“Reid.”
His face hardens. “I’m serious.”
“You wouldn’t act this way over any of the others.”
“You’re not…” he pauses with a deep exhale. Running his hands through his hair, he gulps. “I can’t worry about you. Yes, I’d rather you didn’t go, but I know no amount of asking will change your mind.”
“That’s right.”
“So I’m going to need you to stay close to me, okay?”
“Fine.”
“Fine,” he agrees just as Jace returns with Tucker. He turns to them, crossing his arms. “We good?”
“Does the chancellor know?” The Rogue Leader asks.
“No. This is Sampson’s call. He knows the chancellor is under the queen’s thumb and she’s forbidden the mission. If there’s any hope of saving Mybyncia without getting Nerwolix involved, we’ll have to go around her.”
“So we’re just leaving beforehand?”
“In about five hours.”
Tucker nods. “And what about Pratt and Mae?”
Reid shakes his head. “Only Rogues. And Fallon.”
“So she’s an honorary Rogue?” Jace grins, glancing to me with a wink.
“Something like that. Remember,” he leads us across the Great Hall and into the tunnel toward our room. “Five hours. I’ll wake you but you have to keep quiet.”
“Sampson and Clarence coming with?” Tucker asks.
“And Qippert,” Reid reaches the solid coral door, glancing to us. “Keep quiet. We need to leave without making a sound. I’ll wake you.”
Tucker and Jace nod as Reid leads us into the room. When we enter, both princesses are asleep in their coral beds and Mae and Pratt are curled up in their own, already out. Booker and Werzo lay across the bed, both sitting up with our entrance.
“We good, Boss?” Booker whispers.
“Yep. Get some rest.”
Booker nods with a yawn, falling back on the bed. Werzo is next, passing out with a thud next to him.
“Rogues,” Reid whispers, pointing to the center as Jace and Tucker obediently follow.
Putting himself between us, Reid has me lay on his free side, on the edge of the bed. I succumb to the soft comfort, trying not to think about what we’ll face when we awake in a few hours. Images of the eight-limbed, acid-spitting beast race through my head, but I shut them out. If I think about it, I won’t get any sleep. And I need as much as possible. I need to be as prepared as I can to face a creature feared throughout the Three Worlds.
And I won’t let something like fatigue stop that.
Chapter Fifteen: Forbidden Mission
“Fallon,” Reid whispers. “Wake up. It’s time to go.”
His face hangs inches over mine, slowly coming into view. Placing a finger over his lips, he holds out his other hand and pulls me from the bed. Booker, Werzo, Jace and Tucker are already up and moving, silently reaching for their headgear.
I quickly follow, grabbing my helmet from the floor. Tucker hands me an Enidd and after scanning the room with a nod, Reid gestures for the door. Silently filing out, we carefully move through the tunnel, cautious as we step over sleeping Mybyncians slouched on the floor or propped against the walls. After arriving in the Great Hall, Reid leads us down the passage toward the Docking Station, where Clarence, Sampson and Qippert wait. They look up at our arrival, meeting us by the pool’s edge in the center of the room.
“Everyone ready?” Sampson glances over our group, his eyes dropping to the weapons in our hands. “No one heard you? Everyone is still asleep?”
“We’re good to go,” Reid nods.
“Then we should be off,” Clarence motions us towards the eight waiting Millix—one for each of us. I spot Lalu in the middle of the group and she moves toward the pool’s edge. Suddenly, I’m worried about endangering her with such a deadly mission. What if she gets hurt? What if we’re not able to fully kill the Gorgen and it follows us back? And then a new thought strikes me.
“How do we know where the Gorgen are?”
My question is directed to the Fychu, but Reid answers first. “Sampson got it out of the chancellor while they were still a go for it.”
“So the chancellor’s not on board?”
Sampson mirrors my disappointed expression. “Well, politically speaking, he has to side with the queen.”
“Honestly,” Clarence shrugs, “I think he’s with us. But you know… appearances.”
“Rogues,” Reid turns to them. “You ready?”
“We’re good, Boss,” Werzo answers for the group. He turns to me with a raised brow. “You sure you’re ready for this?”
“I’m here aren’t I?”
“It’s no tea party.”
“Then maybe you should stay behind where it’s safe.”
“Maybe Werzo is right for the first time in his life,” Reid rounds in front, cupping his chin as he considers me with a full body scan. “Maybe you should stay here.”
“Are you kidding?”
“It might be better.”
“No!” I snap, terrified at the thought of watching him go, to possibly never see him again. “No way I’m staying here! Plus…” I gulp, hoping it’s reason enough, “…I’m already up.”
He rolls his eyes. “Wouldn’t be a lot of trouble to knock you out again.”
“It’s too early for threats.”
“But not safety. Stay close to me at all times. I mean it. Tucker—watch her.”
“On it.”
“Well if that’s taken care of, how about we get back to the task at hand? We’re wasting time and the Gorgen is…” I glance at Clarence, “how far?”
“Far enough. About a two hour trip. On the Millix.”
“Any idea how we’re planning on stealing the Dilly?”
“The only way to steal something,” Sampson smiles mischievously. “Diversion.”
“Dare I ask?”
“While Sampson and Clarence were clearing out the city yesterday,” Qippert joins the conversation, “I emptied the FH’s supply of left over Glippis parts—talons, skin, even a few bits of the eye. I know it is the queen’s favorite, but the Gorgen feeds on it too. It will not be a huge distraction, but once it wanders after the scent, it will give us enough time to get in, grab what we need and get out.”
“Who’s going to lure it out?”
“I will,” Sampson says as he climbs on his Millix. “If things get violent, I’m the best equipped to handle the situation.”
“Only you?” I ask as Lalu lowers her neck for me. Throwing my leg over, I position myself and she lifts her head again, the rest starting to mount their Millix.
“We’ll need more hands to collect the Dilly,” Sampson motions to the bags strapped to his side. I glance to Clarence and Qippert who also have the same sacks attached to their suits. Each hold around five bags, so it’s fifteen total.
“And you really think the straight Dilly will do it?” Tucker asks.
“It’s the next shot we’ve got.”
“But not the best?” Werzo asks.
“We don’t have a best shot,” Sampson shakes his head, his optimistic expression falling. Glancing around at all of us, he starts again. “Ready?”
“When you are,” Reid nods.
“Let’s go,” Sampson submerges and we’re right after him, racing into the dark, murky waters below. We set off immediately, soaring into the ocean and after a few seconds, the lit up city disappears behind us. We’ve only been traveling for a little while when Sampson’s voice breaks the eerie silence. “Thank you all for coming with us on such short notice.”
“Well this was always the plan, wasn’t it?” Jace asks.
“Not to deceive the queen…” Clarence shakes his head at the thought. “Who will be furious—let’s not forget this.”
“Unless we return with bags of straight Dilly,” Werzo laughs. “Then she can’t be.”
“She can and she will,” Clarence says.
“And th
at’s if we all return which,” Sampson glances around, “I’ve promised the chancellor we will. Please don’t make a liar out of me.”
“I think we can all agree to that,” Jace says.
“So really,” I start, “how mad will she be if we all return with fifteen bags of straight Dilly?”
“Still mad,” Clarence laughs, “that’s why we went against her orders without the chancellor’s approval. Understood?”
“Just to make sure I understand,” Werzo sighs, “we’re risking our lives, fighting this deadly fucked up monster on the off-chance that its food supply might save a people who’s queen will be furious when we return? Is that—did I get that right?”
“Werzo,” Reid glowers.
“You have it correct, young Rogue,” Qippert says.
“And how are we getting repaid for this?”
“It’s not about repayment,” I throw him a look. “They’re hosting us.”
“In lieu of Blovid.”
“Because we’re guests. And now they need our help.”
“Even though they’re not our people…” he keeps his voice low.
“Yes,” I snap. “Arizals. We’re all Arizals.”
“That’s right, Fallon,” Sampson nods. “And to help people in need is never a waste. Besides, when the Vermix attack again, we will need allies.”
“But wasn’t Queen Ravan already on our side?” Tucker asks.
“Yes…” Sampson agrees, “…but through all of this our relationship has deepened. Strengthened.”
“Wait…” Jace frowns. “If we need the Mybyncians as an ally, won’t they be busy rebuilding their population again? Shit,” he scoffs, “they’ve lost half their city already.”
“Of four metropolises,” Sampson nods. “This blow—though crucial—is not enough to damage much of their World. And the Mybyncians still retain their Gift. They’re not a broken people… just going through an unfortunate time.”
“But they have their own enemy to face,” Booker adds in his soft but deep voice. “They’ll be too busy fighting domestic threats to worry about foreign invaders, right?”
“I doubt Perio will stay behind much longer,” Qippert shakes his head. “He knows he is no longer a valued member of their society. He will leave with the Muskos once they have finished.”
“Finished what?” I ask.
“Whatever it is they are planning. If they were not, they would have left already.”
“So we have to worry about the plague and the Muskos?” Werzo whines again. “Why can’t the other governors help out?”
“I am sure they are doing a thorough search for Perio and the Muskos,” Qippert explains, “but they cannot come any closer to Pryncbia in fear of contracting the plague.”
“Can’t they use suits?” I ask.
“Pryncbia is the only city with a FH. None of the other metropolises have reason to keep suits,” Clarence takes a breath. “We’re on our own for this one.”
“Well that’s comforting.”
“What we can do,” Clarence goes on, “is find the Gorgen, steal the straight Dilly and pray to the Way it does the job.”
“And if it doesn’t?” Tucker asks.
All is quiet for a minute before Sampson speaks again. “Qippert is going to do a quick scout on Harrizel and see what’s happening. If the Vermix have cleared out—which most likely is not the case—then we will return to get the Tregmint. Werzo, you asked earlier about our best shot and I said there’s only the next shot… visiting Nerwolix is the ideal option because it has the actual antidote. But the Zingfinolds are just as deadly as the Gorgen and ten times smarter. I don’t want to get to that point, but if the straight Dilly doesn’t do it and Harrizel is crawling with Vermix, we might end up walking into our own deaths.”
“Nice,” Jace laughs. “A real win-win.”
“Well the queen can’t be mad at us if we’re willing to risk our lives to save her kingdom,” Werzo murmurs. “That’s all I’m saying.”
“Well you can tell her when we get back,” I smile.
“Which we will,” Sampson nods. “But first things first,” he motions to the darkness ahead.
We’re way outside of the city, our Millix racing through the murky water, keeping together in one large herd with Sampson leading the way.
“But really,” Werzo sighs after a long moment of silence, “how hard can it be? Sampson will lead it away and we’ll sneak in and steal the Dilly. We’ll be out in minutes, right?”
“Werzo,” I exhale, “when have things ever been easy?”
“But we’ve got the Fychu.”
“He’s right,” Sampson agrees to my surprise. “The best we can hope for is a window of a few minutes. It won’t be distracted long. You’ll need to get in and get out.”
“This just keeps getting better and better,” Jace laughs.
“Come on,” I smirk. “Thought this would be pie for a Rogue?”
“It will be, baby,” he winks. “It will be.”
As we ride the rest of the way in silence, through the dark waters farther and farther from the city, I can’t help but think of the others. Everyone will be furious when they wake up, especially Pratt. Mae will be worried, but Pratt will be pissed she wasn’t invited to come, pissed we left her behind when she specifically requested to come on the next mission.
I try not to think of this; try not to focus on the return when I should really be focusing on the arrival, which should be coming up shortly. We’ve been traveling for a little over two hours—maybe it’s been more—when Sampson starts to slow. He doesn’t come to a complete stop but we catch up with him quickly, Werzo flying past without noticing. After a second he spins, rounding back to the rest of us.
“Are we getting close?” I ask, as Sampson finally comes to a halt.
He focuses ahead, out into the dark distance with both hands on his Millix’s bairs. We all remain behind him, awaiting his signal but he just sits there, staring out in the murky depths.
After a minute Clarence pulls up next to him. “Thought it would be further.”
Fychu seeks the Gorgen.
Lalu’s words startle me, her voice ringing in my head. But I recover quickly and, replaying what she says, my inward thought answers for me.
Yes, Lalu. He is.
Fychu does not know of the Gorgen’s strength.
What strength?
It is an evil creature. It will destroy any who come to harm it.
We’re not trying to harm it. Just…steal from it.
A moment goes by and I assume she understands. I think of Sampson and Qippert’s words from earlier, about bringing the Glippis leftovers to distract it while we sneak in and stuff as much Dilly as possible into the bags we’ve brought.
Diversion will not work.
Why not?
It will not be led away.
Something in my stomach tightens. What if this doesn’t work?
Tell me, Lalu, how can we steal the Dilly?
It cannot be stolen. Only claimed.
Meaning?
You must kill it.
“This way,” Sampson moves forward, the rest of our group taking off behind him as he slowly makes his way into the darkness ahead. Lalu follows along with the others, keeping just behind Sampson and sandwiched between Reid and Qippert.
I replay Lalu’s last statement. If that’s the truth, then we have no chance. Sure we have weapons, but what’s that against razor sharp teeth and spewing acid?
How do we kill it?
The Gorgen dies of natural causes.
But there must be a way to kill it?
And then I know. The queen’s words come spiraling back, the picture I couldn’t get out of my head since she told me. It’s the image of Chancellor Keller striking into the tender spot of the Gorgen’s belly with its own tooth. The Gorgen died of a puncture wound. That’s the answer.
It will not be easy.
But possible, I counter, still possible.
“W
e’re nearly there,” Sampson lowers his voice as he slows behind a small rock fragment. “I need you all to keep behind me during this next part.”
“Stealth,” Jace nods.
“The Gorgen is over that boulder,” Sampson gestures to a huge dark silhouette a few yards ahead, “and I’m guessing the straight Dilly is not far. Let’s get a look and regroup back here. Try not to reveal your presence, as I’m sure any amount of Glippis parts won’t lead it from the Dilly with intruders nearby.”
Everyone nods.
“Alright,” he glances between us all, “let’s head out.” Sampson makes for the ominous boulder, Clarence and Qippert racing behind him. Lalu and I take off after, Reid and Palli to our left and Jace and his Millix to our right. The rest of the Rogues follow behind, keeping our traveling herd tight and silent.
My heart is thumping, hammering against the hollow of my chest as I consider what we’re about to do. What we’re about to face. It’s the terror of the Three Worlds, which, according to Lalu, isn’t easily killed.
Sampson and the others reach the top of the huge rock formation and we’re right behind them in seconds. This is it. We’re finally going to see it. Joining the three Dofinikes toward the boulder’s peak, we position ourselves as close to the top as possible. Discretely, we peer over.
My blood runs cold.
There must be half a dozen.
I’m not certain—they’re moving too quickly, all lengthy black limbs swatting about, crawling over one another and through their nest of thick green tubes of weed below. Tiny yellow specks dot their dark center, a few traveling up their legs and some, just around the mass of tiny red eyes in their thick middle. The underside of that must be the belly. That’s where you’d need to puncture. But how would you even get to it?
I gulp.
There’s got to be six—maybe seven. I try to do a count but they scurry on the tips of their teeth so quickly, one blending into another into another. However many there are, it’s more than just one and that might be too much. Who knows… maybe we’ll have better odds with the Zingfinolds.
“Holy shit,” Jace whispers next to me.
“I thought you said there was going to be just one?” Werzo whispers down the line.
“I don’t remember specifying,” Clarence gapes at the scene, shell-shocked like the rest of us. “Fychu?”
Plague of Mybyncia Page 22
