by Zoey Indiana
They needed to destroy the Sovereign. For the sake of everyone on the planet. He would help strengthen the Resistance, and they could find a new location for Violet Five, reopen it, and help the best and brightest of resistance members. He may not be the one toppling the Sovereign, but he would do everything he could to help. Maybe they could build a colony underneath the bar to improve its strength and importance to the community.
“That was amazing. Nothing better in life than a hot relaxing shower.” Cay laughed at the true statement. “So, do we wait here or what?”
“I have no way to find Nova, so it appears so.”
“Who’s Nova?” Cay’s hackles rose as he heard the hostility in Alastor’s voice.
“The woman who kept me safe. We can trust her.”
“Then how did you wind up in that cell?”
“That’s a long story, but the short version is An’Da.”
“Say no more.” Alastor sat at the table in silence.
“What can you tell me about where we just left?” While he didn’t plan on returning, the man might know more about the splinter cell than he realized.
“It doesn’t exist anymore. Forget about it.”
“That’s where you are wrong.” An’Da’s voice cut through the room.
25 Violet Five Remains: Nova
Nova held her breath as Lyn’Da trod through the rubble. A nagging feeling told her that Lyn’Da would step on them, but she didn’t want to make a sound by moving. Lyn’Da eyed the injector on the table, then glanced around the room. Picking up the injector, she looked it over. Nova flinched when Lyn’Da screamed and threw the injector, shattering it.
She knows I betrayed her.
Nova flinched at the voice in her head but didn’t make a noise.
“Nova, come out! I know you’re hiding here somewhere. You always were a coward.” Lyn’Da spun in a circle, grabbing broken pieces of furniture and chucking them. Nova reached for the device to uncloak.
Not yet! Wait until she isn’t expecting you.
Nova stopped, but anger built up in her. Every memory of Lyn’Da insulting her came back. The time she’d been blamed for Lyn’Da’s decision to raid a suspected ARI stronghold that resulted in twenty innocent lives lost. Another time when Lyn’Da had shoved her towards ARI soldiers to save her own ass. Lyn’Da caused all the failures she’d taken the blame for. Her entire life she’d covered for her fake sister, sacrificing her own freedoms.
No more. She wouldn’t let Lyn’Da ruin any more lives.
Nova jumped to her feet and tackled Lyn’Da. A shrill shriek pierced the room as they went face first into the stone floor. Nova jumped on Lyn’Da’s prone back and pinned her arms.
“You’re the coward, always hiding behind the little sister you constantly abused.” Nova twisted her arm higher, eliciting a scream of pain. “Not even your real sister. You had to kidnap an innocent child to use as a shield. How pathetic is that?”
Her knee smashed into Nova, throwing her over Lyn’Da, and splintering the chair leg she landed on. Closing her eyes, she fought back the nausea that threatened to bring back her lunch. She opened her eyes in time to see Lyn’Da rushing her. Throwing her legs into the air, she caught Lyn’Da by the waist. Dodging a fist, Nova grabbed her elbow, kicked off Lyn’Da’s hip, and put her into an arm bar lock. A sickening crack echoed through the room as Lyn’Da’s elbow went past the bending point.
Another scream pierced the room. Nova jumped to her feet and backed up. Emotions warred inside of her. Despite how much she wanted to kill Lyn’Da for all the wrongs committed, there was still a small part of her heart that accepted her as her sister. She patted her chest where the cloaking device should be, but nothing was there. She didn’t look for it; she wanted this to be a fair fight.
Freya appeared from the corner of her eye. No longer cloaked, she squatted in the corner with a curious expression. Nova wanted to know more about Freya, but now wasn’t the time. The world tilted as pain exploded in her gut. Oxygen became a scarcity when she finally sucked in a breath. Her vision blacked out as pain blasted her face. Blinking rapidly, her vision came back to see blood pouring out of her nose onto the ground.
A hand grasped her neck, and Nova grabbed it, spinning behind the attacker. She shoved Lyn’Da’s arm as high as she could. The back of Lyn’Da’s head crashed into Nova’s face, causing her to let go and stumble back. More pain exploded in her gut, face, and neck. The blows came faster than she could count.
This was it. Her greatest failure. Dying at the hands of the worst of the worst. Her soul cried out at the injustice of it all. An entire existence ruined by Lyn’Da’s evil soul. Nova would die without purpose or pride.
“You always were a stupid bitch. I don’t know why I even bothered.”
Lyn’Da threw Nova on the ground. Too tired to fight back, she lay there, limp. Pain became her existence.
“I should put you out of my misery.”
Nova’s eyes focused on the shiny silver Reaper that Lyn’Da held pointed at her face. She was closer than she should be. Nova kicked out, her foot connecting with the side of Lyn’Da’s knee. She dropped instantly. Nova jumped on top and wrestled for the weapon. An elbow jabbing struggle later and Lyn’Da had Nova pinned. Nova pointed the Reaper at Lyn’Da and Lyn’Da aimed a backup Reaper at her.
Several seconds went by as they stared each other down. Lyn’Da’s good arm weaved as her finger pressed the fire button. Nova hesitated, not wanting to destroy the one constant thing in her life.
The Reaper fell from Lyn’Da’s outstretched hand. Bloody tears ran down her cheeks and her eyes rolled back. Lyn’Da fell off Nova. Concerned, Nova rushed to check her. No life signs at all. Lyn’Da was dead.
“What the hell was that?” Nova glared at Freya.
“You hesitated. Another second and you’d be dead, not her.”
“You had no right to kill her.”
“Actually, I had every right. You wouldn’t kill her, and she knew I turned. If she’d killed you, I’d still have to kill her.”
Nova kicked at a scrap of wood.
“Besides, now I know I can trust you.”
26 Resistance Safe House: Cay
Cay spun to face An’Da, his jaw dropping open. Her clothes were scorched black, and large burns covered her arms. If he wanted to live in peace, he would have to kill her. Anything less wouldn’t do.
“Did you miss me?”
“If I never saw you again, it would be too soon.”
“You wound me, Cay. After I saved your life.”
“Saved my life? You only did that so I could be your little experimental toy.” An’Da approached Alastor, but Alastor backed away from her. She turned back to Cay and looked him up and down. “It really is a shame you can’t behave. It could be so much fun.”
“Hardly.”
“At least for me. You don’t even need to be conscious.”
Fury burst inside his chest. All the injustices against Alastor. Everything she’d planned for him. No man would be safe with her around. He needed to stop her once and for all. Even if he died, it would be worth it.
Catching her by surprise, he punched her in the face. Pain radiated through his fist as he realized the face wasn’t the best place to punch. Alastor attacked, grabbing her shoulders and throwing her against the wall. She spun and kneed him between the legs before he could protect himself. Alastor doubled over, holding himself. Kicking out, he slid across the floor in a crumpled mass of groans.
Turning her attention to Cay, he braced for the fight. Everything he’d read about self-defense came back to him. Hit the soft areas, stay off the ground, and never turn your back to your opponent. He took a few steps back, watching for body cues. Her weight shifted, and he leaned back, feeling the wind of her roundhouse kick.
“If you surrender now, all of this can go away. We’ll walk out of here together.”
“Over my dead body.”
Her fist slid past him, a glancing strike. Cay jumped
to the side, but lost his footing. He tripped over the chair Alastor sat at earlier. Landing on his back, he tried to get up, but her foot pressed on his neck. He grasped her foot, trying to let air through, but she didn’t budge.
“That can be arranged.”
Twisting and pushing did nothing. No air came. Darkness encroached on his consciousness. Noise faded into a buzz. Sadness flooded him. He didn’t want to die. For all time, everyone would remember him for being a man, not anything he’d accomplished. No true meaning.
Weight lifted off his neck, and he coughed, letting in much-needed air. The buzz faded back into sounds of a struggle. Cay tried to get to his feet, but fell back to his knees. Alastor and An’Da rolled across the floor, fighting for power.
Cay sat back and watched them fight. He needed to let go of the past. Nothing he did could change it. Regardless of his fertility, there was a way to help the resistance. In that moment, he vowed to let Alastor get his vengeance.
Alastor let out a battle cry and threw himself on top of An’Da. Cay could see fury in his action and expression. Nothing distracted the man, and he didn’t hesitate. Striking the final blow, Alastor rolled off An’Da’s body. Lying back on the floor, Cay watched his chest heave. Heaving breaths turned into gasping sobs. Unsure of what to do, he slipped outside, letting Alastor grieve in peace.
27 Violet Five Remains: Nova
“Do I even want to know how you did that?”
“Telekinesis.”
A cold sweat broke out over her body. “What exactly did she die from?”
“Massive brain hemorrhage. I didn’t know if it would work, but seemed like a good time to practice it.”
“Practice? You were just practicing?” Nova cried, outraged at Freya’s nonchalance for life. “What if she’d killed me?”
“I told you. I would have killed her, then returned to ARI.”
“Seriously? Where are the emotions?”
“I have none.” Pure dread filled Nova. “The scientists made sure of that.”
Freya inspected Lyn’Da’s body, then retrieved the cloaking device from the ground.
“I guess this is it.”
“Yup. I take her body back, you relocate Violet Five, and I’ll return when I can.”
Nova retrieved her hover bike. “Remind me to never piss you off.”
“You don’t need a reminder.”
Nova shook her head and walked the hover bike outside. Climbing onto the seat, she initiated the cloak and started the engine. She needed to return to Gu’Rati Colony, where she would find Cay and take him away. Twisting the throttle, she headed through the security checkpoints. Freya was wrong. She couldn’t relocate Violet Five. Regardless of where she decided, Cay would never be safe inside the inner-city. Too many risks, and she wouldn’t risk his life again.
She pulled up to the smoldering remains of the colony. Her heart stopped as she realized what happened. While she was hiding from her failures, she’d led ARI to another colony. Just like Gu’Kano, she’d killed everyone inside. She’d killed Cay. Hot tears scorched her windburned cheeks. Several minutes ticked by as she searched the rubble for some sign of him. Anything. He couldn’t be dead. The resistance would be lost without him. She couldn’t fathom life with him dead.
Even leaving him alone, she’d failed him. Sobs burst from her, and she almost lost control. Dropping to the ground, she let out all her frustration in a scream that scorched her throat. All the injustice of their lives swamped her as she pounded her fists on the singed grass. Her soul crushed, she went to the only place she could think of. The safe house. Everyone who knew she stayed there was dead. It would be safe for a few days until she figured out what to do.
She turned off the engine and threw it into neutral. Like she always did, she walked it inside. It would be safe there. Nothing was safe outside. The hover bike clattered to the ground.
Cay? Her eyes must be lying. It was impossible. Looking again, he was still there.
He was alive.
Cay grunted in her ear when their bodies collided.
“You’re alive!” She wrapped her arms tighter around him.
“Not for long if you don’t let go.” Nova pulled back. This time she saw faint bruising on his neck.
“What happened to you?”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re here now.” Cay’s arms wrapped around her, much gentler than she’d been with him. Tilting her head up, she kissed his jaw.
“I can’t believe you’re alive. Something destroyed the colony.” She gave him a kiss she’d never forget and pulled back to look over him. Something caught her attention from the edge of her sight. A man with long brown hair and a beard stood awkwardly next to Cay.
There were two living men!
“I’m so sorry. I’m being rude.” Nova reached her hand out in a greeting gesture, but the man retreated.
“Don’t take offense. He’s had a rough time.”
Nova looked back at Cay. “No offense taken.” Nova hurried to the replicator and produced several items. “I’ve got the perfect place the three of us can stay. It will be cramped, but that’s okay. We will make it work.”
Cay’s voice came from right behind her. “What are you doing?”
“Getting a travel pack together. It will take us a few days to walk to the new safe house. I want to make sure we have everything we need for the trip.”
Hands turned her around until she was staring up into the grey eyes she loved so much. “Tell me what’s going on. Why do we need to go to a new safe house?”
“Because this one was compromised.” Lyn’Da revealed the tracking nanites before Cay had arrived, so he hadn’t known.
“I think you misunderstand me.” Cay’s warm lips pressed on her forehead. “Why are we going to a new safe house when we should find a new location for Violet Five?”
Her heart punched her chest. “You’re not safe in the inner-city. Neither is he.”
“Then what is your plan?”
Nova pulled Cay further from the man. “I thought it was obvious. Take you someplace safe. Further out into the wilderness. Where there is no resistance or ARI. So far away the Sovereign will never be able to find you.” She stopped speaking as Cay slowly shook his head.
“Nova…” Cay’s hands slid up and down her arms. “I can’t make you give up everything you’ve worked so hard for. It wouldn’t be fair.” She protested, but he cut her off. “I’m the problem, not you. No matter what you do, I will have to hide. Just by being born, I was thrown into this life. They took every decision from me since. The last thing I want to do is take away your choices.”
“But you’re not. I’m choosing to give up the resistance. There are things in life that are more important than vengeance.” She pulled his head down and kissed his forehead. “I choose you. I know we will work everything out. There is nothing that can keep us apart.”
“No.”
28 Resistance Safe House: Cay
He’d found a woman he could trust and appeared to care for him as much as he cared for her. All of a sudden, he understood why she’d left him at the colony. For the same reason he wouldn’t leave her ever again. “You say that, but I know you. If you could have both, why wouldn’t you?”
He watched the emotions war on her face. “But I can’t put you at risk.”
“You’re not putting me at any more risk than I already am. Even if we hide away in the wilderness, there is still a risk. ARI could find us, I could be seriously injured, or the earth could crack open and swallow us whole.” He rubbed her shoulders as he talked. “Nothing about this life is guaranteed. Why not make the most of it?”
“Because I love you, and I don’t want to lose you.”
Cay grasped her hand and led her over to the bed. Urging her to sit down, he knelt before her. He lay his head on her lap, practically purring when her fingers slid through his hair. How could he make her see he wanted this as much as she did?
“Why do you want to be in the resistance?
” He asked her.
“I was born for it.”
“No, I’m not asking how you got there. In this moment, you can go back or leave. Why do you want to go back?”
She sighed, and a weight eased off him every time her hand slid across his scalp. “Because what the Sovereign is doing isn’t right. It’s not just what they did to me or you, but how they harm people from both sides every day. What the civilians endure even if they don’t know it.”
“Exactly. Because it is the right thing to do. And who else is better at this than you? You ran Violet Five. You know how this works.” He looked up at her. “I bet you already have a plan.”
Nova laughed.
“See? I know you. You got this. While you are taking down the forces of evil, I’ll be right beside you. Helping any way I can. Besides, I’m sure Alastor will be happy to help.”
“He’s not wrong.” Alastor’s gruff voice surprised her.
“How do we keep you two safe?”
“We’ll make sure the new location has some hidden places. If we get lucky, it will have space for underground quarters.”
“Why do you want to do this? All of this is new to you.”
Cay hadn’t expected her to turn the question around on him. He glanced at Alastor, seeing years of scars and abuse. “For the same reason. No one should endure what the Sovereign inflicts on them. As long as there is a war, there will be victims of war. If I can help one person, then I’ll know my life was worth it.”
“Congratulations, you already met that goal. Want to make another?” Her smile warmed his heart. He laughed and pulled her down for a kiss. Nothing on this planet would keep him from Nova.
