Navigating the Stars

by Maria V. Snyder

  “How…why…” A thousand questions push up my throat.

  “Why?” He huffs in amusement. “Because instead of nurturing my gift, they locked me away. Because DES ruins lives. All our lives, including yours, Lyra. Because I can. And because once I’ve reached my end point, the Galaxy will be mine.”

  Lots of overwhelming and scary statements in that rant. I focus on the Jarren I knew. “What about Lan? All those people on Xinji. They didn’t do anything to you.”

  “Lan.” He says her name with reverence, but his fists are clenched, matching the anger in his gaze. “Her research unlocked the key. And with her relentlessness, it was just a matter of time before she put it all together.”

  I cover my mouth with a hand. “Is that why you killed her?”

  “I haven’t killed anyone. Neither have my people. We’ve stolen and destroyed Warriors. That’s all.”

  “But…”

  He waits with a half-smile.

  And that’s all I need. The answer pops into my head. “The shadow-blobs! When you take and destroy those Warriors they can no longer protect us. And those… creatures come through from...wherever they live. They’re the ones that killed the people on Xinji.”

  “Like I said, too clever by far.”

  “It’s still your fault. If you purposely—”

  “I didn’t know about those—what did you call them—shadow-blobs? That’s a rather accurate name considering no one can see them. But I didn’t know they existed until after we raided Xinji. If you want someone to blame, then blame DES.”

  Another thought propels me to my feet. “They’ll kill everyone on Yulin. My parents!”

  “Relax, Lyra. Your Officer Tight Pants seems to have a handle on it. They might survive until the Protector ship arrives.”

  “He’s not mine.”

  “You’re working with him even though he put you on probation. Then when I stole those Xinji files, he automatically accused you. I read his report about the incident, he treats you like a criminal.”

  “He’s nurturing my gift, you idiot.” The truth of that statement makes me pause. Huh. Who knew?

  “I taught you how to worm.” He steps closer to me. “Look, you’re coming with me regardless, but I’d rather not force you and have to lock you up for the rest of your life. If you promise to cooperate, I’ll explain everything to you. You’ll be astounded. It’s fantastic and when it’s all said and done, we’ll be heroes.”

  That’s actually rather tempting. But also so very wrong. Behind Jarren, the images in a couple cameras flicker. His focus is on me so I hope he didn’t notice. I need to prolong this as long as possible.

  “All right, Jarren. I promise to cooperate with you. I’d rather help out than be confined.”

  He grins. “Just like old times.”

  “I’ve a couple requests.”

  The smile vanishes and he stiffens. “Go on.”

  “I want to be able to communicate with my parents on a regular basis.” I hold up a hand, stopping his protest. I didn’t include Niall because I’m reluctant for Jarren to know about our relationship. I sense that would upset Jarren. “You can read all my messages. I won’t reveal any of your secrets or tell them where I am. Promise.”

  “All right. And?”

  “You send Officer Radcliff all the information you have on those shadow-blobs so he can figure out how best to fight them.”

  “I don’t have much, but I’ll do it. Anything else?”

  “You release my parents so we can have a proper hug good-bye and you allow me to pack a bag to take along.” When he hesitates, I add, “My unit is just down the hall.” And that will eat up more time. Bonus.

  “Okay. But you are not allowed to tell anyone my name. Not even my men.”

  Interesting. “Why not?”

  “I’ll tell you later, along with everything else.”

  Shoot. “Fine, I won’t say your name. What should I call you?”

  He flashes me his cocky grin. In that moment, he is my Jarren. The one who was my prank-pulling partner. “The Boss.”

  At least he hasn’t named himself King of the Universe. Not yet. “Can I call you The for short?”

  My comment surprises a laugh from him. “I’ve missed you.” He sobers. “Do we have a deal?” He holds out his hand. I shake it. “We do.”

  He dons his mask.

  There’s a knock on the door. Jarren opens it.

  “The shuttle’s here,” a looter says.

  “Good. Prep for departure.”

  “Yes, sir.” The man hustles out.

  That’s my second unexpected surprise—they’re leaving on a shuttle. I shouldn’t have assumed they planned to stay on the planet. This isn’t good.

  Jarren strides into Radcliff’s office. He gestures to my parents. “Take the binders off them,” he orders the guards. “After they’re done saying good-bye to their daughter, take the three of them to detention.”

  I gaze at the floor, willing my expression to remain sad and scared despite my heart’s dancing beat. Considering how much still has to go right for my plan to work, it’s not hard to appear frightened. With four guards keeping their weapons trained on us, I hug my mom.

  “I’m sorry, Lyra,” she says in my ear while squeezing me tight enough to hurt.

  “What for? None of this is your fault.”

  “For bringing you out here. If I’d let you stay with Lan and gone to the university on Planet Rho like you’d wanted, you’d be safe.”

  True. But I wouldn’t have learned how to navigate an Interstellar space ship, or met Niall, or Beau and the others. “I’m really glad you did, Mom.”

  She draws back to study me. Unshed tears shine in her eyes. “You are, aren’t you?”

  “Yup. Now I know you’ll worry anyway, but I’ll be fine. I worked out a deal and we’ll be able to message each other.”

  Her tears overflow and streak down her face. “What kind of a deal?”

  I almost laugh at her suspicious tone. “Nothing bad. I won’t be harmed.”

  Mom releases me after another rib-cracking hug and my father pulls me tight.

  “We’ll come for you,” Dad promises. “They don’t get to keep you. Not for long.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  He releases me and it takes everything I have not to rush back into his strong arms.

  “We’re proud of you, Li-Li. We love you.” Now he’s tearing up.

  “Love you, too,” I say to both my parents as my own liquid sadness drips from my eyes and clogs my nose.

  The guards escort them to the door. But Radcliff pauses before leaving his office. He turns to Jarren. “If she’s harmed, I will hunt you down and tear you apart with my bare hands.”

  Oh my. That’s… Wow.

  The looters push him through the door.

  “Seems you made an impression on Officer Tight Pants,” Jarren says, seeming unperturbed by Radcliff’s threat. “Let’s go pack your bag, we don’t have much time.”

  He walks with me through the hallway. The warmth from my parents’ hugs still lingers on my skin. I’ll see them again. I have to believe it or I’d crumple into a tiny ball. Jarren follows me into my unit. He rests his hand on the weapon on his belt.

  “Relax. I’ve been staying with Radcliff.” I explain the details of my probation. I open the door to my room. “See? No terminal. I’ll be right out.” I go to close it.

  Jarren sticks his boot between the door and the jam. “Leave it open.”

  “I want to change out of these dirty clothes.”

  He peers into my room, scanning the walls, floor, and ceiling. Probably looking for vents.

  Annoyed, I say, “I said I’d cooperate.”

  “Five minutes.”

  After the door closes, I lean on it for a second. I need a moment to just…be. Then I stay true to my word and pack a bag. It takes a minute. A sudden pang grips me. I wish I had something of Niall’s—a drawing or T-shirt— to take along just in case I ne
ver see him again. No. Not going to think bad thoughts.

  Changing my clothes, I take another minute to wrap my ankle. It’s already starting to swell. Does Jarren have access to medical supplies where we’re going?

  Jarren barges in just as I’m slinging my bag over my arm. I glance over my shoulder when we leave the unit. I’ve only been living here twenty-one days, but I’m going to miss our nightly dinners. I clamp down on my doubts. It has to work. Jarren walks beside me as we head toward the port. There’s a few looters ahead of us and a number of them behind.

  Once we exit security’s area, I brace for the ambush, but the corridors are empty except for us. Just as I suspected, but fought hard to deny, the security team didn’t have enough time to get into position. My plan failed. And that’s the last unexpected surprise. Although it shouldn’t have been unexpected. Jarren did see my communications with the navigator. My denial just made it possible for me to function this last hour by delaying my terror. At least the scientists will be spared and I’ll be…with Jarren. For the rest of my life. I shudder.

  “That was smart of you to trigger the sandstorm alarm,” Jarren says, sweeping an arm out. “It did me a favor, too, keeping the corridors clear. Wish I had thought of it.” He pauses. “See, we make a great team.”

  That’s not a comforting thought. “Where did you come from? You couldn’t have traveled here from Suzhou.”

  “I left Suzhou after ten years of working as a tech in the Warrior pits. Well, in between my stints in detention.” The bitterness is clear even through his mask. “Of course DES doesn’t know I’m gone as I erased all my tracks. They still think I’m there, but I’ve been invisible to them for the last nine E-years.”

  “So our messages…”

  “I’m deep in the Q-net, Lyra. Manipulating messages and creating bogus security officers is as easy as deleting files.”

  “Then why did you send us some of Xinji’s files?”

  “To keep you all occupied. I never thought you’d get anything from those. I didn’t bother to check on it. When I did, it took me a while to figure out what you’d done or I would have taken you when we raided the pits.”

  “Instead you came back just for me.” Why don’t I feel special? “Why didn’t you send your men to get me right after soch-time?”

  “That was the original plan, but the security officers were harder to subdue than anticipated. By the time we had them secured, you were already in the Control Center. You left soon after I sent you that message, but then you disappeared from the cameras. What tipped you off?”

  “The fact that Officer Keir wasn’t outside the soch-area.” No reason to lie. “Officer Radcliff would never have left me unprotected.”

  “Did he suspect we would return?”

  “I think so. Plus he was worried about those shadow-blobs escaping the pits.”

  “Ah.”

  When we reach the port, I slow. A large shuttle sits in the middle. The roof of the port is already opened, revealing the yellow sky streaked with sunset colors. The strong peppery scent of Yulin fills the air. This can’t be happening. But there are more looters around the shuttle and not a single security officer in sight.

  Jarren grabs my elbow and pulls me along. Sand crunches under our boots. “You’re not having a change of heart and thinking of doing something stupid, are you?” he asks.

  Yes I am. I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to leave my parents and Niall. I didn’t get a chance to say good-bye to him. But there’s nothing I can do. I’m surrounded with no way to escape. Plus I gave my word. I consider. Does a promise under duress still count? And I’m not eighteen A-years either. Wouldn’t my parents have to agree as well? I fixate on the legal issues. Better than thinking about my new future.

  “Open the door and load up,” Jarren orders his men near the shuttle. “Start the engines.”

  They turn toward us. Their weapons are drawn. One word pops into my head—mutiny—right before the sizzle of a pulse gun streaks by me.

  Cries and chaos erupt around us. Jarren curses. He yanks me in front of him. Now I curse as he uses me as a shield. Good thing no one is aiming at us. Yet.

  “This way,” he says, edging us from the line of fire.

  I catch a glimpse of two groups of looters shooting at each other before Jarren maneuvers us to the side of the port. Then he pulls me around to the opposite side of the shuttle. The large vehicle is now between us and the fighting.

  “Come on.” He enters a code and a ramp of steps opens, peeling down from the side of the shuttle. When the tip settles on the ground, he pushes me up them.

  My stomach twists into a knot. We’re in the shuttle.

  It’s empty. He closes the hatch and secures it.

  This is happening.

  This is really happening.

  Oh my stars. Lightheaded, I grab the top of one of the seats.

  “No time for dramatics,” he says, propelling me toward the front. He shoves me into a seat right behind the cockpit. “Stay here.”

  Through the narrow doorway, I watch Jarren claim the pilot’s seat. His hands fly over the controls and soon the hum of the engines rattles to life. I clutch the armrests with a death grip. Four-seven-nine-three was the code he entered. If I hurry, I could—

  The faint rustle of fabric draws my attention. Behind me, a looter—no, Niall, wearing the gray coverall of the looters—rolls out from underneath the seats and stands without making a sound. I bite down on my cry of joy as he puts a finger to his lips, signaling me to be quiet. His demeanor is focused. Confident. Drawing a pulse gun, Niall creeps up to the cockpit. Frozen in place, I hold my breath.

  Niall aims through the doorway, but Jarren surges up and knocks him to the side. The gun clatters to the cockpit floor. Without thought, I dive out of the way as they wrestle. The desire to help presses on me, but Niall is between me and Jarren and I can’t reach the gun. What else can I do?

  I yank on my scattered thoughts, pulling them into a logical line. The security team must be dressed as looters, which means there’s more help outside. Breaking my word, but not caring in the least, I race to the hatch and key in the code. With a hiss of air, the metal steps descend agonizingly slow. Millimeter by tiny millimeter. Didn’t it move faster before?

  A loud thump precedes a groan. I turn just as Jarren yanks his pulse gun from his holster and shoots Niall in the chest. He jerks, then slumps to the floor. Niall! Jarren’s gaze meets mine.

  The door is halfway down.

  Jarren steps over Niall, aiming his weapon at me. “Don’t make me stun you. Remember your promise.”

  I hesitate. There’s movement behind Jarren, but I don’t dare look. Then Jarren is knocked to the ground face-first with Niall on top. The gun skitters under the seats.

  “She promised me first,” Niall says, banging Jarren’s head on the floor. Hard.

  Jarren goes limp. I step toward Niall, but he waves me off. “Go. Get out of here.”

  The ramp is open, but I refuse. “Not without you.”

  The door on the other side of the shuttle—the one facing the fighting—hisses open.

  “The rest of the security team?” I ask hopefully.

  “They don’t know the code.” He scrambles to his feet. “That’s our cue to go.”

  We hurry down the ramp. There’s still no one on this side. Shouts and pulse blasts sound nearby.

  Niall automatically reaches for his weapon, but it was lost in the shuttle. “Shit.” He points to an overturned metal container that is about two meters tall. “Cover.” Tucking me behind him, he backs us away from the shuttle.

  He blocks my view. We crouch behind the container even though it’s tall enough to protect us.

  Niall peeks around the side. “They’re retreating.”

  “Can’t we stop them?”

  “There’s still too many of them left.”

  Sure enough the shuttle roars, sending a blast of air as it rises through the open roof.

  Once
the noise dies, Niall straightens and pulls me to my feet. Hugging me tight, he says, “That was too close, Mouse. We almost lost you.”

  “You saved me. Thank you.” The enormity of everything that happened crashes into me. I bury my face in his shoulder as shudders ripple through my body. “I thought…”

  “Deep breaths. You’re safe now.”

  So why was I falling apart? I managed to keep it together all during— “My parents?”

  “Should be around here somewhere.”

  That snaps me out of it. I pull back. “Really?”

  “We needed all the help we could get.”

  “That’s what happens when you don’t follow my plan,” I tease.

  “There wasn’t enough time so we had to improvise.”

  “Well, I’ll admit disguising yourselves as the looters was a pretty neat trick.”

  “Thanks,” he says dryly. “It’s not like we do this for a living or anything.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Can I interrupt.” Radcliff’s rough voice makes it sound more like an order than a question. He’s holding a pulse gun, but it’s pointed to the ground. His overalls are ripped and bloody. “Why didn’t you answer?” he asks Niall, tapping his ear. “We thought you both were taken.”

  Ah, that explains the extra gruffness. I’m starting to figure him out. Sort of. The grumpier he is, the more he cares about you.

  Niall releases me, but keeps his hand on my arm to steady me. “My communicator was fried by a point blank pulse.”

  That reminds me. “How did you shake off that hit?”

  He pulls down the collar of the coverall, revealing the black jumpsuit underneath. “The fabric neutralizes the energy, but it still stings. How’s the team?” he asks his father.

  “Intact. Come on, Lyra’s parents are frantic with worry.”

  Oh right. We emerge from our cover and within two steps, I’m squished inside a parent sandwich. I soak in the love, letting their happy words fill me. Once we break apart—well not quite as both my parents keep an arm around my waist—I scan the others. They’re a ragtag group. Wounds bleed, sweat drips, bruises purple, and stains pepper their coveralls. But wide grins greet my gaze. Keir’s curly hair is a wild mane around her head and Menz is clutching his arm to his chest. Everyone’s there except Beau. I ask about him.