Defending the Galaxy: The Sentinels of the Galaxy

by Maria V. Snyder

  Facing the doorway in case anyone tries to come in, I believe I’m in a strong defensive position. It helps that, through Q, I can also watch the video feeds throughout the base, especially from the cameras in the cells and in the corridor outside detention. Jarren hasn’t moved from where Bendix tossed him.

  Please alert me if anyone approaches, I say to Q. Then I scan the areas that were hardest hit. The bomb landed a few kilometers south of the base. All the walls facing the blast are warped. The glass in the windows has shattered, and there are wires hanging down from holes in the ceiling tiles. The halls outside the housing units are filled with people carrying bags, small pieces of furniture, and a few are holding small children.

  Seeking injuries, I scan faces. A few cuts. A bruise or two. A wince of pain. Do I dare check the infirmary?

  NO FATALITIES. MINOR INJURIES ONLY.

  Thanks. Any sign of the looters?

  YES.

  Where?

  CHECKING FOR LIFE SIGNS.

  How?

  THROUGH ME.

  And?

  THEY FOUND NONE.

  Whew. I relax back. Please let me know if they check again.

  WILL DO.

  I spot Kuma with her family. She has a backpack on and it appears she’s encouraging her family to pick up the pace. That’s my girl. She’d make an excellent security officer. Then I watch the action at the port. My parents are there directing traffic. All our dune buggies are being loaded with supplies. The field teams had been recalled since the looters’ second attack. So there’s plenty of tents and camping equipment to go around. It appears groups of people are waiting to leave.

  What are they waiting for?

  DARKNESS.

  Oh, that makes sense. There might be looters keeping an eye on the base. I continue to monitor all the action throughout the base. It helps me stay awake as the hours add up. Eventually my stomach gives up whining for food, but my ankle increases its demands for pain medicine.

  Some of the prisoners bang on their doors, clamoring for dinner.

  “No dinner tonight,” I yell. “The cafeteria was bombed by your friends.” It’s not true, but they stop making noise.

  After the sun sets, teams of people head out into the desert. Some are walking, while others ride on the buggies. I wonder if the pits my mother chose are all together or spread out.

  SPREAD OUT.

  Why?

  SAFER.

  I guess if one pit is bombed, the other people could escape. Which pits?

  PITS 21, 25, 37, 45, 63.

  Why those?

  ALL INTACT.

  Which means no chance of shadow-blobs. However Pits 45 and 63 are too far away to reach before the sun comes up. Are they going to use the shuttles we confiscated from the looters to get there? Morgan can fly one, but would the machine be detected by the looters?

  NOT IF PROTECTED.

  Protected by you?

  YES.

  I’d have to set up the program, right?

  YES.

  I’ll ask Radcliff or Morgan the next time I see them. In the meantime, I’m curious. Which planets do those five pits go to?

  PLANETS DONGGUAN, UNNAMED, HESHAN, LU’AN, UNNAMED.

  The unnamed ones must be one of the forty-two planets we haven’t yet discovered. The others are not the best destinations, but the pits nearby might have better ones. Can you please make me a chart of all the pits on Yulin and which planet they go to?

  ON IT.

  After another two hours, I really need to use the washroom. As I’m debating if I can leave my post for a quick break, Niall arrives. I’m in his arms in a flash. I don’t care that we’re both in uniform or the fact my ankle is screaming in pain.

  “I can’t believe you all went up on the roof.” I squeeze him tight. “That was so stupid, brave, scary, amazing.”

  “Can’t…breathe.”

  “Oh. Sorry.” I relax my death grip around his ribs, but I don’t let go. Instead I press my ear to his chest, listening to his heart.

  “It’s okay, Mouse. You saved us.”

  I pull back to look at his expression. Is he upset? He appears as exhausted as I feel, but I get a tired smile.

  “I was only able to save you because they missed cutting out one Q-net subroutine in the guidance system. Otherwise…” I shudder.

  He draws me back against him. And I soak in his warmth. My stomach growls. Niall laughs and releases me. Stupid stomach.

  “I brought dinner.” Niall shrugs off his ruck.

  “For the prisoners?”

  “For me and you. They can skip a meal.”

  “Great, I just need to use the washroom first.”

  Niall glances at my ankle. “I also have some pain meds for you.”

  “Then I’ll be quick.”

  “Do you need help?”

  I wave my improvised cane at him. “Got it.” Hurrying down the corridor, I find the closest washroom. Perhaps I should have taken the medicine first. By the time I return, the pain has climbed my leg.

  Niall takes one look at my expression and sweeps me off my feet. He sets me down in the chair, but he remains crouched in front of me. “It’s not weak to ask for help, Mouse.”

  I sense this is about more than going to the washroom alone. “I know. I ask for help all the time.”

  “From the Q-net?”

  “Yes.”

  “That doesn’t count.”

  Actually, if Q didn’t help me, we’d all be blown to bits. Sensing I shouldn’t mention that, I reach out and stroke his cheek. The stubble on his face pricks my fingertips. “What’s this really about, Toad? Why were you so upset with me earlier?”

  He settles back on his heels. “You noticed that, did you?”

  I tap a finger near my eye. “Junior Officer Lawrence misses nothing.”

  Another tired smile. “You’re extraordinary, Mouse.”

  Why do I think there’s a “but” coming? I brace for the big break-up speech.

  “You knew right where to go last night,” Niall says. “Dad said you figured out that the looters were coming in through the pits. And that’s where you headed.”

  “Right into danger,” I say the words he doesn’t, but is clear from his pained expression. “When I promised I wouldn’t. That’s why you’re so upset?” No answer. “Niall, every security officer was busy. I couldn’t call for help. And Morgan, Rance, my parents, and Elese were already there. If I didn’t warn them…” Not going there. “Just dumb luck I got caught in the cave-in. I thought Pit 2 would be fine. I grew up in those pits. Stupid digging machines messed everything up.” That earns me another smile. “I didn’t take any more risks than the rest of the security team. In fact, today, while all of you went up to the roof to sacrifice your lives for the base, I was tucked into my burrow.”

  “Your burrow?”

  “Yeah, you know, mice live in burrows.”

  “I think you might be taking this mouse thing a little too seriously,” he teases.

  “Well, you know me and denial. It really helped to think I was in a burrow last night.” Instead of trapped under dangerous rubble. But I shouldn’t have said that. The humor drops from his face.

  So I continue with my point. “The point is, I wasn’t stupid. I wasn’t reckless. I was just doing my job.” I lean forward and lower my voice. “Which, I’m actually, kind of, good at.” I hold a hand up. “Now don’t get too excited. Criminal Mastermind is still on my list of potential careers, but…” Gesturing at the white cells around us, I continue, “It’s losing its appeal. It’s not quite the glamorous lifestyle I expected and there’s the whole matter of your own people not caring if they kill you that sours the thrill.”

  When he doesn’t say anything, I can’t keep from asking, “Is it because those looters died? That I’m respons—”

  “No!” He scooches closer and grabs my hands. “Not at all! You are not responsible. Every single one of those people is responsible for their own deaths. They made the
choice to participate in the attack on our base. They decided to threaten the lives of our people. Understand?”

  “I do.” Like I told my father, ninety-five percent of me understands.

  “Good.” Niall draws in a breath. “You’re right. I’m worried. I’ll admit it’s irrational. This is our job. And you’re doing amazing. Most officers don’t ever see this much action in their entire careers. It’s just…” He swallows. “If I lose you, it’ll kill me. And with those portals that you’re so keen about, I’m afraid you’ll disappear and we’ll be separated for good.”

  I squeeze his hands as my insides melt. “I can’t tell you not to worry, because I worry about you, too. However, I’m not leaving you behind. In fact, if you haven’t touched a Warrior heart yet, I’m going to need your help with the portals.”

  “You are?”

  “Yes, but if you have, I’ll tell your father that I need you anyway.”

  “I’m still waiting for your heart, Mouse.”

  “You already have this one, Toad.” I tap my chest. “We’ll save that Warrior heart for you later.” Then a dire thought pops up. “But we might encounter shadow-blobs and you won’t be able to see them.”

  “You’ll have to guide me.”

  I open my mouth to protest.

  He jumps in. “You’ve done it before and it worked out.”

  Not sure being sliced up and getting stitches on his forehead is what I’d call working out. “I think we should bring that heart along, just in case.”

  “All right. Now time for your meds and dinner.”

  He opens the ruck and sets out two bottles of water, energy bars, and—

  “Pudding cups!”

  Niall shakes his head. “If you hadn’t almost crushed my ribs when I came in, I’d be worried you love pudding cups more.”

  “Don’t worry, you beat out pudding cups every time.”

  He presses a hand to his chest. “That’s just what every man wants to hear. Maybe I should get it tattooed on my arm so I’ll never forget it.”

  I swat him on the shoulder. “Brat.”

  He sets out the rest of dinner onto the table and takes the other seat. I down the pills and munch on the food that is disguised as a tasteless rectangular block. “I guess it’s going to be energy bars from now on.” Don’t get me wrong, they are full of protein and nutrients. I’m glad we have them, but they’re not my go-to for food.

  “Yeah. We’re in survival mode.”

  And I sense that nothing will ever be the same. That this meal is the beginning of the end. Not a very happy thought.

  By the time we finish, my ankle and stomach are no longer yelling at me. But even after my second pudding cup, I’m still sleepy.

  “You can go to your room in my dad’s unit and get some sleep,” Niall says after my fourth yawn. “He wants you to stay in security.” He hands me the ruck. “This one is yours. I grabbed a few additional things for you.”

  “Thanks. What about you?”

  “I’m on duty here until someone relieves me.”

  But he’s just as exhausted. I can’t leave him alone. “I’ll keep you company.”

  “While I would enjoy that, you’ve been ordered to sleep. We’ll need your sharp mind over the next couple of days.”

  No pressure. I try to think of a loophole to remain with Niall, but my mind is currently mush, which just proves Radcliff’s point. “All right.” I use the cane to stand. The ankle mutters a bit with unhappiness, but settles down.

  Niall squints at me in suspicion. “That seemed too easy.”

  “That’s because it’s going to cost you, Toad.”

  “Oh?”

  I limp over to his chair and sit on his lap. Then I kiss him. Taking my time, I ensure it’s a long and deep kiss. One that doesn’t care a damn about the order that we can’t have any physical contact while in uniform. We might never get another private moment.

  When I break it off, he says, “I believe I still owe you.” And he recaptures my lips.

  Apparently, he felt the need to guarantee I receive proper payment. Our exchange grows quite heated, and I’m more than happy to continue—another missile could be launched at any minute, people!—but Mr. Sensible stops us.

  “Another officer…will be…coming,” he pants.

  Of course he’s right. I growl at him and nip his earlobe. “My inner lion isn’t happy.”

  “Yeah.” He clears his throat. “Got that.”

  I grab the ruck. My pajamas and a variety of personal things are inside, along with another pudding cup. Sweet of him to save it for me. I put it on the table. “Something to remember me by.”

  His laughter follows me out into the hallway.

  Radcliff wakes me at…I’ve no idea. “Do you still want to talk to Jarren?” he asks.

  “Yes.”

  “Then get dressed. You have an hour.”

  Wide awake now, I pull my blankets off and stifle a groan. Not only am I a giant bruise, but every muscle has stiffened. Steel is more flexible than I am. Moving is pure torture, I’m a pathetic mewling weakling. Good thing I still have my pain meds. I down them before I do anything else.

  Radcliff is waiting for me near the door. He’s holding two cups of coffee and I fight back tears of joy. Seeing my improvised cane, he offers to carry my cup as we head toward his office. Cracks snake through the walls and there’s a layer of white grit on the floor.

  “How do you want to play this?” he asks. “Like the last time in the empty office?”

  “No.” I’m dressed in my security jumpsuit—everyone is, as it offers the most protection. And I’m armed with my pulse gun and an energy wave gun—Radcliff insisted. “This time it’s different.” I tell him what I need.

  “Nice,” he says.

  I wait in his office, sipping coffee as he arranges the interview. Parts of the ceiling tiles have fallen, exposing the base’s pipes and wires. A web of cracks decorates his walls.

  Beau hustles in. He’s still wearing his uniform. It’s rumpled and coated with dust. Lines of exhaustion mark his face.

  “Haven’t you had any time to change?” I ask. Or sleep.

  “Are you kidding?” He looks around. “Where’s the boss?”

  “He’ll be back soon. How’s the evacuation going?”

  Beau swipes a hand over his spikes. They’re limp. “Better than expected. Everyone will be underground when the sun comes up. Then they’ll move on to their pits tonight.” He plops into the other visitor chair. “Need your help. Officer Morgan wants to use the shuttles without anyone picking up on it. Q’s been helping me, but it’s slow. It’ll go faster with two of us.”

  Ah ha! He said Q! That means he’s a full believer. “It’s up to Radcliff, but I can help after I talk to Jarren.”

  “About the portals?”

  “Yes.”

  Just then Radcliff enters. “It’s all set up. Do you want me to come with you?”

  “No.”

  “All right, one hour, then we have more important things to do.”

  I stand without wincing. Go me. “Yes, sir.” Grabbing my coffee, I limp to detention being careful not to spill it.

  Rance and Niall—has he gotten any sleep?—stand at attention just inside the door. They’re facing Jarren and have one hand resting on the handles of their pulse guns. Jarren is sitting in one of the chairs next to the table. His hands are secured behind his back.

  When he spots me, he smirks. “Nice costume.”

  I ignore him as I take the seat across the table. Sipping my coffee, I study Jarren. He might pretend to be relaxed and have donned his I’m-vastly-superior-to-you attitude, but there’s fear lurking in his light brown eyes.

  Finally, I say, “That missile yesterday proved I was right. You are not valuable or indispensable. You’re disposable.”

  He keeps his expression neutral, but his shoulders tense. “How did it miss?”

  “That’s really not your concern right now.”

  “No?”


  “No. Your concern should be focused on the next missile. Because that one is not going to miss. And guess who hasn’t been evacuated to the pits?”

  He glances at the closed and locked doors of detention. “All of us?”

  “Yep. All eighty-eight of you.” I lean forward and lower my voice. “And here’s a secret. You’re not going to be, either.”

  Jarren’s face pales. “You can’t do that. There are laws.”

  “Yeah, well, we’re in a state of emergency. It’s like old Earth—everyone for themselves.” I glance at Rance and Niall. “But if you cooperate and answer my questions, we’ll consider evacuating you.”

  “I’m not falling for that. You’ll evacuate us. You have to.”

  “You’re willing to take that risk?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. But perhaps you’ll answer this one question. How does it feel to be worth less than the Warriors? That your colleagues, who are benefiting greatly from your grand Warrior Express scheme, have decided that they’d rather have the Warriors than you. I’d bet it feels just like being killed by a good friend.”

  “Officer Lawrence,” Beau calls. He’s standing in the doorway. “A moment please.”

  “Excuse me.” I join Beau out in the hallway for a “private” chat.

  “Radcliff says we can work on the shuttles when you’re done here. How much longer are you going to be?”

  “That depends if this little interruption has any effect on Jarren.”

  “I’ll be in my office.”

  I return to detention, but don’t go in far. “Good news, Officers. One of the other looters is willing to talk in exchange for her and about twenty of her friends being evacuated. You can toss this useless waste of flesh back in his cell.” I turn to leave.

  “Wait,” Jarren yells. “That person won’t have as much information as me.”

  Got you! I suppress my elation and keep my tone almost bored. “I have most of it figured out. We really don’t need that much.”

  “Come on, Ara. I’m not an idiot. I know what you’re doing.”

  I wait.

  He sighs. “Sit down. Ask your questions.”

  I return to my chair. “Did you take the Warriors from Pit 54?”

  “Pit 54?”

  “Yulin’s incoming portal.”