by R. D. Brady
Anixquold took note of Miles’s distraction. She swung the romag, sweeping out his legs. With a yell, Miles flew backward, landing on his back with a thump. Anixquold sprinted up the ramp toward him. He quickly rolled to his right, catching himself on the edge of the platform to slow his drop. He landed hard, rolling to distribute some of the force, but he still felt the twinge in his ankle.
Anixquold jumped off, following him.
“You need to fight it. You need to fight their control.” Miles felt the pressure in his own mind. The Naku leader was probing, trying to find a way in. Miles had no intention of giving him one.
Anixquold said nothing. She was too far gone. The Naku leader was firmly in control of her. Even if he wasn’t, Miles wasn’t sure his words would have had any effect. He’d seen Anixquold in the other capsule in the lab. If she had been there since the zoo, that meant they had been experimenting on her for months. Who knew what they had done to her and what impact it had on her.
“Arthur misses you,” Miles said as he stayed out of her reach. “He talked of you. Of how you two looked out for one another, even during training.”
Anixquold hesitated. She blinked hard. It was the smallest of pauses, and if Miles hadn’t been watching her so closely, he wasn’t sure if he would have even noticed it. Anixquold shook her head slightly, like a dog with a fly around it. Her eyes glazed over again. She charged.
Miles leapt for one of the long, thin bars ten feet above him. His hands wrapped around the bar as he swung himself up, balancing on top for only a second before jumping for the next one another ten feet up.
If Anixquold wanted to follow, she’d have to lose the romag. And while the Unwelcome were tall and strong, gymnasts they were not.
Miles quickly jumped to the third bar. Working up a big swing, he leapt for the tall platform. His fingers managed to latch around the metal bars framing it. Breathing hard, he crawled over the edge and peered over.
Anixquold was staring up at him. She wasn’t making any moves to follow him. He let himself have a moment to smile. Foiled again.
The structure shuddered. Miles jerked upright before flinging himself to the railing and holding on tight. What the—
He dropped five feet with a lurch.
Miles’s knuckles paled as he held on, fear lacing his stomach. His reprieve was apparently going to be very short-lived.
The platform plunged another five feet.
Miles got into a crouch. He’d lost sight of Anixquold. He scanned the area. He couldn’t see her anywhere.
He did not like that. He might not want to hurt Arthur’s sister, but she had no such concerns when it came to his safety. He waited until he hit ten feet. As the platform fell another five feet, he jumped, aiming for the widest empty space, the closest structure over ten feet away.
Where was she? The smallest sound of fabric was all the warning he had. He whirled around, ducking to the side as she brought the romag down, catching him with a glancing blow to his arm.
“Ah!” He backed away.
Okay, not hurting Anixquold is no longer an option. He needed to take her out. Just in a way that would incapacitate her without killing her.
Anixquold came at him like a battering ram. She swung the romag for all she was worth, again and again. Miles moved toward the edge of the tall bars he’d just climbed. Anixquold came at him unrelentingly. Miles leaped back.
Anixquold swung. Miles ducked. Anixquold’s romag crashed into the edge of the platform with a resounding clang. Anixquold grunted, the vibration working its way from the romag and up her arms.
Miles wasted no time. Diving forward, he dropped to one knee, wrapping his arms around Anixquold’s calf as he drove his shoulder into her knee. She fell backward with thump, her head crashing into the hard ground. Miles climbed up her, sliding his arm around her neck below her helmet, locking it in with the other arm and squeezing tight. Anixquold reached up, trying to bat him away. Miles simply ducked his head, squeezing tighter.
Go to sleep, Anixquold. Please go to sleep.
Anixquold reached up, trying to swat him away again and again. But soon, her movements grew sluggish. She reached up one last time before her hand fell limply to her side.
Miles held on for another few seconds to make sure she was well and truly out and then pushed her off of him. He quickly put his fingers to her neck. Her pulse beat steadily underneath his fingers.
He closed his eyes, lowering his head. Thank God.
The doors hissed open behind him. He leapt to his feet, giving himself some distance between Anixquold and whatever new threat was heading for him.
41-G and 17-H stepped in, their romags trained on him. Miles put his hands up. “What now?”
“The exercise is over,” 17-H said. “You are to return to your cell.”
Miles nodded at Anixquold. “What about her?”
17-H hesitated, his head flicking toward Anixquold for only a moment. “She will be returned to her cell as well.”
Miles looked up at the observation window. The Naku leader was just slipping from view. His abilities had finally manifested in front of Xantar. He wondered what the leader had learned from this scenario.
He glanced back at Anixquold. “Who will take her to her cell?”
“We will. After we secure you.”
Miles hesitated. Despite her size, Anixquold looked fragile right now. He didn’t want to leave her, but he also knew she could easily wake up and attack him again. Even knowing that, it didn’t change how he felt. “Tell her I’m sorry.”
41-G just gestured for Miles to come forward. Miles headed toward him, half his arm disappearing. It was completely gone when he reached him. Without a word, 41-G turned and headed for the door.
But as Miles passed 17-H, the guard leaned forward, his voice low. “I’ll tell her.”
18
Xantar watched the subject disappear through the doors with his two guards. He was so much smaller than the guards, yet Xantar knew he could easily overpower both of them if he chose to. He had yet to do so, indicating intelligence. He knew that while he could overpower those two, he would be no match for the remaining chelvah on the ship.
Still, his restraint was surprising. Often humans lashed out in irrational ways. This one, with his defect, was proving especially confounding. He had handled the physical tests easily. With his deformity, that was not expected. But he also had not manifested his abilities in any of those tests.
But he had today.
Aek moved softly to Xantar’s side. It is as suspected: There needs to be a threat from the chelvah.
Xantar nodded. They had spent the last few weeks reviewing all the data they had on the Cursed to try and understand the trigger for their abilities. Finally, they had recognized the possibility that it was in interacting with the chelvah in a life-threatening situation that would trigger them.
But that was not the only discovery they had made with today’s test. He would not kill her, Xantar said.
No. There are some humans who have a moral code against such acts. They will kill, but only if forced.
Xantar frowned. He was aware of these humans. They proved very difficult to subdue.
Do you wish to terminate him?
Xantar paused. They now knew that the Cursed only manifested their abilities in the presence of an Unwelcome threat. And that this particular one had a reservation about killing. Normally that would rule a human out for serving the Naku.
But these were unsettling times. The humans had managed to sabotage the Ka Sama. It had not been detected for days, if not longer. Now there were reports of chelvah going missing.
Which meant they needed other options.
They had taken the subject to learn what they could about his abilities, how they were triggered. He might not be willing to kill, but he was not the only Cursed. And he still had much to teach them.
We need to test him further. We need to know the extent of their abilities. I will develop a testing plan.
We will need to begin at once.
Aek nodded, placing her finger to her forehead. Yes, Esteemed Leader. I also have a report on the Ka Sama levels. They are not returning to normal levels as quickly as expected.
Why?
It is unclear. I have increased the dose, but still the levels in their systems remain low.
Continue the regiment while exploring other options.
Aek bowed her head. Yes, Esteemed Leader.
Xantar’s gaze strayed to the human liaison standing in the corner of the room. He handled the mental communication better than many of his previous liaisons.
I have need of your aid.
The liaison jumped to attention, clasping his hands together. “Anything you need, Esteemed Leader.”
19
Thor and Lewis returned to the Gatsby with a group of seven Unwelcome. Lyla and Arthur met them at the front gate as soon as the guard had given the warning of them approaching. No warmth spread over Lyla as she spotted them. And they looked more nervous than aggressive.
But what made Lyla nervous was the fact that she didn’t see Riley or Petra amongst the group. She didn’t ask immediately because neither Thor nor Lewis looked concerned.
Thor and Lewis introduced each of them, and Lyla made a point of remembering their names. Then Arthur took them off to get them settled in.
As soon as the group was out of earshot, she turned to Lewis. “Where are Riley and Petra?”
“They went into the Fringe to get an update,” Lewis said.
“What? That’s too dangerous. What if—”
“We think we know where Miles is,” said Thor. “Riley wanted to be sure we had as much information as possible so that we could decide the next steps.”
All the anger disappeared from Lyla. “Miles? Is he all right?”
Thor nodded. “One of the deserters saw him on the mothership. She wasn’t sure exactly where he was being held but thought the most likely location was a group of cells that were located close to where she saw him.”
“Thor, I need you to find out exactly where that was and what the closest landing bay is to that location. Then I need you to figure out as much as you possibly can about what’s between the landing bay and that cell.”
“I’ve already made some notes. I’m going to go speak with some of the others and see what they can fill in.” With that, Thor headed off toward the building.
Lyla eyed Lewis. “What do you think of the deserters?”
“I think they’re scared. But they have no love for the Naku. They want a home, and if given a chance, I think we can provide them with it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have not seen my wife in a few days, and I owe her a big kiss.”
Lyla smiled, knowing that Lewis must be feeling good if he admitted to something like that.
“Incoming!” the call from the guard rang out.
Lyla hurried to the gate. She was halfway there when the guard called out again. “It’s Riley and Petra.”
Riley and Petra ran through the opening. Lyla’s heart began to race. But then Riley smiled. “I think something is finally working in our favor.”
20
There would be less Unwelcome on the streets of New City for at least the next two weeks. Alan had already noticed a lower number on the shuttle down to the planet. This would be a dangerous time for the Naku and their rule. And it was up to the McGoverns to make sure that their gods were protected.
The Esteemed Leader had asked him specifically for his help. It was the greatest honor he had ever received, and it left him humbled and inspired. He would not let him down.
He hurried through the streets, weaving through the pedestrians who were on their lunch break. He saw dozens of yellow-robed McGoverns heading for the meeting hall.
For the first time, the candidates who had not been fully initiated into the order were also allowed into the meeting hall. This was an emergency situation, and they were going to need all the help they could get. The initiates who demonstrated their loyalty would be rewarded by being allowed into the McGoverns.
Alan had a feeling that in the days to come, their dedication to the cause would be tested. He knew the humans were looking for a weakness, and this problem with the Ka Sama would be something they would undeniably exploit.
People parted as they recognized him striding down the street. The crowds in front of the meeting hall gave way, the doors being held open for him so that he could walk through unaccosted. He quickly climbed the red-carpeted stairs and made his way into the auditorium. The low murmur of voices quietly speaking came to a stop as slowly everyone in the auditorium acknowledged his arrival.
Alan kept his head high and his eyes focused on the stage. Once again, the two chairs for himself and Jeremy were set up. He made his way to the stairs at the side of the stage. Climbing them, he headed for the wings of the stage, where Jeremy waited for him.
Jeremy nodded in greeting. “I got your message, and I believe I have been able to reach all of our members. But what is happening?”
When Alan had learned about the Ka Sama problem, he had quickly dashed off a communication to Jeremy, but he had not been able to explain in depth what was going on. There hadn’t been time.
Alan shook his head. “It is indeed grave, Brother. The Naku are going to need us in these next few weeks, more than they ever have before.”
Jeremy straightened his shoulders. “We stand ready and honored to help them in any way we can.”
“I am glad to hear it. I must return to the ship soon, so I will explain it to all at the same time, with your permission, of course.”
“Of course, of course.” Jeremy led the way out onto the stage.
The audience grew silent as Jeremy raised his hands. “My brothers and sisters, the Naku are in danger.”
A gasp went out across the auditorium. A few nervous rumbles echoed through the hall.
Jeremy nodded his head. “I know. I share your concern. But we are in a position to help them. We will keep them safe. Brother Alan will explain to you what is happening and what is needed from each and every one of you.”
Alan straightened his robes and then strode to the front of the stage as Jeremy took his seat. Alan waited until he was sure every eye was on him and every person was still. “The Naku have saved our species. They have given us a life that we never would have had without their beneficence. But some of our people have already initiated attacks against our saviors.”
Another low rumble went up throughout the crowd. Alan waited until it had died down before he continued. “A small group of humans has sabotaged a critical component of the Naku’s guards. The Naku have uncovered this plot, but they will need time to ensure that their guards are as loyal to them as they always have been. During this time, you will see fewer Unwelcome on the streets of New City.”
More concerned whispers spread across the auditorium. Alan raised his arms, and silence returned. “We will need to become the protectors of the Naku during this dangerous time. Anyone who hears of anything that could in any way, shape, or form endanger the Naku must come forward. I do not know what our enemy has planned, but we may very well have to lay our bodies on the line to protect the world the Naku have created. These enemies would destroy the peace and the civilization that the Naku have given us. They would return us to the world before the Naku arrived.”
A few people called out “No!” while others turned angrily, gesturing to their neighbors.
Alan nodded his head, agreeing with their responses. “We all remember how difficult it was in the aftermath of the Incident: the violence, the starvation, the sickness. We will not go back to that time. We will not let a small group of humans destroy the peace that we have found. Protecting the Naku is protecting ourselves. Who will join me in prot
ecting them?”
A cry rang out as most of the auditorium jumped to their feet.
“Who will join me?” Alan asked again, louder this time.
The response was deafening as all in the auditorium shouted their commitment. Alan looked over the masses. Each person in the auditorium was on their feet, pledging their bodies to protect the Naku.
Which is how it should be. The Naku gave us this life. It was only right that we would be prepared to sacrifice our lives to protect them.
21
Lyla gathered the information from Thor as well as the map that Max had sent with Riley and Petra. It indicated the houses in the Fringe where they could get help. She also examined the map of New City, trying to figure out which exits and entrances would be best for trying to slip into the city and getting onto the veerfinah. For hours, she studied all of the information, trying to figure out the best approach. Finally, as dawn approached, she knew she had the best plan she could develop.
She let herself sleep for a few hours, making Arthur promise to wake her at noon and to have all of her commanders meet her so they could discuss what she had decided. She awoke just as Arthur opened the door to the bedroom.
After a quick stop at the bathroom, she hurried down to the first floor. There was a large table in the room off the front door, which had once been a dining room. Now it served as their conference room.
The double doors that led to the room had been rolled back. Addie and Jamal stood waiting at the entrance, chatting softly. Beyond them, she could see Riley, Lewis, and Pierce on one side of the table. Petra stood talking with Thor and Pxedlin on the other side. Montel and Otto were just walking in the other door from the kitchen area. Lyla nodded at all of them. “All right, let’s get to work.”
Lyla spread out the papers and spoke for thirty minutes, explaining what she wanted to do. For thirty minutes after that, she answered questions. Finally, everybody went quiet. She turned to Lewis first. “Well?”
