Trials of Conviction, page 39
"What's this?" Elena asked, stepping out of the cave and onto a walkway suspended over a glowing pool of water.
She looked through the metal grates, finding the milky looking water familiar.
"Yes!" Uncle Jin's crow of relief distracted her from her examination. "You just popped back on my scanners."
"That's great."
"Wait. No. It's not."
Elena found out the reason for his concern as she followed the walkway into a familiar looking room. The central platform waiting off to her left. The bank of cryopods that held her half siblings to her right along the edge of the room.
"How did I get back here?" Elena asked, her stomach sinking as the water below her rippled with movement.
She was sure to keep to the center of the suspended walkway as a vision of tentacles dragging her into the pool haunted her.
"The cavern must connect to several places in the ship," Uncle Jin said in explanation. "Let's not dawdle, Elena mine. I want you out of there as fast as possible."
Elena didn't have to be told twice as she hurried toward the stairs that would take her to the exit, passing the bank of cryopods in the process.
She slowed.
"Elena, you need to get moving," Uncle Jin warned.
"In a minute. This might be the only chance I have to meet them."
These individuals who'd inspired her egg donor to go to such lengths to protect them. Her siblings.
Elena didn't know what she was expecting to find as she stopped in front of them. Maybe a sense of connection. Some spark that would help explain why Elise couldn’t abandon them.
There were five in total. One full grown. Another close to it. The rest were Elena's age or a little younger. Not all of them looked Tuann or human.
The oldest looked most like Elise, scales running along the edge of her forehead and the side of her neck. Sharp claws tipped her fingers and there was a rather lethal looking tail floating in the tank with her.
Three of the children were curled into a fetal position. As if hoping to protect themselves from what awaited them outside the tanks.
"Some of them are older than me.”
"Are you sure?" Uncle Jin asked.
Elena nodded even though she knew he couldn't see. "How is this possible?"
The egg donor had only been missing for twelve years. According to Auntie, any children born of the forty three would grow as slowly as a Tuann. It should take them decades to fully mature.
Take Joule for example. He was older than Elena by nearly forty years, but physically looked her age.
From appearances though, it looked like two of her siblings broke that mold.
The bug set in Elena's ear canal started moving. "Excuse me, Elena. I need to see this for myself."
Elena held still as the bug crawled out of her ear and onto her cheek.
"No, no, this shouldn't be possible," Uncle Jin said as the bug moved back and forth restlessly.
"Evidence suggests otherwise, Uncle Jin."
Elena looked around, catching sight of a tank whose shape was different than the rest. A sphere. The top half transparent, the bottom covered in thick cylinders that looked like roots.
Elena moved closer to it. "What's that?"
Inside was a boy. A little younger than the rest. His skin a light brown. His hair floated around his head. Wires cradled him, attaching to his arms and back as he slept.
Elena set a hand on the tank. "Do you think he's one of them?"
"No."
Elena blinked at the abrupt reply.
"Leave now. He doesn't concern you."
Elena's mouth moved, the words getting stuck in her throat
There was rage in her uncle’s voice. A suppressed anger that felt all the more dangerous for it.
Whoever—whatever—this boy was, his presence had greatly disturbed her uncle.
"He's not your mother's," Uncle Jin said, sensing her reluctance.
"Who is he then?"
"Someone thought long gone."
Knowing her uncle was unlikely to expand any further, and deciding her time here had run its course, Elena shot the boy one last reluctant look before turning to leave.
She froze an instant later. "Kai."
The Sye stood between her and the stairs. An enigmatic smile on their face.
Elena looked around the room in search of an escape. "What are you doing here?"
The Sye's eyes glittered as they looked Elena over before tilting their head, the movement predatory. "I could ask you the same."
With her exit cut off, Elena backed toward the walkway that had led her into the rotunda. "I got lost and somehow wound up here."
Kai tracked Elena. Only the Sye's eyes shifted to follow her in an uber creepy move that left her on edge.
"Were you not listening when you were told to remain in the main cavern?"
Elena's laugh sounded awkward in the room. "Must not have been."
"You must also not have heard of the labyrinth's true nature."
Nope. Elena somehow missed that too.
"If you had, you would know the labyrinth has a mind of its own." Menace crouched in Kai's eyes. So at odds with the soft smile gracing the Sye's face. "For it to lead you here, it must believe the exalted one has a use for you."
Elena took that as her cue, whirling. Time to go.
"Uncle Jin, I think we're going to need to revisit my ship commandeering plan,” Elena said.
The little bug clung to her cheek. "This is why I told you to leave immediately."
Elena should have listened. She really should have. Too late now.
"Where are you going, little girl? There's nowhere to run."
Elena fled, pounding over the metal grates back toward the labyrinth. As if she'd stay put like a good little girl.
Ha. Just ha. Aunt Selene didn't raise no idiot.
Except for Tommy. That boy could be so stupid sometimes. He was a mother hen with a martyr complex as strong as Aunt Kira's.
Elena burst into the adjacent room, slowing at the sight of Fyr blocking the labyrinth entrance.
"Move," she ordered softly, reaching for the bone pick she'd stashed in her boot. "I don't want to hurt you, but I will."
The pace of Kai's steps never varied. Slow and steady as if the Sye had all the time in the world to catch up. That more than anything let her know the two had planned this.
One to flush her out. The other to block her escape.
"Don't worry; you've got this," Uncle Jin whispered. "If nothing else, stall for time. My main body is close. I'll get you out before anything happens."
That would feel more reassuring if Elena didn't detect a thread of the very worry he'd advised her against.
"I won't ask again," Elena warned.
Fyr's gaze was cold. As unfeeling as it had been that first day. "I have my orders."
Funny. So did she.
Elena sprung forward, pouring all her ki into her legs and arms to reinforce them. She made it two steps before a shock went through her system. Her mind blanked. A barrier snapped down between her and her ki, cutting her off from its source and snuffing out her connection with Uncle Jin.
It felt like half of her soul had been sundered from the rest. Agony, unlike anything she had ever felt in her short life, splintered her body.
Uncle Jin's bug fell off her cheek and into the glowing pool below.
Elena couldn't cope with the onslaught of pain, finding herself in a ball on the ground. No wonder some of her siblings had chosen this position for their sleep. It was instinctual.
"Worry not. What is happening to you right now is only natural. This is his space." Kai waved a hand at their surroundings. "Only he controls the flow of the seriet. All others are punished."
Elena whimpered, conscious of the Sye moving closer. Get up, El. Remember what you promised Auntie. You have to survive.
Her limbs refused to obey as Kai gazed down at her. "Who are you working for?"
Elena glared up at the Sye, putting all her hate into her gaze. What she wouldn't give to curse right now. Aunt Selene's rules or not. A good choice of swear words would really go a long way to making her feel better.
"That's alright." Kai's lips twisted cruelly. "We'll have plenty of time to get acquainted."
Twenty Six
Kira - CSS Reliance
Kira crossed the busy flight deck, wearing the waveboard armor Jace had procured for her on 'short notice'.
A nice excuse, but she didn't buy it. The armor waveboard pilots wore was custom designed for its wearer. Besides the waveboard itself, it was the single most expensive item in a pilot's possession. Every piece of it tailored for their use. Anything less was too dangerous to risk wearing.
It wasn't the kind of thing you could pluck from a storage locker.
Kira didn't know if it had been Jace or Himoto who had commissioned it for her. Either way, she appreciated their foresight.
The base of the armor was a skin-tight under-suit most pilots referred to as a condom. Over it were fitted a series of panels whose modular design was intended for ease of movement. The legs of the suit were equipped with mechanized features to help support her bones and muscles during high velocity maneuvers.
The waveboard's shielding and gravity dampeners also provided additional support.
"I would feel better if you wore any of the sets of armor Harlow gave you," Finn said, keeping up with her as she marched across the deck.
Kira adjusted a few panels on the suit. "I'm sure you would."
"Tuann armor is better equipped to protect against attacks."
Talon trailed behind them with a predatory saunter as he took in the humans shuttling back and forth.
"I know it does. But as we've already established, waveboard armor is the best choice when operating a waveboard."
And since that was what she was planning to ride down to the planet, she was going to stick with her choice.
There was something to be said about having a familiarity with your equipment before entering battle. Kira knew the ins and outs of a waveboard better than probably anyone. She knew what it and its armor could take. How far she could push them before they broke and placed her in danger. She couldn't say the same about the Tuann armor.
Finn's angry exhale followed her as she strode toward the drop ship that would be carrying them for the first part of the mission.
"No wonder you're afraid to let her out of your sight," Talon teased from beside him.
Finn shook his head. "She's as stubborn as her father."
"I heard that," Kira called over her shoulder.
Finn's voice lowered. "Miss your bar yet?"
Kira didn’t hear Talon’s response as she joined the group waiting for their arrival.
Graydon was already there, a few of his oshota beside him. Amila nodded a greeting that Kira returned. Joule and Devon stood off to the side, slightly apart from the rest.
"Odin's inside," Joule told her in a low voice.
As usual, the Sye was ahead of the game.
"Does everyone understand the mission?" Raider was saying to the Curs in front of him. "There won't be any room for mistakes once we get started."
A dark haired man at the front of the group raised his hand. "Yeah, I have a question."
"Nova," Raider said with a hint of a growl.
Nova wasn't listening as he pointed at Kira and the rest. "Just wondering when we're going to get to the part of the plan that explains why the wizards are still here?"
"That’s need to know. And you don’t," Raider retorted.
"Kira, girl, are we flying together again?" a big man off to Raider's side asked with an easy smile.
"It seems we are, Tank. Think you can handle that?"
"Any day of the week, my friend."
Kira chuckled as he offered his hand. She slapped hers in it, letting him pull her close for a one armed hug.
"It's good to be riding with you again," he said into her ear.
She nodded wordlessly against his shoulder. It was.
He let her go. "Did you hear about Blue?"
"I did."
"Think they're right?"
"Time will tell."
Tank's face was sad. "I guess it will."
A toll sounded, cutting off the conversation between Raider and Nova. The flight deck came to a halt, people stopping to look up as Jace's voice issued through the speaker.
"By now, I'm sure some of you have heard the rumors."
"Oh? You think?" Nova muttered.
"Let me clear up any confusion. The CSS Reliance along with two other ships are heading into battle. Our target is a Tsavitee home world."
There was an exclamation around them. Whoops and hollers as the humans greeted Jace's news with anticipation.
Another of the Curs, Maverick, clapped. Like Brie, he was from Rothchild. To him, this fight was long overdue.
Nova grabbed his shoulder, squeezing. As eager to get out there as his friend.
Humanity had been waiting decades for this chance. An opportunity to strike at the heart of those who'd brought them to the brink of extinction.
"I know the news over the last few months has been terrifying. A return to a time all of us remember. Some of you may have friends and family still in danger. I know what it takes to stay in the fight while worried about what's happening at home. You have my gratitude."
The flight deck had gone utterly silent as they listened, faces attentive as some unconsciously nodded along. There was a sense of solidarity. A shared purpose and knowledge of what was coming.
War.
"Centcom has ordered us into a defensive posture around Zepher. While most of the fleet will be deployed to answer Centcom and the Consortium's call, the CSS Reliance, the CSS Horizon, and the CSS Lawrence will launch the first large scale attack on our enemy’s home ground. Too long have they made us suffer. It's time to respond in kind."
There were cheers from those on the flight deck. Maverick and Nova letting out battle cries.
Tank's eyes found Kira's. He dipped his chin, a silent acknowledgment of those they'd known who hadn't lived to see this day.
The flight deck quieted as Jace continued. "Many will view this act as insubordination."
"See if they dare!" Nova shouted.
There were laughs from the flight crew. Others repeating the cry.
Jace was still talking. "I plan to take full responsibility when an accounting is called for. I know what I'm asking of you, but please place your trust in me for one last battle so that we may remind those who hurt us that humanity is still here. And that we will hit back in kind."
The flight deck roared their approval.
"Enthusiastic lot," Graydon observed next to her.
"You would be too if you'd been waiting as long as they have for this chance."
A whistle came from their left.
Lieutenant Himoto strode over to the drop ship, clad in the same battle suit as Kira and the rest. "Got room for one more?"
A short figure followed her, already outfitted in full battle suit. Plus helmet.
The co-pilot looked Kira's way for a second before boarding the ship without a word to the rest.
Nova shot the lieutenant a charming smile. "For you—always."
Kira gave the other woman a puzzled frown. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm your ride. Haven't you heard?"
"You're a pilot?" Kira asked with some disbelief.
Admiral Himoto had opposed Kira's choice of MOS, her military occupational specialty. He'd never looked down on waveboard pilots or any military occupation, but he'd always felt she was better suited to command. Although waveboard pilots might command a small squadron, they rarely commanded ships or fleets. Jace being one of the few exceptions. And even he had transitioned to a different field at a certain point.
Kira would have expected Himoto to be even more stubborn regarding his daughter's future.
Himoto walked backwards a few steps, her attention on Kira. "One of the best."
"That's comforting. Because we're going to need the best today."
Elena - Tsavitee Planet
Elena lost the battle against the pain, slipping in and out of consciousness as Fyr picked her up off the floor, carrying her into the next room. In her lucid moments, she desperately tried to summon the strength to move her arms. Something. Anything besides hanging like a limp noodle in his grip.
"Set her here," Kai ordered, pointing to a cradle of vine-like wires that rose out of the water.
"Don't," Elena tried to say.
Instead of the word she intended, what left her mouth was a garbled d sound.
Fyr's face remained blank, the only sign of his disquiet the way his arms tightened around her. "I thought you wished to question her yourself."
Kai stopped, looking up from the torture cradle—as Elena was calling it in her mind—to pin Fyr with a displeased glance. "Since when do you question my orders?"
"I would never." Fyr bowed his head. "As ever, my loyalty lies with you."
Kai looked satisfied with his response. "Very good. Don't forget that later."
Fyr walked over to the torture cradle, lowering Elena carefully inside. With her eyes, she tried to plead with him not to leave her there.
It was futile. She knew that. But she couldn't stop herself from grasping onto any straw. No matter how hopeless.
"I'm sorry," Fyr whispered. "Like I told you before, this is why we don't form attachments."
Elena's throat started working, some of the feeling coming back to her muscles as her body adjusted to being cut off from its soul's breath. "That's nothing but an excuse."
Relationships were what compelled you to break your limits. They were what lifted you up and kept you going. They deserved to be fought for. Even when you knew heartbreak or loss waited for you at the end.
Fyr's face held regret. "I know."
Elena's breath shuddered as fear gripped her. Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't you dare let them see you cry.
It was difficult. Especially if she let herself think about what was coming.
Fyr paused to wipe away the stray tears that leaked out of her eyes despite her best efforts. "Don't show him weakness if you can help it."
