The Uprising

by L. J. Suarez

  Ava sat down next to Damari. “Enjoying the show?”

  Damari nodded as he sipped his drink. “Very much so.” He pointed to the cup. “This…slurma of yours is quite tasteful. It leaves a burning sensation through my throat, and my body feels as though it is vibrating. But it does warm you well on cold nights such as this.”

  Ava stopped short from bursting into laughter. She wondered if a Monad’s metabolism could withstand that can of punishment. “Glad you liked it.”

  “Is it always so…festive here?” Damari said.

  “Just another night in New Lazarus.” Ava took a bite of her horalo leg. She looked over to Jarzon, whose eyes were glued to the band. “Having fun, Jarzon?”

  Jarzon only smiled and turned back to the band.

  “I’ll take that as a yes,” Ava said. “By the way, thank you for that purifier crystal of yours. It worked like a charm. Never tasted such pure water in my life.”

  “You are perfectly welcome,” Damari said without taking his eyes off the band.

  Ava watched as the settlers interacted with the Monads throughout the courtyard. She felt like a child again back in Empyreum, where humans and Monads lived together. Admittedly, she had doubts about how the settlers would receive the Monads. Understandably, there were some tensions at first. It has been far too long since the two races had been in the same place together. Now it appeared that the settlers had warmed up to their guests quite nicely.

  “When do you believe we will be returned to our people?” Damari said.

  “Soon, I’m sure,” Ava said. “There’s been some complications, which was why we couldn’t return you to the crash site this morning. But don’t worry, Aaron and the other committee members are working it all out. You’ll be back with your people in no time.”

  Damari grinned, seemingly satisfied with that answer. He turned his attention back to the humans dancing before them. Ava was the only one outside of Mace and the Committee who knew about the drone that had lurked outside New Lazarus this morning. Until they figured out what the next course of action would be, the Committee wanted to keep things quiet to avoid a panic. Amazingly, Damari didn’t seem that preoccupied with having to stay in the settlement for another night. The nightly festivities were a welcomed distraction for them.

  From the corner of her eye, Ava saw Mace making his way through the courtyard toward her. Placing a hand on Damari’s shoulder, she said, “I’ll be right back.” Ava rose to her feet and met Mace halfway.

  Mace’s expression seemed to have softened since their conversation earlier in the day. “Hey.”

  “Any word yet on what the Committee decided?”

  Mace sighed. “My father spoke with Ionne to let her know the survivors are safe. They agreed to meet at the north side of the Gray Zone border to deliver the survivors some time tomorrow. Ionne will present the plan to the Inner Council.”

  Ava was stunned. “How did he reach out to Ionne?”

  Mace looked around and said in a lower tone, “My father has a transmitter that was given to him before we left Empyreum—a safety precaution in case we ever needed to contact them. It’s what he used to get a hold of Ionne.”

  Ava nodded.

  Mace moved in closer to Ava. “Look, I’m sorry for what I said earlier. I was out of line.”

  “I’m sorry, too. I know you must have felt blindsided when you first saw them walking around the settlement. But there’s no need to worry. They’re good people.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.” Mace looked over her shoulder and noticed the Monads mingling with the settlers as the band started playing a different tune. “They seem to be fitting in.”

  Ava followed his gaze. “They really are.” She turned back to Mace. “You wanna meet them?”

  Mace seemed to hesitate for a moment as he rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  Without saying a word, Ava reached out her hand for his. The look she gave him said he had no other choice. He hesitantly grabbed her hand, and she pulled him to her as they moved through the crowd.

  The Monads that were talking amongst the settlers all turned to meet Ava with Mace alongside her. Damari and Jarzon walk over to them.

  “Damari, I want you to meet someone.” Ava turned to Mace. “This is Mace. He will be taking you all back to your people tomorrow. Everything has been worked out.”

  Damari’s large eyes brightened as they blinked sideways in rapid fire. He looked down at Jarzon, who shared at his excitement. “We are most grateful for your assistance. And for all the hospitality you have all shown us. Thank you.”

  Ava gave Mace a slight nudge with her elbow.

  He straightened his jacket. “Huh… Sure, don’t mention it.” He extended a hand out toward Damari.

  Damari studied it for a brief moment; when he finally realized the significance of the gesture, his smile widened. Damari grabbed Mace’s hand and gave it a firm shake.

  Ava covered her mouth, where an infectious smile had formed. What she was witnessing was history in the making—humans and Monads reunifying. She was proud of Mace for putting his prejudice to the side and embracing this moment. Maybe there’s hope for him after all.

  Chapter 11

  All the Inner Council members’ eyes were fixed on the holo-projection playing over the central table.

  The screen showed the last recording of the scout drone that had ventured deep into the Gray Zone after it discovered the human settlement hidden in a mountain valley. The last image before the drone’s destruction was of a human male standing over it. One councilor actually flinched in his seat as he watched an act level onto the drone.

  The settlement’s coordinates were successfully transmitted to Empyreum before the scout drone went offline forever. The holo-screen fizzled away, and the chamber’s lights returned to their normal illumination.

  The councilors turned their attention to Ionne, listening attentively as the Institute director explained the conversation she’d had with Aaron last night after she established contact. How they had agreed to rendezvous in a remote location at the north end of the Gray Zone, between the zone and the rest of the Outlands, where the Jafner survivors would be delivered into their custody.

  After Ionne finished going over the plan, there was a pause within the room.

  Councilor Saavi broke the silence. “Well done, Dr. Ionne. I am pleased to hear of the humans’ willingness to cooperate.”

  “I do not see why we cannot just go directly to their settlement and extract the survivors from there,” Councilor Drega said. “Especially since we already know where they are.”

  “They do not wish for their village to be trespassed on any further than it already has, especially after we sent a drone to spy on them.” Ionne grimaced at Drega as she said this.

  “Meeting at a neutral location is reasonable,” Saavi said. “We shall proceed with Dr. Ionne’s plan. Constable Rylan will take his troops to the rendezvous point and retrieve the survivors.”

  All the council members in the room nodded in agreement, except for Ionne. “I…was under the impression that I would lead this operation. Given my relationship with the humans, I am the most logical choice.”

  “With all due respect, Doctor,” Drega said, “it is precisely your close relationship with them that could bring unforeseeable complications to an already critical situation. Besides, the way the humans reacted to our scout drone proves that they could potentially be dangerous. We do not know how many of them there are. We must exercise extreme caution to ensure the safe return of our people.”

  “And who is to say the humans haven’t already killed the survivors?” another councilor added.

  “Indeed.” Drega said. “After what we have just seen, the humans have clearly become cruel and brutal. Living in the Outlands for this long must have altered their behavior.”

  A female councilor sitting across from Ionne said. “Or perhaps the Outlands brought out what they truly were.”

&n
bsp; Ionne thought her ears were playing tricks on her by the words being exchanged within the chamber. “They were simply protecting their land against outside intruders such as ourselves.” She addressed the rest of the council. “Arriving with a full security force would be seen by the humans as an act of aggression. They will immediately distrust us and make matters worse.” Ionne turned to Saavi. “I must…” She paused to correct herself. “I…request to bring a small team of my staff to the rendezvous point. If the concern is for our safety, I assure you, no harm will come to us.”

  Saavi rubbed her chin, pondering Ionne’s request. “I agree that your experience with the humans can be beneficial for the safe return of the survivors. You shall lead your team to the rendezvous point.”

  Ionne let out a sigh of relief.

  “With one condition,” Saavi continued. “Constable Rylan and one of his guards will accompany you and your team as a security precaution.”

  Ionne attempted to not let her frustration show in her voice. “They are not dangerous. I know these people. It would send the wrong impression if we arrived with an armed escort.”

  “Be that as it may, Doctor, after what we witnessed from the drone’s video feed, I will not risk your safety or anyone else’s on this mission. You shall go with a small security escort, or you will not be involved in this operation at all.”

  Ionne knew at that moment that she wouldn’t be winning this argument. Saavi’s mind was made up. She needed to be on that transport to the rendezvous point, and it would need to be with Rylan, regardless of her feelings.

  She nodded. “That would be agreeable.”

  “Good,” Saavi said. “If there is nothing further to discuss, we shall adjourn. Dr. Ionne, make your preparations to depart for the Gray Zone immediately. Good luck.”

  One by one, the councilors rose from their chairs and made their way out of the chamber. Drega gave Ionne a scoff as he followed the others out of the room. She was the last one left at the conference table. After many years sitting on the Council, bureaucracy was something she had yet to master. Despite her disapproval of bringing armed guards on this journey, Ionne would at the very least be going to the Gray Zone. She let out a small smile, as she looked forward to reuniting with her old friend in the flesh once again.

  * * *

  An assortment of hooks, ropes, a dagger, and a bow rested on top of Mace’s bed. He placed them all inside his rugged backpack which already contained a horalo meat snack and a canteen filled with fresh water. The trip to the rendezvous point would take the better part of a day on leeback. Aaron had already gotten word from Ionne that she was on her way to the rendezvous point, so they needed to leave right away if they were to make it on time.

  Leebacks were large, single-toed animals that the settlers had found roaming freely in the nearby region when they first settled in the Outlands. With the body of a bison and a face resembling a horse with large horns sticking out of their snouts, leebacks were feral yet gentle creatures. Mace thought they probably were horses at one point, but over time the surrounding environment changed them, like most of the creatures living in the Outlands. Leebacks were eventually domesticated and bred at New Lazarus, where they proved to be useful in performing heavy work such as pulling carts, carrying equipment in and out of the settlement, and even plowing the fields within the farm. When leebacks were first encountered, there were merely a dozen of them around. Today, thousands were being well fed in the New Lazarus farm. The settlers didn’t know if these animals had an official name, and so they eventually started calling them leebacks. The settlers sure had a knack for creative names.

  Mace was nearly done prepping his gear when he heard a knock on his door. “Come in.”

  The wooden door to Mace’s hut made a mild cracking sound as it opened outward and Aaron stepped in. To Mace’s surprise, his father wasn’t wearing his usual robes. Instead, he wore an old, dark jacket with a button-down shirt and a backpack slung over his shoulder. They were the exact clothes he’d worn twenty years ago after leaving Empyreum. “You all set, kid?”

  “Just about,” Mace said. He studied the gear Aaron was shouldering. “Going somewhere?”

  “Yeah.” A smirk crossed Aaron’s face. “I’m coming with ya.”

  Mace snickered. “Like hell you are.”

  “Oh? What’s the matter, you think I can’t keep up?”

  “It’s a several-hour ride to the rendezvous point.”

  “Look, I may be a bit on the gray side, but I can still hold my own out there.”

  “It’s just that…it’s not necessary for you to go. You should stay here. I can handle this. Don’t you trust me?”

  “I trust you with my life.”

  “Then why don’t you just stay here where it’s safe?”

  “I didn’t know you worried so much about your old man. Might just get a little misty.” Aaron said with a smirk.

  Mace lowered his head and let out a sigh.

  Aaron went on. “Look, I already told Ionne that I’ll be there. She’s my friend, and this will be a chance for me to see her after so many years. Besides, I could use the exercise, stretch out the old legs and all.” He placed a hand on Mace’s shoulder. “We’ve butted heads a lot over the years. Rarely seen eye-to-eye on things. I know you were never on board with us moving out here. It’s been rough for us all. I know that, deep down, you probably blame me for the decision we made. Even though you never admitted it.”

  Mace opened his mouth to deny that statement, but Aaron held up his hand before he got the chance. “Can’t say I really blame ya. I’ve never told you this before, but for what it’s worth, I’m sorry—for everything.”

  “You have nothing to feel sorry for, Dad,” Mace said. “I’ll admit when we first came here, I resented you for making us leave Empyreum. Carried that resentment for so long. But when we built this place, it quickly became home. The settlement is even bigger now than our old home at Empyreum. What you, Sue, Alex, and Mom have created here is amazing. I wouldn’t trade my life here for anything in the world.”

  Aaron stayed silent as his eyes started to well up. “I’m very proud of the man you’ve turned out. I know for a fact that I’ll be completely safe out there because you’ll be watching my back.”

  Mace felt the tear roll down from his eye. He wiped it off with his sleeve and grabbed Aaron’s hand and held firmly onto it. “Always.”

  A grin crossed Aaron’s lips. “Good to know. Now, let’s round up the others and get this show on the road.”

  Mace grabbed his gear and moved it over his shoulder. He motioned to the door. “Age before beauty.” Mace had inherited a lot of things from his father, his wit being one of them.

  Aaron grinned. “Smartass.” With that, both men walked out of the room together. A long journey awaited them.

  Chapter 12

  The airship transport that had brought Ionne to the northern point of the Gray Zone border sat idly behind her.

  Its landing gear was entrenched in the muddy ground. Ionne sat on top of a nearby rock with her hand resting on her chin. A few kilometers before her was a dense foliage that stretched on for miles. The medical staff from the Institute were gathered on one side of the perimeter while Constable Rylan and an Empyreum security guard stood near the transport, surveying the surrounding area. They had arrived at the rendezvous point almost an hour ago, and Ionne eagerly awaited signs of their arrival. Every few minutes or so, she would look up toward the trees ahead whenever she heard a noise.

  Ionne turned to see Rylan moving toward her with his disk pistol holstered on his belt. He stood next to the rock Ionne sat on and folded his arms as he faced the foliage. “They are late.”

  “They will be here.” Ionne sighed as she clapped her hands together, staring out at the trees. That was when she noticed the leaves shaking, followed by a series of rustling sounds. Whole trees began to part ways. Something big was heading toward them.

  Rylan quickly noticed it, too. “Movement up a
head,” he said in an almost-whisper.

  “They are here,” Ionne said calmly. Climbing down from the rock, Ionne turned to Rylan, whose guard was now standing by his side. She made her way toward the edge of the foliage.

  Rylan said in an urgent tone, “Doctor, I strongly suggest you stay back until…”

  “Hold your position, Constable,” Ionne shot back.

  After taking a few more steps, she froze as several large creatures emerged from the foliage. Ionne recognized the four-legged animals. Though no official designation had been given to them, she knew the creatures were indigenous to this region of the Outlands, and from her recollection, they were at one point endangered.

  Ridding on top of the saddled animals were humans wearing an array of ragged clothing. Seated behind the human riders were none other than the Jafner crash survivors. It was clear that the humans were successful in domesticating the creatures they rode on—not an easy feat, Ionne imagined. She was impressed, and couldn’t help but grin to see not only the survivors looking well, but her friend Aaron among them. The gray on his head and beard and the wrinkles on his face showed that the time that had passed since they’d last seen each other hadn’t been too kind to him. Yet he seemed to be wearing the exact same attire he’d used when he and the other twelve thousand humans had left Empyreum.