Unleashed

by D. R. Johnson

  Besides, in his eyes, his recent jobs had more of a moral standard than past jobs. Once he nearly killed Li, Sem, and Jaskia, but now, he reunited them and fought with them. He killed dozens of royal soldiers, which seemed pretty moral and satisfied his largest craving.

  Again, the only career that satisfied his craving. A craving that engrained itself in him during his childhood. He would stick with this gratifying career.

  “Kurt…”

  Kurt sat up in his chair, grabbing his pistol and swinging around. No one else occupied the cockpit but that deep-throated voice came from somewhere.

  “You have proved yourself quite formidable. I have a job for you, one that will be very gratifying…”

  What the hell?

  Kurt stood and examined every corner of the cockpit. Still, no one else occupied the room, but this voice sounded like it stood right next to him. Kurt had never heard a voice like this before.

  “I want you to kill Selas Taban.”

  Selas paced at the edge of the Killer’s ramp, turning his eyes to the elevator of Ondon’s capital every few seconds. Fi sat on the ramp and gazed at the sunset resting on the mountains, taking in the pink glaze over the planet. The wind hit his face, but this time, it didn’t relax him.

  “You’re too tense, Taban,” Fi said, putting her hands in her lap. “Reunions shouldn’t be tense.”

  Selas sighed and nodded. Indeed, worry and loss kept him from his family for too long. He couldn’t let that daunting fear win anymore. Jekk didn’t want that. He deserved far more respect and honor than that.

  “You’re right once again,” Selas said, relaxing his shoulders and smiling. “You help me through too much, Fi.”

  “I think we’re even now,” Fi said, standing and smirking.

  He made the stoic woman smile. Her intricate, black eyes caught his attention. The same, small black eyes that brought him comfort and peace.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” Fi said, leaning in and kissing him.

  The sound of opening doors finished the kiss, and Alsia escorted the new guest toward the Killer. A smile formed on Selas’ face as he realized that he correctly assessed the guest’s appearance in the transmission. He still had the thin build of a runner, along with his baby face and light brown hair.

  “You never said he was so good looking,” Trika whispered, appearing at the top of the ramp. A glare from Fi caused her to shrug. “Just saying.”

  Caleb Taban quickened his pace, jogging toward him. Selas copied him and the two embraced in the middle of the landing pad. Tears dripped from his eyes as he felt his little brother squeeze. Tears dropped onto Selas’ shoulder, as well.

  “Brother,” Selas said, unable to speak louder than a whisper. “I’m sorry. For all of it.”

  “It’s time to put the past behind us,” Caleb said, sniffing and pulling back. “Thank you for telling me to come. Is he at peace, Selas?”

  Selas closed his eyes, remembering Jekk’s simple gaze into the storm. He saw no fear.

  “Yes, he’s finally at peace.”

  “Then so are we,” Caleb said, nodding. “He wanted us to be together.”

  Selas wiped the tears away and drew near to his brother again, pulling him into another embrace. This time, he squeezed. Seeing Fi no longer brought hardship, and now, neither did seeing Caleb. Now, they both had returned to him.

  He allowed himself to bask in the affection. Now, seeing them only brought bliss. Now, they could move forward.

  Scout sat on the couch in the main hold of the Killer, sipping water. She stared at the wall and tried not to think, allowing her brain to do whatever it needed to do. According to Fi, that was what worked best, and she didn’t have any other resource for guidance. She didn’t know too many brainwashed people.

  When she thought too much or focused too much on everything, her head hurt. Talking to Sora brought her basic memories back, but everything still blurred. She knew what happened, but she didn’t at the same time.

  She felt comfortable here but she didn’t. She didn’t know what to make of anything.

  “Want some more water, sis?” Nait said, pointing at her empty glass. He’d doted on her for the last day, but she guessed that she’d have the same reaction if Nait went from dead to alive in a matter of days.

  Scout shook her head. Nait smiled and nodded, walking away. She still stared at the wall.

  Still, some old feelings returned. Scout slammed her teeth onto her lip and tasted the blood. She needed Bettina’s blood. Her throat tightened and the strength of her bite grew as she remembered Bettina’s words in the abyss.

  “You look good,” another voice said. Naos limped to the back of the couch and leaned over, lightly smiling at Scout. Bandages and gel lined his body.

  “You don’t,” Scout said, forcing a smile onto her face. “Sorry about all of that, by the way, if I didn’t say it before.”

  “I’m just glad you’re here.”

  The smile became more natural as their blue eyes met. Naos, the one who kept her sane. Blondie, the one who got through to her. Scout prided herself on the fact that she didn’t totally forget him.

  “How’d you know?” Scout said, glancing at the wall again. “How’d you know that you could get to me?”

  “I didn’t, especially not at first,” Naos said, shrugging and following Scout’s gaze. “I doubted it while we were fighting, even, but Sora talked me through a lot of my doubt. He got me to trust. Not just to trust him but to trust you, even when I couldn’t see you. That’s how I saw it, anyway. Thought you’d be proud.”

  Scout nodded. “I am. Finally took my advice, Blondie.”

  Neither spoke for a few seconds. While Scout felt her mind drifting again, Naos scratched the back of his neck and shifted uncomfortably.

  “Uh, Scout,” Naos said, coughing. “You know, we never really got to talk about what happened at the oasis…”

  Again, Scout smiled. “Yeah.”

  She didn’t know what else to say. Not now.

  “I just wanted you to know that, uh, I…really liked all of it and I’m glad you made me jump in. One of my best memories.”

  Scout frowned, looking away from the wall to his innocent eyes. “Mine too. When I remembered that on Catalan, it stopped me from killing you. I clung to that memory when Bettina tortured me, I think, but…”

  She swallowed, forcing another awkward pause. Naos rose an eyebrow.

  “…listen, right now, I’m still…I don’t know, figuring this all out. I know who I am, I guess, but I don’t…feel right. I remember my life as Scout and I remember my life as Lady Cerasi. Sure, it disgusts me, but it’s just…a lot. I don’t know if I’ll feel fully like myself again.”

  “I think I get that,” Naos said, nodding. “So, what’re you saying?”

  “I’m saying that right now, I just need a friend. Not a boyfriend or an enemy,” Scout said, looking back at the wall. “I just need my best friend. That’s all.”

  More silence. Scout closed her eyes, trying to keep her mind from drifting into more confusion.

  “Yeah,” Naos said, putting his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll be that for you. Always.”

  Scout put her hand on his and allowed a small smile to return. “Thanks, Blondie.”

  Soon, Scout would make all of this clear, even if she had to force it. Then, she’d destroy Bettina.

  Sora leaned over the capital’s balcony, focusing on the sunset. Birds chirped and trees swayed in the breeze. The cold air tickled his face but still didn’t give him any negativity. Now, he not only gained a sense of unity from the green expanse, but a sense of rest. The hope he always saw in the mountains finally relaxed him.

  “How did I know I’d find you here?” Natalia said, coming to his side and touching his back.

  “I told you that horizons spoil me,” Sora said, chuckling.

  “Kasco and his people are repairing their towers, but they’ve pledged their support to the underground,�
� Natalia said, sitting on the edge of the balcony. “Navit is really pleased with how everything’s going. Her father’s final wish is being realized.”

  Sora nodded. Cecil and Navit both deserved that. He had to lead the underground movement for that reason alone.

  Now, though, he knew that he could. Sora had the capability to lead them forward.

  “You still seem like you have something on your mind,” Natalia said, throwing her head back. “It is my turn, right?”

  Sora laughed. “Haven’t you had enough, Senator?”

  “Try me.”

  “When I look at this place and the beauty it holds, everything seems so ironic. Now, we’ve not only faced darkness, but gray,” Sora said, gesturing to the view. Kit Vel Aath’s gray did play a role in giving him this view and this movement, so he supposed he had to appreciate that to some extent. “Darkness keeps coming and it seems like gray wants to follow the same pattern, but after everything we’ve done…”

  He paused, thinking of Natalia resting her head on his shoulder. He thought of Nait’s face and resolute voice when he said he wouldn’t stop fighting. He thought of Selas’ and Fi’s joyful faces when Fi woke up. He thought of Naos’ confident, bloodied face when he told Sora to focus on what he could do. He thought of Scout’s tearful face when she remembered their conversation on the Killer.

  All of those faces held one common attribute.

  “…I still see light.”

  “That’s why you’re the captain,” Natalia said, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. “That’s why we need you.”

  “Thank you, Natalia, for everything,” Sora said, turning away from the horizon and sitting next to her. Now, he met her hazel eyes. “I’m sorry for all that you’ve lost.”

  “We’ve all lost a lot, but no sacrifice was in vain. Viktor, Cecil, and Jekk were all proud of what they accomplished. I believe that Jet was, too, regardless of how he died. He was a good man and a good friend,” Natalia said, giving another classic, gentle smile. “Just a good friend.”

  Sora rose an eyebrow, but before he could respond, Natalia rested her head on his chest. Sora smiled and lifted her chin, bringing their lips closer. He put his arms around her back and they kissed, forgetting about their peaceful surroundings.

  He knew that this peace wouldn’t last, but for now, he and his people would enjoy the rest. The Killer crew would enjoy moments like this because they didn’t come often. He knew that soon, this moment would end.

  Then, Sora would lead them on their next journey.

  About the Author

  Dylan began writing at the age of 11, and since then, he set out to become a published author and screenwriter.

  Graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Creative Writing degree, Dylan thrives on bringing characters and their stories to life. Whether set on modern day Earth or in an action-loaded futuristic environment, Dylan writes stories that center on the beautiful complexity of people and their relationships with one another.

  Beyond writing, Dylan loves to spend time with people and invest in the lives of those around him.