreams you were just telling me about, they’re showing you how.”
“The thing is, Suki, I don’t think the prophecy is about me alone. If it’s about me at all.”
“What makes you say that?” Suki asked.
“I don’t know. The words of the prophecy. The offspring of your greatest threat to power. That’s really vague. It could mean anyone.” She looked at the Zoons lounging around the room. It could also mean a group of... anyone. She paused her thoughts and looked at her arms. They had goosebumps. Rubbing the bumps she turned back to Suki.
“Gideon wants me to leave Mir. And in my logical mind, I know it makes the most sense.”
“But you’re confused because the dreams seem to be leading you in a different direction.”
“Yes!” Lena said, so relieved that Suki understood.
The Mir Chronicles- The Complete Series Page 33