Unleashed

by D. R. Johnson

“For someone who spent most of his life unconscious,” Selas said, opening his eyes and smiling at his twin. “You have developed a great deal of maturity. It goes beyond that of most adults who grew up normally.”

  “Perhaps those events gave me perspective,” Jekk said, giving a slight shrug. “They showed me the value of time and how easily it can be lost.”

  “Speaking of which, you’ve spent a fair amount of time on this ship,” he said, gesturing to the planet beyond. Sora, Natalia, Nait, Naos, and Trika spoke to Governor Badesha and his daughter on the other side of the landing pad. “Join us and enjoy some fresh air. You deserve it.”

  Jekk didn’t respond, continuing to stare at the skyline. Birds zoomed around the mountains and crowed, while small clouds progressed through the pink atmosphere. Jekk allowed his right eye to twitch, undeterred from the beauty before him.

  “My last two memories on a planet consist of storm, harm, and fear,” Jekk said, inhaling Ondon’s air through his nostrils. “It has been a very long time since I’ve experienced sunlight, but I’m not quite ready for that experience, Selas. This is your time.”

  Selas nodded, patting his twin on the shoulder. Even Jekk had his own trials.

  Jekk smiled, stepping back and retreating into the Killer. Selas walked down the ramp and focused on the group ahead. Sora acknowledged him with a nod, while Natalia continued conversing with Cecil. Nait and Naos seemed to follow along, but he immediately noticed the despondence in their eyes.

  Indeed, loss had ripped most of the crew apart. Loss followed worry and more worry followed loss.

  “I am sorry for what your crew has endured,” Cecil said, smiling at Selas as he joined the group. “You have experienced as much tragedy as Navit and myself. This only further demonstrates the need for our cause. We must take any chance to stop these tragedies, no matter how large or small.”

  “Glad you’re using the death and brainwashing of our friends as a political statement,” Trika said, scoffing. She stood behind Sora, who shot her a glare.

  “It is only because I believe in it,” Cecil said, pointing at the Killer. “The success of your crew proves the legitimacy of our movement. Imagine what more people can do.”

  “Speaking of that,” Natalia said, looking at everyone in the circle. “What is our strategy for Catalan?”

  “You say that you have a rapport the chief scientist’s second-in-command,” Cecil said, folding his hands. “Use that to your advantage. The people of Catalan may not have available resources, but they have their brilliance. Ask them to combine that with our militia and the pirates.”

  “I don’t know if they’ll be quick to join in and trust after Adli,” Naos said, throwing his shoulders back. “I know I wouldn’t be.”

  “Kasco likes us, right?” Nait said, gulping. Selas could tell that he withheld thoughts and feelings of pain. He sounded like himself, but his demeanor revealed his struggle. “He said we could go there anytime.”

  “If we assure him and his people of our intentions, I think they will agree,” Sora said, narrowing his eyes and crossing his arms. “We have to make it evident that they can trust us. I imagine that they would be more sensitive to betrayal, but if they can see our true character, they’ll be willing.”

  Selas smiled. He wished that Kit Vel Aath or Jaskia stood in on this conversation.

  “Once they agree, they merely need to speak to my father,” Navit said, nodding at Cecil. “He will answer any other questions and lead them forward.”

  “It’s settled, then,” Cecil said, before beckoning to the capital’s entrance. Alsia and Takk emerged from the building, running toward their leader. “Re-fuel this ship to its maximum capacity.”

  “Are you sure, Governor?” Sora said, raising an eyebrow. “We can obtain our own—”

  “No, I insist,” Cecil said, holding his hands up and giving another tender smile. “You are traveling on my behalf, as well. This may delay your departure until the morning, but it will give your crew more time to rest and recover. You look like you need it.”

  Naos and Nait both looked away, grimacing into the sunset. Sora glanced at the teenagers and bit his lip, before giving Natalia and Selas a look that didn’t require words.

  Everyone did need more time to rest. The current situation didn’t permit that time, but any spare time that they could use held importance. Processing Scout’s death would take more time than Selas could account for, but the more time the crew allowed, the more centered they would feel on their next mission.

  “Thank you, Governor. We owe you a great deal of gratitude,” Natalia said, smiling back at Cecil. “We’ll be fully rested and prepared once we reach Catalan.”

  “Yeah,” Nait said, turning back to the group. He gulped again, but nodded and straightened his shoulders. “We really will. Losing my s-sister…”

  He stopped, looking at the ground. Natalia squeezed his shoulder.

  “I-I still want to do this. I’m not going to hesitate,” Nait said, looking back up and nodding again. “I want to go to Catalan and get them on our side. For Scout and Fi.”

  “On it, boss,” Takk said, ignoring the emotional situation and rushing toward the Killer. “We’ll have this baby gassed up in no time!”

  Alsia sighed, watching Takk disappear into the fuel tanks that sat near the freighter. She looked back to Sora, breathing out. “Anything else you need to re-stock while you wait?”

  “No,” Sora said, shaking his head. Selas saw his eyes drift toward Naos. “I think you’ve done more than enough.”

  Selas followed Sora’s eyeline to the blonde teenager. He stared at the pink skyline, just as Jekk did. However, Naos’ gaze didn’t exude the satisfaction that Jekk’s did. Selas could barely see Naos’ face, but he didn’t need to in order to see the grief that overpowered it. He suspected that Naos would have trouble finding rest, regardless of circumstance.

  “Come on, Naos,” Sora said. Trika and Natalia started toward the Killer, while Cecil, Navit, and Alsia walked toward the capital. “Let’s go inside.”

  Naos didn’t respond verbally, turning and approaching the ship. He carried a blank expression, likely restraining any mournful expression. Selas faced the mountains again, allowing the cold air to tackle his face. It didn’t feel as refreshing as before. The pink in the sky faded as signs of night rose to replace it.

  “Selas,” Nait said, clearing his throat. Only the two of them remained. “I wanted to ask, how’s Fi?”

  Selas furrowed his eyebrow. “Still the same. Kossk thinks that her brain needs time to reorganize itself after whatever hell the Queen put her through. We can only sit by and watch.”

  “I’m sorry. I know that’s tough on you,” Nait said, shoving his hands into his pocket and kicking a pebble below his feet. “It’s…it’s really good that you got through to her, though. Really good that you stopped that hell.”

  He didn’t know if he did. Right now, her condition looked too grim to claim that accomplishment.

  “Fi’s always been one of our strongest,” Nait said. Resolution began to overtake the despondence on his face. “She’ll pull through.”

  Selas admired the concern and optimism, even if he doubted it. Considering Nait’s own personal state, it came as a surprise.

  “As will you. I grieve Scout, as well. I’m sorry that you lost her,” Selas said, fixing his eyes on the teenager and forming a solemn expression on his own face. “And Jaskia.”

  Nait glanced back to the mountains, frowning again. The cold air blew his brown hair as he distracted himself with Ondon’s beauty. “I cared about her a lot, and I don’t understand, but…”

  Nait refocused on Selas and his eyes glimmered in the vanishing sunset. “Like I said, Scout and Fi deserve more. I’m not stopping now.”

  “Good,” Selas said. Nightfall came to completion as the last of daylight fled. He closed his eyes, envisioning the pink disrupting the darkness. Disrupting the darkness that each of them battled. “Neither am I.”

/>   Lady Cerasi fired the pistol and watched the target break into ashes. She lifted the rifle and fired above her, before diving to the opposite, dark green wall. She locked onto her next and last target, propelling herself and sliding across the floor. As she neared the plastic target, she leapt to her feet and slammed her fist into the bullseye, opting not to remove her knife. The plastic crumpled and fell, leaving one victor in the combat quarters.

  “Very good, Lady Cerasi,” Queen Bettina said, stepping out of the doorway. Lady Cerasi fell prostrate. “Now that your mind is clear and focused, your combat only has the highest quality. I have no more need to watch the success of my training.”

  “Yes, your Highness.”

  “You have remained in the shadows long enough. Now, it is time for you to rise in my service,” Queen Bettina said, taking another step forward. Her boot touched Lady Cerasi’s scalp. “Look at me, my servant.”

  Lady Cerasi lifted her head, allowing her nose to touch the Queen’s boot. She met the Queen’s powerful, commanding eyes. “I am fully yours, your Majesty.”

  “I have a mission for you,” Queen Bettina said, lifting her hands and revealing a chain. She yanked Chief Bosnan into the quarters and he stumbled as the shackles tightened around his legs. “A mission that will allow me to reward Chief Bosnan for his remarkable work in our government.”

  Lady Cerasi noticed the disgruntled, pained expression of the captive scientist, but that didn’t concern her. She only focused on her monarch. “What are your orders, your Highness?”

  “We have received word that two planets have used an unauthorized news report as inspiration to start a revolt,” Queen Bettina said. None of her muscles moved. “The leading planet is Ondon. You will go to Ondon and kill their governor, Cecil Badesha.”

  “I will carry out your decree,” Lady Cerasi said. She didn’t allow her muscles to flinch, either.

  “This anonymous report also included details that he is backing several longstanding fugitives. If they are present, they will do anything to stop you, including misleading you with falsehood. Kill them if they stand in your way and do not listen to any of their arguments.”

  “The defectors will fall, your Highness.”

  “After Governor Badesha is slain, take Chief Bosnan to Catalan,” Queen Bettina said. She still didn’t move, but Cerasi noticed the flicker of alarm in the scientist’s wide eyes. “That is the second planet. Use Chief Bosnan as a bargaining tool to discourage them for partaking in this revolt. If they do not listen, kill them and allow that remnant of a people to be exterminated.”

  “They will submit or suffer, your Majesty.”

  Queen Bettina lifted her hand and Lady Cerasi rose. Chief Bosnan shuddered, while the monarch folded her hands behind her back and kept her demanding stare on her servant. Lady Cerasi still didn’t flinch, refusing to disappoint her monarch in any way.

  “I will end this madness in the Nebula. You will make them tremble at my name. Go and ensure that they do so.”

  Lady Cerasi slid her pistol and rifle into her holsters, before grabbing Chief Bosnan’s chain and pulling him to her side. A soldier entered behind Queen Bettina, carrying a full set of black armor. The armor covered the body from the neck down but had a brief gap between the shoulders and the head. A black helmet sat on top of the armor, connected to the rest by a clamp on the back of the neck.

  “When you go and perform my tasks, you will utilize this armor. It is the symbol of Lady Cerasi and my sovereignty.”

  “Yes, your Highness,” Lady Cerasi said, allowing the commands to engrain themselves into her mind. Only the commands matter. “I will triumph for you. The disobedient will suffer.”

  14

  Sora threw up an arm to block the light of the sunrise, but he still glimpsed at the horizon. Yellow flooded over the mountains and highlighted the blue sky as day returned to Ondon. The cold wind still hit his cheek, but he couldn’t focus on that. He still saw unity in the swaying trees, chirping birds, and tall mountains. He doubted the unity of this movement and even the unity of the crew had cracks, but he wanted to see the potential in unity.

  The crew could remain unified and build the unity of the underground moment. He only had that potential left.

  “Still not sure why we had to come along again,” Naos said, wincing from the sunlight. Sora followed Natalia into the elevator, while Nait and Naos hurried behind them.

  “Because each planet won’t have a view like this. I want you to take it in,” he said, smiling at the teenagers as the elevator doors closed and the lift ascended. “We need to remember a positive image while we’re travelling through space. Focus on what you can do, remember? Even the smallest actions make strides.”

  “If Viktor were here, he’d educate you on the benefits of sunlight,” Natalia said, throwing her hair back and laughing. Sora appreciated the attempt at optimism.

  Sora didn’t want Naos or Nait to remove themselves from their current situation. After Naos reached out, he felt the responsibility to help him press forward. Both grieved, but their grief still had purpose. They had purpose and Scout wouldn’t let them forget that. That meant Sora wouldn’t, either.

  “I can’t imagine Catalan looking that great,” Nait said, shrugging. “So maybe you have a point.”

  “You really think Catalan’s the right call, Sora?” Naos said, crossing his arms. “I’m not complaining, I guess I just…don’t know. Yeah, I don’t know.”

  “Does it matter if it is or isn’t?” Sora said. Their decisions still carried weight, but he also didn’t have a variety of choices at this point. “They’re our only option. I have to think it’s the right call.”

  The elevator stopped and the doors opened. Natalia led the group out of the shadowed entrance and onto the familiar, wide balcony, where Cecil and Navit stood with Takk and Alsia. Alsia stood in the background, speaking into her shoulder comm, while Cecil folded his hands and smiled at the crew.

  “Did Takk amply supply the Killer?” Cecil said, gesturing to the young soldier.

  “Of course! We barely have any fuel left!” Takk said, putting his hands on his head. “Okay, okay, just kidding, but yeah, that freighter can down some gas.”

  “We have more than enough,” Natalia said, smirking and glancing at Sora. “The rest of the crew is waiting, but we wanted to say goodbye and offer our thanks before we departed. You have been more than generous to us.”

  “You are kind, but your gratitude is unnecessary,” Cecil said, shaking his head. “You are—”

  “Governor, a government shuttle landed on the other side of the capital. I can’t reach the guards currently stationed on that pad, but the clearance office received a message saying that the ship carried a Lady Cerasi?”

  Sora noticed the alarm in Nait and Naos’ growing eyes. Natalia glanced at him again, but this time, he saw confusion. Sora touched his holster but refrained from lifting his rifle. He didn’t want to turn this unnecessarily violent.

  “Do you need our help, Governor?” he asked, tapping his rifle.

  “We weren’t expecting any government visitors, but I assume it is some sort of new ambassador,” Navit said, furrowing her eyebrows. She inhaled. “They shouldn’t know about your presence here.”

  “Navit’s right,” Cecil said, straightening his shoulders and pointing to the elevator. Sora saw the alarm in his eyes, too. “You must leave before you are noticed.”

  “We should get down there and see what’s going on,” Takk said, motioning to Alsia.

  Natalia gave Sora a nod of confirmation, and he noticed the concurring glances from Nait and Naos. The four turned and rushed to the elevator, while Takk and Alsia brushed past them. As Sora reached the doors, he heard a pair of boots hit the ground behind him. They hit the ground hard enough that he could tell it didn’t come from Cecil or Navit.

  Before the group could turn around, a red laser burned Takk’s shoulder. Another laser flew into Alsia’s knee. Both soldiers cringed but kept their footing
. Sora faced the balcony to see a woman standing on the edge. She sported black armor and a black helmet while holding a pistol in one hand and a rifle in another.

  “Father!” Navit said, grabbing Cecil’s robe. The woman jumped toward the pair, hitting Navit with the barrel of her rifle and grasping Cecil’s neck. Navit collapsed, while the intruder pulled Cecil closer to herself. The politician choked, barely able to get oxygen.

  “Lady Cerasi doesn’t seem like much of an ambassador,” Nait said, firing his pistol. The woman dodged, dragging Cecil closer to the edge of the balcony. “I don’t think ambassadors climb walls!”

  “This…this…please,” Cecil said, gasping between words. Lady Cerasi shoved the pistol into his face.

  “You fire that and you’re a dead woman,” Alsia said, running onto the balcony. She and Takk both pointed their rifles at the assassin, while Sora, Naos, Nait, and Natalia pointed their own weapons in the background. Navit crawled behind Takk and Alsia, obviously trying not to get caught in any crossfire. Sora didn’t know if they should further reveal themselves, but even if this assassin didn’t recognize them, the Queen apparently wanted Cecil dead.

  “You’re outnumbered!” Takk said, motioning to the surrounding building. “We can have dozens of soldiers up here in seconds. We’re the authority here, not Bettina.”

  Lady Cerasi kept the barrel connected to Cecil’s nose and pulled him back a few more steps. She didn’t look at Takk or Alsia, keeping her gaze on her prey. Sora grimaced at Natalia, who’s face only displayed confliction. She aimed her rifle at Lady Cerasi but looked at him and the two teenagers.

  “If we expose ourselves, it could make his situation worse. Just like it did for Jet,” Natalia whispered, rubbing her teeth together. “But…”

  “We can’t let him die,” Sora said, before noticing Nait and Naos nod. “He deserves more from us than that.”

  “His situation’s already bad enough,” Nait said. His finger nearly touched the trigger, but his eyes drifted to Takk and Alsia. “They’re trained in this, though.”