The ride only lasted several seconds. The door opened again, allowing the sun to shine into the elevator. Sora held his hand up to block the sunlight while following Cecil out the door and onto the balcony. As he leveled his eyesight, the figures ahead became clear. A shaggy brown-haired, brown-eyed guard, presumably Takk, eagerly pointed to Ursun, who leaned on the stone railing while Kit Vel Aath stood in the center. The elderly woman still wore her muted-color robes and had her hair tied in the same bun as before.
“Can you believe it, Alsia?!” Takk said, rushing to her side and again pointing at Ursun. “So cool! He could teach us some pretty cool tricks!”
“Okay, 21-year-old, act your age and stand down,” Alsia said, shaking her head and patting Takk’s shoulder. They both stepped out of the way, letting the crew pass through. Sora noticed that Ursun didn’t pay Takk any attention.
“At last, you have arrived,” Kit said, putting most of her weight on her cane as the crew walked out onto the wide balcony. “Quite a journey you went on, I would imagine.”
“Yes, we encountered some unexpected obstacles since we last spoke,” Natalia said, taking the lead again and extending her hand to Kit. “Senator Natalia Valie. Nice to meet you in person, Miss Vel Aath.”
Kit didn’t take her hand. In fact, she didn’t give Natalia a passing glance. She narrowed her eyes at Sora. “I don’t usually wait for answers, Captain Trok. I am glad to see that you made the wise choice by agreeing to meet us here.”
Did he make the wise choice? He thought so, but once again, someone had put him in the spotlight when he hadn’t asked for it.
“After the battle on Graig, it was necessary,” Sora said, taking a few steps toward the rail on the right. He would lead the crew, but he didn’t want to stay in the center of all this. “Thank you for bearing with us and setting up the meeting.”
Selas followed Sora to the railing, and as Sora took his position, he noticed Kit’s eyes shifted to his first mate. Nait and Naos walked Jaskia to the opposite railing and settled near Ursun, while Natalia, Navit, and Cecil remained next to Kit. He stood upright and brushed off his jacket, again trying to give a somewhat professional appearance.
“I am disappointed, Ursun, that I was unaware that you had Felicia Malone in your custody,” Kit said, tilting her head toward the pirate. Her eyes still focused on Selas and Sora. “She would have been a great asset to our meeting today.”
“Asset?” Naos said, nearly choking as he spoke. “She’s a murderer and criminal. Look at what she did to our friend.”
“Hush,” Jaskia said, groaning.
“You are a murderer and a criminal,” Kit said, glancing at Naos. Her expression remained neutral but she shook her head. “Naïve of you to indulge in hypocrisy.”
“Me?” Naos said, raising his voice and pointing at himself. Nait grabbed his shoulder but Naos’ dismayed expression didn’t fade. “You don’t even know me.”
“With all due respect, ma’am,” Nait said, clearing his throat while confusion crossed his face. “I think you’re mistaken. Naos hasn’t murdered anyone.”
Sora raised an eyebrow and glanced at Selas, who’s attention rested on Kit. He looked to Natalia, who also carried a surprised expression. This meeting started much differently than expected.
Kit scoffed. “Again, an immature view. If anyone of you were to be spotted by a legal officer, you would be arrested and executed as criminals. How many royal soldiers have fallen at your hands? How many thugs have you shot without hesitation?”
“That wasn’t murder,” Selas said, taking a step forward. He still hadn’t looked away from Kit. “That was self-defense.”
“Irrelevant. Taking a life is still taking a life, and death is still death,” Kit said, gesturing to the lush world around them. “It is the nature of these matters, so I pass no judgment. However, in a dark time such as this, morality has little place. Felicia Malone possesses skills that would have been beneficial to our alliance, but nonetheless, we will forge ahead.”
Sora locked onto the woman again as she turned and approached the railing. Who were they dealing with? The crew based their journey on morality. Bettina had done wrong to Natalia, Scout, Naos, Nait, and Jaskia, so he’d acted on his urge to help them. The crew followed because they saw it as the morally right decision. If morality had little place, then they wouldn’t have had a reason to strike back against her in the first place.
“Felicia disappeared after the mercenary freed her,” Ursun said, shrugging. “Jenn chose to go with her. So, no way of tracking her down.”
That confirmed his suspicions. Felicia got away and Scout suffered the consequences. Sora grimaced, turning to the green expanse of mountains beyond the balcony.
“I thought you were supposed to set up this meeting, not run it,” Jaskia said with a grunt, leaning against the railing for support. She pointed at Cecil. “Let’s hear what he has to say.”
“Of course,” Kit said, nodding at Jaskia and stepping back. She took the blunt remark better than Sora would’ve thought. “Let us begin, Governor Badesha.”
Cecil nodded and stood in the center of the balcony, smiling at his guests. “Governors are still cowering to Queen Bettina, especially after the attack on Adli and the mysterious disappearance of Jet Arbol—”
“There was no disappearance,” Natalia said, using the most solemn tone Sora had heard from her yet. “She murdered him.”
“I understand, and I suspected as much, considering what happened to my wife. The slaughter of Parliament was kept quiet, but most planetary leaders suspect the truth and shudder because of it,” Cecil said, raising his hands. “But after that report about the Bombard’s disappearance emerged, I realized that now is the time to move. I refuse to let Bettina’s fear rule the lives of my people and erase the memory of their devoted senator. Navit’s devoted mother.”
Sora nodded, frowning again. He couldn’t imagine the man’s pain or the pain that Bettina inflicted on most people. He couldn’t imagine how much the loss of a wife hurt. He couldn’t imagine how much the loss of Jet hurt Natalia. However, he did know the pain that came from loss and that allowed him to empathize with Cecil.
Sora already trusted him more than he trusted Kit. Cecil came from a more humble, kinder position.
“Makes sense, but the real question is how you want to move,” Jaskia said, crossing her arms and staring at Cecil. “What’s your end goal, Governor?”
“The only logical response is to depose Queen Bettina,” Cecil said, holding his hands out toward the crew as he continued to glance at each member. “To do that, we need to stand together. Not only do we need you, but we need other planets that will offer their support and resources.”
“Creating a rebellion is a tall task, Governor Badesha,” Selas said, sighing and scratching his chin. “The royal army is quick to smash any signs of such activity. Look at Bosnan’s soldiers or the pirate base.”
“Not a rebellion, not exactly. A rebellion implies war, and no planet has the manpower to survive an ongoing war against Queen Bettina. Our militia functions defensively, not as an attacking army,” Cecil said, shaking his head. Sora noticed that his confidence hadn’t wavered. “This would function as an underground movement. Gathering support to make one or two surprise attacks against the Queen that would force her to give up the throne. That is why your crew is the best for this job.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Naos said, shifting uncomfortably and biting his lip.
“Having all of you present is an advantage, but there is one planet that could give us the support we need to pull this off, and I would like Senator Valie and the rest of your crew to go and negotiate with them because of your history,” Cecil said, gesturing to the sky. “We can build on allies from there, but this planet will be our starting point.”
Sora looked at Natalia, who still held a firm demeanor. She nodded. “What planet?”
“Catalan. I understand you have some history with them.”
Naos groaned. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
He tensed and he imagined the rest of the crew doing the same, but he stopped his thoughts before they took off. Like Trika said, he couldn’t overthink this. He wanted to give it careful consideration, but so far, too much of that caused apprehension and complacency that may hurt his people more than the decisions themselves. This time, Sora needed to go with morality.
“Catalan could use our help just as much as we could use theirs,” Sora said, briefly locking eyes with Naos. “Remember that Bosnan betrayed us, not Catalan. Kasco linked us back to Ursun and promised us refuge if we needed it. If anything, we owe it to him and his people.”
His shoulders relaxed. This felt more like him.
“Catalan may be a forgotten world, but their species has brilliance that may still help our cause,” Cecil said, looking between Sora and Naos. “If anyone can convince them to take the risk, it’s this crew. If they agree, I can speak to them further and we can plan our next steps.”
“Plan?” Jaskia said, snorting. “We need to spend less time talking and more time doing. That’s what’s kept me alive this long and that’ll definitely be what stops Bettina. Not politics.”
“We would be brash to not construct some sort of strategy. These matters involve the citizens of the Nebula and require much care,” Cecil said, furrowing his eyebrows toward Jaskia. “It starts here. Will you all join me?”
“I’m in,” Ursun said, nodding at Cecil and stepping out from the railing. “My group has seen this coming for a while, and after she slaughtered so many of us on Graig, this seems like the most logical step. While the Killer crew travels to Catalan, my group can focus on recovery of resources and building any other connections we may need.”
“I told you that pirates would be easy to convince,” Kit said, smirking at Cecil.
Sora inhaled, hoping that Natalia or Selas would speak. Instead, just like in the command center, their eyes turned to him. A part of him even wanted Naos to voice his opinion, even if that only meant a complaint. Just like in the command center, Nait and Naos looked to him. Jaskia raised an eyebrow but followed their example.
He exhaled. For the sake of the crew, he had to lead them forward. For the sake of Fi and Scout. He no longer had a choice.
“We will join you, but I have two conditions,” Sora said, briefly looking into the eyes of each crew member before locking his focus onto Cecil and Kit. “First, we don’t operate without morals. If we go down that path, we’ll end up no better than Queen Bettina. Morality has a big place in our crew, so it has to have a place in this underground alliance.”
Jaskia scoffed. “Careful. If you go down that path, you’ll end up dead.”
“He’s right, Jask,” Nait said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “We can’t lose our sense of right and wrong. That’s not who we are.”
“Your virtue limits you, Captain Trok,” Kit said, allowing a wary expression to grow on her face and even looking past him. He didn’t know how to take that. “However, I will leave the decision in Governor Badesha’s hands.”
An information broker had become very involved in this, but then again, Cecil made a good point: The situation involved every citizen of the Nebula.
“I agree with you, Captain,” Cecil said, glancing to Navit and Natalia. She gestured back toward Sora. “Morality needs to have more of a place in our galaxy and government than what it currently has. We won’t endorse anything that would go against our values. Your second condition?”
“The Queen captured two of our own on Graig, and we need to rescue them before any more time passes,” Sora said, now allowing a firm tone into his own voice. His conviction on this wouldn’t waver. “Kit, provide us with one last piece of information, and we’ll help you. We need to know where they’re being held.”
“That is a dangerous request, Captain. There is only one government prison that would hold prisoners so important to the Queen. I highly recommend you not travel there,” Kit said, leaning on her cane again. “However, if it ensures the execution of this deal, I can transmit the location.”
“Do it,” Naos said, stepping forward with wide blue eyes. “There’s no telling what Bettina is doing to them, so we need it now.”
“Agreed,” Selas said, swallowing and narrowing his dark eyes at Kit. “We’ve likely wasted too much time as it is.”
“If you give us the location, I may have a contact who could get us inside the prison,” Jaskia said, clearing her throat before glancing at Nait and Sora. “I think it would be quick and smooth.”
“Then it’s settled,” Cecil said, gesturing to everyone on the balcony. “Our agreement is made. Go now and rescue your friends. Return afterward and we can further plan your trip to Catalan.”
Sora nodded and broke the circle by moving for the elevator. As the crew followed, he glanced to the green expanse again. Birds chirped as they soared above the trees of the mountains, enjoying the clear sunlight. The sight displayed light, hope, and a unity of life that he rarely saw. A unity that this underground movement could bring.
A small breeze touched his face and chilled the mountains, causing the trees to sway. Sora held back the shudder that wanted to take over due to the cold. Regardless of unity, the reality of Fi and Scout’s situation remained. He couldn’t overthink anymore. He had to get to them before the cold truly took over.
The room blurred as soon as she opened her eyes. Scout could only make out green walls and moving figures. A breathing mask rested on her mouth and nose. She wanted to rip it off, but she couldn’t feel her hands. She couldn’t feel anything except the mask and the metal beneath her head.
“Fi Kal has responded surprisingly well to your orders,” one of the moving figures said, standing behind a larger figure. “One conditioning session cracked her, your Majesty.”
Scout’s hearing gained enough strength for her to recognize the voice. Nelson. Then again, maybe she just knew what a snake sounded like. His voice didn’t distract her as much as the mention of Fi.
“The electricity that we used on her amygdala was potent,” another figure said, standing to the left of the two that Scout eyed. “Anything stronger would not have modified the memories, but instead, done a great deal of damage to her brain.”
Another snake. Chief Bosnan?
“Enough. She is awake,” the large figure said, moving closer to her. “I have gifted you with a great deal of rest, Scout. I expect you not to waste it.”
Bettina. Scout hoped her vision didn’t clear up.
“You’re gonna be sorry that you worked with this fraud from Catalan,” Scout said. Her voice sounded hoarser than she expected. “You hear what he did to your precious Bombard?”
“Chief Bosnan is living out his punishment, and you shall soon do the same,” Bettina said, now looming over her. The pale face became a little clearer, but still looked a little foggy. “Your friend, Fi, is resilient. Your feelings may overpower you, but you managed to find a few choice allies, Scout. Thank you for bringing her to my attention.”
Nelson’s statement clicked. They had Fi. She felt the urge to swing at Bettina, but she still couldn’t feel anything past her head.
“You’ve wanted me the whole time. Leave her out of it,” Scout said, gritting her teeth and scowling. She managed to lift her head a few inches above the slab beneath her. “Kill me and let her go.”
“Still pitifully sacrificial,” Bettina said. The usual monotone remained, but Scout knew her well enough to pick up on the underlying disgust. “You will die, but Fi will remain in my service. Both of you will benefit Lady Cerasi.”
Scout snorted. “Lady who?”
“Your mockery does nothing to improve your condition,” Bettina said. She didn’t move at all, still towering over her. “Lady Cerasi is the realization of everything that you and the other three wanted to become. A flawless assassin, soldier, and protector.”
“How long until you try to kill her? I’ll place a bet.”
&nb
sp; She wouldn’t whimper below her like last time. If she wanted to get out of this and kill Bettina, she had to act strong, no matter how weak and angry she felt.
“Chief Bosnan, activate it,” Bettina said, taking one step back.
“This is an unusual request, Queen Bettina,” Chief Bosnan said, speaking in the familiar monotone that made her want to gag. “Never before have I created a lifeless—”
A smack with a rifle interrupted his sentence, followed by a grunt. At least that’s what it sounded like to Scout. “It wasn’t a request, scientist.”
Well, failure hadn’t changed Nelson.
Scout heard the hum of a machine and a bright, blue light followed. She closed her eyes, trying to shield them from the burning pain that came from the light. They hadn’t done anything to her, but her eyes felt too weak to take in strong rays. Whatever Bettina had done to her numbed and weakened her entire body.
Keeping her eyes shut, she focused on her other muscles. She wanted to move her hands. She wanted to kick her feet. She’d even settle for lifting her knee or rubbing her elbow. She needed to feel.
Scout bit her lip, applying all of the angry pressure that she could. She hated Bettina. She would kill her.
The hum increased to a whir, which lasted for a few seconds before everything went quiet. Scout didn’t hear any murmurs or any breath. Whatever happened, it took everyone’s attention.
“Perhaps it was short-sighted of my father to wipe out so many of your kind, Chief Bosnan,” Bettina said, breaking the dead atmosphere. “Many of you should have been enslaved if you all have the capability to give birth to developments like this. Restore her vision.”
Before Scout could process anything, a jolt pierced through the back of her head. The sensation didn’t feel like any kind of pain or feeling that she’d experienced. She cried out and lifted her head as her vision cleared, revealing Bosnan directly above her. The gray, tentacled face of the scientist looked clear, but her surroundings still blurred together.
“The layers of the occipital lobe and the visual cortex are not simple,” Bosnan said, pulling a circular device from the back of her scalp. Scout didn’t recognize it. “It may take a couple of moments for her vision to fully recover. Also, this device was not designed to control physical functions, so we are lucky that the electricity had a similar effect. I would recommend against using it in this manner again—"
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