by Edward Lake
Even though we had prevailed, she seemed so sad. Perhaps lost in the darkness of Vault’s crusade. I bent down and hugged her. She had done a great job training me thus far.
“I’m grateful for everything you’ve taught me. I want you to know that.”
“Stick around, Zena. I’ll teach you so much more.”
I planted a kiss on her cheek and slowly let go. My eyes grew wide as I stepped away, surprised at myself. Ada seemed surprised, too, staring at me with curious eyes.
I showed her a smile as I left with Lydia. I took my sister back to the room where Vault had taken her and knelt to her level.
“I have to go do something. I want you to wait in this room until I come back. Can you do that for me?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I can manage that.”
I gave her a big hug and kissed her head. “Okay. See you soon.” I rose and watched her go inside the room. She was growing up so fast, making me proud.
I spun around and went back to the docking station and found Vault and Jax talking in a large, transparent room. I went to the door and waited until they saw me. Finally, they turned at the same time. Jax came to the door and let me in.
I stepped inside and looked around. The technology was impressive. Sonar that looked to be far more advanced than anything I had seen on those battle ships Ada and I flew. There were also live video feeds of multiple planets, jumping to different locations on each planet, recording everything.
Vault held his hands out towards the monitors. “So, what do you think?”
I nodded and continued to look around. “It’s incredible.”
He swiped his hand at me. “This space station is nothing compared to what I have planned. Saros was a fool, unable to see the larger perspective.” He exhaled and pulled his hand back. “I look forward to discussing my plans with you, Zena. But for now, there is another Saros we have to discuss.” He paced the room. “I assume you and Sadie are an item?”
I gave him a nod. “Yes. We are.”
He stopped and stared at me. “Can she be trusted?”
I glanced at Jax, then looked back at Vault. “I believe so. Why are you concerned about Sadie?”
“Because she’s a Saros. They can’t be trusted.” He ambled to me, his tall frame towering over my head. “Keep a close eye on her. Make sure she’s on our side.”
“Yes, sir.” For her sake, I prayed she would obey the new establishment. I wanted to keep her safe, but Vault and his crew of rebels and ex-slaves appeared to be an unstoppable force—a force not to be trifled with.
He radioed to Revis Hex, and the caregiver arrived within seconds. He stood outside the room, waiting for me.
I left and walked over to him. “How is she?”
“She’s fine. I’ll take you to her now.” He spun around and led me to the far end of the docking station. He turned and went down a narrow passageway. I followed him to the elevators at the end of the hall and headed to the upper levels.
We stopped at level thirty-four and left the elevator. Revis took a few steps down the hall and stopped at a room with double doors. “Here you are, Zena.” He left me and went back to the elevator.
I stood there and closed my eyes for a few seconds. You can do this. Just tell her the truth. Tell her that you killed her father. My body kept moving forward, but everything inside me wanted to jump out of my skin and run. I exhaled and slowly opened my eyes. I reached out and opened the door. The room was dark and basic, with a large bed in the center and a few storage compartments along the wall. Sadie was standing by the window, watching all the activity below on the docking station.
Sweat formed across my brow as I walked to her. She heard me and turned around. I stopped by the bed and flashed an uneasy smile.
She beamed and came forward. “Hey, you.” She opened her arms.
“Hey.” I went to her and opened my arms. We shared a warm hug and gradually rocked from side to side.
She held on to me for a long while. “I missed you so much. Now we can finally be together.”
I clenched my lips and breathed hard through my nose. I let her go and leaned back. “Sadie…”
Her eyes narrowed and shifted all around. “Zena? What’s wrong?”
I trembled and took a big gulp. “There is something I have to tell you.”
Her face went from confused to sad. “Okay. Tell me.”
I hesitated and looked down. I said it in my head first, trying to gather the courage to say it to her. I trembled, wondering if she would leave me for what I had done. All I wanted was a chance to be with her, to show her how much I adored her.
Sadie put her hand under my chin and lifted my head. “It’s okay. You can tell me.”
Finally, I looked up and wiped the sweat off my forehead. “Your father is dead.”
She froze for a moment, then shuddered. “How?”
My hands shook and my lips quivered. “I…killed him.” I blew out a heavy sigh and threw my hands up. “He was using my family to get back at me.”
Her face turned red, and her eyes welled. She stood there for a long while, glaring at me. “How did you kill him? And why?”
Stuttering, I tried to explain. “He wanted me dead. He kidnapped my family and tried to use them to get to me. He wasn’t going to stop unless I stopped him.”
Sadie wiped her eyes. She stared at me, the redness in her face lessening. “He was still my father. I could have saved him. I…could have made him see another way.”
I covered my face and turned my back to her. “Vault was going to kill him anyways. Your father had made a lot of enemies, and it finally caught up to him.”
“I know who my father was!” She wept and moved in front of me. “Why would you turn away from me? Do you even care how I feel about this?”
“I do care. I wish things could have been different for all of us.” I crossed my arms and looked down again. “After I killed him, I didn’t feel good about it. I felt worse. I felt…empty.” I looked up and grabbed her hands. “I’m sorry, Sadie.”
Her face sank into misery and bleakness. “So am I.” She pulled her hands away and stepped backwards. “I can’t be with you, Zena.” She let out a harsh cry. “My mother and father were all I had. Who can I go to now? The rest of my family is scattered around the galaxy. I hardly know them.” She wiped her eyes and shook her head. “I wanted a chance to make things right between us. Now I’ll never have that chance.”
I was speechless at first, shaken by her choice to end our relationship. I had dreamed of a peaceful ending for us, some place safe and warm, far away from the war. I saw us growing old together, teaching each other how to be better people. I saw our most intimate moments, everlasting and pure.
But I wasn’t going to give up. I wanted her in my life. I wanted to earn her love. “They were going to kill you, Sadie! They were going to kill us. What kind of mother and father would do that to their own child?” I stepped towards her, sobbing. “Please, don’t leave me.”
She shook her head again and clasped her brow. “I can’t, Zena. I have to find my mother and try to make amends.”
I dashed to her and grabbed her hands. “Then let me help you. I’d do anything for you, Sadie. I know I’ve made a mess of things, but please, let me help you find her.” I needed to find Agnes to rescue Turk. Before now, I wanted her dead. But after seeing the effect this was having on Sadie, I was ready to end the fighting. “My brother and grandmother are dead. Your mother abducted my younger brother, and I don’t know where she’s taken him.”
Hiccupping, she stepped closer. “That’s awful. I’m so sorry to hear this.” She placed her hand on my cheek and leaned her head back. “We’ve lost so much. Let’s help each other and end this madness—once and for all.”
I closed my eyes and bent my head down. I rubbed my nose against hers and kissed her cheek. “Don’t leave me. I need you.”
She turned her head and sighed. “I can’t.”
I slid my hands down her back, enjo
ying the sweet aroma of her hair. “I won’t let you get away so easily. You mean too much to me.”
She looked back at me and placed her hand on my lips.
I opened my eyes and saw the sadness on her face. I wished I could undo the past.
She broke free from my hold and stepped away. “You mean a lot to me, too. That’s why I took that laser for you. I didn’t want to lose you then, and I don’t want to lose you now. But I can’t be with you. Not after this.”
This wasn’t the right time to change her mind. I might never win her back. But I surely would try. “Okay. I understand.”
I created some space between us and found her eyes. “Will you come downstairs with me? There is someone I’d like you to meet.”
She nodded and followed me to the door. When we left the room, I led her to the docking station and found Jax. “Commander, this is Sadie Saros.”
He grinned and checked her out from head to toe. “Very nice, Zena. You found yourself a beautiful lover.”
She shyly looked away and lidded her eyes. “So you rebels don’t mind savages, huh?”
“Nope. Not us. It’s a brand new galaxy. No more killing people like you and Zena.” He locked eyes with me. “I’m on my way to Agholor to establish our rule.” He smacked his lips and tugged on his tattered jacket. “I’m going to build my very own palace there. You’ll have to come visit me sometime. We’ll eat dried plants and drink brew until we faint.”
Typical Jax. “I don’t understand. Why are you leaving? There is still so much to be done.”
Jax paused and glanced at the transparent room with all the monitors. Vault was still inside, carefully checking each screen. “When my father formed the Rebel Army, he planned for me to take over when he was done. That’s why he made me commander. But I never wanted to take on that responsibility.”
It was astounding to know that he was Vault’s son all along, and that he was one of the reasons Vault planned this revolt. “So…Jax Vault. Does everyone else know you’re his son?”
“The people I can trust know.” He smirked. “Now so do you. Which means I trust you.” He walked past me. “My father wishes to see you. Farewell, Zena…and Sadie.”
Watching him leave, I planned to visit him on Agholor as he had suggested. Every man had a weakness, and I believed he was his father’s weakness. With enough influence on Jax, I could use it against Vault if necessary.
“Farewell, Jax.” I turned to Sadie and touched her arm. “Stay here. I’ll return soon.”
“Okay.”
I carefully slid my hand off her arm and stole a few glimpses of her lovely smile as I left to find Vault. Nonetheless, what I was about to discover during my meeting with the rebel leader changed everything.
25
Zena
I went back to the transparent room with all the monitors and found Vault standing by the entrance. “Hello, sir. I talked to Sadie. She won’t be a problem.”
He looked down at me, his hands held behind his back. “Good.” He turned and slowly moved down the hall. “Let’s take a walk, Zena.”
I caught up to him and kept pace as we went along. There were many things I wanted to ask him, but it seemed as if he had a few things to say to me first. I glanced at him over and over, anticipating the conversation.
“There is much to do in the galaxy,” he began. “Starlight deserves peace. Together, you and I can achieve that.”
We moved into a dark area of the passageway, a few lights blinking on the ceiling. I looked down and watched the floor as I walked. Slowly and sadly, I was succumbing to my fear of Vault. For now, I wanted him to believe I was on his side, not someone he needed to worry about.
“How can I help?”
He stayed silent for a moment. Finally, he reached out and touched my back. “You’ve impressed me, Zena. I’ve seen many great soldiers in my time. Excellent combatants who were born to kill.” At the end of the long, dark hall, he stopped at the elevator and turned to me. “But none of them have come along as quickly as you.”
I looked up at him, more afraid than flattered. “Thank you, sir.”
He smiled. “I want you to gather a task force and eliminate our adversaries.” He shrugged and scratched his cheek. “And of course, you’ll have to slay a few skivers along the way.”
“Skivers?”
“The GGC and all their members.” He flashed a wicked grin. “Yes…now you can slaughter the men who killed your father.” He pressed a button that opened the elevator and escorted me inside.
I was stunned that Vault was giving me an opportunity to slay the GGC and their members. I had wanted them dead for years. Yet, after killing Pastor Saros, I knew that killing them would not make me feel any better.
I glanced at him as we continued our ride up. There was so much pain in his eyes, like he was hiding something.
“Forgive me, sir. May I ask a question?”
“Of course.”
I tried to talk, but the words were stuck on the tip of my tongue. Finally, I exhaled and stared at him. “Why continue all this…death and destruction? There seems to be no end in sight. Life should be…better than this. Not just for us but for everyone.”
“Yes, life should be better.” He looked down at me. “God is the enemy, Zena. The idea of God was created to control weak minds—people who can’t think for themselves.” His tone deepened as he went on. “You’re like those old books made of paper. I can read you, line by line. I can see that you still believe in God…it’s written all over your face. But that’s okay. I can save you from the lie. And when I do, you’ll thank me.”
Vault turned his head and stared at me. “Some of my greatest followers were once believers like you. And when I set their minds free, the things they went on to accomplish amazed me. I hope the same happens for you.”
He was right. I let my faith in God be known, and I was proud to do so. There was nothing he could do or say that would make me betray God. I had felt the Holy Spirit in my darkest moments, lifting me up when all hope seemed lost. Now and forever, God is my savior.
By the time we reached the pointed top of the battle station, I was trembling, wishing I could run from him. The elevator doors dinged open, and he placed his hand on my back again. He led me down a thin hallway and into a large room. There was an enormous table in the center of the room, chairs all around it. He showed me to the table and told me to sit down.
After I took my seat, Vault sat down next to me and set his elbows on the table. “Can you assure me Sadie Saros won’t interfere with my plans? She’s a Saros. They can’t be trusted.”
“Yes, sir. In fact, I asked her to help me. She was more than willing.” My plan to help Sadie save her mother had to remain secret. Even so, lying to Vault frightened me. I feared he would destroy me and Sadie if he knew we had our own agenda.
He grinned and leaned back. “That’s good.” He nodded, still grinning. “She’s a beautiful woman, Zena. You’re very fortunate to be sleeping with her.” He chuckled and slapped his knee. “I must say, to see the priest’s daughter become a lover to another woman is most satisfying.”
I put a hand up to stop him. “Enough. I don’t need you or anyone else mocking what Sadie and I have. We nearly lost our lives. Our bond is not some spectacle to entertain the galaxy!”
Without pause, he held a conciliatory hand out towards me. “My apologies. Let us…refocus on the task at hand.” He leaned towards me, gesturing with his hands as he talked. “The Galactic Gambling Corporation is more powerful than you think. They are protected by trained combatants, men who are paid well by them and will attempt to kill anyone who comes after their leaders.”
Vault leaned back and calmly rested his hands in his lap. “That is why we must destroy the GGC. There can be no other established order. No other powerful force.”
I nodded. “Yes, I understand.” I didn’t need motivation to kill the ones responsible for my father’s death. Yet, sitting there with Vault, a sickness touched my
insides. I feared my lust for revenge would lead me down a dark path, to a place of misery that I would never return from.
Vault set his elbows on the table again. He stared into the distance, a stern look on his face. “Tell me, Zena. What is God to you?”
I pondered the question for a long while. Finally, I breathed in deep and leaned towards him. “A feeling, sir. I can feel a presence in my life. Something I can’t see or hear. When I feel lost, it gives me hope.” I sighed and looked into his eyes. There was something so secretive about him, even without the mask. I wondered if he feared God, and perhaps that was why he began his crusade to destroy the Holy Spirit’s place in the galaxy. “It’s almost the same as loving another person. The way they make you feel complete, so you fight for them—you die for them. You do anything to hold on to that feeling.”
He stood up and signaled for me to follow him. I rose and stood alongside him as we turned and headed towards the entryway.
“There is an open position in my stable, Zena. You may already know this by now, but my son, Jax, has decided to retire from my crusade.” He threw his hands up. “It’s a shame. I had planned for him to take over when I was gone. However, there are plenty of qualified troops to take his place. But I’m going to give you the first chance.”
I scratched my arm as we passed the doorway and sauntered into the hallway, thinking of a lie to please him. “I’m…honored, sir. But why me?”
“Because I see potential in you.” He reached over to me and gripped my shoulder. “Commander Ezra. How does that sound?”
I wanted no part in his stable. There was a kindness about him that surprised me, but he was dangerous, too. “I like the sound of that, very much.” I looked up and showed him a false smile.
“If you can swiftly eliminate the GGC and all their members, the job is yours.” He led me to the elevator and opened the door.
We went inside and stood side by side. The more I was around him, the more afraid of him I became. However, it wasn’t only Vault that terrified me. It was my own vulnerabilities. He had the power I had always wanted. The power to kill the men who had enslaved me and my family. Yet I feared that power I sought might consume me and transform me into someone I never wanted to be.
