Backlash Rising

by Brandon Ellis

  But Harak wanted to kill her, and probably for good reason since he believed the Chosen One would set in motion Thun’s or his death.

  Ali glared at Thun. “My dad mentioned that Harak believes either you or he will die because of me.”

  Thun straightened his lips, his demeanor more serious than usual. “Yes, my father showed your father the book of prophecies, the Bawn Seer. Harak has read it, just as I. He thinks you’re the outsider, the sun lover that will carry out either my death or his. Truthfully, he couldn’t care less if I died, but one of us dying isn’t exactly what the book says. It speaks about a death in royalty, and that can be any one of the royal line. This includes cousins, their husbands and wives, their children, brothers, or sisters. It could mean a metaphorical death, too. Once we free ourselves from this mountain, will we continue to rule as we did before? Most likely not.”

  “Then why does he think the death means either you or him?”

  “He doesn’t agree with the metaphor and doesn’t consider cousins direct royalty. Me, our father, our mother, and he are direct. To him, the gods and goddess protect our mother and father above all else. But the book of prophecy isn’t clear what royalty means.”

  “Well, then I think your brother needs a new head screwed on. He’s deciding without proof. That jerk tried to kill Daf and me. If it wasn’t for Sol,” she held up her sword, “we’d be dead.”

  Thun gave a hearty laugh. “But you defended yourself. Regardless of how much Harak dislikes you, he now respects you a little more. Those who evade death with bravery are revered here. Harak, despite his actions and belief that he’s correct about the prophecy, no doubt places you a notch higher than he did a few hours ago.” He clapped. “Congratulations.”

  Ali rolled her eyes. If she didn’t have Sol, she would be in the grave, which seemed to go over Thun’s big head. She sheathed Sol. “All you Bawns want to do is fight, to make you feel better about yourselves. To top it off, you want war with the Anunnaki.” She gritted her teeth. “Do you know how stupid and crazy that idea is?”

  Thun grunted, his face reddening. “Do not call my race stupid.” His eyes dropped to Sol, and his expression softened. “It’s our destiny, our birthright to let the Anunnaki know that they can’t best the Bawns. Karma will pay them back three-fold.”

  Ali let out a sigh, shaking her head. She couldn’t wait any longer. A weapon of mass destruction was headed toward her friends on Sirona, even if she had to take the damn Bawn along with her.

  She took several steps toward Tranquil. The ship hummed and a platform descended from under the bridge. She waved for her companions to follow. “Let’s go.” If they insisted on joining her, then she didn’t want them to hold her up.

  The platform raised shortly after they stepped onto it. Chan placed his hands in his robe sleeves. “What do you think?”

  Ali glanced up as the platform continued to ascend. The bridge’s ceiling brightened with an inner glow. “I think it’s a ship.”

  Reaching the bridge, the platform stopped, clicking in place. Ali’s eyes about bulged out of her skull. The bridge radiated with an immaculate soft shine. With a vidscreen circling half the area, and stations spread throughout, it looked very advanced. Unlike Star Guild’s bridges, this one had space. The captain and XO seats looked comfortable, and the nav station was long and wide with buttons blinking and monitors streaming data.

  A chime sounded, and the walls abruptly hummed. A deeper light glowed from the ceiling, penetrating the bridge. A vibration went up Ali’s body and calmness took over, along with a thought saying welcome.

  She paused and pursed her lips. Where did that thought come from? She walked to the captain’s chair and plopped down onto it. Perhaps she needed to give this captain idea a shot. It felt right. She had led a team before, albeit just a team of misfit ebb miners, but she led, nonetheless. She couldn’t wait any longer. She had to get this ship off the ground and to Sirona.

  She rubbed the armrest. “When do we get this thing off the ground?”

  Thun grunted. “This is where you will see why Sol and your bloodline are so important.”

  Ali instinctively moved her hand to Sol’s hilt and felt the gentle energy it gave off and the confidence it brewed through every cell in her body. She sat more upright.

  Thun rested his hand on a round knob on Ali’s chair. A hiss and the floor between the captain’s chair and the XO chair opened up. A stone emerged and rose.

  Ali leaned away. “What’s that?”

  Thun motioned toward it, a grin creeping on his face, his dirty beard and thick eyebrows moving. “It’s for Sol. Please insert the sword.”

  She stood and took a few paces forward, seeing an opening the size of the sword’s shaft at the stone’s apex. “You want me to place my sword in there?”

  Chan nodded, and Thun grunted again.

  A part of her didn’t want to let go of Sol, her protector. Other than Harak and his gang, the Bawns seemed to respect it and respect her because of it. She didn’t want to take the chance of losing such a vital item. “Are you sure? I think it’s good by my side.”

  Thun shook his head. “It’s how you activate Starship Tranquil.”

  Chan patted the stone. “It’s safe. Trust me.”

  “All right.” Ali unsheathed her sword and slowly slid it into the stone.

  The ship vibrated, and the bridge’s walls and ceiling grew brighter. The vidscreen blinked on, displaying the cavern, along with hundreds of military vehicles dotting the area.

  Thun let out a happy yelp as if he’d been waiting for this moment his entire life. He clapped his hands together, letting his axe fall to the floor. “You did it, Ali.” His expression shifted, his face becoming stern as if he’d caught himself showing too much joy. He looked away, wiping a tear from his eye with his thick sleeve.

  “Now what?” asked Ali.

  They looked at her blankly.

  Ali puffed out her lower lip. “That’s it? It’s ready to fly?”

  Thun and Chan glanced at one another. They both shrugged.

  Ali lifted her hands in the air. “You’re looking at me like I should know something.”

  Chan brought a fist to his lip and cleared his throat. He took another look at Thun then shifted his focus to Ali. “We are wondering if you hear anything.”

  Ali looked around, listening for something. She didn’t hear anything except the slight purr from the engines. “The engines are quiet.”

  Thun rested his palm on the stone. “That's not what I'm looking for. Now, what do you hear?”

  Ali lifted her shoulders and dropped them. “I don’t know. You two breathing? How about you clue me in?”

  “Just listen. I mean, really listen,” said Chan.

  Ali wanted to get this ride into the air and get to Sirona. Screw this listening crap. She shook her head. “I hear nothing peculiar.”

  Thun's shoulders slumped. “According to our legend and the Bawn Seer, the one who wields Sol and is of the royal bloodline can hear Starship Tranquil speak.”

  Ali leaned her head back, her mouth open. “That’s what I was listening for? A ship talking?” Bawns obviously don’t take many rides on ships. Ships don’t talk.

  Unless…

  Ali took a seat in the captain’s chair. “Does this ship have artificial intelligence?”

  “In a way, yes. This ship is a biological entity, and only three exist in the entire galaxy. Tranquil has a brain and controls the ship like we control our bodies,” explained Chan. “It’s part of the Space Templar technology, and Space Templar lore suggests these ships speak, though telepathically. Until now, I never questioned the idea.”

  A brain on a ship? A ship as a biological entity? Pure fairy tale, just like magic wands and dragons in mythological stories. Her two new friends needed to understand the difference between make-believe and reality.

  Thun slapped Chan’s lower leg. “Let's inspect the rest of the ship. Then we can try to fly this thing.”
>
  Ali held down a smile. “Yes, let’s get this off the ground and into the air.” The sooner they flew, the better. “How do we get this vessel out of here?”

  Thun walked toward the bridge’s exit, which led to a corridor. “According to legend, once this ship lifts off the ground, the rock walls inside this cavern open, then close once Tranquil disembarks from the mountain.”

  Ali tightened her lips. “I don't know about trusting these legends.” Then again, they got this craft in the cavern somehow.

  “Our legends say the bloodline can lift Sol from the statue,” mentioned Thun. “You did just that. Hence, our legend was correct. This legend will be correct, too.”

  Tell them all to leave, said a voice.

  Ali jerked in her seat, the back of her head hitting the soft padding. She rubbed the back of her neck. “What was that?”

  Chan took a step toward her, his eyes wrinkled in worry. “What was what?”

  Thun stood straighter and marched toward Ali. “You heard Tranquil, didn’t you?” He licked his lips, bobbing his head up and down.

  Tell them to leave, Ali.

  Ali glanced at the sword, then lifted her eyes to Chan. “You must go. Take Thun with you.”

  Thun widened his stance and rested his axe on his shoulder. “No.”

  Chan crouched slightly and placed his hand on Thun’s back. “She is the Sol carrier. We do as she bids.”

  Thun pushed Chan’s hand away. “I’m not a fan of my brother, Harak, but I suspect he is correct when he said Ali was here last night to steal the ship. I can sense her goodwill, but this ship doesn’t leave without us Bawns onboard.”

  Get them to leave. You must be alone and out of distraction’s way.

  Ali dismissed his argument, although true. “Guys, you got to go.”

  Thun shook his head, creasing his brows. “She will take Tranquil to free her friends on the other starship and leave us here.”

  Chan dipped his head. “According to your legends, the Chosen One is also the captain of this ship. In that case, this is her ship.”

  Thun’s face hardened. He paced back and forth, his axe in his hands. He halted. “Fine.” He pounded his palm on his axe’s handle. “I’ll leave you on the ship if you promise not to fly Tranquil out of Mount Gabriel unless my men and women are on board.”

  Let them leave, Ali, came the voice again, soft and hypnotic.

  Ali leaned forward, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Guys, I don't even know how to fly this, so getting out of here is the least of my concerns. My first concern is the voice I hear in my head.”

  Chan folded his hands inside his sleeves again. “So, you hear it.”

  Thun wiggled his finger at Ali while looking at Chan. “She’s not lying. I can tell she’s not lying. The prophecies and legends continue to astound me.” He walked forward, halting in front of her. He placed his hands on his knees and looked up into her eyes. “What’s the voice saying?

  “Like I said before, it’s saying for you two to leave the starship.”

  Thun slowly stood, pushing air between his teeth. “I don’t understand. The lore says that we are part of the Chosen One’s team, her crew. So why are we being told to leave?”

  Chan went to his knees, getting on the Bawn’s level. “Right now, we’re in Ali’s way. Perhaps we need to leave her alone for Tranquil to train her. Let's give her space.” Chan stood and bowed, his hands in prayer position at his chest. He walked toward the platform that brought them onto the bridge. He motioned for Thun to follow.

  Thun lowered his head, his chin practically touching his chest, and walked reluctantly to the platform. Thun stood firm as the platform clicked loudly and descended. They disappeared from view, and minutes later, the platform returned empty, locking in place.

  You are of the bloodline, came Tranquil’s voice. But not of the temperament to fly me…yet.

  Ali dropped her hands in her lap. “The temperament?” I have to get this thing into the air now.

  I’m not a thing, I’m Tranquil. Thank you.

  Ali gasped, her muscles tightening. “I see. So, you can hear my thoughts just like I can hear yours?”

  Yes.

  “So, why can’t I fly you then?”

  In order for you to operate me to your potential, you must learn that being right or wrong isn't the basis of life.

  That made no sense. Why would the ship bring something like that up? “And your meaning?”

  You are challenged in life with the urge to always be right, which you are...often, and that’s because you have an aptitude for acute observation and an intellect for analyzing things quickly.

  If someone has a differing opinion or a different way of doing things, it doesn't mean they are wrong. They simply do it differently and in their own way. In this subtle way, you are inclined to taking the Bawns away from their destiny because it doesn’t benefit your current belief structure—that Starship Sirona won’t survive if the Bawns come along with you.

  It’s best to take other’s greatest assets and use them for the benefit of all, rather than looking at their faults. You can use the Bawn’s assets in order to successfully fulfill your wish to save your people. Do you follow?

  “How do you know this about me?”

  I have an expansive consciousness. I see beyond what borders me, and I send my consciousness through the soil, the roots, and into the air. I've been watching you mine on Eos for a long time. That's why you have always come near me and have been drawn to Mount Gabriel, my home. I've been calling you, watching you, and I’m the reason you felt that pull.

  “Look, I just want to get my people to safety and get home to Earth with my dad. It’s simple, really.”

  You will. In time. But you need to be a good, worthy leader. You are of the bloodline, yes. You are chosen, yes. Your willingness is lacking.

  “It chose me. I didn’t choose it.”

  Leaders don’t choose to be victims and live in victimhood, which is what you’re doing at the moment. Change that. Realize that you are responsible for everything you do in life, including being a Chosen One.

  “Uh…right.” Ali couldn’t believe the ship was lecturing her.

  To be a good leader, you want those around you to follow you through the worst situations, no matter what. Not because they are called by destiny to do so, but because they love you beyond their own mortal life. The best leaders are those whose crew will do anything to protect her, and in that sense, she will do everything in her power to protect her crew.

  Ali thought for a moment. Her mother, Helen, and her father, Shae, came to mind. She remembered, as a little girl, her dad telling her how good she bucked hay. “You know, I couldn’t do this without you,” he said. “You’re my big, strong girl.” He rubbed her back, making her feel warm and wanted. A tear came to her eye. She wanted nothing more than to be with her real family again, together.

  Thank you for your vulnerability. It’s now time to lift off.

  Ali snapped back to the present. “Excuse me?”

  The large craft lifted into the air.

  “What are you doing?”

  We are going for a test run. You not only need a lesson in being a worthy captain, but you also need a lesson in piloting me.

  “No, I can’t. I made a promise to Thun I wouldn’t leave the cave.”

  Did you make a promise, or did Thun throw a demand your way without you agreeing to said demand?

  Ali thought for a moment, then bobbed her head up and down. It was true. Thun forced the promise, and she never responded to it.

  The starship shuddered, turning. A portion of the mountain opened like an elevator door. Bright light streamed in, and Tranquil pitched back a few degrees. Horns blared throughout the cavern.

  “Look, if you want me to be a good leader, you better not leave. The Bawns will be pissed.”

  Let them be pissed. We have little time left to save your friends. We’re heading to the Anunnaki’s stronghold, the best place t
o learn to pilot me.

  “What?” Ali stood, violently shaking her head. “Are you crazy?”

  Tranquil’s engines revved louder, the ship vibrating. Ali pushed back into her seat as the ship blasted forward and slipped through the opening in the mountain.

  19

  Eden

  Starship Sirona, Eos

  Eden walked with Skye down a Starship Sirona corridor, her mind turning a million loops, twisting around as if nothing made sense anymore. He gave her the position of captain on Starship Swift and now took it away?

  “Right here,” she said, her lips numb, her eyes vacant. She stopped and stood in front of door thirty-six. Sleuth had given her this room as her sleeping quarters, mentioning it when he quickly passed her down the corridor.

  “I gave you the position of captain because you’re of the bloodline. I failed to see that you would so easily allow emotions to take control of you, rather than balancing reason and emotion.” He dipped his head, bowing slightly to her. “I had to take the position away and give it to Nyx. She is more qualified and up to the task.”

  A memory of Diana placing her hands under her desk came to mind. Eden was certain Diana had gone for a gun but had obviously been mistaken. “I can’t stand knowing she is a traitor and I’m not allowed to do anything about it.”

  “I’m not seeking to out her right now. I’m seeking to gain her trust, to turn her in our favor, and for her to help us locate Enlil’s location.”

  “My apologies.”

  He folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall. “Why did you overact?”

  “I was certain she was going for a weapon.”

  “Remember, we have Nyx and Jantu with us, plus myself. We’re Space Templar-trained and skilled with the Sight. If she had pulled out a gun intending to use it, Nyx, Jantu, and I would have put a plasma bolt in each person in the room before they could blink an eye. When I give you an order, you take that order to heart. Do you understand?”