Paradise Awakened Trilogy

by Mackenzie Morris

  Jarred seems to have no trouble carrying her even in this deep snow. "I'm used to dealing with Jayce who responds well to harshness and orders. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Women aren't my specialty."

  "It's okay." Katarina mumbles in response.

  "It's not. I swear that I will try to be a better owner from now on. I found how to be a good owner for Jayce so I can do the same for you. You two are both my androids, but that doesn't mean I have to treat you the same. When I bought you from Byron, I signed papers stating that I would provide for all your needs. That includes emotional needs as well. I haven't been doing that like a good owner should and for that, I apologize. With Jayce not in the picture anymore, I will devote all of my time and energy to nurturing my relationship with you so we can be like owner and android should be."

  "If we survive the night."

  "You'll survive." Jarred says confidently. "One way or another, I will ensure that you make it through this and find a way back to Himmel or Paradise. I know you don't have anyone left, but I hope that I can be all that you need."

  "Jarred . . ."

  "Shh. You just stay close to me and I'll carry you through the storm. I love you, Kat."

  Katarina holds onto him as he carries her, trudging on endlessly into the night and the blizzard. He loves her? They've only known each other for a couple of months, but she already feels close to him in so many ways. Maybe it's because they've gone through so many difficult times and helped each other to survive so much that should have killed them. He's right. If they are going to be struggling for survival out here, they will need to rely on each other no matter what. After all of this time, Katarina knows that she can trust Jarred. Not only that, but she depends on him one hundred percent. She dries her tears on his course white shirt. "I love you too, Jarred."

  Book Three:

  Heaven's Chains

  1

  Admiral Axel Velex watches the empty darkness of space pass by the window of his ship as they fly back to Himmel from the forgotten reaches of the galaxy. He takes a shot of vodka and holds up a voice recorder as he speaks into it. "At ten o'clock IGR Capital Time, exiles Katarina Williams and Jarred Cunningham of Earth were left on Barren Void as per their sentence for treason. As of this moment, they are declared deceased."

  A member of the crew wearing a white flight suit steps into the command room and bows. "Sir, we are about to land on Himmel. Do you have any orders?"

  He sighs and turns off the recorder. "Nothing right now."

  "Are you all right, sir?"

  Velex turns Katarina's confiscated wedding ring in his fingers and thinks of her late husband who was also his dearest friend, despite their recent altercation. "I'll make it."

  The pilot pushes his curly black hair back behind his shoulders. "If you need anything, let me know."

  "I will." Velex looks the pilot over for a few seconds. "Actually, you're a new recruit, right?"

  "I joined the IGR military three months ago, sir."

  "After we land, I need to get my mind off of things. Would you care to get a drink with me in the cyber café?"

  "I would be honored, sir."

  "Call me Velex."

  * * *

  As soon as they land at the airbase and Velex steps out into the cold artificial sunlight of Himmel, four police officers in bullet proof combat armor with laser pistols on their hips step up and surround him.

  "Admiral Axel Velex, you are under arrest."

  Under arrest? For what? "Excuse me?"

  "Chancellor Dressler issued a warrant for your arrest." One of the officers says. "You are to be immediately escorted to the Assembly Hall to meet with him personally."

  Velex lets them secure the handcuffs around his wrists. "Can I ask what this is about?"

  A bald man in a long black trench coat steps forward and holds up a gold badge with the red and yellow skull symbol of the IGR military. He adjusts his black mask that covers his face up to his eyes and clears his throat. "I am Detective Icarus Bronze."

  And who is this ridiculous-looking man? "Who? Your voice sounds oddly familiar, but I've never met you before."

  "That doesn't matter right now." Icarus says. "My identity must be protected. Due to the preliminary results of the investigation into the recent occurrences surrounding Doss's death and the increased rebel influence in the IGR, you have been charged with treason."

  "Treason? This is absurd! I'm the one who threatened to have Doss arrested. I did everything I could to stop him. I even gave him four more disciplinary scars."

  "But we have a sworn statement from an eyewitness confirming your involvement in cooperating with Doss to steal a space fighter and we have the transcripts from your radio transmissions that were recorded. We have all the evidence we need to charge you with treason."

  Of course. He forgot that every radio transmission is recorded specifically for cases like this. The police officers lead him across the street and past the plaza where groups of citizens are already gathered around the platform there. Oh, this isn't going to be good. They shout insults at him as he passes and he tries his best to hide his face and his fear from them. He's the head of the IGR military for Christ's sake. How dare they treat him like some kind of common criminal? It's all for show. That's all this is. Chancellor Dressler must want some kind of revenge for things not going his way. He's bluffing. Surely he wouldn't take any actual disciplinary actions against Velex. Right?

  The police officers push him up the white steps and through the golden door between the tall white columns that he has entered countless times before for mission briefings, court appearances, and meetings with Dressler. Not once has he ever been in handcuffs. A few lawyers who are talking with colleagues in the hallway stop to watch Velex and whisper excitedly to each other.

  When Velex steps into the conference room, his handcuffs are removed and the officers leave the room. His eyes meet the man he once considered to be a good friend. Dressler is looking through some holographic files that hover above the table. His blonde hair peeks out from under his gold beret and he rubs his short, neatly groomed mustache.

  Dressler collapses the file and folds his hands. "Admiral Velex . . . what am I going to do with you?"

  "I have some questions of my own first. Who is this Detective Bronze guy?"

  "Icarus Bronze? He is our newest addition to the force. He joined yesterday, actually."

  Yesterday? "He looks a little young to have so much authority around here. And he doesn't seem to like taking orders."

  Dressler chuckles and leans back in his chair. "He never has."

  "What is that supposed to mean? I don't appreciate you having new people appointed to positions in my jurisdiction who have no sense of respect for their superiors."

  "Icarus Bronze doesn't take orders from you, Velex. He takes orders only from me."

  "Are you serious?" Velex asks. "He joined yesterday and he doesn't have a commanding officer?"

  "He's not military." Dressler says. "He works alongside the military, the Blood Force, and the Shadow Spies. You might say that he's retired military."

  "Retired? He can't be more than thirty years old. And I know for damn sure that he's never been in my military. This is ridiculous."

  "We're not here to talk about Icarus Bronze." Dressler says.

  "Then what could you possibly have brought me here for? Oh, yeah. You're accusing me of treason? Seriously?"

  "Your only orders were to follow through with the mission to get rid of the nanoweapons on board Clark's space cruiser."

  "And we accomplished that."

  "But at what cost?" Dressler asks. "First off, you weren't supposed to try to kill Reichsleiter Clark. He's still my official and even after his little show of defiance when he had his Blood Force drop a few bombs here, I am obligated to show him the same mercy I've shown you. Yes, you did accomplish a level ten mission, but you took it way beyond what your limits of admiral are. And you did so by going against my orders, allowing a de
serter to steal a space fighter, and then aiding him throughout the process. That is unacceptable and what is known as treason."

  "You're not seeing the full picture."

  "I don't need to, Velex. I know that you helped a traitor steal a military plane. That alone is grounds for your death."

  "So what? You're going to kill me now?" Velex asks.

  "Under normal circumstances, I would have you publicly executed, but due to your many years of loyal service and because your cousin Kazimir would undoubtedly never let me hear the end of it, I can't do that. But I can't let you go free without something to serve as a constant reminder to never double-cross me or the IGR again." Dressler snaps his fingers and three guards enter the room carrying a large chain and whips. "Take him to the stocks and put him in the pillory. I think three days of humiliation will do him some good. Strip him."

  "Don't do this, Hans."

  Dressler waves his hand dismissively. "You don't have a say anymore. Either take the punishment I've handed down or I can kill you. It's your choice."

  The guards grab at Velex's clothes, but he pushes them away.

  "Don't touch me. I'll do it." Velex growls as he begins removing his armor and boots. They're actually going to make him do this, aren't they? He unbuckles the straps of his cuirass and locks eyes with Dressler as he tosses it on the table. "I hate you so much."

  "Take it all off. I want you to be completely vulnerable and give the citizens a show."

  "You're a sick man, Hans."

  "And you're a traitor." Dressler says. "Oh, and if you were wondering, yes, the citizens can do anything they want with you. Maybe next time, you won't disobey orders."

  * * *

  Blice flies into the laboratory where Kazimir and Zach are busy working on another robotic prototype. Spare parts and computers are strewn about along with half-eaten pizzas and some empty shot glasses by a bottle of vodka. Six empty packets of caffeine pills dot the table and some machine is making an obnoxious beeping sound. He lands on Zach's red beanie and looks down in his eyes. He gives his purple wings a little flutter to say hello. "Guys, you will never guess who is in the pillory right now out in the middle of the plaza."

  "We're a little busy, butterfly." Kazimir says as he takes a shot of vodka and continues his work on a motherboard.

  "It's Velex." Blice says.

  Zach looks up and takes off his safety glasses. "Velex? Are you sure?"

  "One hundred percent. Tell me you knew about Doss."

  Kazimir sighs. "Yes. Everyone knows. What a waste of a life. That was a political and . . . how should I say this? Investigative nightmare. Or how about it took a lot of evidence to make things happen?" He nudges Zach in the side and they laugh together.

  This isn't amusing. What are they going on about? Blice is getting very impatient. "For someone who just lost three friends, you sure are uncaring."

  "Three?" Zach asks.

  "Doss, Katarina, and Jarred."

  Kazimir puts down his soldering iron. "What happened to Kat and Jarred?"

  "They were exiled to Barren Void and declared dead. They're gone."

  * * *

  "You look terrible."

  Velex looks up at them. His skin is flushed and his eyes are red from no sleep and crying. Red welts crisscross his bare back and legs. A large black bruise covers his left shoulder and bright red blood is trailing down the back of his legs. "Oh, great. It's you people. What do you want?"

  "Are you cold, Velex?" Zach asks as he pets his hair. "You smell bad."

  "Go to hell." Velex snaps at them. "Did you come here to humiliate me more? Haven't I suffered enough without y'all mocking me too?"

  Zach starts laughing hysterically.

  "What's so funny?" Velex asks as he again pulls futilely against the metal holding his wrists.

  "You said y'all."

  "He's originally from Texas." Kazimir says. "It comes out when he's angry."

  "Get me out of here. I know you can pick those locks."

  Zach walks around Velex and looks him over. "Damn, Velex. You're bleeding."

  "Some rough-looking guys thought it would be fun to use me for their own . . . needs."

  "Oh God. Can you press charges?" Zach asks.

  "No. Thanks to Dressler, people can do whatever they want to me while I'm here. Stop staring at me. Get me out of here and find me some clothes."

  "How long are you stuck in here?" Kazimir asks.

  "Two more days."

  "What do you think, Kazimir?" Zach asks. "Should we help him out?"

  "I don't know. I kind of like seeing my cousin brought down a couple of notches."

  "Like what you see? Take a picture."

  Zach shrugs his shoulders and joins Kazimir's side again. "Fine. We'll leave you here. I'll hack into the weather controls and make sure it snows tonight."

  Oh God. "I'm sorry. Have mercy, you two. Don't let me suffer like this. Those men said they were coming back for me."

  Kazimir bends down to looks Velex in the eyes. "Then I want answers."

  "I'll tell you anything you want to know."

  "Why did you kill Doss?"

  "I didn't kill him." Velex says. "I told him to make it back here and land in one piece. He's the one who lost his mind and suicide crashed into Clark's space carrier. I had nothing to do with that."

  "Then why are you in this predicament?"

  "Talk to your old college buddy. Doss stole a space fighter after I gave him his fifth disciplinary scar and I got accused of helping him do it."

  A minute passes as they stare at each other. Kazimir stands up and motions for Zach. "All right. Zach, get him out of there."

  Zach unwinds a roll of microgrenade tape and tears off a short section. He sticks it to the lock. "Look away." A small explosion rings out and the lock falls to the wooden platform. Zach lifts the heavy metal off of Velex.

  "Oh, God." Velex drops to his knees and holds his back.

  "Here." Kazimir takes off his long coat and wraps it around his cousin. "Let's get you back to your apartment. Then we can talk. But first, you're taking a shower."

  "That was the plan."

  * * *

  Velex searches through the files he has stored in the memory folders in his mind. Once he finds the ones from the past twenty-four hours, he deletes them so he never accidentally opens them and has to relive that ordeal in all the vivid and unpleasant details as if he was living through it again. Once was enough. He dries his hair with a towel and pulls on a t-shirt and boxers before stepping out into his apartment.

  "Well, look who smells better." Zach mocks him as he pours a cup of coffee and hands it to him.

  Velex gives him a warning glare and takes his coffee gratefully. "Thank you."

  "So what's going to happen once Dressler realizes you aren't still in the pillory?"

  "Good question. I hadn't thought about that. Hmm. Seems I'm a convict too."

  "You can stay with us in the lab and help out." Zach says. "We can use another person around. You did get a PhD in robotics, right?"

  "At the same time Kazimir did."

  "Right. So, you could prove useful after all."

  "One thing first." Kazimir says as he pulls on his boots again. "What did you do with Katarina and Jarred? I know you wouldn't actually leave them on Barren Void."

  Velex runs his fingers through his copper-colored hair and stares down at the floor. "I thought Dressler was on my side."

  "What are you saying?"

  "I did what I was ordered to do." Velex says. "I thought that I was cleared of any suspicion and that Dressler would trust me. I wanted to make a difference."

  "You bastard!" Zach lunges at him and punches him in the chest until Kazimir grabs him and pulls him away from Velex.

  "They're dead, okay? I took them to Barren Void and I left them there." Velex says as the tears push into his eyes. "It was far below freezing, a blizzard, and they only had the extremely thin exile clothes. There's no way they could have survived th
e night."

  2

  Katarina stirs awake to the flickering flames of a large fire and strong warm arms locked tightly around her waist. The orange light creates dancing shadows on the walls of the long-abandoned submarine that was left here with the rest of the rejected technology and broken down machinery. She buries her face against the man who is lightly snoring underneath the emergency space blanket they were able to find in a first aid kit in here. Some snow managed to come in through the hole in the side, but once the storm died down a few hours ago, it was easy to keep the fire burning.

  "Kat . . ."

  "What is it?"

  Jarred pulls her even closer and breathes into her hair. "I'm cold."

  "I know. You should probably put some more fuel on the fire."

  "There isn't any more. Everything else that could burn is wet from this snow. We have about two hours of heat left."

  "I'm still surprised you were able to build a fire out here."

  He smiles and stretches his arms above his head. "I can make a fire out of almost anything. My father taught me how to survive when I probably shouldn't survive. He got his training from the Inquisition and passed it on to me before he died. How do you think I managed to get by as an orphan at twelve years old, forced to live on the streets with no money, no food, and no one to provide for me? I was smart. I found ways to survive."

  "I'm sorry."

  "For what?"

  "For the hard life you've had."

  Jarred sits up and rubs his bare feet. He groans in pain then moves closer to the fire. "Doesn't matter. Like I said, I survived."

  Katarina studies his feet where blisters have formed. "Is that frostbite?"

  "Looks like it. Don't worry. I'll be okay. When we get out of here and find a way back to Himmel, I'm gonna kill Velex for taking our boots. I'm just glad I was able to carry you all that way."

  "How were you able to do that? You carried me through that storm in snow that was above your knees for what had to be at least four hours straight. I know you're strong, but that's a little much, don't you think?"