A Hero Rising

by Aubrie Dionne

  Moonshiners leaped on top of the greenhouses, lunging down at him with fingers turning into claws. James fired once more at the stairway, and then turned his aim at the alien bodies flinging through the air. He hit a brown-haired man wearing a tailored suit and swayed out of his direction as the man plummeted to the concrete with a splat.

  Looking the other way, James darted between the greenhouses and kicked at the lock system. He couldn’t make it back to the ship; his only chance at survival would be hiding inside. Wiry hands grabbed his arm and pulled him backward.

  This is it. I’ve failed.

  James fell and rolled, but the moonshiner scrambled on top of him. He looked into the bleak, almond-shaped eyes. It reminded him of a giant ant: drone-like and unemotional. The slit of a mouth opened, exposing crooked, pin-shaped teeth. He kicked at its body as the wiry hands wrapped around his upper arms.

  The greenhouse beside him exploded into flames, shattering glass everywhere. James winced from the blast, and the hands holding him weakened. He looked up through the smoke to see a neck without a head. Another laser blast blew four moonshiners off the side of the roof. James threw the body off him and scanned the direction of the fire.

  Skye stood on the platform wielding her new high emission beamer. She fired three more times before he pulled himself up and found his laser. One shot from her beamer took out five moonshiners.

  She stopped firing when she saw him and shouted, “James, are you okay?”

  “Thanks to you, I am.” He scrambled along the side of a greenhouse, trying to get closer to the ramp. He’d have half a chance if he reached Skye.

  Skye’s voice cut through the din of the engines, working hard to keep the ship stable above them. “Come on, I’ve got you covered.”

  James rolled and leaped into a sprint. He felt the moonshiners gaining on his heels as Skye blasted them away again and again. Each shot took a second to power up, and that second felt like the longest moment of his life. He expected long fingers to trip him, but Skye’s aim was precise.

  He reached the ramp panting, his lungs raw. After her breakdown on the ship, he hadn’t thought she’d ever be able to face them again, much less pick them off with a beamer. “You saved my life.”

  Skye shot another clump of bodies and smiled. “Now we’re even.”

  James stood beside her, each of them firing at the oncoming horde. They backed up the ramp as the attackers closed the distance.

  “There’s too many of them.” James didn’t need a calculator to figure out the moonshiners’ velocity and sheer numbers compared to the strength of their weapons.

  Skye gritted her teeth. “We have to keep trying.”

  If they opened the hatch, they’d risk flooding the ship with the horde, leaving Carly to fend for herself and ruining everyone’s transport. But if they stayed outside, they would both die within minutes. Looking at the hard set of Skye’s chin, James knew she wouldn’t open the hatch. They’d have to blast the devils until they overwhelmed them and hope Dal could reach Carly and the ship.

  James gritted his teeth. “This might be it for us.”

  Skye’s face was set in determination. “So be it. I’m not afraid anymore.”

  James squeezed the trigger, firing harder. Skye’s bravery gave him courage, and he was proud to fight at the end of the world by her side.

  Just as they thought the tide of bodies would never stop, gunfire erupted from the stairwell. Men poured through in the moonshiners’ tracks and fired at the back of the horde.

  “It’s Dal.” James had never been so happy to see the man in his life. “He made it up.”

  Members of the Radioactive Hand of Justice filed out of the door, creating a line across the roof. Half of the moonshiners broke away from the pack. They hurled themselves into the laser fire, some of them reaching the first few men in line. Every time a man went down, another took his place.

  Dal shouted orders from behind the front line and the men pushed ahead.

  James nudged Skye in the arm. “We’re going to make it. Push the devils back into the gang members’ fire.”

  “You got it.” Skye blasted, inching forward. James’s laser gun took out the stragglers, shooting them down before they got too close. A steaming pile of alien limbs mixed with semihuman parts gathered in the middle of the roof between the greenhouses. Dal crossed the distance to meet them. He pulled off a helmet and nodded to Skye. When he reached James, Dal clapped his shoulder.

  “Thought I’d crash your little party.”

  Relief at the sight of his friend’s face washed over James and he shook his hand. “You came at just the right time.”

  “We only made it because the ruckus of the ship drew the moonshiners up and cleared out the building. Thank you for coming back for us.”

  James shrugged. “It’s what you raised me to do.” He pointed to Skye. “You should thank her, though. She’s the reason I’m still alive today.”

  Dal’s eyebrow rose in a question and James knew the old man had put two and two together: a beautiful woman, James’s new “single” status, and voilà. Dal laughed. “Looks like you found more than just a ship.”

  Skye’s brow creased and James changed the subject. “How many people did you round up to save?”

  “Roughly three thousand.” Dal wiped sweat from his brow. “It got a little cramped down in the compound, let me tell you.”

  James looked up at the ship. They had about five hundred people too many. But he’d make them all fit, every last one. “And it will be cramped again until we reach Outpost Omega.”

  Dal waved this off. “We’ll live.”

  Behind them, people poured onto the roof, so many that the voices of the mass rose above the hum of the ship. They carried plants from their underground facility, along with backpacks of supplies.

  Dal’s eyes shifted from pleased to serious. “We’ve got to move. There are more moonshiners where those came from. I have a team below us holding ’em back.”

  “I’ll start getting your people on board.” Skye gave Dal a nod. She broke away from them and jogged to open the hatch, ushering the first refugees onboard the Destiny.

  Dal looked at Skye appraisingly as she left. He turned back to James. “She’s a keeper, I’ll tell you that. You see how she handled that beamer?”

  “She doesn’t want to join our gang, Dal.” James smiled. “She hates gangs.”

  Dal’s eyes twinkled and the corner of his mouth curved up. “Joining the gang’s not what I’m talking about.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Exodus

  People shuffled by James in an endless tide as he kept watch over the rooftop. His chest swelled with pride as businessmen, vagrants, mothers, soldiers, gang members, and families of all ethnic races, ages, and social levels filed onto the ship. He’d fought for this type of world his entire life. This was the justice he’d believed in. Everyone had an equal chance of survival. In his genetic DNA book, every person on Earth was worthy to live.

  Dal tapped his shoulder, bringing him out of his trance. “We’re almost done. My team is on Level Forty-six, holding back the horde with hypergrenades. When everyone is on board, they’ll make a run for the ship.”

  James nodded. “Good. I’ll go down and join them.”

  Sirens blared like the call of lost souls all over the city, cutting through the hum of the Destiny’s engines. Adrenaline shot through James’s veins as he scanned the sky and looked to Dal. “It’s a warning. We’re out of time.”

  Dal patted his shoulder. “You go on the ship. Prepare for takeoff. I’ll get the others.”

  The old man disappeared into the crowd and James’s chest tightened. Would he ever see Dal again? For a second James considered going after him, but the only chance of any of them making it was if he got back on the ship.

  Cursing under his breath, James pushed his way through the crowd. All he could think of was getting to his miniscreen and shutting off the autopilot mode. Dal needed more time, a
nd he’d try to give him every last second.

  Refugees cluttered the corridors of the Destiny, each group searching for a spot to make their own for the journey. James climbed over children playing on the metal grating and sprinted to the main control deck.

  Skye waited for him, watching the city through the sight panel with nervous eyes. Carly sat belted in her seat, flipping through the pictures she’d taken on their journey.

  Skye turned to him. “Thank goodness you’re back. They’re going to do it, aren’t they?”

  James reached for the miniscreen and pressed the override key. “Sounds like it.”

  “Is everyone on board?”

  “Not quite yet.”

  “Cyber hell.” Skye kicked her seat. “How much longer do we have?”

  James had no idea, and he didn’t want to have to leave Dal and the other heroes down on the rooftop to save everyone else’s life. “We’re going to wait as long as we can.”

  Skye paced the length of the sight panel, and James collapsed into the pilot’s seat, rubbing his temples. He checked the status of the ship. The systems remained online. All he had to do was press a key to initiate the takeoff procedure. His finger twitched just thinking about it.

  “Thank you for saving us, James.” Carly’s sweet voice drew him out of his worries and James turned around. The little girl held out a picture for him, stretching her arm as far as it could reach. At first he thought she intended her present for Skye, but she looked directly at him and shook the paper.

  James reached back and took the picture. The glossy sheen reflected the fluorescent light, and he tilted it to make out the image.

  His own silly grin smiled back at him. He looked both overconfident and vulnerable at the same time and he wondered how the eyes of a little girl could capture so much emotion, how they could see into his soul.

  James put the picture in his cloak pocket. “Thank you, Carly.”

  “Carls,” she said. “Like how Skye says it.”

  James nodded very seriously. “Carls it is.”

  “James.” Skye’s voice was serious. He turned to face her, worry crawling up his back.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “You told me the reason why you didn’t make it on the Expedition was your heart. Are you sure you want to chance it now?”

  He brought his hand to his chest, feeling his heart beat underneath his fingertips. “I’ll tell you one thing, Skye. I don’t want to get left behind again. It almost killed me the first time, and I know it would this time, too. My heart can’t withstand losing someone I care about. Not again.”

  Skye put her hand over his on his chest. “But can it withstand the pressures of deep space?”

  Placid calm trickled through him. He’d suspected Thadious Legacy played up his deficiency because he knew James would be a distraction to Mestasis, that good old TL never wanted him onboard in the first place. “We’ll have to wait and see.” He winked, trying to give her some reassurance without going into the whole Thadious Legacy conspiracy.

  A beep from his miniscreen stole his attention.

  Skye sprinted to him and watched over his shoulder.

  Dal’s face flashed on the screen, bouncing up and down as if he was running with his miniscreen. “Almost there.”

  James’s grip on the miniscreen’s frame tightened. “We’re ready to go, Dal. Get your crazy radioactive butt up here.”

  The sirens trailed off on the video feed, and the only sound they heard was Dal’s heavy breathing and the hum of the engines.

  Skye’s hand squeezed James’s shoulder. “What does that mean?”

  James’s heart quickened as reality slapped him in the face. “Time’s run out.”

  His finger paused over the buttons on his miniscreen.

  Skye whispered in his ear. “Wait.”

  They watched Dal’s video feed as he turned the camera back in front of him. The metallic hull of the ship came into view, and then the ramp. He yelled something back to his team. The lighting changed from shadowed gray to fluorescent as he entered the ship. His voice sounded haggard. “Everyone’s on board.”

  Skye shouted, “Let’s go!”

  James closed the hatch, released the electromagnetic field holding them in place, and initiated the takeoff sequence.

  He clicked the main intercom. “Everyone hold on. The ship’s at maximum weight, so the ride will be bumpy.”

  The Destiny shuddered and groaned like a beast awakened after a long slumber. The ship rose, and the city line disappeared beneath them as they crested the layer of smog. James had watched several colony ships take off, but he’d never flown in this category of uncontrolled air space. Exhilaration pumped through him as the smog turned into white clouds. The front sight panel rose from horizontal to vertical, and gravity pressed on his chest. His heart sped and he pushed away his doubts.

  “You okay?” Skye shouted from her seat.

  “I’m perfectly fine.” The doctors had said there was a chance his heart would weaken. Which meant there was another chance he’d survive the pressure. Breathing deeply, he increased the power of the engines and they catapulted through the atmosphere.

  Behind him, Carly whooped and screamed, and Skye joined in. Finicky triumph trickled through him—they still had to clear the danger zone. Scientists hadn’t tested the hull of the ship under atmospheric pressure changes.

  The sight panel changed from red and orange light to the velvety darkness of space. Dizziness came over him. His miniscreen floated up and he realized he needed to activate the gravity rings. Pressing the sequence he’d learned on his flight navigator program, he crossed his fingers. Deep clunks resonated around them.

  “What is that?” Skye’s voice shook.

  James watched his miniscreen rattle onto the controls. “It’s okay. The gravity rings kicked in. We’re officially cruising to the space station. Looks like at this current speed we’ll reach it in two days, as planned.”

  James unbelted himself and tested his legs. He felt ten pounds lighter, the muscles in his legs barely working to hold him up. He had to breathe harder, but the simulated atmosphere and gravity was close enough to adjust.

  He turned to Carly and Skye. “Try it!”

  Carly rushed to unbuckle herself and jumped up, taking a picture of the sight panel. Skye came over and slipped her arms around his neck.

  “Good job, Captain.” She pressed her hand on his chest while the other one caressed his back. “Your heart’s beating strongly. Looks like you’re home free.”

  For once in his life, James was tongue-tied.

  Skye removed her hand from his chest and pressed a finger against his lips. “Shhh. You don’t have to say a thing.”

  Before he could breathe again, she kissed him. Her lips felt soft, warm, and inviting. He put his hands around her waist and pulled her closer. Soaring feelings of desire came over him as the palms of his hands caressed her curves.

  He’d given up love for his people, thinking he’d be selfish to ask for more. Now he had it all.

  …

  Skye didn’t waste one second. Shyness had kept her from giving James the good-bye kiss he deserved before, but it wasn’t going to hold her back now. Feeling his lips brush against hers lit her body on fire. She lowered her arms from around his neck smoothed them across his back. Every muscle tensed up underneath her touch.

  Dal’s voice broke her trance. “And you thought you couldn’t fly this thing!”

  Skye pulled away, her lips burning hot. James shook his head as if he’d been caught smooching on duty. “Great to see you, Dal.”

  Carly ran up to the old man and flashed her camera at him, taking his picture. “He’s been practicing.”

  “Oh really?” Dal crouched down to her level. “And who, may I ask, are you?”

  “Carly.” She shook the picture until the image formed and handed him the glossy paper. Skye was surprised how much she’d warmed up to people. Perhaps after meeting those aliens, everyone
else seemed tame.

  “What a beautiful name. You know who you remind me of?” His eyes grew distant as they flicked toward the sight panel, and then back to her.

  “Who?”

  “My own grandchildren, Elsie and Louise.”

  Carly stood in an awkward pose, biting her fingernail. “Where are they?”

  “Very, very far away.” His voice turned wispy with melancholy.

  “Will you ever see them again?”

  “I’m afraid not. But they’re in a better place now. We all are.”

  Skye momentarily thought of Mestasis driving her own colony ship. Were Dal’s grandchildren with her? Skye’s chest panged as she thought of Carly leaving on a colony ship without her. Poor Dal. She broke away from James and offered her hand to the old man. “I don’t think we’ve had a chance to properly meet.”

  He shook her hand. “Dal’s the name everyone calls me.”

  “And I’m Skye.”

  “This little cutie yours?” he asked, nodding to Carly.

  Skye opened her mouth, but Carly piped in. “Yeah. Skye’s like my mom.”

  Skye froze, her entire body blushing. Did she say mom? Did she really mean it?

  Carly started to hum and took off toward the sight panel. Skye wanted to freeze the moment forever and keep playing it back until Carly’s words sunk in. She’d actually used the word mom. James stared at her from across the main control deck. The curve of his lips told her she’d heard Carly right.

  Dal scratched his head and turned to James. “I hate to burst our triumphant bubble here, but we’ve got to come up with a plan for Outpost Omega. They’re not going to welcome us with open arms.”

  “I know.” James walked over to them. “I have some ideas.”

  Skye placed herself between him and Dal and put her hands on her hips. “Risky ones, involving you and lasers?”

  James grinned. “Those are always the best.” Skye knew how much James liked lasers, but she’d almost lost him once, and she wasn’t about to risk losing him again.

  Dal must have seen the turmoil in her eyes because he put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Hopefully it won’t come to that.”

  If it did, then she’d want to fight with James. Skye turned it right back on him. “Whatever it is, I’m in.”