“Robbery!” came a shrieking shout from a speaker just around the corner. The guard perked up and left his post.
Yes. Astrid had programmed one of the speakers that was stationed throughout the city so they couldn’t trace the signal back to her. It was just the distraction she needed, and they wouldn’t be able to make heads or tails of it.
The guard might return any moment. She dashed toward the unwatched gate, cracked it enough to slip inside, then closed it once more.
She darted around to the back alley and found a round, metal structure sticking out of the wall. It controlled the technological elements of the block. A tangle of wires covered its surface, and it was obvious it hadn’t been touched for quite a while. She found the wires that directed the cameras and their control box. She managed to set them all on a loop. That would hopefully protect her for a while...if she hadn’t already been seen. Technology, probably the one thing she loved more than geology.
She went back around to the front and slipped through the door to the prison. Astrid sped silently through the narrow grey halls, glancing left and right at any occupants the cells carried. There weren’t very many. Please be here! She turned a corner and continued searching. The prisoners gazed at her blankly. Sickly groans were the only sounds to be heard. She went up and down the different corridors, searching for her sister, her heart speeding at the thought that a guard could catch her at any moment.
Then Astrid saw Effie. She froze. Relief, and then fear for Effie’s well-being rushed into her simultaneously. Her sister was sitting in the corner of the grey stone cell, her intelligent eyes staring into the distance. Her fine, black hair was in a state of disarray, and her mouth set in a thin line.
“Effie?” Her voice cracked.
Her sister’s head whipped around, keen eyes squinting. “Astrid? Is that you?” Her voice was filled with surprise and displeasure. She slowly swam to the bars. Astrid noticed she was having trouble moving. Effie’s face twisted in pain.
“I told you not to come. It’s dangerous.” Her face reflected disbelief and worry as she glanced past Astrid, trying to see if a guard was coming.
“It was on my way. Besides, I couldn’t leave you. You knew that.”
“I can’t go with you, Astrid.” Effie bit her lip as she gestured to her tail. “They’ve...they’ve been torturing me, trying to get the time-travel formulas out of me.”
Astrid gasped.
“They’ve injured me. I can’t swim without overwhelming pain.”
No. I have to get her out. Astrid’s emotions swirled. Seeing her sister trapped in such a vulnerable position made her want to cry. She glanced down the hall. There’s no telling how much time we have before the guard is back at his station.
“I’ll help you. We just have to get you out of this cell!”
Effie’s eyes pierced Astrid’s. “No. Don’t risk yourself.”
Astrid just shook her head, tearing her gaze from her sister’s and looking at the lock. It was a number pad. She moved with the speed she knew was necessary as she took a rectangular device out of her bag and attached it to the keypad.
Within moments she discovered the combination. Her heart pounded, making it harder to breathe as she waited for the door to click open. The ping sounded through the air when the latch opened. I hope no one heard that. Astrid immediately rushed in and hugged her sister. Effie hugged her back, but the tension was evident. She was truly worried about her, and all her nerves were on edge. She’s just as concerned about me, Astrid realized.
“How can you help me? I’ll only slow you down and cause us both to be captured,” Effie said, hopelessness resounding through her voice.
“Come on! You have to make an effort. I thought about what might happen if you were injured, so I brought a medical supply kit. Here. Hurry.”
She pulled out a small box, and handed Effie a pill for pain. Then she gave her a black, hooded cloak, which she donned.
Astrid held out her hand to her injured sister. Their eyes met and Effie grasped her sister’s hand tightly with love.
“It’s going to be okay,” Astrid said.
The pair of sisters stole down the hall, Astrid struggling to support Effie. They halted and relief flooded through her when she saw that the sentry was down the street, talking casually with a friend, his back turned to them. Then they plunged on as quietly as possible and left the gate.
The area around the prison was scarce of merpeople, which made Astrid nervous, as they were more likely to be noticed. She let out a breath as she tried to support Effie, whose face twisted with pain. Every bone inside Astrid urged her forward, telling her that speed was of the essence. The danger was obvious. As they swam into more populated areas, most people didn’t even give them a second glance.
Astrid was getting tired, and the shoulder she was using to support Effie felt like it was on fire. Almost to the edge of town.
At that moment, a distant volley of cries rose into the water causing Astrid to glance back, and her heart to beat more quickly.
“They’ve discovered you’re gone. We have to move faster,” said Astrid, adrenaline coursing through her.
They sped through Akayta at the quickest pace they could manage. Her world seemed to consist of panting, aching, and the uproar behind them.
By the time they crossed the Akaytan border, the uproar could no longer be heard. It’s time to plant the transmitter.
Astrid glanced at her sister as she stopped, “Just a second. I have to do something. I’ll explain later.”
She dug into her bag and pulled out the device that was rigged to send the message. She bent down, burying it in the sand so it wouldn’t be seen. It would transmit the message at just the right time so that the Akaytans would be able to reach the ships in Velee, and takeoff before the explosion.
All the while, fear nagged at her. Were they being pursued by the Akaytan officials? What about the two attackers from earlier?
It took a moment for her to realize that it was done. That her job in Akayta was done forever. She put her sister’s arm around her neck and they started off.
Astrid never looked back.
Chapter twenty-five
“So that’s what has happened since I left,” finished Astrid as she swam with Effie.
They were nearing the Cover base, and she was relieved. Every moment of the trip back she’d been on the lookout for attackers. She’d stayed up most of the night on watch. Astrid glanced at her timepiece. I seem to be doing that every few minutes. She had a new awareness of the short time left before the explosion of the core. The tension was building inside her.
“I told you you’re special,” said Effie with a grin.
“Well, I don’t feel quite so helpless anymore,” she replied with a small smile. Though I’m still lonely in a strange way.
The rock base came into view. “Only three days until we set our plan into action,” she said with a sigh.
When they arrived, Astrid bent down and pushed the base of the rock to open the door.
The flurry of activity that met them inside was frantic. Noise filled the dome as various groups trained and rehearsed signals over and over again. Voices permeated the water, instructing, commanding, and answering. Every noise echoed back and forth in the big room.
One person would miss their laser gun target, then another and another. One person would hit dead center, then another and another.
Astrid searched the room for Rune. She spotted him sitting in a corner, observing the activity closely. She made her way over to him with Effie.
He stood up and looked at her sister with confusion.
“Who’s this?”
“Effie, my sister,” she replied.
Understanding lit up his face. “I remember you talking about her.” He held out his hand and she shook it. “Welcome.”
“What’s her number? I want to take her to her room now. It’s been a very long journey for us.”
Effie was silent. Amusem
ent glinted in her eyes.
“Twenty eighty-one,” he answered.
“I’ll be back soon.” With that Astrid
turned away and helped Effie to her room.
Once they were inside and seated on the bed Effie said, “You seem entirely comfortable with him. Or am I wrong?” She grinned.
Astrid blushed, “I know him.”
“Who is he?”
“Rune,” she replied quietly.
Understanding and amazement dawned upon Effie’s face. She had comforted Astrid many times after Rune’s departure.
Astrid paused for a moment. “How’s your tail?”
Effie’s smile fell. “It hurts, that’s for sure, but not very much when I don’t move.”
Astrid stood up, “I’ll get doctor to come see you. Are you going to be alright?”
Effie’s eye softened. “I’ll be fine. I’m very proud of you, Astrid. You’re a very brave and true-hearted individual.”
Astrid smiled and closed the door softly. I don’t feel brave, she thought with a sigh. She headed back to the main room, then sat down by Rune.
“How is it going?” she asked. Strangely, even though she still had that fear in her— that desire to crawl into a corner and hide, or collapse because of all her emotions— she felt a duty pushing her to take initiative. A responsibility to help people. That’s what kept her from doing nothing, however much she was being pushed into the ground by the forces acting against her.
She was brought out of her thoughts by Rune’s voice replying, “Everyone is working hard. We haven’t had much time, but they’re doing the best they can. Were you successful?”
“Yes. The message is sent.” She looked at him. “Only three days.”
“I know.”
Chapter twenty-six
Having Effie under the same roof had a calming effect on Astrid. She spent as much time with her as possible, but the hurricane was coming and she had a job to do. A sense of purpose she never thought she would get the chance to experience. All the while, the clock steadily ticked down.
The day she’d feared for so many weeks arrived. Astrid and Rune checked supplies, timing, and everything else. Finally, Rune called an assembly. It was half an hour before the troupe was scheduled to set out for Velee. He took Astrid’s hand and guided her up above the crowd with him. He faced the Cover.
“We are about to set out on a vital mission which our lives depend on. I’ve watched you all working hard to practice for your missions the last couple of days. If you keep up that hard work, we’ll succeed. This isn’t the time to relax. It’s the time to push harder than ever— the one last push to reach our goal.”
His strong voice rang through the cavern. It was a voice that Astrid would listen to. It held power and confidence. Not forced or insincere, but strong and convicted.
Rune continued, “The only part of the mission we haven’t discussed yet is the signal for our ship to liftoff.” He glanced at Astrid. They had talked about it earlier. “The person who is going to flip that switch will have monitors showing every area of the ship and outside of it. When you see this signal,” he paused, holding his right fist straight up in the air, “you are to start the ascent of the ship. There are only two people that you take that order from. Astrid or I.”
Astrid looked up in surprise at this. Me?
“We’ll depart in twenty-five minutes. Be ready.” With that they swam down, and the last bout of frenzied activity began.
Rune took her hand. “I was thinking that if one of us dies, there will be someone else to take charge. Besides, you’re perfectly capable and this is your plan. You may see something that I don’t. My mind doesn’t work quite like yours.”
She smiled slightly, but was still shocked. “Alright.”
He held her eyes for a moment and whispered, “We can do this, Astrid,” in a voice that betrayed his own fright.
She took his hand. “We will do this.”
It felt like only five minutes passed before the group set out. Astrid glanced toward her sister as the big stone door shut for the last time. Two merpeople were carrying her. The water seemed cold as she looked at the time, then the people around her. It would take them two hours to get to the ships. From that point on, it would only be three hours until the core exploded. We only have one shot at this. One chance to get off the planet in time. It all depends on every single person doing their job on time.
The closer they got to Velee, the harder her heart pounded. There was also the risk of early discovery. The outline of the city rose on the horizon.
“Halt,” called Rune.
It was loud in Astrid’s ears since she was hovering next to him.
“You all know what to do. Split into small groups of twos and threes and gradually make your way to the shiphouse. Those of you assigned as the advance group to take out the guards, hurry ahead.”
People started carrying out their orders. Slowly, different sets spread away in the distance as they skirted the city in a small but steady stream. The shiphouse was at the edge of the city and, from what she’d heard, it was huge. She stayed with Rune as the headed towards Velee.
Her timepiece seemed to be her only interaction with the world. Everything seemed silent to her, even as she passed nervously through the crowded marketplace. The only thing that changed was the time that showed on her timepiece. It was the center of the world. Moments, minutes, and hours flying away without so much as slowing down to look back.
The shiphouse came into sight. Yesterday she’d seen a picture of the domed building. It spread much further than she could have imagined. Once the ships were ready to ascend, the top of the the dome would be lifted mechanically by the push of a button. That would take approximately three minutes. Then all of Velee would know their intentions. From that point they would have only a short time to send the message to the Veleens and the Star tribe, and start the Cover ship’s liftoff before they realized what was happening.
When they reached the edifice, the Cover guard nodded at them with recognition and cracked the great metal door, allowing them to enter. Her eyes watched the single guard until the closing door cut off her line of sight. That means the Veleen guards have been captured, she thought in surprise. Astrid had half-expected to swim into a battlefield.
At first sight, everything appeared normal in the impressive bay that held the spaceships. She quickly estimated the number of Cover already present. She and Rune had purposely been in the last group to trickle in. They’re all here.
The looks on their faces were strange and rigid and they were barely moving. They should be bustling to their stations. Foreboding filled her body and she felt like she could barely breathe. Glancing at Rune, she saw that he sensed the same thing. It was like the silent moment before a predator seizes his prey.
Chapter twenty-seven
“Hands in the open!” came a rough voice from behind Astrid and Rune. Panic coursed through her as she brought her empty hands up into the open water. No. We’ve barely begun and we’ve already been discovered. They have to listen to us. We have to leave the planet. She felt herself trembling as the voice told them to line up against the wall.
The uniforms. The faces. She knew them. They weren’t the Veleens, as she’d anticipated. They were the Star. No. The familiar faces, many of them with kind eyes, made her feel like crumbling. But she didn’t have the time or the option to break down.
Astrid and Rune joined the other members of the Cover who were looking to their leaders for reassurance and direction. Her mind raced. She wasn’t sure what to do. Her eyes fell on those of the man who’d captured them, then ran to the gun trained on her. We have to do something. More of the Cover slowly emerged from behind the ships. Every single one was armed. She felt the presence of the stun gun she’d been given hidden in a holster under her long shirt. Each member of the Cover carried one. Surrounded. It was a silent standoff. She noticed that hers weren’t the only hands shaking. Many of
the Cover looked unsure. Vulnerable.
That gave her an idea. Maybe it was a futile one, but at this point, with the clock ticking down, she decided it was worth a try.
“Attack!” she yelled, her hand shaking as she whipped out her stun gun and stunned the enemy merman in front of her. The other members of the Cover, including Rune, didn’t hesitate at her command. The feeling of disabling someone wasn’t good, even if it was necessary. It’s still violence. Her stomach turned, but the adrenaline rush took over. She turned and began aiming at the enemies, who could be identified by their black Star uniforms. All of the Cover wore the crimson color. Lasers cut through the water with their light as both stun lasers and lethal lasers rang back and forth. It reminded Astrid of the battle in the Star complex. Her heart rose slightly as she saw that the Cover were easily winning.
At that moment she heard a call ring out from one of the enemy.
“Reinforcements convene!”
Adrenaline coursed through her. No! We can’t hold out against more.
A stream of a hundred or so rushed in.
Every person she shot with her stun gun made her wince. To put someone else in pain... Whatever their stories, they were still people. Whatever their faults, they were still people. Some of them good, like Honor and Ris. She ducked back and forth and found herself using moves Cipher had taught her. Sound after sound, second after second, face after face. Something lingered on the edge of her mind, but she couldn’t quite grasp it.
Then, just as she was about to shoot, she realized the face opposite her was one she recognized. The eyes met hers and lit with realization. Ris’s hand held fast, but she didn’t shoot.
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