No longer were they just making sure their survivors had food and shelter, they were ensuring the crodillians couldn't harm them again. Cameras had been placed throughout Hassental watch the enemy closely, and so far it had proved to be a good idea, though there weren't nearly enough to keep up with all movements. They hadn't been planning to attack, but if they needed to, they’d have an upper hand with the cameras. After several days of watching the crodillians, one of the men pointed out patterns in the crodillian activities. They were consistent and became lazier with each passing day of no resistance. The patrols sent out dwindled down, leaving multiple vulnerabilities at certain times of day, every day.
Moran always encouraged them and made it known how appreciative he was of their selfless efforts. While none had expressed any thoughts of rebellion, Moran always had the thought in the back of his mind. Sure, providing for the children, woman, and elderly was important, but they couldn't stay hidden forever. He kept the thoughts to himself, but secretly went out on his own to find additional places of vulnerability. It’d been his job in the GSOU to scout out threats for weaknesses, and now, it was his job as General to the same for the most dangerous enemy he’d ever faced. The biggest difference this time – thousands of innocent lives were counting on him.
Now it was up to these five extraordinary men to finish Pyrrhus' job of setting up rebellion forces. They’d done it once on Gaea, and they’d be able to do it several more times on other planets. Moran had filled them all in on every little detail, something the rest of the survivors hadn't had the privilege of yet. They’d only just finished moving them, but none were aware of what Moran’s intentions were. There was speculation throughout the base, but he’d kept quiet about it.
These lucky men now had the mission of establishing similar bases throughout Orion. He’d let these men know they were going to rebel from the very outset. Every one of them had agreed without hesitation. They were fighters and would obey orders if it meant the survival of Orion, even if it was at the cost of their lives. Each had been briefed on where bases were on certain planets and which places should be most populated with survivors.
He stopped at the gate and faced all five of the men. “You’re about to change the fate of Orion. Not too long ago, it was helpless, bleak, but now there’s nothing but hope. We’re not as few as we originally thought, and soon our numbers will grow at an exponential rate. It’s because of you and others like you,” he pointed. “That we stand a chance. The rebellion forces are necessary for us to beat the crodillians and each of you are setting them up. I have no doubt that you'll be successful and that when the time comes, you'll lead us to victory,” he put his hand on one of the men's shoulders. “Now go out and find rebels. I'll keep in contact with each of you and you'll know when the time to strike has come. When that time comes, we'll wipe out the crodillians once and for all. They don't know what's brewing right under their noses, and there’s no possible way they'll be ready for it. We may be fewer in numbers than when they’d arrived, but we now have our backs against the wall and will do everything we possibly can to survive.”
The five men smiled at him and pumped their fists in the air. Moran knew they were ready to go out and find rebels. They may have lost their families, but now they were going to bring hope to other families and that was more than enough to keep them going. They were strong, determined, men and nothing would keep them from completing their missions. They knew death was probably, but they’d make sure their deaths meant Orion’s eventual freedom.
Jahdiel contacted Merikh to fill him in on recent events. His image appeared on the comlink, and he obviously didn't want to talk to her. She knew she’d upset him last time, but she didn't care anymore. Changing now wasn’t something she wanted to do to please him, even if it did mean she'd most likely end up like the other races of Orion.
“What is it, Jahdiel?” He asked expressionless.
“There have been some complications,” she answered. “It's been resolved, but I thought it best to let you know.”
“Ah,” Kirill grinned. “So they proved to be trouble to you. I told you Nimesha is the best at what she does.”
“I'm not speaking to you,” she shot. “I'm speaking to Merikh. When I’m ready to talk to you, you’ll know.”
“Did they prove to be trouble?” Merikh asked her.
“They escaped from the cell,” she told him. “The guard left the room empty.”
Kirill grinned wider, showing his white teeth. “I'm sure that was the doing of Nimesha. No doubt she lured him out somehow. She always was a resourceful one, and one that no one could take down.”
“It doesn't matter anymore,” she replied. “We have the Princess and that's all that matters.”
“And the others?” Merikh asked. “You haven't mentioned what happened to them.”
“They evaded capture,” she let out in a single, quick, breath. “Three left on the ship and the boy left on an evac pod.”
“How do four of five prisoners escape a ship full of armed crodillians?”
“Ask Kirill, it was his assassin that was on board. She’d obviously scouted out the entire ship before freeing the Princess. I can’t ensure every crodillian does their job, and right now, it appears none of them were doing their jobs.”
“If one of his assassins was able to successfully escape my ship alive, then he wasn't lying when he said he was a good ally. My men are the best, only an exceptional race could evade them.”
“She was one of my best,” Kirill straightened up with a gleam of pride in his eyes. “Not all of my men would be able to do that, but then again, I brought every race in the Deimos Brotherhood for a specific reason. Some for what Nimesha just demonstrated, and others for reasons entirely different. Each of them has their purpose and I make sure to put their skills to use.”
“For any race to do that is a very impressive feat. I haven't known anyone to escape from one of my cells, let alone escape the ship with the entire crew hunting them down.”
Jahdiel rolled her eyes. “They still left the Princess behind, that was the only one that mattered.”
“You haven't seen the last of Nimesha and that boy,” Kirill warned. “They'll come back for her, trust me.”
“Yeah,” she crossed her arms. “Well, not before she's on Hera in the control of Merikh. Once she’s there, it’ll be your job to make sure no one takes her, not mine.”
“Maybe,” Kirill winked. “Be careful on your way back. There’s no telling where she is right now.”
Jahdiel clenched her fists and hung up the comlink. She hated Kirill, but now he was one of Merikh's puppets and she’d have to put up with his smirking face. He could try to get under her skin, but she wouldn't let him know he was doing it. Soon, he’d be irrelevant. She was already planning ways to escape Merikh's grasp, and every time she talked to him, the more her mind urged her to do so.
“Merikh, may I go see the Queen?” Kirill asked. “I would find it satisfying to let her know Kanti will soon be on Hera with us.”
“Go ahead,” a grin crept across his green face. “Let her know that we are fully in control of Orion now.”
Kirill turned around and left the reception room. He walked down the bloodstained marble halls and made a pit stop in the library. There was one survivor in the Palace Merikh wasn’t aware of yet, but he was sure he’d let him survive once proper introductions were in place. He walked to one of the bookshelves he knew to be an entrance to a hidden system of tunnels. Slowly, the shelf moved to the side and revealed the system of tunnels behind.
A black figure with a glass head holding a brain stepped out. Kirill hadn't seen him in person for a very long time and was glad to see him again. If it weren’t for him, his rise to power would’ve been much slower.
“Abdul,” Kirill smiled. “It's been a long time, my friend.”
“It has. Far too long,” he smiled back. “And somehow, Adira never even guessed that I was the one betraying her the whole time. Full tru
st was placed in me, without even a second thought, even when she’d become aware of a traitor amongst her Council.”
“Well, she's about to find out you were the one stabbing her in the back the entire time,” Kirill grinned with pleasure. “We're going to speak with her right now.”
“I’ve been waiting a long time for this,” he replied. “Does this also mean that I no longer have to hide in those wretched tunnels?”
“I'm going to work on that,” Kirill answered, turning to leave the library. “I haven't exactly told Merikh yet about you hiding from him.”
“And you brought me out?”
Kirill shrugged. “He trusts me now. I’d say even more than his woman, Jahdiel. I tried to tell you we’d get along fine.”
“How is that?” He asked. “You’ve just met him. He’s known Jahdiel for years.”
“I’ve shown him her irrelevance. What I have to offer is much more valuable. Something no single person could ever offer and he knows it.”
They walked down the marble hallways to the dungeons. The stairs winding down, were littered with body parts which made them slick and treacherous. Abdul looked to Kirill with wide eyes.
“And now you can see why I hid from these monsters. This is atrocious. No civil being could be okay with something like this.”
Kirill rolled his eyes. “They just killed the rebels. I would've killed them myself if they hadn't.”
“Those were more than rebels. They were very wise and important figures in Orion. It was them who ensured stability and peace. Without them, it’ll be hard to attain that again.”
“And now we no longer need them,” Kirill walked into the dungeons. “Merikh and I are ruling Orion now. I’ll put my own replacements in their spots. They may not gain the respect of everyone in Orion, but they’ll strike fear into each and every one of them. That fear will keep them in line more than respect ever would.”
“If Merikh lets you live that long.”
He looked to Abdul. “I wouldn't worry about that. I already have a plan in place to make sure I’m the sole ruler of Orion.”
“Already vying to overthrow him so soon?” Abdul chuckled. “You've just met the bloodthirsty crodillian. Aren’t you going to give it some time to decide whether he lives or not?”
“I don't plan on letting any inferior races live,” Kirill arrived at the Queen's cell. “Crodillians are one of those inferior races. I’ll wipe them from the existence of this galaxy and return it to its true glory.”
“But they're strong,”
“And they're uncivilized monsters who’ll destroy any type of society that I want.”
The Queen appeared from the shadows. Her rags were dark brown and her wrists were crusted in red blood and sores. “Always vying to betray someone. Are you sure the crodillians are the ones you want to betray this time?”
“Hush,” Kirill ordered with a motion of the hand. “What I have planned is none of your business.”
“Of course not,” Adira replied smugly. “I wouldn't want to be a part of the plan that gets everyone involved slaughtered. I’m perfectly fine here in my cell where it’s safe from your plights.”
Kirill's face reddened. “I have someone with me I think you'd like to meet.”
Abdul stepped forward. “Your majesty.”
“You traitor!” Adira grasped the cell’s bars with both hands. “I trusted you more than any of the others!”
“And that's what enabled me be to be so successful. The thought that I was the one betraying you never even crossed your mind. I really take pride in that. Countless years of playing you, and if it weren’t for this moment, you never would’ve found out.”
“It doesn't matter now. The crodillians will have both of your heads when they find out what you're up to.”
“They won't find out until I want them to,” Krill said.
“You really think they trust you?” She asked. “How many other races, besides their own, do you see within their ranks?”
“Two,” Kirill answered. “And it’ll be one before very soon.”
“It may not be the one you're thinking of,” Adira chuckled with a glint of satisfaction in her eye. “Why are you here, Kirill? I don't think it's to have a nice conversation with me, as I wouldn't want to have one with you anyway.”
“No, it’s not,” Kirill crossed his arms, furrowing his brows. “I’ve come with some information you may like to know.”
“Oh?” Amusement covered her face. “And what could you possibly have to tell me that I would care about?”
“Our daughter is about to make a visit to Hera.”
Adira's eyes widened and her body slumped. “You wouldn't.”
“I would and she’s on her way as we speak.”
“They'll kill her like they're going to kill me and you!”
“I’ll just make sure I survive any possible attacks. As for you, good luck locked up in that cell.”
“You're a monster!” She yelled. “This is your bloodline! Your own daughter!”
“I don't care about her,” Kirill said. “I didn't even know of her existence until not too long ago. To me, she's just another girl. If her death means I rule Orion, then so be it.”
“You're never going to rule, Kirill!” Adira began hitting the cell door. “Save your daughter! Don't bring her here to die!”
“She's coming and the next part of my plan will take effect.”
“Your plan will never work! It’s already broken.”
“That’s where you're wrong. The wheels have already begun to spin and I’ll come out top. Merikh is playing on my ground. He doesn’t stand a chance against me.”
“You think their monster of a leader actually trusts you?” She asked. “He's just using you, and when he's done, he's going to throw you out just like he has Jahdiel. That thing played you from the second he saw you. He’ll put whatever you have started to a stop before it get much further.”
“He hasn’t thrown Jahdiel out yet, I haven’t given him enough reason to, yet.”
“Oh, he did before he even met you. I've seen the way he talks to her,” Adira responded. “He doesn't treat her like an equal, she's being used. She's just too naïve to see it. Just like you.”
“He can use me if he wants, but it’s only because I'm also using him.”
“He will be finished with you first,” Adira said. “He’ll never let you beat him. I’m sure he already has orders out to kill you at any sight of misbehavior.”
“I'm the only one with a chance of winning. I told you, he’s on my ground.”
“Do you think if you kill him Orion will bow down to you? Is that your master plan?”
Kirill stared at her expressionless. “Worry about yourself, Queen. You’re not in a very good predicament.”
“The crodillians won't succeed Kirill and neither will you if you stick with them,” she warned him. “You need to switch sides before it's too late.”
“Switch sides?” Abdul asked.
“Yes,” Adira nodded. “There are rebels. I know it.”
“There are no rebels,” Kirill replied. “Every town has been surrendering peacefully.”
“Do you really think they'd attack in small numbers?”
“I don't care if there are rebels,” Kirill smiled evilly. “I’ll wipe them out if they pose a threat to me.”
“You'll wipe out the ones who you later expect to bow down to you?” Adira grinned with pleasure. “No race of Orion will ever bow down to you if you're seen next to Merikh. It’s you who’s in the predicament. You’re stuck in-between two sides, both the wrong choice because neither wants, nor needs, your help.”
“You’re right. The inferiors won't bow down,” Kirill said, holding his anger in. “But those who want a pure society, like me, will bow down willingly and thank me for what I've done.”
“And that's why you'll never rule,” Adira backed up in her cell. “Nobody wants the society you dream of. They’d rather die than kill other races of Orion.
You're an even bigger monster than Merikh. At least he isn't biased in who he kills. That monster just kills anything that breathes.”
“Your daughter will be here soon!” Kirill raged. “And when she gets here, you’ll both will play along!”
“We'll tell them whatever you want,” she shrugged. “But it’ll all be for naught because the races will rebel no matter what we tell them to do. Orion is stronger than either one of you monsters wants to believe. The races will survive this, while you, I and your daughter will die.”
“My mind is made up,” Kirill turned around. “I won’t aid a few rebels who’ll surely die. The crodillians are my best ally in this war. I side with the strong, not the weak.”
“And that's where you made your mistake,” Adira whispered down the hall to him. “The rebels have hope. They have a cause to fight for, a reason to live. They’ll stop at nothing to make sure you and Merikh fail. They are the strong and you are the weak.”
Kirill marched up the gory stairs and down the halls. Abdul jogged to catch up with him and to calm his temper.
“Kirill,” he puffed. “You may want to listen to some of the things Adira said.”
“What?” He flung around. “You want me to listen to her?”
“Hear me out,” Abdul insisted. “She's right about you being used. I've been watching them in the tunnels, and they’ll never truly be your friends. They’re much like yourself, too much so for me to be comfortable.”
“I don't need them to be my friends, Abdul. I just don't need them to be my enemy.”
“You may not want the rebels to be your enemies either.”
“We'll just have to wait and see. Won’t we?
“You know, once the rebels find out you're helping Merikh, there's no turning back. You'll have to move forward, regardless of the consequences. No matter what ends up happening, you’re going to always been an enemy to Orion.”
“Let me worry about how things unfold. I’ve spent most of my life thinking about how I’ll take Orion. It’s right in front of me now and I can see victory. I won’t let what a few think keep me from taking it,” he marched forward.
Rise of the Resistance (War for Orion Trilogy Book Two) Page 17
