“Wow.”
“Crazy, right?” said Hailey.
“Well then, what else could I do but be taken? After all, I was banged up pretty bad. So they bring me on board and patch me up, but here’s the crazy thing: robots—the entire ship was manned by nothing more than robots! Can you believe it? There was not a single living soul on that floating hunk of metal. No wonder their actions were carried out remorselessly.”
At Huxley’s words Eva glanced over at Gen. Her eyes, unblinking, stared out the window at the barren landscape.
“I talk to a projection of the frilly guy for a bit, Marzug I think he was called. He’s interrogating me about what I know and don’t know about the invasion. He was especially intrigued with you, Eva, and where you might be headed—but I didn’t tell him anything. I don’t think he believed me. At one point I heard him talking to that creepy-looking ‘Prime Adviser.’ ”
“Loroc?” Eva asked.
“No, no, that isn’t Loroc. I’ve seen images of him. Loroc looks like little Zin; round and smiley, not creepy with all those eyes and arms.” Huxley wriggled his fingers for effect.
“That is Loroc,” said Eva. “Something happened to him, and now he’s become corrupt, which has caused him to devour . . . his . . . sisters.”
“Really?” Huxley grimaced.
“He masterminded the whole invasion on Lacus and Solas.”
“What! He’s a royal counselor,” Huxley said, aghast.
“And what’s more, he duped Cadmus,” added Hailey. “This invasion of New Attica that just happened was controlled by Loroc. He used Cadmus’s army to take out his own city.”
“The queenie’s counselor turned on her? I can’t believe it.” Huxley shook his head.
“Believe it,” Eva said.
Gen adjusted in her seat. She kept her eyes out the window at the landscape zooming by. It was clear she couldn’t take much more.
Huxley let out a slow sad sigh. “This is not good. The Arsians are a mysterious and powerful race. Now I am officially worried.”
“Me too,” added Eva.
The mass of refugees at the Toiler’s camp numbered over a thousand. Hailey instructed Eva to open the shuttle door and wave people away so that he could bring the craft inside the cover of his cavernous hangar. As Eva debarked, the other two Gens came rushing up.
“Where is she? Is she all right?” one of them asked.
“She’s here,” Eva replied. “And unharmed.” Eva helped Gen out of the shuttle.
“Beeboo, you’re okay!” The girls huddled together. “I’m so glad you’re here!” Gen Pryde hugged them but remained silent.
“What’s wrong?” the second Gen asked.
“New Attica . . . Everything . . . was a lie. I don’t want anything to do with it.” Gen dropped Cadmus’s Omnipod on the ground.
Eva knelt down and picked it up. “Hold on. Your father asked that you keep this.”
Gen shook her head.
Eva held out the Omnipod to Gen. “Hey, I don’t agree with everything your father did. He made some big mistakes. But he also did some great things. We wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for him.”
Gen stood, silent.
“My Muthr and I didn’t always see eye to eye, but what she did for me—what your father just did for you—that shows how much he loved you. Please keep this. He wanted you to have it.”
One of the Gens put an arm around Gen as they led her away. “Come on, Beeboo. We’ll take good care of you.”
Gen looked back before disappearing into the crowd with her friends. It was hard for Eva to discern the expression on her face.
“Well, that’s gratitude for you,” Hailey said as he hopped off the shuttle’s ramp. “Aren’t you glad you went back just to save her?”
“Easy, hero,” Huxley said as he ducked down to exit the cabin. “Not everyone is as tough as Eva here.” As Huxley rose to his full height, nearby bystanders gasped and backed away. Some took holo-photos with the Omnipods implanted in their hands.
Eva placed her hand in Huxley’s. “These people have grown up only around other humans. To them you are a creature from fairy tales.”
“The stuff of legends and lore, eh?” Huxley smiled. “About time I was treated proper.”
From the gathering someone yelled, “What’s that thing doing here? Aren’t their kind the cause of all this?”
“Yes! The aliens are the ones trying to take our planet!” shouted another.
“Who is going to stop them? When do we go to our new home?” More rants erupted from the throng.
“Where is Father Pryde?”
“Time to leave,” said Hailey.
“Not so fast.” Van Turner hobbled up and put a hand on his grandson’s shoulder.
Hailey rolled his eyes. “We rescued them. Now let ’em have a taste of their own medicine. Let ’em try to live off the land like we’ve been doing for decades.”
“It’s not these people who shunned us, boy. It was their silly nincompoop of a leader. Where is he, Eva? I need to tell him a thing or two.”
“He didn’t make it,” said Eva.
Van Turner shook his head. “You don’t say? Hmmm. . . . I didn’t see that coming.”
“So let them start a new city—New Attica II—and we’ll get out of here,” said Hailey.
“We can’t,” said Eva. “They can’t function out here. They’ll die.”
“Some will. Some won’t,” Van Turner said, pondering. The crowd began to gather in a knot around the shuttle. “Only the most hardy will make it. Unless we help them.”
“Agreed,” said Eva.
“Hero,” Huxley said to Hailey, “you need to listen to Eva and your grandfather.”
Hailey threw up his arms. “Aw, come on! Seriously, Hux? You’re gonna side with them? After what those people did to you back in New Attica?”
“I’m an optimist. What can I say?” said Huxley. “You should try it sometime.”
“If I’d given you ‘a taste of your own medicine,’ where would you be right now?” asked Eva. “Dead in a lab of Attican Hall or dead in the wreck of the Bijou?”
Hailey sighed and folded his arms.
“They’re scared little newbies. Their entire reality has been obliterated. Kaput. On top of that, everything they’ve known is false,” said Van Turner. “If anyone knows how that feels, it’s us. All of us. Now their life is just like ours. They can’t go back—just like we can’t go back.”
“Just like the others who left their home planets can’t go back. We are in this together,” said Eva.
“So what are we supposed to do?” said Hailey.
“Do what a retriever does,” said Eva. She placed both hands upon his shoulders. “Deliver them someplace safe.”
“She’s right,” Van Turner said. “These people didn’t put us here. Cadmus did. What did his close-minded thinking get him?” He dragged his finger across his neck, executioner-style. The old man hobbled out in front of the shuttle. He held his hands up for silence. The din of the crowd subsided.
“My name is Van Turner, but you all can call me Vanpa. Now, I know you are probably scared and confused about what happened today. I am here to tell you that the people who rescued you, the ‘Toilers’ as you called us, hold no ill will toward you for our poor treatment. The person guilty of ostracizing us was your leader, Cadmus Pryde.” This statement caused a wave of murmuring throughout the gathered crowd.
Van Turner continued, “Cadmus ruled with the best of intentions, but he was afraid of what lay beyond the walls of your city. But that is the very place where you will find yourselves living from here on in.”
“What about New Attica? What about Cadmus?” one of the citizens near Vanpa cried out.
Eva stepped out of the crowd, walked up to Van Turner, and placed her arm around his shoulder.
The old man continued, “Your city is destroyed and Cadmus is dead. It is time to start thinking and caring for yourselves now.”
&n
bsp; The shock from the crowd was palpable to Eva. She could see it on the faces in the crowd as they heard the news.
“Now, there are others who live out here who know exactly what you are going through,” said Van Turner. “They are travelers who have come from other planets, and they have helped heal Earth so that it is habitable once more.”
Words of dissension rumbled through the gathering.
“These visitors are peaceful,” said Eva. “They wish humans no harm, but Cadmus’s fleet was used against them, too. So now they also have reason to fear us.”
“Then why would they help us?” a bystander shouted, pointing at Huxley.
“Because we know what it’s like to have your home and family taken from you,” said Huxley. “We know what it’s like to leave memories of everything you ever loved behind and start all over.”
Eva translated Huxley’s words for the audience.
“Why should we believe it?” another bystander asked. The question was followed by a wave of similar sentiment.
“You don’t have to believe us!” Hailey joined the others. “And you didn’t have to believe me today when I asked you to come on board this ship so I could carry you away from the danger. Now you are free to make whatever decision you want. Come with us or stay here and take your chances.”
“Just remember,” said Eva, gesturing to Van Turner’s friends, “these people, the Toilers, risked their lives today so that you could still have yours.” She grasped Van Turner’s hand tight. Along with Huxley they walked up the ramp of Hailey’s warship.
One by one the crowd lined up and boarded the ship with them. Hailey climbed into the shuttle and navigated it over the crowd and into the loading bay.
Van Turner stroked his beard in thought as he watched the mass of people file on board. “They’re gonna need a leader.”
“What they need is an elder, one who teaches from experience and wisdom,” said Huxley.
“One who is easy to talk to and always tells the truth,” continued Eva.
“Fine! I’ll do it!” Van Turner said with a yellow grin. “For now at least, until they find someone better suited for the job.”
Hailey jogged over to them. “The shuttle has been loaded up and all of our provisions are secured. I’m gonna check the radar to see if the skies are clear and prep this baby for flight,” he said. “Someone come let me know when everyone has boarded.”
“Good! The sooner we leave, the better our chances of escape,” Van Turner said.
“Where are we going, hero?” Huxley asked.
Hailey looked at Eva for an answer. “Solas and Lacus are under Loroc’s control. The ruins?” he asked.
“No. Not there,” Eva said. “We are so close to ending the battle. I think it’s time we go to see the wisest friend I have.”
Huxley feigned shock. “What! You’re not standing right next to him?”
Eva giggled. “You’re the best-looking friend I have.”
“That is true.” Huxley beamed.
Even Hailey chuckled. “So we’re going to see Rovender, huh?”
Eva smiled. “Yes. Let’s head to Faunas.”
Huxley followed Hailey to the cockpit. “Let me help you. I know the way.”
The last of the refugees walked onto the ship, leaving the Toiler camp completely abandoned.
“Well done, Eva Nine,” Van Turner said. He placed his arm around her shoulders. “With you around, there may be hope for us reboots yet.”
Eva smiled and helped Van Turner up the ramp, and it closed behind them.
CHAPTER 23: FAUNAS
While Huxley navigated, Hailey piloted the ship through the night, and they arrived at Faunas a few hours before sunrise. Hailey put down in a large grassy field outside the Cærulean’s village.
Eva and Huxley tacked up the munt-runners and led them down the ramp of the ship to where Hailey and Van Turner waited.
“I think these guys are happy to be on solid ground again,” said Eva as she climbed up onto Bix’s saddle.
“To be honest, I am amazed they both flew so well.” Huxley yanked a handful of grass from the ground and fed it to them. “These old munties can be pretty skittish.”
“It was my smooth flying.” Hailey grinned and mounted Bax. “Come on, Vanpa. I’ll help you up.”
Van Turner waved him off. “You go. I’m gonna stay here.”
“Why?”
“The people need me.” Van Turner grinned.
“They’ll be okay,” said Hailey.
“I don’t think so, boy. They need a Vanpa to take good care of ’em.” He pulled out his old banged-up Omnipod. “Today we start my first class—Surviving Beyond the Walls of New Attica.”
“You sure nothing will bother them out here? No eaters or spitters or slicers?” Hailey asked Eva.
Eva smiled. “I don’t sense anything beyond a few turnfins and a couple of wandering trees.”
“But don’t explore too far from the ship,” said Huxley.
“We won’t. Now go on. Tell Rovender I wanna share another drink with him soon.” Van Turner patted Bix as he passed in front of him.
“Will do,” Eva said as she waved back.
Huxley led the munt-runners across the field. They traveled toward Faunas through the predawn forest, their tired silence broken by tribal rhythms and the melodies of woodwind instruments.
“Music? This early?” said Huxley.
“These guys know how to start the day,” said Hailey.
Still holding the munt-runner’s reins with his sole hand, Huxley cocked his head to listen. “If I know anything about Cæruleans, I know they don’t make noise like this. It sounds like Halcyonus music.”
“The refugees from Lacus are staying with them,” Eva said from her seat on Bix.
“Maybe it was a good idea that we left everyone back at the ship,” said Hailey.
“I agree,” said Huxley. “You’re sure their leader likes humans, Eva? An angry blue is not one to mess with. An angry village filled with them is worse.”
“We’re fine,” said Eva. “Antiquus and Soth know me. Besides, Rovee will take care of everything.”
As they reached a wooden footbridge leading into the village, there was a piercing call from high above. Eva looked up to see the silhouette of a figure pointing at them from the rooftop of a gigantic round hut. The music stopped.
“That would be the warning call,” said Huxley. “You best let me do the talking.” He stepped onto the footbridge. A pack of Cæruleans jumped from the surrounding brush, each holding a boomrod.
“Who’s there?” one of them barked. More Cæruleans arrived holding weapons.
“Hello, blues. We did not mean to disturb your revelry. We are here to see . . .”
“Rovender Kitt,” Eva said.
“Eva the Nine? Is that you?” One of the Cæruleans moved closer to the lantern hanging from Bix’s saddle. Eva recognized the rugged face.
“Yes, Galell . . . and these are my friends.” Eva hopped down from her saddle and raised her palm in greeting. Immediately she felt a recognizable presence rushing toward her.
Otto, the giant water bear, burst through the bushes hooting loudly.
“Eva!” Rovender Kitt hopped down from Otto’s back and ran toward her.
Eva held out her arms and squealed with joy. “Rovee!”
Rovender dropped his walking stick and embraced her in his thick arms. “Rings above, you are all right! I have been ill with worry.”
Eva hugged her friend tight and buried her face in his jacket. “I am so happy to see you.” Eva felt a nudge at her back, followed by a familiar growling purr. A large dry tongue licked her head.
Little one. You are safe.
“Otto!” Eva threw her thin arms around the neck of the giant water bear. She kissed him on the beak.
I wait. For you. I. Missed you.
“I missed you, too.” She scratched behind his floppy ears. “I missed you both so badly.” She hugged Rovender one more
time.
“I searched for you in Lacus.” He stroked her white hair. “Though I could not find you, I knew that you were safe, otherwise Otto would have gone after you. So he has been waiting here, sick with worry, like me.”
“I am okay, Rovee. It’s good to be with you both again.”
“You too.” Rovender looked over at Hailey, still seated on Bax. “Hailey Turner, I figured your piloting skills would keep you among the living.”
Hailey hopped down. Grinning, he shook the Cærulean’s hand. “It is good to see you again.”
“You guys are having a party and you didn’t invite me?” Huxley remained next to Bix and Bax, having some difficulty holding both reins.
“Huxley? Am I dreaming?” Rovender wiped away tears of joy from his eyes. “What bright lights arrive after such dark days. All of Faunas knows of our adventures. They will be happy to see you and hear your news.”
“There is much of it, my friend.” Huxley gave Rovender a warm embrace.
“We have a ship full of people camped out beyond your village,” said Hailey.
“That was you?” Galell asked. “Our lookout heard a ship fly by. At first we feared the worst. But with the battle now over we assumed it was simply returning to the hu-man city.”
Rovender beamed. “The elders will be happy to know it is a ship of friends that has arrived instead, to join in the celebration.”
At this statement Galell and the other Cæruleans exchanged skeptical glances.
“Wait—the battle is over?” Huxley asked.
“Why, yes,” Rovender said. “We just received word that Ojo is triumphant and that Cadmus has retreated from Solas and Lacus.”
Huxley and Hailey looked at Eva to answer.
“There is more to it than that,” Eva said. “It turns out that the Prime Adviser is Loroc after all. He is controlling everything, including the invasion that happened on Lacus and Solas.”
Galell scoffed. The others in his party grumbled.
“She is telling the truth.” Huxley’s tone was defensive. “Your victory celebration may be premature.”
The Battle for WondLa Page 14
