by Lisa Lace
“This does not concern you, Axl. What do you say, Ms. Blackwood? Your safety is our top priority. Our best people will serve as your private security detail.”
“If you make it two hundred fifty thousand, we have a deal.”
“Done.” The wrinkles on the Empress’s forehead faded in relief. “We’ll sign a contract and send you on your way.”
“That sounds perfect.”
Axl grabbed me by the elbow and hissed into my ear. “What are you doing?”
“Relax,” I whispered back. “I’ll only be there a couple of hours. After that, we can return to Earth. I didn’t want to ruin the surprise, but I’ll cut you in for half. I thought I could pitch in for the inevitable get-off-of-Urwan fund.”
Instead of taking me up on my sweet offer, Axl said something unexpected. “Tell your men to stand down. Magnum will go in their place.”
I ran my fingers along the edge of the bench and glanced across from me. Akuza leaned against the wall. He had one free hand clenched into a tight fist on his lap. The other hand was handcuffed to a steel post. His eyes were squeezed tightly shut but his erratic breathing made it obvious that he was awake.
“Are you hungry?”
Akuza did not budge, but I thought I saw some movement beneath his eyelids.
“You’re going to pop a blood vessel if you keep doing that.” I lifted my legs off the floor and folded them underneath me. “I know you’re not sleeping.”
Akuza cracked open an eye.
“They feed me quite well, thank you.”
“You refused to touch the sandwich Axl made for you yesterday morning.”
“I don’t want to get poisoned.” Akuza opened his eyes. He cynically cackled as he turned his nose up at me. “I’m not an imbecile. I know you all want me dead.”
“I don’t care if you’re alive or dead. In fact, I was about to go back to my homeworld when they said you were begging for me.”
“I wouldn’t put it that way. I made a request.”
“Okay, a passionate request. Are you going to tell me why it’s so important for me to be here?”
Akuza sank in his seat. He seemed reluctant to talk.
“I didn’t have to come here, you know. I’m sure a group of people thinks you and I are conspiring together. I’m not asking for a thank you. I just want to know why.”
He glared at me, jaw shifting from side to side, but he finally relented. “They would have had killed me before takeoff if you weren’t here. I needed someone I could trust.”
“I see. Well, that’s flattering, but I don’t think my presence would have made a difference. I’m not associated with Magnum at all. If they wanted to kill you, you’d be dead already. I would sit tight and try to enjoy the rest of the ride if I were you.”
“That’s not entirely true. What about that brute, Axl? He listens to you.”
“Ha.” I snorted and shook my head. “I wish he did.”
Akuza shook his hair out of his eyes, gazing despondently out of the window. I was determined to keep up the progress in conversation. I glanced at the rings on his right hand. The band on his middle finger caught my attention. It showed the demonic face of a dragon with spiral horns and green stones embedded in each of its three eyes.
“That’s a nice ring you’ve got there. That’s the Hazambul, right? He’s one of my favorite characters from Tampadawin folklore, too.”
Akuza looked down at his ring curiously. “As a matter of fact, it is.”
“I always thought he was underrated. The Hazambul is the classic underdog. He’s misunderstood for looking different and being weaker than everyone else. His saving grace was the eruption when he threw himself into the mouth of the volcano as a sacrifice for the entire village.”
Akuza finished the story for me as he stroked the ring with his thumb. “The villagers regretted all the torment and heartache, but by then, it was too late. As a final tribute, the leaders of the village vowed to paint the skies red at sunset as a symbol of the blood he shed.”
He visibly relaxed in his seat, finally looking me in the eye. “I have never met anyone apart from my tutor who has heard of the Hazambul. It seems that you know your history.”
“I should hope so,” I said, shrugging. “I majored in galactic archaeology. It’s a specialized field, and my education was expensive.”
“I have read about Earth’s educational system. The school you attended it is called a university, correct? Being surrounded by peers that share the same interest must have been a pleasant experience.”
“I’m not much of a people person, to be honest. I mostly kept to myself. After college, I took up a desk job in the archaeology department at the university. I never really clicked with my coworkers and decided to head into the field.”
“Now you explore for a living. It sounds like an exciting life.” Akuza winced as he touched his bruised eye. “I never thought I would be envious of a human.”
“This human is a kind soul who’s doing you a favor.”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t take you for granted.” Akuza smiled weakly. “I am a prince, after all. In my home, there is an infinite library containing all the books on Makroi and more wealth than you could ever dream of seeing, and yet I would give anything to walk a few steps in your shoes. You live a life of adventure. You are truly free.”
I poured a cup of water from my thermos and handed it to him silently.
“Thank you.” Akuza took a sip, his eyebrows drooping. “I never knew being alone could be exhausting. I’m not a fool. My subordinates only treat me with respect because of my father. I know they ridicule me when I am not around. If you want to hear something genuinely pitiful, this conversation is the most intimate talk I’ve ever had with anyone.”
Akuza’s words struck a chord with me. He stared off into the distance, and his eyes were tainted with shame. I laid my feet back on the ground and leaned forward.
“Listen, it’s not bad being alone. Who doesn’t get lonely? When I was a kid, I had an overwhelming desire to live in outer space and meet aliens. I still do. I never made a lot of friends, and I learned to be by myself. I love it and wouldn’t change a thing.”
“It isn’t only solitude.” Akuza’s voice wavered. “I’ve grown accustomed to being alone. I have the company of my books, and most times, it’s all I need. The problem is my father.”
“What about your father?” I had a feeling I knew what he was going to say.
“You saw the look he gave me.” Akuza angrily brushed a hand over his eyes. “He thinks I’m a disgrace. Everyone does. I’ve failed every task he’s ever given me, from sports to hunting. He called me an embarrassment to Makroid everywhere. Everything changed when I decided to join the military. I’ll never forget the look he gave me. I didn’t know what it was until later. It was pride.”
Akuza blinked back tears, moaning like a frightened lamb.
“I couldn’t even fire a gun at a human woman.” He looked up, adding quickly, “No offense.”
I refreshed his cup and handed it back. “Maybe it’s not my place to say this, but there’s no shame in having a conscience. Valuing a life is never a sign of weakness in my book. If your father did not care about you, he wouldn’t agree to give up all the kysum. Shouldn’t that count for something?”
“Thank you for coming with me.” Akuza nodded at me. “You were right. You had nothing to gain. If there is some way I can repay your debt, just ask.”
“Actually, there might be something you could do for me.” I screwed the cup back onto the empty thermos and put it away. “Promise me that you will not mention the pillar to your father.”
“Why would I do that?” Akuza looked at his feet.
“I mean it. If you talk, not even your father can protect you. The Urwanians will find a way to kill you. If you get in trouble, let me know, and I’ll try to come and get you.”
“Would you do that for me?”
“You said you trust me. Listen to your instinct
s.”
Akuza started saying something, but he was interrupted by a rumble in his stomach.
“I thought you weren’t hungry.” I grinned, rising to my feet. “I’m going to grab some food. Are you sure you don’t want anything?”
“Anything you could find would help.”
“There must be something around here. I’ll be right back.”
Shutting the door to the cell, I wandered down the hallway of the military vessel. I followed the sounds of music and chatter, which led me to the common room. Urwanian soldiers and Magnum crew members spread out across the space. Some sat in a circle drinking mugs of ale as they talked. Others busied themselves with games involving colorful shells, bottle caps, and beads.
I spotted the grave faces of Axl, Barthan, and General Wasid. They stood by one end of the food table, discussing something intently.
“We all know that there is no other alternative,” said General Wasid. “If we don’t get rid of him, he will say everything that’s on his mind. He can hide behind Ms. Blackwood’s skirt all he wants, but he’s not going to fool me.”
“I agree,” Barthan grunted. “Once they hand over the kysum, we should shoot him before he takes one step back to his father. We take those bastards down, grab the pillar, and get out of there.”
I set my plate of food back down on the table, feeling a twinge of panic in my chest. “Axl?”
Axl looked back at me quickly. “We’re kind of in the middle of something here.”
“Can I talk to you for a second?” I narrowed my eyes.
“Excuse me.” Axl followed me out of the common room and down the hallway.
“Tell them to back off. We don’t have to kill him.”
“I will do no such thing. Stay out of things that don’t concern you.”
“Trust me. I finally got him to talk to me. He’s not going to say a word. If you think about it, he’s innocent and hasn’t done anything against us.”
“The same could be said about the thousands of souls his people killed over the centuries!” Axl’s voice bounced off the closed walls of the hallway. “He is a Silas, and they’re all the same. A five-minute conversation isn’t going to erase the treacherous, vile blood running through his veins.”
“Goddamn it, Axl! I thought...I don’t know what I thought. Never mind. You are impossible to deal with.”
I picked up my plate again and headed back to the cell.
“I hope you’re not planning on talking to him again.”
“I’m not going to say anything.” I paused, looking at him angrily over my shoulder. “I’m staying out of this, just like you said. I don’t want to hear another word from you until the annulment.”
Fuming, I stomped toward the cell, blood rushing to my face. I spotted a flash of color outside the window, making me stop and look around. I thought I heard something flapping, yet after peeking out the window, I saw nothing but the black expanse of space.
Thinking nothing of it, I started towards the cell again after taking another look at the reflection of the empty hallway behind me.
Chapter Twenty-Two
AXL
“The bastard is late!” Barthan punched the side of the titanium storage ship. Only half of his expression was visible from the glow of the headlights. Even though it was early in the morning, an impenetrable black sky hung over the barren desert. The planet was a miserable place. Even the howls of bitter wind that blew across the vast space sounded like the cries of a tortured child.
“Settle down, Barthan.” General Wasid glanced down at his communicator. “We’ve only been here for ten minutes. You have to have patience.”
“Every minute Lord Silas isn’t here is a minute I’m not with my son. Did I mention it was his birthday today?” Barthan stomped past the storage ship and toward the military vessel, pounding on the door. “It looks like your dear old father isn’t coming for you, after all.”
“That’s enough.” I patted Barthan on the back and motioned behind me. “Take a walk and cool down.”
As Barthan stormed off to unload on Tariq, I looked at the second storage ship. Christine and Natya leaned against the side and spoke in hushed tones. Feeling the weight of my stare, Christine turned her head in my direction. Her gaze instantly linked with mine and her eyebrows twitched before she turned back to Natya.
“Attention, everyone.” General Wasid pointed north. “They’re here.”
A flashing speck in the sky grew steadily larger. As it approached our location, we could make out its form. The black and green mothership looked like a phallic behemoth equipped with rail guns and a dozen missile launchers. We covered our faces with our hands and retreated, trying to find shelter.
“Weapons out. Hold your fire.”
Heeding the general’s command, we drew our guns. The Makroid ship landed a few hundred feet away, close enough to shake the earth. The sound of arming neutralizers mixed with the whine of starship engines.
The jaws of the spaceship door slid open, and a short, moving walkway extended to the ground. Fifty Makroid soldiers filed out of the hatch, spreading out in a wedge formation with weapons drawn. Both parties silently assessed the other.
“Stand down,” came a husky voice.
The Makroid force split into two and made a path in the middle. When I finally saw him, my trigger finger involuntarily twitched. It took all the self-restraint I had not to refrain from firing. Lord Silas was even more repulsive in the flesh.
He waited on the landing, allowing the walkway to carry him to the ground. Lord Silas wore a seven-pronged crown and a red cape fashioned out of chipna fabric. The pelt of a Makroid beast with its head attached was wrapped around his neck. He only had one leg. Rumors said he lost his other leg long ago in a military maneuver.
General Wasid lowered his weapon. “Lord Silas, you are late.”
“Our journey here took longer than expected. I’m sure you understand.” The Makroid hobbled down the path cleared for him, dragging his cane in the sand. His lips slowly spread into a chill-inducing smile. “I see her eminence isn’t going to be around for the grand barter.”
“We are running on a tight schedule. Let’s move along and get right to business. I trust that you have brought the kysum.”
“Of course I have. But the stench of sweat in the air is dreadful.” Lord Silas looked around at the Makroid soldiers, motioning with his hand. “Let’s handle the exchange in a civil manner. At ease.”
As the Makroid put down their weapons, General Wasid signaled for us to do the same.
“Good. Very good.” The unnatural smile on Lord Silas’ face got even bigger, making every hair on my body stand on end. He tapped his cane on the ground. “Bring out the kysum.”
The Makroid general aimed a remote control at the mothership. At the press of a button, the rear door of the ship opened and transformed into a ramp. The ground shook as two smaller storage tanks flew out of the plane, landing on either side of the mothership.
The Urwanian freighters kicked into gear and began to roll forward.
“Not so fast, Wasid. I want to see Akuza.”
General Wasid and I exchanged knowing looks. “Barthan, bring him out.”
“As you wish, General.”
Barthan strolled into the warship and returned holding a chain-link leash which led to a collar locked around the neck of the Makroid prince. After Barthan had pulled the chain, Akuza staggered forward. His hands were bound behind his back. He tried to say something, but I couldn’t make out the words. The Makroid soldiers cried out and started to move, but Lord Silas called them off. The Makroid retreated and growled like a pack of wild animals.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Christine inch forward for a better view.
“We will only release him when you return the kysum,” said General Wasid. “Our terms are non-negotiable.”
“First, you will remove that rag.” Lord Silas deliberately glanced at his soldiers. “That, too, is non-negotiable.”
For a moment, General Wasid hesitated, shifting uncomfortably in place. He made a decision in seconds. “Barthan, remove the rag.”
Gnawing my lip, I dug my boots into the sand. We all shared the general’s consternation. This wasn’t what was supposed to happen. The brash smirk on Barthan’s face faded as he reluctantly stepped forward and removed Akuza’s gag.
“Are you hurt?” Lord Silas called out.
The Urwanians tensed up, holding their breath. Akuza turned his head slowly, making brief eye contact with Christine. She gave him a subtle nod. Akuza turned his body to his father but didn’t look at him, instead gazing at the sand underneath him.
“I am fine.”
The skeptical tyrant didn’t move a muscle in his face. Around me, my comrades breathed a collective sigh of relief.
“Niugen,” Lord Silas commanded, poking one of the soldiers with his cane. “Check him for explosives.”
“Right away, sir.”
A lanky Makroid in the front sheathed a blade in the scabbard on his back and raced toward Akuza. He patted down Akuza from head to toe, reaching under the humiliated prince’s clothes to give him a thorough groping. Behind them, Barthan strengthened his grip on the leash and placed a cautionary hand over his weapon, keeping a watchful eye for any sudden movements.
“He is clean, your lordship.”
“Excellent.” The unnerving simper returned to Lord Silas’ voice. “Let us proceed.”
Urwanian soldiers piled onto the first of three storage ships and started the transfer system, unfurling a long section of rubber suction tube. They connected the tube opening to the hatch on the Makroid tank, sealing it shut. With the flick of a switch, the tube shrank down to the size of the pipe and the machinery began to whir. Chunks of kysum mineral started bouncing around inside the tube in the mighty wind of the vacuum.
When the first tank reached maximum capacity, they hooked up the second storage ship. The needle on the ship’s gauge barely made it past the ten percent mark before the kysum stopped flowing. General Wasid threw his head back, the muscles of his thickset neck going taut with rage.
